It had been two days since Finnigan emerged from the coma. Though still weak, his spirit was anything but. From his bed, he quietly observed Brielle—his wife, his crystal—moving around the room with determined purpose. She was trying so hard to prove she could care for him, even though he never asked her to.

Her efforts touched him more deeply than words could express.

Bored of the endless TV reruns and confined stillness, Finnigan slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed. He winced, gripping the IV pole for balance. Every movement hurt, but staying still was driving him insane.

Just as he began to take a tentative step, her voice broke through.

“Fin, what are you doing?”

Brielle was by his side in an instant, slipping her arm around his waist for support.

“I just wanted to take a short walk. Just down the hallway, then back,” he replied, meeting her gaze.

“You should’ve waited for me,” she said, concern furrowing her brow. “You can’t just wander off on your own.”

He gave her a mischievous grin. “Okay, Mom. I’ll wait next time.”

She rolled her eyes and gave his arm a playful slap. “Don’t call me that!”

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Are you on duty, or did you come just to check on me?”

“I’m on duty,” she smiled, warmth dancing in her eyes. “But I’ve got some time. Want to go for that walk, Mr. Byrne?”

Finnigan’s heart swelled. “I’d love nothing more.”

With her help, they ventured slowly into the hallway. He leaned heavily on her as they walked, the sterile corridor stretching out before them. After a few steps, his legs began to tremble.

“I need to sit,” he admitted, and she quickly guided him to a nearby chair.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly, her hand brushing up and down his arm.

“Just a little dizzy. Still sore.”

“Then let’s take it slow. No hero moves, alright?”

He smirked. “You just love nagging me, don’t you?”

“Only because you make it so easy,” she shot back, grinning.

“I never thought our first real date would look like this,” he mused.

“This isn’t a date,” she teased. “You still owe me one, remember? So get better and take me somewhere nice.”

Finnigan smiled, leaning into her touch. “Deal.”

They sat like that, wrapped in each other’s warmth, until Brielle’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen, then at him.

“I need to get back to work. Can you walk, or do you want the wheelchair?”

“I’m good,” he assured her, slowly rising. She wrapped her arm around him again, steadying his steps until they reached his room. She helped him lie back down, brushing the damp hair from his forehead.

“I’ll come back after my shift. Try to rest, okay?”

He nodded, eyes soft. “I’ll be right here.”

As she left, Finnigan closed his eyes, already missing her presence. She was right—bed rest was unavoidable for now.

Sometime later, hushed voices stirred him awake.

His parents and in-laws had gathered at his bedside. Blinking through the haze, he gave them a tired smile.

“Sorry, I must’ve dozed off.”

“You need rest, son,” his father said gently. “How’re you feeling?”

“Better,” Finnigan replied, shifting slightly. “Still feel like a truck ran me over, but better.”

“We're just glad you’re awake,” his mother whispered, squeezing his hand.

His father-in-law chuckled. “Can’t wait to get you back on the golf course.”

Finnigan smirked. “Careful what you wish for. I plan to beat you this time.”

The room buzzed with soft laughter.

Then, his father-in-law stepped closer, resting a hand on Finnigan’s shoulder.

“Thank you... for protecting my daughter.”

Finnigan looked him straight in the eye. “I promised you I’d love her for the rest of my life. That hasn’t changed.”

Outside the door, Brielle froze.

She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the words struck her like lightning. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she heard him promise to love her until his dying breath—a vow more real than ever now.

She took a shaky breath, wiped her tears, and entered the room. Her father, sensing the emotion behind her smile, made a joke to lighten the moment.

Soon, the parents took their leave, giving the couple a moment of privacy.

Brielle returned to Finnigan’s side. “Hey, handsome,” she said, climbing onto the bed beside him.

“How’re you holding up?” he asked, his fingers intertwining with hers.

“I’m good. Just… thinking.”

His eyes searched hers. “What’s on your mind?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Always.”

“Why do you love me so much, even after everything? These past three years… I’ve only ever hurt you.”

Finnigan blinked, surprised by the sudden vulnerability. “Why are you asking me this now?”

“Just answer me, Fin. Please.”

He took a breath.

“I fell in love with you when we were thirteen. You made me laugh. Your smile lit up every room. And your eyes…” he chuckled softly. “They shine like the sun. I could stare at them forever—if life didn’t require sleep and jobs.”

Brielle’s lips parted in surprise.

“You were also the first girl I ever kissed. The only one.”

“What?” she whispered.

He smiled. “You remember your birthday a few years ago? You didn’t come home for dinner. I knew where you were.”

“How?”

He chuckled. “We’ve been Facebook friends for years. Maybe you never noticed.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“And I’m sorry if that sounds creepy. I wasn’t stalking you—I just… I couldn’t help caring. From the moment we met, I knew. You were the one.”

Brielle’s throat tightened. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Yes, you do. I’d rather suffer with you than live without you. I knew if I waited—if I kept showing up—you’d eventually see what we could be.”

She broke down, tears cascading down her face.

“When you told me to let you go, I couldn’t breathe,” she sobbed. “It felt like the air was being ripped from my lungs.”

He wrapped her tightly in his arms.

“I was blind, Fin. I let my ego win. I pushed you away again and again.”

He wiped her tears gently. “I’m not like other men. I’d never hurt you. I’d rather hurt myself.”

And she knew he meant it—she had seen it with her own eyes on her birthday, when he chose pain over laying a hand on her.

“I love you, Brielle Elise Byrne. I always will. You’re my first, my only, my everything.”

She looked at him, utterly moved. “And I love you, Finnigan Lee Byrne. You might not be my first love—but you are my last. My forever.”

They kissed deeply, their love now raw, real, and no longer one-sided.

Together, in the quiet hospital room, they found healing—not just of the body, but of a heart that had once been shattered, now slowly piecing itself whole again.