by Kaci Rose
“I do the same thing for Johnny.” Becky laughs.
When I get up to Noah’s room, I close the door again and pull out the soup and bread.
“It’s pretty good, and what I had for lunch,” I tell him.
As he eats, I fill him in on moving his stuff tomorrow morning.
“So, I won’t be in, until about lunchtime,” I tell him.
“You sure you have room?”
“Eight bedrooms, Noah. Eight. Yes, I have room.”
We spend the rest of the day snuggling and watching TV before I head home and get ready to call Noah’s parents.
Before dialing the number Becky gave me, I take a deep breath, and a female voice answers the phone.
“Hello, Mrs. Carr?” I ask.
“Yes?”
“My name is Lexi, and I’m a friend of Noah’s,” I say.
There’s a ragged intake of breath on the other end of the line.
“How is my baby?” She asks almost near tears.
“He’s doing great, I promise. He’s a hero and really well liked. My brother is one of the guys Noah saved in the blast, and I will be forever grateful to him.”
Shoot, that was the wrong thing to say because she starts crying hysterically before a man gets on the phone.
“Hello, who is this?” He asks.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Carr. My name is Lexi, and I’m a friend of Noah’s. I didn’t mean to make your wife cry,” I tell him quickly.
“Is Noah okay?”
“Yes, he’s fine, I promise. I was just telling your wife that my brother is one of the guys he saved in the blast. I didn’t mean to upset her, and this is totally off topic of why I called. Sorry, I’m a bit nervous.” I tell him.
“It’s okay, any friend of Noah’s is welcome around here.” He says, his tone friendlier now.
“All right, let me take a more direct approach. Noah is really well liked in The Unit, and my brother knew he was sending money home each month, and things are tight. He said you weren’t able to visit, so his wife and I took up a collection, along with the USO for your plane tickets for all four of you. You will be staying with me, as I have plenty of room. And there’s money to supplement your lost income for the week off work.”
Crap, now I made his dad cry, too. I don’t do well, especially with guys crying.
“Are you serious?” He says.
“Yes.”
“We can’t impose.”
“Mr. Carr, I have an eight bedroom plantation home I’m fixing up. I live here alone, so trust me, I’d enjoy the company. The only details that are negotiable are the dates you can be out here.” I tell him.
“We need to call our jobs and arrange everything.”
“Of course. Call me back on this number day or night. This is my cell number.” I tell him.
“We’ll be in touch.”
I didn’t expect to hear back from them tonight, but he calls back two hours later, saying they can fly out on Monday. That’s three days from now. They agree with me to not say anything and surprise Noah.
I get back to Becky with all the details.
“One more thing,” Becky says.
“What’s up?”
“Johnny is coming home tomorrow, so mandatory family dinner at your parent’s place.”
“I’ll be there.”
What a busy weekend ahead.
Chapter 18
Lexi
Noah didn’t have near as much stuff, as we expected. We had too many guys and too many trucks, but they all came to help because they wanted to see my house. I guess, my brother has talked a lot about it.
So, after giving them the full tour, they unloaded and headed out.
“You love showing this place off,” Becky says.
“Yeah, it has a unique history long before me, and it will be here long after me, if I do my job right,” I tell her.
“Well, I’m going to go now.”
“I’m going to shower and make some lunch to take with me, and then I’ll be right behind you. See you at dinner tonight.”
After a quick shower and making Noah and me some sandwiches, I go to the hospital.
“Hey, angel,” Noah says, as soon as I’m walking in the door.
“Well, we got all your stuff moved, gave the guys a tour of the house, and I made lunch,” I say, as I pull the sandwiches out.
“I’m jealous they got to see the house before me.” He says.
“Well, as soon as you bust out of here you get the grand detailed tour.” I wink at him. “Speaking of which, Johnny is getting released today, and my parents are demanding a family dinner, so I have to leave early tonight.”
Noah looks disappointed. I get it. We already have a short day together, which is being cut short even more.
“You should go try to talk to Easton. If anyone can get through to him, it would be you.” I tell him.
Easton has been on my mind for a while. I haven’t met him yet, but with everything he’s been through, I just wish there was a way to help him.
“Yeah, I think I’ll do that. Now, come snuggle with me.”
“Didn’t sleep well?” I ask.
“No, the second I closed my eyes, the nightmares were there. I need my Lexi.” He says as we cuddle in his bed.
“Well, close your eyes for a bit and take a nap. I’m right here.”
“I don’t want to miss my time with you.” He mumbles already drowsy.
“I know, but I’ll be back tomorrow. I’m not going anywhere, and you need sleep. I’m happy to lay with you any time.”
It’s not long before he drifts off to sleep. I take the opportunity to watch him, as he sleeps. He’s relaxed around me, and I love that. His family will be here the day after tomorrow, and I wait can’t to surprise him. I almost want to tell him now just to see the look on his face, but I’ll wait. It will be better for him to be surprised.
His nap flies by, and almost as soon as he’s awake, I have to go and meet with my parents.
“I promise to be here right as visiting hours start,” I tell him.
“With breakfast?” He asks.
“With breakfast in hand.”
I give him a chaste kiss, because anything more, and I’ll be late to my parents’ house.
The entire drive there, I try to think of what I want to tell my parents. Though, I should have known Johnny and his big mouth would have gotten to them ahead of me.
“Lexi dear, you’re always the last one here. Now, get in here and tell us about your boyfriend. We’re so mad we had to hear it from your brother.” Mom says while she steers me towards the living room.
“He’s not my boyfriend, Mom,” I say, smacking Johnny upside the head, as I walk by. It wasn’t that hard, but he acts like I almost threw him from his chair.
“I told them, but they won’t listen,” Becky says.
I sit down and find both my parents already staring at me.
“He’s not my boyfriend. He’s a friend, the first person I’ve been able to open up to in a long time, and I don’t appreciate it being turned into family gossip. This has been hard on me, harder than any of you will ever know.” I glare at my brother.
“I didn’t come here to be tonight’s family topic. If that’s the case, I’ll leave, and you can talk all you want and make up whatever stories suit you,” I say and level my parents with a glare. I instantly know I was a bit too harsh, but if I back track now, they won’t stop it. I can apologize later.
I had to have a talk with them a few months after Tyler died. Many times, I’d come over, and all they wanted to talk about was how I was doing, what I should be doing, and why I wasn’t doing this. Finally, I put my foot down and said if it kept up, I would stop coming to dinner each week. I skipped the following week, and when I showed up again, things were back on track. So, they know I mean business.
“We’re here to talk about Johnny, and I believe they have some news to tell you.” I switch the focus to them, and whether they were ready to tell
my parents or not, Becky is pregnant. So, they’ll be telling them tonight, because payback is a bitch, and my brother knows it.
“Thanks, sis.” He grumbles.
“Maybe, you should keep your nose to yourself, and I wouldn’t throw you under the bus,” I tell him.
“I told you so.” Becky singsongs with a smile on her face.
“Oh, so what do you have to tell us?” My mom shifts her attention to him.
My dad winks at me. He knows exactly what I did.
“Why do we tell her things?” My brother asks Becky.
“Because she’s my best friend. You knew what you were getting into when you married me. Move on.” Becky says laughing.
“Well, since my ex-sister let it out of the bag,” Johnny says and looks at Becky, as they both smile big.
“You’re going to be grandparents!” Becky shouts, and the room gets loud with squeals and hugs.
I just sit back and take it all in. For years, I was preparing for this moment. When they would announce they were pregnant, I’d have to fight back tears, because it was supposed to be me, and I would never have this.
As I sit here and watch my parents hug Becky and Johnny, and my mom fawn all over Becky, I don’t feel any of that. I’m happy for them and excited for this brand-new life, and for what’s to come. Noah gave this back to me. Without Noah, I know I’d be in a dark place today, instead of smiling and happy for them.
I get up and hug Becky and Johnny, and then turn to my dad and hold my phone. “I’ll be right back,” I say.
He nods, and I go out to the back porch and call Noah. Once I get through to his room, it only rings a few times, before he picks up.
“Noah,” I say, a smile in my voice.
“You okay, angel? Aren’t you supposed to be having dinner with your family?” He asks concerned.
“Yeah, I’m good. Johnny and Becky just told them they’re pregnant, and I needed to get away from the baby talk and thank you.”
“Thank me for what?”
“I was dreading this day for a while now. I thought I’d be thrown back to the memories of planning for a family, and I wouldn’t be able to support them. Then, you show up, and I don’t know, but it’s bearable now. I was even able to smile for them.”
“I’m glad. Where are you now?” He asks.
“On the back porch. I just wanted to hear your voice.” I admit.
“Any time, and I will always be here.” He says.
We talk a little bit more before I get off the phone and help with dinner. The first dinner Johnny has been back to in over six months since he left for deployment.
For the first time, the dinner table feels light and not like a piece is missing. I can look at the chair Tyler sat in and smile, instead of fighting off tears. I’m starting to heal, I know it, and as I always knew, it had to be on my own time.
The next battle ahead of me is Noah’s family.
Chapter 19
Lexi
On Sunday, we did a lot of cuddling to make up for the shortened day on Saturday. It’d been hell trying to keep the secret, and I have been going back and forth about what I would say about being in late tomorrow.
“I’m going to be in later tomorrow around lunchtime. But Becky will be in because Johnny has a physical therapy appointment in the morning. So, she’ll hang out with you. When Johnny gets finished with PT, he’ll come, too.” I tell him.
“Everything okay?” He asks.
This is where I didn’t want to lie, but I can’t quite tell the truth either.
“Yeah, I just have a meeting,” I tell him, hoping he won’t press for more details because this alone isn’t a lie. I am meeting his parents at the airport. If he wants more details, then I’ll be forced to lie, which I don’t want to do.
“Okay.” He kisses the top of my head, and we go back to watching TV.
When I get home that night, I know there’s no way I’m getting any sleep, so I make sure their rooms are ready and clean like I have been doing each night for the last few days. I make sure there are towels in the bathrooms, and extra blankets if they need them. Finally, around midnight, I pass out, only to be up again the next morning, before my alarm and unable to go back to sleep.
In case I hit any traffic going into Savannah, I head to the airport early. But I don’t, so it gives me time to walk around the airport, and this is one of my favorites. There’s no mistaking you have flown into the south when you get here.
The visitor area is set up like one of the famous historic courtyards with brick paths and old southern like storefronts, a huge glass roof, and trees all over. There are benches and rocking chairs scattered around.
I’m really glad they’re flying in here, and while I know their main focus is Noah, I hope they take a moment to enjoy the area, too. Once I know their plane lands, I’m waiting with a sign in my hands that says, ‘Noah’s Family.’ As soon as they see me, I have four people surrounding me in one huge hug. It’s a bit overwhelming.
“Oh, look how pretty she is, Jim!” Noah’s mother exclaims, who looks a lot like Aunt Becky from Full House.
“I apologize for my wife’s manners. You can call me Jim, I’m Noah’s father. This is my wife and Noah’s mother, Janet, and Noah’s sisters, Lucy and Grace.” Noah’s dad introduces everyone. He’s a tall man with glasses, and the rough hands of a man, who works with his hands all day.
Noah’s sisters look to be about high school age and are a bit shy. When I offer them a smile, they smile back, but I bet they’re nervous about seeing their brother.
“Well, I’m Lexi. My brother is Noah’s Team Leader and a pain in my rear end.” I wink at Lucy and Grace, and that earns me a giggle.
“So, do you want to drop your stuff off and get settled or go right to the hospital?”
“Hospital,” they all four say at once.
“I figured. Let’s grab some lunch on the way, and I’ll bring some food in for Noah. I’ve been sneaking him nonhospital food here and there when I can.” I tell them.
We walk out to my car, and their eyes take in everything around them, but they don’t slow down. I know they won’t be okay, until they have eyes on Noah, and I can’t blame them.
We grab some sandwiches from the local deli, before heading into the hospital.
“Give me just a minute,” I say after we park.
I shoot off a quick text to Becky.
Me: Hey, we’re here. Are we good to come up?
Becky: Yep, he just finished lunch, though he didn’t eat much.
When I put my phone away, Janet places her hand on my shoulder, “What should we expect?” She asks.
I turn in my seat, so I can look at her in the back seat with Lucy and Grace.
“Well, you know the basics of what happened. He hasn’t told me much more. The right side of his body has some burns. Most are hidden under his clothes, except for the ones on his neck and face. Part of his ear is gone, but his eye is fine and really, I’ve seen a lot worse. He’ll be going in for plastic surgery to smooth out the scars.”
I remember the first time I saw him with his bandages off. “It’ll be jarring to see him the first time. Just be genuine with your emotions and reactions. When you fake it, it will make us all uncomfortable.” I say.
They all nod.
“Okay, my brother and his wife are hanging out with him now and have been keeping him company all morning,” I say, as we make our way into the hospital and to the elevator. As we approach his room, I turn to them.
“He has no idea you’re coming. Let me go in first, and then we’ll bring you in as a surprise,” I say, and again, they nod.
When I walk in, Noah’s whole face lights up. “Hey, angel. Come sit with me.”
“Well, I have two surprises for you. First, I brought you lunch.” I pull out the sandwich for him.
“Perfect, I’m suddenly starving. But what’s the second one?” Becky and Johnny move to the far side of the room, and Becky nods at the door, telling Noah’
s family to come in.
As Noah’s parents walk in followed by his sisters, his eyes go wide.
“How…” Is all he gets out, before his mom and dad are hugging him, and all three are crying.
His sisters hang back a little and just watch.
“It was all this girl.” His dad points to me, and Noah’s eyes shoot to me.
I shake my head. “Becky did the leg work.”
“But it was her idea,” Becky says. “The USO paid for the plane tickets, and The Unit helped raise money to cover lost income. They’re staying with Lexi, so it’s all covered.”
He doesn’t get a chance to say anything before he sees his sisters, who are both frozen at the foot of his bed, unsure of what to do. So, I walk over and stand behind them.
“He’s still the same guy. God just made him more badass with some scars,” I whisper, and they giggle, before running over to hug him, too.
His eyes lock with mine, and he mouths ‘thank you.’ I smile and nod my head.
“Well, PT kicked my ass, so we’re going home,” Johnny says, and after some hugs, he and Becky head out.
Noah eats, while his parents start asking question after question. His mother starts fussing over him with tears in her eyes, and I start to feel like I’m intruding on family time.
“Well, I’m going to go…” I start to say.
“No, stay with me, angel.” Noah stops me, and my cheeks heat at the nickname.
“Spend some time with your family, Noah.” I wave him off. “I’ll be back at dinner time.”
“Lexi, please?” Noah says.
“Please, stay.” His mom says. “We want to get to know you, too.”
I look at his dad who nods as do his sisters.
“Okay,” I start to go and sit on the couch.
“Angel…” Noah says in a warning tone and pats the bed next to him.
“So damn bossy,” I grunt but walk over and sit on the edge of the bed down by his legs.
“Damnit, Lexi. Just because they’re here changes nothing, and if I didn’t think you’d run scared, I’d introduce you as my girlfriend.”
