Chapter 39

THIRTY-NINE

It’s been twenty-four hours since Nova last opened her eyes. I panic continually, thinking that I did something wrong, that I didn’t do enough, that I missed something else. Louis informs me she probably just needs rest and time to heal. He’s probably right, but it doesn’t stop me from checking on her every thirty minutes. Nico is resting once more after giving more blood so we could do another transfusion since she lost so much. Louis and Jonas gently washed and dressed her while I put up more IVs. We’ve done everything we can, and it’s up to her now. I know that, but it doesn’t stop me from worrying.

Louis is staying busy, and between him and Dimitri, they have gotten all of the kids’ information, as well as feeding them and checking them over, since I refused to leave Nova. Dimitri has started to look into their pasts. They probably won’t have family, just like us, but I think it gives him something to do. They seem happy enough to be left to play in their new rooms, and as soon as we can move Nova, we can figure something out for them.

For now, we are here, watching our girl in the place where she nearly died.

Her father’s body rots a few floors down. He doesn’t get to be buried, after all. When we leave together, which we will, we plan on blowing this place sky-high, incinerating his body and every horrible thing he did here. Fuck, I’ll even toast marshmallows in the fire with my girl.

Sighing, I tighten my hold on her hand, stopping myself from checking her vitals once more or uncovering the wound. She needs time, but it doesn’t stop my constant need to assure myself that she is okay. Never before have I been more thankful to be a doctor, but I also know everything that could go wrong.

It so very nearly did. I almost lost her during surgery.

I will never forget that.

Not ever.

* * *

I must fall asleep because something makes my head snap up—a noise. I blink into the shadowed room, noticing a lamp is on in the corner that someone must have switched on. Nico is still snoring away, his blanket kicked off. Sighing, I close my eyes once more when the hand I’m holding twitches.

My gaze goes to Nova to see her blinking her eyes open and turning her head. Leaping to my feet, I grab a glass of water with a straw. “Shh, drink this,” I whisper, holding both to her mouth. She sips it before turning away, and I put it back before checking her eyes and pulse.

“Is—” She winces in pain.

“It’s okay, baby, just hold on,” I murmur, my heart racing so fast it’s hard to hear. “Vitals are good, no concussion or reaction in the eyes. I think you’re going to be okay.”

I almost slump at that. She’s going to be okay.

“Am I dead?” she whispers.

“No, you are very much alive, sweetheart,” I murmur, kissing the back of her hand and almost collapsing with relief. “You’ll need to rest and take time to heal, but I think you’ll be okay.”

My eyes lock on hers once more, greedy for every word, touch, and look, which is why I don’t wake Nico or shout for the others. I don’t want to end this moment since I came so close to losing her.

“Are you okay, Isaac?” she croaks. Her eyes search mine worriedly, even though she is in a hospital bed in a bunker where she was tortured and kept alive to be experimented on.

This girl.

“Am I okay? Am I okay? You almost died on my fucking table, Nova, so no, I’m not okay. I almost lost the woman I love more than anything else in this fucking world. I almost . . . I almost couldn’t save you and that killed me!” I laugh bitterly as Nico jerks awake.

“What, what?” He falls to the floor in confusion, searching for a threat before his eyes land on Nova. “Baby!” He rushes over and kisses her. She kisses him back, smiling as he hurries to the door to tell the others, but he turns back to focus on me.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, tightening her grip on my hand.

“Don’t.” I shake my head, trying to suck back all my emotions. I need to be okay, for her and for them.

“I’m so sorry you had to deal with that, Isaac,” she whispers as I hear pounding feet. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” I promise. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” I order as I lean in to kiss her softly.

“Never,” she vows just as the others slide into the room and surround her. There are so many voices, touches, and kisses that I end up pushing them back.

“Give her space. She needs to rest and relax, not be moved or jostled,” I snap.

“Yes, doctor,” Jonas teases, even as he grins brightly at her. “You missed so much.” He hurries to tell her everything, and she smiles, but it turns into a wince, and he slows to a stop. “Are you okay?”

“Just tired and hurting,” she admits. For Nova to admit that she’s in pain, it must be bad.

“Let me give you something.” I hurry to inject her, and she relaxes, smiling at us.

“I still can’t believe you came for me.”

“Of course we did,” Louis murmurs. “We love you. There is nothing we wouldn’t do for you, Nova.”

“Now rest,” Dimitri orders.

“It’s over, baby. He’s dead, and you’re alive. Just rest. There’s nothing else to do,” Nico says, and under our watchful gazes, her eyes start to slide shut.

“Are you all just going to watch me sleep?” she mutters, making surprised laughter tumble from us.

“Yes,” Jonas answers without a care.

“I was debating it,” I mutter.

Huffing, she narrows her eyes once more. “Louis, get them to rest. They look exhausted, and that includes you. Oh, and fucking eat and shower, you stink.” With that, she shuts her eyes once more, leaving me grinning like a madman.

Our girl is going to be just fine.

It looks like we finally get the ending we deserve.