“Mr. Haner? Mr. Haner?” A female voice asked me.

I jerked up quickly and realized I’d fallen asleep. My back was aching and my eyes were glassy. I shook my head and looked up at the nurse who was standing beside me.

“I’m sorry, is Kate alright?” I asked her. She smiled at me and gave me a small nod.

“She’s doing really well. The doctor said that if she keeps breathing on her own, we can take the tube out soon.” She said softly.

I let out a sigh of relief and nodded.

“Thank you.” I said to her. She nodded.

“Why don’t you go home and get cleaned up? She’ll be fine.” She said to me as she put her hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head and took Kate’s hand.

“No, I need to be here in case she wakes up.” I said.

My voice was just raspy and I almost didn’t recognize myself. The nurse shrugged and walked out. I leaned over and kissed Kate’s cheek.

“I love you babygirl.” I whispered in her ear.

When she didn’t respond, I leaned back in the chair and put my feet up on the foot of her bed. I closed my eyes and memories of times Kate and I shared came flooding back.

*Flashback*

“Brian! How much wine do I put in?” Kate called from the kitchen. I smiled and took the bottle from her hands.

“Just a splash.” I told her as I splashed it into the pan.

She smiled and took the bottle from me. She brought it to her lips and took a sip.

“Yum, this is good stuff.” She said. I smiled at her and took the bottle from her hands.

“I know, but we’re cooking, not drinking.” I said as I put the bottle down.

She pouted and I leaned over and kissed her lips. A smile played on her lips and she put her arms around my neck. My hands went to her hips and I squeezed them slightly. She gave my lip a bite, then pulled away.

“I thought we were cooking?” She asked in a flirty voice. I smirked and kissed her again.

“We are, cooking is very sexual.” I told her. She laughed and stirred the liquid that was in the pan.

A few seconds later, I smelled a horrible smell coming from the kitchen. I walked over with one eyebrow raised and saw Kate looking at me with a devious smile on her face.

“I think I messed it up.” She said. I rolled my eyes playfully and looked into the pan.

Kate had dumped a whole bottle of hot sauce into the pan. I shook my head and turned the burner off.

“Yes, I think it’s safe to say it’s ruined.” I told her. She smiled and put her arms around my neck.

“Good, I’m hungry for something else anyway.” She said. Her lips were inches from mine and I could fell every word she spoke.

I let a deep growl out and pressed my lips against hers. My hands went under her legs and I picked her up and led her to the bedroom.

*End Flashback*

“Alright, let’s see about taking this tube out.” I heard the doctor say.

I jumped up and moved to the window to watch them work. The doctor listened to her breath sounds and checked the monitor. He nodded and smiled at me.

“She’s breathing well on her own. We’re going to take her breathing tube out now.” He said. I nodded and he cleared his throat.

“It would be better for you if you waited outside.” He said.

I was hesitant, but a nurse came over and basically dragged me out.

“Trust me, it will be easier.” She said. I sighed and she went in and closed the door.

I pulled out my cell phone and saw that it was 4 in the afternoon.

“Oh man.” I said to myself.

I dialed Suzy’s number and waited for her to pick up.

“How is she baby?” She asked me. I sighed and slid down the wall to the floor.

“They’re taking her breathing tube out now, so good I think.” I said quietly.

She sighed loudly and I heard her telling someone what I told her.

“That’s great news honey. Everyone is praying for her.” She said.

“Suz, did everyone go home?” I asked her.

“Yeah, we thought it was better that way and that you’d call us when she wakes up.” She said.

“Okay, well the doctor is coming out now so I’ll call you soon.” I said.

We quickly hung up and I jumped up from the floor.

“She’s doing great.” The doctor said before I could ask.

I closed my eyes and sighed in relief.

“I expect she could wake up any time now.” He said.

My heart sped up and I looked at him in disbelief.

“Really? She might?” I asked. He smiled and nodded.

“It looks promising.” He said.

Then he patted my shoulder before walking away. I stood in Kate’s doorway stunned. She could wake up any time now. She was going to be okay. I felt a tear slip down my cheek and I let it fall. When the nurses came out, they were smiling at me. I smiled back and went it. Kate was still out, but she looked so much better without that tube in her throat.

I leaned over her and brushed her hair away from her face and gently kissed her lips.

“Come on baby, I know you can do it. Open your eyes for me.” I whispered in her ear.

I heard Kate take a breath and slowly let it out. I smiled and sat back down in the chair. I put my feet back up on the bed and took her hand in mine.

“I love you Kate.” I told her.

I took the remote for her television and started flipping through channels. I didn’t take long for sleep to pull me under.

 *NORMAL POV*

While Brian was asleep in the chair, Kate started coming out of unconsciousness. She felt pain, and a lot of it all over. She wrinkled her eyebrows and shifted a little on the bed. Her hand flinched and Brian slowly opened his eyes.

“Kate?” He asked softly.

Kate made a noise and Brian jumped out of the chair and leaned over here.

“Kate, baby. Come on open your eyes.” He said eagerly.

Slowly, Kate’s left eye fluttered open and then the right. She was whimpering and some tears were filling up in her eyes.

“Oh baby, what is it?” Brian asked her.

“It hurts.” She said.

Her voice was hoarse and Brian almost didn’t recognize it.

“Okay baby, hang on I’ll go get your nurse.” He said. Kate nodded and Brian kissed her forehead.

Reluctantly, Brian left the room to find Kate’s nurse. As soon as he stepped outside, he leaned against the wall and started to cry. This time however, it was out of pure happiness.