Almost a year has passed since Ryan's accident. He's been doing much better, although there were some permanent damages that the whole monstrosity left on him. Shortly after he woke up, the doctors finally managed to coax him into speaking, much to everyone's relief. I was afraid that he had forgotten how to. Then they ran some tests on him, tried to make sure everything in his body was still functioning properly. Other than some still bruised and broken bones, he was pretty much all right. I can't explain how relieved I was to hear something like that.
But, Dr. Holland and Dr. Brookes did tell me something I didn't quite want to hear. It was nothing terrible, but I knew it was going to affect him for the rest of his life.
His movements were severely limited, and he would have to go to physical therapy almost every day until he got better. If he got better.
I've been taking him to his therapies every day for almost a year now. I don't mind at all. I just go through every single day with gratitude that he's even alive. He was so close to death, and he pulled through. One minute longer on that day could have drastically changed my life forever, and I'm just thankful he's here with me.
I'm never going to let him go ever again.
I still own the dream therapy clinic, but it's not my number one priority anymore. I let Sarah take over in exchange for all that she did for me, so now she's been taking classes to get her degree. Soon enough she'll be the lead therapist at that place. I can't be happier for her.
One day, after I pick up Ryan from his physical therapy and take him back home, I find a letter lodged in the mail slot. We take it inside and sit on the couch to read it.
"It's addressed to you, babe," I say. I don't recognize the handwriting or the return address. I wonder who it's from.
Confused, and with a frown adorning his pale face, he takes the envelope from my hands and tears it open. The letter inside is folded carefully, and I urge him to read it. I want to know what this is.
His eyes scan over the letter, and with every word he reads, I see his gaze glimmer just a little bit more. When he looks up to me, I can't help but smile at his excited glee. "It's a letter from Jon."
My heart hammers inside my chest. Jon? The friend he hasn't heard from in years? This is strange. Strange, but also exciting. Why did he all of a sudden decide to send a letter?
"What does it say?"
Ryan's joyful smile makes my heart melt. He needs to smile like this more often. He looks beautiful. "I'll just read the whole thing to you," he tells me, clearing his throat and holding onto the letter with trembling fingers. "Dear Ryan. It's been a while since you've heard from me, huh? I'm really sorry about that. It's probably too long and complicated to explain over a letter, so we should meet up sometime. You deserve an explanation.
"Anyway, that isn't the entire reason as to why I decided to send you this. What really happened is that Spencer found me. Yeah, Spencer Smith found me. I don't know how or why, just one day I woke up and heard him knocking on my door. He told me he left our old town because he wanted to move on? He told me you were pretty upset about it, too. I don't blame you. I didn't tell him to do that, so don't be upset with me. He's also watching me write this letter and wants me to tell you he said hi. Something about forgiving him, too? I don't know. Regardless, he feels terrible and if you and I meet up, he wants to give you a proper explanation, as well. I guess this letter is one giant apology, huh?
"Hope life has been treating you well. You'll have to tell us what's been going on when we meet up, which will hopefully be soon, right? I hope you're not too mad at us. Write me back if you wanna catch up sometime. Also, happy early birthday, man. I know it's coming up. Sorry I haven't gotten you anything for the past while, but maybe next year I can get you something huge to make up for it. I hope to hear from you soon.
"Sincerely, Jon."
I wonder if he ever plans to tell them about the accident.
His birthday is right around the corner now. He's told me a thousand times that he doesn't want anything, that he doesn't think birthdays are a big deal. He never had a single birthday party in his life, and his were never filled with fun or joy, he said. He doesn't like birthdays. He doesn't think they're special. They're just another day of the year for him.
And so on his birthday I ask him to marry me.
The ceremony is set to happen in a few months. He invites Spencer and Jon. I invite Sarah. It'll be a small ceremony, but that's all we need.
We only need each other to be happy.
He eats more now, too. He's gained weight. His skin smooths out. His hair grows stronger and healthier. His eyes look livelier, prettier, happier. He seems to glow in the gleam of the morning, under the bright moonlight and starlight. He's an entirely new person, and although I fell in love with his old self, I can't help but love this one even more, because he's happier. What more can I ask for?
He told me his nightmares have lessened since I've been with him every night. He told me he feels safe wrapped up in my arms, and if he wakes up trembling, he knows everything's all right because he can feel my heartbeat against the palm of his hand, can feel my comforting breaths atop his head. He feels safe as long as he's with me, and I tell him that'll never change. I'll always be here for him.
He may be crippled. He may have incurable injuries for life, but he's alive. That's all that matters to me. He's alive and well, and he'll always be with me. I'll never leave him as long as I'm around.
He doesn't have to worry about being alone anymore.
~~~~~
And that's the end of Insomnolence! Wow. What an incredible journey. Thank you all so much for coming along. I read every single one of your comments and smiled like an idiot. It means so much to me <3
That being said, I'll be publishing the next AU next Sunday (I think). Around January 21, anyway. I just want an extra week to get ahead of writing a bit more so I don't get caught up. I hope you're excited. It's a 1930s AU ;)
^^ I'll also be adding an extra chapter to the end of this story with a link to the new one once it's published, just in case any of you miss it. I got your back
One final time, thank you all so much for the love on this story. It's one of my favorites, and knowing that you guys loved it too means the world. If you have any final comments, I'd love to read them. It's bittersweet to reach the end of a story, isn't it?
Love you all. So long and goodnight <3
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Insomnolence |Ryden AU| ✔️
Fanfiction"Do I fear the sleepless nights? You have no idea how long the darkness lasts when you cannot close your eyes to it. For the night is dark and full of terrors." * * * |TW: Nightmares, insomnia, anorexia, intense phobias, blood, mentions of death...
