Olivia was the first one to wake up, the sunlight streaming through the blinds, obscuring her vision temporarily as she blinked in the brightness of the room. She didn't remember falling asleep- the last thing she remembered was the sky turning lighter and a chorus of birdsong. She must have dropped off at some point.

As her eyes adjusted to the brightness, she glanced around the room and was shocked to find Ed asleep, slumped on the bed, his face in contact with the bedsheets and their hands clasped. Ed must have come in while she was asleep and waited for her to wake up, but he'd dropped off in the process.

Olivia's heart skipped a beat when she looked at Ed- then she remembered that she was supposed to be discharged today. Well that was if Ed would only wake up… then they could get out of here and put the last few weeks behind them… and look towards the future in front of them.

Ed was clinging to Olivia's hand so tight, Olivia knew there would be no feeling left in it, but she didn't care. The fact Ed was gripping her hand so tightly just reaffirmed in her mind that her feelings were reciprocated and not just one-sided. Which was totally worth the current numbness in her hand.

Olivia had been watching Ed sleep for about half an hour, when the door was pushed open. The doctor popped his head around the door and seeing Olivia was awake, he came in. He saw Ed was still asleep and he smiled fondly.

Ed mumbled sleepily as he began to stir. Olivia gripped his hand even tighter and Ed squeezed back just as hard.

'You're awake finally then'

'So it would appear Doctor".

Ed sat up in the chair, feeling a crick in his neck from where he'd been slumped for a while. Stretching, he let go of Olivia's hand momentarily but as soon as he was done, he grabbed them both and kissed the back of them, making Olivia shiver and grin sheepishly.

'I came to check whether you were ready to be discharged earlier, but you were both asleep. I figured I would check again, because I know how eager you are to both get Olivia out of here.'

'You can say that again doctor. I need to be with Noah… I have never spent this amount of time away from him before. So, can I go home now?'

'I should think so. We need the bed, so if you give me a minute, I'll go and fetch the nurse to talk you through your meds. I'll be right back' the doctor eft the room- Ed stared after him for a minute, when Olivia began to pull his hand.

'Olivia You're special…'

'Don't say that'

'Say what?'

'That I'm special'

'But you are special'

'Brian always used to say that to me before he hit me. He hit me because I was special'

'Olivia, listen to me. Brian is out of your life now. He said you were special to victimise you, I say it because I love you. There's a big difference. Believe me, you are special. You are so much more than you think you are Olivia, I just wish you could see what I see'

'And what's that?'

'A woman, who despite everything the last few months has thrown at you, hasn't given up. A woman who continues to surprise me every day. And most important, the woman I love. That's what I mean by special Olivia, because you are so special to me, and you always will be in my eyes, despite how you choose to see yourself.'

'Ed, stop it, you'll make me cry'

'Good, as long as they are happy tears and not sad tears, because I think we've both cried enough sad tears to last us a lifetime

"Ed, I...'

'What is it?'

'I... I feel special when I'm around you. In a way that is good, not bad.'

Ed reached up and placed a hand on Olivia's cheek, caressing it.

'Good, because that's how I want you to feel. You are very special to me'

'You're the special one Ed not me.'

'How about we just agree that we are both special and leave it at that?'

'Okay'

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