Lyra-
I watched Nathan disappear out of the room. I actually started to get anxious when I didn't know where he was.
Dad stood up, "I think you guys are going to want to talk, so I'll be at the cafeteria."
He kissed me on the top of my head and left quickly, leaving me alone.
The door was thrown open moments later and I grinned as Nathan hurried into the room. He looked around frantically until he saw me and I've never seen him grin so big.
He was at my bed side in seconds, "Lyra, you're awake!"
"Yeah," I giggled, unsure what else to say.
He took my face and planted kisses all over me, finally landing on my lips with one big passionate one. Nathan kissed me like it was his last chance. I melted as his lips molded to mine lovingly. He pulled away and smiled at me, his thumb caressing my cheek.
Geez he looked like hell. His hair was a mess and his eyes were red rimmed like he'd been crying. Dark circles were under his eyes like he hadn't slept in days. Stubble covered his cheeks, making the perfect five o'clock shadow.
"I'm sorry Lyra, but there's no way in hell you're leaving my side again. There is no way I'm letting you go. I don't think I could live without you. And I'm so sorry I let you get hurt. It killed me every second I wasn't with you, please never leave me again because I love you so much that I just might die," He rambled hurriedly like he'd been wanting to spit it out.
"You love me?" I smiled up at him and he grinned, "More than anything in the world."
My heart swelled so big, I was sure it'd pop. I grabbed Nathan's face and pulled him in for another kiss. Once he pulled away, he stayed close and rested his forehead against mine, "Does that mean you love me back?"
"I definitely love you back," I giggled. This dork....
"But seriously, if you're going to college then I'm coming with you. Bad things happen when I leave you alone," He quirked a half smile. I chuckled and was quiet for a moment, just soaking up the happiness that I had with him right here.
"Did she really shoot me?" I whispered after a moment.
"Yeah. I'll never forget it. It was the most terrifying moment of my life. They took you away from me. You flatlined twice," Nathan whispered.
Flatlined....
I could remember his screams. Stay with me, don't leave me. My eyes filled up with tears and I grabbed his hand, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"It wasn't your fault. She's gone now."
"She's gone?"
"Yes. And Richards in jail. His trial is in a few weeks but whatever about that," Nathan sunk to the floor and leaned against the edge of the bed.
"Does it hurt?" He asked, pulling the gown away far enough to see the bandages. A little blood peeked through.
"Not too much at the moment but I'm drugged up," I shrugged and chuckled. He kissed it like it would make it all better and laid his head against my side, avoiding the wound.
"It's been hell without you," He said, his voice muffled.
I ran my fingers through his hair and sighed, "I didn't know I was gone for three days."
"That's all it's been? It felt like months, years," Nathan yawned and I swore he could've fell asleep right there. I chuckled and poked his forehead, "You should probably go back to the family room and take a nap. Did you sleep at all last night?"
I don't want him to go, but he needs sleep.
"I've barely slept at all."
"Well then go take a quick nap."
He shook his head, "No, I'm okay right here with you."
His droopy eyes told me otherwise. I started to remember how tired I felt too. I stifled a yawn, "I think I'll take a nap too. So you can go ahead and go to sleep, and we can talk when we wake up."
"Okay," He said and before I could say anything, he went to the other side of the bed and climbed in.
I gave him room but he carefully pulled me to his side. I cuddled up to him and breathed in the smell of his shirt. I had missed the smell of him. Cologne with something woodsy, mmmm. It settled my frazzled nerves.
It was hard to work around my bullet wound as I stifled little grunts of pain, but I settled down easily after I was wrapped up in Nathan's arms. Nathan kissed my forehead, "I love you."
"I love you too," I grinned, breathing out contently. Everything in my world was perfect at that very moment. I had the best sleep I've had in a long time.
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Lyra-
I woke up with a little smile on my face. Damn that beeping thing though, it messed up my sleep. Nathan was still asleep beside me, one arm protectively wrapped around my waist but avoiding my wound.
Someone cleared their throat and I jumped, yelping in surprise when I saw dad sitting in a chair in the corner. Nathan sat bolt upright and looked around, putting an arm in front of me, "What?!"
He relaxed a little when he saw dad and fell back on the pillows, mumbling to himself. I sighed and relaxed against Nathan's chest, "You scared me."
"Sorry. So, anything you feel like telling me?" Dad adjusted himself in his chair as he eyed us.
I squirmed a little uncomfortably under his gaze, "Daddy....I..."
How do you explain this exactly?
"It's my fault sir. She just couldn't resist my good looks. I'm too handsome for my own good," Nathan grinned and I giggled, smacking him lightly.
He kissed my temple with a chuckle.
"This is supposed to be serious," I chuckled.
"It's been serious for too long. And I've missed your laugh," Nathan murmured, burying his face in the crook of my neck.
I giggled again and my eyes flickered to dad. Ehh...kinda odd with him watching us. I pressed my lips together and tried to think of what to say.
"What do you want me to say?" I ended up mumbling.
"I dunno. Make it simple," Dad said sternly.
I shrugged, "I love him."
I could feel Nathan smile against my skin. Dad shifted his gaze from me to Nathan.
"The feelings mutual sir," Nathan grinned giddily.
Dads eyes softened and he gave Nathan a little smile, "You didn't let go of her for hours...You'll take care of her?"
I already knew the answer to that.
"Of course. I'd do anything for Jay," Nathan said quietly. I nearly melted at the genuine tone of his voice.
"Well that's evident..." Dad mumbled, looking at his hands.
There was a knock at the door and it cracked open. My mouth fell open when Ally stepped into the room. She squealed and ran over to me. I grinned as she threw her arms around me. I hugged her back tightly but hissed when pain radiated from my side.
"Hey!" Nathan snapped and leaned over me to push her away. He got up and went around the bed to stand beside her, scowling. I rolled my eyes at his guarded stature.
I put a hand to my side and smiled sheepishly at her. Nathan wasn't satisfied until he pulled the gown back and saw that the bandages were fine and I was okay.
"Oh gosh I'm sorry! But I'm so glad you're awake!" Ally grinned and pulled a chair up.
I grinned at her, "It's fine, I'm fine. Sorry but, why are you here? Don't you have to work? This isn't going to get you fired, is it?"
Ally laughed, "No! It won't get me fired. I've got my techs on the job. Plus, I had to come down here to see you."
Another knock at the door interrupted us and the doctor stepped in, grinning away. He walked over, "We should probably change those bandages, it's been about six hours."
Nathan stepped in front of me and crossed his arms. I guess he didn't like men around me too much, considering what Richard said.
"It's okay Nathan," I mumbled and he looked over his shoulder at me.
"I'll get a nurse if you want," The doctor offered nicely.
Nathan nodded happily, "That would be better."
I groaned and tried to sit up a little. Extending my arm past Nathan, I smiled at the doctor "Hello, I haven't got to introduce myself. Lyra Kellie, although I'm sure you knew that."
The doctor stepped around and shook my hand, keeping a wary eye on Nathan, who refused to move, "Even people who aren't doctors know you Miss. You're pretty famous."
My eyebrows furrowed, "Um, what?"
He stepped over to the bedside table and picked up a newspaper, handing it to me. It was dated to three days ago. My eyes scanned over the front page.
There was a picture of police everywhere. There was a bloody stretcher that was headed towards an ambulance. The person on the stretcher was me. Dad was on the far side of it, looking down at me.
Father behind the stretcher was a mass of police. They were holding Nathan back. He looked absolutely distraught as he strained against the hold of police men. I tried not to cry and looked at Nathan, "This is what it looked like?"
Nathan couldn't look at the paper and nodded. I folded it up and tossed it back onto the table. A nurse came in with wrap and supplies.
"Nathan, would you walk with me to the cafeteria?" Dad got up and Nathan looked at me.
I nodded and smiled at him, "I'm okay here."
Dad waited for him at the door and I wondered if Nathan was going to get the daughter speech. They left and Ally stepped back to let the nurse do her job. I was surprised to see that the wound was relatively small.
It was pink and extremely tender but it was looking nice, at least that's what the nurse said.
She rewrapped it up and left after I thanked her. I looked at the doctor, who was reading over my chart with a thoughtful look on his face.
"I'm sorry about Nathan..he's just..." I tried to find the words.
The doctor nodded in understanding, "I get it and it's alright. I would act like that too if my wife had been captured by crazy people. You were lucky he was there."
"The numbing medicine and morphine will wear off in a few hours. Call us when you start feeling your wounds," He smiled and left. Ally sat back down in her chair.
"I had to come see you and...well take care of Nathan," She mumbled.
I frowned, "Why take care of Nathan?"
"They wouldn't let him see you. He was going crazy in that room. I had to remind him to eat and sleep and shower," Ally shrugged.
Gosh, look what I caused. I smiled a little, "Well I don't doubt that. He always freaked out if I got hurt."
"He was way past freaking out. Four men had to hold him down from getting to you. It was awful Lyra....He had your blood all over him and wouldn't stop yelling for you. They had to pry you out of his hands when they found you in the room, bleeding out. I had to keep him away from you while the paramedics worked. Then they took you away. He completely lost it on a reporter and camera man. He was going crazy without you, even before the accident," She picked at her fingernails.
"What? I- I know Nathan is like that but before..." I trailed off.
She smiled at me, "All he wanted was for you to go to your dream. He really wanted you to go to college. But he couldn't stand being without you. We actually started to get worried, he wouldn't eat, sleep, or talk to anyone. And then he couldn't take it anymore and went to California to see you. That's when he found out you were taken."
"Ally, I was on my way to go see him," I mumbled.
She nodded, "We know. "
And then she smile brightly at me, "So if I were you, I'd be prepared to have some major one on one with Nathan because there's no way in hell he's leaving your side."
I chuckled, "Oh I'm ready for it. I've missed him so much."
The door opened and dad walked in with Nathan. They were laughing and holding drinks. I smiled at my two favorite boys. Nathan walked over and handed me a water.
"Are you feeling okay?" He asked with a little smile.
I took a sip of the refreshing water and smiled, "Yeah. The doctor said the drugs may start wearing off soon though."
Nathan nodded, "Okay. Hey, the food here tastes worse than burnt fish. There's some restaurants around here. Are you hungry?"
I nodded, "I could eat."
"What do you feel like eating? Anything you want."
"A big, fat, juicy burger and French fries," I held my hands up and could just visualize the food in my hands.
"You got it Jay. I'll be back in a few minutes," He grinned and kissed my temple.
"You sure you can eat all that?" Ally chuckled.
"Have you seen her eat?" Nathan chuckled.
"Well no wonder mom loves you," She chuckled and gasped, "Oh! Mom! She'll want to know you woke up! Everyone at home has been waiting."
She hurried away with her phone and I chuckled. I looked up at Nathan and moaned, "Fooooodddd."
"Right, I'll be right back," He grinned before darting out the door.
It was silent before we heard a chuckle.
"He forgot his keys," Dad sighed, shaking his head.
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Lmao, this is one of my fav chapters you guys. So, not much to say, I just got home and I'm tired af.
Vote, comment, share!
-KJ