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Chapter 43
*Kris' POV*
Slowly, I opened my eyes to a darkened room, and I could tell just by the smell
I was in the hospital. I turned my head, sending a jolt of pain through my shoulder.
I looked down and saw it was in a cast and sling.
"Ugh," I moaned, slowly focusing on the bed not far from mine. "AJ?"
"Krissy, thank G*d, you finally woke up!" AJ crawled out of his bed, wearing boxers and a t-shirt. I realized I was wearing the same. "I refused to wear a hospital nightie and I sure as h*ll wasn't going to let them put one on you!" I laughed as AJ sat next to my bed on a chair.
"How long have I been out?"
"Three days." I peered at AJ's face Nick the darkness.
"What happened to you?" AJ laughed.
"I'm a medical mystery! Not a thing touched me, yet I'm bruised and have a broken shoulder. We have Josh to thank for that."
"AJ, thank you. I don't understand it, but you saved my life." AJ squeezed my hand.
"No thanks necessary, babe."
"How is Brian?"
"He had surgery on his heart yesterday. I don't understand all the medical lingo, all I know is something was wrong. The fixed it, and he woke up earlier, asking for you."
"Can you take me to him?" AJ paused, then nodded.
"Let me help
you." AJ pulled back my sheets and helped me off the high bed. AJ glanced
down at the nurses station from the door, then led me down the hallway. We crept
past the waiting room and I froze.
Cora, Kevin, Danni, Howie, Nick, Nina and my parents were all there, sprawled
out on couches and chairs.
"C'mon! I don't wanna get caught!" AJ whispered softly. We got into the elevator and AJ hit a button.
"We look like twins, Bone," I laughed.
"Wait til you see the bruise on your shoulder, it has a Nike logo in it," AJ said with a completely serious face.
"He did kick me," I said softly.
"He didn't rape you, did he?" AJ asked softly. I shook my head.
"Brian came, just in time. He saved my life, too." The doors slid open and we were on the ICU floor. The night nurse look at us strangely for a moment.
"Can I help you?"
"May I please see Brian Littrell?" The nurse smiled softly.
"That boy is such a sweetheart! You must be Kris, he's been asking about you every time I've seen him for the past two days." I smiled and AJ nudged me, grinning.
"Yeah, I'm Kris. May I see him, please?" The nurse nodded.
"I'm not supposed to, but this is an exception. Go ahead, room 609." I practically ran to the door, my heart beating like a jackhammer in my chest. I knocked softly, seeing a light on through a crack.
"C'mon in!"
I smiled at the sound of that friendly accent that I so love. I slipped into
the room. Brian was hooked up to several scary looking machines and his crystal
blue eyes were closed. "No need to scold me for being, up, Maria, I can't
sleep. I'm so worried about Kris. She's the best thing that ever happened to
me and I never had the chance to tell her. Now the doctors are telling me she
has a slim chance, and I can't even go see her." Brian sighed, shifting
uncomfortably on the hard mattress.
I felt a shiver go thought my body and glanced at AJ. I sent him a look that
said, I almost died and you weren't going to tell me?
"Well, now she knows and thinks you're the best thing that ever happened to her, too." Brian started.
"Am I dreaming?" I leaned over Brian, avoiding his wires, and kissed him.
"That was real, wasn't it?" Brian's blue eyes flew open.
"Star! Babe, you scared us! I'm sorry, for everything. Please say you'll be mine again, Kris. These past couple weeks have been h*ll." I carefully hugged Brian, tears falling down my cheeks and his.
"Yes, Brian! Yes!" AJ slipped out the door so quietly we never knew he left. Brian and I talked for the longest time.
"Why did I scare you, Bri?" His hands shook as he looked up at me.
"Your heart stopped when they brought you into the ER. You almost died more than once in the past couple days." I shivered and glanced at the clock, which read close to five a.m.
"Brian, go to sleep now, I'm gonna fall over soon."
"Okay, Star. Oh, I almost forgot. Go in the top drawer of that nightstand." I opened it and found the Promise Ring and heart necklace Brian had given me in Paris. It seems so long ago now.
"I want you to have these back." Brian slipped the ring on my finger and I helped him with the necklace. "I love you, Star."
"I love you,
too. G'night, Brian." I kissed him softly and shut off the light. *
I found AJ asleep in the waiting room.
"C'mon, AJ. Let's go back," I whispered, waking him gently. We thanked Maria and AJ asked me on the elevator, "What were you two doing? It took long enough! Did Brian get lucky?" I punched AJ with my good arm.
"We talked.
Do you think he'd actually get lucky in that condition? His cardiologist would
throw a fit!" We both laughed and were soon back on our floor. We crept
past the waiting room, silently laughing at Nick, who was drooling in his sleep.
*
AJ helped me back into my bed, kissing my forehead.
"AJ, there is no way for me to express how incredibly thankful I am, for everything. You are an incredible person and you mean a lot to me." AJ smiled and hugged me with one arm.
"I already know, Krissy. We've got something special. I don't know why G*d chose you or how it happened, but I'm thankful for it. You're stuck with me, Krissy."
"Gladly." I laughed as AJ slipped into his bed.
"Get some sleep, you're gonna get ambushed in a couple hours." AJ pointed to a three large sacks leaning against the wall. "You see those? Those are all for you, from our fans. They care about you as much as we do, Kris." I stared at the bags for a couple moments, astonished. I never knew I meant that much to that many people.
"G'night,
AJ." I fell asleep, and for the first time in two years, I am truly happy.
*
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