Chapter 30 The Question
Anushka's P.O.V.
Why is it so dark? My body feels heavy, like it has a ton of bricks on it. I don't understand what's going on. Where am I? I remember being at Jordan's penthouse when the power went off. Oh no, I went with the man who had Dakota. When we got into the hallway, those other guys showed up and pulled out guns. I remember trying to move away from the man holding me when he started shooting, and then I felt a sharp pain and nothing else.
Was I shot? Where are Jordan and Dakota? What if the man went back into the penthouse and killed them? I need to wake up. I need my family. I try to move, but I can't. I'm screaming in my head for help, but nothing is coming out of my mouth. Please, someone, help me. I need to check on my family. What's that? Someone's talking. I try to focus on the voice.
"It's okay, sweetheart; we're right here. You can open your eyes whenever you're ready. We're not going to leave you." I want to weep with joy when I hear Jordan's voice.
"Mommy, the bad guy can't hurt you anymore. You can wake up now." My sweet baby Dakota. I need to open my eyes. I want to see them to make sure this isn't a dream. I try to open my eyes, but nothing happens. I keep trying, and when I'm about to give up, I see a blinding light.
"Look, Daddy, her eyes are open." Come on, I need to focus. I close my eyes for a second and then open them again. This time, the light isn't as blinding. Something is in my mouth, and I feel like I'm choking.
"Hang on, dear, we'll get that tube out. The doctor is here now. We just had to make sure you could breathe on your own." I hear a pleasant woman speaking softly. I assume she's a nurse, but I can't see anything besides the lights. I look all around without moving my head, and then I see my angel. Dakota is smiling at me.
"Okay, this is going to be uncomfortable, but it will be over before you know it," a man says. I see him leaning over me, but I can't see his face because he's wearing a mask. "One, two, three."
He pulls the thing out of my mouth, and I feel like it's tearing my insides out for a second. Damn, that hurt. Once it's out, I can breathe better. I turn my head slightly and see Dakota sitting on Jordan's lap. He's crying when he leans over to kiss my forehead.
"Daddy, it's okay. She's awake now." Dakota rubs her little hand on my cheek. I want to talk, but I know I can't yet. My throat feels raw, and my mouth feels like sandpaper.
"I'm going to assess you, and then we'll wet your mouth. I don't want you to have anything to eat or drink yet." I hear the doctor say, but I'm looking at Dakota and Jordan. I can feel him touching me, but I ignore him. When he's done, he shines a light in my eyes.
"Okay, you look good. We'll keep you in the ICU for at least another day or two to ensure you don't have any complications, and then we'll move you up to the medical unit. Do you have any questions?" Does he think I can talk? I don't look at him as I shake my head. Jordan can answer any questions I have.
"I'm going to use a little sponge with water to help the dryness in your mouth. Can you open up for me?" I glance at the nurse. She's short and round, with her gray hair in a braid. I open my mouth, and the little wet sponge she puts inside feels like heaven. She wets it several times, and I feel like I may be able to talk.
"I'll leave this here. It's okay to use it as often as she needs." She tells Jordan and Dakota.
"We will take care of her. Thank you, Nurse Laura." The nurse smiles and shakes her head.
"I just love this little cutie," she says as she leaves the room.
"How long?" I try to speak, but it comes out rougher than I thought.
"You've been unconscious for almost two days. Dakota and I have stayed here with you the entire time. The man who did this is dead." Jordan kisses my head, and Dakota kisses my cheek.
"The nurses are really nice. They said other kids aren't allowed to be in this part of the hospital, but the doctor said I could. Gavin is really funny, too. He's the man who stands by the door sometimes. He takes me to get snacks." I smile as she talks a mile a minute.
"Where did you sleep?" I ask them.
"Daddy slept in the chairs, and I slept on his lap. Bobby got us clothes from home, and the nice nurses let us use the shower in your bathroom." Dakota answers. Jordan rubs his hand over my head and kisses my forehead again. I have no idea who these people are she's talking about, but I'm assuming they are part of the security team Jordan hired.
"I was so scared we were going to lose you. I couldn't leave you. We needed to be here when you woke up. I'm so sorry I didn't protect you." Jordan stops talking when he can no longer control his tears. I shake my head.
"You protected Dakota just like I needed you to do. I knew she was safe as long as she had you. I love you both so much." My mouth is dry again, but I get out as much as possible. Jordan puts his forehead against mine.
"I love you too." He whispers.
"When are you going to get married?" Dakota asks.
"What?" I ask, looking from her to Jordan.
"You're Daddy's fiancée, so when are you going to get married? Can I wear a dress with lots of sparkles?" Fiancé? Did Jordan ask me to marry him, and I forgot? I look at Jordan, and he's looking at me in fear. Oh, I get it now. He told people he was my fiancé so he could stay with me.
"I understand why you said that. It's okay; I know you didn't mean it." I tell him. Jordan smiles and kisses my hand.
"I did mean it, but this isn't when, where, or how I wanted to ask you. I knew I was going to ask you this question from the moment we met. Anushka, will you marry me?"