The Rhythm of My Heart

by Velvet Reed

  I can feel Charlie examining me and I know he can see through me. You don’t have a close sibling relationship like we do, without knowing each other inside and out.

  “But you do, don’t you. You love him.” It’s not a question but a statement of fact. I can’t hide anything from my big brother.

  I look up into his blue eyes, which are just like our fathers: loving, accepting, and nonjudgmental, and slowly nod my head. “I think I do. But I’m scared it’s too soon,” I openly admit.

  Charlie gives me a small smile as he stands and walks around my desk. When he reaches me, he puts his hand out, which I take without hesitation, and he pulls me into a hug. Every girl should have a big brother like Charlie. I take comfort in his arms. “Don’t be scared, Gracie. If you don’t take this chance, give your heart this chance, you might just miss out on something truly incredible,” he reassures me.

  “When did you get so smart?” I quip.

  “I didn’t get smart, sis, I’ve just lived. I took a chance with Nicole, and yes, she broke my heart; however, the love I found with Ruby is something I will be forever thankful for. I’d never want to miss out on that.” He kisses the top of my head and pushes me back so he can look at me. “If you love Cole, love him without hesitation, Gracie. Love him completely. Because I would stake my life on the fact that by the way that guy looks at you, even if he hasn’t told you, you own him.”

  “I love you, Charlie; you know that, right?” I implore, with tears pricking me eyes.

  “I love you too, sis.” He pulls me in for another hug.

  “What’s going on here?” Dad’s voice interrupts us.

  As Charlie releases me and I smile at my dad and wipe the tears from my eyes, I reply, “Just a sibling moment, Daddy.”

  “Guess your old man raised you right.”

  “Hey, Dad, guess what?” Charlie says, as he heads for the door.

  “What, Charlie?” Dad responds.

  Charlie glances back at me smirks and starts to laugh, and then sings, “Gracie loves Cole; Gracie loves Cole.”

  “Oh, my God, Charlie, could you be any more immature? Why spoil the moment?” I yell, and throw the stress ball I had sitting on my desk at him. It misses, but Dad’s hand clipping the back of Charlie’s head doesn’t.

  “Grow up, boy,” Dad says, in mock sternness and Charlie grunts.

  “Jesus, Dad, I was kidding.”

  “I can still strike like a snake,” Dad laughs, and I join in because there’s always some silent, sick pleasure in seeing your sibling get in trouble from your parent.

  Charlie sulks off and Dad stands there staring at me for a moment. “You need something, Daddy?” I ask.

  His eyes convey his love and his smile conveys his happiness. “No, Sweet Pea. But why don’t you head home early and relax before tonight; this stuff…” he waves his hand to my desk. “It can wait until next week. It will still be here then.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. My princess needs to look her best for the ball,” he says.

  I quickly shut down my computer and grab my things, and then walk over and hug my dad. “Are you are still coming tonight?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it, Gracie. John helped your mom so much. No one deserves to be honored more than he does. But promise me one thing.”

  “Anything, Daddy,” I swear.

  “Save a dance for your old man,” he chuckles.

  “I might just save you two,” I reply with a wink and move past him to the door. “See you tonight.”

  “See you tonight, Sweet Pea.”

  Time to transform myself into the princess my dad said I was and the princess that Cole deserves to have on his arm.

  The ballroom is exquisite with chandeliers sparkling above us as we walk through the double doors. Soft music from a band on the stage plays throughout the room, all older songs that perfectly suit the generation of the majority of attendees. There are silver and black touches everywhere. The white covers on the chairs have a black sash tied in a bow at the back. The centerpieces are tall, thin silver vases with what looks like long black branches sticking out the top, which are covered in small twinkling fairy lights. The whole room is beautiful; why wouldn’t it be, when Olivia had a hand in the preparations for tonight?

  “I just have to tell you again how gorgeous you look tonight, baby. You take my breath away, and as beautiful as that dress is, I can’t wait to see it pooled on the floor after I strip it from your sexy body,” Cole whispers close to my ear, his breath caressing my face and sending shivers through my body.

  “You look amazingly handsome yourself, Doctor Tierney, but we’re here to celebrate your father’s achievements, so compose yourself, mister,” I breathily reply, but if anyone needs to compose themselves, it’s me. Cole in jeans is sexy as hell; Cole in his scrubs is mouthwatering. But, for the love of God… Cole in a tuxedo is a heart attack waiting to happen. Thank God, I’m in a room full of doctors because I don’t think my heart can take the frenzied beating rhythm that began when I stepped out of Cole’s bedroom and drank in the sight of him.

  The red floor length strapless gown I’m wearing does amazing things for my curves. It hugs my body and shows off just enough of my cleavage to still be classy, but very sexy, too. My hair has been pulled back off my face into an elegant twist, with an abundance of big loose curls cascading down my back. I’m wearing more makeup than I normally would, but not too much that I feel overdone. I feel exactly like a princess. A princess whose prince guides me through the room with his hand on the small of my back, stopping occasionally to introduce me to people and chat with them as we make our way to the front of the room where John and Olivia are holding court.

  “Cole. Grace. You’re here. And my goodness, how utterly exquisite you both look.” Olivia greets us, wrapping us both in hugs.

  John steps forward and kisses my cheek. “Congratulations, John,” I say.

  “Thank you, Grace. I’m so happy you’re here,” he responds sincerely, and then reaches over and shakes Cole’s hand before pulling him into a manly embrace. “Hey, son,” he simply says to Cole, but the emotion in his voice is evident.

  We chat briefly before John and Olivia are whisked away into the crowd. We’re soon joined by April and Sam, and then my dad and Charlie. I was really touched when John said that he would love Dad to attend tonight, and Dad being Dad, brought Charlie as his date. Ashley is looking after Ruby so that Charlie could come and not have to worry about a sitter who couldn’t sign. If she weren’t like another little sister to him, Ashley would be the perfect woman for Charlie.

  So many people stop by to talk to Cole and Sam; clearly, they are both highly regarded at the hospital, and not because of who John is. They have built up their own reputations and careers, and I couldn’t be prouder to be standing beside them, especially Cole.

  After a few glasses of champagne that have been coming round with servers, a man takes the stage to announce that dinner is about to be served and to ask everyone to find their tables. We’re all seated together, which is another surprise. I wasn’t expecting Dad and Charlie to be at the same table, especially, with John’s peers and hospital executives in attendance.

  Dinner is impeccable and filled with happy banter around the table. I glance around taking in my family and Cole’s, and happily sigh in contentment. After dessert is served, attention is again called to the front of the stage where the formalities of the night begin.

  The emcee, a director at the hospital, regales us with the history of John’s career, from his residency right through until now. He congratulates John for being a pivotal member of the staff at the hospital for twenty-five years. He also makes special mention about John becoming the head of the oncology department at only thirty-seven years old, and of his treatment and research advancements for cancer. It’s amazing to think that someone can be so passionately dedicated about one thing for so long and still lead a relatively normal family life.

  As he’s
finishing his speech, he tells us that before John comes up to accept his award, some patients past and present have a special surprise and would like to express their appreciation for all that John has done for them. Glancing at John and Olivia across the table, I can see they are both a little stunned at this announcement; Cole too as he grabs my hand and gently squeezes it.

  The lights in the ballroom are turned off leaving only the twinkling fairy lights of the centerpieces lighting the now silent room. Four people carrying colored lanterns climb the stairs and stand center stage. Some mumbling starts around the room before the first strains of music begin to play and the four begin to sing. I recognize the song immediately as “Lanterns” by Birds of Tokyo; I’m a huge fan of the band.

  This song is beautiful. It’s about moving forward, coming out of the darkness and using the light to guide them into the unknown, into the future, without fear. To me these patients are sending the message to John that he is helping them from the darkness and the light is guiding them through.

  When the second chorus starts and more voices join in, gasps can be heard throughout the room as more people carrying lanterns of all different colors walk between the tables to the front of the room. When there’s no more room at the front, they simply stop and stand where they are. The room is illuminated with a rainbow of light held by patients, young, old, and every age in between, singing to one man.

  I’ve never seen a more moving and beautiful sight in my life, and I’m so overcome with emotion that tears run unchecked down my face. As John stands and gazes around the room, I see that he too has tears trickling down his face. He reaches his hand out to Olivia and she stands beside him, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. Cole stands and takes April’s hand as they too join their father. A tribute like this has more meaning and emotion behind it than any other I have ever heard of. It won’t be soon forgotten.

  As the last line is sung a heavy silence fills the room before a young woman, one of the four people on the stage, steps forward. “Doctor John Tierney, your work, your dedication, your compassion, and your guidance always go beyond the call of duty. All of us, your patients, past, present, and no longer with us, can never fully express our gratitude for all that you do, all you have done, and all you will continue to do in the future. You help us fight; you help us hope; you help us believe, and when there is no hope left, you help us move on with as little discomfort as possible. You are a gift, Doctor Tierney; you are our light. Thank you, from twenty-five years of patients and their families.”

  As she steps away from the microphone, there isn’t a dry eye in the ballroom. Starting at the stage, John goes around the room, hugging every single one of his patients as we all sit here watching him. “I never would have imagined anything like this could happen,” Olivia says, her lips still trembling.

  “John deserves all of this and more, Olivia, and so does his family,” Dad tells her.

  Cole turns to me and cups my face. His eyes are so full of emotion; it’s impossible to define any single one as he leans in and kisses my lips. When he pulls back, I’m not completely sure what to think; so I say nothing as he takes my hand, entwining our fingers together and starts talking to Sam while we wait for John to return to the stage.

  John’s speech is just as moving as the performance by his patients. He starts out by thanking Olivia for everything she does and has always done and for keeping him in line at home, which gets quite a good laugh from the audience. Then he expresses his undying love for her, which has Olivia in tears again.

  He speaks about Cole and April, and his love and pride in them, and when he mentions Sam, how even though he is not his biologically, he is tremendously proud to call him son and expresses his love for him, too. Sam is completely choked up.

  Of course, he thanks all the staff and the hospital board for believing in him; when he speaks of his patients, he becomes teary again. When John starts telling the story about how he was planning to leave oncology to pursue another specialty but a special patient inspired him to continue on his current course, Dad, Charlie, and I are awestruck. It front of everyone, he speaks about my mom, her battle, and her loss; how special she was and he even has the three of us stand up to be acknowledged by the crowd. It’s incredible.

  Now all the formalities are over and John has received a standing ovation, the band begins playing again. The mood has become light and happy. I promised Dad a dance, so when “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers begins to play, I pull him to the dance floor knowing it was his and Mom’s song. We’re a little teary as we sway to the music and reminisce about her, but it feels right.

  Cole has been coming and going conversing with hospital people and the businessmen attending who are donating to John’s department. We’ve had one dance together to “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison, and he held me close, kissing my ear and whispering about all the things he wants to do to me when we get home. Let me just say that I had to compose myself and freshen up in the ladies room after our dance.

  I haven’t seen him for a while now but that’s fine because April is keeping me company at our table.

  “I must have built in radar for when the bitch is around Cole. Actually, it’s probably just the twin thing,” she says.

  “Who?” I ask and try to look for Cole to see who’s near him.

  “Miranda, that’s who,” April retorts. “God, I can’t believe he’s dancing with her.”

  I follow the direction of her stare and my heart jumps in my chest when I see them. Cole’s holding her in a waltz pose, left arm around her waist and right hand in hers. Their bodies are touching and they’re both smiling as they talk to each other. They’re dancing to “Only You” by The Platters. Why the hell do they look so intimate?

  They certainly look good together, Cole in all his male perfection and Miranda, the tall, thin, beautiful blonde. Her hair lays straight down her bare back, and her white floor length, long sleeved gown is no doubt a designer label. Actually, they look perfect together.

  “I’ll never know what he saw in her,” April says, shaking her head.

  Slightly confused and taken aback by what she just said; I look at them again, and then back at April. “What do you mean?” I ask, needing some sort of clarification.

  “When they were together. Surely, Cole has told you that they were together. I never did understand it though,” she says.

  Obviously, the look on my face as I internally discombobulate at April’s revelation, shows her that I had no idea about their history. She reaches for my hand and grimaces. “Sorry, Gracie, I thought you knew. It’s been two years now though, so there’s no need to worry. Cole definitely won’t take her back.”

  I hope she doesn’t think those words are smoothing or encouraging because from where I’m sitting my boyfriend has kept this piece of information from me for months. And while he’s right in front of me dancing slowly to an intimate song with his ex, the same ex who delights in putting me down and trying to make me feel like I’m beneath her every chance she gets, a very grim picture is being painted for me. Cole has always described Miranda as a family friend, the daughter of his mother’s best friend. Not once has he ever given the slightest inkling that they were more.

  I look around for Charlie or my dad, suddenly wanting to be anywhere but here. Maybe they can take me home without Cole noticing. Before I can search further, the guy I met at our Fourth of July party, Hamish is beside me.

  “Gracie, would you care to dance?” he asks.

  I’m slightly unnerved that he calls me Gracie when I’ve only met him once. People usually call me Grace. “Umm, sure,” I reply. If Cole can dance with another woman, then I can dance with another man. At least Hamish isn’t an ex who I’ve had sex with.

  I’m not paying much attention to Hamish, just mindlessly swaying along as he chats away until he says, “You look exceptionally beautiful tonight, Gracie. If you were my date, I wouldn’t leave your side.”

  What the hell? Who s
ays something like that to someone they’ve only met once before. Now feeling completely uncomfortable, I look up at Hamish as he smiles down at me. “Hamish, that’s not, at all, an appropriate thing to say to someone you hardly know; especially, when you know she has a boyfriend.”

  I go to move away from him, but he moves his hand to my butt and pulls me closer.

  Chapter 26

  Cole….

  I’m so proud to be John Tierney’s son tonight. I can only hope that I become half the man he is and achieve what he has. He has excelled in his career while still keeping his family his first priority. It makes me so happy that he’s been recognized for all he’s done.

  I’ve had to work the room as not only John Tierney’s son but as a doctor; it’s meant that I’ve had to leave Gracie several times, but only because I don’t want to bore her with rambling medical staff and wealthy business men. I’m so glad April is here and Bryan and Charlie too.

  I glance at Gracie laughing with April as I stand at the bar getting them more champagne before I head back over to them. She’s mesmerizing. Grace has a natural beauty but wow! When she’s dressed up, as she is tonight, it’s impossible not to be completely enraptured by her beauty. I’ve stifled the urge to beat the crap out of several men here tonight. Their blatantly obvious ogling of my woman, even as she stood beside me, had my blood boiling. I just try to take some comfort in the fact that my body will be the one she’s lying beneath at the end of the night.

  A tap on my shoulder has me turning around to see who requires my attention now. I just want to get back to Gracie.

  I can’t deny she’s a beautiful woman, but her beauty is hard, unlike Grace. “Miranda,” I acknowledge her.

  “You’re looking devastatingly handsome as usual, Cole,” she coos.

  “Thanks… I guess. You look lovely as well.”

  “Lovely? Is that the best you can do, Cole? I’m sure something along the lines of radiant or stunning would be far more appropriate, don’t you think?”