Three days later
Sandra Parks POV
Sandra takes a deep breath as the lift lurches to a stop on the fourth floor of Gangnam university hospital, the ping of the loft finally announcing she can leave. It doesn't take long to reach room 6104, her heartbeat speeds up in hope that the young man who owns her sons heart and saved his life will be awake!  Gently opening the door, her hope fades away by what she sees on entry to this sombre and silent room she is fast beginning to hate.

Quietly shutting the door so as not to wake the man hunched over the the hospital bed and the prone figure upon it. Her heart bleeds to see Baekhyun looking so pale  and delicate under  the oxygen masks he still wears, those fragile arms still taped with cannula ports one filled with plasma, the second pumping vitamins and antibiotics! Sandra can see how frail his tiny body looks being dwarfed under the sea of a goose feather duvet Chanyeol demanded Sehun bring as soon as Baekhyun was out of  the recovery area. James her darling husband had arrived whilst Baekhun was being moved to a ward, James however had stepped in and all but demanded a private en-suite room, when it transpired Baekhyun may need to stay in for a few days. Beautiful Baekhyun who still hasn't awoken three days after his splenectomy and blood transfusion! She walks towards her son who still sits to the side of the bed on a horrible plastic chair the cut on his cheek finally cleaned and sporting a couple stitches, realising he is no longer awake but slumped over. She can only choke on a sob after she spots that he still holds tight to one of those dainty fragile hands, even after he finally succumbed to much needed sleep. Sandra gently cards her hand over her sons head, hating how exhausted Chanyeol looks. It's not surprising she knows he has only left Baekhyun's side for thirty minutes to shower in the en-suite and change his bloodied clothes! She knows he only did that because as per a message from Sehun who had texted that Luhan and Jongdae had  double teamed him by manhandled him into the shower, whilst Sehun sat with Baekhyun.

It was so so heartbreaking to watch her son fall apart when he collapsed in grief three days ago, it still physically hurts to see him look so exhausted. She knows her son though, and despite how hard these last few years have been for him first being wrongly forced into that marriage and blackmail  fiasco with Maria, to discover it was all a ploy to keep him  from the man he truly loved! Becoming a victim of domestic assault when he tried to get a divorce after discovering her treachery, she truly  is in awe of the inner strength her son possesses  even after suffering some truly awful experiences! It breaks her heart  to watch that inner strength waiver, it must be pure agony for him to watch his one true love remain unconscious, after watching him push him out the way and then take the bullet that Maria intended for him.

She goes to pick up Baekhyun's chart when the door creeks open and James squeezes through it before closing it quietly! Her mind swirling with confusion when she sees a strange mix of emotions including frustration on his handsome face. "Daring what's wrong," "the police are here!" "What, why are they here!" The sudden groan they hear has Sandra pulling James away from the bed, making sure she lowers her tone she puts a finger up to her lips so as not to wake their son, "surely they don't need to question Chanyeol, and Baekhyun is certainly not able to be questioned," "I know that sweetheart, they aren't hear to question Chanyeol for any wrong doing darling,  I saw the security feeds from the parking lot that deranged harpy is finally going to answer for her crimes!That's not all, Jaehyun is in big trouble too! Thanks to the security feeds, they have Maria on tape letting the cat out the bag about her father paying off the chief of police over her restraining order!" Sandra feels her eyes widen in shock it's certainly explains a lot! whilst it's not Baekhyun waking up, it's progress in getting him the justice he deserves. "Thats good news for Chanyeol and Baekhyun, are they charging Jaehyun as an accomplice?" Sandra watches as James nod his head, "not just an accomplice Sandra, the police are adding bribery too his charges, Maria made it possible by what was recorded on the tapes she implicated that he knew about her plans so they can charge him as an accomplice! That's not all they also are going to be adding tax evasion charges, they have gone over his bank records turns out Jaehyun has been redirecting government funds to his own account!." "Serves him right darling, I always knew he was up to dirty tricks," Sandra smiles at her husband as he nods smugly it's the only good news that has come out of this whole ordeal, karma finally catching up with Jaehyun Kim and his wretched daughter.

"Why are the police here if they don't want to question Chanyeol?" "Darling I tried to keep them away I really did, due to the nature of the charges I've been told that their lawyers are trying to play hard ball, Jaehyun apparently has inside scoop on other senators evading tax  changes, he wants a lower sentence in exchange for handing out names. Their lawyers also believe if they present Maria as insane she will avoid jail!" Sandra blinks at her husband  in sheer disbelief at what she hears, "that  preposterous, the bitch is crazy but she isn't insane!" "That's why the police are here, they have come with a prosecutor to get a victim impact statement from Chanyeol and to take photos of Baekhyun's injuries" Sandra turns to look at her oldest son, her heart truly breaking over this whole ordeal as she casts her eyes over Baekhyun, the man that after everything her son appeared to do let him back into his life and always loved him. "Chanyeol wont like this James," "i know darling, but this could be what keeps Maria in jail!" Sandra takes a deep breath, knowing james is right and that its crucial that police get this vital information, she heads  over to the lovers to gently wake up her son.

Chanyeol's POV
The gentle shake of his shoulders has Chanyeol bolting upright in a panic, he shouldn't be sleeping he could miss the moment his baby wakes up. The sudden smell of his mum's expensive perfume calms him a little, as he turns away from Baekhyun he is surprised to see both his parents, both are wearing matching exhausted yet frustrated expressions. "What time is it, have I missed the surgeon, mama he still isn't waking up," "its only 8.30am, the surgeon hasn't come yet breathe darling remember the doctor said Baekhyun still being a sleep means his body is trying to heal on his own, and that his body will wake when he is ready." He turns back to the delicate creature on the bed, knowing his mother is right he ever so gently runs a hand across one of Baekhyun's silky smooth cheek, as he whispers "i wish you would wake up baby, i need to know your ok!" The subtle cough his father makes is strange, his father has always encouraged both his sons to show their affections, he knows something is up "what's going on?"

"You are joking right, please, please dad tell me she wont get away this, look at what she has done to Baekhyun!" Chanyeol gets up from the chair he sitting on, he doesn't want Baekhyun to sense his nervous furious energy, he knows his emotions are flooding the room. He cant believe what his father just said, well he can about Jaehyun and the tax evasion, what is making his blood boil is Maria's attempt to avoid jail by getting her lawyer's to plead she is insane! "Dad we fell for that when she assaulted me she pulled the i'm sorry card then, i wont let her do it again, the tapes i know prove she was functioning she even implicated her father SHE DESERVES TO BE BEHIND BARS!' Chanyeol  gasps when he realises he's been shouting and whips around when he hears the usual steady beep of the monitor suddenly increase, rushing  back "baby!" "His blood pressure just spiked, its likely even asleep he can sense your distress Chanyeol," as relived as he is at his mum's statement it still isn't what he truly wants, he just wants to see those baby blues and that dazzling smile. "I know this is hard son, that's partially why I'm here, you might want to sit down son, the police and a prosecutor are here, the prosecutor is here to take a impact statement, the police also want to get a photo of Baekhyun and his injuries!'

For the second time in less then a week Chanyeol wishes his life was a nightmare he could wake up from, he doesn't want to leave Baekhyun's side, yet knows it's vital that the police get this witness statement as well as getting photos of Baekhyun's injuries! Chanyeol knows those photos will only be able to help so much as there isn't much left of the gunshot wound or the blood left in its wake! He knows this because he personally changed Baekhyun out the hospital gown as soon as he was wheeled in too his room! Chanyeol watches as the covers rise with each exhale of the tiny chest hidden underneath it. He remembers how he sobbed as he cleared that porcelain skin of the remnants of his own blood missed by the surgeon, how the harsh black and blue bruises span the entirety of Baekhyuns's taunt abdomen hidden under the oversized T-shirt Chanyeol changed Baekhyun into. It's those bruises he has committed to memory, it's those bruises  he sees every time he closes his eyes! Turning to his father he makes a decision he hopes Baekhyun will forgive him for, "the photos have to be taken the same time I'm giving my statement, and he isn't to left alone with the police at anytime!" "Of course son, your mother will stay with him and call Sehun, i will come with you to support you, the prosecutor is waiting in the next room, i promise you wont be parted for long!'

Baekhyun's POV- two hours later
Searing hot pain, is all he can feel as the pleasant void of his dreamlessness state seeps further and further away from him. He really wishes that pleasant nothingness where he didn't have to think or feel returns! It was so much better than the intense soreness he feels all across his abdomen,  it feels like his muscles have been ripped apart. He can feel intense heat flaring across his body and such a heavy ache  in his limbs despite the softness  he feels wrapped  protectively around him!

Baekhyun can feel sudden panic rising  within him as he experiences flashbacks of gunshots, a woman screaming and people running! Now he remembers exactly why he is such excruciating pain, he was shot protecting the man he loves from a spiteful shrew! He tries to concentrate on his surroundings and it's unfamiliar smell of antiseptic and old polish filling his nose, the weird beeping and clicking sounds filling his conscious, despite the fact he feels like he's been submerged in water! Baekhyun isn't yet ready to face the pain pulsing through every party of his body, not as he remembers the last thing he saw being Chanyeol's grief stricken tear stained face before he succumbed to the dreamless void!

Oh god how long has been like this, he doesn't remember if he saved Chanyeol, not knowing if his gentle giant is unharmed makes him realise he can no longer cling to the darknes. He needs to open his eyes and make sure the man he loves is ok, desperation mounts as he hears echoed whimpers not realising they are his own! Those slow beeping noises suddenly start increasing, cutting through that rising panic he's drowning in is a muffled pleading voice! "Oh my god  mum, mum you have to come listen, do you hear that it's sounds like crying Baekhyun can you hear us? Mum come quick you see that his eyes are moving!" He knows that frantic voice, it's his best friend Sehun he know he needs to follow that voice for the darkness to leave him, he so desperately wants  wake up, to make sure Chanyeol is ok! He hears  the calming second voice of Sandra Park as she almost chokes out, "oh my god thank god, Sehun go get them they are only three doors down and get the doctor!"

"Sweet boy it's ok I know you must be so confused, squeeze back if you understand what I'm saying we have all been so worried" Baekhyun squeezes against the sudden warmth he feels holding his hand, praying it's Sandra's hand he can still hear the whimpers, only now they are so much louder and burn his parched throat. He can feel his eyes darting from side to side under his eyelids, it hurts but the desperate need to know Chanyeol is ok out ways the pain of opening his eyes! Openings his eyes takes Herculean effort but he manages to open them slightly to find a bright room with off white walls, the pain he feels is indescribable, his abdomen burns and his arms feel like they have been stabbed with sharp knives. "Oh sweet child, it's so good to see your eyes," Baekhyun uses that voice as his anchor and opens his eyes more to find Sandra Park sat beside him, at the same time he hears what he thinks is a door banging open.  Everything is still blurry and everything happens  so fast, his hand is no longer held he starts to panic again but gets a whiff of  calming and so familiar bergamot and earl grey, letting out a sob when  he realises Sandra  has moved  off the bed to make way for a familiar invading presence, finally opening his eyes fully he instantly relaxes when he sees the man he loves is unharmed, "Yoellie!"

Chanyeol's POV, 
Chanyeol leans against the wall with his elbows on the empty hospital bed in front of him, holding his pounding head! He's finally finished doing this whole witness statement, in the hope this will help convict Maria! He isn't really listening to the conversation the prosecutor is having with his father he zoned out when the prosecutor confirmed there is a chance Maria will still succeed with her insanity plea even with his statement! He is so blind with rage that the Kim's  are trying to use their wealth and position that he doesn't hear the hurried footsteps or the door flying open, "Sehun, what is it is it Baekhyun?"

That does get his attention all kinds of emotions running through him as he rushes to his feet, his brother looks like he sprinted the 100 feet from Baekhyun's room, and looks almost giddy! "Hyung Baekhyun is waking up, he was crying move your ass!" Chanyeol doesn't need to be told twice as he races past Sehun hearing something about getting the doctor. Seconds later he crashes back into Baekhyun's room, he can feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears as all he can see is the back of his mum who suddenly turns and gets off the bed! He doesn't notice the smile on her face as all he can see is those gorgeous baby blues! He rushes to take the spot his mum was in when he hears a whispered "Yeollie!"

Chanyeol sobs out in relief, leaning forward he leans his forehead on Baekhyun's gently before whispering "Oh my precious angel thank god!" Hearing  how Baekhyun whimpers softly, he's such an idiot his delicate boyfriend must  be so confused and in so much pain! Smiling softly he leans back and removes the oxygen mask, as happy as is is to hear that melodious voice "Chanyeol," "shh don't speak baby." Chanyeol gently cups a porcelain cheek with one hand stroking the soft skin ever so gently! Snapping out of his relieved and temporary happy state, he reaches over for some water bottle, holding it up to Baekhyun's plump lips, happy to watch Baekhyun sip it slowly. "Why do I hurt so much" "shh baby don't strain your self ok," Chanyeol ever so gently picks up a delicate hand and kisses the tips of those dainty fingers, as stares into Baekhyun's clouded baby blues.

The stress and devastation of last few days finally catch up to him, as he looks over Baekhyun yes his love is alive but at the cost of his health! He openly sobs "i'm so so sorry baby you had to have surgery the doctor had to remove your spleen, you should of just let her shoot me" as he leans his head against Baekhyun's again! He sobs again, unable to look at all the cannulas his baby is hooked up to nor can he look at his so very pale face! Surprise hits him when he feels those rose red plump lips press against his own at the same time he feels a squeeze on his fingers. "No I couldn't I lost you once Chanyeol, you make my life so full of technicolour! I wasn't going to watch her shoot you to be forced to experience life with out you again! It was and will always be you Chanyeol I would do it again in heartbeat if meant saving your life!"

Chanyeol heart swells with so much love for this  man, this precious man who owns his heart, soul and body! He very much means to make Baekhun his for life! The intimate bubble they have created bursts when Chanyeol hears Sehun cough before adding the "doctor is on his way, you need to get off the bed Chanyeol so the doctor can do his job!" The squeeze of those tiny fingers and the pained whispered ow he hears as Baekhyun try's to giggle reminds him that his love is still in pain he gets off the bed as he hears "that deranged psycho is in police custody?" Chanyeol smiles and nods, grabbing hold tightly to that tiny hand in his, he silently vows to explain what's happening as soon as Baekhyun is home. His first priority as he kisses the back of the pet with hand in his is to make sure his precious heart is on the mend.

Hello everyone here is my next update, for those that voted on what you wanted me to update first It Was Always you was the clear winner!

I hope you all like this I'm written this to distract me from some rather unpleasant pains I'm suffering I apologise if there are spelling and grammatical errors

Thank you all for taking time to read this let me know what you think I so excited that it's so close to 10k reads eek ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

If you haven't already please do check out my other stories each one is a little bit different, I promise you won't be disappointed

Also as the next chapter will be the epilogue ❤️❤️❤️❤️