20. He Said It, Twice!

                                    

                                          
"Miss Knight?" Asked some male voice. "Are you with us?" 
                          
I felt shooting pains down my side. My throat was dry and I felt like I was trying to hold the world on my shoulders like a young Atlas. I peeked from under my eyes to see a smiling face of a middle-aged man. As I remember his death, he reminded me a little bit of my father, making my awaking bittersweet. 
                          
"Dude," I mumbled licking my lips. Water. 
                          
"Glad to have you with us, Miss Knight. Your husband was very worried." 
                          
My sleepy eyes shot open trying to remember the events. At first, the harsh lights hurt my eyes as I looked around to see the pure white hospital room. I started to notice the stench of bleach and the beeping of the heart monitor. The IV was straining my mobility as I tried to lean up but failed miserably. 
                          
I cleared my throat and fluttered my eyes to better see the doctor. "Husband?" I asked in disbelief. How long was I out? Was my memory affected or something?
                          
"Yes. He rushed you here." The doctor flipped through my chart at the base of my bed. "How about I send him in for a bit, then after that I'll give you some lunch and run the remainder of my tests." With a smile, my doctor left. 
                          
I sighed leaning further back into the cheap pillow that smelt like death. The blanket was starting to scratch my skin. I lifted the blanket to see the trouble area only to find a dark red bandage on my right rib cage. 
                          
"The princess does not remember that being there." I ran my finger over the area but stop as my nerves protested immediately. 
                          
"Even in the hospital, you just can't help yourself." Dox laughed from the doorway. His eyes looked tired and his face unkempt, but in his hands were the most beautiful pink hibiscus flowers I've ever seen in person. 
                          
"Flowers?" My dry throat tightened on my words. 
                          
Dox handed me a water cup that I generously drank. "You're favorite." Dox put the flowers on a side table and pulled a chair next to my bed. He laced his fingers in mine and started to rub the back of my hand. "How are you feeling?" 
                          
"Confused. Can you tell me what happened?" 
                          
"You had finished talking, well screaming, with Nicolette. She was leaving and we walked out onto the porch. We were talking and then someone took a shot at you." Dox's face hardened. 
                          
"We did it, Doxy." I smiled. 
                          
"What?" 
                          
"This means we are on the right track. We have found the bird's nest and now they're stirring." 
                          
"Riv, you need to focus on the fact that I failed you." 
                          
"What fact?" I mocked sipping more water. 
                          
"I promised you wouldn't get hurt. Looked what happened." He kissed my shoulder. "I should have done better." 
                          
"Don't beat yourself up, we needed this. This just shows how close we are. Someone is getting worried and this wimpy move is just a show. If your going to shoot me, they should have killed me, because now I'm after blood." 
                          
"River do you understand just how serious this is? You lost a lot of blood. I could have lost you. Forever." His voice broke and he kissed me on the cheek. 
                          
"But I'm okay." I rested my hand on his. "Thanks to my husband." 
                          
"I had to make sure they'd let me see you." 
                          
"Thank you for everything hubby." I laughed. 
                          
"Riv, you not just alive because of me. You're alive because of Nicolette too."