The Heir

Fiance

I carefully carried Sophie to the master bedroom, gently laying her in the bed. She seemed to be breathing fine and her pulse was good and strong. I contemplated whether I should call 911 or not. I wasn't really sure how to explain what had happened to them though. I watched her eyes flutter under her eyelids. Her hair in gentle curls around her face. I imagined kissing her rosy red lips, thinking for a moment that if I kissed them, she would wake up, just like a fairytale. I would be her knight in shining armor, here to save the day and rescue the beautiful princess.

I pulled myself from my thoughts and went to the bathroom in search of a washcloth. I checked every drawer, but Sophie had already cleaned everything out of the room. I headed downstairs to grab a towel from the kitchen. I drenched it in cold water and filled it with some ice cubes before making my way back upstairs. My heart skipped a beat as I saw her lying there in the bed. Even unconscious, she was the epitome of beauty. I carefully laid down in bed next to her, patting the rag over her face. I examined her fingers, but there were no signs of burns or injuries.

"Come on Sophie. Please wake up." I whispered as I continued to pat the cloth over her face.

I lay beside Sophie for a couple of hours with no change. The ice had melted long ago. I had discarded the rag on the floor next to the bed.

"That's it. I'm taking you to the hospital." I scooped her up in my arms and carried her downstairs. Her body felt so right cradled in my arms. I caught a whiff of her hair as her head lay against my chest. My heart pounded as the heavily musky, vanilla scent filled my nostrils. I carefully placed her in the back seat of my truck and headed as quickly as I could to the hospital.

I sat by her bed, holding her soft fingers in my hands. Her white nail polish perfectly painted on her fingers, popped against her tanned skin. I brought her hand to my lips, gently placing a kiss against her skin. It sounds crazy, but I was falling for this woman. She was bright and bubbly, her personality was captivating. I found myself getting lost in her eyes every time I looked at her. She was such a kind, sweet soul and I was drawn to her more and more each day.

We had been at the hospital for almost five hours already. They had done all sorts of tests and scans, but weren't able to figure out what was wrong. Everything was showing she was fine. Her brain function, her heart, it was fine. She didn't have any signs of electrocution or anything else, and the doctors couldn't explain what happened. They admitted her, and were going to make me leave, but I told them I was her fiance so I could stay. I wasn't about to leave her until I knew for certain that she was okay.

"There's a cafeteria downstairs, you should go get something to eat." A nurse walked in wearing her bright blue scrubs. Her bright blonde hair tucked neatly in a bun atop her head.

"I don't want to leave her." I said as my stomach let out a loud grumble. I hadn't eaten anything since the breakfast Sophie made for us, and I was lying if I said I wasn't hungry.

"Traitor." I looked down at my stomach as I heard the nurse chuckle.

"She'll be fine. I keep an eye on her. Grab some food and bring it back up here." She smiled as she examined Sophie.

I did as the nurse suggested and went to the cafeteria for a meal. I was amazed to see the numerous options the hospital offered. Doctors and nurses sat scattered around multiple tables, laughing and enjoying their breaks. A few people sat at tables alone. I could only assume they were here for their loved ones as well. Hospitals were such a grim and depressing place. I quickly filled my tray and paid before scurrying back up to the room. I had bought a few things for Sophie as well. I knew she would be hungry as soon as she woke up.

I sat down on the large recliner in the corner of the room. The nurse had brought me a rolling table. I lowered it to the height of the chair and dug into my food. I was completely famished. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I had food in front of me. I ate quickly so I could return to Sophie's side as soon as possible. The sun was going down and I was beginning to get tired. I lay my head down on the edge of the bed and closed my eyes.

"Noah?" My head shot up at the sound.

"Ouch!" I said as I winced in pain. My neck was kinked from the position I had filled asleep in. I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep, but a giant smile spread across my face as my eyes met with Sophie's bright green eyes. I have never been so happy to see those green orbs.

"Sophie! You're awake!" I wrapped my arms around her without thinking. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine." She smiled as she sat up in bed.

"I was so worried about you."

"How long have I been out?" She asked, looking around the room.

"It's been hours." I pulled my phone out of my pocket, showing her the time.

"Oh my!" She examined. "Have you been here all day?"

"Yes. I couldn't leave without knowing you were okay."

"Noah, you shouldn't have stayed." She scolded me.

"I wanted to." I said as I took her hand in mine again. My heart fluttered as she relaxed into my grip. I had expected her to pull away, but she didn't.

"Thank you." She whispered, as she glanced at our hands. "You should get home though. I'm sure you have better things to be doing than waiting here. I'm fine, I promise."

"I don't, actually." I stood up, sliding the tray over to the bed.

"I bought you some food. I figured you would be hungry when you woke up." I said as I adjusted the tray height, sliding it over the bed for her.

"Thank you!" She exclaimed excitedly as she dug into the sandwich and soda I had brought her. I smiled as I watched her devour the meal.

"Well well, you're awake." The nurse stood in the doorway, examining Sophie as she ate. "I'm going to grab the doctor. I'll be right back."

"They ran all kinds of tests on you while you were out, but they couldn't find anything wrong."

"Huh." Was all she replied. It was an odd response that didn't quite sit well with me.

"Sophie, what happened?"

"You were there. I touched the orb, and that's all I remember. I think at this point you know more than me."

"It electrocuted you. Or, that's what it looked like anyway. I grabbed you to pull you free and a bright light exploded in the room. You passed out. I waited for a while. But when you didn't come to, I brought you straight here."

"Thank you. I'm glad you were there." She smiled, taking a bite of the cookie I had bought for her. "It was so odd

I remember seeing it, and not being able to take my eyes off it. I could hear you talking to me, but I couldn't understand what you were saying. I was so focused on the orb. I had this desire to touch it. It was weird."

"And you don't remember anything after that?" I asked, curious to know what she remembered.

"Well…"

"Sophie Kincade." The doctor walked in, dressed in teal scrubs covered by a large white lab coat. He held a file folder in his hands and gently flipped through the papers in it. The nurse followed behind him, pushing a black laptop on a cart in front of her. The doctor walked to the side of the bed, the nurse stood at the foot of the bed. The doctor closed the folder and handed it to the nurse, who quickly tucked it into a shelf under the laptop.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he cupped her face in his hands.

"Fine." She said as she looked into the light of the flashlight the doctor was shining into her eyes. He checked her pulse and listened to her lungs before tossing the stethoscope around his neck.

"Well, you look good, you sound good, all of your tests were normal. I'd like to keep you here overnight, just to make sure. If you're still good in the morning, you can go home."

"Thank you." Sophie smiled at him.

"Your fiance has been pretty loyal. He hasn't left your side since he brought you in."

"He's a good man." Sophie snickered, shooting me a glance.

"I'll leave you two. Sophie. I'll see you in the morning." I watched as the doctor shifted out of the room. The nurse and her cart trailed behind him like a lost puppy.

"Fiance, huh?" I knew it was coming the moment the words left the doctor's mouth.

"They wouldn't let me stay unless I was family. Fiance was the first thing I could think of." I explained sheepishly. Her laughter was music to my ears. I absolutely loved the sounds that exited her beautiful lips.

"I'm just giving you a hard time." She playfully slapped my shoulder. "I really don't want to stay here all night."

"I'll stay as long as they will allow me too." I quickly interjected.

"Thanks." She sighed, sliding down in the bed. She curled up in a little ball, facing me. Her brow furrowed slightly, as she was deep in thought.

"Can I have some water?"

"Yes." I jumped up, searching for a nurse to request water from.

The nurse quickly brought two large cups of ice water for both Sophie and I.

"Thank you." I said as she placed them on the try beside us.

"Do you need anything, honey?" She asked Sophie, who was still curled up in the bed.

"Another blanket, please." Her face was still contoured in thought.

"You got it." The nurse said as she left to retrieve the blanket.

"Sophie?" I said, placing my hand on her shoulder.

"Hmmm?" She looked up at me with a weak smile.

"Here's a warm blanket." The nurse said as she spread it out over Sophie's body.

"I love how warm these are." She smiled and thanked the nurse.

"If you need anything else, push this button right here." The nurse explained how to use the remote that was attached to the bed. Carefully tucking it between the bedframe and the mattress before leaving us in peace.

"Sophie, what happened while you were out?"

"I…I'm not sure."

"Something is bothering you. What is it?"

"She looked up at me, her eyes glassed over with tears.

"Can I trust you?"