When You Hope

Playlist for this Chapter: Snow On The Beach by Taylor Swift ft. Lana Del Ray, POV by Ariana Grande.

* JAKE KNIGHT *

When the hospital called all three of us, we all jumped out of bed and found facing each other in the hallway. To say we were startled would be an understatement. The tense atmosphere in the car when we drove to the hospital could be cut with a knife.

All kinds of scenarios went through my head as we ran up to the third floor and I tried very hard to think bout positive thoughts. She would be okay. I knew she would.

And when the doctor told us she was awake, it was like a weight had been lifted off our shoulders. I couldn't contain the happiness that found its way in me as I turned to Ace but he was already running across the hall towards her room.

I chuckled, shaking my head and turning to Stuart and Matteo who were also grinning widely. I guess all of us were relieved. We hugged each other and talked for a while before I thought I should go and check in on Ace.

I excused myself and walked over to the room and opened the door quietly. The sight in front of me warmed my heart when I saw him lying on the bed next to her with her head on his chest. By the looks of it, it seemed like she had gained consciousness and talked to Ace.

I could see the dark circles under Ace's eyes but he looked more relaxed now as he slept. His features weren't tense anymore and he was holding on to her tightly.

I smiled to myself, feeling the joy and happiness. I can only imagine what Ace was feeling when she woke up.

A love for the ages.

I quietly and quickly took a picture of them both sleeping before pulling the blanket over them and leaving the room after turning the lights off.

I know now things would be a lot better than before and it wouldn't be long before Giovanni would be six feet under.

* DOVE *

When I woke up again, I felt safer. More at home than ever. A feeling of warmth enveloped me as I felt someone kiss my forehead and looked up to see those gorgeous deep blue eyes staring at me with such love and affection. I felt like I could drown in them.

"I can't believe you're really awake." He whispered, pushing my hair back with his hands and cupping my cheek. I smiled softly at him, taking my time to look at his beautiful face I've missed for so long.

"I am awake." I whispered and saw him give me a small smile. What didn't go by unnoticed was his bloodshot eyes. They were definitely better than yesterday, because when I saw him I couldn't believe I had made it and was alive. But his state proved that it had been a hard.

He looked so pale and weak... He was carrying a cane in his hand and limping too. And then he cried. Someone once told me Nico never cried, but he cried for me.

And at that moment I felt a tear fall onto my face, but it wasn't mine. I looked up at him and saw his broken expression.

"Why are you crying?" I whispered, and he shook his head, giving me a sad smile and taking in a shaky breath.

"I-... I thought I lost you..." He whispered, making my heart ache for him.

"You didn't, I'm right here." I reassured him and he nodded, taking my hand in his and kissing it softly.

"You have no idea how hard it's been Dove... They said you wouldn't make it and I felt like my world had ended... Like nothing made sense anymore... Like there was no pint in living if you weren't with me." He said and I took a deep breath as his words shook me to the core. A tear escaped my eyes and I shook my head.

"But I'm fine, see?" I said chuckling nervously and he chuckled a bit too, wiping my tears with the back of his thumb.

"But you almost... you almost... died.. And for me." He said in disbelief like he himself didn't believe his words.

"Why would you do that? Why would you sacrifice or risk your life for me? Why?" He asked me desperately and I smiled at him softly.

"Because I love you Nico, more than anything in this world. You are my everything. And I'd do anything for you, even risk my life. And besides, you'd do the same for me. Am I wrong?" I asked him softly.

"No... I would do the same for you but please.. just.. just don't do that again." He sighed, closing his eyes and I smiled at him.

"I'll try but I can't make any promises. You can protect me all you want. But I'll always protect you too." I whispered and he kissed my forehead with a small smile playing on his lips.

Just then the doors opened and a doctor walked in followed by Jake, Matteo and Stuart who smiled widely when they saw me.

The doctor checked all my vitals and gave me a warm smile, giving me my medication and leaving for some tests he had to run. The boys gathered around me almost immediately.

"I'm so glad you're okay." Jake said holding my hand and giving me a small hug, and the others did too.

"Thank god you're alright, you had us really worried there for a while." Stuart said chuckling and I looked at their tired faces, knowing they must have hardly slept.

"You guys look tired. You should rest. How's Adrianna?" I asked and they nodded while smiling.

"She's fine, but very worried about you I told her you woke up so she'll come to see you in a while." Stuart told me and I nodded at him. We talked a bit before the boys left and Nico and I were alone once again.

"Are you okay? Do you need anything?" Nico asked, worry evident in his voice as I laughed softly at him and shook my head.

"I'm fine, I just want you here with me." I said and he chuckled.

"That can be arranged." He said and I sighed, laying my head back on his chest as I thought about talking to him about what really happened while I was out.

"Nico?" I asked and he hummed in response.

"How long was I out?" I asked quietly and feel him tense slightly.

"Uh.. It's been more than a month now." He said and I gasped.

"That long?" I asked him and he hummed in response.

"Your body took quite some time to heal." He said and nodded slowly.

"What happened while I was out?" I asked him and he sighed.

"How about we talk about this later? When you're feeling better, yeah?" He asked.

"It's alright Nico, don't worry. I'm sure I can handle it." I reassured him and he looked at me intently for a few moments before speaking.

He told me everything that had happened, from the day of the shooting till right now.

My eyes widened every now and then and I gasped when I found out Sofia was a traitor, and that there were more too, all working for Giovanni.

Not that I was surprised.

And then how my family was here and my friends too made my heart swell with joy. They even involved Cole and Abby on a mission which I found quite amusing.

But I couldn't miss the sadness in his voice as he talked about the last month and I knew it had really affected him. And badly.

After he finished we stayed quite for a while until I broke the silence.

"Thank you." I breathed out.

"For what?" He asked and I smiled at him.

"Everything. Absolutely everything." I whispered, making him smile back at me as our lips met in gentle yet passionate kiss, one I had been yearning for and I'm sure he was too.

And I realized he could have moved on when the doctors told him I might not survive, but he stuck to me like glue and even took my family's shit when they doubted him. And for that, I would always be thankful to him.

He was a part of my life I couldn't get rid of. He was embedded into my roots so much and so deeply that it hurt to breathe different air without him. He had my body, my heart and my soul, and I had his.

I gave it all to him myself.