HE STARED at the body lying down in the hospital bed, heart monitor beeping. He didn't know what to do, it was like he was frozen. It was odd seeing her like this: lifeless, pale, cold. He was so used to her smile that it was hard for him to accept her frown.

   He clutched onto her frail, cold hand. He remembered how warm it would be when his hand kept freezing in the winter. He liked that about her --- her warmth. He loved it when her tiny little hand would rest upon his beating heart.

   Ever since the accident happened, it was so unorthodox coming home alone. He was so used to seeing her lying on her stomach, reading a novel on the floor; feet swinging up in the air. Now, when his body makes it through the house, a chilling atmosphere emerges from the absence of his beloved wife.

  When he'd go to bed, he didn't feel anything else but empty. He would sometimes turn around to the other side of the bed so he could inhale the scent on the pillow she'd lay on. It was sort of like when he was in California and she in Texas, the agonizing torture of being alone overtook him.

As he would lie on the empty bed, he would stay up at night; regretting the times where they'd argue and he would say they were better off being apart but together. The truth of the matter was this: They needed each other like they needed air. And because God was so kind to them both, He gave them each other.

  Stroking her ice-cold hand with his thumb, Dylan began to grow teary-eyed as the never-ending horror of her being still haunted him. He missed his woman. He missed everything --- he even missed her getting mad at him. Yes, half (if not all) of the times they argued they were stupid reasons, but at least he knew she was alive.

"Hey love," Dylan began, wiping away the tear that had fallen freely on his face. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I just wanted to let you know that I love you, okay?" he tried not to let the tears fall, but they started to. He quickly wiped them away. "You're going to make it through this. You're strong, baby girl."

  He kissed her hand, hoping the warmth from his touch and warm lips would radiate heat throughout her body.

  "I love you." he placed another kiss on Valerie's wrist. "I'll see you tomorrow."

  It pained him to leave her alone, but he knew that if he didn't the nurse would kick him out. He got into his car, and started to drive home; the slight pang at his chest accelerating the farther he drove from the hospital grounds. There was nothing else he could do.

Except wait.