*Unedited*

That night...

The constant beep of Ryder's heart monitor keeps me somewhat sane. At least the beep is steady and strong so his heart must be too.

I've already annoyed every nurse that I've come in contact with and claimed to be Ryder's wife. My constant questions and tears are bothering everyone around me.

I make my way out to the waiting room to Carley and Gabe. I basically collapse onto Carley and she says, "relax, he's okay."

"Look alive, Wife, your in-laws have arrived," Gabe says in a whisper and I sit up startled.

Walking through the door is a tall woman with dark hair and eyes that match Ryders, a man, and a young boy who looks sleepy and confused. I am so fucking bad at meeting parents.

Graham's parents watched me grow up and still weren't sure about me. Fuck. I so do not need this right now.

I watch them walk over to the desk and begin speaking to the receptionist. They then turn their heads in my directions and I attempt to sink lower into my seat.

"Ryder doesn't have a wife," I hear his mother say. The receptionist then shoots a glare in my direction and I shrug awkwardly. This whole thing is awkward and I hate that I'm thinking about this when Ryder is sleeping in a hospital bed.

"Ryder's wife?" The man says with an amused smile on his face, while Ryder's mom looks anything but amused. I guess I wouldn't be in the joking mood either if my son was hurt.

"Hi, I'm Addy," I say in a quiet voice. I don't think I've ever been this quiet in my life. Carley notices because she perks up and begins chatting with Ryder's step dad and half-brother.

"I've heard about you," his mom comments without anymore information. Doesn't she know I need her approval? Why the hell do I need her approval?

I've never felt the need to fit in and want people to like me, until now. I don't know if it's because I'm looking into Ryder's eyes sitting in her slightly wrinkled face or if it's because I actually really care about Ryder.

Shit. Am I in love with him?

No. That would be way too soon. But I know nothing about love, so maybe.

"I've heard a lot about you too," I say. Ryder's mom looks at me like she isn't really sure how to answer that and I'm not sure why I said that.

"How is he?" She asks and her eyes glance over to the hallway that leads to the rooms. I can see her nervousness in the way her hands twist together and her eyes seem unfocused.

"He's okay. Sleeping, but they said he'll be fine. Some burns, smoke inhalation, and a concussion," I say relaying the information that I recently forced out of a nurse.

"Thanks, I'm going to go see him," she pats my shoulder gently and makes her way towards his room. Her husband and son following closely behind her.

"I think you really made a good impression!" Carley says nodding her head like a crazy person. I roll my eyes at her.

"Seriously," Gabe says, "you knew exactly what was wrong with Ryder. That's pretty good in any parents book. I think," he shrugs.

"Hmm, maybe you're right." I say without much conviction. I head over to the vending machine and get a feast of chips, pretzels, and every type of candy. The three of us eat while I try not to think about Ryder. I want his family to leave so I can go back in there.

Gabe attempts to keep things light by making comments on people walking in and out of the waiting room and talking about nonsense. But the nonsense is making my stomach tighten even more because Ryder's family is still in the room and every stupid story out of Gabe's mouth means more time away from him.

"When do you find out the results of the DNA test?" I ask out of no where. Carley's eyebrows shoot up towards her hairline and I can tell her wants to scream at me. I'm in neutral territory though. She won't yell at me if my boyfriend is laying in the hospital. I think it's in the rule book somewhere.

"Oh, uhm, probably by Monday," he says his voice not at all the same as it was only minutes before.

"What do you want the results to be?" I ask. I'm not trying to be judgmental or pry or anything, I'm curious.

"I honestly don't know. I've been reading parenting blogs. There are so many parenting websites." He sort of laughs, "I just want to know. Once I know I'll be able to figure everything else out," he grabs Carley's hand and she leans her head on his shoulder. I think they'll be okay no matter the results.

Ryder's family walks out a little bit later and tell us that they are heading to the hotel that they are staying at and will be back in the morning. I can tell his little brother is trying hard not to fall asleep. I wish I could comfort them in some way but I know I can't. I can barely comfort myself.

Carley and Gabe ask if I want a ride home and I shake my head. I want to stay with Ryder and they head home too.

I make my way back into Ryder's room and sit on the chair next to him. I grab his hand in mine and try to ignore how cold it is. He is still sleeping, his face covered with an oxygen mask.

"Ryder," I whisper.

His eyes slowly flutter open then back closed. Then he is reaching for the mask so I grab his hand, "no."

He then looks at me and his eyes sort of smile. Well, his eyes look like how they look when he smiles at me. He then takes the mask off, coughing a bit and making me feel like I'm going to puke.

"I think you need to keep that on," I say, "and I think we should tell the nurse you're awake."

"Hey, Addison," he says in a raspy voice. It sounds like it hurts to talk.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"I'm sorry for scaring you."

I shrug, "no big deal. I was barely scared at all."

He smiles and begins to laugh but stops when it causes more coughing.

"I think you should move in with me," I blurt out, "I mean, just until you're all better."

"So once I'm better you're kicking me out?" He asks.

"Of course," I smile and bend down to gently kiss him.

"You taking care of me might be more of a risk than taking care of myself," he grabs my hand again, "but I'll take that chance."

Before I respond he is sleeping again.