Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
RYLEE HANSON (narrative)
Sleeping outside Nika's room wasn't the most comfortable decision I'd ever made, but I didn't regret it for a second. Waking up in the hallway, my back stiff and my legs half-asleep, I glanced over at her door. The thought of her sleeping peacefully just a few feet away filled me with warmth.
Today was the day—our day.
The early morning light filtered through the hallway window, and I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, my mind already racing with excitement. But I had one more thing to take care of before I could stand at the altar and make her mine forever.
I reached for my phone, checking the time. Perfect. The doctor had agreed to meet me early, and if I hurried, I could pull off this surprise without her suspecting a thing. Quietly, I grabbed the duffel bag I'd stashed nearby and headed for the car, leaving a quick note for Nika in case she woke up:
"Went out for a bit. Don't worry—everything's fine. I'll see you soon. Love, Rylee."
The drive to the hospital was short, but it felt like forever. My arm throbbed faintly in its cast, but the anticipation of finally getting this thing off overshadowed any lingering discomfort. I'd been waiting for weeks, and the timing couldn't have been better.
When I arrived, Dr. Kim greeted me with a warm smile. "Good morning, Rylee. Ready to say goodbye to the cast?"
"Absolutely," I said, grinning. "Thanks for squeezing me in so early. I really appreciate it."
"No problem," she replied, leading me into the exam room. "Let's get started."
As she worked, we made small talk about the wedding. Dr. Kim had been treating me since the injury and knew how much today meant to me.
"You've been a great patient," she said as she carefully cut through the cast. "And I have to say, this is a pretty romantic gesture. Nika's going to love it."
"I hope so," I said, laughing nervously. "She's been so worried about me, and I just... I want her to see that I'm okay. That I'm ready for this next chapter with her."
The cast finally came off, and I flexed my fingers experimentally. My arm looked a little pale and stiff, but it was free.
"You'll still need to be careful," Dr. Kim advised, wrapping a lightweight brace around my wrist for extra support. "But you're healing nicely. Just don't overdo it, okay?"
"Got it," I promised.
Before leaving, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the exam room mirror. I adjusted the brace to make sure it wasn't too obvious, then gave myself a nod. Time to pull off the surprise of a lifetime.
When I got back to the house, the excitement bubbling inside me nearly made me forget my nerves. Nika was still in her room, so I quietly slipped inside mine to get ready. As I pulled on my suit, I couldn't stop smiling.
