Chapter 294 - 303

Emilia came into the room carrying a small paper bag and two cups of coffee.

She stopped when she saw Kylie awake.

For one second, she simply stared. Then her mouth fell open. "Oh, my God."

Kylie smiled weakly. "Hi."

Emilia put the bag and coffee on the nearest table and hurried toward the bed. "Kylie."

Her voice broke on the name.

Kylie opened her arms as much as she could.

Emilia stopped herself just before hugging her too tightly. "Sorry. Sorry, I don’t want to hurt you."

"It’s okay."

Emilia took Kylie’s hand instead.

She looked at her face, her eyes moving over every visible detail as though she were trying to reassure herself that Kylie was really there.

"You’re awake."

"Apparently."

Emilia let out a breath that sounded suspiciously like a laugh and a sob at the same time.

"You silly human."

Kylie blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Do you have any idea how frightened we were?"

Kylie’s smile faded.

Emilia’s eyes were already wet.

"I sat beside you after the operation, and you wouldn’t wake up. I kept talking to you because I didn’t know what else to do. I told you everything that happened while you were gone, and I told you that if you woke up and decided to be annoying, I would personally throw you out of my apartment."

Kylie let out a weak laugh.

Emilia wiped her cheek angrily.

"And then I felt guilty because you were lying there, and I thought I shouldn’t be threatening you when you were hurt."

Kylie squeezed her hand. "Em."

Emilia shook her head. "No, let me finish."

Kylie fell silent.

"I was so scared," Emilia whispered. "I kept thinking about all the things we hadn’t done yet. All the things we hadn’t talked about. All the stupid little things I wanted to tell you, and I kept thinking that if you didn’t wake up, I would never get to tell you any of them."

Kylie’s eyes filled.

Emilia’s voice broke. "And I didn’t know what I was supposed to do with that."

Kylie swallowed. "I’m sorry."

Emilia immediately shook her head. "No. No, don’t apologise."

Kylie gave her a watery smile. "Apparently, that’s the rule today."

Emilia laughed through her tears. She carefully bent down and pressed a kiss to Kylie’s forehead.

Then she rested her own forehead against Kylie’s for a brief moment, taking care not to pull at the IV line.

"I’m so glad you’re here."

Kylie closed her eyes. "Me too."

Emilia straightened and wiped her face. Then she turned toward Christian.

He had been standing beside the window, giving the two women room.

Emilia looked at him. For a moment, they simply regarded each other.

They had both spent the last few days living inside the same terrible uncertainty. They had both watched people they loved lie unconscious in hospital beds.

Emilia’s expression softened. "She woke up."

Christian let out a quiet breath. "She did."

His voice was still rough.

Emilia crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him. He leaned forward, and hugged her back, holding her tightly for a moment.

"Thank you," he whispered.

She pulled back.

"For staying with her."

Emilia shook her head. "She’s my best friend."

Christian nodded.

Then Emilia looked at Kylie again. "Now, I brought you something."

Kylie eyed the paper bag. "If that’s hospital food, I’m going to be offended."

"It’s not hospital food."

Christian returned to his chair, smiling as he watched them.

For a few minutes, the room filled with the sound of familiar voices.

Emilia told Kylie about Adrian’s recovery, carefully leaving out the details that could wait until Kylie was stronger. She told her that Selena was safe, that Adrian was being monitored, and that everyone was doing their best to recover.

Kylie asked questions.

Emilia answered them. And whenever the conversation grew too heavy, one of them made a joke.

It was not an attempt to pretend that nothing terrible had happened. It was simply a reminder that there were still ordinary things in the world.

After a while, Emilia’s phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen and smiled. "Adrian says he’s going to come by when the doctors allow it."

Kylie brightened. "Tell him I expect a full report."

Emilia raised an eyebrow. "On what?"

"Everything."

"You’re recovering from surgery."

"And?"

"And you are not going to interrogate an injured man the moment he walks into this room."

Kylie looked offended. "I would never."

Christian snorted.

Both women turned toward him.

He raised his hands. "I said nothing."

"You laughed," Kylie accused.

"An unfortunate reflex."

Emilia shook her head. "I’ve missed you two being ridiculous."

Kylie smiled. She reached for his hand.

He took it immediately.

Emilia noticed. She smiled to herself and returned to her chair.

The three of them remained together until the nurse came in and reminded them that Kylie needed rest.

Emilia protested.

Kylie protested louder.

Christian supported the nurse.

Eventually, Emilia kissed Kylie’s forehead, promised to return the next morning, and left with a final warning that Kylie was not allowed to attempt any dramatic escapes from the hospital.

Kylie assured her that she had no plans to escape.

Christian pointed out that she had made the same promise about several other things in the past.

She told him to mind his business.

He smiled.

Emilia waved at Kylie multiple times, and finally left.

When the door closed behind her, Kylie turned to Christain. "Come here." She said softly, her voice small and waiting.

Christain smiled. He gently leaned into her arm. He kissed her both cheeks, and her throat, and all over her face.

Kylie giggled all through the kisses. She dugged her fingers into his hair, and softly massaged his scalp.

When he finally lifted his face, Kylie traced his face with her fingers. "You’re so amazing. I have a list."

"You would give me the list when you are alright." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Get some rest, Blue."

She closed her eyes. She simply held his hand and let herself sleep.