Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Fifty One

NICK'S POV

✲

It's been three hours. I feel like I'm going out of my damn mind. I've paced the length of the corridor so many times that I'm certain I've worn through the floorboards. At some point I manage to sit down and then I'm up again. I can't sit still. I can't stop thinking about him.

The pure terror on his face when he knew it was now or never. I didn't want to let him go but I knew that I had to. I wrapped him up in my arms and kissed him because I didn't want him to feel alone. And now I know he's laying down on a table with his chest wide open.

My hand slams onto the wall as I hunch over and take a breath. I thought I'd be able to keep my shit together but this is proving far more difficult than I realised. We both know it's what he needs to survive but these last three hours have driven me insane.

Luca left and said he'd go and pick up Elodie with Declan and to call him once Aris is out of surgery. I've never been more grateful for them to look after my little girl. I need to be here right now, where I promised him I would be.

I'm not leaving until I know that he's okay and in recovery.

I had toyed with my phone and typed in multiple questions into Google but I never found the courage to hit search. Not yet anyway. The doctors haven't said a single thing and I know it's best to sit and wait. If I start searching the internet for answers I'll start spiralling and put negative thoughts into my head. I need to remain positive because I know he's coming out with a new heart and the rest of his life.

This could take three more hours for all I know. The first three were painful. I rub my chest like I've been stabbed and pray that the next few hours go by quickly–we all know it's not going to.

My head pounds like I've slammed it against the wall. I can't rest. How can I when the love of my life is laying on a table whilst people cut him open and remove his most vital organ?

I almost retch at the thought. He's alone. He might be with the surgeons but he's alone.

Pressure builds behind my eyes. I can't wait to see him. I can't wait to kiss his forehead and tell him that I love him. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life making it up to him and begging for his forgiveness.

I'm barely breathing, barely functioning, barely standing. I take a seat once more before I pass out. My head rests in my hands as I bend over my knees. God. My throat aches as I attempt to push down the bile that keeps rising.

"Daddy!"

I glance up at that voice and find my daughter running towards me. My brows press down into a frown at her presence and I see Luca and Declan behind her. I stand up on shaky legs and gather her in my arms.

My eyes collide with my brothers. "What the fuck are you thinking?" I mouth to him.

"Are you okay, daddy?" she clutches onto me.

I nod with a shuddering breath. "Yeah, baby. I'm okay."

After setting her down on the floor Declan clears his throat. "Els, why don't you and Luca go to the vending machine and buy something for your dad? He's in desperate need of something sweet."

"Okay!" Her face lights up and she takes Luca's hand before walking down the corridor.

I step to Declan. "What the hell are you doing?"

"You look as pale as a ghost," he folds his arms over his chest. "Need some sugar before you faint."

"That is not what I'm talking about. Why did you bring her here? This is no place for children, Declan. She doesn't know about Aris' condition and it's not fair to spring that on her."