Page 71 of Eternal Pieces

Sensing my struggles, he straightens up, his brow furrowed with worry. “Max. There’s nothing we can do for Vi right now. But these little ones need us. Come say hello.”

I miss being the level-headed one. This would be so much easier if I could stop every worst-case scenario from playing on a loop in my head.

“Max. Do it for her.”

For her…

“You staywith them. I’m going to wait with Violet.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “I’m not having her waking up alone.”

“I’ll come with you then.”

“No. One of us should be here.”

He lets out a shaky breath and blinks away the tears burning both of our eyes. “Text me as soon as she’s awake.”

I turn to leave, but don’t make it a single step before he gives me the biggest bear hug.

“She’ll be okay,” he tells us both.

I should be getting some rest so I can function once Violet wakes up, but I can’t take my eyes off of her.

The doctor told me that the anesthesia should have worn off by now, and she’ll wake up in her own time. A selfish part of me wants to wake her early. Just so I know she’s okay. But my rational side has finally returned, and I’m letting her rest for as long as she needs.

Mad is still in the NICU. We’ve been texting each other updates, and he’s sent photos of the triplets. I can’t bring myself to look at them.

My eyelids are heavy, they have been for god knows how long, and it’s hard to tell if I’m hallucinating or not, but I swear I hear Violet’s soft laugh. When I look at her, I find her still unconscious.

Hospitals fucking suck.

It’s been over twenty-four hours since she was supposed to marry Mad. We should have been at home celebrating our union in every sinfully sweet way possible. Instead, we’re stuck in a limbo I know far too well.

The sun’s starting to set, and rather than close the blinds, I open them wider so that when Violet wakes up, she can see the sky. “You’d love this sunset, sweetheart. It’s so pink. Reminds me of?—”

“The lake.”

“Violet?” I spin on my heel. “Are you really awake?”

“I hope so, otherwise this is the afterlife. It’s quite nice if it is.” She’s smiling at me. God, that smile. I felt like I was losingthe most precious piece of myself this last day, and that smile has pushed it back into place. Right where it belongs.

I take my seat next to the bed and slide my fingers through hers. “This is real. You’re awake.”

“Something feels different…” She blinks a few times as she looks around the room, eventually settling her gaze on me. “Where’s…” trailing off, her eyes wander down her body. She lifts the sheet and tentatively touches her stomach over her gown. “Ifeel different.”

“Careful.” I gently grab her wrist, being extra cautious not to knock the IV in the back of her hand.

She looks around the room again. “Where are they? Where’s Maddox?”

“They’re all in the NICU.” I see the sudden frantic questioning in her watery eyes, and I answer everything before she wastes her strength asking. “They’re all healthy. Just very small and needing some extra help. Mad’s been keeping watch over them while I’ve been here with you.”

“How long has it been?”

“Only a few hours since your surgery.”

“I want them back,” she cries, rolling her head into the pillow.

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