by Rhonda James
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Brooke~
It was hard to believe that I was getting married tomorrow. When I woke this morning I slipped quietly out of bed to use the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and my hair. I switched off the light and walked back to the bedroom. Sebastian was still asleep. It had been a late night for us. We'd stayed up talking about the future, and what we hoped would be in store for us as a newly married couple. I would be going back to work in a few weeks time. The band would be on a break for the next two months, but then they would be back in the studio to begin working on a new album. We both wanted kids, but agreed to wait a few years so that we would have time to travel and just enjoy being married. Even though we had been together for almost a year, most of that time had been spent apart. We'd never really had the opportunity to establish a routine. I was looking forward to making breakfast together, and then taking long walks on the beach that would inevitably turn into a sandy make out session. He had laughed and said that I could be in charge of breakfast and he would reward me by carrying me down the beach to our favorite secluded area and kissing me senseless. We both agreed that should be a daily goal.
I leaned against the doorframe, pausing to admire the beautiful man sleeping before me. He was on his stomach, with his head turned toward me and one arm thrown over my vacant pillow. He'd gotten some sun during our time on the boat yesterday, and his skin was now bronzed to perfection. The muscles on his back were arched just a touch, and the large bird on his back appeared to be taking off. Two days worth of stubble covered his strong jaw, and I found myself wondering if I should ask him to leave it for the ceremony. His hair had grown out and was sticking up in all directions, make him appear sexier than ever. I sighed heavily, knowing how close I'd come to actually losing him. I made a silent vow to never let anything, or anyone, come between us ever again. His happiness would be the most important thing to me from now on.
He stirred, as if sensing me watching him. He rolled over and stretched, opening an eye and smiling sleepily.
"Hey." He rasped.
"Hey." My heart melted at the look he'd given me.
"What are you doing way over there? Come back to bed." He patted the empty space beside him.
I moved away from the door, and approached the bed slowly. My gaze never left his as I placed one knee on the bed and leaned forward to kiss him, my hair blanketing around our faces. His lips were soft and warm, and I melted into them. His tongue grazed mine, then danced along the edges of my teeth, before returning to waltz with mine in a dance that I never wanted to end.
"Hmm, Happy Birthday sunshine." He smiled against my mouth.
"Thank you." I crinkled my nose and brushed it with his.
"You look awfully pretty this morning. I love it when all you wear is my T-shirt." His hand stroked the back of my bare thigh. "What were you thinking about over there?"
"You." I ran my hand up and over his shoulder. "I was thinking about how sexy you are, and how lucky I am to be marrying you tomorrow."
"I'm the lucky one." He left a trail of light kisses up my neck. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."
"I have so much to do today. I have to pick up my parents at the airport. I need to make sure that a gift basket is placed in each guest hotel room." I went over the checklist in my head.
"You should be able to sit back and enjoy your special day. Aren't Natalie and Jade helping you with those tasks?"
"Yes, but you know me, I micro-manage everything." I rolled my eyes at my own compulsive behavior.
"I know you do," he laughed into my neck. "You can micro-manage me anytime. I won't complain."
"Oh you wouldn't would you?" I giggled as his lips tickled over the sensitive flesh behind my ear. "Let's just see how you feel after fifty years of marriage."
"Challenge accepted baby. I can't wait to spend the next fifty years with you." I closed my eyes and sighed as his lips roamed. I couldn't say with absolute certainty how the next fifty years would be, but the twenty minutes that followed had been absolute bliss.
I parked in a loading zone at the airport, knowing that my parents were on their way to meet me. I spotted my Dad's tall frame and threw on my hazards before jumping out to greet them.
"Brooke!" Mom waved at me frantically, as if I hadn't already been alerted to their presence. I ran over and gave them each a warm hug. "Happy Birthday darling!"
"I'm so glad you made it." I sighed into my Dad's chest.
"We wouldn't have missed this for the world. We told you, things are going to be different." He lifted my chin to look him in the eye. "Happy Birthday. We love you baby girl. We're so happy for you."
"Come on," I said, wiping a tear from my cheek. "I'm in a loading zone and we'd better hurry." We loaded their suitcases in the trunk and pulled into traffic.
"Honey, you didn't need to come out here to pick us up. We could have rented a car." Mom announced, fussing with the hem of her skirt.
"Nonsense, it's no big deal." I waved my hand dismissively.
"I'm sure you have a laundry list of things to do before your wedding day. I know what a planner you are."
"Well, you're right, I do have a lot to accomplish. I'm not doing it alone though, I have a great team helping me out." I smiled, knowing that at this minute Jade and Natalie were probably running up and down the halls of the hotel, leaving presents for the out of town guests. We only had twenty people that were either driving or flying in for the ceremony. The rest lived nearby.
"How are you holding up? You look radiant, so I'm assuming that Sebastian's treating you well." Mom smiled.
"Yes, Mother." I bit back a grin, remembering our morning together. "Sebastian is very good to me. I can't wait for you to meet him. He would have been here but he and the guys had to go pick up their tuxes."
"It's okay sweetie, we can meet him tonight at the rehearsal dinner. We have a lifetime to get to know him." She reassured me.
"What hotel are we staying in?" Dad asked from the back seat.
"The Westin Bonaventure." I met his gaze in the rearview mirror. He nodded in approval. "I stayed there when I first came to L.A. It was only for one night, but I remember it was lovely." I glanced at the clock and pressed more firmly on the gas pedal, racing against traffic to get everything on my list accomplished.
Thomas and Tracy were the first to arrive. Sebastian ran out to meet them and help his Dad lift out the beautiful arbor that he had constructed for our ceremony. It had been painted white and Tracy had decorated the base with greenery and small hand-painted pink calla lily's. They carried it around to the back of the house, stopping near the edge of the patio.
"Babe, I'm thinking we'll leave it here overnight and move it in place tomorrow. Does that sound good?" Sebastian tilted his head and waited for my reply.
"Anything you say sweetheart." I crooned, in my mushiest voice.
"Now Brooke, don't go letting him think he can get away with any old thing just because he uses that sweet voice and his dimples." Tracy teased, coming up to give me her very best bone-crushing hug. "Happy Birthday sweet girl."
"I figure I'll fool him into thinking he's in charge, at least for the first few weeks of marriage." I whispered in her ear, trying my best to hold back a fit of giggles. "Thank you. I can't think of a better way to celebrate."
"Smart girl." Tracy winked, then turned to her son. "Sebastian, you've gotten lucky with this one."
He wrapped his strong arms around his mother's waist and pulled her in close, locking his hands at the wrist like she'd taught him.
"That's what I've been telling everyone from the very moment I met her." He grinned, broadly.
"You most certainly have, son. I, for one, have known it from the start. It takes a special kind of girl to come into your kitchen and help a struggling old man." Thomas joked, recalling the first time we'd met. "Come here gorgeous girl. Happy Birthday!" He pulled me into his arms and held me close. "I'm a very lucky man. Now I have three beautiful da
ughters."
"Now Dad, you're going to make me cry." I slapped him playfully on the arm, loving the protective hold he kept on me.
"Brooke, what time are your parents getting here?" Tracy asked.
"Sebastian arranged to have them picked up at the hotel around five-thirty. The rehearsal should start at six and then dinner will be served right after."
"I'm looking forward to finally meeting them. It warms my heart that your family is back together. I'm sure we will all be fast friends." Tracy gushed. I had no doubt in that. I'd never met another soul like Tracy Miles. That woman stole the heart of every person she met. My own heart warmed just being around her.
Everyone moved to the patio and sat down to wait for the other guests to join us. I excused myself and went inside to change into my dress for the evening. It was strapless, and white with a pink ribbon that sat at my waist. The hemline stopped just above my knees. I slipped on earrings, and Sebastian came up behind me as I was about to fasten the necklace he had given me that morning for my birthday. It was a gorgeous pink teardrop diamond that hung on a delicate silver chain. He placed his hands over mine and brought the elegant piece of jewelry up to my neck. I lifted my hair in order for him to fasten it properly. Before I could let go of my hair, he placed a tender kiss at the base of my neck.
"What do you say we skip all this and get married right now. I don't think I can wait another night." He nibbled on my earlobe.
"Sounds heavenly. But who's going to tell your Mother that all of her hard work was for nothing." I asked, breathlessly.
He sighed deeply, his warm breath sent a shiver over my body. "Then I guess we have to wait. But I want it going on record that I'm not happy about it." He pretended to pout. "I can't wait to call you my wife."
"I'm willing to bet there are thousands of women who are mourning that very thought right about now. They probably dreamed they would be the lucky one to land you." I turned and circled my arms around his waist. "I'm just glad you picked me."
"I'll always pick you. You know that." We stood there in the quiet of the room, swaying back and forth in a slow dance, with no sounds other than the beating of our hearts.
Sebastian~
Everyone was here, and the rehearsal went about as quickly as Brooke had predicted. I'd met her parents, and they seemed like really nice people. I had to keep reminding myself that, even though they had practically deserted Brooke during the most important years of her life, they were trying really hard to be there for her now. Mom and Dad took to them instantly. I could honestly say that I wasn't surprised. My parents were the most friendly people I had ever come across, other than Brooke. Ben and Nikki had flown in last night from overseas and Brooke was over at their table catching up.
Dek came over with Jade and sat across from me. He looked happy. They both looked happy. Seeing my best friend with that look on his face, a look that I knew all too well, put a smile on my face.
"What are you grinning about?" He asked, nudging my foot under the table.
"You just look happy, that's all. Jade, how have you been enjoying your stay?" I turned my attention to the quiet beauty sitting next to him.
"I can't complain. This guy's been keeping me busy, taking me to see all that L.A. has to offer. If I didn't know any better, I would say he's trying to tempt me to move out here." She smiled, warmly. The affection in her eyes shone brightly as she gazed up at my best friend of seventeen years.
"I don't blame him. When the woman of my dreams lived a thousand miles away I couldn't wait to get her here with me." I shifted my gaze to Dek, and his eyes met mine. In that moment, I knew without a doubt that he had fallen in love. Oh, I had suspected it before, but it wasn't until I saw that look in his eyes that I could confirm it.
"I've done all I can do, maybe Brooke can put in a good word." Dek chuckled.
"I'm sure she wou--" Just then my phone rang, interrupting my response. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw that it was Rachel calling. I answered and immediately knew that something was wrong by the sheer panic in her voice.
"Sebastian? Is that you? Oh my God, Sebastian, I need your help. I didn't know where else to turn." Her words came out in short bursts and she was breathing rapidly.
"Rachel, what is it? What's wrong?" I stood, unsure of what to do. Dek looked up at me and mouthed Rachel? I nodded, looking across to where Brooke sat just three tables away, laughing with Natalie and Nikki.
"It's Savannah. I found her on the floor of the kitchen. She was unresponsive. The paramedics had to come and rush us to the hospital. Oh Sebastian, she went into cardiac arrest." She wailed and my blood turned cold. "Can you come to the hospital? I don't want to be alone."
"Of course I'll come." I replied, without hesitation. I kept my eyes on Brooke, she still hadn't turned to face me. My heart was beating frantically, knowing what I was about to do. "Where are you?"
"Scripp's Memorial in La Jolla. Please hurry." I hung up the phone and Dek was on me in an instant.
"What's going on? Where are you going?" He insisted.
"I have to go to La Jolla. Savannah was rushed to the hospital under cardiac arrest." I was speaking but everything around me felt hazy. Suddenly, the fear of losing that sweet little girl ripped me apart.
Dek grabbed me by the arm, halting my exit. "What the hell is wrong with you? You can leave. You're getting married tomorrow, to the woman of your dreams. Sebastian, this is what you've been waiting for. Brooke's going to flip out if you try and leave."
"Brooke will understand." I gritted my teeth, trying my best to convince myself that what I had just said would be true.
"I don't think she will. Everyone is here to watch you two get married. You can't just go running off."
"Don’t you get it?" I growled. "Rachel needs me. She's there alone and scared."
He stepped back, shaking his head. His grip was still tight on my arm.
"Oh, I get it. It's the whole hero complex. Brooke's here, and things are great between you two, but she's a strong woman. Rachel is vulnerable right now and has no one else to turn to. So there goes Sebastian to the rescue again. Don't think for one minute that you're fooling me. You're going to throw away everything you fought so hard to hold onto just to feel good about yourself? I'm sorry, but that doesn't make a whole hell of a lot of sense to me."
"It's not like that! Brooke will understand. She knows how much I love her. This isn't about me having any feelings other than friendship for Rachel. Savannah is everything to her. She doesn't have anyone else to lean on. I'm her friend."
"Then go be the hero. Just don't expect everything to be okay on this end. I think you're playing with fire my friend. Be careful."
"I have to go!" I yelled, shaking myself out of his grip. Brooke was soon at my side and her hand rested gently on my other arm.
"Sebastian, baby, what's wrong? You're scaring me?" Her eyes pleaded with me.
"Rachel called. Savannah went into cardiac arrest and is in the hospital. I have to go there babe."
"You're leaving me? But, we're getting married tomorrow. We've been planning this for months." Her grip loosened on my arm and she stepped away. "You're choosing her over me." She whispered, holding her hand to her mouth.
"No. Honey, no. Never!" I reached for her but she pulled away. "You will always be my first choice. But I made a promise to be there for them if they ever needed me, and right now they need me more than ever. I know the timing sucks, but I can't say no. Please understand. I just want to go there and make sure that Savannah is okay. I'll be back in time for the ceremony. I promise." My hand reached out again and this time she didn't pull away. I held her close, stroking her hair. "I love you so much. I'm sorry this is happening. I would never choose anyone over you, that's not what this is."
"Okay. Go. I'll be here waiting. No matter how long it takes. Please call me when you get there, just to let me know you're safe. I love you." She touched my face, tenderly, and pressed her lips to my piercing, kissing it softly.
/> The drive to the hospital took two hours. I made my way to the building and asked the receptionist where I could find Savannah. I rode the elevator to the fifth floor and turned right. Rachel was sitting at the foot of the bed when I walked into the room.
"Sebastian!" She cried out, running into my open arms. Her body shook as tears that she had been trying so bravely to control finally broke loose.
"Shh, it's okay." I rubbed her back with my hand. "What did the doctor say?" I looked over at Savannah, lying on the bed with IV tubing connected to her small wrist and oxygen being pumped in through the tubes that protruded from her delicate nose.
"They believe that she had an allergic reaction to a new medication. She had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Oh, I was so scared. I thought I was going to lose her too." She continued to cry against my chest. My shirt was now soaked where her face pressed against me. "She's resting comfortably now. They have her sedated."
I went over to the bed and wrapped my fingers around Savannah's small hand. I wept as I pictured her on the floor, her short life hanging on by a thread. I found myself grateful for the heroic efforts of the medical staff that came to her rescue. I knelt beside the bed, laying my head on the mattress.
"I'm so sorry little pumpkin. I'm so sorry you had to go through this. You're strong. I know you'll be okay. You've got to be okay. Your Mom needs you. We all need you." Rachel fell on the floor next to me and held me as I cried.
An hour had passed and the only one to enter the room had been the nurses that came in to check her vitals. They said that everything was still the same, and that she was stable. I stood, stretching my legs for the first time since I'd gotten out of the car. I needed to go and find something to drink.
"Hey Rachel." I whispered, not wanting to wake the other patients on the floor. "I'm going to head down and find something to drink. Do you want anything?"
"No, I'm good. Thank you though." She said, quietly.
I made my way down the hall in search of a vending machine. I needed a bottle of water. I finally found one in the cafeteria, which was now closed except for the small alcove filled with glowing machines, all filled with snacks and beverages for the poor soul in desperate need of sustenance. I bought a water and a bag of almonds. I cracked the top on the water, downing half of it in one swig. I opened the nuts and my nostrils were hit with the sweet familiar smell. It dawned on me that I hadn't called Brooke to let her know that I'd made it here safely. Shit, she was probably angry with me right about now.
