Page 3 of Black Flag

He shook his headslowly, grimacing again.

“Try not to movearound,” she said kindly, checking the bandage and chest tube. “You’ve got anumber of broken ribs, and I don’t imagine it’s going to feel so great for awhile. Your neck will be very sore as well.”

He grunted as aresponse and shut his eyes.

“Thank you,” I said asshe moved to the door.

And remember, paws off!Mymind screamed toward her.

“No problem.” Shesmiled before shutting the door behind her.

It was quiet after sheleft. Jameson was lying motionless in the bed with his eyes still closed. Ishifted to sit in the chair thinking he’d fallen asleep when his hand liftedweakly.

“Stay?” he askedquietly, so quietly I had to strain to hear the words.

“I wasn’t goinganywhere,” I assured him, bringing his fingers to my lips to kiss them. They’rerough and warm, just like I remember.

One corner of his mouthtwitched into a small smile, a soft sigh escaped him. “Come here,”

“Huh?” I asked,confused looking to him for an answer.

“Up here,” he repeated,puckering his lips in an adorable way. His eyes drifted open, lazy and tired.

It was such a Jamesonthing to say, and the reprieve I felt was immense.“Yousure?”

He started to nod,winced, and instead breathed, “Yes.”

I leaned over gently,pressing my lips to his. In an instance I remembered the feeling.

“Mmmm,”he sighed, his tongue swept along his lower lip. “Thank you.”

“Anytime,”

He blinked his eyesopened, smiled at me, and then closed them again. His right hand wandered alongthe sheets, looking for mine. I took it, my chest tightened in happiness andrelief that he was showing signs of being all right.

“Are you...okay?” he whispered eventually,frowning. His worn vulnerable features held concern and confusion.

“Yes,” I assured him.Nervously, I bit my lip looking at his face. “Jameson...do you remember anything?”

His frown deepened.“Not really. I remember the race...Ithink.” he said, the corner of his mouth twitching again. “I won.”

I tried to return hissmile, but suddenly I was sobbing, clutching his hand, my entire body shakingwith the force of my cries. I had no control over my emotions. They were nowcontrolled by the baby.

I was so happy to seehim, awake and aware, and it weakened the tight hold I’d been maintaining on mymangled composure. I couldn’t lose him, not now, not ever. Burying my face inthe bed sheets, I eventually became aware of his hand slowly stroking my head.

“You’re...scaring me.” I realized he wasstruggling to sit up, and it snapped me out of my emotional shit storm. “What’swrong?”

“Don’t,” I sniffed,wiping my nose on my sleeve. “Stop, Jameson. Hold still. I’m sorry, I’m just soglad you’re okay.” I held my breath as tears threatened again, but I struggleduntil I had some semblance of control. “I was just worried about you.”

He was fighting thedopiness from the pain meds, but the concern showed plainly in his eyes.

I managed a smile, andhe relaxed, not taking his eyes from my face. I could tell it was costing him.“You should sleep,” I whispered, touching my fingers to his cheek. I strokeddown his arm, bare under the hospital gown. “I’ll be here when you wake up, Ipromise.” Sensing a restlessness returning, I was about to ask if he was allright when he spoke.

His eyes held mine, butdrooped sleepily. “Will you...tellme,please?”

“Tell you?” I frowned.“Tell you what?”

What would I have totell him? Well, I have something to tell him but was now really the time?

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