Bobbi Kristina's beau Nick Gordon staying away from hospital

Bobbi Kristina Brown's companion Nick Gordon has been staying away from the hospital in deference to her family's requests for privacy, but hopes to see her soon.

[UPDATE: Family tensions heat up]

[REPORT: Bobbi Kristina's relatives try to cash in on tragedy]

Amid apparent tensions within the family, Nick said in a statement issued through his attorneys indicating he's trying to avoid adding to the drama:

"Nick has been trying, privately, to do everything he can to see Bobbi Kristina cooperatively.  He has respected the family's wishes and for that reason alone has not returned to the hospital and risked a public confrontation.  But he desperately wants to be with the one he loves and continues to hope that his request will be granted."

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Credit: Jennifer Brett

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Credit: Jennifer Brett

Nick had been silent on his Twitter feed since Christmas Day but posted a message the day after Valentine's Day that struck a hopeful note:

He also posted this photo on his publicly accessible Facebook page, showing a new tattoo he is sporting in Bobbi Kristina's honor:

Nick Gordon posted this photo of his new tattoo in Bobbi Kristina's honor

Credit: Jennifer Brett

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Credit: Jennifer Brett

In photos and messages posted on her social media platforms, Bobbi Kristina often has referred to Nick as her "husband," a designation both sides of her family have disputed.

This most recent statement is the second in which Nick has evidently agreed with that assertion. An earlier statement referred to her as his "companion" (not wife) And, if they were legally wed he'd need no permission to visit her in the hospital.

Bobbi Kristina, 21, has been hospitalized since a Jan. 31 medical emergency.

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