Chapter 7 - The Awakening of Samantha
At 7:30 AM, the morning sun broke over the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains, casting long, warm golden rays through the panoramic glass windows of ICU Suite 4.
The thermal warming blankets hummed softly. The continuous cardiac monitor beeped with a steady, strong, regular rhythm.
I sat in the armchair beside the bed, holding Samantha’s small, warm hand between both of my palms, kissing her knuckles one by one.
Her long eyelashes fluttered.
She let out a soft, ragged sigh, slowly opening her hazel eyes.
"Gareth...?" Samantha whispered, her voice hoarse from the freezing air she had inhaled.
I stood up immediately, leaning over the bed, my thumb gently caressing her cheek, careful to avoid the bruised red mark left by her mother's ring.
"I’m here, baby," I murmured, tears of overwhelming relief burning behind my eyelids. "You're at Providence. You're safe. You're warm."
Samantha looked at the hospital room, then looked down at her bandaged arms and feet. Memories of the dark, freezing lawn rushed back into her eyes.
"The house... Mom and Christopher... they took the papers, Gareth," Samantha choked out, clutching my shirt. "They said you couldn't protect me... they said you were just a logistics clerk who carried boxes..."
I pulled her gently into my arms, resting her head against my chest, feeling her heartbeat steady against my ribs.
"Nobody is taking your father's house, Samantha," I whispered softly, smoothing her hair. "And you will never have to be afraid of them again."
Samantha looked up, her gaze catching the corner of the crowned-wraith tattoo visible beneath my unbuttoned collar.
Her eyes widened in soft, wondering realization.
"Gareth... who are you?"
I looked into the eyes of the woman I had loved in secret and in peace for four years.
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"To the world, I am a storm they pray never reaches their shores," I said gently. "But to you, Samantha... I am just the man who will love you until the end of time."
Samantha smiled through her tears, wrapping both arms around my neck, resting in the absolute safety of my embrace.
