Pain! My head clouded as I felt the layers of unconsciousness slip away. I hunkered down, trying to return to oblivion. Muted voices and noises intruded, keeping me forcefully in the present. Pain! A hand clasping mine gently. I struggled to open my eyes, but the effort was too much as I succumbed to the darkness once again. Terror at the edges of my mind as flashes fought to surface to no avail. Pain! A prick...Sleep...
Waking again, I cracked my eyelids. Soft lighting in unfamiliar surroundings. Where was I? Starting to feel panicky as my brain screamed "Too soon!" But I was awake and images flooded my mind. Turning my head slightly, my body aching at every movement, I could see the beginnings of dawn encroaching through the blinds. And that is when I saw him. Steve, restless in sleep, mumbling unintelligibly, crashed out on the chair pushed next to the bed, holding my hand. A day's worth of stubble shading his strong jaw. He looked exhausted. More thoughts swirling in confusion around my tired brain, my throat dry and scratchy and sore. A door creaked just out of my line of sight and white crepe moccasins, blue pants and shirt appeared. I realized I was in hospital.
"How are you feeling? I need to take your vitals and page the Doctor."
I started to protest but I didn't have the voice or the strength. I could feel Steve stirring in agitation in his chair as he came awake, still holding my hand. The nurse went briskly about her business, not acknowledging my questioning look, just saying the doctor would be here soon to answer them.
"Marie, love, you gave me a scare! You've been here for over a day, unconscious. This has been the longest twenty-four hours of my life." He tenderly kissed my forehead.
"Hey Steve..." the weakness in my voice surprising me. "I feel like I was rode hard and put away wet. What happened?"
A small guffaw escaped his lips; he had heard the expression before. "You were hit by a car as you went to get a taxi. What possessed you to turn around at the airport?"
"I saw the headlines and didn't want you to face that alone."
"Oh, Baby! And you thought I would be upset?" At my small nod, he smiled with a genuineness that hadn't been in evidence earlier. I relaxed at his expression not realizing how tensely I had been holding myself. "Whatever I was feeling at that invasion dissipated the moment I got the call about you. You scared me to death. I know the network rang up your parents and they are flying in as we speak. No, you can't protest! We had no idea how severely you were injured."
I collapsed against the pillow my inept rebellion over. My body definitely did not want to hear anything about moving. The doctor walked in then and introduced himself, starting to examine me. Anxiety coursed through my veins and must have conveyed itself to him.
"Young lady, you have suffered bumps, bruises, and a nasty gash on the back of your head and a concussion. You apparently hit your head on the curb. The headache is pretty much non-negotiable; I can adjust your medication, but if you could stay awake for a bit then I wouldn't advise that."
Mutely, I shook my head yes. I wanted to stay conscious; I wanted to look at Steve's face. My love, I thought, I am sorry I put you through this.
"I realize this young man is not related to you, but he was so forceful and insistent and caused quite a commotion. That it was more prudent to have him here than creating a ruckus." With that, the doctor took himself off, but not before lecturing Steve to not wear me out.
Alone at last, I felt a rush of love at his concern and presence. Steve is cute when he worries I decided, the little frown lines around his eyes making him more real to me. Brushing strands of hair out of my eyes he continued to contemplate me.
"I guess you won't be playing soccer for awhile." He heaved a sigh. "I was looking forward to continuing your lessons. But I value you for more than your attempts. Your wit, your gentleness, your intelligence all draws me to you. I thought I had lost you Marie, just when I had found you! Don't ever scare me like that again; you took ten years off my life."
Tears started forming in my eyes and rolled unchecked down my cheeks. I wanted to speak, but I was exhausted with the effort to stay awake. Seeing them, Steve's expression turned rueful as he brushed them away with his thumb.
"Don't fret love. It will all sort itself out eventually." Looking at his watch, he had an impish grin on his face suddenly. "You know, I wanted to get you into bed, this isn't how I envisioned it happening!" My eyes widened at his humor and I gave him a small smile of appreciation.
The door opened once again and my parents were there. They rushed to the side of my bed, trying to get to me. Mom had tears in her eyes and Dad gruffly said "Hello" in a choked up voice. Overwhelmed, I just looked at them helplessly. Steve gracefully stepped in and started to soothe them, explaining how he came to be in my life. I could only follow their conversation with my eyes, but it seemed to be turning out all right.
My mom moved closer to my dad so they could hold each other's waists as they conversed with Steve. He effortlessly chatted, relaying some of the funnier moments of our acquaintance, the meeting in the locker room, our ensuing argument and trying to teach me soccer with the help of the kids. Wisely he didn't speak of dinner in the hotel room or that I had gotten hit on the way out of the airport versus on the way in. Steve didn't tell them that we were in love, probably to give me a chance to tell them myself.
Mom's and Dad's countenance's visibly relaxed and they thanked him profusely for his time and consideration. Never once questioning why he was with me in hospital. I felt myself starting to get drowsy again and I could no longer hold on, sinking back into sleep.
