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Colton slowly opened his eyes and immediately closed them. Why were the lights in his room so bright?
Someone in the room was humming. It was…nice. ALmost nice enough to send him back to sleep. Well, it would have if it weren’t for the shooting pain in his side. What was that all about anyway? He groaned and tried to adjust himself to be more comfortable but nothing seemed to work.
“Take it easy, Mr. Davidson,” said a soft voice. “You shouldn’t lay on your side like that; you’ll strain the stitches.”
“M’ name’s Colton,” he muttered. “And it hurts….”
“Alright, just relax.” Gentle hands rolled him back onto his back. “It’s about time for your next dose of pain medications. Just relax for a minute and you’ll feel better, okay?’
He might have responded if sleep wasn’t already pulling him under.
When he woke up next, he heard more voices in the room, some more familiar than others. There was also someone closer to him, adjusting his sheets.
He forced his eyes open and saw the most beautiful face leaning over him. A few stray strands of red hair fell from a neatly tied bun, drawing his attention to her soft, round face. A dusting of freckles covered her delicate pointed nose, drawing out the color of her blue eyes. Her pink lips were slightly downturned in concern and, in that moment, all he could think about was making her smile.
“Are you an angel?” he asked, voice raspy with dehydration.
The woman looked at him and smiled. “No, just a nurse.”
Colton wanted to ask her if she was sure about that but then all of a sudden the other people in the room- how family- noticed he was awake and he was surrounded. He managed to stay awake just long enough for the doctor to explain that his surgery had gone well and he was no longer in danger of dying from his burst appendix. He was listening to the doctor explaining he was going to need to stay for a little while longer before sleep (and his pain medications) pulled him back under.
He dreamed of a beautiful smile and flowing red hair.
When he woke up again, he was alone in the room. Well, not entirely. There was someone humming. Forcing his eyes open, he looked around and saw his angel- nurse - checking the machines while she hummed softly. She glanced over at him and smiled when she saw he was awake. “Hello, Colton,” she said. “How are you feeling?”
He couldn’t help but smile back and he was blissed out enough not to care how stupid he looked. “Better with you here.”
She chuckled. “That’s the pain medicine talking. And that’ll start wearing off soon; we’re going to start weaning you off so you can get out of here.”
“Why would I want to do that? You’re here.”
“I’m sure you have plenty of good things waiting for you outside. Family, friends, a girlfriend….”
Colton shook his head. “No, no girlfriend.”
“Well, maybe you’ll find one once you get out. Especially now that you’ve got a little scar. Maybe you can come up with a badass story for it.” She chuckled and pressed some buttons on another machine.
“Maybe I’ll just come back and ask you.”
“Oh, will you?” She smiled and shook her head. “That’s very sweet of you but you really don’t need to go through all that trouble. I’m sure you have other things to do.”
“Not more important than talking to you Miss….?” He needed to know his angel’s name.
“Stella. Stella Walker.” She adjusted his bedsheet. “And I think you’ve got plenty of better things to do than talk to me. Like recover from your surgery and start getting back to your normal life. You can’t go risking life and limb for a pretty face.”
Colton could admit she might have a point about that. “Well….What if I came after that? Then I wouldn’t be risking anything.”
She chuckled. “We’ll see if you still feel like coming to talk to me after that, okay? Now, I’ve gotta go get your doctor and he can talk to you about your recovery. Play nice and try not to flirt too much, okay?”
“I won’t flirt with anyone but you,” he promised.
—------------
Two weeks later, Colton was out of the hospital. Well, he was out of his recovery anyway. The doctor had given him a clean bill of health and he was free to go back to working in the kitchen at one of the local restaurants.
But he was back at the hospital today for a reason unrelated to his health. He had a pretty nurse to apologize to. He cringed just thinking about some of the cheesy “flirting” he did while under her care. He hoped she would accept his apology and not throw the latte he bought for her back in his face.
He walked up to the reception desk and asked to speak with Stella Walker, praying she was in that day. He was told to wait by the side of the desk and she’d be there shortly.
A few minutes later, there she was. And his pain medicine addled memory did not lie to him. He smiled sheepishly as she approached and his heart melted at her answering smile. “Mr. Davidson,” she greeted. “What can I do for you? Having any trouble after the surgery?”
He shook his head. “Uh, no, I’m all good. You and the doctor did a good job. I just- I wanted to apologize for…some of the stuff I said while I was here. I know I was hopped up on pain meds but I know it was inappropriate and I don’t have any excuse.” He held out the coffee as a peace offering. “I wasn’t sure what kind you liked but they had the peppermint latte special going on and-”
“Thank you, Colton,” she said, still smiling and putting him out of his misery. “And I appreciate the gesture but you really didn’t have to. You’re not the first patient that’s complimented me while under the influence. Though you are the first one that wasn’t twice my age….”
They both cringed at that and she laughed a little. “I’m serious though; I really didn’t mind. I mean, yeah, it was a little weird but you’re cute and you kept your promise not to flirt with anyone else so I’m gonna let it slide. I actually almost thought you were here to ask me out like you said you would….”
Colton blushed. “I- Well, I wasn’t planning on it but I was also kind of just hoping you wouldn’t dump that latte on me so….”
She laughed again. “I would never waste coffee like that.” Her pager went off and she huffed. “Okay, I’ve gotta go but-” she grabbed a pen and paper from the reception desk and scribbled something on it. “This is my number. If you feel like calling it and setting up a date when I’m not so busy.” She pushed the paper into his hands and grabbed her coffee. “Thanks again!” she called as she dashed down the hall.
“You’re welcome!” he called after her, clutching the paper to his chest.
Could this get more cliche? Colton couldn’t wait to find out.
[Text to: Angel]: Hey, this is Colton. I’m free this Saturday if you are.
[Text from: Angel]: Hey! I’ve got the day off so that’s perfect. Where should we meet?
[Text to: Angel]: I know a place on Main where I can get us a discount
[Text from: Angel]: Even better ;) See you then!