"Jackson..." I whispered, my voice barely audible, even to myself.
But was I speaking? Or just thinking?
Everything was black. Silent. Still.
Yet, I felt... present.
As if I'd simply fallen asleep, not slipped away into eternity.
"Jackson, I'm scared," I whispered, my subconscious mind racing.
Where was I? What was happening?
Was this death?
Or something more?
Memories flooded my mind: laughter with friends, family gatherings, Jackson's loving smile.
"Jackson, don't forget me," I pleaded, my thoughts echoing through the darkness.
Suddenly, images flashed before me: our first kiss, our first date, our first "I love you."
"Jackson, remember..."
"I'll always remember, Cecilia," his voice whispered back.
But how was this possible?
Was I dreaming?
Or was my soul still tied to the world of the living?
"Jackson, I love you," I whispered, my voice fading into the void.
"I love you too, Cecilia," his voice replied, growing distant.
Everything began to fade.
The blackness deepened.
And I was left with only one thought:
Is this goodbye?
Or just goodbye for now?
I opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. Hospital room. Machines beeping. Jackson.
He sat beside me, his head tilted forward, asleep.
My heart swelled with love and confusion.
How long had I been out?
I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse, barely audible.
"Jackson..." I whispered.
He stirred, slowly opening his eyes.
"Cecilia?" he whispered back, disbelieving.
Tears streamed down his face as he leapt from his chair.
"Cecilia, you're awake!"
He grasped my hand, holding it tightly.
I tried to sit up, but pain shot through my body.
"Easy, Cecilia," Jackson said, gently guiding me back.
"What...happened?" I stammered.
Jackson took a deep breath.
"You've been in a coma for a year," he explained.
A year?
My mind reeled.
"What about...my family?" I asked.
"They're okay," Jackson reassured. "They've been visiting you every day."
Tears streamed down my face.
"And you?" I whispered.
Jackson's eyes filled with tears.
"I never left your side," he said. "I've been here every day, talking to you, holding your hand."
My heart swelled with love.
"Jackson..." I whispered.
He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine.
"I love you, Cecilia," he whispered.
"I love you too," I replied.
As we held hands, I realized:
A year had passed.
But our love remained unbroken.
"Jackson?" I whispered.
"Yes?"
"What's today's date?"
Jackson smiled.
"September 24, 2024."
My eyes widened.
A new beginning.
I gazed at Jackson, my heart overflowing with gratitude.
"Thank you," I whispered, tears streaming down my face.
"For what?" Jackson asked, confusion etched on his features.
"For staying with me," I replied. "For loving me."
Jackson's eyes welled up with tears.
"I'll always love you, Cecilia," he whispered. "Through every up and down."
I smiled weakly, feeling a sense of peace wash over me.
The machines surrounding us seemed to fade into the background as Jackson held me close.
"We've got a lot of catching up to do," Jackson said, his voice filled with excitement.
I nodded, eager to reconnect with the world outside these hospital walls.
As Jackson helped me sit up, I noticed the changes in the room.
Get-well cards and photos covered the walls, chronicling the year I'd missed.
"Tell me everything," I said, my eyes locked on Jackson's.
He smiled, taking a deep breath.
"Where do I even start?"
"Start with you," I whispered. "How were you these past months?"
Jackson's eyes clouded, but he smiled through the tears.
"I was lost without you," he admitted. "But I held on to our love."
My heart swelled.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"Don't apologize," Jackson replied. "You're back now. That's all that matters."
As we hugged, the hospital room faded away.
The door burst open, and a flood of familiar faces poured in.
My mom rushed to my side, tears streaming down her face.
"Cecilia! Oh, my baby!" she exclaimed, embracing me tightly.
Dad followed, his eyes red-rimmed, smiling through tears.
"We've missed you so much," he whispered.
My maids swarmed around me, hugging me, crying, and laughing.
Friends from school, from work, and from every corner of my life poured in.
Sarah, Emily, Williams – everyone was there.
The room erupted into a joyful chaos.
Jackson stepped back, smiling, letting my loved ones surround me.
I felt overwhelmed, but in the best possible way.
These people, this love – it's what I'd missed.
"What's all the commotion?" a nurse asked, smiling, as she checked the machines.
"Cecilia's awake!" Mom announced.
The nurse beamed.
"Welcome back, Cecilia!"
As the nurse left, I gazed at the sea of faces.
Everyone looked older, wearier, but their love remained unwavering.
Sarah handed me a photo album.
"We made this for you," she said, tears in her eyes.
I flipped through the pages, reliving memories.
Birthday parties, vacations, laughter-filled moments.
Tears streamed down my face.
"I've missed so much," I whispered.
Emily hugged me.
"You're back now," she said. "We've got you."
Williams grinned.
"We've been holding down the fort," he joked.
Laughter filled the room, mingling with tears.
In this moment, I knew:
I was home.
I was loved.
I was alive.
And Jackson, standing beside me, held my hand tightly.
One week later, I sat in the hospital wheelchair, clutching a bouquet of flowers and a get-well card from the staff.
Jackson smiled, helping me into the car.
"Ready to go home?" he asked.
I nodded, tears of joy welling up.
As we drove, the city unfolded before me like a new world.
Everything looked different, yet familiar.
"Jackson, stop!" I exclaimed, spotting a street performer.
He chuckled, pulling over.
We watched, mesmerized, as the performer juggled fire.
Laughter filled the car.
For a moment, I forgot about the past year.
I forgot about the coma.
All that mattered was this moment.
With Jackson.
As we continued driving, the sun began to set.
Golden hues painted the sky.
"Almost home," Jackson whispered.
My heart swelled.
Home.
With Jackson.
Together.
We pulled into my family's driveway.
Mom and Dad waited on the porch, beaming.
"Welcome home, Cecilia!" Mom exclaimed.
Dad helped Jackson carry me inside.
Our living room was filled with balloons and flowers.
A "Welcome Home" banner hung from the ceiling.
Tears streamed down my face.
"I'm home," I whispered.
Jackson hugged me tight.
"You're home," he repeated.
As we settled in, surrounded by loved ones, I knew:
This was my new beginning.
With Jackson.
With life.
And love.
"Jackson?" I whispered, as he helped me settle onto the couch.
"Yes?"
"Thank you," I said, my eyes locked on his.
"For what?" he asked.
"For bringing me home."
Jackson's eyes filled with tears.
"You're always home with me," he whispered.
I smiled.