LIAM
4:07 PM
“Mel?” I whispered, staring down at her hands in mine. “She squeezed my hand.”
I glanced over to Doctor Fortmen, who didn’t even bother looking up from the chart. “It was most likely her reflexes. With the drugs she is currently on, there is no way she can wake up—”
No sooner had he said the words than all the machines around us erupted into various beeps.
“She’s coding! I need a crash cart in here!” he yelled as one by one, an army of white coats and blue scrubs came running in, pushing me back as they huddled around her.
“Sir, you need—”
“Get off me!’ I hollered, ripping my arm from her grasp. Not even God himself was getting me out of that room.
“Charging!”
Is this hell?
It had to be. Once again everything went silent, even though I was sure they were screaming. I could see them screaming, and yet the only thing I could hear was the sound of my own heart drumming in my ears.
Her chest rose off the bed each time they tried to jumpstart her heart. Reaching up, I grabbed the side of my chest as if I felt it…maybe I did?
Maybe I was losing my mind.
SEVEN YEARS BEFORE
“Liam?”
“Liam?”
“I’m up!” I called out, my eyes snapping open to see a pair of brown eyes staring back into mine.
“You’re exhausted. Go sleep, I got her.” Mel smiled, reaching into my arms and taking Dona from me. Getting up out of the rocking chair, I let her sit, stretching out my back.
“What time is it?”
“3 AM. You said you would just check up on her, but that was two hours ago.” She made a face at me, rocking back and forth, slowly pressing her hand up against Dona’s cheek.
“I was worried, she’s had a runny nose this morning.” I pouted, leaning closer to them both.
“Oh, the horror.” She laughed mockingly at me. “She’s the one who ripped the blankets off Wyatt last night; if anyone should have a cold, it’s him.”
“Don’t listen to her, princess, Mommy is just jealous I love you so much.” I gave her my hand and even in her sleep, she grabbed on.
“Would you tell her the same thing if I got a runny nose?” she teased me. I stood up just a little more so my face was level with hers.
“If you got the flu, Mel, I’d lock us in a room together and be the best damn doctor you ever had. I’m a full-service husband, don’t you know?”
Rolling her eyes, she leaned forward and placed her forehead on mine. “I’ll just have to stand naked in the snow to test this full-service husband of mine out.”
“I don’t like the thought of you sick, so why don’t we just play doctor and nurse without any patients to get in the way.” I kissed her lips quickly.
“Only if I’m the doctor.” She kissed me back.
“Control freak,” I whispered.
“Everywhere but in bed.”