It had been two days since Finnigan emerged from the coma. Though still weak, his spirit was anything but. From his bed, he quietly observed Brielle—his wife, his crystal—moving around the room with determined purpose. She was trying so hard to prove she could care for him, even though he never asked her to.
Her efforts touched him more deeply than words could express.
Bored of the endless TV reruns and confined stillness, Finnigan slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed. He winced, gripping the IV pole for balance. Every movement hurt, but staying still was driving him insane.
Just as he began to take a tentative step, her voice broke through.
“Fin, what are you doing?”
Brielle was by his side in an instant, slipping her arm around his waist for support.
“I just wanted to take a short walk. Just down the hallway, then back,” he replied, meeting her gaze.
“You should’ve waited for me,” she said, concern furrowing her brow. “You can’t just wander off on your own.”
He gave her a mischievous grin. “Okay, Mom. I’ll wait next time.”
She rolled her eyes and gave his arm a playful slap. “Don’t call me that!”
He chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Are you on duty, or did you come just to check on me?”
“I’m on duty,” she smiled, warmth dancing in her eyes. “But I’ve got some time. Want to go for that walk, Mr. Byrne?”
Finnigan’s heart swelled. “I’d love nothing more.”
With her help, they ventured slowly into the hallway. He leaned heavily on her as they walked, the sterile corridor stretching out before them. After a few steps, his legs began to tremble.
“I need to sit,” he admitted, and she quickly guided him to a nearby chair.
“Are you okay?” she asked softly, her hand brushing up and down his arm.
“Just a little dizzy. Still sore.”
“Then let’s take it slow. No hero moves, alright?”
He smirked. “You just love nagging me, don’t you?”
“Only because you make it so easy,” she shot back, grinning.
“I never thought our first real date would look like this,” he mused.
“This isn’t a date,” she teased. “You still owe me one, remember? So get better and take me somewhere nice.”
Finnigan smiled, leaning into her touch. “Deal.”
They sat like that, wrapped in each other’s warmth, until Brielle’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen, then at him.
“I need to get back to work. Can you walk, or do you want the wheelchair?”
“I’m good,” he assured her, slowly rising. She wrapped her arm around him again, steadying his steps until they reached his room. She helped him lie back down, brushing the damp hair from his forehead.
“I’ll come back after my shift. Try to rest, okay?”
He nodded, eyes soft. “I’ll be right here.”
As she left, Finnigan closed his eyes, already missing her presence. She was right—bed rest was unavoidable for now.
Sometime later, hushed voices stirred him awake.
His parents and in-laws had gathered at his bedside. Blinking through the haze, he gave them a tired smile.
“Sorry, I must’ve dozed off.”
YOU ARE READING
Love, Eventually
RomanceForced into an arranged marriage she never wanted, Brielle Murphy finds herself shackled to Finnigan Byrne-a man she barely knows, with a heart she believes she can never love. Finnigan, patient and quietly devoted, has secretly loved Brielle from a...
