Epilogue

It had been a month since Catalella’s attempted suicide and AJ’s return. Catalella had been doing better and the transplant had finally taken place. The hours Katherine spent pacing the waiting room with Catalella’s family stuck with her. She felt like she belonged.

But she didn’t like feeling helpless. It was her own fault she was kicked out of the operating room in the first place. She kept on questioning every move the surgeon made. Finally exasperated and at his limit, the old man tossed her out. Now she sat at AJ’s bedside waiting for him to gain consciousness. He was taking his time.

Impatiently she poured cubes of ice in a cup and held it in her hand trying to figure out if what she was about to do was insane. Medically it wouldn’t hurt him or come in the way of his recovery. Tilting the mouth of the cup over his neck, she let two ice cubes fall out, and as soon they came into contact with his skin, AJ’s eyes flew open.

“Hey, sweetheart,” she cooed at him.

“What the hell, Kat!” His voice was hoarse, as he shook the ice off himself.

“I wanted you to wake up.”

“So, dropping ice cubes down my gown was your last resort. Why couldn’t you wait like normal people?”

“I’m not normal. Scoot over.” Katherine helped AJ move while making sure he remained on his side. “Are you in pain?”

“I’ll survive. But I don’t think I can handle any more ice baths, so just get over here.” AJ curled his arm around her and pulled her into him. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too. Close your eyes. Now I know you’re okay, you can go back to sleep.”

AJ closed his eyes and before he fell back to sleep, he whispered, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”