Eternal_Bliss

by Unknown

  “You ladies have a good time getting pampered. I've got to head back to the station, but Laine, please consider telling him.” Steve backed away, and left.

  “What do you think Laine? Shouldn't he know just in case he wants to support the baby?”

  “No, I don't need his money, and if he doesn't want me, then he doesn't want our baby. It's a package deal. I'm tired of talking about this. Let's go meet Julie before I change my mind.” She sniffled, on the verge of another crying jag. Dammit, I am tired of crying over him.

  * * * *

  Lissa was gorgeous, tall, toned, curvy in all the right places, and single. So why couldn't he bring himself to ask her out? Something in the back of his mind niggled at him, making him hesitate. There was something just out of his reach. “Fuck, why can't I remember?”

  “Remember what?” Lissa asked

  “I'm sorry. I just have a ways to go with my memory. Let's get back to my therapy.” Kyle walked up the little staircase and back down on the other side several times. Then sat down on a weight bench and rubbed his thigh. His leg had improved a great deal, Lissa, his physical therapist, had suggested they cut his sessions back to twice a week. He was almost to the point he didn't need pain medications any longer, and he hadn't ended up with any permanent damage. He would be able to return to work as soon as Lissa cleared him.

  “Just take it one day at a time. You'll get yourself back. Just look at all the progress you've made.” She reached out and rubbed his arm.

  Nothing happened to him. No reaction whatsoever. She had been touching him for weeks, and nothing. He worried he had lost his libido, but then he'd wake up from a dream, he couldn't remember, with a hard-on. He would get up, head for the shower, and relieve himself of his torture. There was someone, he just couldn't access his memory enough to figure it out.

  He couldn't work up any enthusiasm. His loss of memories had been draining on him, pulling him into a depression. “Yeah, I know, one damn day at a time. I'm really getting tired of hearing that.”

  Lissa took his chin in her hand and looked him in the eye. “Are you okay? Do you need to talk to someone? I can set it up if you need me to.” Concern etched her brow and Kyle felt bad for inviting her to his pity party. God knows it should never be more than a party for one.

  “No, I'm fine, just frustrated is all. I don't need a shrink to tell me I'm screwed up, I already know it.” He needed to talk to Jeff, but he was on duty. Jeff might be the only person that could help him.

  “Okay, well rest up for a minute, and then we'll get started on your exercises.” Lissa patted him on the knee, stood, and went to get his equipment together.

  He watched her ass sway as she walked away, nothing, not a tingle, not an extra heartbeat, not even a twitch in his dick. Sad thing was it was a really nice ass. A perfect little heart shaped rear with toned cheeks that would spread like butter, but nada, zip, zilch. He even tried imagining her riding him like a bucking bronco, screaming his name, her hair tickling his chest while she rode, spreading her wide as he took her from behind, and still nothing.

  He wondered idly if head injuries could change his sexual orientation. He looked over at Lars, the other physical therapist, and that freaked him out. Nope, I'm definitely not gay.

  “Come on Kyle; let's get you down here on the floor. I've got you all set.” She had rubber bands and balls and all sorts of exhausting toys to get him back into shape.

  He stood and made his way to the floor. Maybe he'd feel different if they were on a date. I think I'll ask her out.

  * * * *

  “I can't believe the stupid shit people do.” Jeff threw his gloves down with his gear bag and opened his locker. “I've been up all damn night because people dry their damn hair in the shower, or clip their toenails with a knife instead of clippers. You ever seen a stupid sonofabitch cut his toe off, trimming his nails?”

  “Yes, Jeff, I have. I treated him, remember?” Steve opened his locker and hung his stethoscope on the hook. It was finally time to go home.

  Jeff jumped when a book fell from Steve's locker. “Hey man, that thing will take a foot off. Good lord, I didn't know they made books that thick.”

  “Sorry, I just picked it up. I wanted to have something to read in the bunkroom besides nudie magazines and the sports section. Jeff, I ... uh, saw Melanie. She's looking as beautiful as ever and she asked about you.”

  At that, Jeff's head swiveled to look Steve in the eye. “She did? What else did she have to say?”

  “Um ... not much. Hey, maybe you should call her.” Steve crammed his book back into his locker and had to slam the door to shut it.

  “Man, I ain't callin' her. She slapped me in the damn face. Why should I be the one to call? She should call me and apologize and then I could go out with her again.”

  Steve shook his head and rolled his eyes. 'I swear you're dumber than a bag of hammers. If she were my girl, I wouldn't leave her hanging, over my pride. Somebody else might snatch her up."

  “Was anybody with her?” Jeff would hurt any man that touched her. He was sure she felt the same way he did, but what if Steve was right, and she didn't come around? Dammit, he didn't want to be the one to cave. He noticed Steve hadn't answered. “Well? Was anybody with her?”

  He sighed. “Yes, Laine was with her.” Steve pinched the bridge of his nose. “And I think you should tell Kyle.”

  Jeff slammed his locker and threw his bag over his shoulder. “Tell him what? That the bitch that almost got him killed was in a bookstore? No thanks. He has enough shit on him as it is. He still hasn't regained all of his memory, and since he has forgotten about her, I don't see any reason to remind him.” He turned to leave.

  “She's pregnant.”

  Jeff dropped his bag and turned to face Steve. “I told him from the damn get go she was trouble. She's a damn Minivan from hell. Well, this just keeps getting better and better. And what if it isn't his?” Jeff knew it was, but he didn't want it to be. He remembered Kyle telling him about the condom breaking. She probably poked holes in the damn thing to trap him.

  “You know its Kyle's and he deserves to know.”

  “Why? So she can ruin his life? Why hasn't she told him? He's been out of the hospital for a while now.”

  Steve placed his hands on his hips. “For the same stupid reason you and Melanie aren't talking and because you ran her away from Kyle. He said he didn't want her when she went in his room, but he didn't know what he was saying. You know that just as well as I do.”

  “You know what, if he said he didn't want her, then who am I to tell him otherwise. I'm not going to tell him shit and you better not either. If she wants him to know about the baby, then she can call him.” He picked up his bag, hefted it over his shoulder and left.

  Eternal_Bliss

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “My back is killing me, Jules. Will you come in here and adjust my chair again?” Laine said over the intercom.

  Julie came in and twisted the adjustment handle on the lower back of the chair until it became impossible to turn. “Laine, you need a new chair. This one has had it. The screw is practically bare.”

  “I'll order a new one today, I promise.”

  “When are you supposed to meet Melanie? Isn't your ultrasound today?”

  “Yeah, it is. I get to find out what the sex is today. Mel is going to meet me there, and then we're going to have lunch.” Laine sat back down. “Oh yeah, that's much better. Thanks, Jules. What would I do without you?”

  “You would be miserable and have to deal with neurotic brides all by yourself. It would be a tragedy of epic proportions. All of Atlanta would be forced to elope.”

  Laine rolled her eyes. “Yes, Jules, I would go out of business and starve to death without you.” Of course, she probably wasn't too far off. Julie seemed to have the magic touch when it came to frantic brides, and most were.

  “Laine, I know it's none of my business, but have you considered letting him know? I'm sure Kyle would want
to be there for the ultrasound. I could get him on the phone for you, I could even tell him if you would like.” Julie hugged her clipboard to her chest and sat down across from Laine.

  Well, she wasn't expecting that. Julie hadn't ever pushed her on this issue before. She had thought about calling him, had even picked up the phone a few times, but couldn't ever follow through. His words played over and over in her mind, stealing her breath more than a few times. Sometimes she felt her heart break all over again, but blamed it on the pregnancy hormones. She couldn't have him in her life only for the baby. She had to have all or nothing.

  “Laine? Do you want me to call him?” Julie sat forward in the chair, concern clearly on her face.

  “No. I'll do it when I'm ready. If I'm ever ready, which I doubt I'll ever be. He doesn't want me, remember? Besides, it might be a bit much to tell him and expect him to just show up at an ultrasound, don't you think? Kyle, I'm pregnant and, oh, why don't you show up to see what sex it is?” Laine said sarcastically.

  Julie shook her head. “I know you can be stubborn, but this is one thing we're going to have to disagree on. I think the man has a right to know he's got a child in the world.” Julie snapped.

  “Wow, Jules, I've seen you get snappy with other people, but not once with me.”

  Julie's face turned red and she looked at her clipboard. “My apology, Ms. Peyton, I have clients to tend to. Excuse me.” She stood and left Laine's office.

  “Dammit, what is it with everyone?” She asked an empty room. She tapped her pen on her desk, while staring at the phone. “Fine. Screw it, I'll call the man.” She snatched up the phone, punched in his cell number, and swallowed around the knot that suddenly appeared in her throat.

  “Hello, Kyle's phone?” A sweet female voice answered.

  Laine gasped and quickly hung up, tears once again appeared. She swore she was going to dehydrate from all the crying. She cried watching television commercials now, but a woman answering Kyle's phone devastated her. What should be one of the happiest days in her life was now one of the worst.

  “He replaced me already.” She dropped her head in her hands, letting the tears fall.

  Twenty minutes later, she collected herself enough to drive to her appointment. Melanie was parked and waiting out in front of the doctor's office. She pulled in next to her and smiled, truly glad to see her best friend.

  “What's wrong?” Melanie asked, rushing over to her.

  “What isn't wrong? I have so many people telling me to call Kyle, even Julie is on the call him bandwagon.” She headed for the door to the doctor's office. She didn't feel as excited as she should. She didn't even feel like going at all now.

  “What did Julie say?” Mel asked, holding the door for Laine.

  “You aren't going to believe this, but she actually snapped at me. I'm her boss and she snapped at me. Can you believe that?”

  “No, I can't. She's usually so docile and sweet. You know you have to watch out for the quiet ones.”

  “She said the same thing Steve said, that he had a right to know. I have the right not to say a damn word is how I feel about it. The man made it perfectly clear how he felt, and I'm not going to push my way back in his life. Especially when he doesn't want me there.” Laine signed the clipboard and they both sat down.

  “So are you? Are you going to call him? I've known you for many years and you wouldn't be this flustered if you hadn't thought of doing it.”

  Laine cringed. “I called his cell and some woman answered.”

  Melanie gasped. “Are you sure it was his cell? Maybe you just dialed a wrong number.”

  “Nope, I dialed the right one. When she answered she said ”Kyle's phone“, I panicked and hung up. I didn't know what else to do. She's probably his new girlfriend. He's replaced me already.”

  Melanie rubbed Laine's shoulder. “Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. I know you must be crushed. He doesn't deserve you, if he thinks there is a better woman out there. And you deserve a better man.”

  “Thanks, Mel. I appreciate the support, but he was it. I loved him. What's wrong with me? Why is it I fall for a guy and he's either gay or unavailable?”

  Melanie laughed. “I'm sorry, hon. I didn't mean to laugh, but I can't get over David being a hotdog lovin' kind of guy.”

  “Laine Peyton.” The nurse called.

  “Alright, here we go.” She cradled her baby bump in her hands. “It's time to find out what you are. Boy or girl, I'll love you either way.” She walked through the door, stepped on the scale, saw her weight and cringed, then headed for the ultrasound room. As she lay back on the crinkly paper, her baby kicked for the first time, giving her chills all over her body. She grabbed Melanie's hand, pulling it to her womb.

  “What? Did the baby kick?” Melanie asked.

  “Yeah, keep your hand there and see if he'll do it again.” Her hand covered Melanie's and pushed down. Another tiny bump hit their hands. “See, did you feel it?”

  “I did. Ohmigod, that's so awesome. I'm in love with this baby already.” Melanie leaned down to her belly. “You are going to be one spoiled little baby. Auntie Melanie will make sure of it.”

  Happy tears filled Laine's eyes. She was in love with her baby too. She hadn't wanted to have it initially, but now she couldn't imagine harming him. He would be a little piece of the love that she and Kyle shared. Of course she would never tell him about the glow-in-the-dark condom pop. That would be her little secret.

  * * * *

  “Was that Jeff again?” Kyle asked Lissa as he worked out.

  “No, it was probably a wrong number because they hung up.” She put his phone down, approached him, repositioned the weights, and stepped back.

  “Oh, yeah, hand me my phone would you?” He lifted the weights with his leg and grunted.

  “Here you go.” She handed him his phone.

  “I don't recognize the number.” Just out of pure curiosity he called the number.

  “Bliss, how may I help you?” A melodic voice answered.

  “I'm sorry. I must have the wrong number.” He furrowed his brow, that sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Maybe Lissa would know what kind of business Bliss was, since he forgot to ask. “Have you ever heard of Bliss?”

  She nodded. “Of course, it's Atlanta's best wedding boutique. Every woman around here knows about it.”

  “Wedding boutique.” He cringed at the thought. It had to be a wrong number. He sure as hell wasn't getting married. Or, at least he didn't think he was, but then why did it feel so familiar? He needed to talk to Jeff. He would be the only one with answers.

  “Kyle, is everything okay?” Lissa touched his knee, concern clear on her face.

  “I don't know. I don't remember something, but I think it's important. Can we call it a day? I need to go talk to Jeff.” He let the weights drop and stood. It didn't matter if she wanted to keep going or not, he was done. He was headed for the firehouse.

  “Sure, we'll just add another twenty minutes onto your next session. Tell Jeff I said hello.” She winked as she said Jeff. Damn, he was glad he hadn't asked her out.

  He grabbed his keys and wallet from the wall cubby and headed for the door. Something urgent was pushing him. He just didn't know what it was.

  The drive only took twenty minutes, but seemed like a lifetime. As he pulled up to the station, he had a flashback. He remembered a smartass woman, in a car, with gold-brown hair. Her name was on the tip of his tongue, but still out of reach. He rushed into the house, only to find the trucks gone. Jeff was out on a call.

  He heard voices upstairs and made his way to the kitchen. “Well, look who's here. Damn, if it isn't Mr. Miracle himself. How the hell have you been man?” Steve asked as he clapped him on the back.

  “Are you about ready to come back to work?” Captain Craig asked.

  “I've been making it day by day. I'd love to be back at work Cappy, but I'm still trying to get all my memories back. Speaking of memories, I need to talk to Jeff. An
y idea when he might get back?”

  “Don't know. He's out on an accident call, might take a bit to clear it up. Is there anything I can help you with?” Steve offered.

  “It's good to see you Kyle. Your job is right here when you're ready to come back, buddy. I've got to get some paperwork done, so if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to it.” Cappy tipped his hat to Kyle and left.

  “Maybe you can, Steve. I feel like you've helped me before. I'm having flashes of a woman with gold-brown hair and I can't get her out of my mind. Do you know anything about her?”

  “I do know about her.” The alarm sounded for an ambulance to respond and Steve had to run. He was at the pole, when he yelled, “Talk to Jeff when he gets back. You need to push Jeff.” Then he was gone.

  Kyle stood alone in the kitchen, wondering what the hell “push Jeff” meant. But, now he knew one thing, she did exist. Steve had verified it.

  Kyle went to his locker, thought he remembered the combination, tried it and it opened. Things were coming back, slowly but surely. Every day he would remember something new. There would be a tidbit here and a tidbit there, just enough to keep him seeking more. Just enough to drive him mad. One thing he knew for sure, this woman was important, she had to be. She was the key to the whole thing. He felt positive about that.

  He searched through his things for any clue about who she was. There was nothing suggesting anything about her. Frustrated, he slammed the locker door.

  He snapped his phone off his belt, about to call Jeff, when he heard the sound of diesel engines and the beep, beep, beep of them backing up. Thankfully, the crew was back. The engine backed in right next to him, he could hardly wait for it to stop, before he went after Jeff. He held the answers, Kyle so desperately needed.

  He snapped his phone back on his belt, walked to the engine, and waited, shifting from foot to foot, for Jeff to get out.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?” Jeff asked as he stepped down from the engine. “Are you chomping at the bit to get back to work already?”