Page 42 of Together at Ruby's

Hating to see how torn up Allie was, Tate reached a hand toward her. “Hey, want to go take a break?” Tate said when Allie took her hand. The woman clung on tight.

Vivian nodded. “That’s a good idea,” she said. “While you were gone, we decided to each take shifts in case Nikki wakes up unexpectedly. Allie and I are here until nine tonight and then Rey and Marty will take the night shift.”

“They can’t stay here all night,” Tate said. “I’ll come back at three a.m.”

“Not without me,” Liza said. “And I agree we can’t let there be even the slightest possibility that Nikki wakes up and no one is here for her.”

“That’s what I was thinking too,” Allie added.

Standing, Vivian helped Allie up. “We will go downstairs and get a cup of coffee,” she said. “Text us if anything changes.”

“You know I will,” Tate said. As the other two left, Tate sat beside Liza and put her arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. For a moment they sat in silence and then Tate felt Liza’s body start to shake. Looking at her, she saw the woman’s face had crumpled.

Tears started to flow, and she let out a sob. “We can’t lose Nikki,” she said. “She’s a part of us. She’s closer to me than family.”

“I know,” Tate replied, kissing her temple. “I feel the same. But she will pull through this. Keep believing in her.”

Liza nodded and wiped her eyes. “But I can’t stop thinking about what if it was you, Tate? I can’t lose you.”

The tears flowed harder. “You’re never going to lose me,” Tate said, and she felt her own heart ache at the thought of ever losing Liza. She never truly loved anyone unconditionally until she met her. It made her realize she wasted a lot of time. Working too many hours took her away from the woman she loved.I am going to fix that, Tate thought.Somehow.

Sittingin the waiting room waiting for Allie and Vivian to return, Liza held Tate’s hand tightly. She rested her head on the woman’s strong shoulder and could not sit close enough. What she said was true; she was more afraid than ever about losing Tate. Things had been crazy between them, and she almost made horrible mistakes.But luckily, she thought,we found our way back to each other, and I’m never gonna let her go.Married or not, kids or not, it doesn’t matter. All I want is to be with her.

For a moment she thought about telling Tate what was in her heart, but then a young woman in light blue scrubs walked into the waiting area. Even under the sad circumstances, Liza noted the woman was very pretty. Strawberry blonde hair, friendly, but serious hazel eyes, and a warm smile that made Liza like her immediately. “Are you waiting for Nikki Vander?” she asked, and Liza nodded as she stood with Tate.

“We are,” Tate answered. “Is there an update?”It has to be good news,Liza thought.Or she wouldn’t be smiling, right?She felt her hopes rise.

The nurse shook her head. “Well actually, Nikki is already a challenging patient,” she said with a little laugh.

Liza smiled. “That does not surprise me,” she said. “Nikki is one-of-a-kind.”

“I’m beginning to realize that,” the young nurse said. “And even though she wasn’t supposed to be awake already, she is.

“She’s awake?” Tate asked and Liza squeezed her arm.

“Does that mean we can see her?”

“Yes,” the nurse said. “For a brief amount of time, but she’s asking for all of you. Particularly someone named Tate.”

Liza heard her girlfriend let out a long breath of what was undoubtably relief. “I’m Tate,” her partner said. “Can you take us to her?”

“Follow me,” the nurse said and buzzed them through the door before leading them down a corridor of doors, some closed, some open and filled with patients. “She’s right in here.” The nurse pushed the ajar door open. “Nikki?”

When Liza looked, she had to stifle a gasp. The woman’s face was pale under bruises and swelling. There was a large burn-like mark along one cheek that Liza guessed was from striking the pavement.Thank God she was wearing a helmet, Liza thought as Nikki opened her eyes. They were bloodshot and Nikki looked a little drugged, but Liza saw the essence of her friend in them and felt tears burn her eyes.

“Glad to see you,” Nikki croaked, and Liza and Tate moved closer to the woman’s bedside.

“Glad to see you more,” Tate replied, her voice filled with emotion.

Liza took Nikki’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re awake,” she said softly. “I was so afraid.”

For a second it looked like Nikki might smile, but then she winced. “You know you should never worry about me.”

The nurse cleared her throat at the end of the bed. “I’ll leave you three alone for a few minutes,” the young nurse said, and whisked out of the room.

Once she was gone, Nikki pointed at the door. “I’m going to marry that woman,” she said, and Liza raised her eyebrows.

“Who? The nurse?”

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