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When I get tolooks exactly the sa

Except my bed

The comforter is curiously ru on it Slowly, I cross the rooing to the pillow and the blanket, and it conjures up a flash ofTouching

He’s been sleeping inon it

My heart shimmies with hope that he misses me as much as I miss him

He’s sleeping when I arrive at his room in the hospital, and it’s probably for the best because I need a iveto be okay

His upper body is propped up on pillows An IV line snakes into a vein in his ar a small pitcher of water, a cup, and a plastic tray

I’uard by how pale and vulnerable he looks Jude has always exuded strength and masculinity He’s always the powerhouse in the room

But not today

Today he is bruised and weak

I blink back tears, refusing to let them well up in my eyes

I need to be strong today, because that’s whatone

Quietly, I move to stand next to his bed, and softly touch his hand I fight the urge to bend down and kiss his stubbled and bruised cheek, not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t want to startle him awake and make his head hurt My touch causes hi, he stares at me with his forehead creased For a brief second there’s a blankness, a total lack of focus in his eyes that scares the hell out of me, but it passes quickly, and a slow smile curves his lips

“Sparkles…” His voice is a rough whisper

“Hi I came as soon as I could”

He squeezes my hand, and my heart clenches like a vise when a tear slips froain,” he says hoarsely

I can’t resist any longer I lean down and gently kiss his cheek

“How do you feel?” I ask softly

“Tired”