The Right to Love - Part 16
Title: The Right to Love
Spoilers: Takes place after ep 101 (8x09) after Pepa and Silvia have become engaged. This is a sequel to my previous PepSi fanfic, In Love’s Defense. My fic follows LHDP up to ep 101 but departs from the show at that point - ep 104 never has and never will exist in this version of Pepa and Silvia’s world.
Rating: PG-13. I’m laying on the angst thick and fast, but it’s all good by the end of the chapter!
Pairing: Pepa/Silvia
Summary: As Pepa and Silvia deal with the aftermath of their encounter with El Gordo, a new case comes forward that challenges their rights as well as their lives.
A/N/Disclaimer: The characters of LHDP aren’t mine. And I’m still working on this sucker, still determined to get it done!
[ Part 1] [ Part 2] [ Part 3] [ Part 4] [ Part 5] [ Part 6] [ Part 7] [ Part 8] [ Part 9] [ Part 10] [ Part 11] [ Part 12] [ Part 13] [ Part 14] [ Part 15]
Pepa blinked rapidly, wondering if she was going blind. The world filling up her vision was nothing but a stark whiteness. A white ceiling, white walls - she glanced down - even the sheet covering her body was the same maddening shade of white. Dónde estoy?
Her limbs twitched as her head started pounding in earnest. Sharp spikes of agony lanced through her side, at the same time her neck and throat made their discomfort known.
“Gaahh…” The agent’s voice grated against the bruised tissue of her throat, as she tried to swallow. With a groan of effort, she laboriously sat up, her pounding head coming forward to rest in her hands. Concentrating on taking shallow breaths, she waited for the worst of the pain to past.
A door opened and scuffling footsteps made their way near her. Pepa didn’t need to look up to verify the owner of the bumbling gait, as she could feel the concern radiating off her brother in waves.
“Paco.” She carefully lifted her head to meet her brother’s sincere, affectionate gaze. His dark, burnished eyes - a perfect match to her own - were once again filled with unshed tears.
“Pepa!” The inspector tenderly cradled her cheek in his large callused palm, his beard crinkled into an utterly relieved smile. “Gracias a dios! You had me so worried!”
The brunette raised a hand to squeeze her brother’s arm, managing to reassure him. “I’m still here, hermano.”
She gasped as the breath left her lungs, the memories of the awful night invaded her mind - the antidote being cruelly ineffective, tracking Lozano down, the vicious fight…and the shots that ended his life.
“Silvia!” The name pierced through the room with a shrill, anguished cry. “Dónde? How long…”
Pepa struggled to will her limbs into motion, realizing she was in a hospital bed. She pushed Paco’s arm away, swinging her legs over the edge of the mattress, stopping abruptly as a she found herself tethered by several wires and tubes.
“Joder! Get this stuff off me!” The agent gathered a fistful of leads, tearing the electrodes off that were strategically placed on her chest and torso. Ignoring the shrill beeping emanating from the monitor that displayed her vitals, Pepa irritably ripped off the tube that fed oxygen up her nose and flung it on the disheveled covers.
“Hermana, you have to stop, you’re going to hurt yourself.” Paco kept his voice firm as he reached to hold Pepa’s shoulders in place, easily overpowering his sibling in her weakened state. “You went into shock and you were almost strangled to death! Dr. Gonzalez had to pull glass fragments out of that head wound. You’re lucky you didn’t fracture your skull.”
“Paco, I have to be with her!” Fueled by a surge of desperate strength, Pepa threw off her brother’s hold and landed on her feet, cursing as her knees almost buckled. She shivered as the cool hospital air penetrated her thin, embarrassingly revealing hospital gown. “Where the hell are my clothes?”
“Dammit Pepa!” Paco barked, exasperated.
The agent shoved past her brother, pulling out drawers in a nearby nightstand until she found a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. Shaking out the clothes, Pepa yanked her left arm, finding she was still restrained by an IV. Grimacing, she pulled the needle out, feeling a burning warmth as a trickle of blood coated the top of her hand.
“Pepa, you’re crazy!” The inspector reached to clasp his sister’s arm, to be shaken off again. “Get back in bed!”
“Hermano I swear to god, if you don’t move, I’m going to hit you!” Pepa growled, her hands curling into fists. She was challenged by an equally stubborn expression on Paco’s face, as he refused to budge.
“What the hell is going on here?” Dr. Gonzalez entered the room, drawn by the still beeping monitor. His azure eyes quickly took in the standoff between the siblings.
“Ah. My notoriously cranky patient is awake!” The doctor’s mouth lifted into a tiny smile. “Por favor Pepa, sit down before you fall down.”
“But -”
“Sit. Now.” Dr. Gonzalez jabbed his finger in the direction of the bed, his authoritative tone leaving no room for argument. He repressed another smile as Pepa scowled at him but reluctantly complied.
“Muy bien.” The physician turned off the monitor before stepping to Pepa’s side and examining her various injuries. “Now, in answer to your questions, Paco brought you in almost 20 hours ago. Silvia’s had no major changes in that time. But her EEG did confirm that she did have significant brain activity and minimal swelling, which reduces the chances of a major injury.”
Pepa exhaled deeply. She tried not to grimace as Dr. Gonzalez carefully prodded her splinted finger on her left hand. “When will she wake up?”
“A coma’s not an exact science. It could be another few hours or another few days.” He observed as the brunette nodded gravely. Crossing his arms, he pondered how he could make things right for the distraught officer.
“Vale. Here’s the deal, Pepa. You take a few minutes to get cleaned up, get dressed and submit to another CT scan. In return, I’ll let you stay with Silvia as long as you want. Normally, I’d confine someone with your injuries to bed for another few days -” He paused as the agent glared warningly at him. “But, I know that’s not an option with you.”
“Gracias.” Pepa gave at the older man a relieved smile.
“Hey -” Paco turned to Dr. Gonzalez. “How come she listens to you and not to me?”
Pepa’s smile grew wider. “That’s an easy one, hermano. Little sisters are supposed to be a pain in the ass.”
“Dios!” The inspector groaned and stuffed his worn handkerchief in his mouth as Dr. Gonzalez chuckled.
___
Pepa’s body pulsated with searing pain, with every heartbeat, as she slowly made her way down the hall with Paco’s firm arm around her waist. She almost regretted her decision of pushing away the wheelchair and staunchly refused to acknowledge how beat up her body was due to Trujillo and Lozano’s abuse. But she’d be damned if she’d let any physical weakness on her part keep her from seeing her wife.
“Povedilla!” Pepa’s eyes widened as she spotted the diminutive agent standing guard outside of Silvia’s door, his sidearm in plain view. She temporarily forgot about her aches, as grabbed him by the collar.
“What are you doing here? Was Silvia threatened by the Soldados de la Fortuna? Is she safe?”
“Easy, easy, Agent!” Povedilla threw up his hands, trying to calm his friend’s urgent inquiry. “Central said that no one’s received any direct threats, but with everything going on, they wanted to take extra precautions. Salgado arranged for Silvia to have protection for as long as she needed.”
“The GEOs are supposed to be here standing guard, but with all the raids in the last 24 hours, they’ve been short-handed.” The agent paused, as he stood proudly stood ramrod straight. “So of course, I volunteered. Everyone did. Anything for la familia.”
Pepa tried but failed to swallow the tears she could feel coming on. “Gracias. For everything.” She cupped Povedilla’s cheek affectionately. “And I’m so sorry I slapped you. You wed me to the woman I love.”
Povedilla took the hand against his cheek and kissed it. “No thanks are necessary Pepa. And we’ll do it all over again when you two have a ceremony and a big celebration, no?” He winked at his colleague, pleased to see a small smile in return. “Have faith that all will be well. A woman that loves you as much as Silvia does will be fine.”
“Vale.” Pepa squeezed Povedilla’s arm gratefully as he opened the door.
The brunette swallowed thickly as her eyes took in her wife, still pale and motionless against the sheets. Silvia’s body seemed to appear as light and frail as a child, her frame too small for the standard sized hospital bed. The only distinctive feature was the splash of color of her fiery hair against the pillow.
“Papa?”
Pepa’s quiet inquiry made Don Lorenzo’s head swivel towards her voice. He’d been lost in thought, looking infinitely older than his 60 years. The lined face broke out into a warm smile as he saw Paco and his daughter-in-law at the door.
“Pepa!” The commissioner stood up from the chair next to the bed and crossed to her, enfolding her in a careful hug. “Hija, I’m so happy to see that you’re awake!”
The agent returned the embrace. “Me too.”
Sitting in the chair, Pepa instantly claimed Silvia’s right hand in her own, sighing in relief as she felt its familiar shape and warmth. Her thumb briefly rubbed the spot on her wife’s ring finger, as a pained smile formed on her lips.
“Vamos, princesa. I keep saying how we have to finish our wedding ceremony. So I can see you in your dress and put your ring on. You know, I can be quite stubborn when I don’t get what I want. I can wait as long as you can.”
Leaning down, Pepa pressed a lingering kiss on the downy cheek. She inhaled a lungful of Silvia’s unique scent and held her breath, fervently hoping for a response - to hear her wife’s voice or to feel her fingers tremble in her own. The seconds ticked by. Nothing happened, yet again. The brunette exhaled slowly as she sniffed, unashamedly letting her tears fall, a few stray drops landing on Silvia’s brow.
“Lo siento, mi mujer.” Pepa delicately wiped the moisture away. “I can’t stop crying on you.”
“Ahem.” Don Lorenzo quietly cleared his throat as he motioned Paco towards the door. “We’ll leave you two alone. Call us if you need anything.”
“No.”
Pepa’s unyielding tone stopped the two men in their tracks. She looked at them, her expression hardening. Her eyes were still bright with unshed tears, but her mouth turned down in a severe frown.
“I want you to fill me in on the case. What’s happening?”
“Pepa, you don’t have to worry about that.” Don Lorenzo’s frown matched the agent’s. “It’s everyone’s top priority. If Montoya, Curtis or the rest of the hombres are not here standing guard, they’re back at the precinct.”
“It’s true hermana.” Paco laid a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “You don’t want to fill your head with all the details.”
“Por favor.” Pepa’s look transformed to a quiet, pleading intensity. “I need to know who did this to us and why.” The last was said in a whisper.
“Are you sure?” The inspector inquired gently.
“They tried to kill me and the woman I love. I’m sure.” There was no doubt in Pepa’s reply.
Don Lorenzo sighed as he reluctantly complied. “Vale. For starters, so far the CNP has rounded up thirty two members of the group called Soldados de la Fortuna. We’ve managed to find almost everyone on that list that Blackman provided. But we’ve still got an incredible amount of data to go through from Lozano and Trujillo’s laptops, which could tie together all the payoffs, the money transfers and any number of details.”
“And the list? Who was on it?” Pepa’s squeezed Silvia’s fingers, as she steeled herself. She needed to hear the names spoken out loud, even if she knew the answer. As if it would give a tangible explanation for why she and her wife were trapped in this surreal nightmare.
“By all accounts, Lozano was the head of the Madrid cell. IA agents Trujillo and Morales acted as his second-in-command. Comisario Páez and Inspector Aragón were also on the list - even the judge who signed your arrest warrant.”
“No surprise there.” Pepa’s voice tightened in anger as she recalled the two homophobic CNP officers Silvia had gone to for help on the case.
The commissioner bit his lip before forging on. “Trujillo, Páez and Aragón have both given lengthy spoken and written confessions. They said everything they did was entirely based on Senator Lozano’s orders. When the Senator asked Trujillo how he could come up with an untraceable, clean way of dispersing Senator Duarte as his political opponent, he was put in contact with Inspector Aragón. He connected Lozano to the pharmaceutical research company, Kaliba.”
“The company that is headed by Señor Eduardo Márquez.” Pepa finished, the puzzle pieces finally falling into place.
“Qué?” Paco looked at his sister as if she could read minds. “How did you know that? We only tracked that name down from the Senator’s phone records this morning.
“I knew I’d heard the name Kaliba before. Lozano was talking to Márquez the first time I confronted him in his office. So I began cross referencing all the case files to see if that name turned up. I was trying to put the pieces together when Silvia got poisoned.”
“Good work, Miranda.” Don Lorenzo let a hint of a smile show as he praised his agent in his usual gruff tone. “We’ve got Márquez in custody too, and he’s also facing conspiracy murder charges.”
“And Comisario Páez confessed that he was the one who actually killed Senator Duarte.” Paco said, watching the turbulent emotions cross his sister’s face. “He inserted himself into Duarte’s security detail. We never thought to question his presence there since there was a whole contingent from the CNP providing extra security.”
“It’s always the one closest to you that is the threat.” Pepa muttered darkly.
“Páez went into Duarte’s hotel room for a last safety check and put the cyanide patch on the Senator’s collar where his clothes were laid out. Then when Duarte collapsed, Páez was conveniently the first one to respond, so he could remove the patch and destroy the evidence. No one would be any wiser.”
“Mierda!” Pepa exhaled, her head spinning as it dropped in her hand. “That’s why Silvia couldn’t find any physical evidence of what killed him.”
The brunette swallowed, before she raised her head to look her father-in-law in the eye. “Lozano then gave the order for Trujillo to kill Silvia, right?”
“Sí.” The commissioner’s voice lowered to a harsh whisper. “Right after he and Morales documented all the evidence in her lab. They knew she’d figure it out and track down the source of the cyanide too soon for their liking. So the Senator called Trujillo and told him what to do.”
“You said Trujillo and the others gave confessions.” Pepa’s voice was full of barely repressed rage as the thought occurred to her. “Please tell me that Salgado or CNI are not going to give those murders a reduced sentence or a free ride in exchange.”
“Over my dead body.” Don Lorenzo rumbled, just as angrily. “They tried, but were shot down. This case is drawing the involvement of Interpol, agencies all over Europe, and the FBI and CIA. The Soldados de la Fortuna is part of an international network that we’ve stumbled across. There’s no way that those animals are going free with the charges stacked against them. Don’t worry, Pepa. Many authorities in multiple agencies agree with me and will work to keep Silvia safe.”
“No offense, but I will be the one who makes sure my wife is safe.” Pepa set her jaw determinedly. “Whether with my Magnum, or if it comes to my bare hands. I will protect her.”
“Understood.” The older man nodded. “We have to continue to be vigilant. There are still several of these people from Blackman’s list at large. These criminals are all the more dangerous since they’re complete zealots that cannot be reasoned with.”
“Trujillo and his men - they were going to bring you to Lozano, Pepa.” Paco piped up, his voice weighty with sadness. “He wouldn’t have imprisoned you. He would have killed you.”
“If Silvia doesn’t make it, he won’t have to.” Pepa whispered, her fury burning away as the image of her wife blurred in front of her. “Even from the grave, that bastard still has the power to torment me.”
“Hija, hija…” Don Lorenzo murmured comfortingly as he laid his hands on Pepa’s shoulders. “You can’t think like that. Silvia needs you to be strong.”
“And? That clichéd crap you’re spouting is going to make a difference?” The agent’s voice was hard and bitter, as she let go of Silvia’s hand and stood toe to toe with her father-in-law. “I can’t do it, Papa. I’ve so exhausted and beat up, I just don’t have anything left!”
Don Lorenzo caught the tall form as Pepa collapsed against him, her body shaking with equal parts hurt and fatigue.
“Pepa, if you don’t have anything left, then I’ll give my strength to you.” The commissioner smoothed the tangled dark locks as he tried to calm the trembling form. “We all will.”
“Lo siento!” Pepa choked out, trying to reign in her emotions. “Lo siento, Papa. Silvia’s going to hate me for what I just said! She’ll think I abandoned her when she needs me the most.”
“Nonsense.” Paco embraced his sister from the other side, creating a healing bond of warmth and love that comforted her battered body. “Silvia knows how much you love her. And how stubborn you can be.”
Pepa choked out a half laugh through her tears. “Gracias.” She smiled tremulously as she detangled herself from her family. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“And you won’t have to.” Don Lorenzo gently patted her wet cheek. “Now, try to get some rest. Por favor. No more talk of the case or anything like that.”
Paco kissed the top of the dark head. “We’ll come in and check on you two later.”
“Vale.” Pepa nodded in grateful acknowledgement as the two men exited the room.
She sat down again, taking in the red waves that still managed to look luminous despite the tubes and wires covering Silvia’s body. She fingered a velvety lock and kissed it before stroking the pale brow. Pepa smiled sadly as her fingers mapped out the slight spattering of freckles on both cheeks. She recalled how Silvia used to complain how much she hated having freckles when they were kids, since she was teased by her classmates. Until a feisty, tall dark headed girl had stuck up for her on the playground, sending the bullies running in the opposite direction.
“Silvia Castro Miranda, you will always be the love of my life.” Pepa declared softly, comfortingly running her fingers along her wife’s forearm. “You come home to me, vale? No matter what, you have to promise me that.”
___
She was drifting. In an amorphous, shadowy existence without a sense of time or physical space. She thought she once had a body, some sort of corporal form, but she couldn’t be sure. She was merely a mass of jumbled thoughts - snatches of half-remembered conversations, a wisp of a memory that was just out of reach. A disoriented consciousness without a home.
Occasionally, the confusion eased for brief moments. Murky colors swirled around, under and even through the entity she had become. Foreboding blues, endless stretches of nebulous greys, streaked with white lightning. Swirling, tumultuous clouds that threatened to engulf and swallow her whole.
She realized that the colors meant something. Or a someone…an identity, which found, could make sense of this maddening, formless purgatory she found herself in. The colors turned cobalt, than to an icy black. Tiny shards seemed to puncture every point of her consciousness. If she’d had a body, she would have recoiled in terror as the stark realization hit her. If she had a mouth, she would have screamed.
Pain. The color was the representation of an acute, sharp agony that wracked through the soul, leaving the body a hollow shell of nothingness. Not her own. The pain was of someone she loved. The one. Her. The other half that was needed to make her whole.
Her mind concentrated fiercely as she fought to make contact. To fight through the tempest, to send a sign to the world beyond. With every ounce of strength, she struggled - to make her eyelids flutter, to force her fingers to move. To take a breath through the cloying, grim darkness that suffocated her. She wanted to cry out in frustration, to fall to her knees weeping, but she couldn’t even do that. She had no power, no control, no body to inhabit. To tell the one she loved that she was here.
The storm swept up and overwhelmed her again. Completely. She tried one last feeble attempt to whisper that name of her love, but her exertion died before it had even begun. The cold, somber clouds engulfed her, and she spiraled helplessly back down into oblivion.
___
With the utmost care, Pepa grasped Silvia’s limp right arm in her hands and began to work the muscles. She firmly massaged and stretched the sinews and tendons below the surface, yet still retained enough tenderness in her motions to not cause any undue pain or damage. Slowly, she worked her way down to the redhead’s fingertips, making sure to smooth out every kink and sign of stiffness. The brunette worked diligently, massaging her wife’s body several times a day. After a physical therapist and Eva had shown Pepa some basics on how to properly care for her wife, the agent had been more than willing to take over the task. She also gave Silvia careful, through sponge baths, even managing to wash the long red curls.
“There.” Pepa murmured softly. “All done, princessa.” The tall woman sat down as she continued to clasp the smaller hand in her own. Her thumb traced comforting circles and patterns across the skin as her thoughts turned inward.
Pepa couldn’t rid herself of the sharp pang of anxiety that had settled coldly in her gut. Despite Dr. Gonzalez’s guarded prognosis, it was painfully obvious that Silvia was showing the negative effects of being immobilized for the last week in bed. The redhead’s fair skin had taken on an ashen, unhealthy tone. She was losing precious body fat, with the cheekbones of her face more gaunt and the outline of her collarbone visible through the thin hospital gown. Her forearms and hands were dotted needle sticks and bluish, collapsed veins from the many tubes that had been inserted into her body - two IVs that provided fluids and antibiotics, the tracheotomy tube that forced air down her lungs, a catheter that drained urine and a feeding tube in her stomach. Pepa swallowed, glumly reflecting that she had become all too familiar with the medical paraphernalia in the last few days.
The agent was so lost in her own morose contemplation, she didn’t hear the door snick open or the footsteps that quietly approached. She jumped in shock as she felt a warm hand clasp her shoulder.
“Joder!” Pepa gasped as she put her free hand to her chest, feeling her heart jump into her throat. She glanced behind her to see Don Lorenzo’s kindly façade. “Hola, Papa.”
“Lo siento, Pepa. I thought you heard me.” The commissioner apologized. “Cómo estás?”
A shoulder lifted wearily in acknowledgement. “Well, we’re surviving.”
“Hm.” The older man frowned, his expression unseen by Pepa, who had returned her gaze to Silvia’s chest as it mechanically breathed. “And there’s no more trace of the fever?”
“Not yet. Dr. Gonzalez said the antibiotics worked. He’s keeping a very close eye on her vitals in case it spikes again.” The brunette recalled the day before last, when Silvia’s temperature had risen to dangerous levels. She’d spent a sleepless night, desperately praying as she clutched her wife’s hand, making herself almost sick with worry.
The shoulders rose again as Pepa sighed. “Esteban says that there are still complications that could come up the longer Silvia’s comatose. She could develop clots or get pneumonia from the tracheotomy tube…”
Her voice trailed off as she dropped her head in her hand, trying unsuccessfully to hide the tears that squeezed out from between her fingers.
Don Lorenzo was deeply worried about his adopted daughter. He watched as Pepa shuddered, visibly gathering herself. She lifted her head, taking her unconscious wife’s hand to her mouth, squeezing it lightly as she brushed the knuckles with light kisses. The commissioner knew that although Pepa’s care of his daughter was undeniably filled with love, it was her own life force that was lacking. He sensed that Pepa was losing hope. She was in so much indescribable pain, that it had sucked all the life out of her, leaving her almost paralyzed with grief and self-loathing.
Vale, that’s enough! I’ve got to give Pepa a swift kick in the ass! Silvia will never let me live it down if I let her continue on like this! Don Lorenzo squared his shoulders, determined, as he made the decision.
He crossed over to the other side of the bed, gently resting his hand on his Silvia’s forehead. Biting the inside of his cheek, he contemplated for a moment before he spoke.
“Did you know that you and Silvia’s wedding will not be the first homosexual ceremony I’ve attended?”
“Huh?” Pepa’s head jerked up at the comment that came out of the blue. She saw Don Lorenzo’s slight smile as his eyes twinkled mischievously. “What do you mean?”
“Several years ago, I was called into the hospital by a doctor who was a friend. He had a rather delicate situation and needed my input.” The commissioner paused as he saw he had Pepa’s inquisitive attention. “A young man had been brought into the ER with a severely broken ankle and bruises on his face and torso. He was extremely reluctant and elusive when asked how he got his injuries.”
“Well, it turned out the young man had a friend who had brought him to the hospital who was just as vague when questioned. Now this was a very good friend - a partner. The doctor was suspicious of malicious intent, so he called me in to ask some questions.”
Pepa’s heart sank dispiritedly as she listened. “Papa, why the hell are you telling -”
“Ah ah!” Don Lorenzo held up a finger, as he anticipated the agent’s objection. “I’m not finished. Just listen.”
“So, when I questioned them both, they were at first angry at such implications. Who wouldn’t be? When I pressed him, the injured man turned as red as a beet and decided to tell the truth.”
The commissioner paused as he smiled widely. “It turns out that they were trying out new positions during…how do I put it? Foreplay. The man’s leg suddenly cramped up and he fell off the bed and landed so hard, he broke his ankle. Apparently, they were taking hints from a bestseller called Gay Sex: A Manual for Men Who Love Men. Needless to say, I’ve never forgot that title!”
Pepa’s mouth was agape as she listened to the rest of the story. She opened and closed it once before she started to laugh. It started out as a giggle that turned into a loud, joyful chortle, complete with copious snorts. She leaned back in her chair, holding her stomach as tears squeezed out of her eyes, fighting to catch her breath.
“Dios!” Pepa managed to choke out through her continued chuckles. “Gracias, Papa! I needed that! So, what happened to that couple?”
“Well, they were married the next week, as they had planned. Even if one of the grooms went down the aisle in a wheelchair.” Don Lorenzo smiled, his heart overjoyed that he had gotten Pepa to smile and laugh again. “They invited me, which I gladly accepted after apologizing for the misunderstanding. We keep in touch. When I mentioned that my daughter was getting married to you, they said I must have the right color tie for the wedding. They recommend mauve. I think it’ll look good on me!”
The agent beamed at her father-in-law, feeling her recent apprehension melt away. “I think you’ll look wonderful!”
___
The storm and the darkness were abating, replaced by a golden shaft of light that miraculously pierced the clouds. A heaviness filled her limbs. She was weak. As weak as a newborn. So tired that she could hardly draw air through her lungs. Just the thought of the effort made her exhausted.
She started as her mind began to comprehend. She was back in her body, back in the realm of the living. She was close to her. So close, she could feel the warmth of her hand in her own, could smell her skin.
Her heart beat faster as she recognized the sound that she’d been longing to hear. Had been searching for with every fiber of her being.
Her laugh.
___
“You’d better watch out, Pepa.” Don Lorenzo teased. “I think your wedding party’s getting rather…bawdy. I heard Rita saying the other day that she was going to get you two The Lesbian Sex Book as a gift.”
Pepa threw back her head, laughing long and loud as the commissioner’s cheeks turned pink. “Mierda! Silvia and I will never be able to live that down! We’re going to be -”
She was interrupted as the lines on Silvia’s monitors spiked, recording an increase in heart rate, beeping loudly.
“Dios mío!” The agent’s eyes widened in disbelief as she saw Silvia’s head turn towards her voice.
Don Lorenzo was astonished as he observed his daughter’s eyes struggling to open. He wanted to yell with joy, but he forced his legs to move. “I’ll be right back, hijas. Let me get Dr. Gonzalez.”
“Cariño?” Pepa’s voice was shaky with emotion as she felt a weak squeeze to her hand. She palmed a warm cheek. “Cariño, you can hear me, right?”
She was rewarded as pale eyelids fluttered and finally opened, confused brown orbs staring up at her. Pepa smiled through her tears as she stroked Silvia’s forehead.
“Ohh, mi amor…” Pepa groaned softly, overwhelmed by utter relief. “Mi amor…”
Trembling, Silvia’s hand reached for the tube that was stuck down her throat. She moaned in discomfort, but only was able to produce a wheezing rasp.
“Easy, princesa.” The brunette captured the wavering hand, reading the rising panic in her wife’s eyes. “That’s helping you breathe.”
Pepa’s head whipped around as Don Lorenzo and Dr. Gonzales ran into the room. “Esteban, can we take this tube out?”
The doctor glanced at Silvia’s monitor with a knowledgeable eye. “Give me a second.” He snapped on a pair of latex gloves and shined a penlight into his patient’s eyes. “Both pupils are reactive and equal. That’s good, very good.”
“Por favor? Do it now!” Pepa’s voice was tinged with distress as she held Silvia’s hands firmly in her own, as they fought feebly against her grasp. “She’s scared!”
“Vale.” Dr. Gonzalez’s voice was kind but resolute as he got his patient’s attention. He carefully loosened the tape holding the tracheotomy tube in place. “I’m going to pull this out on the count of three and I need you to exhale when I do that. All right?”
Silvia’s gaze returned to lock with her wife’s as she squeezed her hands to signal her understanding. She felt a pressure in her throat and an unsettling sensation as the tube was pulled clear. She coughed painfully, struggling for breath as tears squeezed out of her eyes.
“It’s okay. You’re okay, princesa. Easy.” Pepa held Silvia’s head steady, catching the spittle and fluids that her wife expunged with a small towel. She kept her voice calm, despite the fact that it was twisting her stomach in knots to see her wife in such pain.
The redhead took an inhale of breath on her own, feeling her lungs expand. It was like being born, she fuzzily thought. After a few laborious breaths, her heart rate slowed as she forced her eyes open again. A familiar face eventually swam into view.
“…are we?”
“Qué?” Pepa angled her head closer to hear Silvia’s throaty whisper.
Silvia’s tongue explored the inside of her cheek as she tried to lick her dry lips. “Are we married?”
Pepa choked out a laugh, her tears trailing twin tracks down her cheeks. “Sí! Sí, we are, pelirroja! Para siempre.”
Silvia struggled to get the words out past her aching throat. “Bien. Muy bien.”
Dr. Gonzalez glanced at the monitor again as he examined Silvia, performing a few brief checks of her vitals. “Sensation on both sides of the body, comprehension and pronunciation of speech - that’s all very encouraging.” He gazed down on his patient, smiling.
“Just a standard question, and then we need to let you rest. Can you tell me your name?”
“Claro.” The inspector replied, her eyes seeking out the gorgeous, tearful brunette that filed her vision. “Silvia.”
Her eyelids fluttered, as she felt her body being pulled into a healing, restful sleep.
“Silvia Castro Miranda…”