Part 41
AJ paced the waiting room puffing on a cigarette as he nervously waited for news on Chelsea’s surgery. He’d spent the entire night trying to reassure her that everything would be fine. As he made the turn, the door opened and a young nurse entered the waiting room. AJ all but pounced her.
“How is she?”
Smiling, the nurse said, “She’s just fine, Mr. McLean. She’s in recovery now and we’re getting ready to wake her.”
“Can I see her?”
“That’s why I came to get you.”
AJ quickly snubbed out his cigarette and followed her down the long hall. Entering the sterile room, he was shown to Chelsea’s bed and a stool placed beside her.
“You can talk to her but it might take her a little while to respond.”
“Thank you.” AJ took her hand in his and placed a kiss on the back. “Hey, ‘Beautiful’. They said you did fine. Now, all you have to do is wake up so I can see those beautiful eyes.”
Chelsea stirred a little and AJ stood to get a better look at her. Leaning over her, he brushed her hair back and placed a kiss on her lips. “I love you, my beautiful woman.”
“I love you, Alex,” mumbled Chelsea without opening her eyes.
Another nurse came over to check on her. “Has she started to wake up?”
“She just said that she loved me,” smiled AJ without taking his eyes off her. “How long will it take her to wake up completely?”
“About thirty minutes.”
“Is she okay?”
“All her vitals are strong. I’m sure she’ll wake up soon…especially if she hears your voice.”
“Thank you.” Alone again, AJ put his other hand on Chelsea’s so that both hands held hers. “I’m here, Chelsea.”
AJ fell silent watching as Chelsea continued to sleep. He had done this before, right after the wreck…he’d simply sat watching her, watching every little twitch she made, memorizing every minute detail about her.
“Mmmm. Alex,” she mumbled moving her fingers in his hands.
“Yeah, ‘Beautiful’. I’m right here.”
“Let’s get married.”
“When, baby?”
“You pick….somewhere on tour.”
“How about I propose to you onstage?”
Chelsea never answered and AJ’s mind raced. Did she really mean it? Did she want to get married? He wanted to be with her forever so why not get married? And where? Did she want a really big wedding or something simple?
Opening her eyes slowly, Chelsea saw AJ sitting beside her. In a weak voice, she said, “Hey.”
“Hey yourself,” smiled AJ. “How do you feel?”
“Everything is kinda fuzzy…like I’m in a dream or something. Was I talking to you?”
“Yeah.” AJ stopped. Should he tell her what she had said? Deciding against it, he said, “You called for me and told me you loved me.”
Closing her eyes, she said, “Mmmm, I do love you, you know?”
“Yea, I do know, baby, and I love you too.”
“I must have been dreaming.”
“About what?”
“I…..” she let out a big yawn.
“We can talk later, baby. Why don’t you go back to sleep?”
“Okay. Alex, stay with me?”
“Until they let you go, ‘Beautiful’.”
Chelsea was in recovery for almost an hour before they moved her to a private room. As she became more and more alert, she and AJ talked more about the tour coming up. He was trying to get an idea of when to propose and what city she would want to get married in. Even if she thought she was dreaming, he still liked the idea and somewhere deep inside, she must really want it too for her to bring it up.
