I wake up to find it dark outside and both Emmett and Edward asleep on either side of me. Neither look very comfortable in the hospital recliners, but I'm glad they're finally getting some rest. Thankfully, Emmett has my cup of water right in front of me on the table, and I take it with both hands, feeling weak as I lift it up. I sip from the straw until my throat feels a bit better and less dry.

I look around the ICU room and see a teddy bear with a balloon across from me. It looks like something Esme would send, but I'll have to ask to be sure.

"Oh, you're awake," my nurse, Jane, says, and I shush her. "Ah, but they're not. About time, honestly. How are you feeling?"

I shrug. I've definitely felt better. "Throat's still a little sore."

She nods as she pulls a thermometer out, and I take it under my tongue while the blood pressure cuff around my arm inflates. "Not surprising after intubation. Any chest pain?"

I shake my head as the thermometer beeps. "No, just overall achy."

"Understandable. If you want, I can help you clean up a little bit. Might help you feel a little better."

God, a shower sounds fantastic, but I doubt that's in the cards, considering I can't even get out of bed. But a little deodorant would still be nice.

"Please. But I'll wait until they wake up so I don't have to kick them out."

She smiles, nodding. "Just hit the button when you're ready. I'll be back in a bit, and when Dr. Masen does wake up, tell him I have your labs back."

I tell her I will and lay my head back again. The TV is on low, playing Family Guy reruns. I mindlessly watch until I feel Edward's hand tighten in mine and look over, finding him looking at me sleepily.

I smile as he stands up and kisses me softly. "How are you feeling?"

"A little better. Jane says she has my labs, by the way."

He nods. "I was going to go check on that anyway. I'll be right back."

He kisses me once more before heading out of the room.

I look over and find Emmett still passed out, snoring softly. I hate that he's probably going to miss a lot of work. I know there's no way he's going to leave me here, and since I still need major open heart surgery, it's not like I'm going home anytime soon.

Suddenly, he stirs, blinking his eyes open and scrubbing a hand over his face before he looks at me. "Hey, you're up."

"Yeah, for a little bit now."

"Sorry for falling asleep on you. Are you okay?"

I nod as he takes my hand. "Yeah, Edward is checking my labs. I still feel pretty weak but better than I did before."

"Good. Mind if I step out to use the restroom and check on Rose?"

"As long as you also book a hotel room so you can get some actual rest."

"I want to stay with you for now."

I roll my eyes. "We both know I don't sleep as much when people are here. Both you and Edward need actual sleep, and you won't get that here. It's not like I'm going home anytime soon."

He sighs. "Let me stay tonight at least. Bells, right now, it's so hard to take my eyes off you. You almost died and … fuck, it was my worst nightmare. I can't leave you yet."

He brings me to tears, and I feel awful that I've put him through so much. "Okay, Em. You can stay as long as you need."

He nods, standing up from his recliner. He leans down and kisses my forehead. "I'll be right back."

We softly smile at each other, and he leaves the room. I hit the call button for Jane, figuring now's a good time to clean up. Apparently, Rose was here yesterday and picked up some essential toiletries, and I can't wait to use them and feel human again.

Instead of Jane coming in, it's Edward, and he's grinning like a fool. He rushes over to me, pressing a kiss to my lips.

"There's a heart, sweetheart," he says happily.

I'm speechless as his words echo in my head.

A heart.

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