by Vicki Green
Feeling more like myself, they help me back into bed and Mom pulls the covers over me. I smile and thank the nurse s she leaves. Irish brings over a plate of food, setting it on the table. She moves the table over me and the aroma hits me hard. “That doctor said you should only eat soft and light food today so I brought you a heap of scrambled eggs and some Jello.” Her smile makes her beam. She leaves me and I dig in. God, I hadn’t realized just how hungry I am. I get halfway through the eggs and start on the Jello when I feel his kiss on my temple. I look up and see the most beautiful thing in the world. My love.
“Glad to see you eating.” He smiles, and my heart skips a beat. He’s gorgeous and all mine. I notice his wheelchair and suddenly want him beside me. He always knows what I think, what I want. He stands, his arms shaking but manages to turn and sit on the mattress. I use my hands to push off the bed and move over, giving him some room. He pulls his legs up under the covers then stretches them out underneath the table. Feeling a bit clearer, I notice his left arm is in a cast.
“Here. Doc says you can have a little more substance.” Irish smiles and sets his plate down beside mine. I pout when I see the eggs, biscuit and gravy, bacon, and sausage. He picks up the plastic utensils and cuts off a small piece of the sausage link and hold the fork up to my lips. I smile and snatch it into my mouth.
“I don’t think one or two small pieces will hurt ya.” He smiles, showing his straight white teeth, and I melt.
Breakfast is full of love, chatter, and laughing. Kane walks in with a limp and cane and heads directly for me. He bends down and kisses my forehead then sits next to my leg on the bed. “How are you, kiddo?”
I swallow my food and smile. “Much better.” My face changes into concern. “Are you okay?” Now I feel bad. Since I awakened I’ve only thought about myself, the baby, and Brock. I did think about Dad and Mom too but never did I think about Kane or even Caylan. “I’m good. Just hurt my leg a bit.” He looks at Brock and something passes between them. My brows lower as flashes from that night enter my mind. Kane on the ground, Brock on top of him. Smoke. Fire. Kane being helped out of the shack by Caylan.
“You’re looking much better,” Kane’s voice breaks me free from the nightmare, and I smile. “You really had me worried.” He places his hand on mine, and I start feeling my tears coming.
“Thank you, Kane. Thank you for everything. Really.” He winks and pats my hand. I look around the room as Kane stands and walks over to the small table. Everyone I love is here, everyone that means something to me except two people. “Where’s Mimi?”
Mom looks over. “Oh, sweetie. She’s working. She was here on and off the whole time and she said that if you get to go home tomorrow, she’ll see you at your apartment and whip you up all your favorites.” I smile and nod, thankful again for my family.
After a while I start to get tired. Doesn’t seem like I have to do much to get that way but I guess I have some healing to do and so does Brock. Once everyone leaves, Brock turns the TV on low and finds a movie. Romeo & Juliet. How fitting. I always felt like we’ve been living that in the modern day world. I’m lying in his arms, feeling full, loved and warm. I move my head up from his chest and see his eyes starting to close. “Brock?” They flutter back open and look down at me. “Where’s Caylan? I really want to thank him.”
His arm tightens around me. “He’ll be around. Probably tomorrow. Maybe over at the apartment.” He sighs. “I know what you mean though. I thanked him already, but it doesn’t seem enough.” His face snuggles into my head as I cuddle into him. “We should do something….” He yawns. “For him.” I nod, not being able to keep my eyes open a second longer.
Brock
We’re lying here, the love of my life in my arms, and the tears I’ve been holding back begin to leave my eyes. I’ve tried to be strong for her but now that I know she’s okay, I can’t stop them anymore from falling. I listen to her light breathing and thank God again that she’s here with me. Angry thoughts of what she did to herself enter my head but then I wonder what I would have done if the tables had been turned? In my heart, I know if she had known she was carrying our baby, she would have never tried to take her own life. I also know that had I died, that she wanted to follow me, stay with me. I get it. Would I have done the same? Unless I was in that situation, I’m not sure. I know one thing, though. I wouldn’t have wanted to live without her. There could have never been anyone else in my life. Oh, I’m not stupid. I know everyone dies at some point. But we’re young and have been in love our entire lives. It’s too soon, too much. The hospital counselor paid her a visit, and once she told our story they understood. At least enough that they didn’t feel she was crazy. Well, we both may be a little crazy. Crazy in love.
Her body begins to shake in my arms, her eyes twitching underneath their lids. I strengthen my hold around her and finally she stops. She must be having a bad dream, or maybe she’s reliving that night. I know I have several times now. After I woke up, all I could think about was Taren. Was she okay? How badly was she hurt? Then after she finally woke up, which scared the shit outta me wondering when she would, the nightmare’s hit. I replayed that night over and over again. The same fear I had that night of protecting her, feeling helpless in my struggles, came back in full force. I woke up in a sweat each time.
She stirs again, and I look down at her. She’s a vision. So beautiful, so sweet and loving. I sigh and hold her even closer. I’ll never be able to get her close enough. I want to hold her in my arms forever, never letting go.
I laid awake most of the night as she kept having bad dreams. I couldn’t protect her as much as I wanted to that night but I’ll be damned if I ever let anything bad happen to her again. She’s gonna need me more than ever now. A baby on the way and what happened to her dad is gonna hit her even harder once she’s more lucid. I know her too well, even better than she knows herself. By the time the sun rises, I think I might have dozed off and on for a couple of hours. I watch her stretch, her mouth opening with a yawn. So beautiful.
“Morning,” she whispers as she leans up and kisses me. We’ve been past the “morning breath” quite a few years ago. I’ve been telling her for years that hers tastes sweet but she just laughs at me.
“Morning, my love,” I whisper back and kiss her back, harder.
“I need a shower and to brush my teeth in the worst way. Help me?” she asks. Damn, if only she was healed and had her energy back.
“Of course I will.” I sit up and help her off the bed, walking with my arm around her waist to steady her. After we both relieve ourselves, she brushes her teeth while I get the shower ready. Under better circumstance, helping her remove her jammies would have been sensual. Her body is a bit battered and bruised and then there’s the bandage that covers part of her stomach, reminding me that she had surgery. I look down at her tummy and imagine a small baby cocooned inside. She looks up at me as I place my hand there, lovingly. I lean down and kiss her forehead, then bend until I place a kiss on her tummy. Her hand covers mine and smiles. No words are spoken. None are needed. We stand there for a few minutes just relishing in the fact that we’ll be parents. Our own child to love.
I help her into the shower, wash her hair, and help wash her body so we don’t get her bandage wet. It’s a tricky task but one I do gratefully and am certain it will be this way until she gets her stitches out. Her mom had told me that the knife wound was close to the baby and that a mere inch to the right would have torn into the sac, probably killing our child. Taren had also lost a fair amount of blood and had to have a transfusion. To think that I could have lost both of them makes me crazy. After I dried her off and helped her into a pair of sweatpants, wanting something loose around her waist, and a t-shirt, I help her back into bed just in time for the doctor to walk in. I stepped back so he could check her and am relieved when he announced that she can go home as soon as he gets the discharge papers ready. He recommended she still eat light for a couple of days but the way her eyes
widen, I have to hold in my laugh. I know she’s starving. He also said she should stay in bed, laying down, for at least a week. She nodded to that, probably still exhausted. Can’t blame her. I have no problem lying in bed with her. You know. To keep her comfortable.
I grab my phone from my front pocket and call Ma to tell her that we’re coming home and asking her to call everyone. She told me Pop and Kane would be by to pick us up and that our apartment is ready for us to come home. I’m not sure what she means by that. I mean, how can an apartment be ready? I just shrug and nod, like she can see me, then end the call. Two hours later and a lot of pacing on my part, we’re finally in Pop’s truck heading home. To say I’m anxious for us to get there would be a huge understatement. Even though the hospital staff was beyond great, the mattresses on the beds were so thin it felt like you were laying on a board, the pillows were not fluffy or soft, but thank God I didn’t have to eat any of their food. Thanks to my family and friends. Suddenly, emotions overtake me. Family. Friends. They were all there for us. Holding my hand as I await the news about Taren. Being there for us at the shack when our lives were in danger. Bringing us “real” food during our hospital stay. We couldn’t be more blessed. I look over when I feel Taren squeeze my hand, the one that won’t let hers go for anything. She looks at me with worry but I give her a smile, letting her know I’m okay.
I’ve never seen a better sight then our apartment building coming into view. She turns her head to me, her gorgeous smile big, and she squeezes my hand. I feel the same and cannot wait to get her home. Still moving a little slow myself, Kane helps me get Taren to our apartment door and as I pull my keys out to unlock it, it flies open. “Surprise!” I hear Taren gasp. We stand in shock in the doorway. Balloons and streamers are all over the living room. A big “Welcome Home” sign is hanging on the wall over the recliner. Both of our family and friends are inside waiting for us to enter.
“Sheesh! Go in already.” Kane’s voice penetrates my ears as he practically pushes me inside. I put my arm around Taren’s waist and help her walk until we’re finally standing in the living room.
“Took you all long enough to get here. I had to make sure the food on the stove and in the oven didn’t burn,” Irish’s voice rings out beside us. The look on her face is anything but annoyed. She’s smiling and quickly walks to us, putting her arms around Taren. “Welcome home, bestie,” she whispers in her ear.
She lets her go and walks back to the kitchen and each person steps up for a turn. We both get hugged and kissed more than we have in our entire lives. We didn’t mind. Not in the least. Our home is filled with love, care, and the most important people in our lives. Food is stacked on our small table. People gathered around, filling plates, talking, and laughing. I walked with Taren over to the couch, already made up with a blanket and some pillows. They thought of everything. “You sit with Taren, Brock. I’ll get you both some food,” Ma says as she pats my shoulder. As I sit down next to my girl, I was gonna remind her that Taren needs to eat light, but then I thought, what the hell? She just got home, and I know she’s starving. Mimi hurries over and bends down, putting her arms around Taren, whispering words of love and thankfulness in her ear. Those damn tears return in my eyes, but I’ll save them for later, when we’re alone. I look over and see Caylan sit down on the floor. He sets his plate heaped with food on the coffee table across from us and smiles. Seems like he’s joined our family and rightly so.
“Caylan,” Taren whispers. His eyes turn to her, his brows lower. “Thank you so much for saving Kane and Brock’s lives. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to tell you sooner. You’ll never know how much it means to me.” She takes my hand and squeezes. “To us.”
He swallows hard, wetness developing in his eyes. He clears his throat, nods, and smiles. “Anytime. Was glad to do it.” He and Taren stare at each other. I’m not jealous. Not at all. I’m truly thankful.
After a couple of hours of fun, family, and friends, Taren starts yawning and I know we both need to rest. Everyone says their goodbyes with hugs, kisses, and promises of stopping by again and helping out. I couldn’t feel more loved. Ma, Mimi, and Mrs. Mills stay behind to clean up as I help Taren to our bedroom. I get her tucked in, kiss her forehead, and tell her I’ll be back in a few minutes. Before I even close our door, she’s sound asleep. I walk back to the kitchen and sit down in a chair at the table, too tired to help clean. I feel bad but I’m told not to worry, that I need to heal too.
As they all bustle around me, Mrs. Mills pulls out a chair and sits down beside me. “Brock,” she begins. “I have a great idea and would like your blessing.” Huh? I lean back and listen with the greatest of attention. “I’d like to have a house built for you and Taren. I’m going to look into buying the land where your shack was as well as the land leading to it from the road. I think after you all built it, the pond, and surrounding land should be yours. It would make for a wonderful house and an out of the way place to bring up your baby. Don’t you?”
To say I’m shocked and stunned doesn’t cover what I’m feeling. “Mrs. Mills,” I start but she reaches over and puts her hand on my arm.
“Betty, please. We are family,” she says proudly.
I smile. “Betty. That sounds more than amazing but it would be too expensive. I couldn’t let….”
“Nonsense!” she says, pulling her hand back and waving. “With Tom gone….” Her face fills with sadness but then changes back quickly. “I have more money than I know what to do with. Let me help you and Taren. Let me make your lives easier and my grandchild’s. Please. I want to do this.” Her eyes widen as she looks at me hopeful.
My brows lower. It’s not that I don’t want to take her up on her offer, and it would be a dream come true, but I’m feeling like this would be too much. I look into her eyes and smile. “Let me talk to Taren first. Okay?”
“Deal!” she says and leans back in the chair. Something tells me she’s gonna get her way. But would that be so bad? I’m the bread winner, the man of the house, and I want to do everything for my family myself but wouldn’t it be a dream come true to have a house there? In our special place. Sigh. I don’t know what to do.
“Oh, honey. That is fantastic. You really should take her up on this. Pop and Kane said they would help you design the plans for the house and format the land. You and his crew could build it,” Ma says in one breath. Hmmm. They all know about this?
I turn in my chair and give her a look. “So. You’re all in on this? What the hell, Ma?”
She brushes by me, putting dirty dishes into the dishwasher. “My grandchild….” She turns her head and smiles at Betty. “Our grandchild needs a good place to grow up. What better place than where their parents grew up.” True. She has a point.
“I get that and would love it. I’m just not so keen to taking such an expense from someone.” I turn to Betty. “Don’t get me wrong, I really love the idea and I’m so grateful. Really. I just wanted us to make it on our own, ya know?”
“So stubborn. Such a man. Take it and live a happy life, Brock.” Ma smirks at me.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and look back at Betty. “I understand, Brock. I really do. I want to do this for you and my daughter. I want you all to have the happiest life. I know you already have the love and support. Let me do this for you.”
I put my hand over hers. “You know what? Let’s do it!” Her smile is wide, and she seems to bounce and when I look at Betty, she’s bouncing in her chair. “But let’s make it a surprise for Taren.” They both nodd, smiles plastered on their faces. I swallow the lump in my throat, and something tells me swallowing your pride every once in a while is the right thing to do.
Chapter Seventeen
Taren
I awaken from the best nap in the arms of my love. I’m sore and my stitches itch, but I’ve never felt more content. Walking in and having our family and friends here, welcoming us home, was overwhelming but in a good way. Our small apartment was filled with laughter and grea
t food. I ate more than I probably should have. At the time, I didn’t care. I was starved! My stomach seemed to handle it okay. However, it made me even more tired and ready to crash. Everyone understood when the time came for them all to leave. I just about fell asleep on the couch. Brock helped me to our bedroom and into bed. I barely remember him kissing me on my forehead before I was out like a light. Now I hear his light breathing, his warm breath hitting my neck. I need to pee in the worst way, and I hate disturbing him. I think some have forgotten that he was injured too and needs his rest as much as I do.
I slide to the edge of the bed, my stitches pulling with my movement, and I wince. I lay my hand on the nightstand, helping me to stand. He stirs and my head whips around, holding my breath so I don’t wake him. When I’m sure he’s still asleep, I creep, as much as my body will allow, to the bathroom and close the door. After flipping on the light, I catch my reflection in the mirror. I’ve really avoided it because I’m afraid I’ll look as bad as I feel. I’m a little relieved when I see myself. There are dark circles under my eyes, not to mention the bandage on the top of my forehead as well as the bruising that’s now turning that ugly yellow-green on my cheek. All in all, I look like I was hit by a truck, but I could look worse. After relieving myself, I try to run my brush through my hair and gave up after a few tries. Even that tired me out, and now I’m hungry again and ready for another nap. Soon it will be nighttime so a nap might be out of the question.
