My smart girl 3. Rewriting our stars

The biopsy was scheduled for the next day. Jay had explained the procedure to me in calm, general terms and assured me it wouldn’t hurt because of the local anesthesia. His words had soothed me a little, but the moment I lay on the table in the treatment room, I understood why he had looked so worried. The procedure was performed by Dr. Kim Jackson, head of the cardiology department and supervisor to both Jay and Ten. He was a pleasant man in his forties with a reassuring manner. I had assumed Jay would be assisting, but he smiled gently and told me he was only there as my moral support. I was endlessly grateful for that. The second I saw the array of instruments prepared for this “simple” procedure, my legs nearly gave out. Even though Dr. Jackson kept repeating that everything would be painless and quick, my breathing grew shallow and my heart hammered wildly. Jay sensed my rising panic. He stepped close, cupped my chin with warm fingers, and turned my face toward him. “Shh, shh, Bambi… Calm down. Look only at me, okay? Don’t worry about anything.” I nodded, drawing in a shaky breath. He threaded our fingers together—his strong and warm, mine icy and trembling. Then he gave Dr. Jackson a small nod. I tried desperately to focus only on Jay, but the moment I felt the first prick beneath my collarbone, I flinched and squeezed my eyes shut. His grip tightened instantly. “Shhh… Easy, my love. Everything’s okay. Relax. Just breathe for me.” “Jay…” His name slipped out like a frightened plea. I opened my eyes and met his dark, gentle gaze. As the needle went deeper, I crushed his fingers in mine. He didn’t flinch. He only held me tighter, pouring his strength into me. “Easy, my girl. I’m right here. You’re doing so well, sweetheart,” he murmured, stroking my cheek with his free hand. His tender smile grounded me. Only then could I breathe again. The sharp pain faded into a dull pressure. I closed my eyes, letting myself detach from the procedure, clinging to the steady warmth of Jay’s hand—my only lifeline amid the beeping monitors. **Jay’s POV** I stood at the head of the table, eyes never leaving Rosé’s pale face. Beneath my surgical mask, my jaw was clenched so tightly my teeth ached. *I can’t lose her. Not after everything. If something goes wrong… I’ll never forgive myself. I should have noticed sooner. I should have protected her.* “Rosé, sunshine, look at me,” I said quietly but firmly, intertwining our fingers. My voice stayed steady even as a storm raged inside me. “I’m right here. Feel my hand? Squeeze it harder if it gets scary.” “Jay… it feels so strange inside,” she whispered, voice trembling as the catheter advanced. Her eyes were wide with raw fear. “I know, baby. That’s normal. Breathe with me. In… yes, just like that… out. Good girl. You’re the strongest girl in the world. I’m so proud of you.” “It feels like… something’s moving inside me,” she breathed. A single tear slipped down her cheek. I leaned closer, nearly pressing my forehead to hers, and gently wiped it away with my thumb. “That’s the catheter, Bambi. It’s almost in position. Just a little longer. Can you feel me kissing your fingers?” I pressed my lips to her knuckles. “Every time you’re scared, think of me. Think about how we’ll go home. How I’ll make your favorite chocolate pancakes every morning. How we’ll walk in the park when it snows, and I’ll keep you warm in my arms.” “Do you promise?” Her voice cracked. “I swear on my life, little fawn. Just hold on to me. I’m your lifeline. And you’re mine.” *If anything happens to her… I’ll burn alive. She doesn’t get to leave me. Not now. Not when I’ve finally learned what it means to truly love someone.* The doctor announced he was taking the sample. Rosé gasped sharply and squeezed my hand harder. “Jay… it hurts…” she whimpered. “I know, baby. Just a few more seconds. You’re almost done. I’m right here. I love you. Do you hear me? I love you so much that even this damn heart of yours should feel it and calm down. You’re mine. Mine forever. Hold on, Bambi. Almost there…” When the procedure finally ended and Dr. Jackson declared it a success, I allowed myself my first real breath. I tore off my mask and pressed my lips to her tear-damp forehead. “It’s over, sunshine. You did it. You were incredible. I love you so much…” *** Rosé They wheeled me back to the ward. The sedation was fading, but a heavy wave of exhaustion crashed over me. My chest throbbed with a dull ache, the puncture site on my thigh pulsed painfully, and the room spun even though I was lying down. Jay never left my side. He adjusted the bed, added extra pillows, and sat pressed close, holding my hand. “How are you feeling?” he asked softly when I finally opened my eyes. “Like a truck ran me over…” I managed a weak smile. “But you’re here. So I can handle it.” He let out a soft, tender laugh and kissed the inside of my wrist, his lips warm against my skin. “My brave girl. They’ll bring painkillers soon. Until then, I’ll distract you. Want to hear about the time I tried to become a rapper as a kid and recorded tracks on an old cassette player?” I let out a quiet giggle, but immediately winced as pain shot through my chest. “Don’t make me laugh… it hurts.” “I’m sorry, baby.” He carefully lay down beside me on the narrow bed, wrapping his arms around me as gently as possible. “I’ll stay quiet and just hold you. Is this better?” I nodded and burrowed my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling his comforting scent—cologne, fabric softener, and home. “Much better…” I whispered. “Jay?” “Hm?” “When you were standing there… I heard you whispering that you love me. Over and over. It helped. A lot.” He tightened his embrace and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll say it every day. Every minute, if you need it.” His voice grew thick. “You have no idea what was happening inside me while you were on that table. I was ready to take your place under that catheter if it meant you wouldn’t feel any pain. You’re the most precious thing I have, Bambi. I won’t let this illness take you from me. We’re going to get through everything together. Until the very end.” I looked up at him with tired but shining eyes. “I believe you. With you by my side… I’m ready for anything.” The room grew peaceful. Only the steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the quiet while delicate snowflakes began drifting past the window. Jay continued stroking my hair, pressing soft kisses to my temple, my cheek, and the corner of my lips. “Sleep, my love,” he whispered. “I’ll be here when you wake up. And the day after. And in a month. Always.”