Chapter 37

Liam

April 9th, 2017 | 8:00 am

Liam was getting ready for his shift at the hospital. There was no improvement in Austin's condition. His mom said that he needed to wake up soon. Otherwise things would only get worse.

Liam figured Lexi was still mad at him. Rachel said that she needed some time, but Liam's guilt wasn't eased by that. He wasn't surprised to find her at Austin's bedside. She hadn't slept, many people had tried to get her to go home, but she refused. She just held his hand and waited. Almost as if hoping if she stared long enough, he would wake up.

Liam was watching from the door, the only time Lexi left his side was when someone had to come and check on Austin. This time, when the nurse came to do his check up, Lexi got up and Liam followed her. She went to the multi-faith space. Liam walked in behind her. She wasn't surprised to see him.

He glanced at her. Her eyes were red and puffy, her hair was still slightly curled from the dance but she had it messily tied back. She was still wearing the sweatpants and hoodie Rachel had brought for her.

"I keep praying," Lexi said softly. "I keep praying that God will save him."

Lexi looked back at him and motioned for him to sit down next to her. Liam obliged and took a seat.

"I know you were doing what you thought was best, you and Macy both," she said tiredly. "But you don't understand."

"Then help me understand," he said.

Lexi took a deep breath. "Austin is my soulmate, he has and always will be."

"But Lexi, surely there's someone else out there, someone better."

"Is there someone better than Rachel?" Lexi asked.

Liam pressed lips into a line. There most certainly was not.

"See? It doesn't matter what you, or Macy, or anyone else for that matter thinks, he is the one."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Wisdom Sharer, Platonic, Romantic, all three make a soulmate remember?"

Liam nodded.

"Austin taught me what love was when I felt like I had no one, he was there for me when I lost everything, he cares for me like there's no tomorrow, she said quietly. "I taught Austin what family was, I supported him as he struggled between right and wrong, I love him with my entire being. We are soulmates and you can't change that, Liam."

Liam slowly understood. As much as he and Rachel were soulmates, so were Lexi and Austin.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

Lexi glanced over at him. "I can't lose him," she whispered.

"Is there anything I can do?" he asked.

"You can pray with me," she said.

So that was what they did. They prayed together, Liam hadn't really felt connected to God in a long time, but Lexi's unwavering faith encouraged him. After a few minutes, she glanced at her watch.

"The nurse should be done by now," she said softly.

They both stood up and made their way back to Austin's room. The nurse and Liam's mother were standing over Austin. Lexi went over and took Austin's hand once more.

Liam stood at the door, things must not have been looking good if his mother was here. Dr. Summers looked worried. She was running a few more tests.

"Austin please wake up, I need you," Lexi whispered. "Please, I love you, Austin."

Everyone's expressions turned sympathetic, Lexi was losing yet another loved one in this hospital.

"Please, Austin," Lexi was crying again.

She had taken his hand in her own and her head was resting on the side of his bed. She was so tired, she had been through so much, it looked like she had given up.

Even Liam felt like crying, he watched as his mom wiped a tear away as well. It was so agonizing, there was nothing that could be done. Suddenly, Lexi's head shot up.

"He squeezed my hand," she said in shock.

Immediately, the nurse and Liam's mom came back over.

"Are you sure, Lexi?" Dr. Summers asked.

She began ordering more tests as the nurse began checking Austin.

"I swear," Lexi said in shock.

Liam came over as well. He began helping the nurse examine Austin. Liam almost jumped back when Austin's eyes opened.

Lexi breathed a sigh of relief. "He's awake."

They all helped Austin as the nurse removed tubes and Liam helped them chart. Liam's mother ran some more tests. Liam would have figured Austin would be more freaked out or panicked, but he was only staring at Lexi who was crying again.

Eventually, Liam's mother had concluded that Austin would be okay. Teenagers after all were the most resilient patients. Liam's mother, the nurse, and Liam, all left to give Lexi and Austin some privacy.

Liam sat back down at the nurse's station outside Austin's room, he was technically still in the middle of his shift and had charts to organize. He watched through the glass though as Lexi and Austin stared at each other.

He couldn't hear them, but they were both crying as they spoke. Eventually, Lexi laid down in the bed next to Austin. He held her close to his side, the one that wasn't stitched up, and kissed the top of her head. She soon fell asleep in his arms. That was good, Liam thought. She had barely slept since Austin had been shot.

Liam had been wrong, they were so obviously soulmates. He could tell just from the way Austin had his arms around her, he was holding her so carefully, like one wrong move would break her. He watched as Austin fell asleep as well. Liam hoped life would get better for both of them. They both deserved it.

Towards the end of his shift, his mom found him sorting some files. She came up to him and helped him finish up.

"Ready to go?" she asked.

Liam nodded.

"Great, can you go see if Lexi wants to come, now that Austin is awake maybe she can get some sleep and a shower."

Liam nodded again and agreed to meet her at the car. He went back up to Austin's room and found them both still asleep in each other's arms. Liam felt bad for bothering them, he tried to close the door as quietly as he could, but Austin's eyes opened.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," Liam mumbled.

Austin instantly looked down at Lexi to make sure she was still asleep.

"It's okay," he whispered. "As long as Lexi's still sleeping."

"My mom just wanted to see if she was ready to leave but I'll cover for you guys or something," Liam whispered, he turned to leave.

"Hey, wait a minute," Austin said quietly while still being careful not to wake Lexi up. Liam turned back around. "I just, well I just wanted to thank you for taking care of her when I couldn't," he said a bit shyly.

Liam nodded. "Of course," he replied.

Liam looked over at Lexi. She was sound asleep with her head on Austin's chest. She looked so at peace, more content than Liam had seen her in a long time.

"I hate to pull the protective older brother act, but you better not hurt her," Liam warned.

Austin looked down at Lexi once more. "Trust me, that's the last thing I will ever do," he said.