Alphonse’s expression softened. “You’re serious about my daughter,” he said quietly.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. You of all people should understand that.”
His smile faltered, replaced by a look of understanding. “You really care about her, don’t you?”
I nodded. “More than anything. I won’t lose her again.”
Ipaced outside the X-ray doors, waiting for them to bring Gigi out.
One of the nurses approached me, her eyes narrowing as she stepped in front of me. “Sir, you can’t be in this area. It’s against policy?—”
“Does it look like I give a fuck about policy?”
Her expression faltered for a moment. She took a deep, almost trembling breath.
I stepped closer, invading her space. “If you want to keep your job, I suggest you back the fuck off. I’m not going anywhere, and no one will stop me from seeing Gigi. Not you, not anyone. Do we understand each other?” I held her gaze, daring her to challenge me.
The nurse bobbed her head vigorously. “Y-yes sir,” she stammered.
She scampered away, and I resumed my restless pacing.
When the double doors opened wide, a nurse with dark blue and silver hair came into view, pushing a hospital bed with Gigi in it. My heart quickened at the sight of her. She appeared so fragile and vulnerable.
I stepped forward, urgency propelling me, and surprise flickered across the nurse’s face. “Let me take over.” I grasped the bed’s handles, but the nurse intervened, placing her hands over mine in an attempt to stop me.
My gaze shifted slowly from her hands to her face. I must have radiated a murderous expression because the moment our eyes locked, she hesitated, then withdrew her hands as though they had been burned.
With a barely restrained breath, I pushed the bed forward as I maneuvered my girl back toward her room.
As I turned the corner, I spotted Alphonse, Tabi, and Lo standing outside Gigi’s room, their faces drawn. Tabi’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she covered her mouth with her hand.
“Oh, my god,” she whimpered, taking a hesitant step closer.
I forced myself to ignore her reaction, focusing instead on getting Gigi back into her room. I navigated the bed into place, the nurse assisting me as we carefully positioned her and reconnected the various machines that monitored her condition.
After the nurse checked Gigi’s vitals, she tucked her pen into the front pocket of her scrub top and turned to me. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes,” she said.
I responded with a curt nod.
I pulled the chair up beside her bed, the wood legs scraping against the floor. I reached out, gently taking her hand in mine, feeling the coolness of her skin against my palm. With the pad of my thumb, I rubbed the top of her hand. I needed her to know with my touch that I was here, that she was safe, and that shewasn’t alone. The silence was unbearable, but I held on, willing her to wake up.
Alphonse stepped back into the room with Tabi, Lo trailing closely behind them.
No one spoke a word, and I was grateful for it; it would give me time to fucking think.
Alphonse moved to the window, but his gaze never left Gigi.
Lo leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his posture tense. Tabi took a seat in the only remaining chair, tucking her legs underneath her.
Our eyes were glued to her, a collective apprehension hanging in the air as if we all feared she might slip away from us at any moment.
A soft knock echoed against the door, but I couldn’t pull my gaze from Gigi.
The door opened, followed by sounds of light footsteps.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Morgan.” I noticed the woman was as tall as me when she stepped closer to Gigi.
“Are you all family?” she asked.
