by Amber Nicole
She just rolls her eyes at me then nods. She tries to shift to her back and winces.
“Do you need pain meds babe?”
She nods again. That I can't do, but I can press the nurse button. Reaching over for the call button slash remote control I press it and wait for the intercom. Takes a few minutes but it is only about five in the morning so they may be busy. I think I heard they were doing morning rounds. “Yes, what can I do for you hon?”
“We need some pain meds in here please.”
“Coming right up, I'll be there, in just a few.” That nurse has been such a guardian angel since they rushed Gracie into surgery. She sat on the floor with me and Dom and just held me while I broke down. Feeling Gracie wipe under my eye I notice I started to tear up again. That day was one of the worst days of my life, and that’s saying a lot considering I was the one who had to identify Mia’s body. “I’m okay love, but we do need to continue that chat from last night okay? We can wait till after you talk to the doctor and you eat something. You must be starving.” Hearing her choke out a groan I laugh. If Gracie could eat every hour of the day she would. “Okay babe I’ll get you some food as soon as the nurse says it's okay.”
She gives me a sad smile, bites her lip then starts texting.
DOLL: I know you want to talk later and that's fine but I need to tell you Ash I have all my memories back. Including that night, and I think we need to call Dom’s dad. I wasn’t completely awake last night but now that I am there is a lot I need to say.
What? She has all her memories back? I don’t know if that's a blessing or a curse. I guess only time will tell. “Okay I’ll call him, I don’t want to ask this because I love you and I know you would never hurt Mia, but Gracie do we need a lawyer?” She thinks for a few minutes just staring at her phone. Then she starts to text.
DOLL: Yes, but for the attempted murder at school.
Attempted murder? I jerk my head up so fast I make myself dizzy. What the fuck is she talking about?
32
Gracie
I can tell Ash is having a mini panic attack but before I can finish my text message someone knocks on the door.
“I hear we need some more pain meds? I’m glad to see you guys are awake. I really didn't want to be the mean nurse and have to wake you up, but Gracie I need to take some blood and run your vitals. Plus the doctor is doing his morning rounds so he will be by soon. Also you are probably starving so I will bring a menu in for you.”
Wow she's almost as peppy as my therapist and I call her Dr. Pep. Seeing that she's just staring at me I realize I need to answer her so I look her in the eyes and nod.
“Okay great, Ashton, hon you need to move so I can take Gracie's vitals then you can commandeer her bed again,” she says to Ash with a wink. He just rolls his eyes while giving her his signature grin. Once he moves, I roll flat on my back and attempt to wiggle back to the middle. Ouch yea that hurts. I'm not going to do that again. Ash is by my side instantly cupping my cheek. I didn’t even realize I’d made a noise. “Easy Gracie, you're going to have to take it slow okay? You have many sutures we don't want opening. Let me help you okay?”
Feeling the tears fill my eyes at his love for me I just nod. I really wish I could talk. I just want to tell him how much I love him and how sorry I am that I couldn't protect our baby. I tried. I really did. After getting me situated he grabs his phone then heads out the door. I assume he’s calling Dom, ughh he's going to hate us. It's like five-thirty in the morning.
We wait a bit for Dom and his father to arrive. I'm seriously dreading this conversation, but it’s time everyone knows the truth.
There’s a knock on the door, and Ash gets up to let whoever in.
“How are you feeling today Gracie? You gave us all a scare when you didn’t wake up right away. Before we get into all that I need to discuss something with you.”
Walking over to my bed the doctor pats my foot. I know what he’s going to say but I don’t think I can handle it right now. Ash must also sense what's about to be said for he comes and sits next to me kissing my temple and holding my hand.
“Gracie, I’m sorry to report you had a placental abruption causing you to hemorrhage profusely and miscarry. From what we could detect you were about sixteen weeks along. Did you know you were pregnant?”
Looking at Ash I plead with my eyes for him to answer. “She did but only for a few hours before the fall occurred,” he tells the doctor.
Looking between us he says, “I see, well we did what we call a D&C to take care of any leftover tissue, and to stop the bleeding. I know this is hard to hear Gracie but you didn't suffer any further damage regarding your reproductive organs. If you decide in the future to have a child you shouldn’t have any issues. Do you have any questions for me? I discussed with Mr. Daniels here that you were far enough along to know the gender if that is something you wish. I know this is a hard time and you can know at any time so just think about it. Now to move on to your other injuries. You can probably tell you have a broken wrist, as well as a couple broken ribs, bruised trachea, and we had to place a shunt in your head to reduce the fluid build up.” Before he can continue the door flies open to my mother, and she looks pissed.
“Pregnant? Really Gracie, did you not learn anything from your past mistakes. I can’t believe you went and got yourself knocked up again. What the fuck were you thinking? This is just something to get attention isn’t it? You try to act all perfect and behind the scenes your nothing but a fucking whore and now you’re gonna end up being an even bigger burden on me because now I’m gonna have to take care of a fucking brat as well. I guess now we know why you've gotten so fat. Stupid girl. I blame that Mia. She was always a bad influence. Too late now."
I’m shaking. I can't help but explode. Forgetting all about my damaged throat
"You know nothing, get the hell out!” I shout as loud as I can which is not more than a normal tone. “How could you say that to me Mom? I had a miscarriage for one and two I was never pregnant before, that was Mia. All thanks to your adultering son. Maybe you should be giving Grayson the riot act. Just leave." Ash looks about ready to explode.
"Please just make them leave," I say through my sobs.
Feeling arms wrap around me, I look up into the eyes of Ash’s best friend. “I’m so sorry Bambi, I am so so sorry, but I am so glad to see those beautiful eyes open, even if they are filled with so much sadness,” he tells me in a whisper while rocking me. He kisses my head and stands up to face my family. I didn't even know my dad and brother were here as well.
“Have you been drinking Mrs. Rose? It’s not even eight in the morning. Don't try and lie ma'am I can smell it on your breath,” Dom exclaims, shaking his head in disgust.
“What the fuck, you have been dodging my phone calls for three weeks straight. You can't even turn up to check on your daughter without reeking of alcohol, you say she’s the disgrace I think you need to look in a mirror Christine. You need to leave. Grayson don’t even fucking think about moving. Grant you may also stay,” Ash says, addressing my family before climbing back on the bed to comfort me. The sobs have calmed but I’m still shaking. Hearing the door slam I know my mother has left. It’s for the best. I’m so embarrassed, Dom’s dad is here with his partner and the doctor is still standing by the monitors. Grabbing Ash’s hand I look him in the eye and whisper all the truths he’s needing to know. My throat feels as if it’s on fire, but I push through. I tell him about the phone call, Bianca and the girls trying to kill me, and last but not least I tell him what really happened that night on the cliff. I feel exhausted when I’m done, and there is not a dry eye in the room. Even Dom’s father, Mike is wiping his eyes. The doctor excused himself earlier. I didn't want him to know all the hot gossip as I’m sure it would spread like wildfire through this hospital. When I’m done I lie back and close my eyes feeling the bed shift I know Ash has moved. A loud smack and a curse jolts me back to sitting. Grayson is on the floor holding a broken nose from
what it looks like.
“She was my sister! My twin! How could you! You were like a brother to her! Get the fuck out of my face I don’t ever want to see you again Grayson,” Ash screams. My father has turned pale. “Dad, are you okay?” I croak out. Looking at me he shakes his head, bends down, kisses my forehead then walks to the door. “I’m so sorry Gracie, I’ve made some horrible mistakes in my life, and I can’t ever have you knowing about them. I think it’s best if you move in with Tristan. Your mother and I are going to move to the beach house in Maui. I love you. God forbid you ever do learn my horrible secrets. I hope you can forgive me.”
I’m so confused. Looking back at me one more time he exits the room. Why do I feel like that's the last time I’ll see him. Gray picks himself off the floor and soon follows. What the hell just happened? Hearing a throat clear I look to the side, Mike is shaking his head. “I wrote down most of your statement Gracie, but I will need you to come to the station at some point after your release. I’ll be making a personal trip to the school today and collecting these girls. With the accusations and proof I’m assuming there will be a court case. Take care of yourselves if you need anything we are always here for you. Dom, I'll see you later. I suggest not going to school today.” Giving us a nod he exits the room with his partner following. I lie back down on the pillow and close my eyes with relief. My life may be a mess but everyone knows the truth. Mia tried to kill me on top of that cliff. I pray this doesn’t destroy Ash.
33
Ashton
They decided to keep Gracie for another two weeks just to keep monitoring her. She seems to be making a full recovery. Well on the outside at least. Emotionally she’s a wreck, not that I can blame her. I’m a total mess too. Finally knowing the truth about what happened that night changes so many things. I feel relief knowing Gracie didn’t try to kill herself. I know she told me she never would have, but I still had a tiny doubt that she just didn't remember. I feel hurt that Mia never came to me when she was dealing with this. It’s obvious she was off her medications. I’m also dealing with so much guilt. There aren’t enough days left in my life to make up everything I have done to Gracie, but I sure as damn well am gonna try. That girl is my everything. Taking another swig of whiskey I lean back in the chair. Gracie is downstairs in bed asleep, and I’m sitting in Mia's room in the dark. Nothing has changed; it’s like a shrine. There are still clothes thrown on the floor, makeup all over her vanity. The only thing that's different is that there’s a layer of dust over everything. When I stumbled in here three hours ago I barely made it to the bed before breaking down into sobs. When I laid down on Mia’s pillow I felt something hard underneath. I found her journal. All this time I could have found out her secrets, and she had a lot of them. Things I don't even think I can tell Gracie, things I feel sick about. Let’s just say I now know what Mr. Rose was talking about. I need to put this somewhere Gracie won’t ever find it. I should burn it, but it’s the last piece of Mia’s soul I’ll ever have. My head spins as I stand up to head back down to my girl, I feel woozy. I guess I drank more than I thought. I know since everything I’ve been drinking a lot, but it numbs the pain. I know Gracie has noticed and is worried, but I can stop. I’m going to stop. I need to make things right. I need to get a ring back on my doll’s finger. Sitting back down in the chair I grab my phone.
ASHTON: Need your help. It’s time man.
DOM: Do you ever sleep? It’s four in the morning Ash.
ASHTON: Not really, will you help me?
DOM: You know I will, what are you thinking? Still want to hang lights in the maze? How’s Gracie feeling?
ASHTON: Yeah maze is perfect, how about tomorrow night? Can you and Hope be there to record/ take pics?
DOM: Yeah man we’ve been waiting for you to ask. Hope has some ideas you just get your girl there around eight pm. We will have everything set up. Give Bambi a hug from me. I’ll see you tomorrow. Get some sleep.
Feeling my heart start to race in excitement I get up from the chair a lot steadier this time. I look back one last time as I leave her room. “I miss you sis. I don't know if I could ever forgive you for what you did, but at least now I understand.” Sighing, I shut her door, and walk down the hall to my father's office. I put the journal in my safe and slam the door shut then head back down to my girl. She’s fallen asleep reading again. I smile softly and move her kindle onto the nightstand. Vengeance by Crystal North. I hope that’s not giving her any ideas. From what she’s been telling me, that girl knows how to get even. Quietly climbing back in bed I hear Gracie shuffle. “Are you okay Ash?”
Pulling her into my arms I kiss her head. “I will be, this helps,” I say while getting comfortable. She sighs then kisses my chest before falling back to sleep. This right here is what I want for the rest of my life. Gracie in my arms. And tomorrow night hopefully she will decide it’s what she wants too.
Gracie
Ash is acting weird. All day he's been looking at me and smiling. I hope he hasn’t moved from alcohol to drugs. He pulls into the school parking lot and I see that there are only a few people here. I mean it is eight on a Saturday night. I didn't want to leave the house but Ash begged, said he had an errand to run then wanted us to get some dinner. I think he’s sick of being stuck at home. I can’t blame him, at least he’s not dragging me out to a party. Stepping out of the car I take Ash’s hand. He tugs me toward the maze. I haven’t been back to our spot since before the accident. “Ash what are we doing here?”
“I have a surprise for you, come on I know it’s cold, it won't take long.”
Following him through the garden we enter the maze and I feel my heart race in anticipation. This is the most alive I’ve felt in a few weeks now. It’s dark but I could find my way to the middle with my eyes closed. Ash slows down, and I let him take the lead. “Gracie, I just want to say I love you with everything I am, and I know everything is a mess right now, but if you’d let me, I’d like to change that?”
Not knowing what he’s talking about I just reply. “You already are Ash. Just being here for me means more than you will ever know.”
Bending down slightly he places his lips on mine in a sweet soft kiss ending way too soon, but I understand it is freezing out right now. He takes my hand again and places it inside his warm pocket, then tugs me further through the maze. I know we're close to our spot. Coming around the final hedge I stop, and gasp. There are fairy lights strung up everywhere, and tea light candles in a row below with rose petals on a large blanket. In the middle there’s a bucket with champagne and strawberries on a tray beside it. It’s all so beautiful I start to cry. Seeing my tears Ash kisses them away then rests his forehead on mine. Stepping back, he bends down on one knee. Omg … omg …
“Gracie, since meeting you my life has changed for the better. You’re my sunshine during a thunderstorm, my hope when everything is hopeless. You have brought me so much joy, love, and friendship. You're my best friend, my one true love, my soulmate. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man on the planet? I know I have a lifetime of making things up to you, but I swear here and now I will. Will you continue to be my saving Grace?"
I can’t speak. I'm sobbing so hard so I just keep nodding yes. Getting back to his feet he lifts me in a spin then kisses me until I see stars.
“Finding you that day covered in blood I thought my life was over. I don’t know if I could have gone on in a life without you Gracie.”
Stopping him with a kiss I say through my tears, “Before the darkness took over Ash you were my last thought. When I woke up in the hospital and saw your face even through all the heartache and pain I knew you would save me. You say I'm your saving Grace, but Ash you're my knight. You always have been. We have been through hell, now it’s time for our happily ever after.”
He just laughs at me. “You’re incredible, do you know that.”
“Yeah, that's what you tell me.”
He kisses me one more time before placing the ring he was keep
ing in his pocket back on my ring finger.
“That ring is yours Gracie, it always has been, and this time it’s only coming off to be cleaned,” he tells me while rubbing my cheek. Getting lost in his eyes I don’t realize we're not alone until I hear sniffles. Looking over into the corner I see a weepy Hope and an ecstatic Dom. “Beautiful, just beautiful. I’m so happy for you guys." Dom comes over and gives Ash and me a giant bear hug. Gah, I’m being crushed in between the two. Next I feel Hope slam into the side of me turning this all into an uncomfortable group hug. We hug for a few more seconds then all sit on the blanket and celebrate with champagne and strawberries. Perfect, this was a perfect night.
The next few weeks fly by in a whirlwind of getting back at the cheerleaders, dealing with lawyers, dodging Grayson’s calls, and wedding planning—which Ash seems relentless to be involved in every aspect. Yes my big guy loves wedding planning. I don’t mind since it’s helping keep his mind off of things, and his drinking has basically stopped. I was worried there for a while. I do have to say Dom and the other dicks have been amazing at helping us get revenge on the bitches. Due to massive amounts of money being thrown around there won't be a court case, instead I get the lovely option of mediation. Total bullshit, so Ash and the guys are taking over retribution since they currently can’t come anywhere near me. The guys have been total rock stars. I will never change the bitches name but it may be time to free the dicks.
So far the guys have ostracized them, they’re not allowed to eat in the cafeteria, not allowed at any of the parties, and they no longer warm their beds. Which is straight blasphemy in their world. How will they marry into a wealthy family now with all the guys avoiding and ignoring them?
