The Words I’ve Been Waiting For

She woke up to the sound of a heart monitor — steady, rhythmic, like a heartbeat counting the seconds of her life.

The hospital room was quiet, the morning light spilling softly through the blinds, casting long lines across the floor.

She blinked slowly, her body aching, her throat dry.

And then she heard it.

A sharp intake of breath.

A whisper.

"Sophia."

Daniel.

He was there — sitting beside her bed, his head resting in his hands.

He looked up slowly, like he was afraid she wasn't real.

And then his eyes met hers.

And the world shifted.

He stood instantly.

"Hey," he said, voice trembling slightly. "Hey, you're awake."

She tried to smile, but her lips barely moved.

He leaned down, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"You scared me," he whispered.

She swallowed hard, voice barely above a breath. "You're here."

Daniel gave a soft, shaky laugh. "Of course I'm here."

She blinked slowly, her gaze drifting around the room.

"Where… is everyone?" she asked.

"They went home to rest," he said gently. "But they'll be back soon."

She nodded slightly.

Then frowned. "How long have you been here?"

Daniel hesitated.

"Since last night," he admitted.

She gave a weak smile. "You didn't sleep."

"I didn't want to miss you waking up."

She looked at him — really looked — and whispered, "You didn't have to stay."

He gave her a long, quiet look.

"I wanted to."

They didn't speak for a long moment.

The silence wasn't empty.

It was full.

Of everything they hadn't said.

Of everything they had lost.

Of everything they still had.

Finally, she asked, "Are you okay?"

Daniel blinked. "What?"

She studied him. "You look… tired."

He gave a soft laugh. "You were in a hospital bed for a day and you're asking me if I'm okay?"

She gave a small shrug. "You matter."

He looked at her — really looked — and something in his chest cracked open.

Because she was still thinking of him.

Still asking about his well-being.

Even after everything.

Even after the accident.

Even after the silence.

He sat down beside her, hands resting on his knees.

"I didn't eat much," he admitted. "Didn't sleep. Didn't leave."

She frowned. "You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to," he said. "You were always the one who showed up for me. Who made pancakes when I was tired. Who cleaned up my messes. Who made me feel seen."

She blushed slightly.

He met her eyes.

"I think I've owed you a lot more than just being here."

She looked away. "I'm not that important."

He shook his head. "You are."

She looked back at him — surprised.

And he finally said the words he had been holding onto for years.

"I love you."

Her breath caught.

He swallowed hard, continuing before he could lose the courage.

"I don't know when it started. Maybe when you were still twelve and I was too blind to see you."

She blinked, eyes wide.

He reached for her hand — careful not to hurt her.

"I think I've always loved you," he said quietly. "I just didn't know how to say it until now."

She didn't speak.

She couldn't.

Because her heart was pounding too loud in her chest.

And he was still talking.

"I was scared," he admitted. "Scared of how much you mattered. Scared of how much I missed you when I wasn't around."

He looked at her — really looked.

"And I was scared of losing you."

She swallowed.

Then whispered, "You didn't lose me."

He gave a shaky smile. "I almost did."

She studied him — the way his voice broke, the way his eyes searched hers for something real.

And then she asked, "Why now?"

He exhaled. "Because I finally realized I couldn't wait any longer."

Later that day, the roommates arrived — Mira, Zara, and Claire — all with coffee and a small bouquet of wildflowers.

"She's awake!" Mira said, setting the flowers on the table.

Daniel stood, giving them space.

Zara studied him. "You told her, didn't you?"

He didn't answer.

But the way he looked at Sophia said everything.

And when Zara caught Sophia's soft, dazed smile — the one that said she had just heard the words she had waited for — she nodded to herself.

Claire leaned in. "So… did he finally say it?"

Sophia's voice was quiet — but her smile was the loudest thing in the room.

"He did."

Zara grinned. "Took him long enough."

Daniel groaned. "You're all going to ruin this moment."

Mira shook her head. "No. We're just making sure you know — she's not just your second chance."

"She's your only chance," Zara added.

Daniel looked at Sophia — really looked — and whispered, "I know."

That night, when the roommates had gone and the hospital was quiet again, Daniel sat beside her bed, watching her sleep.

She had spoken.

Laughed.

Smiled.

And told him, in her softest voice, "I've loved you for so long."

He had leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I know," he whispered. "And I've loved you longer than I realized."

The silence after that was full of everything they had missed.

Everything they had waited for.

Everything they were finally going to have.