My Last Breath
Part Eight <3
And there I sat, for three days, leaving only once to shower, sitting by Declan's side at all times.
Then, one day, he woke up.
I didnt realize it. I was staring out the window. He had a coughing fit and i rushed to him to sit him up and help him breathe.
"Lei.."
I put a finger to his lips. "Shh. It's better if you rest your voice, Dec."
He stared at me, both unbelieving and loving.
A nurse walked in for his hourly check-up and was shocked to see him awake.
"Oh! I'm going to get his family." She rushed out of the room, running, but she was a tad overweight and ran slow.
I sighed. I looked back at Declan and smiled. "I guess i only have a few minutes to tell you this." I took a deep breath.
He gave a week smile, waiting.
"I've been with you for three days straight with two hours of sleep a night. I can't lose you. If I do I want to be by your side. I want to be holding your hand, telling you how much I love you. I love you, Declan, nothing will ever change that."
He grinned ear-to-ear, and before i could stop him, opened his mouth to speak.
"I love you too, La.." he breathed deeply. "Lala."
I smiled at his little nickname and kissed him gently. Then i kissed his forehead and took his hand, waiting for his family to come.
His mother saw him and broke out into tears.
"Oh, Declan! We've been so worried! How are you today, sweetie?"
He nodded, a concentrated expression on his face, staring at his feet under the covers.
"I..just woke.." He breathed.
His mother stroked his hair and kissed him right where I did. On his forehead once and then on his lips. It felt wrong in a sense. But i was glad his family was there to see him.
His father then moved closer. "Holding on, there, champ?"
Declan smiled and so did his father. He touseled his hair playfully but gently, and moved aside.
Eric then cleared his throat and walked toward his little brother.
"Declan, you've got quite the little girlfriend here." He took a deep breath and turned to look at me. He smiled. It dazzled me how much he looked like Declan. "She's been here the whole time. Wouldn't leave, wouldn't move. I dont even think she ate."
I grinned, but in a sad way.
He leaned in close and whispered something to Declan. Dec whispered something back.
Then they laughed. I was confused, but I didn't ask. They were brothers, it was none of my business.
"Love ya, little bro," Eric said, kissing Declan on his cheek. "Stay strong."
He looked at me. "You, Leighlani, you are a little mule," He pointed his finger jokingly. "So stubborn. But I'm glad you're here." He hugged me and started to leave. "Gotta go to work." He kissed his mother and his father and left.
After an hour of exchanging stories and loving thoughts, his parents left.
I climbed next to him on his hospital bed. He tried to slip his arm around me, but he had IV needles stuck in his arm. He sighed and looked defeated.
"I don't know how I'm gonna beat this." He said, weak. I could hear the sorrow in his voice.
"Don't say that, please. You can beat it. You will. Please don't give up hope." I turned my face towards his and pleaded with my eyes.
"The puppy dog look. Really, Lani?" He laughed his breathy laugh and nudged me. "I know you're hopeful with your religion and my parents are and Eric.." He swallowed hard. "But I'm not so sure. I can't even talk or move.. I don't see how I can beat cancer." He looked down at his feet again.
"Look, I know you can, Dec. You're the strongest person I know. You make me so happy, you fill my life with meaning. I'm not gonna give up on you, ever, so please. Don't you give up just yet." Tears were beginning to fill my eyes. I felt them streaming down my face but i did nothing to stop them.
He swiped several teardrops. "I promise you I'll fight as hard as I can as long as you promise to never leave me."
I smiled. "Deal."
"I love you, Lani."
"I love you too, Declan."
He lifted up my chin and kissed me hard on the lips.
When we pulled away, we were both exhausted and fell asleep in each others arms.
Sonnets_In_The_Sun