Bonus - The Billionaire's friends – Paul and Madison – Sixteen

Bonus - The Billionaire's friends – Paul and Madison – Sixteen
Madison’s POV

I struggled to open my eyes. It seemed like such an effort. When they finally fluttered open and adjusted to the light, he was there. My Paul, looking at me with a tender grin on his face. I wanted to tell him I loved him, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Paul noticed and just said, “Shhhh, Madison, rest my baby.”

I’m his baby? I smiled, not sure if my lips actually followed my thoughts. I was so exhausted that I just closed my eyes and drifted back to sleep.

When I woke up the next time, Paul was still sitting beside my bed.

“Hi,” I whispered out.

“Madison,” he said, smiling.

“How…long?” I asked.

“About ten hours,” Paul replied. “You need your rest.”

“Water?” I requested, my voice raspy.

“Let me check if you can have some. I’ll be right back,” Paul said, rising from his seat. He kissed my forehead, and I sighed.

Paul walked out of the room and returned a few minutes later with a nurse.

“Well, good morning, Madison,” the nurse said, smiling. “I’m so glad you got a good sleep. You didn’t even wake up last night when we took your vitals. Your boyfriend said you’re thirsty?”

“Yes,” I croaked out.

“Do you want water, ginger ale, or apple juice?” she asked.

“Apple, please,” I whispered.

“Ok, sweetie,” the nurse grinned and rubbed my arm reassuringly. “I’ll be right back.”

“Boyfriend?” I said, puzzled.

“Yes, boyfriend,” Paul replied. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“No,” I grinned.

“Good, because I’m not leaving you. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever, Madison Margaret Duval,” Paul stated. “I love you, Maddy.”

WHAT? What did Paul just say?

“Wha… wha… what?” I stuttered out.

“I said, I love you, Maddy,” Paul said, stroking my hair.

I started to cry.

“Shh, what’s a matter?” Paul questioned.

“I love you, too,” I whispered.

The door to the room swung open, and a different nurse walked in. “I heard from Amanda that someone is thirsty. That’s a good sign,” she said as she walked towards the bed. “Now, small sips only through the straw, ok? Don’t overdo it.”

I nodded at her. “Thank you,” I said in a soft voice.

“You’re very welcome,” she responded. “If you need anything else, just let me know. My name is Oksana, and I’m your day nurse. Now rest that voice, the doctor will be in shortly to see you.”

I mouthed thank you to her, and she left the room.

“So, what did you say before?” Paul asked, smiling.

“I love you, Paul,” I whispered.

“I thought that was what I heard,” Paul beamed.

“Can you help me sit up a bit?” I asked.

“I can adjust your bed a little bit,” Paul advised.

Wait… why can’t I move my legs? I stared down at them. Willing them to move.

“Paul… my legs,” I cried.

“Madison, the doctor will be here soon,” Paul said, stroking my hair. “He will explain. Stay calm and relax.”

“Ok,” I sniffled.

“Madison,” the doctor said, walking through the door to my room. “So good to see you awake. I’m Dr. Alzec. I performed your surgery yesterday. You kept me up past my bedtime, young lady,” he joked.

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Alzec,” I said, raspy.

“Your throat should start feeling better in a couple of days,” Dr. Alzec stated. “Unfortunately, the tubes we put down your throat for surgery sometimes irritate it. How are you feeling today?”

“Tired,” I whispered. “Doctor. My legs.”

“Madison, the bullet we took out hit a small spot on your spinal cord,” Dr. Alzec explained. “There is a lot of swelling in there. We won’t know until all the swelling goes down if you’ll regain the use of your legs. I’m so sorry.”

“So there is still hope, right, Dr. Alzec?” Paul asked.

“Yes, there is hope that the paralysis is only temporary,” Dr. Alzec explained. “It could take three to six months to determine the extent of the damage. Your spinal cord was not severed, so that’s promising.”

“Did you hear that, baby? There is hope,” Paul grabbed my hand and squeezed.

I turned my head away from him. How can he even want me, knowing I’m not only broken emotionally, but now I’m broken physically too? How could I burden someone as perfect as Paul with the responsibility of caring for me? That wouldn’t be fair to him.

The doctor went on to explain that the bullet ruptured my uterus to the point that they had to remove it. I couldn’t carry children. The one saving grace was that I still had my ovaries, so my eggs could be harvested.

“Madison, do you have any other questions?” Dr. Alzec asked.

“No, thank you for saving me, Dr. Alzec,” I said, half smiling.

“Madison, you need to look at the positive in this situation,” he said. “The chance that you would survive due to loss of blood and the damage was only about 10%. You are basically a miracle, Madison. Someone, or some higher power, was looking out for you. Your work here on earth isn’t finished.”

“She’s my miracle,” Paul said and kissed the back of my hand.

“Now get some rest, young lady. I will see you again tomorrow,” Dr. Alzec stated, then left the room.

I turned my head towards the window as tears began to flow. I may never walk again.

“Madison,” Paul whispered. I didn’t turn my head. I just lay there and stared blankly out the window. “Madison,” he called again.

“Paul, you should go,” I advised him.

“I’m not leaving you, Madison,” Paul said, vehemently. “I’m staying right here with you.”

I turned my head towards him. “Did you not hear me? Leave now. I don’t want you here.”

“You don’t mean that, Madison,” Paul responded.

“Yes, I do,” I replied. “Go.”

“No,” Paul said, stepping towards the bed.

“LEAVE!” I screamed. “GET OUT OF MY ROOM, NOW!”

Paul took a step back. “Is that really what you want?”

“Yes, leave,” I declared, turned my head towards the window, and closed my eyes.