Chapter 133 Alive

(Hope POV)

I wake up to the beeping of a heart monitor. I try and flutter my eyes open, but the light stung my eyes. I try to speak so I could tell someone the light was too bright, but I couldn't because a tube was stuck down my throat. An image of dark, murky water flashed through my mind and I suddenly remember drowning in that small pond. I moan loud enough for someone to hear me, to save me. I could see the shadow of someone moving under the bright light through my closed eyelids.

"Thank you Moon Goddess." I heard a familiar voice at my side. "She's awake! Call the Doc now and tell her Hope's awake." I feel a familiar hand caress my hair. " Oh my Goddess, Hope. I thought I lost you again." Alexander. I move my fingers to acknowledge his presence. He must have seen me move my fingers because he grabbed my hand and held on real tight.

I hear a door open and several hurried footsteps. I tried moving my body, but everything hurt.

"Welcome back to the living, Luna. I must say you are one tough cookie." I feel the Doc pry the eyelids of one eye apart and a light flashes in my eye. She does the same for the other. I blink my eyes open, finally adjusting to the light. "Can you follow the light?" She moves the light and my eyes follow. "That's good. Seems you are on your way to a speedy recovery. Now let us take this tube out of your throat so you can be more comfortable, however, I have to urge you to refrain from speaking. It's painful when air fills your stomach." The Doc proceeds to take the tube out and I gag as the long tube moves up out of my mouth.

Someone moves the head portion of my bed upward so I could see everyone while still lying down. There was Arthur, Amelie and Alarick, Jacques, Maria, Leia and my mother. Everyone was rejoicing and crying at the same time. They all looked totally insane. I giggled, but stopped as soon as I felt some pain in my chest.

"My babies?" My voice sounded harsh. My throat was so dry. I needed a drink of water.

"They are doing fine. Your parents have been attending to both of them. I think Jim is still at the ward trying to get as many baby pictures his phone can hold." She chuckles. "They will be taken out of the NICU soon. They have gained weight and are thriving on their own." Oh thank you, Moon Goddess.

"How long have I been out?" I try to shift to a comfortable position, but Alexander didn't want to let go of my hand.

"Seven days. You have been in and out of consciousness for the past week. Good thing you are now fully awake. You missed Christmas, but there's still the New Year's celebration to look forward to." I open my mouth to say something else, but the Doc shushes me. "What did I just say? You have to refrain from speaking so that means no more questions. I need you to gain strength." She rubs my arm. "Everyone, please refrain from having her speak for now. All of you can talk to her just don't have her answer you back. Got it?" Everyone nods their head in agreement.

"Your surgical wounds are healing nicely. You may feel some pain, but it should be manageable. If you want, I can give you some medication for the pain." I shook my head. The Doc checks my IV drip. "Alright then. When you're ready, you can say hi to your twins. By the way, everyone has been waiting for you to wake up so we can name your twins. You can write their names down on a sheet of paper or wait until you see them." I nod my head. Doc turns to the people in my room. "Remember what I said, she isn't allowed to speak." Doc Frances leaves and everyone starts talking. I guess I missed a lot while I was unconscious. I smile knowing I won't be missing out again.

"Opal, you there?" I wanted to give her my thanks. I couldn't speak and everyone was trying to tell me their stories at the same time. It was hard to keep up. All I could do was smile and nod my head.

"Yes, Hope. I am right here. I have been guarding your children for you." She appears, wagging her tail.

"Opal, thank you! Tell the Moon Goddess I owe her a lot."

"She knows you will repay her. Soon, Hope, soon." She disappears again. I guess she's busy watching over my babies again.

"Hope, dear, I brought you some soup. You need to start eating. You're all skin and bones. We're so sorry we didn't notice. We all thought it was just hormones." My mother was bringing out plastic containers with food from a bag she had with her. She sat beside me, opened a plastic container with some soup in it so she could start feeding me. "It's not that hot. Come on. You have to eat." I sipped a little bit of the soup she scooped up with a spoon. The warm liquid tasted so good. While she was feeding me, I noticed the dark circles around her eyes. She hasn't slept either. I smile at her and she smiles back and starts talking about her two grandchildren. How my baby girl looked just like me and how my baby boy looked like Alexander. She said they were adorable.

I looked at Alexander while my mom was talking about our children, hoping he would start talking about them too. He didn't want to let go of my hand and he just kept staring at me. Alexander looked terrible. He hadn't shaved, he looked tired, he obviously needed to shower and brush his teeth. He must have stayed here with me all this time. His head was lying on his arm on the edge of the bed while he kept my hand in his. I could see his eyes start to fall, but he was trying to keep awake. Poor Alexander.

After visiting hours ended and everyone went home for the night, Alexander finally took a quick shower in the hospital bathroom while my mom gave me a sponge bath. She said Alexander would do this for me while I was unconscious and he never once left the room. He didn't want to eat nor sleep and he didn't talk to anyone. His parents tried to convince him to go home and get some rest, but he just sat beside me, not wanting to leave me alone. She said it was a good sign he went and finally took a shower.

After my sponge bath, my mother said she needed to go home and get some sleep and she would be back with breakfast. Alexander thanked her and my mother told him he should get some sleep too. He nodded and my mother patted his arm, blew me a kiss and took her leave. After the door closed behind her, Alexander climbed in my hospital bed to lay down beside me. We laid down facing each other, content being in each other's arms. I could still see the fear in his eyes, afraid if he fell asleep, I would be gone.

"You need to sleep, my love." I caressed his face.

"Ssshhhh. You aren't allowed to talk." He coughed, choking back tears. "I've missed you." He took me in his arms and kissed the top of my head. I snuggled in his warmth, thanking the Moon Goddess for another life.

"I'm sorry, Hope. I failed you. I promised you I would take care of our children. I-I haven't gone to see them. I just couldn't leave you. I'm so sorry." I looked up at him and saw the tears rolling down his cheeks. I wipe them away and then I kiss him.

He groaned and kissed me back, pouring all the love he could in that one kiss. I felt his arms pull me in closer, but he abruptly stopped.

"You're still in pain." He places my head back on his chest. "We have all our years ahead of us to do this. Hope, please, I beg you, no more near death experiences. I can't take it. The first time, fine, but a second time? I actually begged the Moon Goddess to take me instead." He let out a sigh. "I need to sleep, but I'm scared."

"If you don't sleep, I'll have the Doc inject you with tranquilizers," I whispered. I felt his body shake from his laughter.

"There's my Hope. Fine, I'll sleep. Here, beside you." His voice drifted off and in minutes, I hear him snoring.

I yawn. It's time for me to get some sleep too.

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I woke up to a noisy room. Alexander, apparently, had woken up before me and was already wolfing down pancakes and bacon from Angela's. I wanted some bacon too, but my mom gave me a stern look and told me I could only eat soft food. When she placed the plate of scrambled eggs in front of me, I gave Alexander a dirty look for having bacon.

Finally, I was given the go ahead to see my babies. Alexander carried me off of my bed and gently placed me in a wheelchair. I was so excited to see them, I told Alexander to push the wheelchair faster. He just stuck his tongue out at me so I just leaned back, frustrated we were going so slow.

"Here they are, Hope. They're still in incubators because they're so small, but they'll be out soon." Doc led me to the two incubators in the middle of the ward. I placed my hands on both incubators and both of them opened their eyes.

"Yes, my little pups, Mommy and Daddy are here."

Doc Frances handed me our baby boy and Alexander our baby girl. She gave us bottles so we could feed them. After her feeding, I watched Alexander burp our baby girl. He has come back from his hopelessness and is now the Alexander I know and love.

"So, what are we going to name these two little tykes?" Doc looks at me. Actually, when I was imprisoned and was with Opal in her realm, we would go over baby names.

"Anya and Asher. Unless Alexander wants something else."

"That was quick. Well, Alpha, how about you? Any names?"

"I'll just go with what Hope wants. I like the name Asher."

"Alright then. I'll get the hospital to process their birth certificates. Since Luna here seems strong enough, I'll probably discharge you tomorrow so you can recover at home. The babies I need to keep for about a week more."

"Can I stay here with them when I get discharged from the hospital?"

"Sure, Luna. You can start bringing them clothes and you can help bathe them."

Asher starts to cry and I start rocking him back and forth in my arms. He quiets down and falls asleep, his small little tongue sticking out.

"Sleep Asher. Dream sweet dreams. Know that Mommy and Daddy love you." I sniff his newborn baby scent and kiss him on his forehead.

It feels so good to be alive.