“Yes, and Mason and Lib. They’re all coming back this morning though.” I nodded my head and glanced back toward Josh’s room. “Get back to him Sav,” Brody said, his eyes following where I was looking. “I’m okay out here until Mom and Dad arrive. I’m going to go check on the girlanyway.”
“Is she okay? Who isshe?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea. She was in one of the empty stalls, and she was already unconscious when I found her. The nurse wouldn’t let me stay with her overnight so I sat out here…” He trailed off and sighed, dragging his hand through his hair. “I think she’s in trouble Sav. There are bruises and cuts that didn’t come from the fire. I feel like I need to helpher.”
I reached up and hugged him. “You’re a good man Brody Parker. Go sit with her—she’ll be scared if she wakes upalone.”
“You’ll be okay?” he asked, his voice full of concern. I nodded, not wanting him to worry about me. He kissed me on the cheek and walked off down the hall. “I’ll come check on you and Josh in a bit,” he called over hisshoulder.
After quickly finding a bathroom, I used the facilities and raced back to Josh’s room, only to find everything how I’d left it—Grace and Robert still asleep, Josh still motionless in the bed. Sighing, I sat down beside him and waited, his hand encased inmine.
The rest of the morning passed by in a blur of nurses, doctors, and visitors. My parents arrived and were allowed to visit Josh. My mom fussed over me and tried to make me leave the room to get a sandwich from the cafeteria, but I of course refused. Just after midday, the doctor came in and asked us all to leave the room while they removed the breathing tube. Reluctantly, I stepped outside and nervously paced up and down the hallway. After what felt like forever, the doctor called us back in and I went straight back to his side, picking up hishand.
“We’ve removed the breathing tube and he’s breathing on his own. There is no reason he shouldn’t wake up, it’s just a waiting game now. His vitals are good and his lungs sound clear,” the doctor said. “Talk to him, he can probably hearyou.”
“Thank you,” Grace said, throwing her arms around Robert, the relief evident in hervoice.
The doctor nodded and walked to the door. “Press the buzzer when he wakes up and I’ll be right in,” he said before leaving theroom.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I promptly burst into tears. My dad was sitting next to me and his arm went around my shoulder. “It’s okay sweetheart, he’s going to beokay.”
I nodded, wiping my eyes. “Iknow.”
“I brought you some fresh clothes and I spoke to the nurse—there’s a room down the hall where you can freshen up. Why don’t you take a break Savannah? Have a shower and get something to eat?” my mom asked. I knew she was concerned about me, but I didn’t want to leave Josh. What if he woke up and I wasn’tthere?
“Mom,” I began to say, before being interrupted byGrace.
“I think your mom is right Savannah. Take a shower, grab a sandwich. Josh is going to want you to take care of that baby you’recarrying.”
“But what if he wakes up?” I stuttered, feeling like they were ganging up onme.
“Then we’ll come get you sweetie, I promise. Please Savannah, I’m worried about you,” my mombegged.
Sighing, I rubbed my hand down my face. “Okay…” I said hesitantly. “But if he wakesup…”
“You’ll be the first know,” shepromised.
I nodded and stood up, kissing Josh on the lips now that the tube was gone. “I’ll be right back baby,” I whispered against his lips. “I loveyou.”
After a quick shower, I left my hair wet, piling it on top of my head in a messy bun. Managing to find a vending machine on the same floor as Josh’s room, I grabbed a few random snacks and quickly walked down the hall, swinging the door to Josh’s roomopen.
“Savannah!” my mom exclaimed. “You’ve only been gone 10 minutes—I wanted you to have a realbreak.”
“I don’t want a break!” I shouted. “I want to be here with Josh. Would you sit in the cafeteria if it was Dad lying here?” I asked, my hands on myhips.
“Hey, what’s with all the shouting?” Josh croaked from behindme.
“Josh!” I cried, moving to the side of the bed and throwing my arms around him. I pulled away slightly and kissed his lips. “Are you okay?” I asked, my eyes wide as I waited for him toanswer.
“I am now,” he rasped, reaching up to kiss me again. “Are you okay? I couldn’t find you in the stables—is the baby okay?” he rushed out, his hands reaching for my bump. His voice was scratchy and I knew it must be hurting him to speak. Reaching for his jug of water, I poured him a glass and handed it tohim.
“We’re both fine. I wasn’t in the stables, I’m so sorry you went in there thinking Iwas.”
He took a long swig of the water, the relief evident on his face. “Don’t be sorry, I’m just glad you weren’t in there.” He pulled me to him again and kissed me, not caring that the room was full of people. “I love you,” he said quietly against mylips.
“I love you too.” I stepped back so his parents could hug him, watching as his eyes kept flicking to mine. He smiled, and the relief I felt knowing he was okay, knowing I wasn’t going to have to live without him, was overwhelming. I’d known I loved him before the fire, but knowing he’d risked his life to save me made me realize what we had was truly special, and I knew not everyone got to experience a love likeours.
The doctor was paged, and after checking Josh over, he told him he would be monitored for the next few hours then if everything was okay, he could go home. Shortly after, everyone left to go get some rest. Finally alone, Josh moved over in the bed and motioned for me to join him. Eager to feel his arms around me, I climbed in next to him and he pulled me back against him, my back to his chest. His hands came to rest on my bump and he kissed myneck.