CHAPTER SEVEN

Holly's pov

"What happened? Where am I?" Holly is so happy that she's awake that she takes a moment longer and releases a breath that she has been holding since she had heard the news. Taking a deep breathe, she edges closer to her all whilst trying not to disturb all the wires she has on and around her.

"Babe, I'm so glad that you're awake. You're in the hospital but you're awake and that's all that matters". Holly is only aware that she is crying when Gail asks her, why there are tears streaming down her face.

It has been a few hours since Gail had woken up and the waiting room is buzzing with everyone from family members, friends to almost the entire 15th division. Holly wonders if there is anyone left in the station but her thoughts are quickly interrupted when she spots her mom, she has been here for her since Holly called her panicking three days ago but unlike Holly she has left the hospital a few times. Always returning with change of clothes for her along with toiletries, Holly has been given a chance to change in the nurses' lounge because of the few friends Holly has made since working with 15.

Holly has been with Gail since the moment she woke up yesterday and even though she begged her to go home and get some rest or go to work but she has refused every request she has made. Always making some excuse to why she can't leave her.

Three months later…..

Gail's pov

Gail is still at home and she isn't due at work for another three months but she won't have active duty for another six months. Holly isn't so thrilled that she will be going back out even if it isn't for a while. The younger woman has been making progress, taking therapy but other than that she has been taking it easy. Holly spent the first six weeks with her, her boss has been understanding allowing her to do her work from home. Since she is one of the head pathologists she has been reviewing reports from home and only having to go in every three days for two to three hours to deal with important matters.

Holly has been true to her word taking care of her lady and she absolutely adores Holly for everything she has done for her but still gives Holly hell when it seems like she is doing everything for her. The two of them have gotten closer although she doubt that was even possible but no talk of the wedding has been made by either of them. Until today…

"Holly do you still want to get married to me after all this?" Gail asks.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you know I love you more than anything in world and I would do anything for you nothing is too much but…"

"But what, baby? We don't have to talk about this now!" Holly says from across the room.

"But we should, you deserve so much but I can't give it to you. I can't even lift anything heavier than five pounds and even that is a hassle."

"Gail what are you trying to say? You don't want to me anymore?" Tears are threatening to fall, her big dreamy eyes glistening with a glassy effect.

"Holly, listen to me I would marry you anyplace, anytime… I would marry you this every second. All that I'm saying is…you are the most kind hearted, generous, loving person I know but you don't deserve to be tied down to someone like me. I mean for god sake, Hol look at me."

The doctor is so quiet that Gail doesn't know what to say or do anymore but sit and stare as she waits for her girl to say something…anything. She doesn't have to wait too long. The older woman walks over and takes a seat on the couch close to Gail but does not invade her personal space because she needs the blonde to hear what she's about to say. "Baby listen to me, I love you so much, marrying you is the only thing I can see myself doing today, tomorrow or any day after that. When I heard what happened to you I almost died, I did. I can't imagine my life or any life without you and I don't have any intention to." Holly stood up and walked away leaving Gail speechless, any thoughts she may have had were interrupted when she heard the bedroom door open and then close. Holly walks towards her with tears in her eyes, they may have been threatening to fall before were definitely falling now. She stops in front of Gail and kneels down talking the other woman's two hands in her own, clear her throat and with a look that screams here goes nothing. "Gail, the night you proposed, do you remember that?" Gail nods and sniffles as Holly continues, "I'll remember that day for the rest of my life but there is another day I'll remember, it has been engraved into my memory. The day that I heard that you had been shot. That was the day when my world shattered into a million pieces. That was a feeling that I never want to experience again not because you could've died….well that played a big role but what was worst you almost died without knowing something very important…" Holly lets go of one of Gail's hands and reaches into her back pocket of her jeans and pulls out a purple velvet box, opens the box and reveals a white gold diamond engagement ring with two dolphins circling each other. A medium size clear blue diamond, the same colour as Gail's eyes set in the center. She then takes the younger woman's hand, "I cannot imagine spending another moment of my life not being able to call you mine. Gail I bought this ring when I left for that conference that day, my plan was to ask you when I came back but you beat me to the punch. But I'm giving you this to show you that there is nowhere else I rather be, so will you?"

Gail nods her head and sings yes to the world or anyone who would hear it. Holly places the ring on her fiancée's finger, pulling her in and they kiss like it was their first kiss after being separated for months. When they break apart all the blonde says is "I can't wait to be yours and you mine."