Chapter 7 Just a Dream?
Seth lay down in his bed for the first time in a week. He had been out patrolling or at the hospital most nights lately. He was happy to have Sofie awake and perfectly healthy, but it was taking away any time he had to sleep. It had been a few weeks since she had woken up. He figured right now he could get in a few hours then go to the hospital for Sofie's last night there. When he woke up, she was sitting on the edge of his bed, touching his long hair.
"Sofie?" He looked at her.
"Good morning sleepy head." Her voice still cracked sometimes when she spoke.
"Hi, um am I dreaming?" He asked, staring at her. Sofie looked so much healthier out of the hospital. "I'm sorry, I missed taking you home." Seth sat up to pull her into a gentle hug.
Sofie gripped his shirt tightly in her frail fingertips. "I got out two days ago. You've been asleep the whole time. Don't worry. Sam told me you've been patrolling for days. You probably needed it."
Seth looked down at her in confusion. "Sam told you?"
"Sure, I don't see the big deal. It's not all that bad, sounds tiring but it's a good deed. Your mom must be proud."
He blinked. "Um, yeah. What all did Sam tell you?"
"He said you guys acted like a sort of police for the Rez. You patrol the woods to make sure no one is getting into trouble. I mean, I heard before I left about Sam and that guy dealing drugs but I never really believed it. I guess I believed the lies too easily, can you forgive me?"
"Yeah, of course." He blinked.
"I don't enjoy the fact that you are putting yourself in danger, but if it's what you need to do: go for it." Her smile was soft. Seth touched her face. "I was worried you were sick. Your skin is so warm." Seth kissed her fingers. "You visited someone you thought would never wake up for months."
Seth looked down at her. "Sofie, I don't think you realize how important to me you really are. You are my everything. I had to believe you were going to wake up."
Sofie stood up. Her clothes were too big on her, making her still look like that fragile doll he had seen her. Seth stood. "Are you leaving?" He wasn't sure if he meant his house or his life. Sofie turned to him. "Please, I just got you back." She climbed back into the bed to kiss his lips. The kiss was so soft he barely realized what was happening. "That doesn't answer my question, but please do that again." Their lips met again, still so gentle, with the fear of hurting her still on his mind.
"I love you." Sofie whispered.
"I love you." Seth held her to his chest.