Adoration: [Cole X Reader 3]

Chapter Ten- I'll Be There to Hold Your Hand

Around me there was nothing but light. My body felt light and weightless and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the brightness of it all. I took in a breath, deep and slow, something I hadn't been able to do in a while. My eyes closed for a brief moment before snapping open again in realization as a voice met my ears.

"Welcome home."

I fell to the ground, knees pressed to the floor and head bowed in reverence. I fell silent, looking for words to say to the First Spinjitzu Master.

"Stand up." He said, his voice firm but full of warmth and kindness. I stood to my feet, slowly, head still bowed.

"Am... am I... dead?" I managed to ask, looking up to meet his eyes. He reminded me so much of Wu and Garmadon, wearing the same kind of hat Wu always wore and a robe similar to Garmadon's. His eyes were a rich golden amber, bright and almost glowed. His face was full of kindness and as he cast me a smile, my heart felt at peace.

He turned away from me, looking out at a sea of billowy golden clouds that lapped at our feet. I came to stand beside him, peering down between the clouds. "Something like that."

I followed his gaze down and the clouds parted. My heart plummeted as I watched doctors and nurses scramble around my cracked open body, everything seeming to go in slow motion. My gaze found the minister which flatlined and I tore my gaze away. "Why are you showing me this?"

No response came and my eyes flickered back as he waved a hand over the clouds which shuffled and parted once more. I held a hand over my mouth as my eyes found the forms of my husband, brother and the rest of my teammates. Jay and Cole stood side by side, each frozen in place and staring wide eyed at a young doctor who worked to explain the situation, his hands flapping around as he explained nervously. I slid to the ground as Cole did, his frame crumpled and face that of utter brokenness. Jay tried to pull his friend up by an arm but eventually slunk down beside him, the rest of the team running up to the two and pulling them into a hug.

I pushed myself backwards and as far away from the break in the clouds as possible before the First Spinjitzu Master came and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Why?" I rasped, heartbroken and feeling as if my soul had been wrenched from me. I pulled myself to stand again, my gaze meeting that of golden amber. His gaze fell and he sighed, nodding his head the slightest bit.

"I do have to thank you. Without you, I believe Ninjago would have fallen." I gazed back towards where the clouds had parted a few moments ago. "All your time in Ninjago, you have been willing to give everything. You were selfless."

I flinched at his use of past tense.

"Without you stepping up on the team, Ninjago would have been cursed by the Preeminent. Without you being willing to risk your life to stop Jax and bring back your brother, your home and family would have fallen into ruin."

I pulled my chin higher and met his gaze again. "I'd like to go back."

He was slow to reply, clasping his hands behind his back. "I may offer two choices. You may choose to remain here and I promise I will do my best to look after your brother and husband."

"And the other option?"

He turned to face where the clouds had parted just before and lowered his head. "You May choose to return to Ninjago, but I cannot promise you will have a long life."

I cracked a smile and shook my head. "So if I went back, there's no promises that I would even make it out of surgery?"

"Yes, and if you did, there are no promises that you will outlive your cancer."

"Well, then it's a good thing I'm a ninja."

"Why is that?"

"Because ninja never quit."

I blinked my eyes open, sore and fragile. Everything hurt and I felt like I swallowed a knife with each breath. Frowning, I gazed around the room, eyes ever so slowly adjusting to the darkness. A smile spread across my lips as my gaze found Cole, slumped over and asleep, hand clenching mine and half of him leaned on my hospital bed. Gently, I rubbed his the back of his hand with mine and he stirred, barely awake. After a grumble, he pulled his head up and sleepy eyes found mine which grew wide in an instant.

He didn't say anything as he sat up and pulled me into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around him and held him close. "I'm okay. I'm okay?" He nodded into me as he shuddered and I pulled away to see him crying, the widest smile ever sprawled across his face.

"You're okay." He squished my face in his hands as if he couldn't believe his eyes. I gave a small laugh and pressed my forehead to his and nodded.

"I'm okay."

"The doctors said you died... and... I thought I was going to loose you forever." His frame shook and I grabbed his hand, pulling it close to me and pressing a kiss to it.

"I'm here. I'm right here and I made it and you made it and we're gonna make it." I nodded and threw my arms around him again, not caring how much it hurt me to hold him close.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too. Im not going anywhere, baby."