Saving Her

Chapter 18

As Shawn's carrying me back to my room, flashes of the conversation I managed to have with my therapist replay in my mind. We didn't dive too deep into what happened to me, but we did establish that although Shawn is male, he's the person I feel safest with.

He's my person.

Coming back to reality, I manage to mumble that he smells good. I mean he always does, but this is a mix of Shawn and food. Untucking my head from his neck, I look up at him. He gives me a warm smile and tells me that he had gotten takeout from one of our favorite places but had a little "accident" and no longer has food. I nod in response under his chin as we enter my room.

My family and Shawn's family are still in my room and my friend Emma has joined as well. Shawn lays me back on my bed and I curl up in the blankets. I try not to stare off into space since I have company, but I just don't feel like talking to anyone.

My mom takes this as their cue to leave for now and helps to clear everyone but Shawn and Emma out of the room.

Still laying, staring into space I see Emma come forward and sit in a chair next to my bed.

"Hi girl, I came as soon as I could, but it was hell trying to get my car to start, so I had to call an Uber. I'll be here as long as you need me though. I'm so sorry" she says meaningfully.

I turn to face her and reach for her hand. Tentatively I pull her hand to indicate I want a hug. Emma has been my ride or die since diapers and is my only other best friend besides Shawn.

Emma cautiously embraces me and we both break down in tears. She's caressing the back of my head and I can feel her trying to hold me as if she squeezes any harder, I'll break. She keeps whispering "I'm sorry" into my ear and I start to shake slightly with anger. I pull out of the hug, but keep her hand in mine.

"Emma please. Please stop saying you're sorry! You didn't do this, just as much as Shawn didn't do this. I don't need people to feel sorry for me." I say solemnly, but sternly.

Turning away, I see her take a deep breath and then look back at me. "I'm still sorry Camila. You don't deserve any of this. No one ever does. Just know that I'm here for you and whatever you need just say the word."

I offer her a small smile and nod in appreciation.

I let go of her hand and decide to try and sit up a little more. My stomach rumbles and I turn to look at Shawn whose eyes go wide in embarrassment. Taking that as his cue to hop into action, he looks between me and Emma.

"I take it you're hungry?" He asks.

"Yes....I'd like to try and eat something, but I'm not in the mood for hospital food" I reply.

"Okay, what do you want? You're wish is my command." He says.

Emma pipes up and says she'll go get food for us. She must have eyed the bag sitting next to Shawn and is just as curious as I am as to what's inside.

We decide on where we want to eat and Emma goes to grab food, but not before pressing a kiss to my head and whispering that she's going to give me a few moments alone with Shawn. Walking out the door, she exits with a quick wave and says she'll be back in about 20 minutes.

This leaves me and Shawn alone in the room. I turn to him and can tell he feels guilty about something. Feeling a little better than before, I try to lighten the mood.

"Shawn, will you stop looking at me like you stole my favorite toy."

"Wha....what? I'm not looking at you that way!" He argues.

"Yes you are! Do I have to ask where you went when you left me? Is that why you have that look on your face?" I question.

"No Mila, I'm pretty sure you know where I was and it's not worth taking about." He looks down at the bag he brought in and gets up and walks towards me.

"Here, I saw this when I went to get food and thought of you." He says handing me the bag.

It's a small yellow bag that looks like a smiling banana and I take it slowly from his hands. Reaching inside I remove the tissue paper and find a small velvet box. Opening the box I find a necklace. The sun shines in my room in that exact moment and the light bounces off the diamonds brilliantly.

"Wow Shawn...I....I can't......I don't know what to say." I'm speechless. Laying on velvet inside the box is a diamond infinity sign on a small, but beautiful sliver chain. Reaching into the box, I remove the necklace and before I get a chance to put it on myself, Shawn gently takes it from my hand and softly says that he'll help me.

Once he gets the necklace on, it falls nicely on my chest just a few inches above my breasts. It fits in the little v neck of my scrubs almost perfectly and although it's small, I can't help but feel like it had a big meaning.

For both of us.

Turning to look up at Shawn I see him smiling down at me. He gently takes me hands and looks me in the eyes.

"Do you like it? I hope it's not too much." He says shyly.

"Shawn...I love it. It's beautiful!" I say trying to keep myself composed.

"When I saw it in the window next to our favorite place, I just knew I needed to get it. I needed to get you something tangible to show you that I'm always with you. That I'll always be with you, forever." He assures me.

Tears line my eyes again, but for the first time, they aren't tears of sadness. They are tears of happiness.

Shawn is now sitting on my bed and I climb into his lap and kiss his cheek before cuddling up to his chest. I know what you're thinking...this is too soon given what's happened to me, but the relationship Shawn and I have is just different. Even going through the unimaginable at the hands of a man, I can't be afraid of Shawn. He's like home to me and I can't deny myself the one constant in my life that would give the world for me.

Pulling me closer, he gives me a small squeeze and a peck on my temple.

"I love you forever Canada, thank you!" I say into his chest.