Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 61

Nick

Alaia looked at me when she heard me saying those words. She smiled like she used to when she was my wife and I told her that. With that smile, I knew what she was saying “I love you as well.”

She removed her hand, stopped touching me, and closed her eyes again. I could only assimilate the moment and savored her lips on mine.

“Did she wake up?” the nurse asked as she walked in, looking at a chart.

“Yes, but she just fell asleep again,” I replied.

“The sedative is still working; we’ll wait for it to wear off, and you can leave in three or four hours.”

“I need to bring my children; you can stay with her while I go back,” I said.

“Okay, I’ll wait here.” She smiled as if she knew something I didn’t.

“It’s always nice to see a man worried about the woman he loves,” she commented, and I sat down. She was the only one who noticed that.

I went out looking for my children and Loli. When I reached them, I noticed Noah and Alana looking curiously in my direction, and I could see that they were attentive to what was happening, even though they were so young.

“Let’s go see Mommy,” I told them, and they rushed into my arms. Delighted, I welcomed them.

“We’d like to see her,” I heard Ignacio say, and I asked them to follow me. My children were the first to approach their mother.

“Mommy is fine; we’ll be going home with her soon; we have to take care of her,” I told them.

They looked at each other and then nodded listlessly.

I tried to take my children to get something to eat, but they refused to leave their mother’s side, so I had to talk to the hospital director to allow me to bring food for them and the others.

I made sure the children ate; I only drank water; I had no appetite. We were all silent, and the children slept beside me on a piece of furniture that I tried to make comfortable for them, as I was sure that nothing would separate them from Alaia.

That was when I took some time and thought about what happened; that kiss was a small glimmer of hope. I thought Alaia hadn’t completely forgotten me; there was still something of me in her. I wished that, two years ago, I had remembered what our relationship was like before I asked her for a divorce. I never stopped showing my love for her, but what I said that day was stronger than all my actions for more than two years, not to mention that Killian threatened her to abort my children.

When it was 3:00 in the afternoon, Alaia began to wake up. She looked at everyone, and I stood up, hoping she remembered something about what happened, but her became gaze

cold again. I assume she was hiding something behind it.

“My children,” she mumbled sleepily.

“They are fine; they have fallen asleep.” I stepped aside so she could see them, which she didn’t for several seconds.

*****

Alaia

I remembered what happened; it all happened so fast, but I swear it was González who was driving the car. I felt a stabbing pain in my ribs and leg. I could feel a bandage throughout the area, but all that mattered to me was that my children were unharmed.

“I need to know how my granddaughter and my great–grandchildren are doing.” Darius walked in, followed by two men.

I frowned and looked at him. Did he say my granddaughter?

“I can handle it,” I said, holding out my hand to take the sheets. Nick had already done enough, and his closeness was starting to make me nervous.

“I’ll take care of it.” Nick took the sheets and finished talking to the doctor. I looked at my assistants and Loli, who just raised their hands in surrender.

What is this? Is everyone against Alaia? Nick left the room.

“Have you forgotten that it’s not Nick who pays your checks?” I reproached them.

“Well, Alaia, you’re going to forgive me, but that man has been suffering all day today seeing you in danger. He’s been taking care of the children and even us, and come on, he’s done a great job.”

“He looked like quite the (lovestruck) gentleman, Erika whispered the last word, showing a broad, dreamy smile. I bit my lip, thinking about their words. I didn’t take into account the last thing Erika said, but I was not so proud as not to realize that he’s done well this time.

They allowed me to leave the hospital, and I was grateful; I wanted to take my children home.

Darius took Noah, and Loli took Alana; they brought them closer, so I could kiss their heads.

They opened their eyes and looked at me slightly; the tender smiles they gave me before going back to sleep made me forget everything. Nick came back into the room and gently took me in his arms, something that completely unnerved me.

“Wh–what are you doing?” I asked, suddenly feeling nervous. “I think I can walk,” I said, trying to free myself, but my movements were limited for now.

“No, you can’t yet. I’ll carry you to the car.” I felt his scent and warmth at the same time. He looked at my lips for a few seconds and made a gesture with his mouth that I couldn’t help but look at, and it was not until later that I realized he’d noticed. He smiles gallantly to the side; I do not understand anything that’s going on with me, and a couple of bricks of my imaginary wall fall before my incredulous eyes.

“Everyone is gone,” I tried to make my voice sound normal. Nick nodded and started walking. I attributed my confusion to the anesthesia and pain medication that has entered my system today.

Nick sat next to me in the van, and I could feel his gaze from time to time. At one point, I remember that he covered me with his body after the car hit me. What are you doing, Nick? I ask myself and look at him when he is distracted, but at that moment, he turns to look at me, and I avoid his gaze. Okay, Alaia, now you’re acting like a teenager.