The third time

The next morning, Andrea awoke when a hand caressed her face.

"Hi Beautiful."

Seeing that it was Leo, she fell asleep with her head on his chest and began apologizing in her sleep. "Sorry Leo, did I hurt you?"

"No Princess, you didn't. But why did you stay here, you could have gone home, you know." Leo said while caressing her face.

"How can I leave you...? Anyway, how are you feeling? Does it hurt a lot?"

"Yes, good question," the doctor asked, interrupting their conversation.

"Well Doctor, I'm feeling better now except for the killing ache on the left side of my upper body."

Andrea moved away from him as Doctor John began checking on Leo's vitals. Andrea watched the doctor examining Leo patiently.

After the doctor finished examining, he said, "Prince Leo, everything looks good. We'll discharge you in 3 or maybe 4 day's time."

After hearing that Andrea was relieved, but Leo wasn't. "No way Doctor, I'm leaving today, in fact... Right now!!"

Doctor John was about to say something, but Leo held his hand, silencing the man. "I have made my decision, and that's final."

"But Leo, you aren't well enough to... " Leo glared her making her unable to continue. "Andrea, I am still alive and able to make decide for myself." Andrea gave a nervous smile and nodded.

The doctor agreed for Leo's discharge. Leo's left arm was secured in a brace. He was told to come every 5 days for the next 6 weeks, so that the doctor could clean and redress the wound. After telling everything the Dr. John left Leo's room.

Once the couple were alone, "Princess, are you angry with me?"

"For what, Leo?" Andrea asked.

"For what happened just now," Leo said in a low voice.

"No Leo, I was wrong, I shouldn't have back answered you; that too, in front of the doctor."

Leo smiled. "I think my Princess is finally growing up."

Andrea put her hands on her waist and frowned at him. "But I am angry with you for keeping secrets." Leo looked confused, so Andrea continued, "Why didn't you tell me about the 2nd shot? ...and why didn't you tell me about Robinson?"

Before Leo could answer, they both heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." Leo said.

Her Highness, Amelia, Jennifer and David came to see him.

Jennifer rushed and hugged her brother. "Brother, I'm so happy to see you... we thought we lost you yesterday," while saying Jennifer started to crying.

Leo wiped her tears. "Jennifer, the person who can kill Prince Leo Smith... Hasn't been born yet!"

"And whoever he is... His death is written in my hands," Andrea completed.

All stared at Andrea and for the first time; Leo realized the depth of Andrea's love for him.

Jennifer stopped crying and said, "Andrea, how are you feeling... I mean, after giving blood. Leo looked at Andrea and then noticed the cotton-swab that was still stuck on her inner-elbow."

"Oh-no! don't tell me you... why princess?"

David jumped into the conversation, "Leo, you are a very lucky guy. The blood running in your veins now is of three strong people: Andrea, Jennifer and Uncle Smith."

After listening to David, Leo said, "I don't know how to thank..." but before Leo could finish, Andrea put her finger on his lips and hugged him.

Andrea pulled away from the hug when Jennifer and David said, "Awww" together.

Leo and Andrea both blushed. To not make the situation more awkward for her brother and his wife, Jennifer quickly changed the topic. "Brother, you remember, you said you would get me out of marrying that Prince Noah."

"Hmmm..." Leo thought for a few seconds, but Jennifer said something shocking.

"Well, I've changed my mind and decided to marry him."

"Why?"

"Brother, yesterday I made a deal with God. If he made you better... I'll marry Noah with no objection."

"What!!! Jennifer, don't be silly!"

"No brother, I'm serious... and you can't change my mind." Leo shook his head but said nothing.

He looked at everyone, then finally asked Amelia, "where's Becca? I'm shocked that she hasn't come to see me." Andrea frowned at him.

Amelia's eyes filled with tears. She couldn't answer. So Her Highness replied to Leo, "Leo, Becca suffered a nervous a few weeks ago. She is in City L Psychiatric Hospital."

"What!" Leo turned his face and asked Andrea, "Princess, did you know about this?" Andrea shook her head. Her Highness continued, "No Leo, Andrea doesn't know. We didn't tell you'll because we knew that you both were only now, getting your lives back on track. We didn't want to disturb both of you with this news. The doctors have assured us that Becca will fully recovery, we just have to be patient. King Stephen is busy with Mr. Phillips in City D. When he returns, we all go to City L, to visit Becca. In the meantime, I don't want either of you to worry about this!"

"Her Highness, about Mr. Phillips, there was something we wanted to tell you," Leo said.

"Hmm… Speak."

"Andrea and I aren't in favor of his mining project. It's a terrible idea."

"I know that and I agree with you, but King Stephen has already given him the green light. All we can do now is hope for the best!" Her Highness said.

Their conversation ends when the nurse comes to inform Leo that the doctor has signed his discharge papers. She also gave him his medication and told Andrea which tablet to give when.

Everyone left through the back door of the hospital as the media once again had blockaded the front entrance. All went to their respective homes.

---

On reaching home, Andrea began helping Leo out of the car. Leo just smiled at her.

"What?" Andrea said, while holding

Leo's left arm, trying to support him.

"You know Princess, I can walk on my own. My legs are still working fine... Or are you trying to look for a excuse to hold me?" he asked playfully. Andrea quickly let go of him and allowed him to walk on his own.

When they reached their room, Andrea told Leo that since he took force discharge, the only way she would allow him to stay home was if he remained in bed for the next 6 weeks. All his protests went through deaf ears and Andrea remained adamant. The only thing that permitted him do so, was to watch TV.

Andrea turned on the TV for Leo. Leo watched his wife's statement, he looked proudly at her, "Princess, the way you handled the press... I'm very impressed."

At the same time. In another destination, in an unlit room; someone was watching the statement given by Andrea on his TV. He repeatedly watched one line, "To the person behind this attack, you have failed again!" After viewing it several times, he toppled the TV. "Third time will be successful for sure," he laughed evilly.