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White, fluffy clouds drift by in a lazy stroll across the sky. I watch and point to certain ones, claiming they look like a giraffe or a bear, sometimes even a wale. Alex laughs at me while listening to the stories I tell of faraway lands where those same animals can fly and that's how they made it to the clouds.
I'm lying on the ground with my head propped on one of his legs, his other one bent with his wrist relaxing on it, his hand dangling while fiddling with a long piece of grass. He leans against the trunk of a tree, watching me as I watch those clouds.
"I love you Trina," He says out loud for the very first time.
My eyes leave the clouds, landing on him. "I've always loved you Alex." I climb to my knees and lean over to kiss him. It's not our first kiss but it is the first time that he actually came out and told me that he loved me. Until then it was always yeah me too or ditto and sometimes I'd get a lazy yup. Not today, today he said it on his own. I always knew he did but it made it more real when the words came out of his mouth.
I'm aware of my surroundings before I even open my eyes due to the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor machine, the pitter patter of feet as nurses rush by the door and that clean smell that only hospitals have. They are almost too clean, too sterile for my liking, but I suppose they need to be.
I fight my lids to get them to rise only succeeding with one. I raise my hand to feel the other is swollen shut. That explains it, I think as I turn slightly trying to see who is holding my other hand. Alex lays sleeping with on hand tightly gripping mine as if he's afraid I'll get away while he sleeps. I suppose his fear is valid, since I was somehow kidnapped while sleeping with him.
I lift my hand again, noticing the IV sticking out of the top as I lower my hand to touch Alex's head, wincing as a pain shoots through my rib cage.
Alex sits up straight and stares at me for a moment. His handsome face left unguarded as he looks at me. I can see the days of sleep he's missed, the worry, the agony of seeing me laying in this hospital bed but most of all I can see that boy from so long ago that for the first time told me that he loved me.
I finally break the silence, "Can I have a drink," I manage to squeeze the words out of my dried-up throat.
He stands takes a step toward a bed table where he pours me a glass of water and place as straw in it before turning back around. Alex lowers the glass and places the straw between my lips.
The cool water flows from the straw coating my dry mouth and throat like a salve. I pull my head away just a bit, enough to tell him I'm finished. He set the cup on the bedside table and turns around.
"Where are you going? Don't leave me." I beg, he turns back to me and pushes the button on the bed, alerting the nurse that we need help. "I would never leave you," His voice cracks as he says it.
"Can I help you," a voice echoes through the speaker on the bed.
"She's awake," Alex says before taking my hand again.
In no time Sabastian walks through the door, looking official with his lab coat on. "How are you feeling?" He asks as he pulls my chart off the door.
"Like I took a beating," I chuckle and wince at the same time.
"Now that's you're awake, I'll get you some stronger medications." He says while writing something on my file. "The worst of your injuries are the three broken ribs, although I'm sure your face hurts like hell." He looks up at me I can see his relief. "You could and by all rights should be in a lot worse condition. You took on five military trained men...."
"Technically I only took on one and he underestimated my will to survive."
"Alright, well. I would like to keep you here for another night and we'll see how you're doing tomorrow."
"Thanks Bash," Alex stands up to shake his hand. Sabastian nods and leaves the room. Alex turns, leans over the side of the bed to kiss me on the head. "I'm going to step out just long enough to get your parents. They are right down the hall in the waiting room." I grab his hand ignoring the pain from the IV. "There are two FBI agents outside your door. You're safe and I'll be right back. I'm not leaving, I promise."
"Ok," I whisper, letting his hand slide between mine as he steps away. I watch Alex leave the room. He stops just outside the door to say something to someone before turning and walking out of sight.
He's true to his word and isn't gone long followed by my parents and Del. My mother walks in with tears streaming down her face, my father is far less hysterical, but I can tell under that cool exterior is a sad worried man, trying to hold it together for his wife and daughter.
"My baby, I'm so happy to see you awake," My mom leans over me pulling me into her arms.
"Ahh," the sound makes her step back. "Mom, I'm fine, Bash says I have a few broken ribs and should be able to go home tomorrow."
"Ok," She says before dropping into the chair that Alex had been sleeping in. "There's been an argument on who's going to take care of you. I think it should be me, but Alex said he's moved back into his old room in the cabin." I look past her at Alex, who is leaning against the door with his hands shoved into his pockets. "He says there's no way you would agree to move home."
"He's right mom, I can take care of myself."
"You will need help though. Help that a man can't give you."
I look up at Alex again before looking back at my mom, "Alex is my man, I think he can help me shower or whatever."
Alex's head pops up to look at me, but he doesn't argue, in fact, I believe he's relieved.
"Alright, you're right... I ... I guess if the two of you are back together, that makes more sense." My mom says, my eyes still locked with his.
