Captain

Part twelve

*Nightmares

Pre-op wasn't that bad, they put in an IV and made sure I was ready. I was hungry though, I would kill for some Chick-fil-a right now. Steve seemed more nervous than I was, and I didn't blame him. The last time I was in an O.R. my heart stopped.

"All set," Dr. Michaels chimed as some nurses unlocked the wheels of the gurney. Steve insisted on being by my side until the doctors make him sit in the waiting room, so until then he held onto my hand as life depended on it.

The nurses rolled me down the hall that ended with metal doors leading to the operating room. We stopped at them and it was time for Steve to go. He leaned down and kissed me goodbye.

"I love you," when he whispered those words my heart exploded and my mind went blank. He's never said that before, I've never said that before. I looked up at him dumbfounded.

"I-I l-love you too," I gave a breathy smile as he bent down and kissed me once more. Then the nurses opened the doors and Steve disappeared on the other side.

Soon I was on the operating table, Dr. Michaels placed the oxygen mask on my face and asked me to count backward from ten while the anesthesia entered my system putting me to sleep. The world started to fade to black and three words echoed in my head, 'I love you.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Warm afternoon sunlight seeped through the curtains highlighting my room in blurry streams and the soft beep of a machine woke me up. To my surprise I was alone. I guess I assumed Steve would be stuck to the bedside, hopefully, he was getting some much-needed sleep. 

I tried to sit up and found my abdomen was quite sore, but my hand was actually mobile apart from the bulky blue cast holding it together. Everything was fine except the excruciating headache that was pounding at my temples, which made the footsteps nearing my room a

"Hey sunshine," a voice came from the doorway. I turned to meet Steve's handsome blue eyes.

"Hi handsome, are those for me," I blushed as he carefully handed me a bouquet of pink roses. "Thank you," I took in the fragrant smell.

"I um have a surprise," Steve smiled like a giddy child. 

"Oh?" I lowered my brows curiously, wondering what he could possibly be hiding up his sleeve.

"Yeah," he smirked, "But it's on the roof." 

"Well, what are we waiting for Captain," I did my best to sit up without showing the pain it caused. "Let's go see this surprise on the roof," I swung my legs over the side of the bed and tried to step down but Steve stopped me before my feet hit the ground.

"How 'bout you let me get a wheelchair first. You know, before we rip another gown," he remarked causing me to snicker and nod in agreement. 

Soon Steve was wheeling me to the elevator that led to the small roof. The doors opened as if presenting the small table draped in a white table cloth and set with to-go boxes and styrofoam cups. My mouth fell agape as Steve offered his had to help me stand up and lead me to the table.

"Happy Valentine's day," he chimed pulling me from the wheelchair gripping me tightly to steady my wobbly figure. I gasped covering my mouth and looking up at Steve with wide eyes. I guess no one could blame me for forgetting the holiday after all I had been through but was still a little disappointed in myself.

"Valentine's day?" I asked through my hand. He gave a confirming nod seeing my dismay. "Oh, I can't believe I forgot," I sighed as he led me to my seat at the table, "Well, I suddenly feel severely underdressed."