I snuggle closer to Edward as he sleeps, taking in his incredible scent and running my fingers over his toned chest. It's been too long since I could sleep next to him like this, and I savor the early morning moment of peace. Right now, I'm just a girl in love. I'm not dying. I can breathe. And while my scar sometimes aches, I'm not in pain.
It's incredible what this heart has done, and I'm so thankful to the donor and the man who put it into my chest.
"Mm," Edward moans, turning his head and opening his eyes. He smiles sleepily as he shifts and puts his arm around me. "Good morning, sweet girl."
"Good morning, handsome. I love you."
He kisses me softly. "I love you too. I think we should just stay like this today, holding each other closely."
"Sounds perfect, though … I do need the restroom." I giggle.
He helps me sit up, and I go do my thing and brush my teeth before going back to bed. He has a glass of water and my pills out, which take me three swallows to get them all down. I don't care how many there are because they keep me alive and well. I'd take a hundred if I needed to.
I climb back in, and Edward pulls me on top of him, peppering my lips with kisses. Sadly, our perfect morning is interrupted by my brother.
At least, he knocks.
"I'm making a breakfast run."
"Can I be bad and have McDonald's?" I ask sheepishly.
Edward chuckles. "Clogging those new arteries already, hmm?"
"I've been eating heart-healthy forever. I mean, it's been months since I had bacon, and I haven't had McDonald's for even longer. Just one little sausage McMuffin? Please?"
"The hotel has a great egg white omelet, you know?"
"Yeah, which I've had, like, every morning since I've been here. I need a little grease."
I'm a month into my stay here, so I think it's fine. I want to be a little bad. I've been good for a month.
"I'll get you the McMuffin," Emmett says. "You're gonna ask for a hash brown too, aren't you?"
I grin. "Please?"
He rolls his eyes with a smile and agrees. Edward orders the same thing as me, and then Emmett heads out, leaving us alone again.
Edward decides now's a good time to take my vitals, so he gets out of bed to grab his things from the dresser. He makes it quick, and everything is perfect. My blood pressure is nice and low, and my O2 sat is at ninety-eight. He listens to my new heart, telling me it's beating just right, and I grin.
"I'm not sick anymore."
He shakes his head. "No, you're not."
"We could fool around while Emmett's gone, you know."
He laughs. "Not quite yet, beautiful girl. You'll be cleared for more activity soon, but that's one thing that needs to wait. We'll get there though—just not yet."
I huff in annoyance, but he's right. My strength isn't quite what it needs to be yet. I have physical therapy to help, and I'm getting better at walking farther, but this isn't a race. I'll be at one hundred percent soon enough.
While we wait for Emmett, we head out into the suite's living room area and settle onto the couch. Edward flips through the movies and eventually settles for Skyfall, which we both like. My back is against the backrest, and I lay my legs over his as he pulls a blanket over me.
It's nice to just relax without the looming threat of my heart acting up. I feel like me again, and I love it.
The journey's been hard, but in the end, every second of it has been worth it. I should live at least another ten years—but hopefully longer.
Whatever time I have is more than I should have had, so I'll take it and spend every moment being thankful.
Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.
