Page 84 of Home Again

“Now, will you open your beautiful eyes for me? I’ve been so scared.”

Her lip tilted up. “You don’t get scared.”

“Yes, I do.”

She opened her eyes. She saw his brimming with tears.

“Sebastian,” she whispered. “Please, no. What’s wrong?”

“I almost lost you, and I hardly had you.”

“What are you talking about?” He wasn’t making any sense.

Sebastian lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. He lifted up and looked into her eyes. He must have seen her acceptance because he dipped down again and captured her face with both hands and kissed her like his life depended on it.

He jerked his head up. “I’m sorry, cher.”

“For what?”

He gave a wry chuckle. “You just woke up from a coma. I shouldn’t be kissing you like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like I want to live all of my tomorrows with you.”

Her eyes widened so much she thought they might pop out of her head. “Am I still in a coma?”

“Gianna, I’ve been the one who’s lived my life in a coma. But now I know that life’s too short. I love you with my whole heart.”

“You do?”

“I want to live the rest of my life with you.”

She shook her head and gasped in pain.

“Cher, stop that. Why are you shaking your head?”

“I’m trying to clear it. Trying to see if this is real or not.”

“It is. I’m laying all of my feelings on the line, my entire heart. I want so much for you to say you love me too, but it’s more important that you know how much I love you. You need to know just how much I cherish you. I will always treasure you, Gianna. Know that.”

She’d been needing to hear those words her whole life. She needed someone to give her the gift of their love and not expect anything in return, and somehow it was this amazing man.

“Thank you, Sebastian.”

He softly rested his forehead against hers. “No, thank you. Thank you for teaching me how to love, cherish, and trust.”

She tried to reach up and touch him, but her hands were connected to I.V.s. “Sebastian?” she whispered.

“Yes, cher?”

“I love you too. With all my heart.”