by Rhonda James
I glanced at the time, one thirty in the morning, too late to call. I sent a quick text instead.
Me: I'm so sorry. I'm here and I'm safe. I meant to call. Savannah is resting comfortably and we are waiting to hear back from the doctor. I love you.
I pressed send, praying she would see it when she woke up. I figured since I'd never received a text from her that she was most likely pretty pissed at me for blowing off our friends and family to come here. I had told her that she would always be first in my life, but tonight I felt like the right choice had been to come here. My head was so full of could haves and should haves that it physically hurt. I made my way back to the room and asked Rachel if she had any pain killers. She handed me a bottle of acetaminophen and I held it in my palm, remembering the night after Brooke's attack when she'd come into my bedroom asking for something for a headache. I had given her acetaminophen then. I sighed, knowing she was probably upset with me. I poured out two pills, downing them with the remainder of my water. I felt a buzzing in my pocket and stepped out of the room to take my call.
"Baby?"
"So, she's doing okay?" That was all she said.
"Yeah. She seems to be resting comfortably, but they've got her sedated. From what I understand, she had a reaction to her medication and went into cardiac arrest."
"Oh my gosh, how awful for Rachel. How is she holding up?" My heart swelled in my chest, knowing that this sweet woman was probably beside herself with worry that I was with another woman the night before my wedding, and yet she was still concerned about another human being's needs. That was just one of the many reasons I loved her so deeply.
"She's trying to be strong, but it's got to be hard. She told me she had been afraid that she would lose Savannah and then be alone. It broke my heart."
"Please tell her that I hope everything will be okay. Savannah is a strong little girl. She must take after her Momma." She gave a light laugh. "When will you be coming home?"
"I'll be there in time. Nothing will stop me from marrying you. I promise you that. I love you with everything that I am. I need you to trust me. You do trust me, don't you?"
"I want to." She whispered. My heart clenched at the sadness in her voice. "I love you." She said softly, before hanging up the phone.
"I love you too." I whispered into the silence.
I walked back into the room and Rachel was standing beside the bed, stroking her daughter's hair. She looked exhausted.
"Hey, come on and try to get some rest. The doctor's will wake us up when they come in." I pulled her toward the reclining chair that sat in the corner of the small room.
"You probably should be heading home. It was selfish of me to expect you to stay here this long." She looked at me with her big brown eyes and gave a weak smile.
"I'm staying right here until we hear something. I'm not here because I feel like I have to. I'm here because I want to. Now, come sit down with me." I sat in the chair and pulled lightly on her hand, encouraging her to sit on my lap. There wasn't another chair in the room, and it seemed like the only option.
"Thank you. You're an amazing man. I don't know what we would do without you." She nestled against my body. I draped my arm loosely over her, holding her close to me to prevent her from slipping, and we drifted off.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Brooke~
Today was the day I was supposed to get married. When I opened my eyes, the first thing they settled on was the empty space in the bed beside me. His side remained perfectly made. I closed my eyes, trying to put the memory of watching him leave out of my mind. Yesterday had been my birthday. It didn't bother me that the day had been spent focusing on my wedding. I had never been really big on birthdays anyhow. I would be lying if I said that it hadn't turned out quite the way I had planned. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my fiancé would go rushing off to comfort another woman instead of holding me the night before we said I do. I tried to understand. It wasn't easy, but I did try. I found it ironic that his birthday had also ended with him leaving me, only this time it wasn't because of something I had done, or a secret I had kept.
It wasn't that I didn't trust him. I honestly did. I just didn't like sharing him, especially not with another woman. Even if she was just a friend, there wasn't anything easy about any of this.
Dek and Jade had been livid. Actually, Dek was pissed as hell at Sebastian. I did my best to calm him down after Sebastian took off, but I wasn't so sure my words had been effective. Jade kept insisting that I let her stay with me, but I refused. I needed to be alone. I needed to process what had taken place. I needed to be able to determine how much it really bothered me.
When he failed to let me know he'd arrived there safely, I decided to go to bed. Sleep hadn't come easily, but I finally managed to doze off. I probably would have slept through the night if it hadn't been for the text message that came through at one thirty in the morning. Once I knew that he had been thinking of me, I had to call. Hearing his voice did little to dissolve the doubt that had already begun to creep in, despite all of his assurances that he would make it back in time.
He kept telling me that I would always come first, but in this circumstance he didn't have a choice. He had made a promise to be there. He had chosen them over me. Bottom line. But in the end, it really didn't matter. I had made the same choice before, and he had forgiven me. I would do the same for him. Not because I felt that I owed it to him.
I would chose to forgive because I loved him.
Tracy called at eight thirty to see if he had made it back home. I told her that I hadn't heard from him this morning. The ceremony was supposed to be at eleven thirty, and it was a two hour drive from the hospital. We'd chosen an earlier time for the ceremony for two reasons: the weather was usually nicer at that time of day; that was when the sailboats passed by every Saturday morning. I held the phone in my hand and stared out the window. Please come home to me. I can't wait to be Mrs. Sebastian Miles. I love you. I miss you. Please choose me.
I heard a truck pull up, and soon the catering company was unloading the tables and chairs for brunch. The doorbell rang and I opened it to find two men carrying our wedding cake. I motioned to where they should set it up. Pretty soon, the house was full of noise and I slipped away upstairs to get ready. I didn’t know if he would make it back in time, but I sure as hell would be ready if he did.
My Mom came into the bedroom at ten thirty. I was sitting in front of the mirror in my underwear, putting the finishing touches on my makeup. My hair had been pulled up loosely, a few strands of hair had fallen and now framed my face the way Sebastian had always liked it. Mom sat on the edge of the bed and watched me quietly.
"Is everyone down there?" I asked, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"It looks like it. You have a few people that want to come in here to see you. Are you up for that?"
I turned to her and smiled, not wanting her to see how my heart was breaking inside. I still hadn't spoken to him. I didn't know if he would be here, or if he still wanted to marry me. At this point my mind had played through various scenarios and none of them had ended well.
"Any sign of Sebastian?" I asked, hopefully.
She only shook her head.
"Give me a few minutes okay? Can you help me with my dress?"
"Of course I can baby girl. I would be honored." She stood and removed the dress from where it had been hanging. "This is a stunning dress. You're going to be a beautiful bride."
I slid the pink garter up my leg and then stepped into my dress. I pulled it over my hips and Mom began the tedious task of fastening the tiny buttons that lined the back. I watched her through the mirror, studying the lines of her beautiful face as she concentrated on the task at hand. At one point her gaze met mine in the mirror and her hands stopped working.
"He'll be here. He loves you. He wouldn't miss this for anything." Mom reassured me in the most loving voice I had ever heard. I fought hard not to cry. I wanted so despe
rately to break down, but giving in and crying would mean that I didn't trust that he would keep his promise.
Sebastian always kept his promises.
"I know." I replied, my voice sounded as shaky as my insides felt.
"Wow. Look at you." Mom stated, coming from behind me. We both looked in the mirror. The dress was spectacular. Natalie hadn't been exaggerating. The bodice was strapless and cupped my breasts perfectly. My entire torso was covered in decorative stitching with miniature pearls woven through. The waist narrowed to a V in the front and back. The skirt was a mermaid style that clung to my thighs before billowing out above my knees. Pearls spiraled down the front and back of the skirt, stopping just above the three foot train. I opted not to wear a veil. I wanted him to see my face from the very moment I stepped onto that patio. "I love you sweetheart. Don't worry, I've got a good feeling that he'll be here really soon." She turned and left the room and I could hear her talking with someone in the hall.
Dek, Travis, and Chris came in next.
"Whoa. Sebastian is going to flip. You clean up real nice sis." Chris said, jokingly. He gave me a careful hug so as not to crush my dress.
"Seriously Brooke, you look amazing. I can honestly say that this family is now full of beautiful women." Travis gave me a light kiss. "I know he loves you. He'll be here." He whispered in my ear.
"My best friend is one lucky SOB. He'd be a fool not to show up." Dek kissed my other cheek. "I can't reach him on his cell, but I know him. He said he would be here, and he will."
"I know. He'll be here." I nodded, trying to convince myself.
Natalie, Jade, and Nikki stopped by next. Each one gushed about how beautiful I looked. Neither of them said anything about Sebastian's continued absence, or his silence. My nerves were wreaking havoc on my stomach. I wanted to throw up. The girls left and Thomas came in with Tracy behind him.
"Lord in Heaven. You are a sight to behold." Thomas clasped both of my hands in his. "My dear girl, my son is one of the luckiest men on this planet. I hope you know how much we love you." He gave me a kiss and nodded to Tracy before he left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Hi sweetie." She smiled lovingly at me. "You know, that boy of mine always was one for making an entrance. If I know him, and I do, he'll show up and take one look at you and wonder why in the world he ever left in the first place." She patted my hand. "He will be here. I feel it in my bones. He wouldn't miss this for anything. He's waited so long for this moment."
"If it was so important to him, why do you think he hasn't called? He knows when the ceremony is. He knows I'll be here waiting. I lost him once Tracy, I don't think I can go through that pain again." My eyes watered, threatening to overflow.
"Don't cry baby girl." She dabbed at my eyes with a tissue. "You're makeup looks too good to mess up. Trust me. I'll see you outside." She kissed me and pressed the tissue into my hand.
Just then, Travis burst into the room, smiling broadly.
"He's on his way! We’ve been calling him for the past hour but he never answered. Then, Dek just tried again and Rachel answered. She said that his phone must have fallen out of his pocket when he was sleeping. No one heard it ringing because it had slipped between the cushions on the chair. She said that he left shortly after nine. He's going to make it."
I smiled, my heart was ready to burst open. He had chosen me after all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Sebastian~
I woke with a kink in my neck and shoulder. I opened my eyes and saw Rachel cradled against my chest, just as she had been when we had fallen asleep. I stretched my arms out, breathing in the scent of her shampoo. Apple scented. Not the almond I'd grown fond of. My eyes searched frantically for a clock, not finding one. About that time a nurse walked in the room. She took one look at the sight of us in the chair and immediately got the wrong idea.
"Good morning. You must be Savannah's father. She's doing much better this morning." She reported, after checking her vitals.
"Oh, I'm not her father. I'm a friend of the family." I stammered. "Do you happen to know what time it is?"
"Well, the doctor will be in shortly to talk with you both." She gave a slight nod and moved toward the door before turning back to me. "By the way, it's nine o'clock." She stepped out of the room and Rachel stirred. She looked down at my lap and smiled awkwardly, slowly peeling herself from my body.
"Sorry about that. I guess I was pretty exhausted."
"No, don't worry about it." I replied, casually brushing the situation off.
"Sebastian, I want to thank you for being here with me. It means the world to me that Savannah and I have you in our lives."
"Rachel, you don’t need to thank me--" I began, but she interrupted me mid-sentence by holding up her hand.
"I'm not finished." She admonished. "While it has been wonderful to know that you are here for us, I'm also very aware that you are about to be a married man. You have an amazing woman that loves you very much. You should be with her right now. I shouldn't have pulled you away. I just didn't know where else to turn."
"You can always call me. I hope you know that." I said, sternly.
"Yes, I know that. But, the bottom line is that you and I will never be more than friends. I've always known that. I would never want anything more than that. I just hope that I haven't led you to think otherwise. I've survived six years without a man in my life. I'm a strong woman. I need for you to promise me that you will go to her. Marry her, and never forget what it first felt like to fall in love with her. Hold onto that and don't ever let it go. No matter how tempted you may be. She's the one for you. Savannah and I will always be here. We're your friends for life. You go, marry Brooke and start a family of your own. I know that one day you will be a great father."
She hugged me hard against her small frame.
"Thank you." I said, quietly.
Savannah took that opportunity to open her eyes and tell us that she was starving.
"Well, I guess that's a good sign." Rachel laughed, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Hi baby. I'm so glad to see you."
"Hi Sebastian. What are you doing here silly?" Savannah crinkled her nose. "Aren't you supposed to get married today?"
"Indeed I am, but I had to make sure that my buddy was okay." I ruffled her hair. "Glad to see you're feeling back to your old self. I love you peanut." I bent to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you too silly. Now, go marry Brooke." She gave me her most serious face and I couldn't help but smile.
"Yes ma'am." I turned to give Rachel a hug. "Thanks for the talk. Be sure to call and let us know how she's doing."
"I will, now go!" She gave me a gentle push out the door.
I ran down the hall, bypassing the elevator for the stairs. If I drove like a maniac I would have just enough time to take a quick shower before throwing on my tux. As I peeled out of the parking lot I cursed myself for ever leaving her in the first place.
I was making great time, and only had three more exits until I was home, when I saw the red and blue lights in my rear view mirror. I glanced down at my speedometer. Ninety five miles an hour. Damn.
I pulled over and gathered my paperwork, then waited for him to read me the riot act about excessive speeding and the dangers surrounding it. Trust me, I'd heard it all before. I saw him get out of his vehicle and approach mine slowly. He tapped on my window.
"Son, do you have any idea how fast this thing was going?" He asked, placing a hand on the roof of my Shelby Mustang.
"Yes sir, I'm afraid I do."
"You in some kind of hurry?" He peered at me over his mirrored sunglasses.
"Well, as a matter of fact I am…"
She was standing in front of the large picture window in our bedroom, looking out over the ocean, when I stepped into the room. Seeing her in her wedding dress took my breath away. How was it that someone as exquisite as her could fall in love with someone like me? At that moment I felt like falling to my knees and thanking God
for the gift that she was to me. I didn't go to church, but that didn't mean I didn't believe that He could do wondrous things. This rare beauty was mine, and I intended to treasure her always, just as God had intended her to be. I walked up to her, slipped my arms around her waist, and brought my mouth up to her ear.
"I love you. I'll always love only you. You are the air that I breathe, and the sunshine that warms my soul. Without you, I am lost. I have to know that you still need me. That you still want to be my wife."
"Sebastian, of course I still need you. I'll always need you. You are everything to me. Without you, my life is empty and not worth living.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I'm sorry that I ever left in the first place."
"No baby. Don't be sorry. You made a promise, and you kept it. Same as you always do. That's just one of the qualities that I love about you. I'm just happy that you chose me in the end.
"I'll always chose you, no matter what obstacle tries to stand in our way." I assured her.
"Then meet me under the arbor in five minutes and I'll give you a kiss that will rock your world." She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and grinned.
"Promise?" I winked, showing every dimple I could muster.
"I promise." She leaned forward and pulled my piercing between her perfect teeth. I moaned into her mouth. I couldn't wait to marry this woman.
