Return to me

Part 12: Pulling the plug

"Don't ever say that, Stevie,"  spoke Lindsey, "...I have so much love and respect for you, my beautiful angel."

Placing her saline lips to his, Stevie gave her love one last kiss, feeling the rough skin of his mouth with hers. It was only that he was not kissing back, making it lack in passion, landing on his chest as she cried once more.

Lindsey had no clue to what was happening but his spirit was fading in front of his own eyes, from his feet to his legs, watching as he dissolved in to thin air. His body on the bed slightly jerked, it causing alarm from Stevie, gasping as she stood back. He took in a deep breath, chest rising, heart monitor off the chart! No one knew what they were witnessing but it was Lindsey's soul returning to his body, her kiss having pulled him back through the other side, his "beneficial sacrament" sealed.

"Lindsey...?" questioned Stevie, his eyes popping open, gasps and cries from his family as everyone surrounded the bed. "Lindsey...?" tears still in Stevie's eyes but for another reason.

He tried to speak, choking on the tube that was down his throat, Stevie turning to rush out in to the hallway to call for a nurse.

"Hold on, Lindsey, hold on!" Stevie said, taking his hand as he wanted the tube removed immediately.

"Oh my God," said his nurse as she realized what was going on, helping lift his head as she started the removal process of his tube. "Remarkable..." standing back in shock as he coughed, blinking and taking in air on his own.

"S-Stevie," turning his head to look at her, Stevie wrapping her arms around him as his children reached for him as well. "Marry...me?" searching her eyes for an answer.

Stifling a sob, Stevie nodded, taking his face again for another kiss; this time she could feel him respond and nothing could replace this feeling of a miracle.

***

Being taken off of the life support was a blessing, no one believing how his health improved over night; his heart returned back to a normal state and besides the nerve damage in his legs, it was as if he'd never been on his death bed at all. He was a medical mystery.

Lindsey was relocated in the hospital, given a regular room on a different floor, no longer in ICU. He had to start therapy to get his arms and legs moving again, being wobbly and off strength wise, using a wheelchair temporarily. 

His room was filled with roses, courtesy of Stevie, cards and balloons also decorated through out from friends and family. He sat in his wheelchair near the window, thankful that he could see the sun, able to feel it on his skin.

Stevie stood at his doorway, a smile on her face, a gift in hand as she finally made her way inside. She placed the gift down against the bed then covered his eyes with her hands, Lindsey jumping then recognizing her laugh, Stevie wrapping her arms around his neck. "Guess who?"

"Why if it isn't the woman that I love?" Lindsey responded with a rasp to his voice, recovering from the tube that took residence far too long.

Walking around to face him, she leaned up against the window pane, his eyes incapable of blinking. The sun made it look like a halo surrounding her, parting his lips in desire, thanking God he survived.

"I have something for you," Stevie broke the silence, about to walk passed him, Lindsey snatching her wrist. "What?" looking down at him as he looked up at her.

"You are all I want," guiding her back in front of him, scooting to the edge of his chair, hands on her thighs.

"And you are all I want," she responded, hands on the sides of his head as his moved across her curvaceous bottom. He pulled her as close as he could get, nuzzling his face against her abdomen.

"I was with you all the time, almost every second, watching your life as I tried to make my way back to you. Stevie, I tried so many times to communicate and just so you know," looking back up at her, "...yes, I like the red dress."

Eyes filling with tears, Stevie smiled, holding his face tenderly. "You were  there..." having wanted the answer to that question.

Nodding, Lindsey continued to feel her up, over her hips and down her thighs again. "I saw everything."

"Everything?"

"I just hope that you will share that dress with me again," squeezing her bottom, staring in to her eyes.

"Not soon enough," touching his lips with her fingers, running through his hair to watch him close his eyes. "I was so lonely, so afraid, Lindsey. Can you ever forgive me?" hoping he would be able to understand what she was talking about with out saying it.

"It hurt me, Stevie," telling the truth.

"I'm so sorry," biting back tears, "...Morris was my only form of comfort -"

"Shhh, I don't want to hear his name but I understand; I understand you perfectly, angel, and I watched as you begged for forgiveness."

"So, you forgive me?"

"I do as long as you promise to be mine forever."

"I've already promised that."

He smiled up at her as she smiled back, breaking the stance as she went to retrieve the gift, it being his guitar while she laid it upon his lap. His smile widened, a tear glistening, adjusting the instrument as he started to strum. "Any requests?"

"Stephanie."