MADISON

Twenty-four hours, Mom had said.

I've been through nightmares, but honestly, nothing compares to the tormenting twenty-one hours that came by, for those were the longest and toughest hours I've ever lived.

Not that anything eventful happened through, after all, all the catastrophe I had been worried about had resulted in this moment.

For instance, Caden getting shot, Dad and Kane in the same building, society devouring the news of my love life.

Each situation had its itching weight. And for now, we are talking about crucial problems because I thought for the sake of my mental health, I should push back the pressure of the minor problems. Even when it includes who shot Caden.

Believe me, the temptation to solve that mystery and get THAT PERSON THE CORRECT JUSTICE THEY DESERVED was prominently in the front row of my chest, but I dare myself to focus on one thing only. Which is; Caden's survival.

So back when I said 'worse than a nightmare,' I meant, after those twenty-one hours that Mom had promised; Caden didn't wake up, the life support wasn't taken off.

Honestly, the tension upswing, I had to witness Caden almost giving up, twice precisely. When the most alarming sound came up from the monitor and everything on the screen turned to zero.

Struck with fear, I had watched the doctors practically hurting him with the scariest electrical machine to resume his heartbeat, I've watched them pierce needles through his flesh, it was like I could feel the pain in my whole body, it burns everywhere. I couldn't control my tears while scratching the pain off my skin.

Watching someone I love dying in front of me was something I never wished for. And holy fuck, it was insanely terrifying, that I didn't fight when Dad buried my face in his chest to protect me from watching the terror behind the other side of the glass wall.

Caden was immortal, I had believed, the very first time my eyes found him back in New York. He had stood next to his dad, having not said a word but manages to wear on a crown, that even a real king with a castle must envy.

So I never had to think of this moment, I didn't prepare for it. I mean it was Caden Thaddeus. And he was a God to me, to everyone around him. He doesn't have to fight in battles to succeed, he was a victory to everyone. He had a smirk that defeats the human race, and I was tied to it.

But now all that changed, for I made him human. And now he could bleed. Technically, he could die.

After one hundred and seventy-two excruciating hours, the doctors had taken off Caden's life support, they believed he was improving. And so he was shifted to a much comfortable room that didn't hold too many machines.

I was granted entry to see him, and since then, I had sat next to Caden's bed, clasping his cold hand in mine, with my head resting by the edge of the bed, whispering some mythology stories I didn't know I was telling right.

I had cried, slept, and reminded him not to leave me in a world he had denied me of perceiving any soul that wasn't him.

He was the only human I understood, he was the one person whom I could recognize.

God wouldn't take him away now that I needed him more than ever. Right?

Through another additional seventy-two hours, I had no appetite for even the slightest bit of warm coffee. With that, I didn't have to use the bathroom.

I stayed beside him, waiting for a miracle to happen.

And eventually, my wish came true. After ten days of nightmares, I felt his fingers dipping into my hair.

Suddenly, my skin broke into goosebumps.

I hold on to my breath, closed my eyes, and just thank God for not letting me down on this one before I silently took satisfaction from the consolation of his fingers brushing through my hair. It was something I was scared I had lost.

"Hey." His voice was hoarse and raspy.

Instantly, I lift my head.

"Hi!" I croaked, leaning towards him.

He grinned, his eyes batting slightly. I just stared at him. My throat working around a stubborn lump that denied washing down.

"You never told me you do have many stories." He said, wincing a little.

Panicked, I retort: "Sorry!"

"Hey, is okay." His hand came over mine, squeezing slightly. "It's not like you can get rid of me so easily." He smirked.

I exhaled a laugh that turns into a sob.

Staring into his sad eyes, I admit: "I am so scared,"

He didn't say anything to that, he quietly watches me wipe my tears with my other hand.

After some seconds, he opens his arm.

Promptly, my brows knitted, then I shook my head at him.

No matter how much I love to. What he was demanding was not possible. There was a fresh wound underneath that hospital gown.

I wouldn't be the one hurting him.

"It could hurt you," I muttered from the chair.

A frown takes over his expression, he extends his hand, pleadingly: "It would only hurt if you refuse."

"Caden, you had an operation." I swallowed, briefly glancing at his stomach.

Rather, he insists in a soft tone, "Come lay with me. Don't say no." He begged, "I admit, I don't want to be alone in this place." for a moment, his eyes wandered around the room and back to me.

In his eyes, I found relentless and persistent, and I also saw fear.

He was like a child terrified of needles, the thought of hospitals filling him with dread. And it was because of Cara, he had lost hope in medical care. That thought scratches at my heart, making me ache to hold him.

Nervous yet careful, I climb onto the bed, into his arm, my head on the pillow, leveled with his. I brought my hand to his upper chest.

Right there, I felt life again.

"Thank you for not leaving me alone, I would've shit myself on my own." He whispered, admittedly.

"In sickness and in health, remember?" I reminded him, smiling small as I watch his heavenly face.

He remains neutral, swallowing down when he says: "Yes, that!" And avert his eyes to my neck.

"I missed you. I thought..." I almost choked, boring my eyes at him. "I thought I lost you."

His eyes connect with mine. Thinned when he assures, "I am here." A frown prominently displays on his face.

"Promise!" I desperately retorted, propping up on my elbow, my gaze fell at him. "Promise me." I urged, sounding desperate.

I thought maybe if he promised, I could feel more secure.

"I promise. Mad." He worriedly said. "Or should I say, Maddie?" His brows playfully arched.

Instinctively, I burst into a peal of uncontrolled laughter while I say, "No, Mad is fine, actually is just our thing."

I used to hate when he calls me Mad, I mean I don't have to explain myself, we all know no one can stand being addressed as an insane person.

But now, it felt different, it wasn't about him bullying me! There was more, he had labeled me, only he could call me that. That now it had become intimate.

"Correct. That's my thing. It means you are special to me," He bragged.

"So then don't die, don't get in trouble anymore, please," I entreated. "I can't imagine not having you in this wild world, I'm used to you anyway." I sadly confessed.

Concerned, he begins, "Mad, I won't die now! I am sure we have a lot of things to do together. I haven't even had a life until this recently with you. I won't gamble with it, okay?" I nod the instant, watching him watch me.

"I am sorry for been trouble, but I get it now!" He paused, his gaze lingers on my lips. "I don't want to put my life at risk for my past or anything unnecessary. And that's all because you made it worth living. Now my biggest fear is being alone without you. And dying means being alone," He articulated.

His sudden high heart rate prompts a beeping alarm and flashes from the monitor.

"Shit! You just call a nurse on us." I joked, embarking to get off the bed, but he stops me.

"That's how you make me feel. Alive." He informed. "All the time I heard you beside me, but I couldn't do anything to stop you from crying or hold you from leaving when the doctors asked you to. I felt so impotent and scared, I was just inactive, stupidly laying on a bed." He frowns and swallows. It stabbed me in the chest, I felt my eyes watering up.

"I thought, what if I was dead?" He stares into the distance, sadly wetting his lips. "And you couldn't sit beside me and tell me long stories?" His eyes narrowed. "I can never open my eyes and see how fascinating your eyes are." Then his eyes came back to mine.

He was hurting, and now it was emotional pain. "I could never get the chance to wipe your tears, hold you, make up for the years I wasted for us, instead of letting myself love you that instant I met you. Mad, I don't want that, I want more with you if asking forever isn't greedy, I want that as my only wish." He shook his head in refusal. Fear is evident in his hazel eyes.

Right here, through his conspicuous gaze I saw the whole of him; what he fears, his biggest mistakes, his guilts, and regrets. What makes him happy, and I saw myself in that circle.

A small gasp escapes my lip, my hand impulsively travels to the side of his face, I am sure if there is a patient monitor connected to my body, the beeping alarm could go nuts, for my heart was drumming insanely in my chest.

Quietly, I start, "I know this world is fucked up but I am hopeful, it could be fair," I exhale and swallowed, tracing his defined cheekbone with my fingers. "Caden, your whole life was filled with unjust, abuse, hatred, and anger. You must deserve a happy ending. One with no bullets and pain, no hospitals or monitors deciding your fate." I believe that. "I married you because I am utterly in love with you... And I am certain this is just our head start of wonderful days together. We must have a lot of time to love as hard as we both deserve. As you deserve, Caden."

I took comfort from his warm smile through my statement.

But then his response left me gaping, my breathing hitched, my eyes a broad wide, and my groin throbbing hard, "You are so fucking hot. I suggest we fight, right here." He implies, seductively biting his bottom lip.

Okay!

Concentrate! He has a wound, there's no way is legal to screw a patient who just woke from a coma.

"Dude, you're on a hospital bed, just battled with death and existence." I point out, blushing deeply, knowing he could tell I was turned on.

"That means I can survive anything." He smirked, charmingly. "I can take the risk. I'm fucking hungry for the taste of you." He whispered. "What has it been? Months?"

Swallowing through my dry throat, I failed a simple smile. "Ten days," I murmured.

"Oh, swears, I can feel the blues on my dick right now. I want to fuck you, I bet you miss me too. Admit." he taunted and he is goddamn serious.

So forward!

I exhale a nervous laugh and look around the empty room.

No! I am not considering it.

"Of course I miss you." I blushed. His eyes growing wide with hope. "But—I rather we argue now and fight when you heal, somewhere, that's not on a hospital bed."

"Shame, King disagrees. The bad boy needs you for moral support. For the first time I had no courage, you know me and hospital don't do together. We need you." His voice edged with desire, making me have second thoughts of reconsidering his proposition.

"Oh! That. Sounds to me you have your courage intact." I choke on my breath, laughing nervously again. "King has to wait for the kingdom to rehabilitate its strength." I wave around his southern part. I can't believe he has me calling his dick King. "Now let's focus on welcoming you to life."

"Duhhh." His eyes rolled back.

He was so cute. And that reminds me, who would want to hurt him so badly? Almost taking him away from me.

"Can we talk about who shot you?" I blurt.

His eyes narrow: "You know what? I will take the argument." He said slowly just as his fingers circled my nape and lowered my head to his.

"Caden....." I giggle while his lips connect with mine.