Chapter 6
"Please help me!" she cried. She could feel his breath on her cheek. So soft. She felt his fingertips on her upper arm, and the words he whispered. And then, she heard a flurry of activity. Unrecognizable voices pounded in her ears. The water shielded her. Did she want to return? Halfway between reality and her dream world, she almost succumbed the shadows that beckoned her. But then, she heard his voice again.
"Caroline? Caroline, it's Richard. Caroline, please wake up. Please, Caroline. I don't know what I'd do without you."
She felt his lips caressing her forehead, his warm hands on her cheeks. With all the might she possessed, she attempted to lift her eyelids. Like slabs of lead, they resisted. She tried again, feeling the blood drain from her body. The darkness suddenly evaporated to reveal a blue, no, a white sky. Fluorescent lights glared at her.
"Rrrr..ii..cc..h..aa.rr….d?" she sputtered. She turned her head to him.
"Caroline!!!" his smile extended to ears. He embraced her, clinging to her, and she melted into him. This time it was her tears that saturated the collar of his shirt.
Richard was almost immediately shoved to the side. Questions were hurled at Caroline. People prodded and poked at her. Tubes were adjusted, IV's removed, and Richard, ignored. He suppressed his anger for her sake. Quietly, he stepped out of the room, knowing that the sooner he complied, the sooner he would have time alone with Caroline.
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45 minutes later, Richard was permitted to see her.
"I've been in a coma for 3 months?" her eyebrows rising at the realization.
"Yep." He smoothed the wrinkles in his pants. Here she was, alive before him, and he couldn't think of anything to say.
"So," she whispered, "when did you propose?"
"Oh, I'm really sorry about that. They wouldn't let me see you unless I was apart of your immediate family, or we were engaged." He lowered his eyes.
"Richard, they told me you were here almost every night. Why? What about Julia?" She was afraid of the answer.
His actions dismissed her insecurities.
"Because," he kissed her forehead, "she isn't stupid. She knew. " His lips moved to the top of her head, and then to her cheeks, coming to rest on her lips.
Started, she pulled away.
"What do you mean?"
"This.." he caressed her upper arms with his finger tips, evoking a shudder. "Caroline.." his words muffled by her lips. "I love you. Please tell me you feel the same."
"Okay," she murmured into him, responding with equal intensity. She pulled him to her.
"Yes?"
"Yes." He climbed onto her bed, cradling her with his arms, smoothing her hair down. Finally.