I finally manage to fall asleep for a good while before Edward comes in and accidentally wakes me while he's listening to my heart. He's wearing a mask but still looks incredibly apologetic. Since I'm awake though, he asks me to sit up so he can listen to my lungs better.

We're all alone, so I take the chance to kiss his cheek. "I won't get you sick, will I?" I ask in horror as it dawns on me what I did.

He smiles, shaking his head. "Probably not. I'm assuming this is caused by bacteria—hence the antibiotics—which means it's most likely streptococcus bacteria. As long as I'm not breathing in your respiratory droplets, I should be okay. Maybe no kissing, even on the cheek, just to be safe though."

"Safe for more than one reason, huh?"

He nods. "That too. Who knows who's spying," he teases. "How do you feel?"

"Shitty," I say honestly. "But I slept for like, two straight hours finally. That's something."

"I wish I hadn't woken you, but I'm off and desperately needed to check on you. Rosalie has kept me up to date but still. I hate this for you, beautiful girl. Your X-rays confirmed what I suspected—this is a pretty serious case. Your left lung is worse with quite a lot of fluid, and I'm concerned if it doesn't get better, we'll need to drain it."

That doesn't sound fun at all.

"Then I guess I need to get better quickly. In the meantime though, I'm working on a secret plan. Any chance you can request Rosalie as my nurse when she's on shift?"

"I can ask the charge nurse. Why?"

He eyes me suspiciously as I smirk.

"She and Emmett would be good together, I think. I'm trying to set them up."

He laughs—his gorgeous green eyes crinkling behind the mask. "I'll see what I can do to aid in this endeavor then. I want you to try and get some more sleep, all right? I'll be back first thing in the morning."

I pout, wishing he could stay longer. This no visitor thing is bullshit, and it's not like Emmett won't be here tonight—he already texted he would.

"Can you at least hug me?" I ask hopefully.

He doesn't answer and instead just takes me in his arms for a good minute—probably while keeping his eye on the door.

"You're going to be okay, beautiful." He pulls back, touching my cheek. "I'm going to make sure of it."

I trust him, but I'm still a little scared.

I'd feel better if he kept holding me.

Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.