Chapter 9: The Hospital Call
893 Words
The call came at 3 AM.
Ava's phone buzzed on the nightstand. She grabbed it, heart pounding.
Unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Miss Bennett? This is St. Mary's Hospital. Your father has been admitted. He had a heart attack."
Ava's blood ran cold.
"Is he okay?"
"He's stable. But you should come."
---
She ran to Alexander's room. Pounded on the door.
"Alexander! Wake up!"
The door opened. He was shirtless. Hair messy. Eyes alert.
"What's wrong?"
"My father. Heart attack. I need to go."
"I'll drive."
---
The hospital was thirty minutes away.
Alexander drove fast. Too fast. But Ava didn't care.
"He's going to be okay," Alexander said.
"You don't know that."
"He's strong. He survived worse."
"He survived because I married you."
"That's not why."
Ava stared out the window. "He's all I have."
"Not anymore."
---
They arrived at the hospital.
Ava ran to the front desk. "Richard Bennett. Where is he?"
"Third floor. Room 312."
She ran to the elevator. Alexander followed.
The elevator doors closed. Ava's hands were shaking.
Alexander took her hand. "Breathe."
"I can't."
"You can."
She breathed.
---
Room 312.
Her father was lying in a bed. Tubes in his arms. Monitors beeping.
"Papa."
He opened his eyes. Weak. Tired.
"Ava, baby."
She sat beside him. Held his hand.
"What happened?"
"My heart. It just... stopped."
"But you're okay now."
"The doctors said I'll be fine. Rest. Medication. No stress."
"No stress," Ava repeated. "I'll make sure of it."
---
Alexander stood in the doorway.
Her father looked at him. "You're Alexander King."
"Yes."
"You saved my company."
"I saved your daughter. The company was secondary."
Her father's eyes softened. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me. Thank her. She signed the contract."
Ava squeezed her father's hand. "I'd do it again."
---
The doctor came in.
He explained the condition. Medication. Lifestyle changes. Follow-up appointments.
"He needs rest," the doctor said. "No stress. No excitement."
"I'll take care of him," Ava said.
"You can't stay here forever," her father said.
"I can stay as long as you need."
Alexander stepped forward. "We'll hire a nurse. Round the clock. He'll have the best care."
Ava looked at him. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
---
Ava stayed at the hospital all night.
Alexander stayed with her.
"Go home," she said. "You need to sleep."
"I'm not leaving you."
"I'll be fine."
"I know. But I'm still not leaving."
She leaned against him. "You're stubborn."
"I'm persistent."
"Same thing."
He almost smiled.
---
In the morning, her father was stronger.
He ate breakfast. Sat up in bed. Complained about the food.
"This is terrible."
"It's hospital food, Papa."
"In my day, hospitals had real food."
"In your day, hospitals had leeches."
He laughed. Then winced. "Don't make me laugh."
"Then don't be funny."
---
The nurse arrived at noon.
Her name was Carol. Kind eyes. Gentle hands.
"Mr. Bennett, I'll be taking care of you."
"I don't need a nurse."
"The doctor says you do."
"The doctor doesn't know me."
Carol smiled. "I'll be back at 2 PM with your medication."
Her father sighed. "Fine."
---
Ava kissed his forehead.
"I need to go. But I'll be back tonight."
"Go. Work. Live. I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
---
She walked to the car. Alexander opened the door for her.
"She's sleeping."
"He's strong."
"He's stubborn."
"Like someone else I know."
Ava looked at him. "Like who?"
He didn't answer. Just started the car.
---
They drove home in silence.
Ava stared out the window.
"Alexander?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. For staying. For the nurse. For everything."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I want to."
He reached over. Took her hand.
"You're not alone anymore."
"I know."
---
They arrived at the penthouse.
Ava was exhausted. She went to her room. Lay on the bed.
Alexander knocked on the door.
"Come in."
He sat on the edge of the bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired. Scared. Grateful."
"He's going to be okay."
"I know. But I almost lost him."
"But you didn't."
She sat up. Looked at him.
"I can't lose him. He's all I have."
"You have me."
Ava's heart pounded.
"I know."
---
He reached out. Touched her face.
"Rest. I'll wake you for dinner."
"Stay?"
"Here?"
"In this room. With me."
He lay down beside her. Not touching. Just near.
"Rest," he said.
She closed her eyes.
For the first time in hours, she felt safe.
---
She dreamed of her mother.
They were in the garden. Roses everywhere.
"You're stronger than you know," her mother said.
"I miss you."
"I know. But you're not alone. You have him."
"Alexander?"
"He loves you. Even if he hasn't said it."
Ava woke up.
Alexander was still beside her. Watching her.
"You were crying," he said.
"A dream. My mother."
"What did she say?"
"She said you love me."
Alexander was quiet.
"Ava..."
"You don't have to say it. I know."
---
Dinner was simple.
Soup. Bread. Wine.
They ate in silence. Not uncomfortable. Just quiet.
After dinner, they sat on the couch.
Alexander put his arm around her.
"I'm glad you're here," he said.
"Me too."
She leaned against him.
The future was uncertain. Her father was healing. Her marriage was complicated.
But in this moment, she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
And that was enough.
- Writer
