by Alexa Shaik
Ian popped his head, and she raised her head, just in time to see him.
“He’s here,” he said softly. She motioned for them to come in. Kendall walked behind Ian, clearly still shaken. She motioned for him to come to her, which he did. He sat on her lap and reached out for Keith’s hand. Kyra could feel the heaviness in his heart and tears slowly found their way down her cheeks.
“Hi Keith, it’s me Kendall. I’m sorry the bad guys did this to you and I hope you get better. I want you to wake up. So that we’re all happy again. Especially mom.” At that point, Kyra couldn’t hold it any longer. Her silent tears turned into sobs.
He reached into his pocket and got out a silver chain. There was the letter ‘K’ embedded in the middle. He put in into Keith’s hand and folded it.
“I got this for you. For good luck.” Ian wiped a tear from his face. He was on the opposite side of the bed, pondering. He had been with Kendall when he got the chain. He had asked him to help him choose the right one. He was amazed and deeply empathized by his innocence.
“You want to tell him about what you’ve been doing? Keep him updated?” she asked. He started with school and his friends and continued talking. Kyra listened, her eyes closed. With Keith in the hospital, she hadn’t been home much, so she hadn’t seen much of Kendall. The more he talked, the calmer she got. She wasn’t crying anymore, and her heart felt a little lighter.
“Can I sing him a song?” Kendall asked, when he got tired of talking. They had been there for a while, and Ian had gotten them both a coffee and some milk for Kendall.
“Sure, go ahead,” she said as she put his stray hairs into place. His hair curled around his forehead pretty much the same way Keith’s did. He got up and went by Keith’s ear.
I see a tree…
A willow tree
Is it grandmother Willow?
Do you think she would respond?
If I tell her what’s in my heart
Willow, oh willow
If you’re listening
Grant me this wish
Be my genie… He heard a raspy voice join him.
Kyra put her hand over her mouth and started crying again. She could not believe it. Before her own eyes, was Keith, awake and singing. Kendall had on the biggest smile known to man.
“He got up! He got up!” he was excited beyond control. Ian was still in shock, trying to absorb all that was happening. Kyra was in a mix of emotions, laughing and crying.
Keith was squinting, still adjusting to his surroundings. “Hey, buddy,” he said, his voice still dry and let out a smile.
“Kyra…” he lifted his head as she stood to look at him. She was a mess, her eyes red and puffy, and her hair was all over her face.
“Keith… hi!” she rubbed his forehead, still covering her mouth. Ian got him some water and brought it to his lips.
“Ian...” He took a few gulps of the water.
“I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” he let out a half laugh.
“I came so close to losing you, again.” She said, kissing his hand.
“You’re not going to get rid of me that easy…” he plopped his head slowly back into the pillow.
Kyra closed her eyes. She wanted to remember this moment. For all eternity.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The doctors came in and did a few checks on him. Ian, Kyra and Kendall stepped outside. They all went in for a hug. The one thing they wanted in the whole world, was slowly unraveling right in front of their eyes. Kyra felt a sense of peace wash through her. Kendall had his arms tightly around her waist. She kissed his forehead.
Dr. Alvarez stepped outside. “He’s in a stable condition. We need to keep him here for a few more days, run a few more tests, make sure everything’s alright.”
“Thanks, Doc.” Kyra stretched out her hand.
She shook it. “I’m glad he’s awake. Have a good day, Ms. Sparks.”
Keith propped his head when Kyra came in. Ian had gone with Kendall to get him food, and away from the hospital environment for a while.
“Kyra…”
“Keith…”
“You have no idea how good it feels just to say your name. How good it feels to just…” he stretched out his hand, and started caressing her cheek, “…touch you, see you.”
She kissed him, tears flowing down her face. He kissed her back, passionately and yet, so tender. They came up for air and pressed their foreheads together.
“I missed that too,” he said, his voice, a mix of husky and sexy.
She laughed. “I missed all of you.”
“Kyra… I have loved you ever since I met you. With every ounce in my body. From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were the one for me. You have blessed my life, in more ways than I could ever imagine, and made me a better man. Leaving you five years ago was the worst decision I ever made, but I knew it meant protecting you, so I did. And I feel bad that I can’t take all those days back…”
“Keith… where are you going with this?” she asked, trying to figure out what he was going to say next.
“But I can do something about the days to come…” he slowly propped himself until he could sit properly and proceeded to pull back the sheet that was covering him. Kyra was trembling all this time, not knowing what to do.
He put a hand over his abdomen, and slowly took a knee.
“Keith…” her lip was trembling so fast, “what… wh… what…”
He reached out for the jacket that Ian had left, and from the pocket, took out a ring box. He opened it, and inside was the most beautiful, precious diamond ring Kyra had ever laid her eyes on. She was completely speechless.
“Kyra Emery Sparks, will you marry me? For the second time?” he chuckled.
She opened her mouth, still speechless.
“Say yes, Mommy!” she heard a voice behind her and she turned to see Kendall and Ian, both smiling so wide their cheeks probably hurt.
“Yes, Keith. Yes!” she found herself pouring out the words. Her heart was beating so fast. He placed the ring on her finger, and she kneeled. Their lips locked, Kendall and Ian clapping and cheering. Some of the doctors and nurses heard and came into the room, joining in the clapping and cheering. Kyra flashed the ring when they came up for air, her face beaming. Keith looked at her, with a look so precious and with such great love, all the women were ‘aww’ing. Kendall ran to hug his mother, feeling like the luckiest kid in the world.
“Ian!” she motioned for him to join them. He hugged his sister, grateful for the moment. His twin was beyond contented. And that’s all he needed. He helped Keith stand up, giving him a wink. Kyra caught the wink.
“So, I guess you were in on this,” she elbowed her brother.
“Anything for my little sis,” he said, planting a kiss on her forehead.
“I know everything too, mom.” Kendall said. “I know he’s my dad.”
She looked at Keith.
“I had to tell him, when I asked if I could marry you. Before all this.”
“You planned this before everything happened?” she asked, going in for a hug from her now fiancé.
“I didn’t want to waste any more time,” he pulled her in tightly, with all the strength he had.
She looked around her. The crowd had slowly left, and now there was just her, her brother, her son and the love of her life. She looked up, “I love you, Keith Gorbachev.”
“You better, Kyra Sparks.”
THE END. REALLY, THAT’S THE END.
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