Page 110 of Hurt Me Not
“She's going to wake up soon,” I said, my voice thick. I ran my tongue over my teeth. I needed to brush them as much as I needed a shower, but every moment I was away from Emerson was a moment when she could wake up without me being here.
I didn't want her to think she was alone. Or that I’d left her.
Again.
Truthfully, the doctor didn't need to run anything by me. I wasn't family. But Laura had raised enough of a stink about it that they tried to at least get my approval beforehand. Just to keep the peace.
“They can take it back out. It's not like it’s a permanent?—”
“I don't want them cutting her open and shoving that thing down her throat,” I hissed, glaring at her. As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them.
With a sigh, I shook my head and cast my eyes downwards to Emerson's hand in mine.
“I'm sorry, Jax,” I whispered. “I just don't want her to wake up with that thing down her throat like that. She’s been through enough already.”
Jax looked at me and grabbed my shoulder in support.
“No need to apologize.” After a second, she added, her voice placating, “Okay, so I’ll tell them to wait two more days before doing it. Do we have a deal?”
No.I wanted to tell her that no matter what, I would fight it. But I kept my mouth shut and nodded instead. I didn’t have the energy for more than that.
“Can I get you anything?”
I looked up at her.
“Coffee? And not one of those shitty ones from the cafeteria. Like a good one with actual sugar in it.”
She gave me a smile. “You got it. I'll be back in less than twenty. Also, try my girl’s cooking, would you? She's a really good cook.”
She motioned to the side table where there was a very well-packed tray with lunch as well as snacks waiting for me.
It looked good. Great, even. But I knew my stomach wouldn’t hold it, and I couldn't bring myself to get up. I couldn't bring myself to be away from Emerson for more than a few minutes.
“Please,” I whispered to her and placed my head back on her stomach. “Please wake up. I’ll do whatever you want if you only wake up. I can’t?—”
Wait.
I felt something. Emerson’s hand moved in mine just the slightest bit, and I pushed myself back to look at her.
I stared at her for what seemed like forever, but then it happened. The right side of her mouth twitched. And then I felt her hand squeezing mine. It was unmistakable.
I let out a gasp and lunged over her to press the call button.
“She’s waking up!” I screamed. “Nurse!”
As if my words were the final push she needed, Emerson’s eyes popped open, but she immediately started panicking. Her eyes went wide, and she let go of my hand, both of hers going straight for the mask covering her face.
I held them down as I got close enough for her to see me.
“Emerson, you’re safe. It's okay! They’re coming!”
She made a scared sound, her eyebrows pushed together in a frown, and it was such an Emerson frown that I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face. The tears that fell now were happy tears.
I knew she'd wake up. I knew she’d come back to me.
I moved to the side so that the nurses and the doctor could take over. They explained everything that happened and did a couple of cognitive checks.
Emerson seemed fine. She had some trouble talking, so she mostly nodded, seeming strangely calm. Even when Jax came back and apologized profusely for what had happened, she immediately shook her head, letting her know it was okay.
