She was as beautiful now as she'd ever been and he loved her more than ever. Though he was willing to admit it was probably just the painkillers, he knew once it faded he'd still love her, and maybe have to propose. Find a ring. You needed rings for proposals.
He was watching the children down below in the hospital garden.
He had gotten lucky. It wasn't as bad as it had seemed - or felt - he'd been clipped by a chunk of metal which had dug in, and as he moved he'd twisted, causing it to cut him all over again which had started a new flow of blood and then after everything he'd fainted.
Or something like that, the nurse had told him but he didn't care. There was a lot of drugs happening as she'd explained it.
Parker had been fine though, no cuts, just a lot of dust and smoke inhalation and some bad bruising. they were worried about his age but he'd be fine, the man was as stubborn as a mule. Penny had said they'd more or less had had to fight him to get him to stay put so they could look him over properly.
John had been rushed into surgery; he hadn't herad anything about him yet, though right now he didn't care about his brother. He was thinking about other things, like Penny.
She'd gone for a scan—they'd been worried about her head. When they'd brought her into the hospital, her previously golden hair was stained a deep black with blood and dirt; the blood was slowly seeping from a gash across her forehead. Her skin was grey with grime and dust. He'd never been more scared in his life than when it finally hit him what had happened, that she was hurt.
She was okay, though, mild concussion and bruises and scratches. She'd be fine and he let out a breath he'd been holding for God knew how long. At some point he'd have to go and see how Parker was, and he supposed, John . He'd have to phone home and tell them how things had ended, but right now he couldn't bear to leave her—with idea of letting go of her hand and missing those crystal azure eyes opening.
He'd do it later.
Maybe Parker would come up before he left and then he wouldn't have to leave her.
He pressed his lips to the cream knuckles.
This was where he belonged, and this was where he'd stay.
At her side.