"When two people really care about each other, they will always look for a way to make it work, not matter how hard it is." - Unknown

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NIKKI POV

Emergency General Hospital

The next two days, I was up too early because I'm too excited to leave the hospital. I felt so much alive and well. The doctor said my spinal cord was injured, but I never felt anything odd or pain.

My eyes darted to Alex who was silently snoring on my side. He was reluctant to sleep in the bed on my side last night because he's scared he might hurt my back, but now his legs are all tangled on mine and his hand was around my waist. I can't complain, I beg him to sleep with me. I felt bad for him to sleep on the chair. He doesn't wanna go home even if I was mad already. He is really persistent to stay no matter what.

So reluctantly, I had to ask him to sleep in my side since the bed is big, but he looks like he was so comfortable than I'd like him to be. I hate to admit, but I love the feelings of him close to me. I actually fell asleep right away and slept the whole time.

I stared into his calm face. He looks peacefully sleeping. I tried not to make a lot of moves so I won't wake him up. I know he didn't sleep much the past month. He had dark circles around his eyes. I'm glad he shave last night. I almost didn't recognize him.

I slowly and gently untangled myself out of him. He stirred but he fell back asleep.

I slowly crawled out of the bed and walk slowly to the washroom. I walked into the opened washroom and did my business. I wash my hands as I look my face in the mirror. My lip color was back, but still it looks dry and chopped. I lick it to diminished the dryness. There's a color in my cheeks now compared the last two days, but I still look like a zombie with my bedraggled hair. I run my fingers through my hair and it felt oily. My nose involuntarily scrunched as I felt gross and disgusting.

I never had a good shower yet. I need a real one. I'm glad I'm feeling normal. For the last two days, I felt so weak that I can't even barely make two steps. Alex made sure I eat a lot and for two days I had regained my energy back. I wash my face and grab the toothbrush that Alex brought three days ago when I woke up, then brush my teeth. I put the toothbrush back on the cup and wash my mouth. I walked back to the bed and sat on the edge.

I watched him quietly as I waited for the doctor to do his rounds. They usually come to check on us early morning. I checked on the time it's almost ten. I heard a clicking of shoes approaching our door. Then, Dr. Peterson showed up with her nurse. They both look surprised to see him lying peacefully on my side. I put my finger on my lips, motioning them to stay quiet and gave them both an apologetic smile. I know it's odd for a patient to hushed the doctor and nurse, but he needs his sleep.

Dr. Peterson just shook his head and smiled nonchalantly.

"How are you?" he asked in a soft voice as he smiled.

"I feel better," I smiled cheekily.

"It looks like," he said with deep meaning as he grinned mischievously. He nonchalantly took the chart from his nurse and read the data whatever written on the chart.

He asked me about my back if I feel anything pain, or a headache, or nauseous, or sore on which part of the body. The nurse checked my blood pressure. They poke and prodded me here and there to make sure I'm quite well to leave the hospital.

"You look surprisingly very well, Nicki." He stared at me with joy. "So you want to be discharged today, right?" he asked for confirmation.

"Yes, doc!" I exclaimed excitedly in my low tone. For some reason, I felt so close to him.

He chuckled. "Call me Raniel." I beamed at him sheepishly. After reading my chart, he smiled. "Great. Call me in case you suddenly feel something weird," he smiled. "Send someone to the information desk to sign some papers before you can leave. For now, I wish you, good luck and well, Nicki." Dr. Peterson explained and they left.

I can't believe he was still sleeping. I got up and walked to the door. Just as I was about to grab the knob, someone twists it and pushed open. I back up quickly before I was caught with the door and the wall.

"Nicki, sweety, are you ok?" Hailey asked worried with Max behind her holding which I believe some foods.

"I was just about to go out and walked around," I replied nonchalantly. I could smell the chicken and It's making me feel hungry.

"How do you feel? Are you feeling better?" Max asked with fondness.

"Yeah. I think I can go home today. I feel so much better, I think." I replied happily. I can't wait to get out from here. If I stayed longer I would never be ok. The smell of the alcohol and the hospital is literally making me sick.

Hailey and Max walked in. "We brought you some foods. Popeye's chicken, fries and some drinks." Max happily exclaimed as he places the plastic bag on the table. "I hope you like it. Mara mentioned it to me that you like Popeye's chicken," Max inquired hoping Mara was right.

"Ohh... Thank you! Yes, it's my favorite. I know it's not healthy but I love Popeye's chicken," I exclaimed excitedly. I can't wait to eat it. The thought of it is making me drool. I was thinking to wake Alex up when Hailey speak up.

"Where is Alex?" Hailey's brows furrowed in curiosity. I looked in the bed's direction and saw him still peacefully sleeping. I guess a month of no sleep, that even a loud bang of pot or pans won't wake you up, or even a blaring siren of an ambulance could wake him up.

"Oh, my poor boy..." Hailey cooed which made me rolled my eyes unconsciously. He's old now for heaven's sake.

"Selina and Mara are coming to bring you some clean clothes so you can have a shower," Hailey stated casually after.

Great. I felt so dirty and uncomfortable. I don't know how Alex could kiss and smell my oily head. Or was he just polite not telling I smell disgusting? I felt embarrassed at the thought.

I walk to the bed and thinking to wake him up when he stirred and maybe he felt his parent's presence and he opened his eyes and bolted upright. He looked to me and suddenly his face painted with worries and like a lightning he was beside me holding my hand.

"I can manage, Alex," I chuckled. He still looked so handsome in his scruffy hair, crumpled shirt, and a bit puffy eyes, not sure if because of long sleep or because he was crying a lot lately.

I didn't realize we already reach the bed. Alex scooped me and I squealed in surprised. He gingerly put me down on the bed while the couple was just watching us with happiness. Hailey's eyes were twinkling with mirth while Max was grinning in amusement. I felt the flush creeping over my cheeks.

Hailey opened the plastic bag and I was waiting excitedly as I watch her pulled out a paper plate and deposited it on the table, then a box full of juicy fried chicken and another box with fries and few bottles of pop.

Alex took one paper plate and tray under the table and put the plate on the tray. Then he was about to fill it with chicken breast when I stop him.

"I don't like the breast," I exclaimed as I shook my head in disapproval. Alex just looks at me cocking his eyebrow, nevertheless, he didn't utter any word and filled it with two chicken legs, a thigh, and fries. He took a packet of ketchup and tore the tip with his teeth and tug it open. He squirt the ketchup in the plate and hand it to me carefully not spilling the content on my lap. He lay the try on my lap and I thank him and quickly devour the chicken. I was so hungry that I don't care if I eat like a pig.

I saw Hailey and Max pulled two chairs from the corners and place it, a meter to us. And they watched us as they talked animatedly.

Alex gave me a few pieces of wipes when he noticed I was done with my chicken and I thank him. I noticed he wasn't eating. He was watching me happily.

"Are you not gonna eat?" I asked incredulously. He didn't eat last night either.

"I will eat, of course, I just wanna make sure you'll feed first," he said happily.

I rolled my eyes. "That was your line last night, mister, and as far as I remember you didn't eat after I was done eating," I replied with rising temper.

"Alright, alright," he said in resignation. "I'll eat some. Only if you eat some more," he bargained as he smiled in surrender.

Even without asking I would still want some. It feels like I could eat the whole box of chicken. And I don't understand why a couple of legs and a thigh with handsful of fries that would usually make me really full is not enough. It seems like I didn't eat anything. Weird. I guess, I'm catching up for the last month I didn't eat.

"Alright. Give me more two dark meat please," I smiled as I hand him the tray with the paper plate.

"Can you have breast, please? You already had dark meat. Too much fat not healthy for the baby." Alex cajoled with his worried eyes staring at me.

"Just for now. I don't like white," I pouted. For some reasons, I don't want the white meat. I used to eat white meat because I know it's less fatty.

"He can have some more dark Alex, just for now. Maybe the baby wants dark meat. Sometimes, pregnant moms crave weird stuff," Hailey defended me and smiled to his son reassuringly. "Few pieces won't make her really fat instantly, honey," she added sweetly.

"Mom you should know better than me! And you never like us to eat this, isn't it?" Alex chided as he widened his eyes on her which the old lady just ignored. "Fine, but just for now. We need to give you more healthy food," Alex muttered in exasperation, nonetheless, he grab two more thighs and place it on a new paper plate and gave it to me.

I smiled sweetly and started digging, ignoring Alex constant groaning as he watched me eating my chicken. "Aren't you gonna eat?" I retorted sharply as I gave him a sharp look when I noticed he didn't move after he gave me my plate.

"Fine. Then, he grab a plate and reluctantly filled it with chicken breast." He hated popeye's chicken, I knew that. I chuckled triumphantly. His friends will surely praise me when they found out their stubborn friend finally had tasted the Popeye's chicken. I grinned widely. The look on his face while eating the chicken was priceless.

I didn't realize I was chuckling as I watched his face disgruntled every bite.

"Finish then your chicken!" he chided giving me his irritated look. He's obviously pissed.

Finally, he finished his chicken agonizingly. He grunted once in a while which made me laughed often as I watched him finished his food. As soon as we are done eating. Mara and Selina walked in. Mara was holding a paper bag which I believe, some clean clothes for me.

"I talked to your doctor. I saw him in the lobby and I asked if how are you. He said you can go home anytime?" Mara said excitedly as she walked to the bed placing the paper bag on the foot of the bed.

"Yes, I talked to him this morning, too," I announced as I smiled. Everyone's eyes were staring at me waiting for my words except Alex whose looking at me dumbfounded.

"I can go home now!" I uttered without waiting for him to talk. I knew he's mad the doctor caught him sleeping in my bed and not even up until his parent's arrived. For some reason, he seems like he doesn't like the doctor. I don't remember the doctor did something offending or said something that may offend him.

"Great!" everyone's applauded in happiness except Alex. He put his hands in his pockets as he looks at me in exasperation.

*****

ALEX POV

That bastard sneaked in again under my nose. I can't believe I didn't wake up during his rounds to her.

And why didn't she woke me up? Ohh.... I'm so mad. Thinking I wasn't there when he hold her hand.

Mierda!

Again my temper is flaring up. I had to shake that thought of that bastard out of my head or my temper blasted.

"So can we discharge you now?" I asked in urgency. I want her out of this room or this hospital soon. That prick will be out of this area soon. I didn't realize my voice was cold and gruff.

"Yes. Raniel said that I'm alright and I could get out here anytime," she explained warily. Raniel huh? Now their on first name basis. That dick! I felt relieved though their first name basis didn't suit me well. "Can someone of you fill the papers so I can leave soon?" she asked but her eyes was still locked on mine. I know she's referring to me.

I had to shake the temper off and think of the positive things to make me feel happy. I thought of her living in my penthouse. I got so excited.

I decided to do the paper works as I called the hospital board member. I know dad and Jayson Clarke has the highest shares in the hospital, but dad appointed Clarke as the President and CEO of the hospital since he's in-line of this field. He's in the position and has held since 1999. He is trained as an Orthopedic surgeon having attended Medical School and completing his residency at the University of Medical School in Barcelona.

I wanted that prick out here maybe send him somewhere, where I won't see him again.

The signing of her release that day was done and I had talked to Jayson myself. I met him few times whenever there's any business conference of the CMM Innovation Solutions. He protested when I told him to moved Peterson to Madrid. We have another hospital there. He knew when I decided something, nobody can defy it. Besides, we are not losing him. We just have to relocate him. And sure enough, he agreed with no further argument or question.

When I came back to the room, Nicki was already dressed in new clothes. Mara had helped her showered. Rodrigo helps us carried our things to the car as I'm holding her hand. She refused me once but I insist. Mom and dad already left to their penthouse. It was my dad's penthouse. He bought the hotel and redeveloped it when mom told him to get a divorce. Dad stayed in the penthouse most of the time. Then, I just found my dad abandoned the penthouse but didn't sell it. He offered it to me since my penthouse is not big enough for us when the baby comes out. We will surely be needing a nursery room and a playroom.

I wanted her in my room but my mom told me not to surprise her. So I decided that she will occupy the master bedroom and I'll occupy one of the guest ensuites.

She protested at first for not staying with me, but my family and her family connived in my plan, so reluctantly she gave in. I was so happy when she finally agreed after a long battle with her, trying to reason out that she have a high chance of miscarriage and I wanted to personally watch her.

Mom sends Judy to help us in everyday chores. Dad offered her to occupy the 41st floor which is just before our floor.

*****

NIKKI POV

Alex insists on holding my hand so I reluctantly gave in. He doesn't look like he's going to give up anyway. For some reasons, he became so persistent since the accident.

We were walking to the hallway to the lobby when I remember to say goodbye to Raniel which made Alex groaned in disapproval and I'm getting confused why he's acting so strange to the Doctor. I just glared at him for being not grateful.

I pulled my hand out of his hold and walk to the information desk where two ladies were sitting busy on scribbling behind the counter. Alex was following behind and soon standing beside me. The young lady was ogling at him openly as she batted her eyelashes at him. He smiled at her. While the old one was looking at him apprehensively. Then she looked at me. I smiled at her sweetly and smiled back at me.

"How can I help you?" the old lady inquired with her friendly smile.

"I was wondering if where is Doctor Peterson's office?" I asked casually and I looked at Alex's grim face. I nudge him with the elbow and he smiled at me but it didn't reach his eyes. The young girl who looks like a nurse was openly flirting with him and I'm getting irritated. She was asking a lot of things about him and the jerk was responding sweetly. He was definitely enjoying the attention he gets from her.

"I thought I saw him passed by." The old receptionist replied unsurely.

"Yes. He was actually in a hurry with his briefcase. I never saw him walked back in. Probably he's off for today!" The young girl replied casually to me. Then she turned her eyes to Alex and smiled sensually again.

At least, she's of use! I thought.

I smiled at them both as I thanked them and pulled Alex away, almost dragging him away from her eyes.

"I see you are so well!" Alex remarked as he chuckled and snaked his hand around my waist possessively and led me outside the hospital. I huffed in exasperation.

We reached his penthouse. I knew his penthouse building was elegant but the building in front of us was luxurious and taller than the hotel he lived as far as I remember. The street is not familiar to me.

I didn't say anything. I'm guessing he bought a new penthouse. He can, right? He's the sole heir of the CMM Innovations and Solutions and stockholders of biggest companies in the world and owns half of Barcelona or probably half of Spain. He's a billionaire, so I'm damn right!

Rodrigo pulled in front of the tall luxurious hotel building and took all our bags outside the trunks. Alex stepped out of the car and walked to my side and opened it. He unbuckled my seatbelt before I could reach it and helped me out of the car. His hand snaked around my waist and led me to the door. I didn't see Rodrigo anywhere already. The guard opened the door for us and greeted us warmly.

We walked in the beautiful, shiny tiled floor lobby of the spacious hotel. Everything screams of luxury. My dad hotels were also known as luxurious but this hotel was no way just luxurious. It's an understatement.

Soon we were standing in front of his penthouse door. He punched the code instead of using the keys and seconds later I heard a clicking sound and the door was unlocked.

He pushed the door open and I stood there frozen as my eyes looked around the fabulous place. It's a two-floor penthouse. The hotel penthouse on Carrer de Valencia occupies the 42nd, and 43rd floors of the Central City hotel and has eight rooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens with long counters and a center island and three fireplaces beneath twenty-three-foot ceilings. The opulent home gives 360-degree views over the city center, Barcelona Central Park and the biggest university in Barcelona and for even better views, the owners can step onto one of the two terraces.

There are arched cathedral windows and fireplaces designed in the 19th centuries including one in the private gym. Other features include a Swedish sauna, a powder room, a private elevator that service all two floors and the big kitchenettes as well as the main kitchen. There's also a grand wooden staircase, a library with 18th-century paneling and a guest suite with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and two living areas located on the second floor. The grandiose of the property was overwhelming. I felt I don't belong in here. It was just like a dream to see and much more to live in here.

"Dad bought this hotel fifteen years ago and redeveloped it," he mused, with his eyes scanning the extremely extravagant room. "This used to be his penthouse, he gave it to us. Welcome to our new home! I hope you like it!" he declared warily.

So that's why. What happened to his old penthouse?

Probably where he will take his mistress. You're not the wife yet missy! my subconscious mind teased.

*****

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And oh thank you to @padmani for the kind words which motivated me and bring out the best in me (I hope) and of the ending of this book (will be updated soon). Thank you. You're amazing!!!