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“No,” shaking my head, I blink down as tears fall “So he’s not okay?”

His voice softens “Your husband is healthy and fit I’d rather be overly cautious He had some minor contusions, and his body needs rest”

“Can I see him?”

“I’ else”

My chest squeezes The tears won’t stop flowing, and Elaine passes me a handful of tissues

The doctor observesyou beside him”

Without hesitation or even a look back, I go to Derek’s hospital room I

can’t see him from the smallA screen stands between the bed and the door, and inside, the steady beep of monitors fills the air

Stepping around the screen, a fresh flood of tears spills downon his back, his shirt is off and wide bands of gauze are wrapped around his chest I can see the thick pads where his injuries are I can’t bear the thought of what happened to him Stabbed, beaten, jumped by five men

The IV bag hangs near his head His dark hair is pushed back, and his eyes are closed That lovely scruff is still on his cheeks, and I want to pressto be okay I’ain

The doctor’s concern for infection is on my mind, so instead I pull up a chair at his bedside and sit, sliding e one I kiss the top before lowering ainst it

“You’re so war the thickness infor that He says it will fight the infection”

No change The beeping continues, and I continue to stroke his hand, ood to touch I have hione by since he heldback, I realize how precious our love is, how ht for it He doesn’t tell s He protects h these non-problems

“I’ the dark hairs on his forearry I love you”

Move She has dark hair touched with silver, and when she smiles, lines form around her brown eyes