“Okay, she’s awake. You have five minutes.”

He comes into my room, face pallid and drawn. Taking a seat next to my bed, he lifts my hand where it rests next to me on the quilt and softly kisses it. For a long moment, he just sits there, my hand cradled between his palms.

“Hey,” I whisper finally.

His face crumples, and he shuts his eyes as a tear slips down his cheek. “Hey.”

I rest my shaking left hand over his. The twin bands on our ring fingers glint under the fluorescent lights of the hospital room, their brilliant gold color warped into a sickly yellow.

“It’s going to be okay. I’m not scared.” But a hot droplet escapes the corner of my eye and begins the long journey down my face.

He meets my gaze and sighs, blinking hard to stop the other tears gathering in those beautiful green eyes.

“I am.”

“Don’t be.” I squeeze his hand harder and try to give him a smile. “I’ll always be with you. I know that’s what people say, and I never really liked it, but I want you to know that … that I will be. Okay? Always.”

“What am I supposed to do? Go back to work? Go home and act like nothing ever happened?”

“No. I want you to live. And fight. Like we used to talk about. Remember? Some monsters can’t be killed. But that doesn’t mean you should stop fighting.”

He shakes his head. “I won’t have anything to fight for after you’re … After …”

I smile at him and lean closer to kiss his forehead. For a moment, I linger there and try not to dissolve into the tears I wish I could cry.

“Be strong for me,” I whisper, running a hand through his hair. “I need you to be strong for me.”

He nods and wipes his face, taking in a deep breath. “Is there anything I can do? I only have a few minutes left in here, but if there’s anything I can do …”

“Come here.” I pat the small space next to me in the hospital bed. “And fight with me for a little while.”

The bed sinks slightly as he lies down next to me, and he puts his arms around me. Resting my head on his chest, I close my eyes and listen to his heartbeat as it beats in time to mine.

Lub dub. Lub dub. Lub dub.

Lub … dub … Lub …

Dub …

…