Mine // Sam Wilkinson

Part // XXXI

Sammy's POV

I woke up leaned over, head resting on Claire's bed. I must've slept for a long time because she had the breathing tube out of her mouth, but her eyes were still shut.

I sat up and rubbed my face. I noticed the room was decorated with balloons, flowers and stuffed animals.

I laid back in my chair, resting my eyes just a bit longer.

"Morning, sleepyhead."

I had to be dreaming. That was her voice, I would know from a mile away. I couldn't open my eyes though. They were so heavy, and I knew it was just my mind playing tricks on me. I felt her hand twitch as she said "Sammy,"

"Babe?" I said, letting go of her hand again to rub my eyes.

"Babe. Is babe gonna be our always?"

I couldn't help but laugh. She was alive, awake.

I recognized what she was wearing, "Is that my shirt?" My smile grew bigger as hers crept across her face, "yeah, Scott came in earlier with Emma. I was cold in my gown and the nurse said I could change if I wanted to. They sent Nate to go get me clothes from my suitcase I had packed to visit you next week. Nate later brought your shirt instead of one of mine, and also your Nebraska crewneck."

"How long have you been awake?"

"Just two hours. I wouldn't let them wake you up. You were sleeping like a baby, and Nate said you haven't slept in three days. I knew I could wait."

"Hey, Claire?"

"Yeah?"

She directed her head as far as she could into my direction. I sat on the edge of her bed closest to her hip; one arm by her head, pushing her tangled hair out of her face, the other hand still holding hers.

"I just feel like I have a lot to tell you right now."

Her smile faded as she nodded.

"No, I wanna see you smile. I'm not gonna hurt you like he did. I'm gonna protect you. Claire, I don't think you know what you mean to me."

"I don't think you know what you mean to me, Sammy."

"It scares me at the fact I was close to not being able to tell you this," I took a deep breath, scared of what her reaction could be, "I'm in love with you, Claire, so damn in love with you."