“I almost didn’t.”
Her heart sank to her stomach. “You were aware of that?”
“I saw the doorway to heaven.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “How did it look?”
“Just a bright light, but it wasn’t about how it looked but rather how it felt. Endless love and peace. It called to me, and resisting the pull was nearly impossible.”
“But you chose to stay.”
“I love you.”
A knock sounded at the door, and a moment later, Steven walked in. “Ready to get rid of all the wires, David?”
“I can’t wait.”
“You should wait outside.” Steven smiled apologetically. “I know that the two of you are a couple, but some things are better not witnessed unless you are a medical professional.”
Sari had a good idea about what he was referring to, and she didn’t want to embarrass David by staying.
“I’ll get David a change of clothes.”
“That’s an excellent idea. Something loose and easy to pull on and off would be best.”
55
David
Once Steven was done removing all the wires and tubes that had been attached to David’s body, David ran a hand over his stubbled chin. He needed to shave, brush his teeth, and wash the hospital smell off before embracing Sari again.
“Can I take a shower?”
“Yes, but not by yourself. I can help you, or I can call Sari in. What do you prefer?”
It was stupid machismo, but David didn’t want Sari to see him so feeble. “I’d rather you do it. I’ll make it quick.”
“No problem.”
When Steven helped him out of bed, David was glad he had chosen the doctor. His legs felt like noodles, and he had to lean heavily on the guy to get into the bathroom.
Steven opened the shower enclosure and helped him to the built-in seat. “I’ll give you some privacy and get your clothes from Sari. When you are done, I’ll help you get dressed.”
“Thanks. When are you going to perform the immortality test?”
“In a couple of hours. There is no rush.” Steven grinned. “Don’t worry, you are transitioning. By now, we have enough experience with transitioning adults, and your case is classic. After your induction, you went through a very predictable sequence, except for the breathing. We never had to put a transitioning Dormant on a ventilator before. You are lucky that we even had one.”
“I’m luckier than I deserve to be.”
Steven’s expression turned serious. “Sari was frantic with worry, and she didn’t leave your side unless she absolutely had no other choice. I just hope that you care for her as much as she cares for you. She deserves the best.”
“I might not be the best man out there, but I can promise you that I will do my best to make her happy.”
Steven nodded. “That’s good to hear. But just so you know, she has an entire clan at her back. If you misbehave in any way and hurt her feelings, the consequences will be dire for you.”
“Duly noted. It warms my heart to see how much Sari’s people love her.”
“The love is well earned.” Steven smiled. “I’m done issuing warnings. Welcome to the clan, David.”
“Thank you.”
“When you feel better, I want to talk to you about your experience. As a doctor, you might offer us more insight into the process.”
“Gladly.” It was strange to discuss professional observation while sitting naked on a shower bench.
Steven really needed to work on his bedside manner.
“If you need me, just say my name.” Steven tapped his ear. “I’ll hear you.”
“Okay.”
As the door closed behind the young doctor, David lifted the handheld and turned the water on. His arms were weak, and washing off the sticky residue took longer than he’d expected, but he managed to scrub it all off.
Wrapped in a towel, he made it to the vanity mirror and inspected himself to see if anything had changed. But the only noticeable difference was that he’d lost some weight and there were dark circles under his eyes. His feather-like wrinkles were still there, and the slight discoloration on the left side of his jaw hadn’t faded.
Perhaps Steven was wrong, and he hadn’t transitioned?
Shouldn’t his hearing and sight have improved?
Probably more time was needed for that. Or so he hoped.
A knock sounded on the door. “Are you done?” Steven asked.
“Yes.”
The doctor walked in with a bundle of folded clothes in hand. “You look better already.” He put them on the counter. “Do you need my help, or can you manage by yourself?”
“I can manage.”
Barely, but he did it without falling on his face, so he was all good.
Showered, shaved, and dressed in a pair of loose sleep pants and a T-shirt, David leaned on Steven as he made his way back to bed, but not as heavily as he had on the way to the bathroom.
“Sari brought coffee and porridge for you, but if you don’t want to barf all over the bed, I suggest that you go easy on the porridge.” Steven covered him with a fresh blanket.
“Right now, coffee sounds heavenly. I can do without the porridge.”
The doctor nodded his approval and headed for the door.
“He’s decent now.”
“Thank you.” Sari walked in with a tray and put it on the bedside table.
“You look so much better.”
He looked as feeble as he felt.
“You are being generous, but thank you.” David reached for her hand. “And you look amazing.” He glanced at the tray and inhaled the sweet aroma. “I swear that coffee never smelled as good before. Is that my new and enhanced sense of smell at work?”
She chuckled. “I doubt it has improved so soon. You just crave coffee right now.” She poured him a cup. “Can you hold it? Or should I hold it for you?”
“I think I can manage.”
She handed him the cup but held her hand hovering nearby. “Just in case you are not as strong as you think you are. I don’t know if your body can already heal fast, and after all that you have been through, I really don’t want you to get burned by hot coffee.”
“I’m sorry for giving you a scare.” He took a few grateful sips.
“Don’t apologize. You had no control over it.”
He handed her the cup back. “For now, it will do.” Scooting to the side, he patted the spot he’d vacated. “Come here. I need to hold you.”
Sari hesitated only for a moment before kicking her shoes off and climbing on the hospital bed.
“Fates, I missed that.” She laid her head on his chest and draped her arm over his middle. “You feel so good, so solid.”
“I missed it too.” He tightened his arm around her. “Sometimes I could hear you talking to me, but I couldn’t respond, and it was so damn frustrating.”
Sari looked up. “Did you hear others as well? Or just me?”
“I heard Steven and Bridget.”
He debated whether he should mention hearing Annani as well. He wasn’t sure if the conversation he’d heard had been real or imagined, but if it had been real, at some point they would need to talk about it.