Within the Script (A Stanathan Fanfiction)

Chapter Fifteen: With Open Eyes

As Stana lifted her head from his bedside, barely able to process the simple fact that his thumb was actually moving along her hand, she slowly turned her body to face his direction. When her eyes met his, his bright gaze flowing into hers, color partially returned to his face, his lips once again bright, forming a weak smile, her heart skipped a beat. She had no words. She had no description for how happy she was. She could barely think, but instead chose to ignore her own thoughts.

Her heartbeat quickened. Her breathing met it's pace. Her lower lip broke out into a quiver and suddenly she was so over joyed that saying his name seemed absolutely useless. She was frozen in place, not wanting to wake up if this was a dream as she watched him stare back at her. She just watched him stare back at her. His arm slowly lifted from the other side of the bed as he used all of his strength to bring his hand up to her, cupping her cheek as he wiped a single stray tear away. Her eyes closed the moment his skin met hers as she began to process the fact that this wasn't a dream.

She basked in the feeling of his caress, a sensation she was sure she would never feel again. She adored every minute of his tender touch as she breathed in to begin settling her body. He was awake. He was staring right into her, stroking her cheek, holding her hand. He was warm and smiling and- and he was alive.

With out an ounce of resistance from him, she gently moved forward, resting her head again his chest as she listened to the sound of his beating heart. When she got the confirmation that he was indeed alive, her face became the item buried in his chest as she attempted to hide her tears from him. The moment a sniffle came from her nose, she again adjusted to listen to his heart beat, wiping the tears from her face as his hands held her to his chest. One of his hands gently stroked her back while the other ran through her hair. "I thought I lost you," she told him honestly.

He whispered back, "I'm right here, Stana. I promise, I'm not going anywhere." Her eyes again drifted shut as she bathed in the comfort of his arms. This still seemed unreal her as he held her, but it was all real to him.

When the moment passed, she pulled away from his hold enough so that she could see him, just a foot or so away so that she wasn't far from him. One of her hands still rested on his chest as she told him, "I should- tell Doctor Green you're awake."

"No," he said quickly, recalling her eyes which had fled toward the call button. "Just- just wait a second?"

She breathed, looking into his eyes and seeing his intensity. "Why?"

"Just-," he paused, watching her watch him. She was so breathtaking, even in this moment when there wasn't a drop of makeup on her face. She was gorgeous. Her eyes were stunning. Her intense care and concern was incredible. She was all around beautiful in every way for more than just her looks, but in the sound of her voice which to him sounded like the melody of a beautiful song bird. She was the sole cause for his speechlessness and for a moment, he had to just take in her presence. "Just give me a second."

"To do what," she questioned with an overbearing concern in her voice.

He simply stared into her eyes, trying to formulate a thought, knowing he owed her more than the simplicity of what he wanted to do. As his thoughts began to piece themselves together, he asked her, "Stana, how many days have I been... out?"

She slowly breathed and told him, "Eight."

Nathan accepted this, nodding in response. His next question flowed, "That must have been Hell for you." She didn't know what to tell him, but in her voicelessness, her answer was apparent. "I can't imagine- what that must have been like for you. I can't- imagine what any of this had been like for you." Again, she didn't answer, but her state made it obvious she had been through a lot. "Stana, I- I almost died, didn't I?"

She swallowed hard, this time giving him the answer he deserved with a nod as she bit back her lip to retain her tears. "I almost died," he said, mystified by the revelation. He could see he was putting her through another round of suffering and immediately tried to end it with the first phrase that popped into his mind. "Carpe Diem."

Her brow furrowed, now thoroughly confused by this. "Carpe Diem?"

"Seize the day," Nathan continued softly. He then stated out of no where, "Stana, I love you."

"What," she asked in shock and disbelief.

He answered, "I love you. I- I know this is out of no where, but- I almost missed my chance to say it and- and I have to say it now. I love you, Stana. I love you more than I've loved anyone in a long time."

"Nathan-," she started, cut off before she could finish a thought she had no idea how to finish.

"No, I- I don't want you to say a word because- I know you, Stana. I know you think that I rush these things and that I'm just saying this because I've just woken up from a coma, but- I'm telling you this because I almost died before I was able to say it. I'm tell you this because I almost lost the chance to say it. I've know you for almost six years, and- and I can't say that a single second of that time is a second I regret. I love you, and- that's not going to change."

"Nathan," she said, a smile dawned over her entire face.

He looked into her eyes and questioned, "Yes?"

She happily whispered, "Shut up," as she leaned in, softly brushing his lips with hers as he pressed against her touch. The moment their lips met, electricity launched through their bodies as she moved with him and he moved with her. Though this wasn't their first kiss by any means, it all felt new to them, their hearts pounding as one as their stomachs filled with butterflies and their minds focused on only each other. When their lips parted, their foreheads came to rest together and Stana gently whispered, "I think you've stalled long enough."

"Do you have to call in the doctor?"

"Sorry, hun," Stana answered, then pulled back and pressed the button.