Page 66 of Until He Confesses

CALLIE

Ididn’t want him to leave, but now that things were under control, I felt that if he stayed I wouldn’t be able to face him ever again. And as I watched him go, I realized I wanted to be able to face him but for now, I sent him away. My mother was due to be taken to the ICU soon and I wanted to ensure that there was as little excitement and concern surrounding her. Even though I missed his strength, I lowered my head between my knees to wait and convinced myself that it was for the best.

He was so easy to fall in love with. So incomparable to anyone else and the more time I spent with him and realized all this, the more it hurt that we couldn’t be together. I had spent the last few years healing from the wounds of our relationship and subsequent breakup but now it was all opening once again and I needed to shut it off. Ignoring it and trying to push him as far away as possible didn’t seem to be a feasible solution, especially since he had now ensured that I would work with him whenever he was flying around. I sighed and looked up, glad though for the distraction as I waited for my mom. I fell asleep and a little while later I was tapped gently awake by a nurse. She informed me that my mom had been taken to the ICU and that I could see her, and it was all I could do not to run in. I saw her hooked up to every machine imaginable and for a few seconds, it felt as though it was my own heart that was giving out. She looked like she was in so much pain, but I understood that she was getting better. She had been fixed and she would be alright.

So, I did the only thing I could do. I sat by her bedside and held her hand as gently as possible. I remained in this state, unwilling to be far away from her until she woke up.

I had fallen asleep but woke up when I felt a warm hand on my head. It was a light sleep, so I was immediately able to register the additional weight and wake up.

My heart was in my throat as I looked up to see her and met her eyes.

She looked exhausted but I could see the light in them. The shimmer of relief and joy at seeing me, and a renewed hope. I felt it all to my very bones and wished that I could hug her but this was impossible, so I went even closer to her and placed a kiss on the side of her face.

She smiled but couldn’t lift her hand to my face just yet.

“I’m fine baby,” she said. “I’m fine.”

I nodded in agreement and then I took my seat once again.

She stared at me, and it made me wish then that I had taken a bit more care with my appearance so as to not make her worry and so, self-consciously I began to tuck away tendrils of escaped hair from all over my face.

She was amused.

“You must have been so worried”, she said, and I had half a mind to scold her right then, but I kept calm.

But I couldn’t stop myself from threatening her.

“Worried?” I asked. “More like I aged twenty years in the last twenty-four hours.”

“You still look great,” she said, and I gave her a harsh look. Then she turned away and took in the room she was in.

“You’ll be fine,” I told her to ensure that she was as consoled and comfortable as possible.

“The doctor said that you only need a few changes to your diet and lifestyle, but all will be fine.”

“He wants to ensure that I don’t eat anything good again for the rest of my life,” she complained, and I smiled.

"It's high time it happened. Now it's time for all the greens you've been avoiding," I said.

She sighed and then she shut her eyes to rest.

I was more than content with remaining silent and just watching her but she spoke again.

"You got here so fast. Did Lucas bring you over?” she asked.

It was a very unexpected question, but I couldn’t lie to her, at least not today so I nodded in response.

“Yes, he did. He was very helpful and generous. In fact, he was here all day. He only just left a while ago."

“You sent him away?” she asked, and I couldn’t help my frown.

“You had come out of surgery and were doing well. I couldn't expect him to continue spending his time here, and I didn't want you to get any ideas," I explained.

She was amused by my response but didn't pursue the matter further. Instead, she released a deep breath and seemed to fall asleep again.

32

LUCAS