Chapter 65: Chapter 65

Chapter 65:

Tatiana’s P.O.V

A constant beeping noise cut through the haziness in my mind and woke me up from my peaceful slumber.

I tried to open my eyes but they wouldn’t budge and my throat felt raw and itchy. I needed water. Where was I? It was so blissfully quiet in here. I didn’t want to wake up. I wanted to stay right here, forever.

Scream! Scream louder, you whore!

My eyes snapped open as everything that happened came back to me. Connor! He had hurt me! He had tried to kill me! Then why wasn't I dead? Where was I? Why was everything so hazy and white?

Tia!

Damien! He had been there! He had come for me! Is that why I was still alive? Was I in a hospital?

“Nurse! She’s awake!” Someone yelled from next to me, making me wince. The sound was too loud.

And just like that, the quiet was gone and everything around me buzzed into activity. The next thing I know, someone was holding ice chips to my lips and I was gulping them down greedily, eager to quench my thirst. Several people were speaking at the same time and I think I recognized Ken and Grace’s voice amongst all the noise.

“Please be quiet everyone, the patient is in distress!” A male voice sounded from a bit far away and I was guessing that was the doctor. Thanks to him, everyone finally quietened down and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Hello, dear. I’m Dr. Skeet Stovenosky,” the man’s voice came again, this time nearer and I saw a hazy figure of a man come into view, blocking out all the white. “Can you listen to my voice? You can nod if you’re able or speak if you can.”

I tried to speak, but my voice sounded too hoarse. So I resorted to nodding.

“Good. Now, you remember your name, correct? Is it Tatiana Rivers?”

I nodded again.

“And is anyone from your family here yet? Your parents?”

“Umm,” I heard Grace come forward. “I called her parents but they are currently overseas on a business trip. But we are here if you need anything.”

“That’s alright then,” Doctor Skeet said. “Is that okay with you, Miss Rivers?”

“Yes.” I told him hoarsely and watched him nod.

“Good. Now, do you feel any discomfort anywhere? Any pain? Headaches?”

“No.” I told him and cleared my throat. “I can’t see properly.”

“Oh!” He waved his and in front of my face before I felt a bright light being shorn in my eyes. “Can you see my hand? How many fingers am I holding up?”

“Three.” I counted and blinked as my eyes watered. “I can see, but it’s all hazy.”

“That’s alright, you have a concussion,” he informed. It’ll go away in a few weeks but until your head injury heals, it’s not any cause for concern.”

I nodded again.

“Do you know what happened to you? Do you remember the incident?”

“Yes.” I grit out. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“For now,” I felt the doctor’s hands on my head as he lightly petted my hair. “The police will want a statement and you’ll probably be asked to file charges. I’ve already submitted my thorough examination report and your operation report to them. Thankfully, there wasn't any permanent or nerve damage, but there was severe tissue damage and it might result in permanent scarring. For now, we’ll concentrate on your recovery before we go into anything else.”

I nodded. “I understand.” The hoarseness in my voice had reduced a bit, but it was still there. “How long was I unconscious?”

“About 43 hours.” Doctor Skeet said. “Your body needed time to recover. Oh! I almost forgot the most important news. Congratulations Miss Rivers, you’re pregnant.”

“What?” I asked, shocked to the core.

Pregnant? How could I be pregnant? NO! There has to be a mistake!

I turned my head to the side, searching for Damien in the crowd that had gathered in my room, but my eyes couldn’t adjust and my vision was still hazy so I couldn’t differentiate between the faces. Did Damien know already? Did everyone else know? That would explain why everyone was silent, right?

“I understand it must be shocking news, Miss Rivers, especially since you are hardly two weeks pregnant. Even we wouldn’t have found out if you hadn’t needed emergency blood transfusion and we hadn’t done thorough blood tests.” Doctor Skeet explained. “But no need to worry, since the embryo was so small, it survived without any problems and is still healthy and growing at a normal pace. Well, that’s all there is to say for now. I’ll come again in the evening to check up on you. Try and get as much rest as you can.”

With that the doctor left the room and closed the door behind her. For a few moments, there was pin drop silence. No one spoke and I was grateful for that. Pregnant? I was pregnant! How could that be?

Was it that first night with Damien? When he had forgotten to bring a condom and I’d said I was on the pill? But I had been on the pill! How could I get pregnant even after that? I knew those pills weren’t full proof, but...how did Damien feel about all this? He must be angry! I was doing the same thing his ex-wife did! He must think I did it on purpose!

“Can I have a moment alone with her, please?” Damien’s voice cut through the silence and my hand instinctively went to my stomach.

I heard my friends leave one by one, without saying a word. I heard the soft click of the door being locked as they left and then I heard Damien walk towards me in silence.

“I didn’t plan it, I swear.” I told Damien hoarsely. “I was on the pill! You don’t have to feel responsible for it, I’ll be fine. The baby will be fine. It’s alright if y-“

“Tia.” His voice was soft as he picked up my hand and held it in his warm ones. I hadn’t realized just how cold it had gotten until Damien took my hand. “I want it. I want to have our child.”

I released the breath I had been holding, feeling relieved all over as Damien said that. “You’re not angry?”

Damien laughed without humor. “I thought I nearly lost you. When I broke down that door and looked at you, you looked so pale and you were covered in blood! I thought I’d lost the only woman that I’d ever been in love with because I had been stupid enough to let her go.”

I couldn’t suppress a gasp. “You love me?”

“Of course, I do!” Damien snapped, his hands squeezing mine before he pressed his lips to the back of my palm. “I love you so much, Tia. I’ve been in love with you since the first time I saw you at my brother’s wedding but I didn’t want to admit it yet. You are everything a man could ever wish for, Tia. You are perfect. I just wish I could’ve been perfect for you. It took me to see you dying in my arms to make me realize just how much you meant to me. Just give me one chance to prove it to you. I want to be there for you and our baby.”

I took in everything he was telling me. Even though his face was still blurry to me, even though I couldn’t read the expression in his eyes, I could hear the sincerity in his voice. He really meant what he was saying. It was everything I wanted to hear and more, but...

“You know I love you, Damien, but are you sure?” I asked with my heart in my throat. “You’re not just saying this because of the baby, are you?”

“I would’ve said it even if there wasn't a baby,” he told me straight away. “I love you, Tia. Only you. And I’ll keep on loving you till the end of time. I just want a chance to be with you. I just wish you can forgive me for being so harsh on you when you told me you loved me. I’m so, so sorry. I ruined something beautiful that day. I want to make up for it. I want to make up for all the heartbreak I’d caused you.”

“It’s alright,” I whispered to him, my eyes filling with tears. “I forgive you, Damien. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I felt his lips on mine then, soft as a feather but still able to melt my heart.

*

Damien stayed beside me all day long, telling me about how he rescued me, how scared he felt when I was brought to the hospital. And then he told me just how much he loved me over and over again. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. All my wishes had come true. I had finally gotten my happily ever after and my Knight in the shinning blue Armani had just swept me off my feet.

The police arrived some time later and I gave them my statement and also told them that Connor had followed be to and from Hawaii, we even had the airport give us the passenger’s list. Connor would be put in jail for attempt to murder and we’ll all be standing against him in trial. He didn’t stand a chance this time, he’ll be going in for a long time.

“I kinda feel sorry for Grace, though.” Kendra said as she sipped her coffee. We were all sitting in my room after the police had left and drinking our afternoon coffee. I had been given some fruit juice to keep my stomach cool. But the good news was, my vision had cleared mostly and I could see everyone’s face. There was still a bit of haziness, but for the most part, I could finally see again.

“Why? What for?” Grace frowned at Ken over the rim of her glass.

“You know...I eloped with Victor and got married before you and now Ty has gone ahead and gotten pregnant before you.” Ken sighed. “Really sorry indeed.”

I had to agree with Ken there, we were stealing the spotlight from Grace one by one and if it were me, I’d be pretty pissed myself.

But instead of getting mad or coming up with a crude remark, Grace simply put down her coffee cup and smiled too sweetly at us. Hmmm....something seemed fishy. Come to think of it, both Grace and Daniel had huge shit eating grins on their faces.

I gasped just as soon as Kendra yelped and pointed an accusing finger at the couple. “You too!” She accused. “I’m right, aren’t I? You’re pregnant too! And you didn’t even tell us!”

“Two months,” Grace’s smile deepened. “And two weeks.”

“Holy shit! For real?” Victor exclaimed, his mouth wide open in shock before he started laughing. “Oh man! I can’t believe it, I’m gonna be an uncle!”

“Yes, you are.” Grace reached over to ruffle Victor’s hair and he looked too happy to complain.

“Damnit! I want a baby too! I can’t believe you guys will have your babies only two months apart!” Ken turned her sharp gaze on her husband. “Victor! Did you hear what I said? I want a baby! Now!”

“Now, now, wildcat, let’s not rush, shall we?” Victor looked around the room uneasily as we all burst out laughing.

“Good luck with that, Kiddo.” Grace shook her head and then she and Ken were back at each other’s neck for calling her husband a kid in front of everyone.

I looked at Damien who was sitting on the bed beside me and found him staring back with a smile on his face. Yeah, everything was gonna be fine, as long as I had Damien by my side.