undeniable feelings | a stephchelle story

Chapter 46 - after all this time

— STEPHANIES POV —

I step in through this entrance of the hospital almost every single day, usually with quite a casual impression. But today, I'm shaking in anticipation, clenching my fists tightly taking the route to Michelle's ward.

This walk feels like it's taking forever, one corridor leads the next and it feels as if it doesn't come to an end at all. I eventually reach the door that leads into Michelle's room. I creek it open slightly as I shiver in fear. I wasn't prepared for what I was about to see.

Michelle is sat up slightly with her eyes widely open. Her expression is merely blank as she looks around in confusion.
"Hi Steph." Mary greets me "can you believe it." She beams, patting my back as we look at Michelle.
"No I really can't." I grin. "But, is she okay? I mean, can she talk or do anything like normal?" I ask in concern.
"The thing is, she's able to understand you completely like normal, she just can't communicate. And by that I mean she won't be able to talk normally or make obvious facial expressions for quite a long time." She states "but the main thing is that she's getting better."

Mary gestures me over to Michelle's bed. It's so overwhelming to see her awake. I stumble over towards her as her eyes lock with mine.
"Hi gorgeous." I whisper, trying not to tear up. I know she can understand me but she just cannot communicate, making this all the more difficult.
"She's won't be home for a few days, we need to make sure she has enough strength." A paramedic smiles "she's going to be in a wheelchair for some time, so we need to make sure she's able to wheel it around okay."
"Oh so shes not coming home today?" I sigh, looking at Mary.
"Unfortunately not, it's in our best interest to make sure she's 100% on the mend." The paramedic quickly responds.

I sigh loudly at Michelle, wishing she was able to come home, but I know that they're going to take care of her.
"Can I stay with her for a while." I ask in hope as I begin to sit beside her.
"Of course, we'll leave you two alone." Mary responds, gesturing the other two paramedics out of the room.

They all swiftly move out of the room, leaving me and Michelle in silence. I shift beside her, taking the nearest seat and placing it beside her bed.
"Look, I know you can't speak to me right now, so don't worry about that. I just want to say how sorry I am. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in this mess. These 4 months have been agony for me, knowing that I put you in this state." I sob, looking deeply into her blank face.
"I know you don't want me to cry, but I can't help it, I love you and I know that after this you probably won't love me back." I weep.

Michelle's weakly reaches her hand out placing it in mine as she gently squeezes it, using as much energy as she can despite how weak she must be. I watch her vaguely smile at me, it reassures me.
"I love you." I whisper as tears pour down my face. I lean towards her and hold her in my arms tightly. I wrap my arms around her firmly.

"I'm never letting anything happen to you again."