Subtle Invitation (One Shot)

Subtle Invitation

"Hey," I said just below a whisper as I peaked my head around the hospital door to room 276.

"Come on in," I heard another voice speak softly a few steps away from the hospital bed. I closed the door behind me and took a few steps toward her chair as quietly as I possibly could in my black heels. Sinu sighed and stood up from the chair against the wall in the small hospital cell. She looked completely out of energy but her face was still relaxed.

"How is she?" I asked the older woman while swallowing the nervous lump in my throat. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear her next response or not.

"A bit better," Sinu answered with a sad smile. "About 20 minutes ago I was finally able to get her to take a nap. She's exhausted but having the IV in her arm and being in an unfamiliar place makes it more difficult to fall asleep."

I turned my head to look over at my girlfriend lying lifelessly in the small hospital bed. Camila's chest rose and fell rhythmically to the monitor connected to her slender arm by a thin tube. Her skin was pale and lips chapped from the virus attacking her internally but she continued to fight it. In that moment, I wished I could absorb her illness and fight it for her so I wouldn't have to see her this way, but I knew I had to be strong for her. I slowly started making my way over to the the hospital bed when I felt a hand brush across my arm.

"Try not to wake her," Sinu said quietly and I nodded my head. As much as I wanted my girlfriend to catch up on her sleep and heal properly, I couldn't help but touch her. I've been deprived of the feeling of her skin since 10 that morning and I missed it terribly. I cautiously ran my fingertips across the thin sheets covering her small body. As I gently caressed her arm, I stared down at her peaceful face. Her mind was off in another world but mine was right here with her. At least she couldn't feel the sickness while she was at rest, I thought. I continued stroking her skin lovingly until I reached her delicate wrist. I was barely touching her hand when she inhaled deeply, her head drowsily turning to face me.

"Laauurreeeen" the younger one managed to say in a voice much raspier than usual. She found my hand on the side of her bed and weaved her fingers between mine, intertwining them in a weak grasp. I leaded up against the edge of her bed and looked down at Camila, our fingers still connected. Her eyelids hid her beautiful chocolate orbs but she knew I was in her presence. I delicately moved a strand of hair away from her cheek and planted a soft kiss on the warm skin and lingered there for a moment. In response to the gesture, Camila's lips formed a small smile and I felt my stomach fill with butterflies.

"I'm here, my love" I said softly to my half asleep girlfriend in front of me. I turned and looked at Sinu to make sure she knew her daughter was awake.

"I have to run downstairs and discuss a few things with the nurses," Sinu said quietly. "Don't get to close to her Lauren, I don't want you to end up in the room next door hacking up a lung."

Camila frowned at her mothers comment but I squeezed her hand lightly for reassurance.

"I won't, don't worry" I smiled and watched her exit the room, followed by the door closing behind her. I turned and looked at Camila, whose eyes were still closed but she was awake.

"I missed you," my girlfriend said softly. She opened up her tired eyes just enough to make out my face. Camila used her free hand and traced her finger across the bridge of my nose and around my cheeks. I let her fingers wander around till they found my hands and mindlessly played with them. "How was the show? I'm sor-"

"Shhh" I freed my hand and held up my index finger to her lips. "There's nothing to be sorry about, Camz. You can't help getting sick, I understand. All that matters is that I'm here now and we can make up for that time."

"Okay," she mouthed but not a sound escaped her lips. She patted the space next to her and motioned me to lay down. "Now that you're here, can we cuddle?"

"Of course, is that even a question?" Camila's face lit up as I took a seat next to her in the bed. There wasn't enough room for two people to lay comfortably side by side so I thought of a way to fit us both. I kicked off my heals and climbed into the hospital bed with with my girlfriend. Camila leaned forward as I positioned myself behind her, having her settle between my legs. She leaned onto me with the back of her head resting against my chest. Once we were both comfortable, I wrapped my arms around her tummy and felt her hands join mine once again. She leaned her head to the side and closed her eyes once again.

"Your heart is beating really fast," Camila observed. She moved her head and looked up at me. "Are you alright, Lolo?"

"That's just the effect you have on me," I laughed lightly and saw her giggle as well. "But don't you think I should be asking that? I'm not the one who's checked in to this place."

Camila shifted her weight to one side and flipped herself over so both of our stomachs were pressed together. She ran her fingers across my lips while biting her own, her eyes focused on the ones in front of her.

"I'm okay," she finally said. "But I miss something."

"And what's that?" I said smirking, I already knew where she was going with this. I could never tell if I knew her well enough or she was just that predictable.

"Your lips," she slowly moved closer till our foreheads were centimeters apart. "On mine"

"Remember what your mom said, Camz," I warned and she began to pout.

"Aw come on, did you really think I was going to say no to that?" I said to the younger one laying on me. Her face broke out into a huge smile as I began to close the space between us.

"Wait," Camila's fingers brushed against my lips keeping ours from connecting. I felt her sigh and rest her chin on my chest "I really don't want to get you sick babe, maybe my mom was right."

"Are you kidding? I don't care if I get the most life-threatening illness in this hospital and if I do, it was totally worth it," with that said I leaned over and pressed my lips against hers softly. I gently cupped her face with my hands but didn't rush the kiss in any way. It could've lasted minutes or hours but all I know is that I loved every second of it. When we finally parted, Camila rested her chin on my chest again and stared up at me. All I could do was smile, I was so happy to be with her after our hectic day. She finally laid her whole head on my chest and started to calm down. I leaned over tenderly kissed her forehead before she drifted off to sleep.