Diamonds or Dirt?

Chapter 17: The Surprise

Riley's POV:

Everything is black. I can hear I can feel and smell, but I can’t see, move or talk. It's like my body refuses to respond to me. I can hear Sam begging me to open my eyes to say something to squeeze his hand but no matter how hard I try I just can't do it.

I hear the doctors say everything appears normal. My brain activity levels are good and they think I'm unconsciously keeping myself from waking up. I want to laugh at the idea. I want to wake up. I want to stop Sam from worrying, but most of all I want to clear things up with the King.

I guess I was so surprised when Eddie said what he said that I passed out. I remember Sam was there. I probably ruined his sister's wedding for him. Sam's dad is here too. Apparently Eddie felt bad for what happened and arranged for there to be money supplied for the man keeping the farm and talked to the airline about the return ticket and got that sorted out.

It makes me feel better to have Ryan here. I know it is what's keeping Sam calm and I appreciate that he is worried about me. It's been 2 days since the wedding and I still can’t control my body. I'm worried I won’t be able to again, that I won’t be able to kiss Sam ever again. I can feel Sam's hand holding mine, but I wish I could hold his back. He needs to know I'm okay.

I imagine my hand squeezing his. I keep trying to make it happen and every time it never works, but I just needed to try again. I'm concentrating really hard when I feel a pair of lips against my own. It shocks me so much that my hand works on its own and it squeezes his.

He pulls back and gasps before calling for the nurse. I can move my fingers and toes. I can open my mouth and finally after two days my eyes crack open and the light almost blinds me. I squint at the light and it is replaced with a dull glow. I open my eyes all the way and blink a few times.

I look around the room and see some faces I don't expect. I knew Sam and Ryan were her, but Kyle, Jada, Baylee, and Thomas are all here too. I see them all but the only person I'm really focused on is Sam. He is sitting in the chair by my bed and his face is full of relief and happiness.

"Hi." I croak my throat dry from not talking for 2 days.

"Hi." He says back tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Do you want some water?" He asks.

I nod and he picks up a glass and puts the straw to my lips. I take a sip and try to sit up. When he realizes what I'm doing he props me up and fixes my pillow behind me before sitting me back against it. I look around the room again and see everyone is staring at us with a smile on their face.

Baylee and Thomas are in the corner and Baylee is sitting on Thomas' lap. Kyle has his arms wrapped around Jada who is leaning back against him straight across from the bed, and Ryan is standing near the door with his arms crossed and is smiling right at me. When I look at him he winks and I smile.

Sam turns around and looks at everyone before turning back to me. "They were all worried about you. They wanted to be here when you woke up.  I can't even tell you how hard it was to convince them to leave last night." He tells me and i smile.

I lift my arm and reach for the glass of water which he picks up and brings to my mouth again. I take a bigger sip this time and take a deep breath. I look around the room again before speaking. "Thank you so much for being here for me. It really means a lot. I hope I didn't ruin anyone’s weekend."

"You didn't ruin our weekend. Every wedding needs a good story to tell, and now I have 2." Baylee says from the corner and I smile at her. Everyone chuckles and then Kyle talks, "We all wanted you to be okay. I don't think I've ever seen Sam so scared before, it kinda scared me."