Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(60)

My heart was shattering again, and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to handle any more bad news.

The parking garage was full when I arrived at the hospital. I managed to squeeze into a small spot and wedge my body between the opposing vehicle to exit. The elevator took forever to retrieve me, and just as I was about to make a beeline for the stairs, I heard the ding.

I dashed through the double doors of the emergency department, my nerves on high alert. Dizziness swept over me. I was freaking out, nervous and determined to get to Grayson. He had to know I loved him. I couldn’t let something happen to him without him knowing that.

While the receptionist looked up his last name, I tapped my feet, searching the room for an open door I could run through to find him myself. Then she handed me a visitor’s log I had to fill out. I’m not even sure if I wrote a name. I scribbled something and shoved it back toward her, taking the badge and darting for the double doors where I knew I’d find him.

There again, I stood waiting for someone to help me.

Finally the doors opened. I showed my badge and walked as I spoke to the nurse. “My husband. He was brought in earlier by ambulance. My daughter said it might be his heart.” Just speaking the words out loud sent bile rushing to my throat. I’d done this to him. I’d sent him to his breaking point. His heart wasn’t just broken over our breakup, it was shutting down. Tears filled my eyes once again as the relevance sunk in. I needed to see him; to know he was going to make it. A million scenarios were running through my mind, yet without answers I couldn’t think of anything positive.

She brought me to a private room where I found Stephanie leaned over the bed, she backed away with tears in her eyes the moment she spotted me in the doorway. “Mom.” She rushed toward me, throwing her arms around my neck. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

My eyes diverted to Grayson, who seemed to be awake, but groggy. “Hi,” he barely managed to say. “I’m sorry.”

I was at his side within seconds, taking his hand and gripping it. “Hi yourself. What happened?”

“He had a heart attack, Mom. The doctor just came in to talk to me. They said he had to get a stent put in. He just came back to the room about five minutes ago.”

I kept my eyes on Grayson. “How are you feeling?”

He was crying. “I thought I was going to die alone.”

I couldn’t keep the tears from falling down my face. “You’re too young to die on us. We still have a long life to live.”

I ran my hands over his thick hair, appreciating he didn’t try to turn away. “I had pressure last night, but thought it was something I ate.” He was struggling to talk. A nurse came in the room to administer drugs into his IV.

“I hear you had quite a scare today. Don’t worry, you’re in great hands.”

I waited until she finished to address Grayson again. “You should have called me. I would have taken you to the hospital.”

“I didn’t want to miss our date, Rachel.”

This tore me to pieces. It didn’t matter how much pain he was in. He wanted to see me; to start over, and nothing was going to keep him from it.

I raised his hand to my lips and kissed it. “You’re so stubborn. You could have died.”

“At least I’d die trying, babe.”

“Are you two okay for a minute? I just need to make a call to my work.”

Stephanie came up next to me to make sure we were listening.

“Sure. I’ve got him. Go ahead. We’ll be here when you return.”

Once she left the room I leaned forward and placed my lips on the side of Grayson’s head. “I’m here for our date. Sorry I was late.”

He managed to smile, even with an oxygen line sticking in his nostrils. “You look beautiful.”

I couldn’t say the same. I’d never seen him look so drained. “Try to stay calm. You need your rest.”

“Please don’t leave, Rachel. Don’t go yet.”

I squeezed his hand. “I’m not leaving. I’m staying right here until you can go home, and then I’ll be there with you. I’m not letting you out of my sight until I know you’re going to be okay.”

“You don’t have to stay with me. I know I’m not your responsibility.”

It wasn’t even an option for me. Being with Grayson was where I belonged. We’d no longer have an awkward transition. I had a reason to be close to him, to nurse him back to health. We could take it slow, and when the time came, we could have that second chance at happiness. “The next time I leave your side, it will be to move out of my apartment. I think it’s time I come home. It’s where I need to be.” Then I added. “It’s the only place I want to be.”

We were both a mess. “I love you, Rachel.”

“I love you too, Grayson. This time we’ll get it right. I promise.”

While he dozed off to sleep, I silently wept in the chair next to him. I’d almost lost him. Maybe God had intervened. I’d always believed everything happens for a reason. Whatever helped us find our way back to each other I was grateful. I vowed to never take our marriage from granted again. This time we’d do it right. We’d take care of each other. We’d communicate. We’d go to therapy. As long as I had him by my side, I knew we could make it.