Lahat ng Kabanata ng Decisions I made : Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

The drive home felt different than the drive to the hotel.On the way there, everything had been filled with excitement and anticipation.Now, there was a quiet comfort between them.The kind that didn't require constant conversation.Lela had kicked off her sandals somewhere along the drive and curled one leg underneath herself in the passenger seat, occasionally looking over at Jack before turning her attention back to the scenery rolling by outside the window."So..." Jack finally said with a smile."So?""Was the weekend everything you hoped it would be?"She looked over at him."It was better."He smiled without taking his eyes off the road."I was hoping you'd say that."She reached across the center console and slipped her hand into his."I don't think I've smiled this much in years.""I noticed.""You keep saying that.""Because it's true."He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it while they waited at a stoplight."You have a beautiful smile."She laughed."You're trying t

The room was quiet for several minutes.The steady beep of the heart monitor filled the silence while Lela tried to make sense of everything that had happened.Her knee felt like it was on fire.Every slight movement sent another wave of pain shooting through her leg.Jack never let go of her hand.Her father stood near the window, staring out at the parking lot with his arms folded across his chest. Anyone who knew Paul Moretti knew exactly what that posture meant.He was worried.Very worried.Paul leaned against the wall, his duty belt resting on the chair beside him.He looked exhausted.Lela looked from one face to another."You all look like someone died."Jack managed a small smile."You've still got jokes.""Barely."The curtain at the doorway slid open.A man in his early sixties wearing navy scrubs entered the room, followed by a younger resident carrying a tablet."Good afternoon, Ms. Moretti."Lela looked up."Hello.""I'm Dr. Harrison. I'm the orthopedic surgeon who revie

Lela woke again sometime that afternoon.The haze from the anesthesia had begun to wear off, replaced by the dull ache in her knee and the steady rhythm of machines quietly beeping beside her bed.She blinked several times before her vision came into focus.At first, she thought she was still dreaming.The room looked...different.Brighter.Colorful.She slowly turned her head.Flowers.Everywhere.Yellow roses.White lilies.Hydrangeas.Orchids.Sunflowers.Beautiful arrangements lined the windowsill, every available countertop, and even the small table in the corner. More bouquets sat on the floor because there simply wasn't anywhere else to put them.She stared for several seconds."What..."Jack looked up from the chair beside her bed and smiled."Welcome back."She looked from him to the flowers."What happened?"He laughed."I was wondering how long it would take you to notice."She looked around again."There has to be thirty arrangements in here.""Thirty-four."She blinked."

By the time visiting hours were officially over, the room had finally grown quiet.The flowers filled every available surface, the lights had been dimmed, and the steady hum of the hospital at night had replaced the bustle of the day.Jack glanced at the recliner beside Lela's bed and sighed."I think this chair gets less comfortable every hour."Lela smiled."I've been watching you try to get comfortable for the last twenty minutes.""I think I've found at least twelve new muscles in my back."She laughed softly."You don't have to stay."He looked at her as though the thought had never crossed his mind."I'm not leaving.""I know."She watched him try to fold the blanket around himself again."Jack.""Hmm?""Come here."He looked up."What?"She patted the empty side of the hospital bed."Get in here."He immediately shook his head."Absolutely not.""Why not?""This is your hospital bed.""It is.""And you're recovering from surgery.""I am.""So I'm staying right here."She smiled

The hallway outside the operating room became a blur of motion.As the surgical team wheeled Lela toward the double doors, Jack stayed beside her as long as he was allowed, his hand wrapped around hers until the very last moment."I'll be right here," he said.Lela managed the smallest nod."I know."The doors swung closed.Jack stood frozen for a moment, staring at the words AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY printed across the glass.Then he heard someone shouting."Lela!"Paul came running down the hallway, still in his police uniform. His duty belt bounced against his hip as he hurried toward the waiting area.He stopped in front of Jack, breathing hard."They already took her?"Jack nodded."Just now."Paul looked through the small window in the operating room doors before rubbing both hands over his face."I drove straight from a call."Jack could tell.Paul's shirt was untucked on one side, and there was still dust on the knees of his uniform pants."You okay?" Jack asked quietly.Paul