Ever After

Chapter 18



Fighting to wake



The pain was back now because of the drastic change in the dose. I could feel my headache, and my wrists were stinging where they were wrapped. I must have been crying from the pain, and moving because Will was instantly at my side stroking my hair and talking to me.

“Up Corrine, climb out of there. It’s time; you have to wake up for me.” His voice was desperate and pleading. I slowly forced my eyes open. His face was so close to mine it was blurry. I could hear my heart monitor speed up as I blinked hard to clear my vision. I was getting panicky.

“Come now love, I’ve got you. It’s okay.” I felt his arms around me. I took a few ragged deep breaths as his beautiful face came into focus finally.

I ignored the pain in my arms and chest as I looked into his amazing blue eyes. I had feared I would never see them again. I smiled weakly as he cupped my face with his hands and gently kissed my lips.

“William.”

“Oh Corrine, I’m so happy you’re awake. I was beginning to think you couldn’t come out of this.” I took a deep breath, as a tear ran down his cheek. He sighed with relief as I smiled. I winced as a sharp pain shot through my head. Will gently laid me back down, his eyes now on the heart monitor. I looked around the room, the machines that had been keeping me alive were next to my bed like an army clicking and pumping.

I saw balloons and tons of flowers and two or three really huge teddy bears holding “get well soon” signs. I turned to see Will watching me, his black hair sticking up, where he had been asleep in the chair next to my bed. I smiled at him again. He took my hand carefully.

“Rest now. The nurses will be in here shortly, your heart monitor’s going crazy.” He winked at me and I rolled my eyes. That was to be counted on when he was in the room. I went a little bit crazy and the heart monitor confirmed that. I jumped a bit when the night shift nurse popped in, concern filling her wrinkled face.

“Oh… my Ms. Whitmore, you are awake. I wondered what was going on in here.” The nurse winked at Will. “You were right William, tonight was the night she would wake up. However did you guess such a thing?” She smiled at Will, still holding my hand at my bedside.

“Just a hunch I guess.” He flashed a dazzling grin. I laughed softly at his effect on the nurse, as she seemed lost in his smile. She proceeded to check my vital signs, adjust my lines, and take my temperature. She sent a page my doctors. Will had already called Doc, to let him know I was awake. He was on his way over to the hospital now, despite it being two in the morning.

“Amazing, Doctor Parker’s dedication. He never sleeps much.” The nurse commented. Will and I winked at each other, knowing why Doc would be up at this hour; this family secret was unknown to the innocent nurse of course.

The pain was staring to burn in my arms. I winced, looking away toward the window, so Will wouldn’t see. I gripped the sheets. The heart monitor jumped announcing my agony to them.

“Are you in pain, dear?” The nurse moved quickly to my side looking at the monitor closer.

“Yes,” I whispered with my eyes closed. Will held my hand now, and he rubbed my back gently as I tried to calm down. “It hurts so badly, it’s my head.” I whispered not looking up, trying to slow my breathing down.

“Okay dear, hang on. I can help you. Doctor Parker gave orders for certain pain medications should you wake tonight.” I didn’t look at her injecting the needle in my arm. I only felt a prick and then quickly, the pain lessened to a tolerable level. Will stepped back as the nurse finished with me. He sat in the chair quietly observing.

“I’m okay now. I think… it’s not so bad.” I sighed as she poured me a glass of water.

“Now drink slowly, and if you keep this down, we can see about something to eat for you. You’re going to be very hungry.” I smiled weakly and nodded as I clutched the water glass, my throat was so dry. I could have drunk a gallon of water.

The nurse left, and William got back up and sat on the edge of my bed, as I inhaled the water greedily.

“You scared me for a while,” he said, softly kissing my forehead. “I was starting to fear you couldn’t wake up and were lost to me.”

“I tried, but I just couldn’t.” I inhaled a jagged breath so many emotions flooding my mind. “I could hear you and feel your touch.”

“I know. I told them you could but they didn’t listen. Only Doc understood.”

I sat there silently. The horror of the night of the attack was seeping back in to my mind. I knew why I was in here, but now I was remembering the details. I looked up at Will. He already knew what I was thinking.

“They’re still searching for him.” He frowned. “I promise you. He will be caught, and he will pay for all he’s done to you.” I didn’t push him for details. Todd no had chance hiding from a coven of pissed off vampires. The cousins would enjoy hunting him down. I had heard Roth joke about it many times when they visited me.