Chapter 24
It was mid-morning before Richie woke and stood to stretch. The young nurse he’d met on a previous visit was in the room moving about taking notes on the readings of various monitors that Dominique was hooked to. He gave her a sleepy smile and said, “Mornin’.”
“Good morning, Mr. Sambora.”
“How do her vitals look?”
“They’ve steadily gotten stronger. She knows you’re here.”
“I hope so,” answered Richie looking down at his sleeping girlfriend. “Is there somewhere I can get a cup of coffee?”
“The nurses’ station right across the hall. You’re welcome to get some from there.”
“Thanks.” Richie leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Dominique’s lips. In a whisper, he said, “I won’t be long, ‘Princess’….I promise.”
As Richie started to stand back up, her eyes began to flutter open and she tried to speak.
Richie’s heart soared. “There are my beautiful green eyes,” he smiled.
The young nurse immediately left the room to let the doctor.
Dominique tried again to speak again but became frustrated.
“Don’t try to talk, Dominique. Santadio shattered your jaw when he was beating you and Noah had to wire it shut.” Taking her hand in his, he said, “Squeeze my hand if you’re in pain.”
She squeezed his hand once as a tear slid down her cheek.
Richie turned to look for the nurse as she came back into the room. “Could you get something for her…she’s in pain?”
“Dr. Drake will be here in a minute.”
As she was saying that, Dr. Drake appeared. “I hear we have someone awake.”
“I gave her a kiss and she opened her eyes,” answered Richie.
“Maybe you should have kissed her sooner,” teased Noah.
“If I’d known that was all it would take, I would have,” smiled Richie gazing into Dominique’s eyes.
“Let me examine her and see how she’s doing. Why don’t you go grab some breakfast?”
Dominique panicked hearing the suggestion that Richie leave her and she squeezed his hand.
Richie saw the tears and fear in her eyes and realized what was going on. “Hey, hey….no need for tears, ‘Princess’. You’re on your dad’s island and this is Noah…you’re perfectly safe.”
Dominique managed to mumble, “Promise?”
“Cross my heart,” smiled Richie as he made a cross on her heart. Leaning to her, he placed a kiss on her lips. “I love you.”
