Chapter 7: Aspen
My 2nd chapter of the day! I might post another chapter tonight, I started it but I don't know if I'll have time to finish. I love you all!
Well that throws a wrench in my idea.
I open my eyes, to see both of them happy and alive. "I'm dreaming." I whisper. My voice sounds funny. They both shake their heads, and I want to fly. "Aspen, how are you here?" he smiles. "Maxon saved my life. So now I can't hate him. It just wouldn't be right." His attempt at humor reminds of all that happened with- "Where's Wesley?" I ask praying he's dead. "I killed him." Maxon assures me. "As much as it pains me to say this, I have to go to a meeting. We'll talk later." Maxon promises as he walks out of the hospital wing.
"I thought you were dead. You saved my life. You were just lying there. I couldn't breathe." I stammer. Tears spring into my eyes, Aspen reaches out and takes my cheek in his hand. "I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere. Besides, I think we scared each other equally. You've been out for week, I thought I was going to go insane." I grab his hand and he sits on the side of my bed. "Maxon loves me." I avoid his eyes. He nods, "I'm gathering that. I know you love him back. But you love me too, right?" Now it's his turn to be sheepish. "Yes, I do. That will never stop," I melt when I see his smile, "I saw your body, you didn't have a heartbeat. So I gave up after I was fighting to stay awake, because I didn't want to anymore." My tears spill over onto my cheeks. He glances around the room, making sure no one is there. After concluding that the coast is clear, he leans and presses his lips to mine. Warmth courses through me, I missed him. He draws back to my intense displeasure.
"Mer, what is Maxon going to do now?" I don't know how to answer. He wants there to be an us, but what about Maxon. "I don't know." I can't lie to him, not after all that's happened. "You took a bullet for him, you saved his life. How can compete with that kind of bond?" Aspen eyes cloud with pain, I feel a crack in my heart. "Please, I can't see you in pain. I just can't." I inhale sharply. "I would have down the same for you, I kept that one penny. I remember Mia, and all the other things we had planned. That doesn't just go away. " His face brightens at my disclosure, and I can finally exhale. I hate to fill him with hope, only to possible crush it but I selfishly can't see him hurt like this.
"I'm going to try to stand up, can you help me?" I ask him. "Of course." I wrap my arm around his shoulders, and his arm goes around my waist. Sitting up is painful, but standing is dizzying. Aspen watches my expression closely, "It hurts bad doesn't it. Do you want to sit back down?" I shake my head. "It's not that bad." I know I'm unconvincing because Aspen sits me back down. "How is your chest?", "It's ok. I'm off duty for 3weeks. I'm heading back to Carolina in 2 days. I'm going to miss you. A lot." I can't picture Aspen leaving, he's become a natural part of my environment. "Maybe Maxon's going to send me home. Marlee got caned for loving someone else, what do I get." I feel guilty for my lack of punishment. "You get shot in the stomach." Aspen replies bitterly. A tear escapes my eyes and runs down my face. He sees it and his expression softens, "Sorry." He whispers kissing my forehead. "I should let you rest." He moves to get up, but I grab his hand. "Don't leave me." I say it like a child to her parents. I want him with me, to know that he's ok. "Fine, close your eyes. I'll stay here until you fall asleep." He strokes my hair, and my eyelids start to droop. I'm drifting off when I hear him, "I love you, America.".
That was fun! I will most likely post another chapter later tonight, maybe tomorrow! Please review! You guys are awesome!