Sunny's Love

by Anna Kristell

  “That’s good news. Good luck to the both of you. I know this has been difficult. I hope the two of you can put this behind you and begin to rebuild your lives.”

  “We certainly intend to try.”

  Chase returned to the hospital. He told Sunny about his visit to Lindy in jail.

  “Chase…oh…how sad.”

  “Sad?”

  “That she loved you that much…that she could be that mentally unstable, to do the things she did. I’m so glad she’ll be getting the help she needs.”

  “Do you know how sweet you are to be thinking of that woman’s needs after what she’s done?”

  “I’m not sweet. I understand what it’s like to want someone that much. Granted I would never be able to do the things she did…but she was right. I would never have given you up without a fight.”

  “I’m glad to hear that…you’ll never give me up.”

  “You told me this arrangement was for life and I agreed to that. And after living with you, as your wife, all these months…no…I would never give you up…it’s for life.”

  “You bet it is.” He kissed her, making her pulse race just a little faster…the monitor proving it.

  “I’d better stop or the nurses will be running in here thinking something is wrong.”

  “Tonight, you can kiss me as many times as you want.”

  “I can…but that might get us into trouble. You’re under doctor’s orders to rest, for at least two weeks. I don’t think nighttime antics would be considered rest.”

  “Can you hold out for two more weeks?”

  “Can you?” He flashed the sexy grin she’d grown to love so much.

  “We’ll see.” She smiled up at him with a seductive grin of her own. “Now, I need to get ready to get out of here.

  Chase made some phone calls while Sunny was showering.

  “Is everything ready?”

  “Yes, it is. I’ll be picking John up at the airport in about an hour,” George replied.

  “Good, I was afraid he wouldn’t get in before I got her home.”

  “The women have been cooking up a storm and the children are very excited. They’ve made a ‘Welcome Home’ banner.”

  “Wonderful, it sounds like everything is set. I’ll let you know when we’re leaving the hospital.”

  Next, he called Lisa.

  “How is everything on your end, Lisa?”

  “I’ll be there, so will the Board members, Russell, and the accountant.”

  “Great, she’ll be so surprised.”

  “Mr. Dupont, we’re all so very happy Sunny is on the mend. We’ve missed both of you here at the office.”

  “I appreciate everything you and the others have done in our absence, Lisa. I believe some bonus checks might be in order for all of you, when I can get back to work, and back in the swing of things.”

  “That’s not necessary, but would be greatly appreciated, I’m sure. I’ll see you later, my other phone is ringing.”

  “Bye, Lisa.”

  Pleased with himself, he was all smiles when Sunny walked out of the bathroom.

  “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. What’s up?” she teased.

  “I’m just happy my lady is coming home where she belongs.”

  “Well, if you want ‘your lady’ to go home, you’re going to have to help me dress. I’m still having a little trouble maneuvering with my left arm.”

  “I’d be happy to assist you with that.” He chuckled.

  The nurse came into the room with the discharge papers. “I just need to go over all these instructions with the two of you and get a signature. After that, you’re free to get dressed and get out here, Sunny.”

  “Music to my ears,” Sunny answered laughing. Happily signing the paperwork, she looked at Chase. “Will you help me now?”

  “Of course, I will.” He helped her out of bed and gingerly dressed her, taking care not to hurt her arm.

  Driving home, he reached over and took her hand. “Glad to be going home?”

  “Yes, honey, I’m so glad to be able to be in the fresh air again. Hello world…I’m back!”

  When they reached the house, they were met by George.

  “Sunny, it’s so good to have you home.” The man hugged her and said, “I’ll get your things out of the car.”

  “Let’s go in the den,” Chase suggested.

  “Okay, where are my babies?”

  “They’ll be along soon, I told Alma to not let them rush you the minute you got here.”

  George had returned with the bags, balloons and flowers. He had also given the signal to the others.

  A parade of family, co-workers, and friends walked into the den. Laura was leading the way, carrying a cake.

  “Oh my…what’s all this?” Sunny asked as her eyes welled up with tears.

  “It’s your welcome-home party, planned by your loving husband,” Chase told her proudly.

  My loving husband…did he just say loving?

  Turning to the group of well-wishers, she smiled. “Thank you all for being here to welcome me home.”

  To her husband, she said, “Come here, you.” He obliged and bent down so she could kiss him.

  Ali and Brice could be contained no longer. They rushed to her, bestowing hugs and kisses of their own.

  As each person came to her and said a few words, she was amazed at the number of people who had come to welcome her home. Brenda and Jay, people from work, John had come from Florida, even Dr. and Mrs. Rose. She spoke with each one of them.

  The food was delicious and when the party was nearing its end, she thanked them all again.

  “I hate to cut this short, you all can stay as long as you like, but I need to get my wife settled in her own bed. She needs her rest.” Chase helped her to her feet and she waved goodbye to the group gathered in her honor.

  When they’d reached their bedroom, a nightgown had been laid out for her and he helped her into it, before she lay down and he pulled the covers over her.

  “You didn’t complain about the nightgown,” she observed, watching his face for a reaction.

  “And I won’t for the next two weeks, after that….watch out,” he teased. “You take a nap if you can, after all that excitement. I’ll keep the kids out as long as I can, but they won’t stand for it much longer.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’re so agreeable,” he teased.

  “Get out of here unless you’re going to join me for a nap.”

  “Well, maybe just until you fall asleep.” He lay down with her, holding her until she fell into a light sleep. He kissed her forehead and whispered, “It’s so good to have you home, my love.”

  After leaving her to rest and going downstairs for a bit, he returned to their room to find she was awake.

  “Hi, I thought you had abandoned me already.”

  “Not a chance, but I think I’m going to have to let Princess Ali and Master Brice come in for a while. Are you up to it?”

  “Of course I am. Bring them on up.”

  He returned a few minutes later with her two babies.

  “Come sit with Mama on the bed,” she invited.

  “Is it okay?” Ali asked.

  “As long as you’re careful with Mama’s arm it’s okay,” Chase told her.

  “Come on, Brice.” Ali held her hand out to her baby brother and led him to the bed.

  “It’s okay, Brice, don’t be afraid,” Sunny told him.

  He carefully climbed up on the bed. Sunny pulled him to her, hugging him tightly. “I’ve missed you so much, my little man. And you too, Princess Ali.”

  Chase joined them on the bed, where the four of them talked and played for a while. Chase read to them and finally he told them it was time for them to think about dinner and baths.

  “Mama needs to rest. You can see her tomorrow when she’s up and around.”

  “Goodnight, little ones. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Mama,” Ali replie
d.

  “Me too,” Brice said, waving goodbye.

  Sunny sank back on the pillow, exhausted from the excitement of the day. A few hours later when Chase came to bed he found her in a deep sleep.

  He quietly slipped into bed beside her and kissed her. He turned over and also fell into an exhausted, but relieved sleep.

  ****

  “I’m so tired of lying around. I can’t wait to see Dr. Jessup,” she told him one night at dinner.

  “I’m sure you are. But you’re getting your strength back, I’m sure it won’t be long before you’re back to one-hundred percent,” he tried to reassure her, knowing she was about to go stir crazy. He too was ready for the day when she was back to being his normal, fun-loving Sunny.

  Finally the day of her appointment with Dr. Jessup arrived. She dressed carefully for the appointment. Her arm was still a little sore but she could use it now. As they were preparing to leave the house, Chase received a call from Detective Carson.

  “Okay, I’ll be there.” Chase hung up and looking at her sadly said, “Baby, I’m sorry, but is it okay if George drives you to your appointment?”

  “Of course it is. What’s going on?”

  “Carson wants to see me. He says it’s over. I really need to hear what he has to say, so I’ll see him while you see Dr. Jessup. By the time we’re both finished, hopefully, we can begin our lives again.”

  “That sounds like heaven to me. You go ahead. I’ll be fine.” She leaned up to kiss him and went in search of George.

  Sunny arrived at Dr. Jessup’s office and instructed George to wait for her. She signed in at the desk and was quickly taken to a room where she was told the doctor would be in shortly. She sat in the examination room waiting nervously for the doctor to come in with her test results, hoping he’d release her from his care. She would be glad to finally put this whole ugly incident behind her.

  Dr. Jessup came into the room wearing a friendly smile. “Hello, Sunny. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m feeling well, thank you. I’ve been walking, eating, resting… “

  “Good to hear. I have your test results. Is your husband going to be joining us?”’

  “No, he received a call from Detective Carson right before we left the house and had to meet with him, but it’s all right. You can tell me whatever you need to tell me.”

  The doctor smiled and said, “Sunny, I’m pleased to tell you the test results have all come back normal. I believe you can resume a normal routine now. Do you have any questions or concerns?”

  “I only have one question, doctor. Is it okay for me to get pregnant, or should I wait?”

  “Sunny, I see no reason why you can’t conceive a child and have a normal pregnancy. If that’s in your immediate plans, I wish you the best of luck, my dear. What a wonderful way to rebuild your life, after what’s happened to you.”

  Breathing a sigh of relief, with tears in her eyes, she replied, “Thank you, Dr. Jessup, you have no idea what that means to me.”

  “After what you’ve been through, yes, I think I have a pretty good idea.” He shook her hand and walked her to the desk, where he told the receptionist, “Mrs. Dupont is as fit-as-a-fiddle. I’m releasing her today.”

  “That’s wonderful news, Doctor. Congratulations, Mrs. Dupont, you must be thrilled.”

  “You have no idea.” Sunny smiled at the girl.

  She walked out of the office and to the parking garage with George. Once in the car, she breathed another sigh of relief, before asking George to make a stop at the pharmacy. She made a purchase and went home to wait for Chase.

  ****

  “What’s going on, Detective?” Chase asked Detective Carson.

  “I have some news for you regarding the case. I’ll get right to the point, as I know you’ve been anxious to hear this. Mr. Thomlin and his daughter have decided to take the DA’s plea bargain.”

  “And what exactly does this mean?”

  “There won’t be a trial. Thomlin will get ten years prison time, with the possibility of parole in five. He didn’t know the extent of his daughter’s plan, but he knew she was mentally unstable, and that she was up to something. He did nothing to stop her. Lindy will be spending the next several years behind bars, but in a woman’s psychiatric prison, as you requested. You and your family can rebuild your lives now. You can finally put this behind you.”

  Chase sighed and said, “If that’s possible. I feel so responsible for what happened to my first wife and most of all for what happened to Sunny. I’m so grateful I didn’t lose her, too.”

  “It wasn’t your fault, Mr. Dupont. Lindy Thomlin has some serious issues. She’ll be receiving the best psychiatric care in prison.”

  “And what’s her father’s excuse? He knew what she was up to. He let her get by with it, all because he wanted my company.”

  “I can’t answer that, Chase, but if you are ever going to move on, you have to try and let it go.”

  “Thank you for all your help. I’ll be forever grateful to you.”

  “Good luck and tell your wife I said hello. I hope she gets good news today at her appointment.”

  “So do I. Thank you again,” Chase shook the hand of the man who helped put an end to the terror his family had faced.

  As he drove home, he knew what he had to do when he met with Sunny. I’m going to tell her what I should have told her the day I asked her to marry me.

  He let himself into the house and ran up the stairs to the bedroom he shared with Sunny, to see if she was back from her appointment. He found her sitting in a chair staring out the window.

  “Sunny, is everything okay?” He went to her and kneeling in front of her, took her hand. “Baby, what is it? What did Dr. Jessup say?”

  She looked into the eyes of the man she so desperately loved and said, “I got a clean bill of health. What did Detective Carson say?”

  “Oh, Baby, I’m so happy. I’ve been so worried about you.” He rose from his knees and held her close to his chest.

  “Chase, what about Detective Carson?” she asked again.

  “It’s over. They took the plea bargain, so there won’t be a trial. They’ll both be going to prison. Lindy will receive the psychiatric care that she needs.”

  “Thank God. Now we can move on with our lives. We no longer have to fear Lindy, or her father. We don’t have to worry about the company. We can concentrate on our family and our future.” She looked into his eyes, wondering how to tell him the things she wanted to say.

  “From your lips to God’s ears.” He kissed her. Scooping her up into his strong arms, he carried her to the bed.

  “I wanted to get more comfortable, Sunny. We need to talk.”

  “Chase…is something wrong?”

  “Oh, no, baby, something is right, very right. I’m going to do what I should have done months ago.”

  “Chase, you’re scaring me.”

  He kissed her to reassure her. “No reason to be scared. I hope you’re going to like what I have to say. It’s something I should have told you a long time ago. I had the mistaken notion that I needed to hear you say it first. None of that matters anymore. When I thought I might lose you, I realized that.”

  “Chase, what is it?”

  He looked into her eyes. What she saw in his eyes told her everything she needed to know.

  “Oh, my sweet, sweet Chase, tell me…I need to hear you say it.”

  He took her hand in his and softly said, “Sunny, I love you.”

  With tears in her blue eyes, she replied, “Chase, I love you so much.”

  “You do? You really do, Sunny?”

  “I was in love with you even before you proposed to me. Why do you think it was so easy for me to agree to a marriage you said would last forever? I was ecstatic, even though I thought you didn’t love me, I could live with it, as long as things stayed so good between us.”

  “Oh, my precious angel, I was in love with you the day I proposed. I thought the only way I coul
d possibly get you to agree to marry me, was to tell you it was a business arrangement. If you only knew, how happy you made me the night before our wedding, when you told me you wanted a real marriage. We’ve both been so stupid. We have the perfect marriage, but we were both too stubborn to be the first to say those all important words. All I’ve ever needed was my Sunny’s love.”

  “Oh, honey, I love you so much and I promise to tell you that, at least once a day, for the rest of my life.”

  “Ditto.” He kissed her showing her without a doubt that she was the love of his life. “So you got a clean bill of health. Does this mean…we can…resume…?”

  “We can, but don’t forget I haven’t been taking my birth control pills since the accident. I stopped at the pharmacy on the way home this afternoon and bought these….” She pulled a box of condoms out of the nightstand drawer.

  “Sunny, what would you think if I told you to throw those damn things in the trash? Would you be upset?”

  “What exactly are you saying?” she asked.

  “What would you say, if I told you I’d like to make a baby with you?” He grinned as he continued, “I’ll leave that decision up to you, of course, but I’m ready whenever you are, baby.”

  She threw the box of condoms on the floor, pulled him to her and said, “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  He kissed her, gently laying her back against the pillow. “Only you, baby, always and forever…only you,” he whispered. “I love you, Sunny.”

  He finally had the thing that had eluded him for so long…Sunny’s love.

  The End