I came out of the anesthesia like I was coming out of a dream I couldn’t remember. Awake and then out again. Beeping machines in the fog. The
feeling of a bed being rolled from one room to another. Muffled talking. Lights in a hallway. A voice I knew, one I didn’t. The one I knew I couldn’t place, but I felt calm hearing it, and I knew someone who loved me was in the room. Then I drifted out again. Then I was awake and a little more awake, and she was there, holding my hand. I looked at her until my eyes focused.
“Heeeeeeey. It’s you…”
She smiled. It was different now. Brighter.
She leaned down and pressed a long kiss to my face and I couldn’t really remember why this was a big deal, but I knew it was.
“You’re so pretty…” I said. Or that’s what I thought I said. It felt like it came out jumbled.
She grinned. “Always hitting on me. Don’t try to talk yet. You just got out.”
I closed my eyes. Asleep again.
It felt like time had passed when I woke up. I was in a different room. I was still out of it, but not as much. A nurse was taking my vitals. Briana was still holding my hand.
The nurse finished, and I tried to sit up.
“No no no. Lie down.” Briana put a gentle hand on my shoulder.
I winced. “Why do I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck?” My voice sounded raspy, and I remembered that I’d been intubated.
“We harvested your organ. You said I could have it, remember?”
“You just took the one, right?” I shifted a little and grimaced, sore. “I’ll get the nurse to give you some morphine.”
“I’m going to be sixteen again?” I said tiredly. “Passed out on Jäger in a cornfield?”
She laughed and put her chin on top of my hand on the bed. “You know, they almost didn’t let me in here. They said I had to wait until you were awake and you could ask for me. They only let me in because you had me listed on your intake paperwork as your wife.”
I gave her a small, tired smile. “I’m trying to manifest the things I want by speaking them into the universe.”
“And you want a wife?” “Only if it’s you.”
She peered gently at me. “I’m open to discussion.”
My heart rate picked up. We both knew it, because the heart rate monitor started beeping out of control.
She scooted closer to me. “I’m going to move in, if that’s okay,” she said. “Maybe we can start there? Take it slow?”
I smiled quietly at her. “Yeah. I’d like that. But why don’t we get a new place. That way you’ll feel like it’s yours too.”
Her eyes went soft. “Jacob, you don’t like change. Moving is stressful.” “I don’t care. I’ll do it for you. We’ll put both our names on it—or just
yours if that makes you feel better.”
She bit her lip and nodded. “Okay. Thank you.” I squeezed her hand. She squeezed it back.
“I’ll go get Lieutenant Dan from Joy and watch him until you get home,” she said.
“Thanks.”
“And I’ll take care of your plants.”
I let out a long “Nooooooo,” and she laughed.
My eyes felt heavy. I closed them for a second and then opened them again.
“How is Benny?” I asked.
“The surgery went well. No complications. His new kidney’s already producing urine.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Really? So fast?” She shrugged. “It’s a perfect match.”
“Someone told me once that even a perfect match isn’t perfect.” She held my eyes. “This one is.”
We gazed at each other for a long moment. Then she got up and put her forehead to mine and closed her eyes. I closed mine too. I was still a little loopy and the darkness behind my lids made everything feel like a dream.
“Did you read it?” I whispered. She nodded. “Yes. I did.”
“I like Ava for a girl,” I said, opening my eyes to look at her. “Ava Xfinity?”
“Ava Xfinity Ortiz.”
She laughed, then sat back down. I raised my hand to touch her face. She turned in to it and kissed my palm, and I knew my nightmare was over. She’d returned to me.
“I’m so sorry, Jacob,” she whispered. “I was really scared.”
“I know.” I rubbed a thumb on her cheek. “I know you were. But you know how social situations are hard for me? And you help me with that?” I
said softly.
She sniffed and nodded.
“I know trust is hard for you. So that’s what I’m going to help you with.”
Then I just lay there, looking at her. Feeling the peace and calm that I only felt alone—with her.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m afraid I’m just drugged and none of this is really happening.” “It’s really happening, Jacob.”
I closed my eyes. “How do I know?”
“Because love shows up. And here I am.”
