The steady beep of the heart monitor grounded you before anything else did. One long tone, then another. White light burned behind your eyelids, and when you finally forced them open, the ceiling tiles swam into focus.
Your body felt wrecked heavy, sore, stitched together with pain but you weren't alone.
Olivia sat beside the bed, shoulders slumped forward, her hands folded like she was afraid to move. There were dark circles under her eyes, her hair pulled back hastily, no armor, no command presence. Just her.
When your fingers twitched, her head snapped up instantly.
"Hey," she whispered, standing too fast, chair scraping softly. "Hey... easy. You're safe."
Your throat burned. "You stayed."
Her mouth trembled. "I'm not going anywhere."
Silence stretched between you, thick with everything unspoken. Finally, she exhaled shakily and sat back down, taking your hand like she needed the contact as much as you did.
"I owe you an apology," she said quietly. "For all of it."
You frowned slightly. "Liv—"
"No," she said, gently but firmly. "Let me say this." Her thumb brushed over your knuckles, grounding herself. "I pushed you away when I was scared. I let my guilt, my history, and... Alex... cloud everything. I made you feel like you weren't enough, like you were something temporary."
"You never were," she continued. "You were the one constant. And I treated you like you were expendable." Her voice cracked. "I am so sorry."
You swallowed hard. "I didn't need perfect. I just needed you to choose me."
Her eyes filled instantly. "I know. And I will spend the rest of my life making that right—if you'll let me."
Before you could answer, a familiar voice broke the moment.
"Well," Fin said from the doorway, arms crossed, a soft smile on his face. "Looks like someone finally woke up."
You smiled weakly. "You look terrible."
He chuckled. "Yeah, well, you should see the other guys." His gaze softened when he looked at you. "You scared the hell outta us."
"Thank you," you said quietly. "For saving me."
Fin nodded once, serious now. "You're family. Always." He glanced at Olivia knowingly. "I'll give you two a minute. Don't break each other again, alright?"
"Noted," Olivia murmured.
After Fin left, the door opened again—slower this time.
She looked tired. Older somehow. Her eyes flicked to Olivia, then to you.
Your chest tightened, but Olivia didn't let go of your hand.
Alex stepped closer. "I just... wanted to say I'm sorry. For my part in all of this. I didn't realize how much damage I was doing until it was already done."
Olivia straightened. "We both made mistakes."
Alex nodded. "I think... we were holding onto something familiar instead of something right." She looked at you. "And you didn't deserve to be caught in the middle."
You took a breath. "I don't hate you. I just need honesty. From both of you. We've already made our amends. I just needed to know where we all stand."
Olivia squeezed your hand. "We're not ready to fix everything," she said softly. "Not yet. Too much just happened. Too many wounds."
Alex gave a sad smile. "But maybe... one day. When it's not about guilt or fear."
"One day," Olivia agreed.
Alex stepped back. "I'll let you rest." She hesitated, then added, "I'm glad you're alive."
When the door closed, the room felt quieter. Lighter.
Just you and Olivia again.
She leaned forward, resting her forehead against your hand. "Right now," she whispered, "it's just us. No pressure. No promises we can't keep. Just healing. Together."
You nodded, tears slipping free. "That's all I want."
She kissed your knuckles, reverent and slow. "Then that's what we'll do."
You closed your eyes, listening to the steady beep of the monitor, her breathing beside you alive, present, real.
For the first time in a long time, you weren't afraid of what came next.
And she wasn't letting go.
*Thank you to everyone who stayed with me and finished this series out. I know it was a long wait. But thank you to everyone who supported me through this time.**