Page 99 of My Never
I nod my head, tears welling up and overflowing as I whisper, “He’s okay?”
“He’s okay,” the kind doctor pats my knee.
“Thank you.” I whisper back. The tension of the moment finally breaks, and sobs wrack my body as it registers that he’s alive, that I’ll get to hear his voice again and feel him in my arms. Sydney bends down from behind me, wrapping me in a hug as Trystan doesn’t let go of my hand.
“It looks like you guys have an amazing support system, so I’m not worried about how you both will fare when you leave here. I’m so glad that I was able to deliver happy news. Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll check in later, okay? Hang in there, hun. And I just wanted to say that after everything I heard, I’m really proud of you for giving that guy hell.” He pats my knee again and stands, nodding to everyone in the room as we all mumble thank yous. Hugs and tears are everywhere, and I’m just so thankful. I’m so blessed. I take a minute to silently thank God for showing us mercy and for being here in our time of need.
“Hun,” Holly says as she leans in for a big hug, “Jane, Garrett, and I are going to go back to your place and clean up as much as we can. Sydney said it was really bad. I don’t want you to come home to that. Hopefully we can save your floors.”
“At least she knows a few good contractors.” Trystan gives us all a small, smug smile as he stands to stretch. Brynleigh sits down next to me, and we throw our arms around each other and just cry. I am sure that I look beyond a puffy mess. The night of the storm had felt like this. The uncertainty had had us in a chokehold. But today? Today was way worse. I feel a kinship with her, and I look forward to having her as a sister. I’m so thankful I’ll still get that chance.
Mark’s mom and dad wrap their arms around me, and it feels like an extension of home.
“You know that we are so happy you’ll get to officially be one of us, but know that no matter the outcome of today, you already were considered one of my girls,” Mark’s mom whispers to me, eyes glistening from shed and unshed tears. “Gianni and I are going to head home so you can be with him. Please message me after he wakes, and be sure to give him a hug from me. We’ll come visit tomorrow. Bye, sweetheart.”
I nod, emotion lodged in my throat, preventing me from stringing together a coherent sentence. They walk over to Brynleigh and give her a hug.
“Are we taking you home?” Nora asks.
“I’d like to stay for a while longer. I’ll catch a ride with someone here.”
“I’ll make sure she gets home, Mr. and Mrs. Marcketti,” Trystan butts in. I feel Brynleigh stiffen slightly next to me and wonder what that’s about. She doesn’t say anything though.
“Thank you, Trystan. You’re such a good friend to my kids. Mark’s lucky to have you. All of you, really,” Nora says with a soft smile, patting his forearm while holding back a threatening wave of fresh tears.
“We all feel the same way about him,” Trystan answers warmly.
A short while later, Brynleigh and I are sitting quietly by Mark’s bedside. The doctor said it could be a couple of hours before he’s fully conscious. He’s started to wince and stir in his sleep, making little movements that make us think he’s starting to wake up, but nope. Nothing comes from it.
It’s almost five o’clock when Mark’s eyelids flutter open a little before slamming shut again. I almost think he’s faking us out again when his forehead scrunches like he’s in pain.
“Ava?” he whispers, barely loud enough for anyone to hear. I choke back a sob, because of course this man wakesasking for me. He’s worried if I’m okay. I squeeze his hand tightly as I scoot my chair closer to the bed.
“I’m here, baby. I’m okay,” I stutter out, swiping happy tears from my cheeks with my free hand. His features remain scrunched up.
“Don’t try to move much, bud. You had surgery, and it’ll hurt like a bitch,” Trystan states.
“Already does,” he grits through his teeth.
“I’m on it,” Trystan says, already striding for the doorway.
“Thank you, Trystan,” I say, just loud enough for him to hear.
“I’ll let everyone know he finally woke up,” Brynleigh declares, pulling out her phone.
“Brynnie’s even here?” Mark almost smirks, and Brynleigh flashes him a little glare. Her lips still turn up at the corners, even though she hates it.
“Glad to see you still have your sense of humor. We were all here. I guess you are quite the popular guy.”
“I’ve got good friends.”
“Yes, we do,” I whisper back, squeezing his hand and hoping he’ll open those pretty hazel eyes soon. I need to see them. I bet he has one hell of a headache from all the anesthesia.
A pretty brunette nurse strolls in with Trystan in tow. He looks like a man on a mission, and this Kayla chick looks like she’d happily take orders from him.
“Well, it’s good to see you awake, Mark. What’s your pain on a scale of one to ten?” she says, signing into the computer. She already has meds with her, so I’m assuming she knows his answer already.
“I’ll give it a solid eight for the headache. I’m too scared to move anything else.”
