27. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Scarlett

It's been two days.

Two excruciating days spent in the hospital by Ryder's side. When we arrived at the hospital, I refused to leave him. Even when the doctors and nurses threatened to call security on me, I held my ground.

I called Axel, and the rest of Ryder's family and friends from Hollow's Cove, and they were on their way out here to California.

Ryder was resting peacefully as the doctors told me he was in a coma. I had broken down and had a gut-wrenching scream that caused the nurses to have to sedate me.

When Allison arrived hours after me, she had held me while I cried. I felt like my life was spiraling out of control. How did everything go from being so perfect to this hellish nightmare?

I hadn't showered and had only changed my clothes as Allison had brought me jeans and a sweater from my apartment. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done without her.

The boys had been a mess after the wreck, and I had talked to them over the last two days to ensure that Ryder was ok even though I wasn't sure if that was the case.

"Scarlett, don't you want to go get something to eat?" one of the nurses asked me.

It was the same each time they came into Ryder's hospital room to check on him. And, each time, my answer was always the same. No.

I just shook my head, no, as she offered me sympathy.

"I've seen him race before, he's pretty great," she said, admiring Ryder.

If I wasn't so exhausted, I might have been driven by jealousy. But, I saw a tenderness in her eyes that told me she was just being polite.

"He's lucky to have you," she says before exiting the room again.

I hold onto Ryder's hand and place a soft kiss on his palm. I hadn't let go of him since we got here, and I didn't plan on doing it anytime soon.

Over the course of time, we had been in this hospital. I had found plenty of time to think. I was beyond frustrated with myself for not giving my heart to Ryder sooner. I wished more than anything that I would have told him I loved him more. That the night he talked about running off and getting married, that I had just jumped at the chance. There were so many things I had wished I had done differently, that if fate gave me a second chance, I would never take Ryder for granted again.

"I love you so much, Ryder Raven," I cried, squeezing his hand. "I need you to wake up so that I can tell you over and over again how much you mean to me. I need to hear you laugh. I need to argue with you and hear your sly comments. I need to feel you holding me," I say, my voice breaking through my own tears.

Ryder's doctor emerges into the room quietly, and I can sense he is giving me some space. I smile at him, letting him know it's ok to enter.

"Good afternoon," he greets me.

"HI," I barely croak out.

"I would like to talk to you about the status of Mr. Raven," he asks.

I go to stand, but he motions for me to continue sitting. He flips through his chart, glancing over the information he has gathered since Ryder arrived.

"With patients in comas, time can be our worst enemy," he begins.

I stare up at this man, who holds Ryder's life in his hands. I want him to snap his fingers and make Ryder better, but I'm not naive enough to believe that could ever happen.

"Ok," I say, indicating to him that I am listening.

As he continues, I brace myself for what is to come. "Patients can remain in a coma for days, weeks, months, even years. Each case is different. However, Ryder is young and healthy, and it always helps when they have loved ones by their side, offering support."

"What can I do to help?" I ask.

The doctor chuckles, his tired eyes sparkling, and his wrinkles showcased through his smile. "Just being here is very helpful. I wish I could give you the answers you desire, but for now, his body just needs to heal. With broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and bad bruising covering his entire body, he just needs time," he finishes, offering a soft smile.

"Thank you," I say.

He checks Ryder's vitals, and I watch as he writes down information in the chart. Once he leaves, the silence takes over again. The only sounds in the room are the beeping machines and the pounding of my own heart. My eyes remain locked on Ryder, afraid if I look away even for an instant, I may miss a slight movement.

I fall asleep sometime later as my heavy lids just can't remain open any longer.

The next afternoon, Allison comes to visit me at the hospital. Her shift at All Our Children ended, and she brought cards the boys made for Ryder. The sentiment is sweet, and I place them with the hundreds of cards, flowers, and well wishes sent from the racing team and fans.

News of Ryder's wreck has been front-page news on every media outlet source. Reporters and paparazzi have been stationed outside the hospital, trying to get a glimpse of anyone related to Ryder's team. I had been so lost in worry. I hadn't even noticed until Allison pointed it out to me today.

She also brought me one of the gossip magazines that had a picture of me running to the track after the crash. My face was frantic, and my hair was flying in my face. The headline read: Mystery Woman Races to Ryder Raven's Side.

I throw the magazine in the trash, not wanting to read the garbage they posted.

"How are you holding up?" Allison asks, placing her hand gently on my shoulder.

"Ok, I guess," I say, shrugging.

"Maybe you should go home and try and get some sleep. I can stay here with him," Allison offers.

She is sweet for the suggestion, but there is no way in hell I am leaving Ryder's side right now.

A loud commotion from the hall draws our attention. Allison stands, moving to the door to see what is going on, and I see a wide smile spread across her face.

She moves out of the doorway and in walks the Raven's. Their black hair and light eyes bring back a familiarity of looking at Ryder, and I can't help but begin to sob.

"We are here to take care of you all," Drake Raven says.

They are larger than life, and I am beyond grateful to finally have them here.

They all come inside the room, and I can hear a few nurses arguing for them to respect the two guests per room policy. I can tell their pleas are falling on deaf ears. If I have learned one thing about the Ravens, it's that when it comes to one of their own, nothing will stand in their way of protecting them.

Eventually, the nurses give up and walk back to their nurses' station. As I sit beside Ryder, I begin updating everyone on Ryder's status. I stand, so that I can talk to them face-to-face, but never budge from my spot beside the bed.

"So, I hear that scumbag, Alex Sweat, got fined from the racing circuit and is banned from any races at the Rev Speedway," Axel tells me.

A movement from the bed startles me for a second, but I continue talking to the guys. I've become delusional from my lack of sleep.

"You all realize I am right here," a hoarse voice says.

I whip my head around, and my heart stops as I lock eyes with Ryder.

His eyes are fluttering open, and his hand squeezes mine. I fall back to the chair, tears unleashing down my face, as I struggle to comprehend if this is real or not.

"Ryder?" I ask, unsure if he is talking to me.

When Allison races out of the room screaming for the doctor and the guys all hustle to Ryder's bedside, I realize that I'm not dreaming.

"Scar, you're going to break my hand," he croaks out, but his lips slightly curved into a smile.

I laugh through my tears as I loosen my hold on his hand. He is awake. Joy fills me as I lean in and place a kiss on his lips. I can't take my eyes off of him as I struggle to understand how he is awake right now.

"It's damn good to see you," Blaze says, carefully patting Ryder's leg.

"What happened?" Ryder asks. I can see worry etching his face as he struggles to piece everything together.

As the doctor and a few nurses rush inside the room, they order everyone out into the hall. Well, except for me. They already knew they wouldn't win that battle.

As the doctor checks over Ryder, the nurses explain what has been going on since his wreck.

I wait on pins and needles as Ryder is confirmed as ok. We are told he will have to remain for a few more days in the hospital, but as long as he continues to progress, everything should be fine.

Once the doctor and his team of nurses leave, the Raven's and Allison join us again.

I'm so overwhelmed with happiness that I can barely keep still.

"Have you been here the whole time?" Ryder asks me.

"I refused to leave," I lightly chuckled.

As everyone circles us, I can feel the overabundance of love in the room. It's enough to take your breath away.

It's at that moment that I realize what I need to do. All of my thoughts over the last few days forcefully come to the front of my mind. I had come too close to losing Ryder, and I would never take him for granted again.

Standing, I look lovingly down at the man who stole my heart and body in one swoop.

"Ryder, almost losing you was the hardest thing I have ever been through in my life. It made me realize that I need you by my side forever," I begin, as I lean down and bend on one knee.

Ryder's eyes go wide as he stares down at me. I hear gasps from everyone around us as the realization of what I am about to do registers with them.

"I love you so much. And even when I tried to fight my growing love, you refused to stop loving me. You said you wanted forever with me and I want that, too. So, Ryder Raven, will you marry me?" I ask.

I see love and adoration across his features, and a lone tear falls from his perfect eyes.

"Scarlett, are you serious?" he asks, his voice heavy. "I mean, I just woke up from a coma, I would hate that you would be joking with me," he lightly laughs.

I can see a slight movement causes him pain, so I stop any worry he may have.

"No, this isn't a joke. I guess I realized far too late that I was terrified of losing you. Marry me, and we can have our forever," I say, squeezing his hand lightly, ensuring this time not to hurt him.

"Well, what's your answer?" Allison shouts, reminding me that we aren't alone.

"Yes!" Ryder exclaims, and the room erupts in cheers and whistles.

I crash my lips to his, and the world around me shifts back into gear. It took almost losing Ryder for me to realize just how deep my love for him ran. Now, I wasn't going to waste any more time living in denial. I had spent too much of my life already living in the past and afraid to give my heart to someone else. Then Ryder raced into my world, arrogant and aggravating, but at the same time, everything I needed. He taught me to let go of the past and look forward. He taught me how to love and be loved. With forever together in our sights, nothing was going to stop us now.

"I'll race you to the altar," Ryder smirks.

"I'll meet you there," I say, before kissing him once more.