Mine // Sam Wilkinson

Part // XXX

Sammy's POV

Scott was right. I didn't want to see her like this. Through the window, I could see only what little lights above her allowed. Her body was completely covered in bruises so severe, so surprising that someone could hurt another that bad. She looked so peaceful hooked up to so many machines. I knew that wasn't the best sign. She appeared to have a breathing tube down her throat, basically meaning she's still unconscious.

"Are you guys here for Miss Alverson?" A short, young nurse appeared on the other side of Scott.

"Yeah," Scott could barely get the word out.

"What are the relations?"

"We're all family," Scott answered quick this time, not wanting to give us time to answer with the truth.

"You can all go in. I know they said earlier to your family that you can't go in, but I know how hard this is. I won't be the one to stop you guys from being able to at least hold her hand and give her these gifts."

"I have a question," Emma spoke up, quickly.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"How long do you expect she'll be... unconscious for?"

"I'm not sure, sweetie. I know the doctor said she could wake up soon, or not at all. I was just in there to say a prayer about ten minutes ago. She has a lot going for her already with as many people who have stopped by to try to visit."

"We have a, uh, big family," Scott was trying to assure the nurse who seemed to catch on to our lies.

"Just go in and see her. Only one person can stay in her room for the night, though. I'm sorry I can't allow all four of you."

We walked in and Scott immediately got me the chair to put next to her bed.

We all stood around her bed telling our favorite stories of Claire; some nice, some embarrassing.

The nurse came in and told us that all but one of us had to leave for the night but that they would allow four visitors at a time in the morning again, as long as they were family.

I got up from my chair as I released Claire's hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" Scott looked confused, but we both know he knew the answer.

"You're staying the night with her, Scott."

"No, I'm not. You are. I'll come back in the morning. As much as I love my sister, I know you need this. You didn't fly hours to see her to only go back to Emma's house. You got your flight within an hour after Emma called about what happened. Yeah, the layover made you stay in Chicago for too many hours, but you still got here early enough to see her. Now, please stay with her. You love her, as we all do, but there's something about how you treat my sister that I can't help but make sure I actually like you for it. You're a great guy, and you aren't anything like Tyler. I knew that from the day you met her. Just the date you took her on and how you took care of her when I fell asleep and couldn't get ahold of her. You didn't try to take advantage of her, and neither did Nate with Emma. The way she talked about you, the smile on her face while she did so... God, she was so happy. I hadn't seen her like that in so many years. I will break my back to make sure you see Claire as much as possible. And right now, you need to see her."

To think I used to be afraid of this guy, and now he's really the greatest man I've met.

I pulled the chair closer to Claire's bed, looking at her face. I don't get how, but she still looked just as beautiful to me as she did the day I met her; not even black and blue could make me love her less.