Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Fifty Two

ARIS' POV

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The last few days have been hazy. I barely remember waking up. All I remember is being pumped full of pain medication and slipping in and out of sleep. It isn't until I'm moved out of the ICU and into a regular hospital ward that I start coming to terms with my surgery.

There is someone else's heart beating inside my chest. Someone had to die for me to get this heart. It's a hard pill to swallow but I pray they lived a good life. All I know is I'll look after this heart with everything I have.

Today is the first day that I start to feel slightly conscious. I ache but the drugs in my system are definitely helping. I still have another seven days or so in the hospital before I'm allowed to leave but I'd rather be here–it's the safest place.

A knock at my door stirs me from my thoughts and I tilt my heavy head to find Nick stepping inside. I know that he's been here since I went in for my surgery–he's barely left. Now I'm a little more stable I can actually spring a sentence together that makes sense.

"Hi, handsome," he offers me a big smile. "How are you feeling today?"

I swallow which sends a shooting pain through my chest. Those meds are definitely wearing off and God, I'm sore and feel weak as hell. It's like I've been dug up from the ground and I'm nothing more than a corpse except I'm alive but suffering the outcome of choosing to live.

"Hi," I rasp as I watch him walk around my hospital bed. He dips down and kisses my forehead. "I'm okay. Sore."

Nick pauses for a moment. "Need me to get the doctor?"

"No," I shake my head once with as much strength as I can muster. "I'm okay."

I study his casual attire and how gorgeous he looks today. I mean, he looks gorgeous everyday but seeing him whilst being in his hospital bed is a prize in my eyes. He perches beside my bed and takes my hand before kissing my fingers.

"You seem really with it today," he says optimistically. "It's good to see you talking, especially when I can understand what you're saying. Those meds must have been super strong."

"Yeah," I lick my lips and attempt a smile. "It feels good to actually know what's going on."

He runs his thumb across the back of my hand delicately and for a long moment we stare at each other. I clear my throat and he leans over to grab some water and bring it to my lips. I thank him with my eyes as I drink down the liquid and sink my head back into the pillows.

"You've been here everyday," I comment.

Nick nods. "Yeah."

"How? It's not a few hours. You're here all day. What about your business?"

He flashes me a confused look. "I informed my company that I would need to take extended leave off to look after you, Aris. I did it the second we walked through those doors before your surgery. Robyn has everything under control. I do bits here and there when I get home but you will always have my undivided attention."

All I can do is blink at his confession. It makes my heart strain and the machine beside me begins to beep. We both glance at it and I lower my gaze. "That's a lot, Nick."

"For you, nothing is enough, Aris."

My hand trembles in his and I frown. "What about Elodie?"

"Declan has been looking after her whilst I'm here. I collect her when I go home."

"Oh," I whisper. "Nick, I–"

"If you even think about telling me that I shouldn't be looking after you or putting my life to the side for you, I will be really frustrated." He states and I can see the sheer honesty in his eyes. I shut my mouth. "Don't you realise that you are my life? You are my entire world, along with Elodie. I am going to look after you and I don't care what you say about it."