As soon as she spots the rumpled surgeon walking into the waiting room, Holly is on her feet, striding over to him. "How is she?" she asks immediately, trying and failing to keep the raw desperation from her voice.
The surgeon blinks at her. "And you are?"
"She's Officer Peck's fiancée," Chris pipes up, appearing beside Holly. He rests a gentle hand on Holly's shoulder as they both regard the surgeon expectantly.
The surgeon nods and runs a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. "She's doing well. The surgery went smoothly and she's in recovery. It was a clean shot, the bullet missed all the major arteries and bone, so barring any unforeseen setbacks, there shouldn't be any permanent damage."
The relief is so intense that Holly feels her knees wobble. Chris immediately slips an arm around her waist and she leans into him, grateful for the support. "Can I see her?" she asks.
The surgeon nods. "She'll be waking up soon, but will probably still be a bit out of it." He glances over Holly's shoulder at the room full of police officers. "Only one of you for now," he adds.
Chris nudges Holly forward. "You go ahead."
Holly manages a tired smile and reaches out to squeeze his hand. "Thank you, Chris. And thanks for the fast thinking before."
Chris shrugs, flashing a grin. "I figured it'll be true sooner or later. There are wedding bells in your future, doc."
Holly only smiles in return, before turning and heading towards the recovery unit. When she arrives in Gail's room, the blonde is still asleep, her face startlingly pale against the light blue bed sheets.
Holly feels her heart twist sharply in her chest. She knows how lucky they got today. If the bullet had hit just a few inches on any direction, there'd be funeral hymns in her future—not wedding bells.
She walks over to the edge of the bed and reaches out to trace the large white bandage fixed to Gail's left shoulder. So close. I came so close to losing you. She draws in a steadying breath and bends over to press her lips to Gail's forehead.
Gail stirs slightly, her eyelids fluttering. Holly gives her hand a gentle squeeze and the touch draws Gail the rest of the way into consciousness. She blinks up at Holly, her mouth curving in sleepy smile. "Hol," she mumbles. "I missed you, baby. Where've you been?"
Holly manages a tremulous smile. Gail seems suddenly so fragile, still half-asleep and loopy from the pain meds. "I've been in the waiting room, sweetheart," Holly answers. "You just got out of surgery."
"Surgery?" Gail mutters, her eyelids drooping. "What for?"
"You were shot," Holly says gently.
"Oh," Gail says, her voice quiet. Holly can tell she's drifting close to sleep again. "Bummer."
Holly laughs despite herself. "Yes," she agrees. "Huge bummer."
Gail blinks up at her, her gaze focusing briefly on Holly's face. "Damn. You are so beautiful." She smiles up at Holly dreamily. "So pretty. I love you so much."
"Oh, honey," Holly breathes, leaning close, brushing her lips across Gail's cheek. "I love you too."
"Kiss me," Gail says suddenly. "Kiss me, please? I'd like it if you would."
Holly would be powerless to resist, even if she wanted to. She bends over Gail and very gently presses her mouth to her lips. The soft touch grounds her, just like it always does. Gail's lips are warm and soft, their shape achingly familiar against her own.
You're alive, Holly thinks. You're going to be okay. She presses one last kiss to her girlfriend's lips, before meeting those blue eyes she loves so much—bleary now, but still that same sharp crystalline color. "Better?" she asks.
"Mmm," Gail sighs. Her eyes flutter shut. Holly thinks she's fallen asleep again, but then Gail says, quite clearly. "Marry me, would you?"
Holly is too stunned to answer and then Gail really does drift off, her grip on Holly's hand loosening, her head lolling to the side of her pillow. Holly sits down next to the bed, lifts Gail's hand to her mouth and presses a lingering kiss to her palm.
"Ask me that again when you wake up," she murmurs. "I'll say yes."
—
Holly startles awake and immediately winces at the sharp ache in her neck. She presses her fingers to the back of her neck, massaging the tight muscles and letting out a groan of discomfort when she comes into contact with a particular painful knot.
"Neck crick, Dr. Stewart? You must be getting old."
Holly eyes snap open and focus immediately on the woman lying in the hospital bed, regarding her with a strange half-smile and a knowing twinkle in her eye. "Gail," she croaks, her voice thick with sleep. She clears her throat and leans forward in her chair, pulling Gail's hand against her chest. "How are you feeling? Are you in any pain? Can I get you some water or something? I—"
"Holly." Gail's voice is soft and a little exasperated. Usually, when Holly starts to ramble like this, Gail just grabs her and kisses her—but that's not really an option considering her current physical state.
"Sorry," Holly says, blushing slightly. "I just…you just…" You proposed to me! she wants to say, but instead she just mumbles, "You scared me."
"I'm sorry," Gail murmurs. "I'm okay though. Doesn't hurt too bad."
Holly scrutinizes her face, trying to gauge whether or not she's lying. Gail, like most cops, tends to downplay how much pain she's in. "You sure? I could find a nurse. I'm sure they could give you something."
Gail shakes her head, her eyes bright and intent on Holly's face. "No. I don't want to be groggy for this."
"For what?" Holly asks quietly.
Gail gives her that knowing smile again, looking a little smug and ridiculously beautiful—especially considering the fact that she's in a hospital gown and just got shot a few hours before. "I think I asked you a question before."
Holly blinks at her, disbelieving. She was sure Gail wouldn't remember her morphine-induced proposal. "You think?" she asks, her voice soft.
Gail's face softens and she squeezes Holly's fingers. "I know."
Holly waits, but when Gail doesn't say anything else, she stands abruptly, moving to the end of the bed where a plastic pitcher of water sits. "You should probably drink something," she says, beyond flustered. Does she want to take it back? Is she waiting for her to answer?
She somehow manages to fill a cup with water, even though her hands are shaking badly. She carries the cup over to Gail and lowers it so that the straw is level with her mouth. Gail takes a few sips, her eyes never leaving Holly's face. "Thanks," she murmurs, leaning back against the pillows.
Holly replaces the cup on the table, then hovers awkwardly beside the bed. "I, uh, I guess you didn't…" She swallows around the sudden tightness in her throat. "I mean…about that question…before…"
"Holly," Gail murmurs, with that same note of slightly exasperated affection. She waits until Holly meets her eyes before continuing. "You are such a nerd, you know that?"
Holly smiles softly, relaxing at Gail's teasing tone. "I know."
"I meant it, you know," Gail says finally. "I want to marry you. I've been, uh…" She hesitates, suddenly uncertain. She drops her eyes to the sheets pulled up to her waist. Holly is a little relieved to see she's not the only who's feeling a little unbalanced.
"I've actually been thinking about it for a while," Gail admits, almost sheepishly. "I even put this ring on hold at a store, but I…I wasn't sure if that was what you'd want or if we should both wear rings or if—"
"Honey," Holly interrupts. "You're rambling."
Gail nods. "Yeah, well…I'm nervous. I've never proposed before."
Holly grins. "I should hope not."
Gail sighs, looking momentarily distraught. "I'm totally messing this up, aren't I? I should be down on one knee in a park or on a horse in Paris or something, right?"
"On a horse in Paris? Ambitious."
"Shut up," Gail says, pouting. "You have to be nice to me. I just got shot."
Holly chuckles throatily and leans over Gail, bracing her arms on either side of her body so that their faces are only a few inches apart. "Yes," she murmurs softly, brushing her lips over Gail's.
Gail's eyes widen. "Yes? Like…Yes yes? You'll marry me?"
"Yes yes," Holly confirms. "Of course I'll marry you."
Gail grins and reaches up with her uninjured arm to hook a hand around Holly's neck and pull her mouth down to hers. The kiss is slow and soft and sweet. Holly feels sudden tears fill her eyes and slip down her cheeks. "Baby," Gail murmurs, brushing at the wet streaks with her thumbs. "What's wrong?"
Holly draws in a shuddering breath and presses her forehead to Gail's. "It's just…It's just a lot. I thought I might lose you," she breathes shuddering at the memory of getting the call from Chris, the agony that twisted at her heart.
"Oh, sweetheart," Gail says, her voice soft. She presses her lips to Holly's cheek and forehead and each of her closed eyelids. "I'm here now. I'm okay."
Holly nods slowly and opens her eyes. Gail feels her breath catch. God, you're beautiful. She knows she'll never get tired of those eyes—warm brown, dark as the earth.
"I love you," Holly murmurs, her voice low and husky.
"I love you, too. Nerd."
Holly smiles and kisses Gail again. "Look who's talking, Future Mrs. Nerd-to-be."
—
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