Luca couldn't breathe. His eyes glued on Sophia lying on the bed. Both hands grasping her hand tightly as he continued waiting. He felt as if that is all he has been doing for the last 36 hours. The sound of a wall clock and the beeping of the monitor the only remaining sounds in the room.

Time is a fickle bitch. Time never stops. We want to rewind, we want to fast forward but it will forever keep moving. It is the only constant in a ever changing world. When he was with Sophia, all he wanted to do was freeze it. But now... with her lying here recovering from surgery, all he wanted to do was fast-forward the fucking thing. He has felt paralyzed just waiting for any sign from her. His body refusing to shut down until those emerald eyes finally open allowing him to breathe.

Tic toc

He gripped her hand trying to keep himself from breakdown. The doctors had done the surgery successfully. They said due to her weak state, that she would be out for some time. He never once left her side after they were allowed to see her. His mind on a one track mind.

He couldn't get over what he had walked into yesterday. Finding her completely collapsed with paramedics hovering over her. The images will forever be engraved in his mind. He blamed himself for not forcing his tesoro to remain home. Who knows if that would have made the difference or not. She may not have collapsed? Or worse, she would have collapsed at home with no one to help... He shook his head trying to rid of those thoughts.

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He laid his head against their hands tilting his head to the side so he could continue looking at her. The family had left a few hours ago. Destiny was to rest for a day and be monitored due to her being so young. Brad and Jessica were with her in her room. His parents finally left in the late hours of the evening stating they would be back tomorrow.

Taylor had continued to be everyone's support. He would need to give her a bonus later for all that she had done. Not only for Sophia, but for him as well. She had admitted to going into his office to collect his keys and briefcase just in case before locking his office up for him. She had also stated that she had rescheduled all his meetings yesterday out and promised to do so for the next few days if need be. He thanked her lowly and she just nodded not needing anything further. He realized that due to her role as Jessica's assistant, that she was quick to react in situations. He may have to consider using her while Sophia recovers.

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He lifted his head back up scooting his chair impossibly closer to the plastic railing of the bed. His body sore from the uncomfortable chair but did not dare to remove himself from Sophia. His hand going up to touch her shaved head again. Her wig had been laid aside during the surgery and now was laying on the table in the corner of the room along with a few bags that Taylor had brought. She had a beany on trying to keep her as warm as possible.

The doctors said that they will not know the true success of the surgery until a few weeks after but the immediate white blood cell count was a good sign. It will really depend on how Sophia in the end. They have been coming in to continue monitor her and check her vitals every hour. Each nurse giving him a reassuring smile each and every time.

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"Listen to me love... I need you to open those beautiful eyes. Do you hear me? I can not breathe til I know that you are alright. I feel like I have lost half of me and only you can restore it."

He could feel his eyes tearing up for the hundredth time that day. He was not sure how he had any water left in him. His mother held him for most of it but at times he found his father clutching his shoulder in silent comfort. His father is not a very affection man with anyone other than his mom but for the first time, he could feel him trying. He was trying to be the man that his mother had claimed him to be for years.

In so many ways he thought he resembled his father and it terrified him. He didn't want to be a workaholic. That is why when the fresh air that stumbled onto his floor, he grasped it. There was something about Sophia that just made him feel like a man. Not the CEO everyone made him out to be. The stone cold man that had no feelings. For her... he felt everything.

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"You are the air that I breathe. You are the light that guides me. You are the pillar that keeps me upright... but above all else, you are my tesoro... My treasure. And I refuse to surrender you."

He didn't even realize that his head was moving to her face as he stood leaning over her. The tube still in her mouth and her eyes still shut but he didn't care.

"I want to keep you forever Sophia Andrews. I want to make you Sophia Sanford. I want to have babies with you. I want to watch them grow up with you. I want to be there with you through everything and anything in life... So right now I need you to know that I will never release you."

He leaned down placing him lips against her forehead closing his eyes as a silent tear rolled down his cheek. His body remaining there for a moment finding comfort in the small contact. He pulls back and freezes.

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He felt himself as solid as a statue finding a pair of emeralds barely remaining open but already looking at him. He couldn't move, he thought he couldn't breathe before but it was nothing to right now. This minute.

She continued to try forcing herself to stay awake. She squeezed his hand and that seemed to unfreeze him as a heartbreaking smile broke out before he quickly reached pressing the button for the doctor. His eyes never once leaving hers even as she struggled to keep hers open just barely.

"I love you Sophia Andrews."

A tear leaked out of her eye making him melt. The door open behind him and a doctor along with two nurses came in requesting he step back. He did so after glaring at them but kept his eyes glued on Sophia as best as he could.

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The doctor had claimed she could breathe on her own and helped her remove it. She coughed before a nurse quickly gave her some water. She took small sips as the doctor inspected her. He explained that her throat would be sore for a few days. The nurse stepped aside ushering Luca to take his seat again. Luca didn't have to be told twice as his feet made quick work to be back by her side. He did not sit but stood near her face allowing her tired eyes to see him. Her lips tilt upwards slightly and it makes his hear soar.

She rubs her cheek gently and her head tilts ever so slightly to lean into his palm. The doctor begins speaking again telling him of what all is expected for the next few days and weeks before telling him to watch out for. He barely could concentrate and as if sensing that, the doctor told him he would speak to him later before making an exit followed by the nurses who gave soft smiles to the couple.

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His eyes found hers slowly closing and he quickly leaned forward for a sweet kiss with her. He pulled back just enough with his eyes still closed cupping her face with in his palms. His finger brushing over the soft skin. He was just happy that she was alright. He couldn't wait for them to get past all of this. She still had a road of recovery ahead but this was the biggest part... And it was over.

He pecked her lips once more before going to her forehead kissing it repeatedly. His soft murmurs of love barely audible but he didn't care. His body just rejoicing for the first time in well over a day of chaos.

"I love you"

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Luca's heart skipped a beat hearing her whispered confession. She was clearly exhausted but fought to stay awake to tell him. He squeezed his eyes shut trying to not cry but failing miserably. His heart was hers and he never wished for it's return.

"Sleep love, I will be here when you wake."

She didn't say anything further and he knew she had lost to her fight against exhaustion. He didn't care. Her eyes had finally opened and that is what he had asked. They were in the safest place for her right now and he planned on making a generous donation to this hospital. They have been nothing but superb at their jobs. Even when he was getting kicked out, they handled him accordingly and made sure Sophia came first.

He finally sighed moving back to find her fast asleep as his own body collapsed once again in the uncomfortable chair. He leaned his head back rest it against the back of the chair for a moment. A soft knock made him turn to the door. He found a nurse rolling in a cot. He smiled in thanks as she waved her hands telling him to get up. He stood still holding Sophia's hand as she moved the chair away and rolled the cot into place before laying a pillow at the head. She left not saying anything further as he laid down on the small bed with his hand outstretched still holding hers. His eyes finally closing hearing the final sound of the clock he would hear that night.

Tic toc...

Unbeknownst to the tired pair, the elder sister was standing outside the door clutching her shirt in her hand. It was long past visiting hours but Destiny and Brad were fast asleep but she needed to see her sister... And she was glad she did. Her sister is a fighter, a survivor. She knew she could get through this and she was so happy that in the process had found her other half.

She couldn't pin point when she noticed the change in both Sophia and Luca but it didn't matter. She had a feeling they would never be separated and that made her happy. Her sister needed an anchor and she found a good one in Luca. He cared deeply for her and as a sister, that is all you can ask for. Someone to love and cherish her as much as she deserves.

She stood there for a few more minutes before padding her way back to Brad and Destiny and thanked the heavens that they have blessed her sister on this day. For tomorrow, would be the start of the uphill recovery.