Until It's Gone

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

 

Mike’s POV

         

          He sat at Chester’s bed until he heard a rustle and a whimper. He looked up and saw Chester squirming uncomfortably on the bed. He was alive. For now, he was ok.

         

          “Chaz? Chaz? It’s ok. You’re ok. I’m here,” Mike said softly but Chester didn’t look at him. His eyes were still shut but he was upset. Mike could tell. If he moved much more, he could knock something loose. Mike got up and gently shook his leg.

          “You’re ok Chaz. It’s ok. Just wake up. Everything will be ok,” he said as Chester stopped shaking and his eyes fluttered open. Mike stared at him as their eyes met. He couldn’t believe it. Chester was actually alive. He was alright at the moment.

          “Hurts….Mikey….hurts real bad,” Chester whimpered. Mike reached up to ruffle Chester’s hair and then realized he didn’t have it anymore. But he put his hand to the side of Chester’s face anyway.

          “I know it does. They’re going to take that tube out of you alright? You’ll get a ventilator,” Mike said and Chester nodded slightly.

         

          “Ok. I….hurts to breathe,” Chester said softly.

          “I know it does. I know. I’m so sorry Chester,” Mike said as tears built in his eyes.

          “Not….Not your fault. I……stupid,” Chester said and Mike knew this was hard for him.

          “Don’t talk alright? You need to rest. We can talk later,” Mike said letting his thumb stroke Chester’s cheek. Chester pressed his cheek into Mike’s hand and Mike smiled slightly at him.

          “I….I…..l-love y-you,” Chester managed and Mike finally let himself cry. He’d stayed strong for too long. All the emotions he had locked up finally let themselves loose and as he sat there with Chester he was just too happy. The other man was going to be alright. They’d make it out of this. It really had been a miracle. He saw Chester’s face shining with tears as well. A hand reached out and wiped the tears off his face and Mike looked down at the man he’d come to love so much.

          “I…I-I….l-love you s-so….much,” Chester whispered.

          “I love you too Chester. You have no idea…..I didn’t mean what I said about us being over. I was just so upset about the whole thing. I want us to be together. I want to be with you. You mean the world to me. I can’t live without you.”

          Chester’s eyes shone with happiness as Mike finished his apology. The doctors came in to remove the tube and put Chester on a ventilator instead. About fifteen to twenty minutes later, Chester was allowed to sit up if he could but he couldn’t leave the bed yet. He was still in a lot of pain so they gave him some morphine. Of course, that made Chester a little loopy. That was what Mike got to deal with.