I'm unsure how long Bart and I sat in the waiting room awaiting any word regarding William's condition when his mom arrived. Her face was twisted in anguish as her eyes darted around the waiting room, desperately looking for her husband.

When their eyes met, they rushed into each other's arms. Elaine shook with long, racking sobs as her husband held her, caressed her back, and whispered comforting words in her ear.

Pulling my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around myself, I hid my tear-stained face and prayed for William, pleading God to save the man I love. Images of him lying in a puddle of his blood and his pale, lifeless face keep permeating my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to eliminate those visions, but I couldn't.

A gentle hand touches my shoulder, causing me to look up. Kneeling before me is Elaine. Her wet eyes flickered with pain and concern as she wrapped her arms around me, and then Bart embraced us both.

No words are necessary.

"Hammond Family?"

Our heads simultaneously turn in the direction of the voice. An older man in blue scrubs with white hair peeking out from under his surgeon's hat is standing outside the doors that William disappeared behind when we arrived.

"Here," Bart called while we all stood up, wanting to hear what the doctor had to say.

The doctor walked over to us. "Are you William Hammond's family?"

"Yes," Bart answered for all of us.

"Hello, my name is Doctor Young. I wanted to inform you that William lost a lot of blood and is receiving a transfusion. According to the X-rays, the bullet missed his arteries and major organs. The transfusion can take up to a couple of hours to stabilize William for surgery. I suggest you get some food and rest. A nurse or I will notify you when I complete the surgery. Once he's stable, we must remove the bullet shell and mend the damaged muscle tissue. He's not out of the woods yet, but he's a strong young man. I don't foresee why he wouldn't pull through with flying colors."

We collectively released a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Doctor," Bart replied, extending his hand.

He shook hands with him. "You're welcome."

Dr. Young gave us a reassuring smile, then turned and disappeared behind the doors.

"Let's grab some coffee," Bart said as he released us.

"None for me, thank you," I reply. "My stomach isn't feeling the greatest right now."

He gives me an understanding nod.

"Why don't you two sit down, and I'll bring us back some coffee," he says, looking at his wife.

We sit. Elaine wraps an arm around me, and I lean into her shoulder, relaxed as sleep overtakes me from exhaustion and the feeling of hope that William will be alright.

"Nicole."

I'm shaken awake from hearing my name and am disoriented until I see my surroundings. The hospital. William! I quickly sit up, fully alert.

Dr. Young approaches us with his mouth curved up into a confident smile.

"William went through the surgery well. We were able to remove the bullet and repair the damage. He's currently in recovery and will be there for a bit. A nurse will come and get you when they move him to a private room; then, you can visit him."

"We can't thank you enough, Dr. Young," Elaine cries, her voice thick with emotion.

"Yes, thank you so much for caring for our son," her husband added.

All that I could do was shake my head in agreement.

After nodding, Dr. Young said, "He's out of the woods and should fully recover." He gave us one last smile before disappearing behind the double doors.

Bart grabbed us in his arms, and we all began to cry again, but this time, it was tears of emotional relief replacing our feelings of despair and uncertainty.

Forty-five minutes later, the nurse let us know that William was in his room resting; his vital signs were good, and we could see him for a few minutes. She advised us not to stay too long because he needed his rest.

I couldn't get to the elevator fast enough. William's parents were right behind me. I hit the up arrow, and we impatiently waited for it to arrive.

Once inside the elevator, I hit the button for the third floor. Three is my favorite number, so I took it as a sign that everything would be okay.

The elevator door opened, and we exited, looking for signs directing us to William's room. When we reached room 316, I didn't go in because I suddenly feared what I would see. Thoughts of William lying on the office floor, his blood-soaked shirt, and Bart's bloody hands flash through my mind.

"I can't go in,'" I whispered to no one, tears streaming down my cheeks.

A light touch from Elaine caused me to look at her.

"We can do this together. You're not alone; William would want you by his side. Remember what Dr. Young said? He's out of the woods and expects William to recover fully."

She takes my hand in hers and leads me into William's room. The color on his cheeks returned; they were no longer ghostly white. His eyes were closed, and he looked peaceful. The heart monitor showed a steady rhythm.

Seeing him like this calmed my heart as I approached his bedside to the left while his parents were on his right.

His mom and I each took a hand, and his father placed his hand on Elaine's shoulder. The relief in their eyes mirrored my own.

William squeezed my hand weakly, and he gave a half smile. His lashes fluttered open, and my heart swelled with love for my man. Words can't describe how happy I was to see his green eyes gazing up at me.

"Hey," he said gruffly as our eyes met.

"Hey," I breathed.

He turned his face towards his parents, and his mom's face lit up. I could tell his dad was struggling to hold back his tears. Bart had been so strong for us, and now his emotions surfaced upon seeing that his son was okay.

"I'm sorry," William told his parents.

His parents looked at each other and then back at William with their brows raised in surprise.

"Why are you sorry, William?" Bart asked, confused.

"The store, the money," William replied.

"I would give that money away if it meant you were safe and unharmed," his dad cried as he lowered his head. "I should've checked on you sooner."

"I'm all right, Dad," William says with heavy eyes.

A nurse appeared in the doorway, letting us know it was time to go.

"You get some rest; we'll be back later," his mom said as she leaned over and kissed his forehead.

His dad ruffled his hair. "We love you, son."

"Love you too," William responded, then looked at me.

The nurse moved out of the way, and his parents quietly left the room to give us a moment.

"Oh, William. I love you so much. The thought of losing you--" I couldn't finish my sentence.

"I'm right here and going to be okay, Babe."

The nurse behind me cleared her throat.

William squeezed my hand with more strength. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I tenderly kissed his rough lips and reluctantly left his room.

Bart dropped me off at the store to get my mom's car, and I drove home to a quiet house. It was almost 4:00 in the morning by the time I crashed onto my bed. My parents had no idea I had left or what had happened to William.

The sun shining through my open curtains woke me. Thoughts of William flooded my mind as I glanced at the clock. Upon seeing the time, I got out of bed and headed to the shower. William and I had planned a picnic at the lake; instead, we'll be together at the hospital.

When I go downstairs, my mom rushes over and takes me into her comforting arms.

"Nicole, I'm so sorry to hear about William. How is he?"

"He did well through the surgery. They were able to remove the bullet and repair the damage. The doctor said he'd fully recover," I answer with my head on her shoulder.

"Thank goodness," she replies, giving me an extra tight squeeze before releasing me. "I'll have to call your dad and give him the news. He wanted to be here for you when you woke up, but he had an appointment he couldn't miss."

"That's okay. Do you have anywhere you need to be today, or can I use your car?" I inquire while grabbing a banana from the basket on the counter.

She shakes her head. "There's nowhere I need to be; I was planning on catching up on some work here at home. You can use the car. I made blueberry muffins this morning, knowing you wouldn't want to take the time to eat before returning to the hospital."

I kiss her on the cheek. "Thanks, Mom."

After taking the muffin from her, I grab the keys and leave, wanting to return to the hospital.

When I arrived, a police officer was there talking to William. Hesitating to enter, he sees me, and his lips curve up, waving me into the room.

"I think we have everything we need. We'll contact your father to get the video footage of the incident. Thank you for your time," the officer says before closing his notebook. After shaking William's hand, he gives me a smile and leaves.

William pats the left side of his bed. "Hello, Babe. Come. Sit."

Making sure not to make the bed move too much, I gently sit beside him on his uninjured side.

"Come on; you won't hurt me," he says as he pulls me closer.

Leaning over to kiss him, I say, "Hi there, green eyes," and then brush my lips against his.

"Best medicine ever," he says with a smirk. "Seriously, the painkillers are right up there. The pain is excruciating when they wear off, but your lips are better than any medicine this hospital can prescribe."

Touching my forehead to his, I ask, "How are you?"

His smile fades, "Nicole, I was so fucking scared."

"I know, Baby, I was too."

The doctor was impressed with William's recovery. He's still in physical therapy and has over 80% of his movement back in his shoulder. With the help of the store's surveillance camera, the police were able to apprehend the men responsible for the robbery because they stupidly took their masks off while leaving the store. Due to the evidence against them and under the advice of their lawyer, they pleaded guilty to aggravated assault instead of attempted murder; they got sentenced to ten years and a $25,000 fine. It turns out that Hammond's wasn't the only place they robbed.

William and I can now look forward to our upcoming graduation with the realization that if that bullet had been one inch to the right or left, he wouldn't be here to walk with the rest of us to receive his diploma.