Loss 6/7


Chapter Six:

Terry was annoyed at how slow her wheelchair was but knew it was the only way the nurses would let her visit Don's room. Alan and Charlie had been gracious enough to allow her some time alone with him and as she approached his room, she felt a little apprehensive about seeing him again, given how bad he'd looked previously.

The nurse opened the door for her and parked the wheelchair next to Don's bed, leaving them alone in the room.

Terry couldn't stop staring at Don. He was ghostly pale and as still as she remembered. She took his hand and it was cool to the touch. She warmed it between her own hands then held it to her face, pressing his palm to her cheek. Her tears fell down her cheeks and over his hand and Terry made no move to wipe them away.

Don was alive.

Terry slowly and carefully stood up, ignoring the pain in her side. She stood over Don's bed for a moment then leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips.

"I never stopped loving you," she whispered to him.

After a moment, standing became too painful for her and she sat back down again. She held Don's hand and waited for him to wake.

After only a minute or two he began to toss and turn. His mouth was moving but Terry couldn't hear anything so she rose again and put her ear up to his face.

"Terry... Terry..." she made out the sound of her own name, just barely.

"It's okay, Don. I'm right here," she said soothingly. "Everything's okay now."

This seemed to calm him and he stopped moving about. His breathing grew deeper though and Terry was encouraged that he might come around.

She didn't have to wait long. Don's eyes opened just barely and took in the sight of his partner standing above him.

"Hey, Terry..." he said with a smile.

She squeezed his hand and returned his smile. "Hey, yourself."

Don pulled their joined hands up to his lips and kissed the back of Terry's hand. "Missed you..." he murmured, then tucked their hands next to his neck, resting his cheek against them as he closed his eyes again.

"I missed you, too," Terry whispered as Don fell back asleep again.