All I hear are the beeps from the machines surrounding me and tearing me apart piece by piece like a puzzle. Every sound is another pull at my heart. My world hangs in the life of these machines. It’s a waiting game and one that I’m not enjoying at all. I want him awake, I want him to talk to me and to comfort me in only the way he can. Another tear slides down my cheek as I plead with everything I can for him to hear my pleas and to wake-up. The doctors say he will wake up soon, but that ticking clock is like a time bomb and I’m waiting for it to explode. Corban has been in this coma since they brought him here three days ago. Three days too long I’ve sat, waited and cried many tears for the man I love. They operated on immediately and removed the bullet that was lodged in his chest. I sat in the waiting room staring at the same wall for I can’t remember how many hours but it felt like an eternity at the time.
I don’t know what he was thinking barging into the apartment. When I saw him lying on the ground in a pool of deep red blood, his blood, my world came to a halt. Everything surrounding me faded away and there was nothing I could do. I felt so helpless. He should have left it to Blake and the rest of the police force, but no he had to get in on the hero action and now he’s lying in this bed fighting for his life.
Thankfully though, everything with the babies is perfect. I had a scan as soon as I arrived at the hospital. As painful as it was for me to leave Corban’s side I couldn’t do much but wait. They had my doctor check me out, and anxious didn’t even begin to describe how I was feeling. I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was losing Corban, and now, I thought I was going to lose the last little pieces I had that reminded me of him. As soon as he placed the scanner on my tummy, my eyes darted to those little humans. Waiting, holding my breath, I prayed to see the little flickers on the screen and to hear the sound of their heartbeats. I waited for what seemed like an eternity…then I saw them. I released the breath I was holding while watching those little flutters and hearing the rhythm of their hearts. It was a song to my ears and it gave me hope that I could make it through this difficult time.
Abby and Blake have been amazing. Abby has been here every day. I know she feels guilty about everything, but I don’t have it in me to worry about her guilt right now, I can only reassure her so many times before it becomes hard for me to hear her say sorry again. Having her here helps me through this terrible time and I’ve told her that I only need her to be here and support me. Rachel hasn’t left Corban’s side either except to go home and shower then she comes right back. No matter what, there’s always myself, Rachel, or his parents by his side. Neither of us wants to leave him in case something happens.
After the shooting, Athena was taken into custody and charged with kidnapping. She’s one person I never want to see again in my life. The mere thought of her brings my blood temperature to boiling. I had begun to trust her. I thought she was my friend. I was wrong and stupid. I don’t know and don’t really care what’s going to happen with her. I’ve given my statement to the police and they’ll take it to the courts now. Catherine is heartbroken over the whole thing and can’t bring herself to bring it up at this point in time. Paul has organised an attorney for her, but only because of Catherine’s pleading, because he wanted to hang her out to dry. It’s sad that they feel this way but after the crap she pulled I don’t blame them. It’s not an easy situation. Rachel won’t even mention her name as she is dead to her now.
“How are you, Melodi dear?” Catherine’s sweet, sincere voice whispers throughout the room as her sad eyes move to her son.
How am I going? That is the million dollar question. How is one meant to feel when this happens? Broken. Scared. Hopeful that he pulls through.
“I’m getting there,” is all I manage.
“Have you spoken to your mom and dad?”
I nod. “Yeah, they went away for a small holiday. They should be here by the end of the day.” I’m glad Mum is coming because right now I need her. Times like these, a girl always needs her mumma to comfort her and tell her everything will be all right.
“That’s good.”
I take my eyes off the peaceful looking Corban, who’s lying unmoving in the hospital bed, tubes hanging out of his mouth, drips in his arm. It breaks me in every way possible. I plead with whoever is out there, “Please let him wake up soon. I need him with me.”
“How are you doing?” I ask, glancing her way, to only see the same pain on her face that’s mirrored with my own.
“I’m okay. I have faith he’ll wake up soon. It’s just taking his body a little time to recover.” She takes his other hand, rubbing it gently as a mother would.
“How’s Paul taking it all?”
Pain flickers in her eyes and tears begin to slide down her face. I get up rushing over to her, wrapping her in my embrace. We stand silently, shedding those tears once again together.
“He’s finding it very hard to come to term with everything that’s happened, with Corban being here and the situation with Athena. It’s broken him. She is his baby, and even though she’s difficult, she was always his favourite. Please don’t tell Rachel that.” She releases a little giggle as do I. If Rach had heard that, she would’ve flipped her lid and not in a very nice way. Maybe a week ago she would’ve laughed about it, but not now.
“Did the police find out how they got into your place?”
Standing back, I release her, looking directly into her eyes. “Athena made a copy the day I misplaced my keys when my parents were here visiting. She had taken them and then returned my keys to my desk at work. It looked as though I had left them there.”
Catherine covers her mouth in shock at what she had just heard. She shakes her head, turns and walks away without saying another word.
I take my place once again by Corban’s side, resting my head against his hand. Watching and hoping.
“Please, babe, wake up. I need to see those blue eyes open. I need you to hug me and comfort me. I need you in my life, you’re my future, my everything,” I whisper silently while placing a light kiss on his hand. I long for his touch once again, the way it ignites every cell within me is magical. He is my soul mate.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Abby
I’m about to walk into Corban’s room, and by walk, I mean hobble with crutches. Anxiousness gnaws away at my insides along with the guilt, guilt over all that I have caused. If only I could turn back the clock and do it all over again. I would make better choices. I wouldn’t have left my family, I would have told them about Jacob, and I could have had Blake there when I needed him and when his daughter needed him. I have Blake and Katie by my side, and it hurts me seeing the pain reflected in Melodi’s eyes and in every crease upon her sad face. She always puts on a happy smile when she sees us, but I can tell that it’s not genuine. After all, I am her sister and can read her easily. She puts on a brave face so we won’t see the pain that hides behind that mask she wears so well.
As we are about to enter, I hear her whispering to him, begging him to wake up. A lump forms in my throat and immediately think I shouldn’t go in there. Blake comes up beside me and wraps me in his arms. He’s been amazing throughout this whole experience, helping me and making me rest. He knows exactly how I’m feeling, because we have each other for support, yet here is my sister crying for her man in the hopes that he wakes up. They have told us that he will, but he needs time to heal.
I’m about to proceed through the door just as his doctor arrives.
“Good morning.”
With his greeting, Melodi looks up and see us, smiling. The looks she gives is genuine with no falseness behind it. Blake and I greet the doctor as we enter. I go around to Melodi and she stands so we can embrace each other tightly. So many unspoken words are said with a simple hug. She knows I’m not going anywhere now and that I’ll be here for her no matter what. She allows me to take her seat so I can rest my leg. She’s always thinking of others.