Page 198 of Rose
“I finally rose from the ashes… and it was because of him. The man who saved me in ways I could never save myself. God, he is my savior. Please… give him another chance to be loved as a son, a man, and—”
Her voice broke. She took a shaky breath.
“A father. Please… I can’t do this without him. In your name, Amen.”
For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet hiss of oxygen. Then—warmth. Movement. A twitch beneath her palm, his fingers flexing… then brushing softly against her stomach.
Her eyes flew open.
Savior was looking at her. Awake. Tears streaked his face.
“Savior!” The word tore from her chest, loud and shaking. “You’re awake!”
She laughed and cried all at once, gripping his hand like she’d never let go. “Oh my God… nurse! Nurse! He’s awake!” she shouted into the hallway, her joy spilling into every word, every tear, every heartbeat.
The doctor burst in with two nurses at his heels, his eyes widening at the sight of Savior blinking up at them.
“He’s awake—okay, let’s move,” he ordered.
The nurses moved fast, their hands steady as they carefully unstrapped the breathing tube.
“You’re going to feel some pressure, Mr. Carter,” the doctor said evenly, guiding the tube out.
Savior grimaced, a muffled sound in his throat, but didn’t fight it. The moment it was gone, he coughed hard, the sound ragged and raw. His throat felt like it had been scraped with glass.
Ahzii stood there, tears streaming down her face, but for the first time in a week, they weren’t from fear. They were relief.
“He’s stable,” the doctor said, glancing at her with a professional but softened tone. “This is a great sign. The next forty-eight hours are critical. We’ll keep him on oxygen support and monitor for infection due to his wounds, organ stress, or any signs of trauma flaring up.”
Ahzii nodded, her hand still anchored to his, her gaze locked on him like she couldn’t believe he was real.
“He may be disoriented, sluggish, maybe even agitated,” the doctor went on. “Keep the room calm. Speak gently. Report any changes—confusion, trouble breathing, fever spikes. His body’s healing, but he’s not out of the woods yet.”
She nodded again, but her attention never left Savior’s eyes. They were glassy, wet, locked on hers in a silent conversation only they could hear.
“I… sor—” His voice cracked, broken from disuse.
“Don’t talk just yet,” the doctor interrupted gently. “Small sips of water only for now. We’ll get you started on fluids soon.”
“Thank you,” Ahzii whispered, her voice breaking as she looked down at him, brushing a tear from his cheek.
Savior looked back, weak but present. And that was enough. She didn’t need words. He woke up, and that’s all that mattered.
She tipped her head back, whispering a thank you to God under her breath.
When the doctor finished his checks, settled the oxygen mask over Savior’s face, and confirmed his vitals were holding steady, he left with the nurses, leaving them alone.
“Oh my God, baby… I thought I lost you.” The words dissolved into sobs as she gripped his hand.
Savior reached up and yanked the oxygen mask away before she could stop him, pulling her down into the bed beside him. The movement made him wince, but he didn’t care. He needed her close.
“Baby… I’m going to hurt you,” Ahzii said, trying to pull back.
His grip only tightened.
Her smile trembled as she reached for the cup of water, guiding the straw to his lips. “I know your throat’s dry, but the doctor said small sips,” she murmured.
Savior obeyed, taking slow pulls even though every cell in his body screamed for more. She pulled it back before he could drain it.
