Express Yourself

Chapter Sixteen

Remembering much after coming home from the hospital is difficult. All I really remember is Olivia and Adalynn helping me into my bed. After they got me settled in under the covers, I was out like a light. I was unbearably exhausted. After I woke up is a different story. I remember waking up and seing my bedroom door open. I noticed Olivia wasn't laying next to me, and the pillow was missing, so naturally I got up to see where she was. I struggled to get up, but I did it eventually. Clutching my stomach, I walked silently into the living room to see a sleeping Olivia on the couch. I smiled to myself, she's so cute when she sleeps, I thought to myself. I walked into the kitchen, trying not to wake her up, to make myself a glass of water. Unfortunately, I had no such luck.

"What are you doing?" A sleepy, but familiar voice asked me.

"I was going to make a drink. I just woke up a bit ago. Why'd you steal my other pillow?" I asked Olivia, smiling at her as she rubbed her eyes.

"Two reasons: One, I don't like the texture of the pillows on the couch. Two, I prefer your pillow because it's comfy and it smells amazing," she stated in a sleepy tone, finishing with a long yawn.

"Ohh, gotcha," I said. "So why'd you come sleep in the living room, hmm?"

"I didn't want to wake you up or hurt you in my sleep," she replied honestly.

"Oh please," I scoffed. "You can't hurt me. In any case, I sleep better with you next to me," I said, walking towards her and taking her hands in mine.

"I'm really glad you're gonna be okay... I thought John shot you. I thought I was going to lose you..." Olivia whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

"Hey," I said gently. "Don't cry. You're not gonna lose me babe. I wouldn't let that happen. I won't give in to death just yet," I whispered, wiping away the tears that stained her face.

"I would hug you, but I don't want to hurt you," Olivia smiled at me.

"You can hug me, you just can't squeeze my guts out. I still don't feel one hundred percent."

With that, she took a step forward and wrapped her arms around my waist, careful to avoid touching my stomach. I pulled her closer to me so our bodies touched.

"I love you so much Alex," Olivia mumbled into my chest.

"I love you more..." I said plainly, letting my voice drift into the silence. 

We stood there and hugged for a few minutes, and during that time I realized just how close i had come to dying. What if John had shot me? I can't die, I thought. Olivia needs me, and I need her just as much if not more...

Olivia pulled out of our hug and suggested we go to bed, a suggestion to which I agreed gladly, since I was still very exhausted and I needed the rest anyway.

As we crawled into my bed, we got comfortable and Olivia rested her head on my shoulder. She looked up at me, and her eyes twinkled in the darkness of my room. Even though it was pitch black, I could still see her beautiful brown eyes. I got lost in what seemed to be her thoughts; I knew exactly what she was thinking: Don't put yourself at risk again. I can't lose you. You won't, I thought. I won't let that happen. Olivia seemed to know what I thought, because I winked at her and she kissed me.

"Good night my angel," I whispered.

"Sleep well," Olivia whispered back.

"I know I will now," I breathed. She laughed at that and kissed me again. I smiled, and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

I awoke abruptly to a sharp, stabbing pain in my stomach. Time for pain medication, I thought. I hate taking pills. It's not that I can't, it's that I just don't like putting chemicals into my body when I don't feel like I need to. Plus, I was comfortable with my arm around Olivia and her head rested gently on my shoulder. When the pain continued for three minutes, I knew it was time to get my meds into my system. In the process of attempting to sit up, I tried unsuccessfully not to wake Olivia up. Her eyes fluttered open; she smiled and kissed my cheek. I gasped as another sharp stabbing pain shot through my stomach.