Becoming Forever (Waking Forever Series)

by McVea, Heather

  Ash popped the bottle cap off the Shiner Bock beer her sister-in-law Amy had handed her. “Ah, what cross?”

  Michael shook his head. “How can you have a christening cake without a cross?”

  Ash turned her head to bring the upside down cake into focus. “There’s an angel figurine.” She smiled at Amy who was pouring a bag of potato chips into a large plastic bowl.

  “I think it’s beautiful, Ash.” Amy smiled.

  “See Michael? And you wouldn’t want to disagree with your wife, would you?” Ash smirked as she took a drink of her beer.

  “I just figured there would be a cross.” Michael frowned, his tone verging on pouty.

  Ash put her beer down on the granite counter top, and walked around the small island to stand next to her younger brother. “Kinda twisted if you ask me. Eating the cross. That can’t be right, Mike.”

  In spite of his best efforts to be irritated with his sister, Michael let out a full throated laugh. “Well, when you put it like that.”

  The rest of the evening had been busy with last minute planning. Now, Ash stood in front of the full length wood framed mirror in her bedroom trying to decide if the gun metal gray Kate Spade suede heels, or the light gray Chanel patent leather heels went better with the knee length rose colored pencil skirt she had on. She rarely wore skirts, but most of her slacks were gray or black, and didn’t seem appropriate for the festive event.

  Deciding on the Kate Spade heels, Ash pulled a light gray, clingy, long sleeve, crew neck blouse over her head. As she reached for the gold tone and raspberry bubble necklace, her cell phone rang.

  Assuming it was one of her family members with their one hundredth requests for the day, Ash didn’t bother to look at the caller ID. “I won’t be on time if I can’t get dressed in peace, Michael.”

  There was a long pause, and then a woman’s voice hesitantly spoke. “Ash?”

  Ash slammed her eyes shut, recognizing Emma’s voice immediately. “Oh, Emma, I thought - well you see I’m trying to get ready for my - remember when I mentioned my niece’s baptism - and this-”

  Ash literally bit the tip of her tongue in hopes of squelching the nonsensical ramblings coming out of her mouth. “Good morning, Emma.”

  There was a faint laugh on the other end of the phone. “Good morning, Ash. It sounds like you are in the middle of things, so I’ll call you back later.”

  Ash was in a hurry, but she hadn’t spoken with Emma since her hurried exit from her and Cris’ office earlier in the week, and to Ash’s surprise, she had missed her. “No, I can multitask if you don’t mind being put on speaker.”

  “That’s no problem.” Emma assured.

  Ash hit the speaker icon on the touch screen of her phone, and laid the device on her dresser while she continued to pull her outfit together. “What’s up?”

  “I know this is last minute, and I would understand if your family gathering today wouldn’t permit you to, but I have tickets to a beer pairing dinner at Sustenio tonight, and I -”

  Ash listened as the doctor went on, and she had the distinct impression her friend was nervous. “And beer made you think of me?”

  Emma cleared her throat. “Well, yes, but not with an intervention implication.”

  Ash laughed. The longer she knew Emma the more she grew to appreciate her humor, which like Ash’s was rooted in a deep appreciation of sarcasm. “What time does it start?”

  “The dinner runs from six to eight.” Emma answered.

  Ash did a quick calculation in her head as to when she would be done with her family commitments for the day. “Perfect. I can meet you there.”

  Emma sounded relieved. “Wonderful. See you there.”

  Ash smiled. “Sounds good, bye.” She pressed the end button and returned to the mirror. Looking at her ensemble one last time, she decided she was presentable to be Chelsea’s godmother. She felt a surge of excitement rush through her, in part because she was fortunate enough to be participating in a very important day for her only niece. In addition to that, Ash verged on giddy over the unexpected time she would have with Emma tonight.

  You should take five minutes and figure out why that is. Ash thought as she walked toward her Jeep. Oh, I don’t have to think about that now, I can think about that tomorrow.

  Smiling as she started the car, she remembered a line from her mother’s favorite movie. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day.

  Thinking of her mother caused the previous euphoria to be replaced with twinges of sadness. Chelsea had been born a little less than a year ago. Elizabeth never met the adorable child who everyone agreed had her grandmother’s round, chocolate colored eyes, and dimples in either cheek. Ash felt tears begin to sting her eyes as she thought about everything Chelsea would miss because of her grandmother’s untimely death.

  Elizabeth Haines had taught second grade for nearly ten years before leaving a profession she dearly loved to raise a family she absolutely adored. The wife and mother had never lost her passion for teaching, and her love of children. Ash wished Chelsea could have the opportunity to sit across the dining room table from her grandmother, and learn her multiplication tables. Or curl up in her grandmother’s lap in the large overstuffed recliner in the den and learn how all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put Humpy Dumpty back together again.

  Parking in front of Saint Mark’s Catholic Church, Ash took several steadying breaths before getting out of her car. The parking lot was about a quarter full, and Ash recognized several of the cars as belonging to her immediate family. Locking her door, Ash walked toward the front entrance of the church wiping at her damp eyes. She realized life wasn’t about endings. It was about transition, because where her mother had disappeared, a beautiful baby girl had appeared.

  ***

  Ash walked quickly toward her apartment, her heels clicking on the concrete of the parking garage. She looked at her watch and swore under her breath. The barbecue that followed Chelsea’s christening ran much later than anticipated. Now she had less than an hour before she was scheduled to meet Emma. She still needed to take a shower and change before making the twenty minute drive to the restaurant. She didn’t want to see the doctor smelling like smoke and cooked beef.

  Pushing the front door open with her foot, Ash tossed her keys on the end table next to her sofa and walked back to the kitchen. Her sister-in-law had sent her home with at least a pound of brisket, and two pieces of the cross-less cake. Ash put the food-laden plastic bags on the counter. Her hand was on the handle of the stainless steel refrigerator when she felt a chill shoot up her spine as if someone had just ran finger nails down a chalkboard.

  An odd odor wafted over Ash. It smelled like rotted meat and wet leaves. Ash turned and put her back to the refrigerator. Taking a deep breath in through her nose, she tried to determine where the foul stench was coming from.

  There was a sudden movement to her right, but before she could turn her head a sharp pain shot along her right jaw. Her teeth felt like they were going to vibrate out of her head as she grabbed her cheek.

  Sinking to her knees, the floor felt like it was suddenly shifting under her feet. Ash managed to put her left arm out to brace herself as she fell to the tile floor. The odor from earlier was all around her, and she felt bile rise in her throat as an oppressive weight bore down on her back and shoulders.

  A low growl slithered into Ash’s ears followed by the hissing of a man’s voice. “Remember, I was this close.”

  Air rushed back into Ash’s lungs as both the weight of the man and the odor were suddenly gone. Ash rolled to her back, and immediately thought better of it as sharp stabbing pain consumed the right side of her head. Trying desperately to stay conscious, Ash reached for the refrigerator handle, hoping to pull herself up to a seated position. Her head lifted a fraction of an inch off the tile floor, and a wave of nausea swept through her. She turned her head to the side, fearful she would choke
on her own vomit.

  Several heaves later and there was even more pain ripping through Ash’s head. A heavy blackness was pushing into her eyes. It started in her peripheral vision, and within seconds had shrunk her vision on a pinhead size spot on the pine cabinets that lined her kitchen.

  Realizing she was going to pass out, Ash focused all her attention on shifting to her side. She knew if she passed out, and vomited again, she could aspirate and die. Turning onto her left side, Ash felt her stomach lurch again, and then the room went black.

  ***

  It was incredibly hot. Ash felt waves of prickling heat shoot up her legs, into her stomach and along her neck. Then there was a cool, soothing hand on her cheek.

  “Ash. It’s Emma. I’ve called an ambulance. Just lay still.” Ash heard Emma’s voice, but in her delirium couldn’t understand why the doctor was in her kitchen, and not waiting for her at Sustenio. Ash wanted to ask the obvious question, but her tongue felt thick and heavy in her mouth. The cool hand gently stroked her forehead, and the heat from earlier began to lessen.

  “Em - how?” Ash felt like she was talking under water.

  “Shhhh. Be still.” Emma’s voice seemed strained, and Ash hoped she hadn’t upset her by being late for their dinner.

  “Sorry I’m late.” Ash managed.

  “You’re not late. Don’t worry.” Emma’s voice was low and next to Ash’s ear.

  Ash tried to open her eyes so she could see the doctor, and know if her tardiness was the cause of her friend’s strained voice. “I’m so tired.” Ash muttered as she reached for Emma.

  Ash heard voices and felt herself being rocked back and forth. There were a series of bright lights, and then a very loud man’s voice. “Detective Haines! Ashley! Open your eyes!” The man’s voice moved through Ash like waves, and she felt another bout of nausea wash over her. She turned her head to the left and dry heaved into a small pink bowl.

  A cool cloth was placed over her forehead, and Ash laid back. She realized she wasn’t on her kitchen floor anymore and Emma wasn’t holding her. “Where am I?” Her voice was horse and she needed a drink of water.

  “You’re at University Hospital. There was an intruder in your home, and you were knocked unconscious.” The man’s voice continued to fill Ash’s aching head.

  “Where’s Emma?” Ash swallowed hard, her throat felt like scorched earth. Blinking several times, she couldn’t bring the room into focus.

  “Who’s she talking about?” The man asked a faceless person to Ash’s right.

  “Dr. Emma Atman. She called the ambulance.” A woman answered.

  “I imagine your friend is in the waiting room, Ashley.” The man responded. “I’m Dr. Stephens.” Before Ash could tell the man to stop calling her by her full name, she felt several sharp stabs of pain in her right jaw, and the room disappeared.

  Chapter 8

  “She’s waking up.” James’ voice cut through the deep water Ash felt like she was moving through.

  “Dad?” Ash’s throat was even dryer than before, and she winced as she spoke.

  “Hey sweetie, you’re okay.” Her father’s warm hand was in hers.

  Ash struggled and after several attempts managed to open her eyes, bringing the room into focus. James, Jason and Michael were standing alongside her bed. Katy and Amy stood at the foot of the bed. Each of them had worried expressions on their faces.

  “Christ, do I look that bad?” Ash managed a joke as much to put her family at ease as to reassure herself she was okay.

  The room burst into laughter. “She’s still a smartass, so it can’t be that serious.” Jason teased.

  It was Michael’s turn to give Ash grief. “And to answer your question, you kinda do look like shit, sister.”

  Ash smiled, and quickly thought better of it as a sharp pain shot along her right jaw. Putting her hand to her face, Ash could feel the swelling. “This can’t be good.” She maintained a light tone even though she felt tears welling in her eyes.

  “You’ve suffered a grade three concussion with abrasions to the skin directly over the mandible.” Emma’s melodic voice came from somewhere near the door of the room. “You’ll have bruising and swelling that should diminish within a week to ten days.”

  Ash looked over James’ shoulder as the top of Emma’s blonde head came into focus. A moment later, as the doctor moved closer to the bed, the woman’s intense blue eyes broke through the haziness of Ash’s vision.

  “Emma. I didn’t know you were there. Please come in.” Ash took her hand from James’ and reached toward her friend.

  Emma hesitated, and then put her hand in Ash’s. “I don’t want to intrude. I just wanted to make certain you were okay.”

  Ash nodded slowly, not wanting to start another chain reaction of pain in her head. “I think so. Thanks to you.”

  “What do you mean?” Amy asked.

  Ash looked at her sister-in-law. “Emma found me and called an ambulance.”

  Jason turned to Emma and smiled. “We can’t thank you enough.”

  Ash’s confusion from earlier came back to her, and she cleared her throat before speaking. “Hey, why were you at my apartment?”

  Emma frowned. “We had a dinner date, and when you didn’t show, and I couldn’t get you on the phone, I drove over to your apartment.”

  Ash furrowed her brow. “How did you know where I live?”

  Emma hesitated as she looked from Ash to the five people standing around her. “I remembered your address from when I helped with your mother.”

  James cocked his head to the side and looked at Ash. “Helped with your mother?”

  Ash shifted in the bed. Her back was tightening up from lying flat. “Emma is the Deputy M.E. that worked on Mom.”

  James nodded and turned to Emma. “Then this family owes you a couple thanks. I remember Ash telling us you had been very considerate with her when she talked to you about Elizabeth.”

  James wiped at his eyes as they filled with tears. “And now you’ve saved my daught -” James took a deep breath and looked lovingly at Ash.

  Katy walked around the bed, and put her arm on James’ shoulder. “It’s okay. She’s fine, Dad.” She pulled the man toward a chair in the corner of the room. “Let’s sit.”

  Emma nodded to the family members and at Ash. “I’m glad you’re okay. We’ll have to reschedule that beer tast-”

  Emma stopped, a peculiar look coming over her face followed by a flash of blue in her eyes as her nostrils flared slightly.

  “Ash?” Lara came through the door, and paused as she looked around the room, her eyes coming to rest on Ash. “I talked to your father and he said someone had broken into your apartment, and attacked you.” The dark haired woman walked quickly past Emma, and stood at Ash’s bed side.

  Her thinking was still a little clouded, and it took her a second to realize what was happening. “Lara, how did you -”

  James spoke from the corner, where he and Katy now sat. “The ambulance driver gave me your personal effects, and your phone rang. I worried it was your work; so I answered.”

  James smiled at Lara. “It was Lara on the other end, and once we got past the initial confusion of who was who, I told her what happened.”

  Lara took Ash’s hand, and the warmth of her touch spread up Ash’s arm. “Are you okay?”

  Ash was touched Lara had come to the hospital. They had gone out a couple times, and it seemed like they might take it to the next level, but this wasn’t anything Ash had expected. “I am.”

  Ash looked around Lara, to a now silent and oddly tense Emma. “Thanks to Emma.”

  Lara slowly turned and faced Emma. She released Ash’s hand as she took a step toward the doctor. “Emma. Lara Ramirez. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  Ash pursed her lips. She was a little out of it, but she couldn’t remember talking to Lara about Emma. She assumed it was just a turn of phrase that Lara used to ease introductions. Ash interjected. “Emma found me, and call
ed the ambulance.”

  Lara stretched out her hand, and waited for several seconds while Emma, her eyes fixed on Lara, chewed on the inside of her cheek nervously. “Thank god for your timing and resourcefulness, doctor.” Lara leaned in slightly toward Emma and lowered her voice. “Was there blood? I would have passed out if there had been blood, but then again, you probably don’t mind it.”

  Lara grinned. “You being a doctor and all.”

  Emma took Lara’s hand in hers, and shook it quickly. “It’s what anyone would have done given the circumstances.”

  Lara nodded, and squeezed Emma’s hand, not allowing her to remove it. “Your hand is like ice.” Lara glanced back at Ash and then settled her gaze on Emma again.

  Emma slowly extracted her hand from Lara’s, and forced a smile. “Hazard of the trade.” She looked up to find six sets of eyes transfixed on her and Lara. “I wash my hands a lot and it makes them dry.” Her statement was met with blank stares.

  “I lotion to stop the skin from drying out, and in return, the lotion evaporates and causes my hands to seem unusually cold.” Emma looked over Lara’s shoulder and gave Ash a pleading look.

  Ash wasn’t sure what had just transpired between Emma and Lara. Both women had taken on nearly aggressive posturing with one another, and their tones had been edgy. The look on Emma’s face verged on hostile, and then as their eyes met, it was clear to Ash her friend wanted out of this exchange.

  Before Ash could speak, Jason chimed in. “Given your line of work doc, it’s a plus in my book that you’re that hygienic.” The room erupted into nervous laughter as Lara turned back to Ash, and took her hand.

  Ash tisked. “Classy, Jason. Everyone, this is Lara Ramirez. Lara and I have been dating the past few weeks.” The family smiled and nodded. Jason caught Ash’s eye and winked, causing Ash to shake her head disapprovingly, until the throbbing from her concussion halted her judgment.

  “I’ll be going now. Ash, please give me a call, and we can reschedule when you’re feeling better.” Emma nodded and then quickly turned and exited the room.