by K Larsen
The last seven days has felt like a lifetime. The shop has become a vigil. Candles, flowers and well wishes line the sidewalk under the picture window. She touched more lives than she knows. Joe’s taken care of everything he can with the police. Ryan’s death was in self-defense on Elle’s part and there will be no legal ramifications. All we can do is pray, hope and wait.
COLIN
You have to eat. Go home and get some rest. This isn’t how she’d want you to spend your time. We’re trying to help. You don’t want her to wake up and see you like this. Everyone’s words of encouragement annoy me. They don’t understand because they don’t love her the way that I do.
I flip between anger and sorrow . I want to scream and yell at Elle to wake the fuck up but then sadness takes over. I want to see her eyes sparkling at mine, I want to feel her hand on my chest her lips on my mouth. I want to hear her voice. Ten days is coming to a close. She looks no better than she did that first few days. Her body is still riddled with bruises and healing cuts. It makes me sick to look at them. To think that he did that to her. The only consolation is that he is no longer available to harm anyone ever again. She lost a considerable amount of weight in so little time that I’m concerned they aren’t keeping her nourished. Her skin looks sallow. Even though Jenna and my mom tried to wash her hair and brush it, it’s a mess of knots fanned around her head.
I leave the bathroom attached to her room and make my way to the chair next to her bed that has become my home for the last eleven days. The only thing that feels safe is holding her hand, which I do often to let her know I’m here with her. That she’s not alone. I brush my thumb across her knuckles softly. “I love you.” The beeps and whistles surrounding her offer no comfort as I lay my head on her bed next to her still body. “Please wake up.” My voice doesn’t even sound like my own. It sounds defeated, broken. I shut my eyes hoping to find momentary peace. “I need you.”
ELLE
“You aren’t done yet though.” Jenny whispers in my ear. The room we’re in has a warm cozy glow and it’s warm. “I don’t understand.” I answer smiling happily at my sisters beautiful face. An ocean breeze rustles the curtains and my hair whips around my face. “Your life is just about to begin.” A strange feeling of peace wraps around me like a blanket.
My eyes slowly fluttered open as a multitude of alarms, whistles, buzzes, an ice machine disgorging its cubes, a laundry cart rolling, an I.V. pump beeping, and voices discussing good and bad outcomes rape my senses. It’s too bright. I slam my eyes shut again taking in all the foreign sounds. This is serious deja vu, trying again I open my eyes. There are flower arrangements on various tables and a few cards propped up surrounding them. I've been here before. This isn't right. What’s happening? I start to panic. I bolt upright and agony burns through my body. I quickly collapse to my previous position.
“Elle? Holy Shit! NURSE!!!” A deep hoarse voice shouts. My vision is hazy. My eyes don’t want to focus. A face hovers above me but it’s too blurry to recognize. “Elle can you see me? It’s Colin. Babe, please, please look at me.”
“Colin. Werre am I?” My head is spinning and my speech is slurred.
“Colin back up. Let him check her.” The voice sounds familiar but I can’t place it. I close my eyes as hands roam my body. I try my best to nod my answers to various questions. Does this hurt? Do you feel discomfort here? Blinking rapidly I let my eyes adjust to the surroundings. Colin’s dimple makes my heart beat wildly. He looks tired, disheveled and underweight. I smile back at him and try to reach my hand for his but can’t. The movement hurts. He sits next to the bed taking my hand in his and kisses it.
“What happened?” His eyes dart to the doctors before coming back to mine. “Colin.” I can hear the panic flaring in my voice. “I’m not stuck ...” “No, NO! Elle.” He cuts me off. “This isn’t like before.”
“Ms. Parks you had an... altercation with” “Ryan.” I breathe interrupting him. “Yes. You sustained some serious injuries and have been unconscious for eleven days.”
“Were you hurt?” I ask Colin. He shakes his head no before explaining that before he could even reach Ryan, I shot him. As he speaks images of that evening flood my memory and the tears start leaking without warning.
“Don’t cry. Please. It’s over. It’s all over. I want to see your smile. Please smile.” His voice sounds close to breaking.
“I remember.” Is all I can muster. He nods and wipes away my tears.
“I’m so tired.” I whisper. “And thirsty.” Colin smiles and fills a glass with water. He brings the straw to my lips. The cool liquid feels so good as it slides down my raw throat.
“Rest. Everyone should be here in a few hours to visit.” He brushes my hair from my face. Closing my eyes I feel restless and sleep eludes me. After what feels like an eternity my eyes snap open. Colin’s head rests on the bed near my arm and his deep breaths are even and slow. I squeeze his hand gently waking him. His hazel eyes meet mine and worry covers his features. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I can’t sleep.”
“Do you want something to help?”
“Can you fit on the bed with me?” He grins but shakes his head no. Releasing my hand he shifts the curtain in the room, unlocks the wheels of the empty bed, drops the rail and rolls it until it joins mine. After relocking the wheels ensuring he doesn't roll away, he climbs into the bed and scoots as close as possible without causing pain. I drape one leg over his and holding his hand drift to sleep.
JENNA
“Shhhh!!” I hiss as I short stop the train of people behind me upon entering Elle’s room. Immediately tears streak down my face. Ben ushers me to the side so everyone can enter. The most beautiful sight lies sleeping in front of us. Colin and Elle lay as tangled as possible given Elle’s injuries on two hospital beds pushed together. Pam sniffles to my right and her husband pulls her close.
I move quietly around the room, replacing Elle’s flowers with fresh ones and setting the bag of Danishes on the table before gently waking Colin up. “Hey sleepy head.” He smiles. He smiles! “Hey.” His voice is gravelly. He gently rubs Elle’s cheek and whispers in her ear. Her eyes fluttered open and she yawns. My heart stops beating in my chest right then. I have waited for so long to see those stunning green eyes and hear her voice and she’s finally awake. Colin’s parents are the first to greet her. She looks genuinely surprised to see them. I guess I would be too if the roles were reversed.
Ben taps the top of her head and smiles down at her while telling her he’s so happy she's awake so that I can stop worrying and talking about her. Everyone gets a little chuckle out of that.
“Hi.” I sit in Colin’s empty chair and take her hand. She's squeezes my hand and I’ve never been so relieved to feel something so inconsequential.
“I’m sorry you worried.” She glances at Ben.
“I’m sorry Ryan sucks...ugh...sucked.” Her eyes darken at my blunder before lightening again. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I remember what happened. I... I couldn’t let him hurt Colin.” She breathes. My eyes well up and I can’t hold it in anymore.
“Elle, I’m so happy to hear your voice and see you smile and talk to you. You scared us all so much. I don't even want to think about what I’d do if you didn't wake up.” It rushes out of me before I can really think about what I’m saying. I don't want to make her feel bad. I don't want to guilt her but I want her to know how much she means to me.
“I don't intend on being in this situation ever again. Twice in one lifetime is plenty, don't you think?” Her smile is infectious and I can’t help but laugh at her little witty comeback.
“If there’s a next time I won't bring treats.” Her eyes widen suspiciously at me.
“Treats? Don't tease me.” I gasp as everyone starts laughing.
“I wouldn't dare!” Ben hands me the bag from the table and I teasingly pull out a raspberry cheese Danish. “I think, maybe we should ask the nurse if you’re allowed to
have it though.” Her arm snaps out snatching the Danish from my hand before I can figure out what she’s up to.
“For someone in so much pain you sure are quick.” The satisfied moan that drifts from her lips as she chews makes everyone double over. There really is something wrong with her.
ELLE
My reflection scares me still. My hair is a rat’s nest from sleep and my face looks mangled from swelling, cuts and bruising. When I drop the robe after starting the shower my body is a whole other issue. The worst being the ribs that broke. They still make it hard for me to move and breathe but it’s slowly improving each day. Everything else just looks worse than it is at this point. I wouldn't let Colin see me from the neck down for the first two weeks after waking. I couldn't imagine the feeling he would get witnessing the mess that is my body. With his encouragement I started walking which was harder than I anticipated. My muscles lost their tone in just the eleven days I was unconscious, add another week of bed rest to that and I might as well not have any. I looked frail due to the weight loss. I’ve never been this skinny, it doesn't look good on me. I was so weak I needed constant assistance for even the littlest tasks which frustrated me. I’m finally now able to shower on my own which seems like a huge feat.
I let the water run as hot as possible and stand under the stream, letting the flow hit my face and skin before washing.
“Colin?” I wince from my sore ribs.
“Coming!” I can hear him running through the house to get to me. “What did you need?” He asks popping his head into the bathroom.
“I can’t find my robe.” His eyes twinkle with mischief.
“I put it in the laundry.”
“While I was showering?” I inquire.
“I happen to think you’re sportin’ a good look right now.” I can’t help but roll my eyes at him.
“And all the towels?”
“Washer.” He chuckles and comes in. The mirrors are still fogged from my shower blocking my view of myself. I know the injuries still look angry and red though, especially after a hot shower.
“I need something to cover up.” I say self-consciously.
“Elle, you’re still stunning.” He says pulling my naked form into his arms. “When are you going to let me back in?” He drops to his knees and trails his lips from one injury to the next working his way up my body. Each kiss, each puff of breath undoes me a little more. His mouth hits my ribs and I wince. Undeterred, he caresses my skin and continues on. Reaching my mouth he toys with my bottom lip, drawing it out and suckling before kissing me fully. I can’t resist the passion of him, in him any longer and finally relent. Gently carrying me to our room he leaves no desire unfulfilled as we spend our afternoon lazily making love. He makes me feel beautiful inside and out and I can’t imagine my recovery moving as well as it have without his commitment.
His parent’s stayed until the end of January helping out in any way they could. They are wonderful people and their help allowed Colin to work without fussing over me. We closed on the house. Ben, John, Colin, Jenna and Sarah sat me in a chair so I could supervise while they moved everything. Although I felt useless at the time I was happy they let me feel included. I adore the house. Colin has made some little changes. Painting rooms in soft calming colors he knows I love. Fixing a squeaky door here or a stuck window there. He even planted flowers so I’d have something beautiful to look at while I recovered. He surprises me with things like that all the time.
Outside of my injuries I suffered a little post-traumatic stress, alright, maybe a lot. I’ve been seeing a therapist for three weeks now. She’s helped a lot. The worst are the nightmares. In them I don’t kill Ryan. He kills Colin and then comes for me. I wake up sweating, screaming and sobbing but as we work through my numerous issues they seem to be lessening. Colin of course takes everything in stride like the champ that he is. Never pushing too hard but gently encouraging me in my physical and mental recovery. There are still days when I look at him and can’t believe he’s actually mine. Jenna and crew come over once a week for dinner since I still tire easily. It’s been lovely getting to know Sarah better as she and John grow closer. Ben and Jenna are amazing as always. It’s silly because they are so different yet complement each other with ease. I’m so happy they’re happy. I love watching Jenna’s face as she laughs at all Ben’s ridiculous statements.
This evening Colin is taking me on a date. We haven't really been out since my discharge and I’m really looking forward to it. He hasn’t told me much about our evening but he promised it wouldn’t be too stressful. Our list is on hold until I am a hundred percent.
COLIN
Her green eyes radiate warmth and strength as she looks over all the choices. I decided to take her to the Searsport dessert competition. There are over two dozen pastry and dessert chef’s who’ve prepared samplings of their best dishes. Elle’s eyes had gone wide when she saw all the sugar in the room citing this must be heaven. Then she told me that I shouldn’t let her vote or sample anything because we’re leaving for our vacation in a few weeks and she doesn’t want to look like a whale. I’d laughed at her, shaking my head, and reminded her that she still needs to gain weight. Monique Barrett’s cover of Be My Baby filters through the exhibit hall and Elle’s face lights up with the recognition. She loves this song.
“Mmm, this is delectable.” She moans through her mouthful of truffle. She’s right, this particular truffle melts in your mouth the second it hits your tongue.
“Agreed. Should we vote for it?” She eyes me suspiciously before shaking her head no.
“We need to try something from every table first.” I feel my eyebrows lift and try to stifle a laugh. “What?” She asks in an innocent voice.
“You and sugar ...an intervention may be in order.” I chuckle. She slaps my arm playfully smiles coyly and moves on to the next table. By the time we’ve made the rounds and hit every table Elle has a rating system. We find two chairs and spread out her notes on the table to decide who gets our votes. She bites her bottom lip as she studies her scored cards trying to decide. She’s stunning and it seems I can never get enough of her. Suddenly I have the urge to kiss her. I need to kiss her.
Leaning in I plant kisses across her jaw moving until I hit her mouth. She sighs and I can feel her heart thumping in her chest as she kisses me back lovingly. I break the kiss and let myself momentarily be lost in the emerald green pools of her eyes.
“Love you.” She offers quietly.
“I love you.”
Elle insists on staying until the very last moment because she needs to find out who the top three winners are. She wouldn't even let me vote, she took my votes, added them to hers and handed them in. I think just watching her have such a good time I’ve fallen even more in love with her tonight. I didn't realize that was even possible.
Arriving home I offer her a glass of wine and as we unwind on the couch together I tug her elastic out sending her hair cascading down around her shoulders. I massage her scalp and run my fingers through her hair. I know she loves it when I do this. The little sounds she emits are so sexy and I love hearing them. She sets her glass down, turns her head and stares at me with one eyebrow raised and I find myself consumed with my desire for her. As we shed our clothes I kiss each new exposed patch of skin until Goosebumps erupt all over her. I’m so hard and she’s barely even touched me yet.
Placing her on her back, I push her legs apart slowly and instinctively she opens for me. She’s wet and ready.
Entering slowly, deliberately, her muscles relax, inviting me in further. I can’t stop the moan that slips out as I thrust in and out. She feels incredible. Every time seems to get better and better. Sensing her climax I pick up my pace and nibble on her earlobe. I love the way her body goes into a complete frenzy when she finds her release. A guttural cry rips out of me as I fall apart in and around her. She runs her fingers through my hair and down my back until we both catch our breath. I’ve never been happier.
EL
LE
“You’re absolutely sure you got this?” I ask nervously.
“Elle for the love of God please get out of here. Everything will be fine.” Jenna scolds.
“I know. I know...” I trail off. Colin and I are headed to the airport to leave for our vacation and I couldn’t be more excited. Jenna is manning the shop for me while we’re away and I know logically that she knows all the ins and outs but it’s my baby and I can't help but worry a little.
“Enjoy yourself. Relax. Have wild sex and text me.” She giggles hugging me tightly.
Colin’s hand finds the small of my back when Jenna releases me and escorts me to the door as he winks at Jenna.
“Have fun guys!” She shouts over the ding of the bell as the door opens.
The airport is bustling with activity. Colin and I are enjoying a preflight drink in the bar of the terminal. People mill about, hushed conversations filter through the air and businessmen rush around looking tired and wrinkled.
“I can’t believe we’re really going!” My knee bounces up and down furiously with excitement. Colin’s hand rests on my thigh, squeezing gently.
“I know.” He grins at me revealing his dimple.
The plane ride is eleven hours long but first class makes it totally bearable. We indulged in champagne, yummy cookies, and some excellent meals during the flight. I managed to sleep for five hours on and off but Colin only caught two hours of sleep. We’re both beat by the time we head to the baggage claim. Waving down a taxi Colin gives them the name of the hotel and I’d like to say I took in the sites as we drove but I was still too sleepy to really focus on anything speeding past the window.
