Zarah

Luke, Ethan, and I followed the nurse to Jason's private room. He was placed in the same room he was in before the surgery.

"He looks like he's just sleeping," Ethan said.

I nodded.

I looked around him and there were tubes and machines everywhere. His head was covered in gauze. He was hooked on the machines surrounding him.

I stood a few feet away from him. I couldn't move.

Luke and Ethan went over to him and talked to him. Saying that they were so proud of him and that they were waiting for him to wake up.

When they were done they looked back at me.

Luke motioned for me to come closer.

I slowly moved closer not taking my eyes off of Jason.

"We're gonna go back to the private room, I know you want to stay here with him. We'll give you some privacy," Luke said.

I nodded. "Thank you."

"No. Thank you," he said. "Thank you for making my brother happy."

I look up at him and smiled.

He hugged me tightly. Ethan did and said the same thing to me before they left.

I took Jason's hand in mine.

"Hi honey," I said. "I'm so proud of you for making it through the surgery. You must be tired, so just sleep and gain your strength. But don't take too long sleeping okay? I need you to wake up soon. I love you so fucking much," I said echoing his words. "I'm going to be right here when you wake up. I'm not going anywhere."

I grabbed the chair over at the table and moved it next to the bed so I can be close to him.

I noticed the book I had with me, still sitting at the end table.

The letter... He told me about the letter he wrote.

I walked around the bed and grabbed the book.

I opened the page where the letter was.

To: My Angel, it said.

A part of me wants to read the letter, but a part of me doesn't. He wrote this letter in case he didn't make it, and I told him that I wasn't going to read it because he will make it. And he did.

I look back at my husband.

"You made me curious you know," I said. "I want to read this so badly, to know what you wrote inside. But knowing you, I think I can already guess what you wrote in this letter and the answer is no. I could never love another the way I love you so don't even think about leaving me," I said. "Don't you dare leave me Jason Bradley Henderson!" I said sternly.

I put the letter back in place and put the book back on the table.

Then I smiled at him.

My husband. My sweet and loving husband. Always thinking about me and always wanting to take care of me.

I walk over to him and kissed him on his cheek.

"I love you baby, so fucking much," I said.

I don't know if he can hear me, but other people say that sometimes they can. So I'd like to believe that he can hear me. I want him to know how much I love him and that I'm waiting for him. We're waiting for him. I placed my hand on my stomach protectively.

"Your daddy loves us very much," I said. "You're one lucky little peanut."

***

Zio Alphonso came by a couple hours later and checked on him and the machines.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"His vitals are good and getting better. He's a strong man. I have every confidence that he's going to be alright. We just need to be patient," he said.

"Thank you," I said.

"You should get some sleep. It's not good for the baby for you to be staying up late. Make use of that sofa if you don't want to leave him," he said.

I looked up at him in surprise.

"You were rubbing your belly when I came in and you have that glow," he winked.

I smiled. "Thank you."

He nodded and left.

"I'm going to be right over here honey. On the sofa. I'm going to try to get some sleep. Zio's right. It's not good for the baby for me to stay up late. I love you honey."

I walk over to the sofa and settled down.

Just a nap, I said to myself.

***

Bright lights came into the room. My eyes fluttered open. I flinched at the sudden brightness.

I look over to Jason and he hasn't moved.

The door slowly opened and Massimo and Marco came in.

"Hi Zarah bear," he said.

"Hi. Did you see Luke and Ethan?"

"Yeah. They went to the hotel to shower and get changed. They'll be back soon."

I nodded.

"How's everything?"

"He's still sleeping," I said.

"Here we brought you some breakfast," he said.

I nodded and walked over to the table.

"Thanks."

"You guys don't have to be here you know."

"You shouldn't be alone..."

"I'm not. I'm with my husband," I said gruffly.

He smiled and nodded in understanding.

"Sorry, I just..."

"Don't apologize. I understand. The others will be coming a little later," he said and kissed my temple.

I nodded.

An hour later and our family gathered in the private waiting room that was designated to us.

Ara came in to check on me.

"I'm okay. Tell everyone not to worry about me. And thank them for me, but really guys you don't have to be here. You and Ellie have your kids to worry about."

She smiled. "It's okay the nannies are with them along with mamma and Papà. Evelyn's there too with the kids. We want to be here with you, Zar. For Jason."

I smiled and nodded.

***

It's been two days. Two days of the same thing.

Waiting.

Two days of endless doctors and nurses coming by to check on him, and still no changes.

They said that that's a good thing because it means that he's holding his own.

They also said that I should continue what I'm doing because it seems to be helping. His vital signs were improving.

The only thing is... He's still unconscious.

Another day has turned into night and nothing.

I look outside the window.

"I was thinking we haven't talked about where we're going for our honeymoon yet, babe," I said and looked over at him.

I smiled and walked over beside his bed.

"So, what do you think? Where should we go? I was thinking we could go to Maldives. I haven't been there, but I heard it's beautiful out there. What do you think?"

No answer. That's how it usually was. I would talk to him endlessly hoping that he would finally wake up and answer me. Then sometimes I would read to him. But still nothing. Then I'd go back to talking to him. Talking about anything that comes to mind.

"I have the first ultrasound scheduled for next month. I'm sure by then you'll be stronger. If not we can always move it back. I'm so excited about our baby. I know you are too. My goodness. I'm going to be a mom. And you. You're going to be a dad..." My voice broke off in a sob.

Anguish and despair gripped my chest.

I burst into broken sobs.

"Baby, please. Jason. God honey... Please... Please talk to me," I begged. I buried my face on his arm.

Damn it. I didn't want to cry in front of him. I didn't want him to hear I was crying. He hated it when I cried.

"...love you and peanut."

I pushed away from his arm.

"Honey? Jason?"

He said peanut.

He called our baby peanut...

He must have heard me all this time.

"Love you and peanut," he croaked out.

I pushed off my chair and stood up.

"Oh god honey."

His eyes fluttered open slowly. He blinked a few times.

I broke of in fresh new sobs again. "Jason... You're awake. You're finally awake. I knew you'd come back to me," I said as I hugged him carefully.

"I had to come back to you and peanut. I couldn't leave you and peanut," he said.

I laughed. "Yes. I would have been really mad if you had," I said.

"Marry me?" He asked.

I laughed. "We're already married," I reminded him.

"I know but remember I told you, I want the whole package," he said.

I smiled through my tears. "Whatever you want honey. Yes I'll marry you again. And again. And again. As many times as you want," I said laughing.

"Fuck yeah!" He exclaimed.

I laughed then kissed him. He kissed me back.

"I love you angel," he said.

"I love you too. So fucking much."

He laughed.