Elizabeth floated through a hazy, dream-like landscape. Her footsteps didn't make a sound on the dark ground that was hidden under a layer of fog. All around her was cold and dark, mist floating through the air like a harbinger of doom. She was searching, looking for any sign of the man she had married. He was lost to her in the moment, and her heart felt heavy as she searched for him without success. The mist was too thick to see more than several feet away. It felt like looking for a needle in a haystack.

A tall form appeared out of the mist. Elizabeth's heart lightened as she saw Nathan walking toward her. She gave a cry of relief and ran toward him, holding him tightly. Her thoughts turned to confusion when he didn't wrap his arms around her in return. Puzzled, she looked up, and a scream caught in her throat.

Ray Wyatt sneered down at her, his arms enclosing her in a vice grip. "You thought you got away…"

She broke free and ran blindly into the mist as the sound of gunshots rang around her. She heard Nathan's voice calling her name, but when she caught sight of him, she froze.

He was clutching his stomach, blood soaking through his clothes, a grimace on his face. His eyes were clear as they looked into hers, sorrow and pain reflected there. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, before collapsing to the ground. Elizabeth screamed, then was suddenly transported to a graveside. A coffin lay before a headstone, silent and alone. Words were written on the stone in bold: NATHAN GRANT. Elizabeth shook her head vehemently, denying that it was possible. Nathan couldn't be gone. He was her husband. He had to live! They had a life to live together, until they were old and gray. She peeked inside the open coffin and screamed again. Nathan was lying there, still and cold, unmoving. Elizabeth fell to the ground, tears falling from her eyes and sobs wracking her body.

How could she live without him? He was her life…

Jerking awake, Elizabeth felt her heart racing and sweat beading on her brow. She heard the beeping of monitors and sat upright, her eyes seeking out Nathan as he lay in his hospital bed. She gripped his hand, trying to forget the terror of her nightmare. In the five days since he had been shot, Elizabeth dreamed he died every time she fell asleep. It was getting to the point where she didn't want to sleep. The nightmares were horrible. She always woke up in a cold sweat.

Nathan hadn't woken up since being shot. The surgeon had removed the bullets and patched him up as best he could, but if Nathan survived, it would take time for him to heal. The doctor was more worried about him not waking up than he was about Nathan's injuries.

The tears that were Elizabeth's frequent companion burned her eyes again. She ignored protocol and carefully climbed into the bed with her husband, settling against him and laying her head on his shoulder. She placed a hand on his cheek. "Wake up, my love," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his lips. "Please wake up. I need you."

The beeping of the machines was the only sound in return. Elizabeth buried her face in his neck, breathing in his scent. It brought her a measure of comfort. She longed to burrow closer to him, but she didn't want to risk opening any of his wounds.

The bullets had penetrated deep, lacerating several of his organs but miraculously missing his abdominal artery by millimeters. Carson's partner, Dr. Yost, had spent hours working on Nathan, putting him back together and making sure he had the best chance for survival. He'd done everything he could. Now it was a matter of waiting.

Elizabeth hated the waiting. She hadn't left Nathan's side. She couldn't. She wanted to be the first person he saw when he finally did wake up.

Feeling like she would go crazy just laying there in the silence, Elizabeth began talking to Nathan quietly. "We've officially been married for eleven weeks now," she told him. "That's not even three months yet. You and I still have a lot of love to give each other, love that's only going to grow as we continue to live our lives together. So you need to get better. We've just started figuring out how to balance work and our married life. I want to keep growing in that with you. I want to know what it's like to find out we're having a baby together, to go through a pregnancy together and then welcome our baby." She sighed. "Our baby. I look forward to the day that happens." She smiled slightly, remembering something that had happened just a couple weeks ago. "I was late with my last cycle, and I got so excited thinking we might be having a baby. I even bought a pregnancy test, but it came out negative, and a couple days later my period started." She chuckled. "I've never been so disappointed. I wanted to be pregnant with your child." Running her fingers down his cheek, she sighed. "Clearly it's not time yet. But I know the time is coming. You were made to be a father, and I believe that you will be. We can figure out parenting together, how to balance children with our marriage." She smiled. "Because I fully expect that we will continue to foster our love and our relationship once children come. Let's promise each other not to be that couple who gets so wrapped up in their children that they forget about each other. I never want that to happen to us." She took a deep breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. "And then, when the children are grown and have their own lives, you and I will figure out what it looks like to grow old together. We'll still have each other, so getting older won't be scary. I'll bet our love gets stronger with age. Can you imagine how in love we'll be when we're eighty years old, rocking away on our front porch?"

The tears started falling, and Elizabeth sniffled. In a small voice, she said, "We need to experience all of that together. And that means you need to wake up. Please, sweetheart. Please wake up."

Nathan was still unresponsive. Her only comfort was that his chest rose and fell in a steady pattern. They had taken out the breathing tube yesterday, and Elizabeth had felt a strong sense of relief when Nathan had started breathing on his own. It gave her hope, though she knew she would feel much better if he would just open his eyes and look at her.

She sighed, feeling the need to keep talking even though she knew he couldn't hear her. "Carson is improving every day," she said. "He had a nasty gash on his head from being hit with the bat, but Dr. Yost stitched him up and is keeping a close eye on him. He's recovering from a concussion." She traced circles on his arm as she continued speaking. "Faith has been by his side through it all, like I'm here with you. She's still scarred from what she went through, but she's so secure in Carson's love, she's getting through it with his help. She was so afraid she was going to lose him when she found out about his injury, but thankfully he's going to be okay." She felt hot tears fill her eyes again. "I need you to be okay, Nathan. I need you to stay with me. You are my best friend, my life love, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. We promised that to each other, remember?"

All the emotion from the last week swept over her in a rush, and she started crying softly. "I know I said I could handle you having a dangerous job, and I can. Truly I can. But I'm scared, Nathan. I'm so scared I'm going to lose you, and I couldn't bear that." She ran her fingers gently through his hair, the feeling comforting to her. "You are a true hero, Nathan. You put your life on the line every single day to protect the town and the people you love." Her lips grazed his cheek. "And you've always been my hero, but now you're even more so." The tears splashed down her cheeks in torrents. "You weren't meant to get shot. Those bullets were meant for me, and you covered me with your body. You saved me. First from assault, then from death." She stifled a sob, burying her face in his neck. "Please don't die. Please come back to me."

Carson found them like that a few hours later, Nathan still and unresponsive, Elizabeth in tears. She looked up as he entered the room, walking slower than normal. "Elizabeth," he said softly. "You know you're not supposed to be in that bed with him."

She looked at him through tear-stained eyes. "Are you going to tell me to get out of the bed?"

He chuckled, wincing lightly at the movement. "I should, but no. I won't." He smiled wryly. "Faith might have been in the same position you currently are when I woke up."

Elizabeth smiled, not surprised that Faith had been seeking comfort by being close to her fiancé. Being able to physically be near Nathan, even though he was unresponsive, was better than nothing for Elizabeth.

Carson sat in the chair next to the bed. "I came to make sure you get a little break," he said. "Doctor's orders. You need to go get some food and rest. You've been in this hospital room too long."

Elizabeth stared at him. "You're ordering me out?"

He shook his head. "Not me. I'm not allowed back to work yet. I'm here to keep an eye on Nathan while you get a breather. Trust me, you need the break. It's Dr. Yost's orders. You know if you don't listen, he'll come in here himself and order you to leave."

She knew he was right. Sighing, she sat up, looking at Nathan. "Carson, I have to be here when he wakes up. What if I miss it?"

Carson leaned forward, taking her hand in his. "Elizabeth, even if you aren't here right when he wakes up, someone will be. And it's okay if he wakes up while you're out. I will call you right away. I promise."

Elizabeth reluctantly stood, pressing a hand to Nathan's cheek. "I'll be back soon, my love," she said quietly, leaning down to kiss his forehead. She looked at Carson. "You call the minute something changes," she said.

He nodded. "You have my word."


After getting some food and taking a shower, Elizabeth felt an overwhelming need for some peace. She drove the short distance to Sacred Heart, the church she and Nathan attended every Sunday, the church they'd been married in. The heavy doors were always unlocked, and she pulled them open and walked into the sanctuary. A supernatural peace always flooded her anytime she set foot in the church, and this time was no different. She was still sad and scared, but she had the sense that no matter what happened, grace would get her through.

She sat in the front pew, gazing up at the crucifix hanging above the altar. Christ in agony. It reminded her that He understood pain and suffering, because He had been through it Himself. She knelt and buried her face in her hands. "Please, Lord, I beg You to heal my husband. Let him live." She let out a long breath, peering up at the crucifix once more, wondering if she could surrender Nathan to God. "And if for whatever reason You decide to take him home, please grant me the grace and strength to bear it." She sniffed as two tears slid down her cheeks. "But I really don't want to find out what it's like to lose Nathan," she whispered. "Please, please...let him wake up and come back to me."

Elizabeth knelt there for a long time, then sat back in the pew and just let herself feel. The church was dim and quiet, lit only by the sunlight filtering in through the stained glass windows. She breathed in the peacefulness of the sanctuary, feeling her heart calm within her. She let out her breath and looked up. "Please help me to trust You. Come what may."

"Elizabeth?" She turned at the sound of her name, seeing Fr. Frank making his way down the aisle. "I thought that was you." He stopped next to her pew. "How are you holding up?" His eyes held compassion and understanding.

She gave him a small smile. "As well as can be expected, I suppose." She gestured around with her hands. "I came here to find a little peace."

Fr. Frank smiled. "This is a good place for that." He sat next to her, folding his hands on his lap. "And how is Nathan?"

Elizabeth sighed. "Still no change. He's alive and breathing, but he won't wake up." She watched as the priest nodded slowly, thinking before saying anything. She knew he'd seen and heard it all in his twenty years in the priesthood, but he still took the time to treat each care or concern that came his way as though it were the first and only one he heard.

"Elizabeth," he said finally, "I know you've been through a lot. I was there when you lost Jack, and then had the extreme pleasure of seeing you find love again with a man as good as Nathan." He shook his head with a little laugh. "I've never seen two people more compatible. And this I know for a fact." He leaned forward, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "God meant for the two of you to be together, Elizabeth. And I don't think He's going to take Nathan away now."

Hope lit Elizabeth's heart. "You really believe that?" she asked, her eyes wide.

He nodded. "I really do."

Elizabeth bit her lip, the alternative forcing its way into her mind. "But what if He does take Nathan? Then what?"

When Fr. Frank spoke, it was in the gentlest of tones. "Then you will get through it by God's grace, and the support and love of the family of friends you've created here in Mana'olana Awāwa. But remember, Elizabeth: 'Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.'"

Elizabeth smiled at the mention of one of her favorite Bible verses. "Thanks, Father," she said, giving him a hug. He patted her back and then leaned into the pew.

"You're a strong woman, Elizabeth. You'll get through this." He stood. "If you need anything, let me know."

"I will," she said. He nodded with a smile, then walked away. Elizabeth sat for several minutes longer, then got up with a resolve to write. She walked to her car, getting out the journal she kept in the glove compartment. When she got back to the hospital, she intended to write down all the good memories she and Nathan shared together. And when he woke up, she would share them with him.

She was still worried. She was still scared of losing him. But she also had a deep interior peace that hadn't been there before. With a silent "thank you" sent heavenward, she drove back to the hospital to sit with her precious husband.


Two more days dragged on without any indication of Nathan waking up. Elizabeth remained by his side night and day, talking to him, reading to him, sharing her hopes for their future. Dr. Yost checked in several times a day. Nathan's vitals were always good, his heartbeat strong, and his lungs clear. But he didn't wake up.

Elizabeth took a break in talking to him, tears threatening once more. She missed him, missed hearing his voice, seeing the love in his eyes, feeling his touch. She sighed and clasped his hand in hers, raising it to her heart and lowering her head. Taking several deep breaths, she tried hard not to cry.

"Elizabeth?"

At first, she thought she was hearing things. She'd been wanting to hear his voice so badly, she thought she made it up in her mind. But then the weak word came again. "Elizabeth?"

Her eyes flew open and her head snapped up. Nathan was looking at her, his bright eyes clear and alert. Elizabeth gave a half-gasp, half-sob, pressing Nathan's hand to her lips. "You're awake!" she exclaimed in a hoarse whisper. "Praise be to God, you're awake!"

He blinked slowly, groaning a little as he tried to move. Elizabeth reached her hands out to steady him. "Don't move, sweetheart. You've been through a lot."

"You mean getting shot?" he asked wryly. "I've been on the force for ages, and that was a first." His eyes turned tender as he looked at her. "But I would do it again in a heartbeat for you, Elizabeth. I couldn't let anything happen to you back there."

Her emotions choked her, so she leaned over the bed to kiss him tenderly. "You gave me the fright of my life, Nathan," she said softly, her hands framing his face. "I thought you were going to die." She smiled. "But you're not. You're finally awake, and we're together." She clasped his hands, bringing them to her heart once more. "And that's what matters."