by Suzy Shearer
She realised she needed to use the bathroom, but knew she couldn’t get out of bed without help. She didn’t want to wake Aiden but unless she could get someone’s attention, she’d have to. She wriggled into a sitting position and grimaced when it hurt.
Maybe she could ring her father.
That started her giggling quietly. She was about to wake Aiden when a strange woman came into the room.
“Ms. Williams,” she whispered. “I’m Francine, your father hired me to help you for a couple of days.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I need to use the bathroom!”
Francine smiled at her and came around to her side of the bed.
“Just slide your legs over the edge, and I’ll help you sit up. You will probably feel dizzy at first.”
Dizzy wasn’t the word for it. The world spun around and around, and Jessica felt ill. Still, it finally came to a standstill. Francine lifted up a pair of crutches that Jessica hadn’t noticed.
“Now I’m going to help you stand. If you find that you can’t balance with the crutches, don’t worry, I’m here.”
Between the pair of them, Jessica managed to get into the bathroom. Francine settled her and left her alone. When she was finished, she softly called her back. Francine came in with a nightie for her.
“I got this out of your drawer. If you sit over here on this seat, I can wash your face and hands a bit. Tomorrow I’ll help you shower.”
Jessica managed to reseat herself and got a shock when she looked in the mirror. She was covered in blood and dirt. It made sense really, they certainly wouldn’t have washed her in the hospital, just cleaned away the dirt from wherever they stitched.
Her face was bruised and the line of stitches stood out. Looking down she saw stitches on both arms and more on her legs and one foot looked like it had dozens. Thank goodness nothing had been broken.
Francine cleaned her up and helped her into the long nightgown. She felt much better.
“When will I be able to walk without the crutches?”
“A few days probably. It’s just because of where the stitches are, don’t want them breaking. How do you feel?”
“I’ve got a massive headache, but I’m hungry too.”
“That’s good. I’ve got something for your headache and we can easily get you something to eat.”
“Do I have to stay in bed? I don’t want to disturb Aiden. I know how tired he is.”
“Do you still feel dizzy?”
“No. And I’ve slept a lot.”
“Okay, I’ll help you get into the sitting room. Your father is in there.”
Francine helped her get into the room, and her father jumped up as she entered. He kissed her, then fussed over her, getting her settled on one of the sofas that had a chaise section so she could keep her feet up. He sat alongside her and gently held her hand.
Francine quietly left the room. Her father wanted to know everything that had happened. Some of the details were a little fuzzy but Jessica managed to tell him everything.
“Why was Aiden here?”
“He was so upset about the fight you’d both had. Thought you would leave him and he was devastated.”
“I was upset and angry but once I thought about it and Carl talked to me, I realised I was being unfair. He was worried about the business. Yes, he jumped to the wrong conclusion but I guess we’d drilled into him that we had made his computer’s much safer. Anyway, thank goodness Carl got it all got sorted out. I was going to ring him after the formal dinner, I was running late and going to send him a text when I got downstairs.”
Gray then told her about his trip to hospital.
“I’m just glad he was here. I couldn’t believe how much pain I was in! Then when we got to the hospital and heard about the tornado. Oh, Jess, I don’t know what I would have done without him. He took charge. He promised me he’d bring you home, and he did.”
Her father was crying, and Jessica laid her head on his shoulder.
“He found you.”
“Don’t cry, Daddy, I’m safe, and I’m home. Tell me about you. What happens now?”
“I’ve seen the specialist. He told me all about kidney stones so I know now. I was lucky, apparently, because I was able to pass mine without having to resort to other treatments. I never want to go through that again. Isabella!”
Her father’s voice shook the room as he shouted. When she came in, he asked if she could bring in something for Jess to eat.
“Of course. I’ve got some things organised. I’ll just get it on a plate.”
She went to leave the room.
“Don’t leave, Izzie.”
Jessica looked over at her father. He seemed somehow different. He held out his hand and, as Jessica watched, Isabella came toward him.
“It took a fucking scare that I was going to die to make this woman see sense.”
“Don’t swear, Gray.”
“Sorry, Izzie.”
“Does this mean what I think it does?”
“Yes, Jess. Izzie’s finally realised that life’s too short. After all these years, she’s finally agreed to be my wife.”
“Oh, Daddy!” Jessica felt tears pouring down her cheeks.
“You don’t mind?”
“Mind? Of course not. I always thought it was you who wouldn’t make an honest woman of her.”
“You knew about us?” Isabella asked timidly.
Jess laughed. “Of course. And I’m really happy.”
Isabella dropped Gray’s hand and gave Jess a gentle hug. Both women shed a tear, then Isabella stood.
“I’ll get you something to eat.” She left the room.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Honestly, Dad, I couldn’t be more happy. You deserve as much happiness as possible. Wasn’t it you who kept telling me to start living?”
Isabella came back into the room with a tray. There was a plate filled with fresh steamed vegetables and a piece of chicken, along with a fresh bread roll. She fussed around Jess and put it on her knees. She left but was back a few minutes later with a glass of juice for her. Jessica couldn’t believe how hungry she was until she put the first mouthful of food into her mouth. She ate with relish and finished in record time.
She and her father sat together, just talking about nothing in particular. Isabella had left the two of them to talk. Now the stress and worry of the past few days were gone, they both just needed to know they were together. Both had been brushed with death and now realised just how precious time was.
Just after ten, Francine came back in.
“Ms. Williams, I’m going to help you back to bed. If you need me through the night, I’ve put a bell beside your bed. I’ll be in the next room. Don’t try to stand by yourself.”
Jessica kissed her father good night. He gave her an extra hugs, his eyes shiny bright.
“I love you, Jessie James.” He whispered.
“And I love you, Daddy.”
She returned to bed, Francine getting her settled. She snuggled into Aiden, and even in his sleep, he put an arm across her, cradling her, protecting her. She realised just how much she loved him and how lucky she was to have met him. Tomorrow he would be awake and she could apologise to him. But for now she would just have to dream about him.
And it wasn’t long before she fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Over the next two weeks, Jessica got stronger and stronger. Her stitches, and Aiden’s, came out, and she was able to walk without help. She was limping, but the doctor had assured her there was no permanent damage. Carl had taken over her position while she healed.
She reminded him to water her forest, swearing she would boot him out onto the street if so much as a leaf was missing.
Aiden wanted her to take a few more weeks off, but she insisted she was fine. He finally got her to agree to take one more. Her father and Isabella were now officially engaged. Gray was determined to marry her as soon as the legalities were complete. They arra
nged a quiet wedding with their immediate friends for the weekend. Isabella had no relations living but did have a few close friends.
Gray had his other two poker buddies, plus a few close friends and close associates. They were married on the beach in front of the house underneath a white canopy. Jessica cried with joy to see her father so happy. Now that he’d broken down Isabella’s resistance, there was no separating them.
Aiden and Jess talked about their own wedding. They had decided to hold it the following month. Gray had offered them his villa in Italy for their honeymoon, and they’d gladly accepted.
Before Gray and Isabella went off for their honeymoon in Europe, the four of them flew down to Brownsville. Gray and Aiden had spent time with lawyers, architects, and builders. Aiden was looking forward to being reunited with the doctor who had cared for Jessie.
Aiden was greeted like a returning hero at the hospital emergency department. Jo, the nurse who had been there at the time, searched out the doctor. They greeted each other like long lost friends. Aiden introduced Gray and Isabella. They then told the staff what had been arranged. There was shocked silence at first then the place erupted in cheers.
Aiden explained that contractors had been hired and work would be starting the following week clearing out the damage and preparing the ground for the new extension. The superintendent of the hospital had been contacted and was effusive with his thanks. They finally left with promises to keep in touch.
Aiden drove them through the ruined streets.
The four were silent as they looked at the devastation.
Cleanup crews had started bulldozing, clearing away the debris on the streets. They passed the ruins of the hotel and Jess couldn’t hold back her tears. One hundred and forty-seven people had died in Brownsville that night, many more were injured, and thousands had been affected by the tornado.
Gray and Aiden had set up a fund to help those who’d lost their homes. For them both, it was a way of saying “thank you,” thanks that Jessie had survived.
They pulled up outside the fire station.
Steve was on duty with Phil, and neither man recognised Aiden at first. Once they realised who he was, there was so much back slapping and man-hugs that Isabella and Jessie couldn’t stop laughing. Somehow Aiden had discovered that Steve’s house and Phil’s had been among the ones hit.
He handed over cheques for the both to cover the cost of repairing and getting lost furniture replaced. Both men were speechless as Aiden gave them his thanks.
“It’s us who should be thanking you! Your help was invaluable that night!”
Aiden shook his head and they had another round of man-hugs.
It was a quiet trip back to the plane. So many lives lost, so many lives touched by it all.
They flew back home. Isabella and Gray were leaving the following day, but would be back in five weeks, in time for Jessica’s wedding.
The following five weeks were busy as Jessica organised her dress and the wedding. When Aiden had asked her where she wanted to get married, she’d insisted they marry outdoors in one of the local parks. Aiden had done some sleuthing and discovered a lovely reserve filled with flowers and trees that had often been used for outdoor services. He organised seating and then catering. There was a restaurant nearby that had excellent food.
During the past month, she’d moved her things over to Aiden’s, and they’d talked about where Jessica wanted to live. Aiden offered to move into the apartment or build a house for her wherever she wanted. But she loved his house, loved being high on the mountain. She felt like she was in the clouds surrounded by her trees. But she didn’t know what to do with the penthouse. It was in a central location and she could easily sell and still make a profit on her original cost. But part of her wanted to keep it, because it represented so much—her new start, the company, her independence. Aiden suggested keeping it, they could use it if they were too lazy to drive back home.
Jess realised that was just wasting the place. Instead she decided to rent it out, but she would be very selective in who she accepted. As soon as she announced her decision, Wilson surprised her, and everyone, when he announced he wanted to rent it as he’d met someone a few months back and it was serious.
To say they were all in shock was an understatement. Wilson had never mentioned a friend, never shown any interest in dating. Obviously, they’d all been fooled. He brought his girlfriend to meet everyone when they insisted. She turned out to be a delightful but shy woman about his age. She towered over him—she was at least six foot, two inches tall—but it was easy to see that she was in love with their crazy hacker.
So Wilson and Belinda moved into her penthouse.
One more worry crossed off Jessie’s list. She was glad. She’d miss it and miss Lincoln but knew they would still be friends. He and Aiden had developed a warm friendship and often played chess together or talked books. They had discovered that he owned the bottom apartment, he’d never married and had once been an English teacher. He’d left for some reason that they never pried into and taken the job of security in Lemon Tree Tower.
Aiden had made her close her eyes two evenings before the wedding. He led her into their bedroom then got her to open her eyes. It was padded leather spanking bench. There were tethers, soft snap-on cuffs, and even softer silky ties.
Jessica had double up with laughter. He’d tied a big red bow around it.
“Ms. Williams! Are you laughing at me?”
Jess went from laughing to arousal in one second. Aiden stepped close to her, his face filled with the same emotion.
“Remove your clothes.”
When she had, Aiden tore the bow from their new toy.
“Lie down.”
He cuffed her wrists and ankles. Jessie discovered that her feet were resting on side pads and spread well apart. Aiden walked over the bed then came back naked. He held up a large massaging wand, also with a red bow. The look on his face was pure devilment as he turned it on.
Jessica couldn’t hold back her squeal as he held it lightly to her clit. She never experience a wand before and deciding she had been missing something amazing.
Aiden flicked a switch and the massaging went up a notch. Jess couldn’t believe the feeling. Amazed she could already feel her first orgasm building. It shook her, but Aiden didn’t stop. He changed the settings and touched her sensitive clit again. She tried to squirm away but the restraints held her fast. His evil grin never left his face as Jessie screamed with her second.
There was no denying she felt drained, but he kept it up. Jess thought he was just as excited over the new toy. Over the next fifteen minutes, Jess lost count of how many orgasms she had. Aiden was taking great delight in causing one after another. Finally he switched it off and looked down at her.
Jess was almost floating away. She hazily watched as Aiden began rubbing his cock in his hand. He moved to her head, pulled down on her braid then straddled her, pushing his cock into her mouth. He fucked her mouth. No other word for it, she thought, as his cock went in and out.
All at once, he pulled it out and moved one leg so he stood beside her, then jacked himself off sending his cum all over her stomach and breasts. Jess couldn’t remember the rest of the night. She vaguely remembered him bathing her, then tucking her into bed. She felt so relaxed that she fell asleep as soon as she laid her head on his chest.
All in all, it was an interesting wedding present.
Then at last all was ready.
Like Isabella and Gray’s wedding, they only wanted family and close friends. Aiden’s parents were flown over and set up in one of the bedrooms at Aiden’s.
Jessica had been fretting over what to buy Aiden for a wedding present for weeks.
What do you get the man who has everything?
She searched everywhere but had no idea what she was looking for. Jeannie and Bess had offered suggestions but nothing seemed right to her. It was only on the eve of their wedding when she realised exactly what she could give
him.
The wedding was perfect.
They’d decided to get married at midday. There was no rush, and everything could be relaxed just the way they wanted.
Jessie had found a vintage gown of heavy cream satin. It had a corset styled bodice and the skirt fell from the hip. There were panels of antique gold embroidery on the side of bodice and the same embroidered design was on several panels on the skirt. The skirt became a long chapel train at the back. The underskirt was full tulle and held the dress out. As soon as she saw it, she knew it was perfect for her.
She decided to carry just a single gold rose and wear her hair in Aiden’s favourite braid with more gold roses intertwined in it. She would wear no jewellery other than her collar and engagement ring.
On her father’s arm, Jessie walked down a red carpet laid across the grass to a organza-covered pavilion where Aiden waited for her.
His suit was a three piece charcoal-gray with a gold tie the same tone as the embroidery on her dress. As she walked toward him, his eyes never left hers. Her father placed her hand in Aiden’s and the smile Aiden gave her melted her heart all over again.
Their vows exchanged, they walked back down the carpet between their cheering family and friends. The rest of the day became a blur of food, wine, dancing, and photographs until at last, at seven o’clock, they bid everyone a good night.
Margaret, Aiden’s dragon lady who held everyone in fear, hugged Jessica and told her she was so happy that Aiden had finally found someone wonderful to love. Jessica and Aiden were stunned by her announcement.
It was a tearful good-bye with Aiden’s parents and Gray and Isabella. Jess clung to her father and Aiden’s mother, crying. They finally broke apart with well wishes ringing in their ears.
They were whisked off to the airport, then flown by Greg to a secret location. They flew deep into the mountains for thirty minutes and landed in a large cleared area filled with grass and wild flowers, lit brightly by solar torches.
Aiden told her before that he’d arranged for them to spend a couple of days in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere before they flew to Italy. He said it had been stocked with everything they needed and Greg would come back to pick them up in time for them to take Gray’s jet to Italy.
