Um…..I'm SO sorry it took so long to update…..I just got a little bit of writers blocked…It's gone now! :D
Also, I was thinking about splitting this into two short chapters, but decided that might be a little mean…So it's one good, long chapter! …at least, I hope it's good…
This is the last chapter and I want to thank everyone who read this and special thanks to all who took time to review! I love hearing what you have to say and am always very grateful for reviews I get! Thank you, all! 3
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Nate didn't know how he managed to occupy himself until ten that morning, but he did. He stepped on Caitlyn's floor at only minutes past ten o'clock. Jason and Shane had actually gone back to bed after finding out they weren't going anywhere until the next day and he hadn't seen them since. Under different circumstances, he too would be catching up on much needed sleep.
Glancing around, he wondered if he needed to let some nurse know he was visiting Caitlyn but shrugged and entered, not wanting to be delayed any longer. He'd waited so many more hours than he wanted to and finally he was next to Caitlyn. Right where he belonged.
She looked so small, fragile, and a little pale and Nate pulled up a chair to sit next to her. The room was silent and Nate wanted to speak, but there was a lump in his throat that kept him from uttering any words.
Timidly, Nate reached and slipped his hand under her small one, stroking the top of her hand with his thumb and sighing. He hoped she'd wake up while he was there, before he had to leave tomorrow. At least then he'd be able to leave her knowing she was improving.
"Caitlyn…" he managed to whisper finally, "You don't know how hard I've been trying to get here to see you…" Nate chuckled slightly to himself, "But I'm here now, as soon as I could be."
Seeing her still laying as still as ever, he felt the tears sting in his eyes. It was impossible not to worry. Nate had been so anxious to see her; he'd convinced himself she'd wake up at the sound of his voice. Now that little bit of hope had melted away.
"I don't know what I expected…It's really strange seeing you like this, Cait, and I hope it doesn't last much longer. I really don't like it at all…" Nate felt strange talking to someone so unresponsive, but kept on in hopes she could at least hear him, "I've been missing you and this wasn't how I wanted us to visit."
The heart monitor was the only sound in the room. Swallowing dryly, Nate leaned closer to look at her peaceful face before lifting her hand to kiss it. Her skin was so smooth and soft and he bit his lip in anxiety at the situation.
"Caitlyn, when you wake up I have something to tell you." He murmured, not taking his eyes from her face, "I guess I could tell you right now, but I don't know if it will do any good-if you can hear me…"
There was, of course, no answer and Nate felt his heart fall. What did he expect- a miraculous waking and Caitlyn's bright smile and energetic voice speaking enthusiastically to him instantly?
"The other day," Nate took a deep breath, wondering if he was getting nervous for nothing, "When I found out you were in the hospital…I was so scared, Cait. I wanted to be with you right away…but I couldn't."
He hated the silent room. He hated seeing her like this. He hated her not being able to listen carefully with beautiful brown eyes staring at his face with every word he spoke. He hated it all.
"I guess what I'm trying to tell you is," Nate hesitated a moment, not sure if this was the time to be admitting it, "…that…I love you." There was a moment that he hoped these words would wake her, but he let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding when she didn't stir.
It was dark in the room and Nate had fallen asleep with his head resting on her bed. The nurses had simply worked around him, whispering to each other how adorable it was that he was such a good friend to stay with Caitlyn all day.
Caitlyn lifted her heavy eyelids and immediately took in the darkness. It smelled clean. Too clean to be home. And the bed definitely was not as comfortable as her own. Her back ached from remaining in one position for so long, but she only shifted slightly and turned her head.
She jumped when she saw someone sitting in a chair next to her-she was in a hospital? Why?!- and resting their head against her bed. The exhaustion swept over her, but Caitlyn reached to touch the dark, curly hair, smiling to herself. There was no doubt in her mind who was keeping her company.
"Nate." She murmured, not having the energy to speak up, but he didn't stir and she was afraid she'd fall asleep before getting to speak with him. What if Nate was gone when she woke up again? The worry at this thought caused Caitlyn to wake up a little more and run a hand through his curls, "Nathan, wake up." She managed to whisper.
Caitlyn felt him wake with a start and waited a moment before speaking again, fingers still touching his soft hair, "How long have I been here?" was her first question, and Nate stood and seated himself next to her on the bed.
"Two days." Nate whispered, one of his warm hands brushing against her cheek, giving comforting warmth to her, "Cait, I was so worried."
"I'm sure you were." She smiled slightly, "You always worry."
"I'm not kidding." He stated sternly, a small frown on his face, "I've been here all day in hopes you'd wake up…."
"That was sweet of you, Nate." Caitlyn murmured, sighing contently.
"I've been talking to you all day." He added, a strange tone in his voice that made her curious, "…Did you hear anything?" Caitlyn's brow furrowed as she thought, but replied a moment later, slowly and thoughtfully.
"I don't think so…I kind of knew you were here-I thought I was dreaming-and I think I heard your voice…" Caitlyn felt him tense and cast him a concerned look, "But nothing specific."
Nate shifted nervously in his place next to her, "Oh."
"What is it, Nate?" Caitlyn sighed, knowing he wouldn't explain anything to her unless she asked. At his continued silence, she reached up to touch his cheek and watched his expression carefully in the dim room.
"I just…I said something pretty serious and had hoped…" Nate began, sounding quite bashful, amusing Caitlyn a little bit. He was cute when he was nervous. Or cuter, anyways.
"I'm sorry." She stroked his cheek softly, "Did you want to repeat it now that I'm able to hear your words?" She suggested, amused that he sounded so disappointed by her not knowing what he had said.
"I told you that I loved you." Nate whispered huskily, "I mean…I love you, Caitlyn."
Her gasp was the only sound in the room and Caitlyn automatically pulled her hand away, letting it settle against her stomach again, gripping the hospital blankets nervously. Had he just said that? And all this time she'd been afraid he was overlooking her. Every glance at another girl and the jealousy boiled inside of her, but she disguised it with her teasing words.
"Good." She was surprised by her own response, "Because I've loved you for awhile now."
"What? You-" Nate sounded amusingly shocked at her reply.
"I love you, Nathan Gray." Caitlyn murmured, reaching up to rest her hand on the back of his neck to bring his face down to hers, "Shouldn't you kiss me now? You know…help me to get better?"
"The doctor says you're going to be fine. You just have some rare virus that only lasts a week, tops." Nate explained, his usual responsible self knowing she should be assured that everything would be alright, "…You're going to be fine, Cait." He murmured, sounding very relived himself.
"That's nice." Caitlyn chuckled, "Now kiss me?"
"Of course." Nate grinned, dipping a little further so she could feel his breath on her face. It was the greatest feeling in the entire world and Caitlyn felt overwhelmed with joy, despite the exhaustion that was beginning to pull at her.
"I love you. I'm tired." She murmured.
"You can sleep in a minute." Nate whispered amused at her two statements that had nothing to do with each other. With that, he pressed his lips against her, granting her wish very enthusiastically.
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