The Devil's Sweetheart

Surprise, followed by happiness listening to her most favorite voice in the world. She was dying to see him, dying to hug him, dying to hear his voice, and Leena could no longer control her emotions. Her eyes prickled in tears.

''D_evin,'' Leena's voice cracked, but she knew those were her happy tears. She lifted her head and gently caressed Devin's cheek. ''I missed you, idiot.''

''I missed you, too.'' Devin gently grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. How much he missed her holding in his arms, only he knew.

 ''Finally, you are awake.'' Leena kissed his forehead. 

''Your poems can even wake the dead, Sweetheart, much less an unconscious person?'' Devin's voice sounded weak, but it got better compared to earlier. 

''T_hank you. But you don't need to praise me all the time.'' Leena whispered, pleased as punch to hear praise from her babylicious. She can't believe her poems can influence the dead also. Devin has opened her eyes today.

As Devin expected, Leena went into her pipe dreams again. When it comes to compliments, her IQ and EQ would be below the belt, which he probably can't change. 

''Wait! I_I forgot you are a patient.'' Leena immediately snapped out of her fantasy thoughts. ''Do you want to eat? or drink something? I will go and call the doctor.'' Without waiting for Devin's reply, Leena fled out of the room.

As Leena went to bring the doctor, she saw her mom sitting in the guest room, watching Korean dramas. It was no surprise her Meemaw's virus had spread to her mom when they stayed under the same roof. Pushing the mobile aside, she dragged Heather to the room Devin was staying. Heather checked Devin's vitals, and she didnot find any issue get worried about him. ''How are you feeling now, Devin? Do you feel any pain?''

''A little, Aunt.'' He muttered. Except for slight weakness, he has no subtle pain that he can think of.

''It fades away soon.'' Heather smiled warmly at him. ''Your sternum was opened, and the right ventricle_''

Leena cut her mom's words when she didnot understand the foreign language. ''Devin, mom was the one who saved you. No doctors could locate the bullet in your heart, but my mommy did. She is a gifted doctor right? Your heart didnot beat after mom removed the bullet, but she pumped with her hands until you are back to life.'' Leena gloated about Heather's achievements, although Heather was signaling her daughter to shut her mouth. Leena would rarely take pleasure in crowing over others, and if that happens, he or she must be blessed with good luck. Often, Francis and Devin get the chance. Devin was shocked to hear the truth. Since he was unconscious, Devin didnot know a thing that was happening outside. Did I scare everyone?

 ''Isn't she great?'' Leena started again. ''I was_''

''Leena, baby.'' Heather interrupted before her daughter breaks the record of braggers.

''Yes, mom?'' Leena snapped at Heather.

''Can you bring some water?'' Heather asked.

''It's here.'' Picking the bottle from the stand, Leena handed it to Heather.

''Then can you get something to eat?'' Heather's question confused Leena. It was apparent to Leena now; her mom wants to talk with Devin alone. So, she was giving excuses to send her out.

''I will wait outside then.'' Leena doesn't know what's so secret that her mom doesn't want to share it with her, but it's alright. She will make Devin vomit everything after her mom goes out.

''You caught the point, baby.'' Heather patted her daughter's head and whispered. ''Don't worry, dear Daughter. I will not take much time sweet with your Devin.''

''You are teasing me again.'' Leena gave a stern glare before leaving, which made Heather and Devin smile.

''She is a mood buster, don't you agree?'' Heather asked, sitting on the chair. Leena's presence and her sweet talks can lift anyone's mood instantly, but for the first time, Heather has seen her daughter's heartbroken.

''Indeed, Aunt Heather,'' Devin replied. ''Thanks for everything. If not for you, I will not be able to see...Leena today.'' His hand still trembled when a dreadful thought hit his brain. The second of emptiness right before the pain caught up to the bullet; this is what it felt like. Although the pain was numbing his senses, her smiling face kept popping into his mind, and he believed that was the only thing that made him survive.

''Don't think about that nightmare.'' Heather squeezed Devin's hand before she spoke. ''Do you know why I asked Leena to go out?''

Devin shook his head, but the thought hit his mind already.

''I dont want her to remember the torment she underwent without you,''

''W_hat happened?'' Devin's heart laced with pain, thinking of Leena's state.

 ''Leena neither ate nor slept. She cried until she left with no teardrop. She cried from her heart until it covered her soul.'' Heather breathed in and out before continuing. ''Her built-up emotions burst out, which she has been holding for a long time. No one could soothe her, not even Francis. She wanted only one person, and that was you, and then I understood the image you have imprinted on her heart. It's hard to find words to tell how much you meant to her.'' 

''I am_''

Before Devin spoke up, Heather stopped him raising her head.

''Let me complete, Devin,'' Heather said. ''I know you want to protect Leena, but at the same time, don't put your guards down. If you were battling with life and death inside the doors, Leena was doing the same thing outside the doors. She needs you. The last thing she needs is for you to leave, and if that happens, I don't think my daughter can live without you.''

''I_I will be careful,'' Devin whispered, a lump formed in his throat for making Leena cry. Every part of her tear down to her cheek feels like he loses a part of her. He has put his guards down, thinking danger is only creeping around her, but he has underestimated his enemy. Never he thought, the next attack was focused on him.

''Thanks for saving me, Aunt.'' Devin genuinely thanked Heather. Even if it was his mom in Heather's place, he would have done the same. Without his mother-in-law, he wouldn't have seen Leena's face today.

''Instead of thanking me, why don't you both give me something?'' Heather completely shifted the topic to lighten the atmosphere. Past is past, and it's not good to dwell in them.

''How many?'' Devin was one step ahead of Heather.

''How many you planned to give?'' Asked Heather with a mischievous glint., ''Perhaps 11 or 12?''

''Are you thinking of grooming for a basketball team?'' Devin exclaimed in wonder. During her period itself, Leena's hormones are a nightmare to him, and he dared to think of her pregnancy hormones.

''Why not? I love basketball.'' Heather was pleased with the idea. Imagining a house filled with her grandchildren roaming around, she was excited for the day to happen.

''No football team, no basketball team. It's Leena's choice.'' Devin was rooted in his decision. It's Leena's choice to decide how many children to have. It is not the issue of choice; it's her right.

Heather has no words to utter except feeling happy. Even in the matters of children, Devin is thinking of her daughter alone. Heather was wondering why Francis chose Devin of all the people, but now she understood. Francis's decisions would never go wrong. A rare gem is hard to find, but Francis caught it well.

 ''My daughter is lucky.'' Heather smiled, patting Devin's head. ''I am leaving now. Get some rest.'' Before leaving, Heather said. ''Don't vomit everything that happened here to my daughter.''

''I am sure she would be sticking her ear to the door to eavesdrop.'' Devin chuckled. Knowing Leena's personality, he bet on it.

''It would be no surprise if she doesn't do any crazy stuff.'' Smilingly, Heather checked Devin's vitals for one last time before she left.

The moment Heather pulled the door open, Leena's body sprawled on her with force. ''What are you doing here, Leena?'' Devin pressed his lips to control his laughter at her mother-in-law's acting.

''I_I_''

''It's not good to eavesdrop, Leena baby. Don't you know?''

''I_I wasn't.'' Leena quickly cooked up a story. ''I was checking the strength of the door.'' 

''If lying were your job, you would have become a billionaire.'' Having said that, Heather left before her daughter would come screaming at her.

"Internet has spoiled you.'' Leena kicked the door in frustration, hearing her mom's witty comebacks. Leena then walked into the room, and before she settled in the chair, Devin urged her to the bed. Sensing Leena's hesitation, Devin gently pulled her to the bed. 

She lay down on the bed next to him without putting effort on Devin. Finally, she felt home, in his arms. ''You scared me, Devin.'' It's not just losing her love, but losing her soul. The thought of losing him forever scarred her bringing tears to her ears. Devin was lucky this time, but what if something happens again? She can't sit and cry like a damsel in distress anymore.. Leena made a firm resolution to protect Devin and pull the person from the darkness who tried to harm her husband.