**Chapter 1: Recovery**

The soft beeping of the hospital machines and the faint scent of antiseptic filled the air in Dorothy's room. I lay in my hospital bed, slowly recovering from a recent surgery. The pain was still there, but it was manageable, a dull ache that I had grown accustomed to. Lucas, my loved one, sat beside me, chatting with me and keeping me company. As he talked, I couldn't help but feel grateful for his presence. He had been by my side throughout the entire ordeal, from the initial diagnosis to the surgery and now, the recovery. His calm and gentle demeanor had been a balm to my frazzled nerves, and I didn't know what I would do without him. The room was quiet, with only the occasional rustle of papers or the beep of a machine breaking the silence. Lucas's voice was soothing, and I found myself drifting in and out of a light doze as he talked. He was telling me about his day, about the things he had done and the people he had seen. I listened intently, trying to focus on his words, but my eyelids kept growing heavy. At one point, Lucas noticed that I was struggling to stay awake and gently took my hand in his. "Hey, it's okay," he said softly. "You don't have to stay awake. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere." I smiled weakly, feeling a surge of love and gratitude for him. "I'm just tired," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Lucas nodded and continued to talk, his voice a gentle stream of sound that lulled me into a deeper sleep. I felt safe and comfortable with him by my side, and I knew that I could face whatever challenges lay ahead as long as he was there to support me. As I drifted off, I was vaguely aware of Lucas's presence, watching over me and keeping me safe. I knew that I was in good hands, and that thought filled me with a sense of peace. For now, I was just going to rest and let my body heal. The beeping of the machines and Lucas's gentle voice were the last things I heard as I slipped into a peaceful sleep.