Ethan

"I'm perfectly fine to walk on my own! I've just checked in. I didn't even go through my surgery yet, so why are you pushing me around?" I tried to stand but the firm hand on my shoulder set me back on the wheelchair.

"Hospital rules." The nurse behind me piped patiently.

The way she was handling me told me that I wasn't her first grumpy patient.

I growled, "I don't need it!"

Hank stepped in, his voice becoming closer, "Ethan, why don't you let the nice lady here do her job," then he added, "Relax, Skye will be here."

He knew exactly which of my fuses were about to short out.

"Did you try calling her?" I asked getting more avid by the minute.

"Yes, she said she was on her way." Hank breathed.

I slumped back on the chair and let the nurse push me around.

My parents were still here, there were a few papers they needed to sign before they leave. Despite mom's objection and dad's reluctance I didn't want them to stay any longer than they should.

Even Hank, although we were close friends, I wouldn't let him stay. His role was picking me up and dropping me off. Just means of transportation, no more- no less.

As for Grandpa, it has been a long time since I've called him before a surgery. For the past years he's been getting the news from mom and I refused to talk to him.

After my first failed surgery I started doing this alone and I would keep doing this alone. There was literally nothing they could do for me before, during or after the surgery.

My rules haven't change even now, but first, I needed her here with me. Not in a clingy way, but in the sorts of 'everything will be fine with her here' kind of a way.

We stayed up all night while she read to me. It was three in the morning when we finished our book. Afterwards we talked a lot and laughed a lot and said 'I love you' not enough times. I don't think there would ever be enough times.

It was past five when Skye's her words started to slur and I heard her stifled yawns that was when I asked her to go to sleep. She kept the line open and on the sound of her even, steady breathing I was lulled to a peaceful slumber.

I grinned.

"Now that you've stopped rumbling and got all smiles, wait here until I grab your file."

The nurse's voice penetrated my thoughts before she walked away. I was savoring many yesterday's memories that I haven't realize when nurse has stopped pushing the chair.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late, I couldn't find a parking space."

Skye's sweet voice reached my ears a moment later sending delicious tingles through my body. I breathed.

"Hey you..." I reached out, eager for her hand. The moment our hands touched I started pulling her demanding my usual 'hello' kiss.

I felt her tense up and not getting any closer.

"Your parents are here!" She whispered sounding nervous.

I grinned, not whispering at all, "So? They do know that we kiss. A lot!"

Her hand tightened around mine signaling me to stop, but I wouldn't.

I want my kiss!

Turning my head in the direction where I heard my parent last spoke. I couldn't recall where the heck Hank was at the moment. "Look away people, I'm trying to kiss my girlfriend."

Skye gasped then slapped my arm shyly making me laugh.

I could hear my mom muffled voice saying something like, 'They look so cute.'

I turned back to my girl and demanded, "Give me the goodie!" Actually, I chanted, shamelessly, "Give me the goodie!" Then I warned her, "I won't stop!" And chanted on, "Give me the goodie!"

When Skye finally laughed I pulled her gently until she was sitting on my lap and her arm rounded my neck. Jolts of happiness rushed through my body when she leaned in. I had no idea how she could calm my nerves and set them on fire at the same time.

A couple of 'Ah's and 'Awe's whispered around us and Skye smiled against my lips before breaking our kiss and my heart skipped a beat. I never felt this relaxed before any of the previous surgeries.

"Um... Ethan?" She called my name in question.

"Hmm..." I was still light-headed to use any syllables.

"What are you wearing?" She asked.

I grinned innocently running a hand over the fabric, "My favorite shirt. For good luck!"

"Oh really?" I could hear the laugh in her voice. Then her finger rubbed a specific spot on my shirt, "It has a pink stain on it."

Capturing her hand, I nodded, slowly entwining our fingers, feeling how perfectly hers fit between mine, "Yup, I know. It's right above my heart."

She sighed.

I clasped our joined hand to my lipstick-stained shirt and smiled at her, "That's why it's my favorite shirt."

My nerves hummed vivaciously when her lips brushed against mine again.

"You always do things that makes me love you more."

She whispered in my ear and my hands trembled. Good thing I was already seated 'cause my knees were definitely to fail me and brain was a bit giddy.

"Excuse me young man." The nurse came back.

Skye and I flinched and then we both chuckled. Apparently, both of us forgot where we're at and there were other people there. Including my parents.

"It's time." The nurse announced.

Skye apologized and jumped off. She gave my hand a tight squeeze and I closed my fingers around hers.

I took a deep breath then nodded in a newly rebuild tenacity, "Let's do this!"

Words of encouragement followed me as I was wheeled away. I hoped Dr. Pendny's results would turn out to be as optimistic as he sounded.

The surgery took several hours, more than it was supposed to. Dr. Pendny's prepared me for that possibility. By the time it was done I felt drained of every ounce of strength in me. I was beyond exhaustion. All I wanted was to fall asleep and for a very long time.

Dr. Pendny recommended that I stay at the hospital for the day at least then I could finish my five days of recovery at home before the bandaged and the eye-shields that were taped over my eyes came off.

Right now, I couldn't care less where I was at. All I cared for was sleeping. Bed was optional.

My throat felt dry when I came around. I think I woke up a few times, but fell back asleep, I was too out of it to remember. For a brief moment I was at loss of where I was or how many hours I've slept.

In the haze of it all, during one of the times I was awake someone guided my hand to where the nurse-call button was before I dozed off again. Not sure if it was real or not- I reached in that direction anyway.

A low rustle came from the side of my bed as my hand searched for that button.

"Hey..." her soft whispered voice reached my ears almost like a dream, "Do you need anything?"

"Skye?" My voice came out gravely, "What time is it?"

"A little after eleven in the evening."

I started to gain my focus, "You didn't leave?"

"Nope." Her voice was close to me, "Do you want some water?"

Propping myself up, "Yes, please."

The idea of her staying by my side and not leaving was shaking me awake.

I downed one of those ridiculously tiny hospital cups she placed in my hand and then three more.

"Where is everyone?" I asked now that I was more centered and stared to regain my awareness.

"Your parents and Hank said that you'll prefer if they didn't stay so they went home, they took Matt for a sleep over and Aunt Sophie is working the night shift." She informed me.

I nodded. Then guilt ate me up, "You must be tired."

We only agreed that she would be there before I went in. Not being cramped in the room with me.

"Not at all." Skye dismissed.

And the she beat me to it before I could ask her to go home. "I want to stay."

The plea in her voice was tugging on my heart strings.

I held my hand out for her and locked my fingers around hers the moment we touched, "There is nothing I would love more". I moved over pulling the covers away, "Get in!"

I smiled as I stretched my arm to pillow her head as she crawled next to me and nestled in my chest. Then I pulled the covers around us and I breathed in the sweetness of her perfume. Feeling her warm body snuggled close to mine was heavenly. My hand fitted perfectly on the dip of her small waist. Nothing ever felt more right than this.

Skye's fingers stroked my jaw gently. I could feel her eyes on me when she asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted, like I've been running all day." There was a dull pain, but nothing else besides that.

I pulled her closer and breathed, "Thank you for being here with me."

"There is no other place on earth I would rather be."

Her words smiled and so did I. I inched in until I could press my lips on her forehead for a long kiss.

Soothed by her warmth and the steady breathing rhythm of her that fanned my chest, I drifted off again sound asleep.

*********

For the next two days, I spent most of my time sleeping. No matter how hard I tried to stay awake, I just drift off in a dreamless sleep. I've been following every single piece of instruction that Dr. Pendny has given me to the tee.

No scratching even if it itches.
Have plenty of rest, and sleep whenever was possible.
Keep those eye shields on all the time.

Keep my head leveled all the time.

Take medicine in time.
Take painkillers when needed.

I did it all.

Also in those two days I've missed Skye's visits. Every time she came by I was out cold and being the sweet-person she was, she didn't wake me up. By the time I was aware, she has already left and it would be too late to call her. We kept missing each other in this weird loop that bugged and frustrated me all together.

By day three I've reached my limit and I didn't care what time it was. I pulled out my phone and dialed. I was pacing madly and just blew the moment she picked up starting with my list of demands.

"You wake me up when you come by!" I growled in frustration, "No matter what the status is, you wake me up. Are we clear on that?"

"Sir, yes sir!"

She said stiffly, all military serious yet I could hear the hint of smile in her voice.

"You do not come to see me without actually seeing me!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

"And talking to me!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

"And kissing me!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

"And telling me that you love me!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

"Or at least hear me saying it to you!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

"I miss you!" I was losing the fight in me little by little with every demand until there was nothing left in me but yearning.

"I miss you too!" Her voice turned soft, "How are you?"

"Good. You?"

"Good"

There were voices in the back ground for a minute before she said, "Matt and Aunt Sophie said hi."

"Tell them hi." Slowly, I began to smile. Some bits of peace restored in me now that I've heard her voice.

We talked for quite some time, catching me up with everything I've missed during my slumber. Skye promised to swing by tomorrow and comply my list of demands. All of them.

I was smiling for a long time after we hang up.

Two days left before those bandages and eye shied came off.

I kept a short leash on my worries about the result, preserving the anxiety to myself. Whenever they started to surface I would drown them back.

One day at a time.