Endings Beginnings - II

"Regan!"

He closed his eyes on hearing his name from her. He was sitting beside her on the chair when he felt a movement from her side. He thought as if he was hallucinating but then she had lightly squeezed his hand that assured him that she was going to wake up soon. He had cupped her face while desperately encouraging her to open her eyes. The hoarse whisper awakened his dead soul which seemed to be lost in her absence lightening it with beams of light. The overwhelming happiness of looking into her eyes once again brought a peace to his distressed heart. He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes to settle the inordinate euphoria that he felt in her thriving presence. He breathed a sigh of relief and found himself breathing normally in her warm embrace.

"Are....are you okay?"

He opened his eyes on hearing her again. His eyes had a few tears which failed to hold them back pouring out the agony of separation from her even if it was for a few hours. He wasn't shocked unlike other times where she had been anxious for him as he knew her too well. He smiled with teary eyes not knowing if he should admonish her for her recklessness to put her life in jeopardy or ridicule her for asking him if he was alright as she was the one lying on the hospital bed still attached with various machines or should be elated on having her safe in his arms once again.

"Are you crying?"

He shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment still relieving the exhilaration of having her speaking and worrying for him. It didn't bother him if he was embarrassing himself with those risible tears that showed his happiness to have her back.

"What would I do with you Anastasia?"

"….."

"You took my breath away. Literally. When will you stop scaring me heart?"

Her lips trembled as tears welled up in her eyes. She opened them to apologize but he was quick to silence her before she could utter any word of apology for no reason. He placed his lips on her chapped ones. Where she felt them reassuring, he took his time to feel her, but as he couldn't take it anymore, he started moving them cautiously to not hurt her anyhow. She could tell what he might have went through when she was knocked out for God knows how long. She wanted to show him that he wasn't the only one who yearned for her as she equally craved for him. With her trembling hand, she pulled his head down and met his warm lips with the same love and yearning that she felt from him surrendering to the passion he always managed to arouse in her. She felt him smile but soon he pulled away when he felt her going out of breath.

"You scared me to death Anna. I thought I lost you forever and that feeling petrified me, scarred me…..I could not breathe. If anything would have happened to you, I would have died..."

She placed her hand on his mouth and shook her head.

"Don't speak such words please. Nothing has happened to me. I am fine. I am sorry to make you feel like this. I am so sorry."

"Don't be. But I am never letting you go away from me…..away from my eyes. I am going to stick with you all the time.... to personally keep you away from all the troubles as you are my little trouble maker who attract them so easily."

She gave him a tired smile with heavy eyelids.

"I think I would like that."

It was then when he realized that he was so ecstatic to see her awake that he forgot to inform the doctor about her. He pecked her forehead and pressed the bell beside her and in no time the doctors arrived in to check on her. Later, she was greeted by everyone. Throughout the time, he stayed by her side holding her hand still not forgetting that dreadful feeling of losing her.

Anna stayed in the hospital for a couple of weeks owing to her multiple injuries and fractured ribs. She was eventually discharged, still advised for complete bed rest for a few more days. She felt relieved to go home. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the place that she called her home now. She remembered her sorrow and dilemma when she had stepped in it for the first time. She was unhappy and bewildered on those sudden changes in her life, but now everything was different. She was looking forward to get in the comfort and warmth of her home. A contented smile worked its way across her face and into her eyes. Her smile warmed his eyes too. She was still sitting in the car when Regan leaned over and scooped her in his arms to take her in. She didn't resist but was surprised with the unexpected gesture. He carried her inside their home while she subconsciously kept looking at him. She rested her head on his shoulder when they stepped in, breathing the warmth that she had no idea when she became so fond of.

Her innocent gaze was a tease as her hands rose to encircle his neck. He knew and could feel the changes that had occurred between them. He knew that she had wanted to talk to him several times, but he always stopped her as he didn't want her rile her up while healing. He had an idea of what she would be talking about, but in those moments, nothing was more important to him than her wellbeing. By the time he reached their bedroom, she was half asleep, still sedated by the heavy medicines. He laid her down on the bed and dotingly kissed her forehead not intending to wake her up. He had just stood up when she held his wrist and he stopped.

"Regan, I wanted to talk to you."

He smiled on her attempt to keep herself awake. He held her hand and freed his from her grip sitting beside her.

"We have all the time to talk heart. Sleep for now. You need rest okay."

He pecked her lips and she closed her eyes getting disappointed with herself once again. She decided that she would open her heart to him the next morning as soon as she would wake up from the overbearing slumber that didn't allow her to fight back the urge to close her eyes.

The next morning when she woke up, she couldn't see Regan as he had already left for the office for an important meeting that he could not avoid. The last few weeks were too hectic for him when he had to manage his work apart from staying with her always. She had requested him several times to attend his business as she was getting well with every passing day, but he was too adamant to leave her side. However now, she made it her mission to confess her love for him as she planned everything.