Tara Carpenter lay in the sterile hospital bed, the constant beep of machines around her serving as a reminder of the accident that had landed her here. Her head ached, and the remnants of the medication coursing through her veins made the world feel like it was moving in slow motion. Yet, through the haze, there was a steady presence beside her.

The door creaked open softly, and Tara’s heart skipped a beat as she saw her girlfriend step into the room, a soft smile playing on her lips despite the concern in her eyes. Tara’s breath caught in her throat. It had only been a few hours since the accident, but it felt like a lifetime.

Her girlfriend had been by her side through every bruise, every tear, every moment of panic. She was the calm in Tara’s storm, the one who always knew what to say, what to do. The love she felt for her swelled in her chest, a gentle ache that made her heart both heavy and full.

“Hey,” her girlfriend whispered, walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed, her fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from Tara’s face. “How are you feeling?”

Tara’s lips parted to respond, but the words stuck in her throat. She couldn’t find the right way to explain how she felt how she felt so vulnerable, yet so incredibly safe with her. “I’m… okay,” Tara said, her voice a little raspy. “I’m just glad you’re here.”

Her girlfriend gave her a soft, understanding smile. “Of course, I’m here.” She reached for Tara’s hand, threading their fingers together. The warmth of her touch instantly calmed Tara, grounding her in the present moment.

Tara tried to muster a smile, but the pain in her head made it difficult. She squeezed her girlfriend’s hand, wanting so desperately to show her how much she appreciated her presence, but the words didn’t come out right. Instead, she just looked up at her, her eyes filled with gratitude and something deeper a feeling she hadn’t fully come to terms with.

Her girlfriend noticed the way Tara’s eyes softened when she looked at her, and the quiet understanding in her expression made Tara’s heart flutter. She knew, of course she knew, that Tara had feelings for her feelings that had grown deeper with each passing day. But she also knew that Tara wasn’t the type to easily open up, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

“Do you want to talk about what happened?” her girlfriend asked gently, her thumb rubbing circles on the back of Tara’s hand. “You don’t have to, but I’m here if you need me.”

Tara shook her head, letting out a quiet sigh. “I don’t know what happened… It all happened so fast.” She paused, feeling a lump form in her throat. “But I’m just glad you’re here. I don’t think I could’ve gone through this alone.”

Her girlfriend leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Tara’s hand. “You’ll never be alone, Tara. I’ll always be here.”

The words hit Tara like a tidal wave, washing over her and making her heart beat faster. She had never heard anyone speak to her like that so genuinely, so completely. The love in her girlfriend’s voice was unmistakable, and it made Tara’s chest tighten with emotion.

Her eyes met her girlfriend’s, and for a moment, the world outside of the sterile hospital room disappeared. There was no pain, no fear, no confusion. There was just the two of them, in this quiet space, their hands intertwined as if they were the only things that mattered.

Tara’s throat tightened as she felt the unspoken words bubbling up inside her. She had always been hesitant to open up about her feelings, always afraid of rejection or making herself too vulnerable. But right now, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She needed her to know.

“I…” Tara started, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think I’m falling for you.”