Carla’s scream.
The gunshot.
Carla dropping to the ground.
The sound of her coughing.
Her blood splattering over me.
Her eyes.
Remembering her fear makes me snap. A growl builds in my chest as I lash out at the laptop and stationery on my desk. Angrily, I sow destruction in my room until nothing looks like it used to. I drop to the floor and bite into the back of my hand as the anger turns to a raw ache.
Sucking in a desperate breath, I try to regain control of my chaotic emotions, but unable to, I shout, “Fuck!”
Just then, the door to my bedroom opens, and Kao comes in. He takes one look at me and grumbles, “Yeah, I thought so.” He comes to sit next to me. “Fallon is with her family. I’m staying.”
I begin to shake my head, which has Kao growling, “I’m staying.”
After a couple of seconds, I whisper, “She looked so fragile hooked up to all those machines.”
“The surgery went well,” Kao reminds me.
“Yeah,” I murmur, my voice hoarse from the worry.
CARLA
Waking up, a weird whooshing sound draws my attention, and then it’s joined by a beeping sound. It sounds like a car is idling in the distance.
Confused, I blink.
A sharper beep that sounds similar to an alarm gets through the brain-fog.
I hear voices and movement, and then I feel a kiss against my temple.
It takes more strength than I have to pry my eyes open.
“Sweetheart,” I hear Dad exclaim.
My sight won’t focus on anything but blurs of light.
“Baby, hello… you’re doing so well,” I hear Mom.
“Ah…” Dad sighs with absolute relief, and I feel another kiss on my forehead. “You’re so strong.”
“We love you,” Mom says before a relieved chuckle escapes her.
Noah.
Raspberry.
My parents fade down a dark tunnel as I can’t stay awake any longer.
NOAH
Mom: Carla woke up for a moment. There’s no mucus forming in her airways, and she’s recovering at a satisfactory rate. Both she and the baby are doing well. Love you.
My body goes lax with relief.
Kao left twenty minutes ago to be with Fallon. I shower quickly and rush through my routine.
Taking a deep breath, I tuck my phone in my pocket as I head to Carla’s room. I grab the first stuffed animal we bought for Raspberry from her bed, and then I leave the suite.
When I get to the hospital, I quickly walk to the ICU. I sanitize my hands and then head inside.
Miss Sebastian comes to give me a hug. “They’re doing well.”
“That’s good news.” I walk to Carla’s bed and smile at Mrs. Reyes. “Where’s Mr. Reyes?”
“He went to get some coffee. We can take turns to sit with Carla.”
“Thank you.”
Setting the elephant down by Carla’s feet, I lean over her and press a soft kiss to her forehead. “Hi…” my voice cracks on the word, and I take a deep breath of Carla’s scent to calm my emotions.
As I pull back, her eyes open, and the sight of her brown irises sends a rush of goosebumps over my body. “Carla,” I gasp, pure relief and joy instantly making me feel high. I grab hold of her hand. “Squeeze my hand if you can hear me.” Her grip is weak, but it’s there.
Mrs. Reyes presses a kiss to Carla’s temple. “I love you, my baby.” She gestures for me to continue.
“Raspberry’s doing well,” I say, and Carla squeezes my hand again. “Keep fighting.” A weaker squeeze. “I love you more than anything.” Her fingers lose all strength as her eyes drift shut.
I press another kiss to her forehead, and keeping my mouth against her skin, I close my eyes as I soak in the feel of her.
“She keeps waking up for brief moments. It’s a good sign,” Mrs. Reyes says.
Straightening up, I smile at Carla’s mom. “Yeah.”
My gaze instantly returns to Carla’s face. I stand and stare at the woman who holds my life in the palm of her hand.
“You really love her,” Mrs. Reyes says.
My gaze darts to hers. “With all my heart.”
A smile spreads across Mrs. Reyes’ face. “I’m glad.”
I place my other hand on Carla’s stomach and murmur, “Daddy’s here. Just keep growing. I can’t wait to meet you.”
Carla’s eyes flutter open again, and this time it looks like she’s able to focus more.
“Hi, beautiful,” Mrs. Reyes coos. “You just keep resting. Okay? You’re doing well.”
Carla’s gaze turns to me, and my lips instantly curve up. “You have another visitor.” I pick up the stuffed animal to show her. “He missed you as well.”
Leaning over Carla, I press a kiss to the side of her head, and then I say, “I love you. Just keep getting better. I need you.”
She squeezes my hand, her grip stronger than before.
With a hand on Carla’s stomach and the other holding hers, I stare into her eyes, just taking in the life shining from them.
“Thank you for fighting so hard,” I murmur. Her grip feels weaker again, and knowing she’ll probably fall asleep soon, I add, “I love you more than anything.”
I watch as her eyes drift shut, and then I close my own, sending up a prayer of thanks.
Chapter 25
NOAH
I watch as Mom leans over Carla. “When you cough, the tube will come out. Okay?”
Carla nods.
Mom gets ready, then she smiles at Carla. “Cough for me.” I watch as Mom pulls the tube out just as Carla gives a weak cough. “Oh, you did so well,” Mom praises her while she positions an oxygen mask over Carla’s nose and mouth. Carla coughs twice more, but she seems to be holding her own at the moment.
Mom pats Carla’s shoulder as she checks all the vitals. “Let’s give it a bit of time, and if you continue to do well on your own, we’ll move you to a private room.”
Carla nods again.
Mom gives my arm a squeeze, and just then, Mr. and Mrs. Reyes comes back into the ICU. They went home to change into clean clothes.
Mom talks with them, and I take a moment to press a kiss to Carla’s temple. “You’re badass. I’m so proud of you.”
Pulling back, I see Carla’s trying to smile. “I’m going to let your parents visit for a while. Okay? Once you’re in the private room, I won’t leave your side.”
Carla nods to show she understands.
I press a kiss to her stomach before I walk to where Mr. and Mrs. Reyes are talking to Mom.
Mrs. Reyes gives me a sideways hug, and then she goes to Carla. “Hi, sweetheart. Are you feeling better?”
I watch as Carla nods, then I leave the ICU.
“Noah,” Mom calls behind me. I stop and turn back to her. “Dr. Wells will do a scan as soon as we move Carla to a private room. If she continues to breathe on her own, it will probably be in two hours.”
Happiness courses through my veins, and I grab Mom in a hug. “That’s the best news. Thank you so much, Mom. God, you’re a miracle worker.”