BEYOND LOVE

CHAPTER 2

"Andra..."

I woke up to a warm gentle hand on my shoulder. I had fallen asleep on the chair next to Ryan's bed as I held his hand. The first thing I observed as soon as I woke up was that his hand was not holding mine back. He just lay limp like yesterday.

"God, please No..." I whispered, and bit back the tears that were threatening to explode.

"Andra.." the voice called again. I came back to my senses and looked to the side. Dr. Cooper was sitting next to me with a plate of sandwiches in his hand and concern written all over his face.

"The nurse told me that you have not gone home since yesterday. I want you to eat this without a word of objection. When he wakes up, you need to pull out your shield to protect yourself from you and him because Ryan's gonna need that. He is going to break down looking at himself and all that he can hold onto is you. I want you to be strong for him. We are here, I am here and...Okay, there is good news for you, but first, eat up." He said and kept the plate on my lap.

Instead of asking him what the news was, I ate the sandwich and thanked God for Dr. Cooper. "Thanks Stephen."

"No worries. I've spoken to a doctor in Paris and they specialise in treating people with paralysis. Ryan's case is...well, not good in anyway. His strokes, multiple muscle breakdowns has caused his body to weaken pretty damn bad and he needs to strengthen his system before we even consider taking him to Paris for further treatment. He needs complete attention and more than that. We all know what a man he was..." Dr. Cooper looked at Ryan and smiled painfully. I had stopped chewing when Stephen had started to speak and swallowed the nauseating feeling in my stomach.

"He is going to need mental, physical support and most of all, love, which I know you will give him in abundance and I don't have to mention that, but as a doctor and his best friend, I have to.." He then looked at me and picked up the water bottle that was near the foot of Ryan's bed. He handed it to me and I silently opened the water bottle and drank from it.

"Andra, you are scaring me. You have not said a word..."

"I am listening, Stephen. I don't want to miss out on anything you say and I will do anything for my husband." I said, looking at him.

"I know you will. Well, I have to go on my daily rounds in a few minutes. But there are a few more things I would like to inform you before I go. As long as he is here, there are nurses who are trained to...umm.." he looked at me, contemplating how he could join the words to make it sound less painful. But nothing will change this situation.

"The nurses know how to change and help patients with their adult diapers. You can let them do it until Ryan is in the.." I stopped him half way through his sentence.

"I will learn from one of the nurses and do it myself, Dr.Cooper. You don't have to worry about that. Thanks."

"Alright then, Andra. Let me know if you want anything. I will be in the hospital today." He said and stood up to leave.

"Do you know when he would wake up?" I asked Stephen, my eyes carefully observing my husband to catch even the slightest movement of his body.

"It's already 48 hours since the operation and the sedatives that are injected would have already left his body, so anytime today. Don't forget to call me when he does." He said and stood there to get an answer from me but I was too numb to say anything.

"Andra." He called out.

This time, I looked at him.

"Remember, shield yourself. For him." He said and walked away this time, without waiting for an answer.

I wiped my tears and stood up to keep the sandwich on the table. I had lost my appetite once again. I walked into the bathroom, washed my face, brushed my teeth and tied my hair, getting ready for my husband.

I smiled at my reflection in the mirror.

"Today is another day, Tomorrow is another and we have many more days like this and we will make it happen. Go to Paris and get him treated. He will walk again and run behind his little daughter; he will make mad love to me and stand to toss the sausages on the barbecue like he always does. He will garden and drive and do his famous strip tease for me moving every single muscle in his body. My husband will be fine, and I will shield myself for him." I whispered to myself looking at the mirror.

I got out of the bathroom and walked towards the bed. He looked so peaceful when he slept, my sweet handsome husband. My heart constricted painfully but I took deep long breaths to calm the painful sensations.

I hovered above him and cupped his face with both my hands. His beard had grown so fast, it always does and he used to shave it off even before it grew thicker and covered his jaw. He liked to be clean shaved, but never knew how handsome he looked with them.

I placed my lips on his and kissed his inactive lips before I pleaded.

"Wake up, Love. Please."

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Hi my loves,

Let me know if you liked the update and yeah, please comment and vote if you liked it. Thanks lovely people.

Until the next update,

RLJ.