Chapter 5

He wanted to kiss her again, properly this time, but the hospital setting and her current state held him back. Instead, he brought her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "Rest now. I'll be right here when you wake up."

Ericka's eyes fluttered closed. "Promise?"

"Promise." He settled back in the uncomfortable plastic chair, still holding her hand. "I'm not going anywhere."

As her breathing evened out into the steady rhythm of sleep, Dominic watched her face. The harsh overhead lights cast shadows beneath her eyes, highlighting the exhaustion etched into her features. Had he done this to her? His chest tightened at the thought.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. A text from his advisor: Where are you? The meeting started 15 minutes ago.

Dominic typed a quick reply without taking his eyes off Ericka: Family emergency. Need to reschedule.

It wasn't exactly a lie. Over the past three years, Ericka had become his family in all the ways that mattered. The thought of losing her, of coming home to an empty apartment with no sticky notes, no off-key singing in the shower, no shared meals, made his stomach clench painfully.

A doctor pulled back the curtain, clipboard in hand. She spoke in hushed tones, explaining that Ericka's blood pressure had dropped dangerously low due to dehydration and exhaustion. She'd need to take it easy for at least a week.

"Are you the boyfriend?" the doctor asked, eyes flicking between them.

The question caught Dominic off guard. "I'm her..." he hesitated, then straightened his shoulders. "Yes. I'm her boyfriend."

The word felt right on his tongue. Natural. As if he'd been saying it for years instead of seconds.

The doctor nodded, giving him discharge instructions and a prescription for iron supplements. Dominic listened carefully, committing every detail to memory. He wouldn't let Ericka down again.

Hours passed as he sat beside her bed. He answered emails one-handed, never letting go of her fingers. Nurses came and went, checking vitals, adjusting the IV. Through it all, Ericka slept, her face gradually regaining some of its colour.

When she finally stirred, the afternoon sun was streaming through the small window, painting golden rectangles across the hospital blanket.

"Hey," she murmured, voice thick with sleep. "You're still here."

Dominic squeezed her hand gently. "I told you I would be."

She blinked, taking in her surroundings. "What time is it?"

"Almost four."

"Your advisor meeting..."

"Rescheduled," he said firmly. "You're more important."

The smile that spread across her face was worth every missed meeting, every class he'd have to make up. Dominic helped her sit up, adjusting the pillows behind her back.

"The doctor says you can go home soon," he told her. "But you need to rest for a few days. No classes, no late nights studying."

Ericka grimaced. "My Victorian Lit paper is due Friday."

"I'll email your professor. Explain the situation."

"You don't have to take care of me," she protested, but the words lacked conviction.

Dominic brushed a strand of hair from his face, "I want to take care of you," he said softly. "Let me. Please."

Ericka studied his face for a long moment, searching for something. Whatever she found there seemed to satisfy her, because she nodded slowly. "Okay. But I'm warning you, I'm a terrible patient. I get grumpy when I'm stuck in bed."

"I've seen you during finals week. I think I can handle it."

She laughed, a weak sound but genuine, and Dominic felt something warm bloom in his chest. He'd missed that laugh, even though it had only been a day without it.

The discharge process took another hour, including paperwork, final checks, and pharmacy pickup for the iron supplements. Dominic handled most of it while Ericka sat in a wheelchair, despite hospital policy, despite her protests that she could walk just fine.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered as he wheeled her toward the exit. "I fainted once. I'm not an invalid."

"Humour me." He paused at the automatic doors, the late afternoon sunlight warm on their faces. "The car's just over there. Think you can make it?"

Ericka rolled her eyes but accepted his help standing. She was steadier on her feet now, the IV fluids having done their work, but she still leaned into him as they walked. Dominic wrapped his arm around her waist, telling himself it was purely for support.

The drive home was quiet. Ericka dozed against the window, her breath fogging small circles on the glass. Dominic kept glancing at her, reassuring himself she was still there, still breathing, still his.

When they pulled into the apartment complex parking lot, Ericka stirred. She looked up at the building, and Dominic saw something complicated cross her face.

"Having second thoughts?" he asked, trying to keep his voice light.

"No." She turned to look at him. "I'm just... this morning I thought I'd never see this place again. I'd already said goodbye in my head."

The admission made his throat tight. "I'm glad you didn't get the chance to leave."

"Are you?" There was a hint of vulnerability in her voice, a need for reassurance that cut him to the quick.

Instead of answering with words, Dominic reached across the console and cupped her face in his hands. Gently, giving her every opportunity to pull away, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

This kiss was different from last night's. There was no desperation in it, no years of suppressed longing bursting free all at once. It was soft and sweet and full of promise. When he pulled back, Ericka's eyes were bright with unshed tears.

"Does that answer your question?" he murmured against her lips.