Then he looked at me, “Are you, his Darling?”
The tears I had been holding back with a sheer force of will I had no idea where it had come from, suddenly vaporized, and I didn’t even try to hold them back.
I nodded, and smiled a shaky smile, “How is he?”
“He was conscious when they brought him in; therefore, he was able to tell us what had happened. But before I tell you how things played out, as he was on my table.” He smiled at me, “He asked me to tell you, his Darling, that he loves you. That he won’t leave your side. No ifs nor buts about it. Those were his words.”
I chuckled softly, “Yeah, that’s my Carter.”
Then he proceeded to tell us everything that had happened.
Thankfully, he had pulled through surgery from a ruptured spleen, and they said that he suffered second-degree burns.
Misty’s hand had tightened so hard at one point over mine that I winced but didn’t say anything. Yes, he was the love of my life, but he would always be her son.
She was the first woman to love him, and I would be the last.
The rest of the family arrived shortly after.
Once we told them all that we knew, a nurse came and got us, but they only allowed one person at a time in the ICU.
Before I could offer Misty or Frank that option, they both had shaken their heads.
Misty wrapped me in her arms and whispered, “No more of this Misty nonsense. You hear. I’m Mama or Mama G. Just choose one of those. I loved him first, but you’re going to love him last. Go be with your heart, precious.”
Hugs were given.
Cheeks were kissed.
Frank and Misty got a hotel room along with the rest of the family.
Then I was led to the room that Carter was in.
Nothing could have prepared me to see him lying in that hospital bed.
Wrapped up in bandages. Connected to machines. Tubes attached to his body.
A comfortable chair was pulled up beside Carter’s bedside, and there I stayed.
My small hand was wrapped around Carter’s strong hand.
“I love you, Carter Griggs. And I can’t wait to be your wife, but it would seem that I already am. Usually, you ask a womanbefore you give her that title. Or in my case, that honor. Because I would be honored to be your wife. Forever and always.”
As the minutes trickled by, I kept talking to him.
Hours had passed, and my voice was getting raspy when Misty and Frank walked in,
“How is he?” Misty asked.
I shook my head, “No change.”
Misty nodded, and I sensed that she wanted a few minutes alone with him, but her heart wouldn’t allow her to say it.
Smiling to myself, I stood and then asked, “Okay if I run to the hotel and get a shower, and change my clothes?”
I gestured at myself, as I was still in the same clothes from three days ago. Yeah, that was totally fine.
She smiled as her shoulders dropped slightly.
