***
Jake had been mildly excited earlier but now, sitting on the edge of the bed, he felt discouraged. He didn’t know what else he could do to make his presence known. Jenny didn’t believe and Rob’s cop brain was fighting him all the way. It would take a miracle. Touching Kate’s face, he spoke softly. “Baby, I don’t know if you heard any of that. I’m desperately trying to think of how I can get out of this situation I’m in, but it’s not looking good. In fact, it seems hopeless. I don’t know what else to do. If you came back to us it would make things so much easier.” He brushed his quivering lips across her cheek. “I’m running out of time. Baby, you have to wake up. I need you. You really are the only one that can help me. Please!” Was it selfish of him to need her to wake up to help him when she had enough on her own plate? He didn’t want to wait to see what The Organization had planned for him. He was done with that shit. He wanted to take Kate away and live a quiet life. He’d more than paid his dues. Suffered for the sake of ‘bringing down those scumbags.’ After getting close to Kate again he knew that she was his world and when he pictured his future, he could only see her in it.
As he ran his fingers over the bandages on her head, he was startled by more movement. Kate’s head turned to the side.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kate felt out of it but was glad that she was beginning to gain some sensation back into her body. She was feeling human again. Along with that came discomfort. Not pain but rather a dull squeezing of her skull. Like something was wound tight around her head.
The fatigue was so immense, she felt like she hadn’t slept in a month. A debilitating lethargy that had taken her body hostage.
Jake was close. A recognized presence. And then a gentle, feathery softness pressed onto her cheek. Juicy and lush like a ripe plum, lingering for a moment that wasn’t long enough for Kate. At the loss of contact she felt bereft and wanted to cry out for more but her mouth wouldn’t open to get the words out. Her heart yearned for the touch and she could hear it speed up in response.
As if hearing her silent pleas, Jake’s tender caresses began on her forehead. The squeezing pain was still there but seemed to lessen with the delicate stroking. As tired as her physical body was, her soul hummed, perfectly synchronized to the touch. Without even trying, her head turned, knowing what it needed more of. Kate felt such love and devotion emanate through the source of the almost rhythmic, hypnotic brushing across her brow.
Had she been able to, she would have jumped at the gasp that sounded next to her ear as the stroking stopped, followed by an utterance of shock.
“Kate? Baby, you’re back, aren’t you? I knew you could do it! I’m here right beside you. I won’t leave you.” There was awe in the words. Awe at her. Another gentle kiss on each eyelid. The clasping of fingers through hers and then gentle circles rubbing the back of her hand.
The low, gravelly, decadent voice was one that called to her. A soothing tonic seeping through her. A picture formed in her mind of Jake. A splendid image of male magnificence. The hard planes of his sculptured body, lithe and strong. Chiseled, angular jaw and cheekbones that only paled in comparison to the luminous eyes and rich, full lips.
Those first echoes of memory were filled with him and only him. A driving need to have him hold her and never let go. Most of her mind was still murky like dirty water. For now all she had was the man beside her.
With the increased beeping of that annoying machine, chaos seemed to ensue.
Other voices raised. “Shit! Her head’s turned! Get someone! Hurry!”
A familiar lady’s voice calling out, “Nurse! Nurse! Come quickly!”
The scuffling of feet and the sense of more than one person surrounding her.
Jake’s hold on her broke away, leaving her panicked and afraid.
Come back! Don’t go, Jake. I need you. Stay with me! You promised you wouldn’t go.
The excited lady’s voice was high-pitched. Kate could imagine her waving her hands around as she spoke.
“Her head! It turned!”
Strange words in response from a male and then silence for a minute before the animated lady spoke louder, frustrated. “Her head. Turn. Move. This way.” Why was she speaking weird all of a sudden, like talking to a toddler?
Movement. Closer. “Che cosa sta dicendo infermiera?” the male asked.
“Dice il paziente giro la testa.” Kate had vaguely heard the voice before, almost as if in a dream.
“Si.”
Other hands not so gentle lifted her arm and pressed down on a pulse point while another grabbed her head and moved it from the side to the front and then fingers were trying to pry open her heavy eyelids to shine a blinding light into her eyes. She couldn’t see anything other than spots, so therefore couldn’t see who was manhandling her. She wanted the gentleness of Jake to return. She needed to know he was nearby at least.
More foreign words were spoken by the man with the deep voice. Kate’s brain couldn’t even try to convert the words to English.
A familiar voice that filled her with warmth piped up, putting an end to the confusing dialect.
“How is she, nurse?”
“Her pupils are less dilated. Tis good. Pulse good, too. BP 110 over 80. Normal. I say-a our patient is-a coming out of coma very quick on-a her own. I never see-a this before. Tis not supposed to-a happen so fast. She-a very strong.”
Relieved whispers in the background broke through the strangers’ voices. “How long until she opens her eyes?”
“Not-a know yet. Vitals good. She’ll open them when-a ready. Could be today, could be-a next week. We-a remove machines, though.”
“It’s going to be okay, Rob. It really is. For the first time since arriving, I feel that everything will work out.” Kate loved the sound of that voice.
“You have no idea how relieved I am. It’s truly a miracle, that’s what it is. If you had seen her when we found her on that ledge, honey, I didn’t hold out much hope.”
“In a way I’m glad I didn’t see her like that. I don’t know how I would have coped. As it is, it’s bad enough seeing her hooked up to all these machines.”
Kate smiled internally at the comforting sounds of love filling the room. It caused her to drift off to sleep.
***
Jake watched from the chair in the corner as Kate was unhooked from the machines and the breathing tube was removed from her mouth. Excitement wasn’t enough to describe how he was feeling in that moment at seeing his love be changed from critical to serious but stable condition. He watched her lips pull together as the breathing apparatus was removed and a legion of wires were unhooked and moved to the side.
For a few seconds the heart monitor skipped a few beats but then seemed to find its own natural rhythm again as everyone, including the doctor and nurse, seemed to sigh with relief at the joyous sound.
All Jake wanted to do was go over and kiss those lips but he had to be content to wait until the room settled down and the medical staff left. He listened on as the nurse mentioned that they would keep Kate in ICU as a precaution until she woke up and then move her into a general ward with other patients. He didn’t like that idea and preferred her to be in her own room but the small hospital obviously didn’t have the space for such a request.
As long as he knew she was going to be all right, he could focus on trying to get himself out of his own predicament. That was not going to be an easy task.
Once the medics had exited, Jake heard Rob and Jenny organize going to eat a decent meal at the hospital café.
Jake was grateful for the peace and quiet and alone time with Kate, so he moved over to her bed and climbed up to lie down with her again, carefully placing the flowers he’d so delicately laid out earlier back in the vase.
The change to Kate was apparent when Jake touched her. It was hard to put into words but there was a distinct firmness to her and he could feel her life flowing beneath his fingers. Not that she hadn’t been firm to touch when they�
�d been back at his mansion. She’d just been more pliant. Now as he ran his fingers gently in circles on the inside of her wrist he could clearly feel the blood pumping through her veins. Yesterday, there had barely been a pulse. She’d been a shell, clinging to a tiny shred of life.
With the breathing apparatus gone he had full access to her perfect mouth. Looking around out of habit to see if anyone was walking past, even though they couldn’t see him, he placed a soft kiss on her lips, hovering for a moment before lying his head down beside hers and tracing the very spot his lips had just been with his thumb. His mind wandered to their amazing time at his beach house. Kate had given herself to him freely and had held nothing back. God, he loved her. She was his now whether she wanted to admit it or not. He would fight for her this time and nothing would stop him. He’d prove to her that he was worthy of her love. Even if he stayed a ghost forever.
With his mouth almost touching her ear, he whispered, “You’re my everything, baby. I need you so much. You have no idea. I can’t stand being away from you anymore.”
He nearly leapt off the bed when her head turned and a very croaky, weak voice muttered, “Jake.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kate knew a miracle was taking place as her body came alive again. Jake was beside her, touching her, talking to her, calling her back. His voice filled her with love. It was like she could feel her cells regenerating at his encouraging words. The increased flow of blood at his touch. The sensitive nerves healing beneath his fingers.
She turned her face towards him slowly and decided to try and speak.
With parched lips and throat she formed his name with her mouth and with great effort, something resembling the word ‘Jake’ came out. It took all the strength she had but she wasn’t done yet. She needed to see him beside her. If she could move her head and mouth, surely her eyes would open. It felt like they were fused shut by the oppressive heaviness.
Kate felt Jake jump at the sound of her voice and then his hands were all over her face.
“Kate? Oh my God! Kate! You’re awake! You spoke! Baby, you’re gonna be fine. You made it!”
Kisses lavished her face as if in worship. They sent tingles through her with their softness. She could feel him smiling as he kissed her. Her eyelids fluttered in the effort it took to try and open them.
“Where…?”
“Shhh. Don’t try and talk. Save your energy. You’re in the Alma Mater hospital in La Spezia. You had a fall but everything is okay now. Everything is great.”
Kate wondered if the words were more for Jake’s benefit than for hers.
She couldn’t piece together what he had told her. There would be plenty of time for that later. She was just so relieved that he was by her side and that she wouldn’t have to face recovery alone. She knew she had a mountain to climb but as long as Jake was with her everything would be all right.
She rattled out another word. “Stay.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. Always.” His unexpected gentle kiss on her mouth almost took her breath away, and as hard as it was to move her lips she tried as hard as she could to reciprocate. A little moan escaped Jake at her ever-so-slight response.
She fought her heavy lids with all she had, wanting more than anything to see Jake. For a very brief second she opened her eyes, letting them focus on his surprised and elated pools of blue. They were somewhat blurry in the dim light but she could make them out.
“Hey,” he crooned warmly with such love shining out at her. A dazzling smile lit up his face.
Kate’s mouth slanted slightly at an attempt at a smile. “Hey.”
Her lids closed again for it was just too much effort to keep them open.
“Welcome back, angel.”
That was the last thing she heard before she drifted back into sudden, deep slumber.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kate stayed asleep throughout the night, Jake never leaving her side even though at different times he had to move to the other side of the bed to allow access for Rob and Jenny, who returned to the room after eating a meal, and Darla, who regularly came in to do her rounds. He always tried to keep in constant contact with some part of her. To let her know that he was still with her even while she was sleeping.
Darla was in every hour on the hour, elated that her patient was making progress, talking to Kate in the same cheery voice that she had the day before. This time she could communicate with Kate’s parents and have a two-sided conversation.
“Hello,” she chirped as she breezed in like a breath of fresh air.
Jenny and Rob both replied at the same time. “Hello.”
“You must be my lovely’s parents, yes?”
“That’s right,” said Jenny softly.
“Well, I bet you’re so relieved that her vitals are back to normal. We were all pretty worried. She’s one tough lady, that’s for sure.”
Rob walked over to the chair near the window and sunk into it, pulling off his shoes and undoing the top button of his shirt, looking more relaxed. “We’re very grateful to you all for taking such good care of our daughter. She wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for the doctors and nurses here.”
“You’re welcome, but most of her recovery has come from her sheer determination to survive. I don’t know how she’s done it because I’ve been nursing for the last six years and have seen some horrible injuries. Many of the patients with injuries similar to Kate’s haven’t made it. We’re all very shocked that she’s out of the coma on her own and so fast. Normally we have to bring the patients out of it. Someone has been watching over her, I would say.”
Jenny and Rob exchanged a look and Jake knew it was in relation to their earlier conversation. Jenny said, “Yes, well, whoever it is, let’s hope they keep doing what they’re doing to help Kate’s recovery.”
“Amen,” said Darla, taking Kate’s vitals before practically skipping out of the room.
Jake smiled at the positive energy she brought into the room. Rob and Jenny seemed more upbeat even though he could tell how fatigued they were. He wished he could tell them to go find a hotel and get some sleep. He’d be watching over Kate for the rest of the night.
They still didn’t know that Kate had spoken and probably wouldn’t until morning. He hoped she’d come around again and be more alert while her parents were in the room. They needed to see for themselves just how much better their daughter was.
Robert looked settled in the armchair, or as settled as he was going to get. His eyes were trying to stay open, but losing the battle as he closed them before jerking awake a second later.
Jenny walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “You rest, Robert. I’ll wake you if there’s any change.”
“What about you, Jen? You look exhausted.”
“I’ll be fine for now. Don’t worry. If I get too tired, I’ll have a nap for a while.”
Robert smiled at his wife as his eyes closed again. “Love you, honey.”
“I love you too, Rob.” Jenny brushed his hair back with her fingers and left him to rest. Within minutes his deep breathing could be heard above the beeping of the heart monitor.
Jenny pulled the chair beside the bed to be closer to Kate. She grabbed her daughter’s hand and held it while she tried to get comfortable.
The hospital kept up its constant noises that were quieter than during daytime but didn’t totally disappear. The odd buzzer rang out every now and then, drawing nurses to rooms to tend to patients’ needs. The faint sounds of nurses talking down the hall at the desk and trolleys being pushed down the hall kept up for most of the night.
Jake wondered how anyone could get a good night’s sleep but then looked over at Rob and decided that if a person was tired enough they’d sleep through anything. Jenny didn’t fall into deep slumber but merely dozed off and on.
All they could do now was wait.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The first sounds to hit Kate’s brain were the regular beeping
of the heart monitor and what sounded like heavy breathing. Was it hers? Had she been snoring? Listening closer revealed that it wasn’t hers but someone close by. Definitely male. Carlos?
Ugggh. Why did she cringe at that name? He was her boyfriend. Her lover. With that thought came a feeling of betrayal she couldn’t pinpoint. Her stomach churned with unease when it shouldn’t have. Damn it, if she could just remember. Her head felt swollen like a melon and the discomfort she’d experienced when she’d briefly woken the night before had worsened. In fact, her whole body felt like it had been put through a grinder. Raw and throbbing. And what was with her eyes? Were they ever going to fully open?
Someone was gripping onto her right hand with all their might and the warmth heating her on the left could only be one person. All-encompassing love surrounded her from both sides, providing much needed comfort to her otherwise alien world. Whose soft hand was holding her right hand? A nurse, maybe? No. It wasn’t a stranger. It felt familiar also, although in a different way than the person on her left.
Her curiosity grew. A need to find the owner of the soft skin. She turned her head to the right, feeling a dull throb reach her temples and shooting pain behind her eyes that made her wince quietly.
Kate had no idea what time it was or even what day it was. How long had she been in the hospital? She’d need to ask Jake later. First, she needed to survey her surroundings.
Once her head had adjusted to having moved, she let it sink into the pillow and opened her eyes as far as they would allow, straining against the weak muscles. The fuzzy image of a person hunched into a chair sat beside her with their arm outstretched. She blinked a couple of times to try and get rid of the haze, finally able to focus better, although it still wasn’t perfect vision.
A moment of confusion had her suck in a quick breath as she tried to figure out how it was possible for the person beside her to be in Italy.
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