Selena's eyes slowly fluttered open, and she was met with the familiar beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell of the hospital. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her chest, and she winced. The tube in her nose pumped in a lot of air and had dried out her nose and sinuses.
Her mouth was dry as she croaked in pain as she stirred. Her memories were disjointed. She moved and was stopped, the hand caused a vision - she would be fine, it would take just so much time. She would have to drop out of her internship if Jonathan did not work his magic, or end up at another hospital. She had work to do in the lab. She was so frustrated that tears welled up in her eyes.
Gunn gently restrained Selena as she tried to get out of bed. "Hey, easy does it," a soft voice said, and Selena turned to see Gunn smiling at her. "You've been through a lot. Just relax and take it easy. You do not know how lucky you were."
Selena nodded, trying to remember what had happened. Fragments of memories flashed through her mind - the gunshot, the pain, the feeling of drowning. She shuddered, and Gunn's expression turned concerned.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle. He had briefly seen the face before; it was fear.
Selena nodded again, trying to reassure him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little shocked by everything, I have almost died."
Gunn nodded. "That's to be expected. You've been through a traumatic experience. But you're safe now, and you're going to heal."
Selena smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Gunn. He had been by her side throughout her ordeal, and she knew she could trust him. "Spare me the bedside manners. Although charming. My charts?" Selena croaked. It felt excruciating to breathe.
Gunn shook his head. He knew her too well; however, her chart was heavy now. He pulled a few relevant sheets out and let her read them. "Here, I had them ready."
"It will take me months. It was…" Selena wheezed, "This bad?" Selena said, her face falling in depression. Jonah must be feeling this loss, too. Tears fell.
Over the next few days, Selena underwent a series of tests and procedures to monitor her recovery. She had to deal with the pain and discomfort of her injuries, so she let go of being a doctor temporarily. But every day Jonah spent in that chair was tormenting her. It motivated her.
Liam was by her side every step of the way; he was more patient and communicated with her. She got used to him holding her hand and talking to her in his calm, soothing voice. It felt like he was no longer a child.
Selena felt a sense of comfort and security with him, and she knew she could rely on him now. The words remained unspoken. Every spare minute, every appointment. He was there.
As the days turned into weeks, Selena slowly began to recover. She moved back in with her parents. She underwent physical therapy to regain her strength and mobility. Then, as she was finally better, Liam surprised her by cooking for her before they started in the lab together again. What surprised her was that Liam had kept up with his work
Selena's eyes widened as she walked into Liam's dining room, taking in the beautifully set table and the delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen. Liam smiled, pleased with himself, as he presented her with a perfectly cooked Beef Wellington.
As they sat down to eat, Selena couldn't help but notice the way Liam's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. She felt a flutter in her chest, and she knew that she was in trouble.
As they ate, they talked about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing easily. But as the night wore on, the conversation turned more serious.
"Liam, can I ask you something?" Selena said, her voice shaking.
"Of course, what is it?" Liam replied, his eyes locked on hers.
"How do you feel about our contract engagement?" Selena asked, her heart pounding in her chest.
Liam's expression turned thoughtful, and he set his wine glass down. "Honestly, I've been thinking about that a lot lately," he said. "And I have to admit, I've always loved you, Selena. I'll never stop." Liam's voice became husky and low. " I find myself aching for you. I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life worshipping you."
Selena's heart skipped a beat as she met Liam's gaze. "I feel the same way, Liam. I am not ready to marry yet. I want to explore being a couple with you, get everyone ready for it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Liam slid an engagement ring across the table.
The air between them seemed to vibrate with tension as they sat there, looking at each other. And then, without another word, Liam reached out and took Selena's hand, sliding it onto her hand. "You don't have to worry about their feelings, if they are our friends, they should be happy we're in love. You're trying to save the planet, Selena. You can't sacrifice everything to spare everyone else's feelings but yours."
Selena looked at the ring. "I said, yes. But, I guess you're right. Yes, Liam." Selena looked at the ring.
She plucked it out of the box and slid it on her finger. The stunning 3-carat diamond solitaire ring fit perfectly on her finger. The diamond sparkled like a star in the soft light, its facets glinting with a fire that seemed to come from within.
The ring was set in a delicate, platinum band, adorned with intricate engravings that seemed to dance along its length. The diamond itself was a masterpiece of cutting, its proportions perfectly balanced to bring out its natural brilliance.
Liam's eyes locked onto Selena's, his heart pounding with excitement and nervousness. He took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. He placed a kiss on it. "I want to ask you again, will you marry me, Selena Lowrie?"
Selena stood and closed the distance, her hands cupping his face. "Yes. I will marry you, Liam," she said, her voice trembling. She smiled softly.
The air became charged with the pent-up emotion and sexual frustration of years of self-sacrifice. Their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss, and Selena felt like she was melting into Liam's arms. Their kiss turned into a passionate and wild, frenzied one. They each sought more and more from each other as the desire escalated. Her hands tore at his buckle, button, and the zipper to his pants eagerly.
Liam's hands trembled with anticipation as he undressed Selena, his fingers tracing the curves of her body. His mouth followed, trailing kisses along her skin, sending shivers down her spine.
Selena's hands were just as eager, pulling Liam's shirt off and revealing his chiseled chest. She ran her fingers over his muscles, feeling a rush of desire.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, their bodies pressing together as they continued to undress each other. The air was electric with tension, their need for each other palpable.
As they stood there, naked and vulnerable, Liam's eyes locked onto Selena's, filled with a deep love and adoration. Selena's heart swelled with emotion, her love for Liam shining brightly in her eyes.
Without a word, they came together, their bodies merging in a sensual dance. Their love was a flame that burned brightly, consuming them both in its intensity.
In that moment, nothing else mattered. Only the two of them, lost in the depths of their passion, their love for each other, the only truth that existed.
"Liam, your tattoo, yeah. I put some more thought into it and put what really was in my heart into it," she said, pulling back to look at him.
Liam smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I had it redone," he said. "I wanted something that reflected my heritage, and the moon is a symbol of love and protection in Gaelic culture, Selena. Moon Goddess."
Selena's heart swelled with emotion as she looked at the tattoo, her hand running over the scar above his heart. "It's beautiful," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
As they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, tangled in his sheets. Selena knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be. Selena felt like she was melting into Liam's arms, their bodies moving in perfect sync.
Their lovemaking was slow and sensual, Liam's skilled hands and lips driving Selena to heights of pleasure she had never experienced before. As they moved together, Selena felt like she was becoming one with Liam, their bodies merging into a single, perfect whole. His stamina seemed endless, and she felt a thirst for what so willingly and expertly gave her. The young man who brazenly and roughly took her in the bathroom years ago had matured.
As they lay there afterwards, wrapped in each other's arms, Selena knew that she had found her certainty in this world in Liam. And as she drifted off to sleep, she felt like she was home, finally.