Sara woke slowly, every additional ounce of clarity bringing with it a new ache or pain. She couldn’t even attempt to figure out what happened right away because every time she tried to form a thought, her head threatened to split in two. Her belly and chest felt like she’d been kicked in the gut, repeatedly, and her left arm wouldn’t move. All in all, she felt like she’d been hit by a truck, or like she’d rammed her car into a brick wall!

The accident, and the half hour leading up to it, came rushing back all at once. Finding Molly on Keith’s front porch, him forcing her to choose between the two of them, then the hellish ride that ended with the car flying headfirst into the front of a building.

Questions filtered through her brain, one after the other, rapid fire. Obviously, she was in a hospital, but where was Molly? Was there anything left of her car? Had anyone else been hurt? How long had she been unconscious? And, most importantly, did Keith know where she was? Because even though he told her not to come back if she helped Molly, she knew he didn’t mean it. He was angry and confused after finding out that she’d never told Grandma about them, and finding Molly at his house was the icing on the cake. He had to be worried sick.

Since they started dating he’d always known exactly where she was at any given point during the day. Some women might find his protectiveness stifling, but Sara relished the feelings it gave her. Rather than seeming overbearing, his desire to keep track of her made Sara feel safe and secure. She’d been on her own for so long that having someone care so deeply about her well being wasn’t a burden.

Worry for Keith and how he was doing finally propelled her fully out of the fog. She heard the beep of a machine next to her, the drone of a television somewhere across the room and the distant voices of people in the hall. She lay still and listened for a few minutes, giving her tired brain time to take in the noise before moving on to the next step.

When she heard someone move next to her, Sara forced her eyes open, eager to see who was there, but the muted light hitting her eyes felt like someone was driving a spike into her head. She slammed her lids back down, groaning in pain.

“Sara?” a man said from right beside her. “Are you awake?” Whoever it was got up and came closer to the bed. “Sara, did you say something?”

Now he was right in her face, speaking way too loudly. “Shh, my head hurts,” she told him, hoping he’d turn down the volume. His voice was familiar, but she was struggling to place it, though it definitely wasn’t Keith.

“Can you open your eyes, Sara?” he asked. Hmm. Maybe he was a doctor?

“No, it’s too bright. Hurts too much,” she answered. “Turn the light off.”

“Okay, hold on.” He moved away from the bed and a few seconds later the room went a bit darker. This time when she cautiously opened first one eye, and then the other, it was better. Not great, but she could at least keep them open and see who was in the room with her.

“Derek,” she said, surprised to find him there, but still grateful for a familiar face. “Where’s Keith?”

“He went to get some coffee with Kevin. I just texted him the news that you were awake so I’m sure they’re on the way back up already,” he assured her.

Knowing Keith was here made the pain just a bit more manageable and she relaxed back into the bed.

“Don’t fall back asleep before he returns, Sara,” Derek said, gently shaking her shoulder. “He’ll kick my butt if I talked to you and he didn’t.”

“I’m not going back to sleep,” she replied. She opened her eyes back up to convince him, and found Keith entering the room behind Derek.

“Sara! I’m so glad you’re awake,” Keith said when he reached her bedside. He looked exhausted with deep worry lines marring his forehead. “How do you feel?”

“Awful,” she answered honestly. “Everything hurts.”

“I’ll go get a nurse,” Kevin said from somewhere behind Keith. She opened her mouth to thank him, but could already hear his footsteps receding down the hall.

“How long have I been out of it?” she asked.

“It’s about eleven thirty on Christmas night, so about eight hours or so,” Keith said, gently stroking the side of her face. “Though I didn’t know where you were until almost four. I was so worried, Sara!”

“I know. I’m sorry, Keith. I should have listened to you and stayed away from her,” she said. “But I truly didn’t think she’d get that bad and I just wanted to keep everyone safe.”

“I’m sorry too, baby. I shouldn’t have tried to make you choose like that. I should have known you’d try to take care of her and me by getting her away from my house.” He bent over and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’m never leaving you alone like that again.”

“Do you promise, because I don’t want you to ever leave me again,” she whispered. “I love you, Keith.”

Instead of returning her endearment, Keith got up off the bed and kneeled down next to her head. “This wasn’t exactly what I’d envisioned for atmosphere when I planned to do this today, but I don’t care.” He reached into his pocket and pulled a small square box. “Sara, I know it’s only been a few months, but I’m one hundred percent sure that you’re the woman for me. You love me and you love my son, and I want you to spend the rest of your life with us.”

Keith opened the box to reveal a gorgeous diamond ring. Sara didn’t really know anything about cut or size, nor did she care. The only thing that mattered was that the man she loved wanted to marry her, so there was only one answer she could give.

“Yes.”

Soft clapping erupted from the direction of the doorway as Keith slid the ring on her left hand, but Sara didn’t bother to look to see who was there. She only had eyes for the man in front of her and the symbol of their love he was placing on her finger. It fit perfectly and she was never going to take it off. Ever.

“You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Sara,” Keith whispered in her ear. “But when you’ve recovered we’re going to have another long conversation about taking crazy risks and putting other people’s needs ahead of your own safety.” He pulled back and gave her a firm, but loving, stare. “Do you understand?”

She knew that he was asking more than if she understood what he was saying. He was confirming that she would agree to love, honor and obey him, and pay the price when she didn’t. She thought for a moment before she gave him the answer, straight from her heart. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”