Jeremy was awake for a while. He could hear the machines around him and he figured out that he is in a hospital. His memories returned almost immediately. Especially the car ride to the airport.

He was hurting like he was getting split into two at that time, but all he remembered now was her screaming at him, asking him to survive.

More than his pain, what he felt was her pain.

But more than feeling sad, he felt relieved and relaxed.

She loves me and...

That's what he thought at that moment, watching her driving the car, wiping her tears.

I can safely rely on her...

Maybe he was too relaxed, he fainted.

"Say what?

" Jerlina bit her lips.

But she couldn't help but bend and kiss his hand. The IV was connected to his other hand and one hand was free.

"Oh, your beard has become unkempt... Do you want a mirror to look at? Is that what you asked?

" she asked with a playful smile.

"Jeryl!

" he tried to glare at her but he ended up smiling.

Who wouldn't want to smile waking up to such a cute face?

"Joel...

" Jerlina stood up and placed her hand on his cheek. Bending near his face she smooched him on his lips before looking into his eyes.

She thought he'd be weak but he had found his strength to grab her waist. She loved it. That big hand was always comforting for her.

His blue eyes shimmered and his lips were dry as she noticed when she kissed him. But she knew for him nothing more will quench his thirst than her words.

This is the first thing he wants to hear after he wakes up... I am so glad I was here when he woke up,

I do love him!

"Joel, I love you,

" she said and her eyes clouded.

"I love you because...

" a tear started to dance in the rim of her eye and she was lost for words.

"I just love you...

"

She said wiping the tear at the back of her hand.

"I love you too, my wife,

" he said.

She looked at his face and his eyes were red too.

"I know...

" she sat beside him, carefully, not to disturb him.

"You've shown me plenty of times that you love me... I'll show you...in the future too,

" she said and she saw his lips curve up.

He nodded a bit as if he was gesturing for her to get closer to him and she bent and got closer to him.

"What?

" she asked as he was staring at her. He nodded once more and she smiled and placed his lips on his. He kissed her back. His strength was not that good and he couldn't do much but she could sense he was trying hard.

"You already did...

" he whispered and she looked at him.

"... For a long time... you already did tell me you love me...

"

The way she kisses him, the way she cared for him... her smile... her moans...

"Really? Then why did you ask me to say it over and over again?

" she kissed his forehead.

She was so happy. He is warm, he is breathing and his heart is beating. That's all she needed to be happy.

"Still...

" he gripped her waist hard,

"I wanted to hear it from your lips...

" his eyes ended up on her lips.

Jerlina's heartbeat quickened and her breath became shallow.

What am I thinking? He's not well!

"Hmm... Now that you heard it...

"

"I am the happiest man in the world...

" he tried to shout but he couldn't.

"Careful!

" she sat straight and rubbed his chest.

"Don't shout and don't try to laugh or cough... Your stitches may tear...

"

Jeremy said nothing and looked at her face. This is not the first time he is getting treated after getting shot but this is the first time he felt different.

He felt weak and in need of help.

When she said that he allows her to be weak, he didn't quite understand her. But now, he understood it.

He doesn't have to remember the do's and don't's. He doesn't have to remember the dosages and he doesn't have to struggle to find his way to the bathroom. He has a wife to look after him.

I shouldn't stress her out... she shouldn't get tired of taking care of me...

But I want her to take care of me...

Am I an a**hole for thinking this way?

Jerlina noticed he was looking at her weirdly. She just ran her finger through his hair to fix it. She saw the doctor coming in for a check-up and she stood up to leave a way for the doctor.

Jeremy grabbed her hand. He didn't want her to leave his side.

"How are you feeling? You aren't hurt anywhere, right?

" he asked. He felt guilty for asking this last. All he cared for was to hear her confess and he didn't even care for her.

I am an a**hole!

She went through a lot of trauma and I...

"I am fine,

" Jerlina shrugged.

She really wasn't hurt anywhere and wasn't feeling that traumatized. Maybe because she dealt with a lot and still has to deal with a lot, she didn't feel the need to dwell on that day.

Ah, right... I forgot about Gordon. I need to go back.

The doctor gave a preliminary check and gave the A-Okay.

"He needs to rest a lot,

" he said and Jerlina noted everything he said in her mind.

The doctor and the nurse left the room after adjusting his drips and Jerlina was left with Jeremy.

"Hmm...

" he pointed at his side and Jerlina with a smile sat beside him.

"Are you mad?

" he asked.

"No, why?

" Jerlina furrowed her brows.

"I didn't even care for you...

"

"Are you kidding? Where did you get that idea?

" She asked.

"You literally got hit by the bullet intended for me...

" she said.

She regretted saying it as she noticed his face getting sad.

"There is a lot to speak about,

" she ran her fingers through his hair and watched his eyes closing.

He should be tired...

She decided to talk about Erling and everything later. She thought he'd feel bad if she talked about it all now. He is someone who likes to take care of her and when the roles are reversed, he might get upset. He might feel bad thinking he is letting her face troubles alone.

But Alexander is there and she didn't feel alone.

But how will he take it if she says it?

Will he think that she doesn't need him and that she is happy when he is suffering alone?

He is her husband and the man she loves and she wanted to take care of him.

Gerard was the only other man she was this close with and he'd... he'd say that he doesn't like feeling weak and he'd... He'd get angry a lot and say things he doesn't mean when he's sick.

How will Joel act?

It was a familiar but new territory for her.