Page 86 of I Knew You
Bram shrugged and pointed to where Hunter had been. “Wasthatnecessary?”
I rolled my eyes. “He was just saying hi, Dracula. Don’t get your cape in a wad.”
“I’d love to take a fucking bite out of him.”
“Stop.” I laughed.
After a brief meeting with a very confident Dr. Kaveh, they were ready to wheel me back to the operating room.
“I’ll give you a moment,” the young nurse said as she closed the curtain and stepped out.
Bram stood and reached for my hand. He tenderly kissed the thin gold band on my ring finger, his lips warm on my cold skin.
“It’s a pretty routine surgery,” I reminded him.
Based on the look on his face, he was more upside down than I was.
That is love.I heard the words in Grams’ voice, and my eyes misted.
“I know. I’ll be here when you get out, sweets,” he whispered as he reached down and hugged me and pressed his lipsto my own, just for a moment. “You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever known.”
“You saidshe’d be awake thirty minutes ago. Are you sure she’s okay?” Bram’s deep voice sounded like he was attempting to whisper, but he failed. As my eyes peeled open, I saw him facing a white coat-clad intern.
“S-she’s fine, Mr. Winchester,” the poor young woman stammered. “Her vitals are good. It’s just a matter of time?—”
“But you said?—”
“Bram,” I croaked. His eyes snapped to me instantly.
“Julianna,” he whispered as if I were returning from a long journey, and he hadn’t seen me in years. He hurried to my bedside. “Thank God. Are you okay?” His hand went to my head, smoothing back my hair. Comforted, I smiled.
“I’m as well as I can be,” I said, my voice scratchy.
“Mrs. Winchester, how are you feeling? Any pain?” The junior physician walked over to the side of the bed, checking my IV line and bags carefully.
“No pain, I don’t think. I’m just groggy and weak,” I whispered. “And thirsty.”
“Here.” Bram all but threw a small cup of ice water at my mouth. I sipped it, reaching up and using my hand to steady his shaky grip.
“Thank you,” I croaked, looking up and meeting his eyes, letting him know as much as I could with a gaze that I appreciated him.
“Groggy and weak is to be expected,” the woman continued. “We will keep you on the morphine pump overnight, and we’ll get you moved into a regular patient room within the hour. The doctor will come in and let you know what wasaccomplished. I can tell you that everything went exactly as planned.”
“That’s great,” I replied. I heard her clearly, but the information was not sinking in, and my eyes were closing slowly.
“I’m going to be staying with her tonight,” Bram said, holding my hand in his. He spoke to the intern, but he looked at me.
“Mr. Winchester, we do recommend you go home overnight,” she said, looking hesitant as she spoke. Bram’s brow was furrowed, and his eyes narrowed on her slightly. “She’ll have two nurses in the hall, and?—”
“Thank you, but I’ll stay the night with my wife.” Shivers ran down my arms and legs at his possessiveness. At least I knew I wasn’t numb.
“I think he’s staying with me.” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood even in my weakened state. “And I want him to stay, please.” It at least made the young woman smile, and she continued to look at me while she spoke, ignoring Bram’s pointed glance at her.
“Don’t try to get up on your own. Please let your husband,”—she glanced over at Bram, then back to me—“or a nurse help you. We’ll keep your catheter in overnight. I’ll let you know when your room is ready, and then we’ll transfer you. Then Dr. Kaveh will be by later.”
“Thank you so much,” I said. I watched Bram’s eyes track her retreat through the curtain.
“Will you ease up?” I muttered, suddenly feeling a little nauseous. Bram took a seat beside my hospital bed. His hand hadn’t left mine, holding it firmly but not too hard, like I was the most precious piece of crystal.
