Winter's World.

Chapter 19. Live without him.

The memory of waking up in the hospital will never leave my mind.

My senses come back to me slowly, first my hearing- the sound of heart monitors and different machines beeping fills my ears.

When my touch comes back i can feel the soft sheets beneath my finger tips.

The smell of chemicals and blood fill my nose next, making me cringe and giving me a worse head ache than i already have.

When taste comes back i lick my lips, tasting the death in the air.

Slowly my eyes open and my vision fades in. Looking around i can see a nurse with a clipboard taking notes or something.

I look around hoping to see my family, but besides the nurse and I, the room is empty.

I sit up the best i can with my noodle arms and the nurse rushes to me, "Hun you have to sit back." "Where's my family?" I clear my throat since it's a bit scratchy.

"You mother is here-" "Can i see her?" Eagerness fills my voice, but i honestly don't care right now- hoping it'll make her want to go get her.

"Of course," she sighs, "Just relax hun. I know you can't feel them right now but you have a few stitches in your back and if you move too much you'll rip them!"

Taking a deep breath she walks out, leaving her clipboard. I reach over to grab it, setting it on my lap i read through it.

Patient: Cee Winter

Age: 17

Blah blah blah

Reason for admission: bullet wound

I sigh at the paper, nothing it says gives me any more information, only things i already know.

"Miss. Winter." The nurse calls out, walking in beside another woman. My eyes go up, expecting to see Nora, but instead i see Jasmine.

"I'll leave you two-" "No!" I stop the nurse, "T-this woman is not my mom." My voice is as shakey as my hands and Jasmine seems highly offended.

"Oh? But it says here-" the nurse tries to defend herself, "My mom isn't in the system," i sigh, "At least not yours."

The nurse looks at me curiously and i write on her clipboard, "Liam and Nora Smith," i read their names out loud, but not the home number, "Were they even told i was in here?"

The nurse shakes her head and i unintentionally gasp, "T-they probably think im dead! My dad can't handle that he has a bad heart-"

"I'll get ahold of them right now!" Takes the clipboard from me and runs out, leaving me and Jasmine. "Who do you think you are?" She squints at me.

I look away, ignoring her. "Miss," a doctor walks in, "Is this woman bothering you?" I look at him and nod, still not looking at her.

"Miss you have to come with me." He grabs her arm and leads her out.

~

"Cee!" My heart sings when i hear that familiar voice and i turn to look at the door, waiting for them to walk in.

When they turn the corner into my room, i can see their puffy tearstained cheeks and my eyes water, "Mom, dad."

They run to pull me into a tight hug, each of us owning their own stream of tears. Pulling back i look at them, anxiety taking over me as i speak again,

"Where's Tae?" I feel more tears falling from my eyes, not wanting to hear that he was shot. Wiping my tears Nora smiles, "He's in the lobby."

With those four words my heart leaps. Knowing that my Tae is alive is mote than i could ever ask for. I can't stop myself from thanking God that my man is okay.

"They wouldn't let him back here," Liam sighs, "Since he's not family." I huff, "But he is family," i take deep breaths, "He's my family."

"Babe let me see your visitors badge," Nora holds her hand out to Liam, "I'll get him back here i promise, hun."

Taking the badge from Liam, she leaves down the hall. "Is he okay?" I look at Liam as he takes a seat next to me. "He's been frantic since the shooting," He sighs, "It literally drove him crazy without you."

"Was he hurt?" I wipe my face, trying to calm my racing heart, knowing that he's going to be here soon. Shaking his head Liam takes a drink.

After a few minutes- that feels like an eternity- Nora walks through the door, my Tae standing behind her.

His eyes are a deep pink and he has wet stains on his cheeks as he still lets out sobs and tears.

Without thinking i rush out of bed, not paying attention to the wires that are being pulled out of my skin, and jump at him.

I wrap my arm and leg around him as we hold each other in a tight embrace, both of us crying, "I thought i lost you." We both say simultaneously, letting out small laughs right after.

He moves his head back to look at me, his arms still around my waist before smiling. Leaning forward he connects our lips in a sweet and innocent kiss.

I could not live without him.