Morning sunlight filtered softly through the thin hospital curtains, casting pale gold across the sterile room. The light touched Ethan's face first—warm, gentle—pulling him slowly from sleep.
His eyes fluttered open.
Sofia.
She was still there.
Her head rested on the edge of his bed, her dark hair loose and spilling over his blanket. Her hand was wrapped around his, fingers intertwined even in sleep. Her breathing was soft, steady, the warmth of her body close enough to feel.
Ethan exhaled slowly, relief washing over him like a tide.
He wasn't dreaming.
She came.
She stayed.
She didn't let go.
His thumb brushed instinctively across her knuckles.
Sofia stirred, lifting her head slightly, eyes heavy with exhaustion. She blinked away sleep, then looked up at him.
When she saw his eyes open, her breath caught.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hi," he whispered back, voice rough but warm.
She straightened, brushing hair from her face. "How do you feel?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," he said weakly.
Sofia brushed her fingers carefully along his cheek, avoiding the bandage just above his temple. "You scared me."
"I scared myself," he murmured.
She let out a breathless laugh, half-relief, half-tears.
Ethan watched her—really watched her. She looked tired. Fragile. Like she hadn't slept in days. But she was the most beautiful thing he'd seen since the early morning sun over the Italian coast.
"You didn't have to come here," he whispered.
Sofia's expression shifted—hurt, disbelief, love—all tangled at once.
"Yes," she said firmly. "I did."
He swallowed. "Why?"
Her eyes softened. "Because I never stopped caring. Because I never stopped thinking about you. Because when Camila called, I…" She looked away, voice trembling. "I thought I was going to lose you. And I realized I couldn't live with that."
He stared at her, chest tightening.
"Sofia…"
She reached out, placing her palm gently against his chest where his heart beat weakly beneath the bandages.
"Ethan, I tried to stay away," she whispered. "I told myself you'd moved on, that you were happier. But I lied to myself."
He closed his eyes, overwhelmed.
She continued, voice breaking slightly. "I'm here because you matter to me. Because you always did. Because I…" She hesitated, breath catching. "I can't walk away from you again. Not now. Not ever."
Ethan opened his eyes and met her gaze—raw, unguarded, trembling with truth.
"I love you," he said softly.
Sofia's lips parted, her breath hitching. Tears welled instantly.
He squeezed her hand, weak but certain. "I loved you when we first met. I loved you in Italy. I loved you even when you left."
Tears slipped down her cheeks silently.
"And I love you now," he whispered.
Sofia bowed her head, letting the tears fall freely. She brought his hand to her lips, holding it tightly.
"I love you too," she sobbed. "I always did. I was just scared. I didn't know how to handle losing you, how to stay when everything felt so big and so fast."
Ethan lifted a trembling hand toward her face. She leaned into it immediately.
"You don't have to be scared anymore," he whispered.
Sofia nodded, eyes closing as she pressed her cheek into his palm. "I won't run this time."
Ethan smiled softly, exhaustion tugging at his eyes again. "Good. Because I'm not chasing you across continents ever again."
She laughed tearfully and leaned forward until her forehead rested against his.
"You don't have to," she whispered. "I'm right here."
Their breath mingled. Their pain poured out in quiet silence.
Sofia stayed like that—forehead touching his—until the door opened.
Camila stepped inside quietly.
When she saw them, a small smile spread across her face.
"Well," she said softly. "I guess I don't need to ask how things are going."
Sofia straightened, wiping her tears.
Ethan gave Camila a tired smile. "Hey."
Camila approached the bedside, checking the monitoring equipment like she was part of the medical staff.
"How's the patient?" she teased.
"In terrible shape," Ethan replied. "But my nurse is beautiful."
Sofia blushed so hard she covered her face.
Camila snorted. "Yep. He's alive."
She glanced at Sofia, her smile softer now. "You look better today."
"Do I?" Sofia sniffled.
"Yes," Camila said sincerely. "Like you can breathe again."
Sofia's eyes glistened. "I can."
Camila nodded. "Good."
A quiet moment passed, gentle and peaceful.
Then Ethan spoke, voice low. "Camila."
She turned.
"Thank you," he said.
Camila swallowed. "You don't need to thank me."
"Yes, I do." His voice was weak but firm. "You brought her back to me. I'll never forget that."
Camila's eyes softened, then she cleared her throat. "I didn't do anything except use a phone."
"You saved me," Ethan said simply.
Camila blinked rapidly, looking away before emotion could betray her. "Just get better, soldier. That's repayment enough."
Ethan smiled.
Sofia reached over and squeezed Camila's hand gently.
The other woman nodded, accepting the quiet gratitude.
---
Over the next hours, Sofia stayed beside him—helping him drink water, smoothing his hair, holding his hand through every wave of pain.
They talked.
Not rushed.
Not afraid.
Not avoiding.
For the first time since Italy, their words flowed without breaking.
Sofia told him about the months she spent missing him, about how his absence hollowed every part of her routine. Ethan shared stories of training, of nights staring at the stars thinking of her.
Every confession built a bridge back to where they'd left off.
At one point Ethan whispered, eyes closed, "You're not leaving tonight, right?"
Sofia shook her head immediately. "I'm not leaving any night."
He smiled. "Good."
---
As evening returned, Camila peeked in once more, seeing Sofia curled in the chair, Ethan half asleep, their hands still tangled.
"You two need anything?" she asked quietly.
Sofia shook her head. "We're okay."
Camila nodded. "Then I'll leave you to your peace."
Before she stepped out, Ethan called softly, "Camila?"
She turned.
"You're family," he said quietly.
Camila froze, her eyes shining.
She smiled.
"Same to you," she whispered. And left.
---
Sofia leaned back in the chair, watching Ethan drift to sleep again. She brushed her fingers lightly over his hand.
He stirred faintly, whispering her name even in his dreams.
Sofia felt her heart expand in her chest.
She leaned down and kissed the back of his hand gently.
"I love you," she whispered. "And I'm not going anywhere again. I promise."
Ethan breathed softly, peaceful for the first time in months.
Sofia closed her eyes and finally allowed herself to rest, knowing she was exactly where she belonged.
By his side.
And he was exactly where she needed him.
Alive.
Safe.
Loved.
Together again.