Jenna moves closer. Her fingers touch my check and move down to my chin. I lean into her touch, needing to feel her on my skin. She rests her forehead against mine. I feel her body shake. My right arm moves slowly. Once I’m touching her, I’m not going to stop. I hold her head to mine and try to get her to kiss me. I may not be able to move my lips much, but I know she can and right now I need them to touch me.
She knows what I want because she wants it too. When her lips touch my cheek, it’s like an explosion. Fireworks go off in my chest. My skin tingles. I don’t know if I’ll ever survive without her. I guess I’ll never tempt fate to find out.
“I’m so sorry, Jimmy. I love you so much,” she pulls away far too soon for me. I know there are other people in the room, but right now I don’t give a shit. I only want her. I have no idea why she’s apologising and I don’t care. I don’t want her to leave me.
I move my hand down to her stomach and push against Little One. My heart races when she pushes back. She knows her daddy’s touch. Jenna holds my hand there for a moment before backing away.
My mum comes into view and she looks more beautiful than the last time I saw her. “Oh, Jimmy,” she says as she kisses my cheek. She’s crying too and I’m starting to realise that I might not be okay.
I grunt, getting Jenna’s attention. I pull at the tube in my mouth, but she knocks my hand away. I fight around her hand trying to pull it out. I need to ask what happened. I don’t remember how I got here.
“Jimmy, stop,” she says, holding my hand down. I know I’m stronger than her, but right now I can’t get out of her grip. “I know you’re upset, but it’s okay. We aren’t going anywhere.”
I shake my head. That’s not what I’m upset about. I need to know what the fuck happened to me. I relax so she will let go of my hand and when she does, I make the phone sign, holding my fingers up to my ear. She knows exactly what I need and starts searching through her bag for her phone. She hands it to me and I type my question.
What happened to me?
She pulls away the phone and reads my message. Her eyes find mine and I can see the pain and hurt in them. She looks so sad. I hate thinking that I’m the reason she looks like that. She picks up my hand and holds it, locking our fingers together.
“You were shot,” she says taking a deep breath. “Damien was there. I saw him and he had a gun. He shot you and escaped. The bullet went through both your lungs and exited. You’ve been in here a month.”
I listen to what she says, grabbing for her phone again. Where is he?
She shakes her head. “They haven’t found him yet, but the detectives have been very good and stop by every day to see how you’re doing. We’ve all given statements. They’re looking for him.
A month?
She nods. “Yeah and I haven’t left yet. The guys are here too, and Katelyn and Josie come on the weekends. Gary’s outside with the bus and you have fans waiting for you to wake-up. Liam and Harrison have even done an acoustic set for them. The press was here for a while, but they left after a week, but I’m sure they’ll be back. Your dad and his girlfriend are here.”
My eyes widen. I don’t want Jenna to be anywhere in the vicinity of my dad.
“Don’t worry, I know, but you can tell me your side when you’re better. We’re good, Jimmy.”
I love you, I type to her.
She smiles. “I love you too.”
Little one?
“She’s good. Josie brought my headphones so she could listen to you. It’s almost time though, Jimmy.”
You’re bigger.
Jenna laughs and even though I can’t remember not hearing her for a month, I’ve missed her laugh. “Yeah, I’m as big as a whale.”
I shake my head and type: You’re fucking gorgeous, Sweet Lips.
“I’ve missed that.”
I’ll never stop.
Before I can find a way to get her into my bed so I can show her how much I love her, the doctor walks in. I hate that Jenna has to move aside, but all the machines are right there and that’s where he needs to be.
“How are you feeling, Jimmy?”
Does he expect me to grunt my answer? Does he want me to act like a bloody zombie? Because I can. That’s what I feel like – like I’ve been run over repeatedly.
“We’re going to take you down for an x-ray now. We usually do them here, but getting your wife to leave the room is a bit of a hassle.”