Chapter 385 SHE'S AWAKE

Chapter 385 SHE'S AWAKE
ARTEMIS' POV
Mostly because they just found out they were mates a few months later. They argued a lot and settled, yet the topic remained a sore spot for both of them, it seems. "I like the experience and the opportunity to mingle with people, Jasper."
"More than you love being with me? I miss you all the time when you’re away."
"It isn’t easy for me either, Jasper," she chides him with a frown. "Plus, this isn’t the time and place to talk about this." Her eyes look at me next, remorseful and embarrassed. "I’m sorry for bringing this up at all in front of you today."
"It’s fine. Regardless, you have each other; it’s something to be grateful for." I try my best not to sound as envious as I feel, moving away from them and averting my eyes. "If you’ll excuse me…"
"Of course, we’ll give you space to be with her, at least before Ace gets here."
"Thank you." I offer a grateful nod, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind me with a deep sigh, suddenly engulfed in silence. I draw closer to her slowly, my heart pulsing in my ears once I’m close enough to watch the gentle rise and fall of her chest, to watch her in deep sleep. I sit by her side, as always, slowly lining our fingers together. The feel of her touch on mine is static, even in her sleeping state. "Sera… Happy birthday," I start, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I just finished getting rid of every rotten bastard from school. The constructions are finally complete, just in time for your birthday too. I’m sure if you saw that place right now, it would seem entirely different."
I imagine what she would think of the place now, knowing she'd love the new additions definitely. Yet, as always, I’m left without a response. Nothing but silence and her blank facial expression. "You don’t have to worry about the wreckage too; I’ve handled all that too. No one would ever believe a tornado ripped through the city," I laugh again, more strained than the previous one. "It’s been a year, and I know I said I would be strong and wait for you, but it’s hard. I miss you so much…" my voice fades towards the end, and I take a deep breath before I continue. "Nothing feels the same without you. I can’t help but blame myself for everything that went wrong." Moisture gathers in my eyes faster than I can stop them. I find myself moved by emotions again, unable to fight my own pain and anguish, unable to go through this entire process without breaking down. I can’t do this without her; I can’t keep this up without you, Sera. I sink my head into her palm, wetting them with my uncontrollable tears, wishing for the thousandth time that it had been me and not her. That I could take away all her pain and she could feel safe enough to open her eyes for me. "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for not being there. I know apologizing will never be enough, but I am. Please, Sera, please return to me," I beg her, I plead, while bits of me chip away slowly. While I dangle on a thin thread of hope and on the brink of losing myself just as my father had. My head is lost in a sea of doubt and pain, but I don’t miss the slight yet subtle twitch of her finger. My tears cease, including my body down to my breath. For the briefest moment, I don’t breathe, stopping altogether to look at her expectantly. She had minor twitches, all of which the doctors say are normal, yet they take me off guard all the time, filling me with maddening false hope. I don’t expect much again until she twitches again, this time her nose, scrunching just the slightest bit. Her fingers moved all the time, but never her nose. I rise, drawing closer to look at her, still holding my breath, watching her closely while the world around me remains at a standstill. Her nose twitches again, then her eyes, both at the same time. Her eyes slowly flutter open, green orbs seeing light after so many months, blinking for seconds before they find mine, dazed and confused, especially by my expression. Which is completely awestruck and dumbfounded, too stunned to utter a word or do anything for a second besides hanging my mouth open. “Arte-“ She doesn’t complete it without coughing weakly, her throat sore from months of not speaking. I laugh, in disbelief, pulling her into my arms as gently as I can while engulfed in excitement - for the first time in a year, I feel myself breathe without pains. The door abruptly swings open suddenly, and Ace, just arriving, walks in. “Artemis… you know Jasper and Olivia are making out in your office right? I advise you sanitize every surface before you…” he pauses the second his eyes fall on both of us. On Sera especially, being held up in my arms completely confused, especially seeing him in front of her. “Ace?”
“Sera…”
“She’s awake.” I say, barely able to hold back my excitement, relief, pounding in my heart. “My mate is awake.”