Working Love

21

I sat at his side, holding his hand in mine. His normal warmth was gone, his hands were ice cold. The monitor connected to his arms kept beeping. Normally that sound would infuriate me to no end. But right now, it may as well be the most beautiful sound in the world. It was the only thing that let me know Ethan was stable, and that he was with me.

"Carter." I looked up from my angel's face, and saw his mother at the door. She was pale, with a blanket wrapped around her. Normally Valkyrie looks like a total knock out, but right now she looks like a worried mother. Her hair is in a messy bun, her face looks pale, and she seems tired. But yet, I could still see the beauty that reminds me of my Ethan. "Carter dear, you should get some rest."

"No thank you." My voice sounded so small. I turn back to look at him while I rub my thumb across his knuckles, and place a kiss on his hand. The tears just pour out of me lately. I can't help but cry seeing him on this bed. I feel Val wrap her arms around me, and I welcome it. She is warm like Ethan, and it makes me want to cry even more. I miss his warmth. "It's been days Val, days. I miss him. I miss his smile, his laugh. Val, I'm lost without him." I can't help but break down in her arms. I cling to the blanket draped on her shoulders. I feel her run her hands through my hair.

"I know son, I know." I can feel her tears hit my cheeks, I know she feels my pain too. "The doctor said that his conditions are stable, and thankfully the head gear took most of the blow. Right now he is under a lot of pressure, and the medicine is helping to relive that. Give him time, he'll come back to us. He may be an innocent boy, but my baby is also strong." I know what she means. Besides the part were he got kicked in the head, Ethan was amazing. I never knew he was so strong. Seeing him fight like that, only made me feel more amazed by him.

"You're right. Our Ethan is strong, and he will get better." I wiped the tears away, and took his hand in mine again. I felt Val place a kiss on my head, and pat my shoulder.

"I'm glad Ethan and you got together. When I first met you, I thought you were a little tough around the edges. But something told me you and Ethan would need each other.  Sorry about pushing you two to get married so fast. I know you had only been dating a few months." I shook my head, and smiled. Something I hadn't done in a few days.

"No Val, thank you. I'm happy you did, because it meant Ethan would be mine. Just like how I am his. I need to stop mopping around, because I know Ethan will get better. Thank you Val, for everything."

"It was my pleasure."

******************

After Val left, I still remained by his side. The hospital has a small showering area, and they allowed me to use it. My old man brought me a duffle bag with clothes, and the hospital brought me a small foldable bed for me. After a long argument about me getting some rest at home, and me telling them no over and over, they finally agreed to drop it.

"Hey man." I looked up from Ethan's face, and saw James at the door. "Thought you might need some salvation." He held up a bag of take out. I could feel my mouth watering. I hadn't really eaten anything since the whole thing happened.

"Dude, don't take this the wrong way, but I love you man." He placed his hand over his heart, and pretended to wipe tears from his eyes.

"I have waited so long to hear you say that." He handed me my food, and I immediately started gobbling it up. I needed to focus my mind on something else before I lost it completely. "So how is he?" We both looked at a very pale looking Ethan.

"The doctors said he's stable now. The kick caused some internal bleeding, and had there been no doctors there to stabilize it, it could have been a lot worse. Thankfully there is no permanent damage, but he has to remain under to heal properly." I hadn't realized I was holding his hand again. Lately I find myself doing it more and more without even thinking. Like a small child reaching for their blanket.

"What about you?" I looked at James, and I saw worry in his hazel eyes.

"What about me?"

"How are you doing? I can only imagine what must be going through your head when you're alone. Doesn't being here everyday get to you?" I know what he means. The first view days I wanted to be with him, to take away his pain. I still do, just not to the point of trying to hurt myself.

"I'm fine. I decided a while back that I would take over the old man's business when he retires."

"Really?! Carter that's awesome! Does he know?" I shook my head.

"No, not even Ethan. I started taking online classes, and they help me take my mind of everything. I still don't get everything, since I just started. But it's actually really interesting."

"I'm proud of you Carter." He turned to look at Ethan, and a small smile graced his face. "I owe him a lot. In just a short time he has be able to do things, that no one else has been able to do for years. He's perfect for you man, so I know he'll come back to us soon. So don't worry."

I thought about what he said. He has a point. Ethan has become my everything, and I can't lose him now. He showed me that day that even though he looks like an angel, he is also a fighter. I can still remember the speed of his punches, and the power of his kicks. He is a fighter, and he is going to come back to me.

I placed a quick kiss on his forehead, and brushed the stray hairs away from his eyes. His skin is cold, but it still holds some warmth to it.

"I love you Ethan, so hurry back to me."