Ever After

by Heather McBride

  “Will, help me.” I was only able to whisper. I could feel him scoop me up into his arms. He cradled me close to his chest protectively. I felt him grab his cell and dial for help. I leaned into him, thankful he was here. I could hear him tell the 911 operator the details and my address.

  “I’m so sorry Corrine. I had to take care of two of Todd’s friends when I went to get into my car to come to you. I never should have left you alone, I’m so sorry. I should have seen this coming.” I could feel him kissing my forehead, stroking my hair. He told me over and over to hang on.

  “I don’t think I can. I’m so cold Will.” I could barely speak my body was getting weaker.

  “You have to try, please. You know I can’t live without you. Corrine, you must fight for me, for us.”

  I could feel Will adjusting the towels. I could hear him on the phone as I drifted in and out of consciousness. It was getting harder to breathe. I suddenly felt so much pressure on my chest it was hard to breathe. I tensed in William’s arms trying to keep air going into my lungs.

  “What is it sweetie? You have to stay still if you can.”

  “I…I can’t breathe. I….” I started crying. I couldn’t do this anymore it was no use my body was betraying me. I knew it was shutting down. William was holding me begging me to fight and I had nothing left in me to fight with.

  “No, my angel. Please hold on, the ambulance is coming. I hear it.” He kissed my cheek. “Just a minute longer please.” Will’s voice was muffled now. I turned my head into his chest, clinging to his shirt with my fingers desperate not to leave him. I held onto him as if he could keep me alive.

  “Don’t let me die Will, even if you have to change me to be like you. Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Please. I never want to be without you.”

  “Corrine, I will do it. It’s against the rules but I will do it if I must. I promise you.” He kissed my lips softly and I relaxed, trusting him to do what he had to do. I felt no pain as I suddenly heard people all around me. The paramedics were barking out orders to each other. I could hear William answering their questions. I could also hear police cars outside. They grilled Will with questions as he stood there, with my blood all over his hands and shirt.

  I wanted to tell them I was okay and that William had not done this to me. I wanted to take Will away from all the cops asking questions. I wanted to scream to them that Todd had done this. He was out there somewhere free, and they had to find him. It was all pointless. I couldn’t speak. I had lost all control of my body; it didn’t even feel like my own now.

  Chapter 17

  Wounded

  It was an odd thing to be present among people you know and love, hearing them speak to you and talking to each other. The odd thing being you cannot talk or move only hear, like being stuck in a bubble or cocoon. I could hear every word said, but my body was like a vault and I was locked inside. I was unable to communicate with any of them. I so desperately wanted to break out and open my eyes, but it was impossible.

  Pain in waves seeped into my little bubble. I then most often after that felt a warm rush in my arm. I assumed it was an intravenous line of some sort. It helped erase the pain quickly. It was drugs, I assumed. The flow of visitors was constant from what I could hear. People held my hand and talked to me. They urged me to fight and to live and begged me to come back.

  William was always there. I could feel his very presence in the room somehow. He gave off a calming effect. I could feel him slide in next to me late at night when everybody had gone home. I felt his arms around me as he talked to me softly, pleading with me to come back to him. I tried desperately to squeeze his hand when he asked me to. I longed to touch him. He would kiss my lips but I could not kiss him back, it was like a nightmare. I feared this was going to be it. I would never wake up and I would be trapped inside myself until I died an old woman. My body had become my own personal prison.

  I hated when Will left. I knew he had to maintain a regular life, or at least appear to, so people would not think him different or unusual. The times nobody was in the room were the worst. I often wondered if I might have died and just did not know it because of the silence. After all, I hadn’t ever been dead before so who knew what happened?

  The routine was the same with my parents. My father came to visit every morning before he went to work. Sara stopped by the last five minutes of his visit to appear as if she actually gave a crap about me. I had heard every conversation they had every day. Dad was concerned; the doctors had expected me to be responding to treatments by now. The term “questionable recovery” came up and Sara had brought up the fact I may need to live in an assisted living home. I wanted to reach up and smack her. I was not going to be impaired by this. I could think just fine my stupid body just refused to cooperate.

  “This is getting ridiculous John, what do Doctor Mott and Parker say about it?” Sara complained one rainy afternoon. I only knew it was raining, because I heard it hitting the windows. I knew she meant me when she said “it.” I cringed as they started to discuss me. This was my fifth morning in the hospital. I could hear my dad sigh as he sat down. I felt him take my hand and kiss the top of it.

  “We have to wait. They did a brain scan early this morning, and they will give us the results shortly. I have cancelled all my meetings today so we can have a good meeting with the specialists.” I could barely stay awake to listen to what he was talking about. I was in a deep sleep off and on. I figured the nurses gave me something to knock me out on a regular basis.

  “Well finally. Then we can figure out where she needs to go. She doesn’t seem to be doing anything in here.” She drummed her manicured nails on the counter impatiently.

  “I only pray they will find some brain activity. I…” He was tearing up. I could hear him sniff, trying not to cry. “I just don’t know if I can handle it if she doesn’t come through this. I just don’t.” I too wanted to cry. I wished so badly to reach out to him to tell him to give me just a little more time and I would wake up.

  “I do not like that Doctor Parker or Doctor Mott for that matter. Mott’s always in a hurry and Parker seems so odd and what is it they all call him?”

  “Doc. They just call him Doc for short around the hospital Sara.” He took a deep breath, squeezing my hand again. “He is one of the country’s leading neurosurgeons. He’s one of the best, very respected in his field. I like him; he’s got a very professional manner.”

  “I still don’t like him. I heard he is William’s grandfather or something. Is that so?”

  “Yes he is. He speaks very highly of his grandson. I myself think a lot of that young man myself. He’s been by Corrine’s side nonstop.” I heard her snort as she walked over to the other chair by my bed, her heels clicking loudly on the tile floor.

  “Really? Well I hope that for her sake she isn’t brain-damaged. That boy will be gone in a flash. He will not want to deal with that. They are both so young anyway. He’s a good looking kid. He won’t want to be tied to a vegetable for the rest of his life….some other girl will snap him up.”

  “Sara, don’t you say things like that. Corrine is a fighter. She will pull through. I can’t believe you would say something so cruel at a time like this. She needs out prayers and love not negativity!”

  “Life is cruel and you know it. You can’t sugarcoat this John. She may never be the same girl, and it’s just something we have to face. To fool ourselves into believing she will ever fully recover from this is just ridiculous.”

  “Now come on Sara.” My dad tried to jump in, but she went on.

  “I just do not see that boy sticking around if things get bad for Corrine. I mean do you really think he will be here if she is…well, not the same?” I so wanted to scream out to her that I was in fact the same, and not a vegetable as she had said.

  “You know what? I do think he will stay around, and I will tell you why. He has saved her twice this year. He stayed by her side each time, talking to her and encouraging her to f
ight. He loves her. I also know one thing for a fact, from all the nurses and his own grandfather. He only leaves her to change clothes and check in with his parents. I also know he stays here all night, every night watching and praying over her! Somehow the nurses allow it, they tell me her vital signs are higher when he is in the room.” I waited for her to spout some sarcastic response.

  “I… didn’t know that,” she muttered.

  “Do you see how he looks at her? He watches her every breath. He is totally in love with Corrine. I have never in my life seen more devotion in a couple so young.” I could tell he was smiling; his voice was much lighter now.

  “Well…that’s the thing… they are very young John. He may be after her money. It’s no secret she’s your sole heir, and he could be plotting to get her inheritance. I’ve seen it in the news all the time, people lose their minds over money, and he may want Corrine’s.” That was just what I had expected. She was right back on track with her snippy comments and pessimism.

  “That’s a real good one. You of all people should know about William’s family, being the social bloodhound you are. William’s father and his family name are heavily linked to one of the nation’s biggest medical corporations. I know they are tied to at least three Fortune 500 companies as well. I daresay that boy is far from being a gold digger.” He laughed, taking a sip of coffee.

  “Well…I just…I…” She was at a loss for words. I loved it. The bag was speechless. To think she thought Will was after my money was so stupid. “Perhaps he will marry her then. Oh,… what a good match they would make. He…uh… seems very smart and well educated too.” Sara upon learning of Will’s family’s money quickly tried to cover her harsh words. I found it very amusing; if I could have smiled, I would have,

  “You amaze me sometimes,” my dad snapped back at her.

  “What?” She gasped in shock. Why are you so angry? It’s true.”

  “Sara, just two seconds ago William Darcy was a no good gold digger. I tell you the truth that his family is wealthy beyond anything we know, and now you’re marrying off Corrine to him! In fact if she woke up tomorrow, I bet you would nose around and see if they might possibly be thinking about getting married!”

  The two argued over her flighty behavior. Dad was fuming over how little Sara cared for me. I also had not known the two were in marriage counseling. That came out in the argument too. She brought up their therapist several times, and how she needed to call her. I figured it was a weak attempt to hold onto my dad. They had a prenuptial agreement, as far as I knew. Sara would come away with very little if she blew this marriage. I wished I could laugh aloud. She would deserve being booted out of her precious country club and having her gold card revoked. I just lay there listening, like a fly on the wall. If only they knew, I had just heard every word they said.

  They left finally and I focused on trying to wake up and move. I had been pushing myself, fighting the haze I was trapped in. I was so tired of it all. Will had been an angel, staying with me, talking to me. He prayed for me too, which caught me off guard. I wasn’t overly religious, but I believed in God and went to church with Gran a lot. I hadn’t any idea, with him being how he was, that he had any religious links. He did though, and maybe it’s because he was only half vampire. I reasoned that since he was only half vampire that he still had his soul. I wasn’t sure if this was right, and if I ever woke up, I was definitely going to ask him.

  I could tell he knew I could hear him. I had managed to slightly squeeze his hand yesterday when he begged me to. It was so hard but he felt it. The results of my brain scan came back, after Dad and Sara’s big fight. I had normal brain waves, thank God. I was not a vegetable, and now they just had to figure out why I was still in a coma. Gran had formed a prayer circle at our church and I hoped God would hear and help me get out of this mess.

  I lay there that night, a major thunderstorm was going on outside. It was spring now and I could hear the cracks of lightning. The rain was pelting the window hard as I tried to open my eyes. They stung but I had to try again. The doctors had lowered my pain medication. They suspected the drugs were pushing me into a coma. They called it a rare reaction to the medication, but not unheard of.

  Chapter 18

  Fighting to wake

  The pain was back now because of the drastic change in the dose. I could feel my headache, and my wrists were stinging where they were wrapped. I must have been crying from the pain, and moving because Will was instantly at my side stroking my hair and talking to me.

  “Up Corrine, climb out of there. It’s time; you have to wake up for me.” His voice was desperate and pleading. I slowly forced my eyes open. His face was so close to mine it was blurry. I could hear my heart monitor speed up as I blinked hard to clear my vision. I was getting panicky.

  “Come now love, I’ve got you. It’s okay.” I felt his arms around me. I took a few ragged deep breaths as his beautiful face came into focus finally.

  I ignored the pain in my arms and chest as I looked into his amazing blue eyes. I had feared I would never see them again. I smiled weakly as he cupped my face with his hands and gently kissed my lips.

  “William.”

  “Oh Corrine, I’m so happy you’re awake. I was beginning to think you couldn’t come out of this.” I took a deep breath, as a tear ran down his cheek. He sighed with relief as I smiled. I winced as a sharp pain shot through my head. Will gently laid me back down, his eyes now on the heart monitor. I looked around the room, the machines that had been keeping me alive were next to my bed like an army clicking and pumping.

  I saw balloons and tons of flowers and two or three really huge teddy bears holding “get well soon” signs. I turned to see Will watching me, his black hair sticking up, where he had been asleep in the chair next to my bed. I smiled at him again. He took my hand carefully.

  “Rest now. The nurses will be in here shortly, your heart monitor’s going crazy.” He winked at me and I rolled my eyes. That was to be counted on when he was in the room. I went a little bit crazy and the heart monitor confirmed that. I jumped a bit when the night shift nurse popped in, concern filling her wrinkled face.

  “Oh… my Ms. Whitmore, you are awake. I wondered what was going on in here.” The nurse winked at Will. “You were right William, tonight was the night she would wake up. However did you guess such a thing?” She smiled at Will, still holding my hand at my bedside.

  “Just a hunch I guess.” He flashed a dazzling grin. I laughed softly at his effect on the nurse, as she seemed lost in his smile. She proceeded to check my vital signs, adjust my lines, and take my temperature. She sent a page my doctors. Will had already called Doc, to let him know I was awake. He was on his way over to the hospital now, despite it being two in the morning.

  “Amazing, Doctor Parker’s dedication. He never sleeps much.” The nurse commented. Will and I winked at each other, knowing why Doc would be up at this hour; this family secret was unknown to the innocent nurse of course.

  The pain was staring to burn in my arms. I winced, looking away toward the window, so Will wouldn’t see. I gripped the sheets. The heart monitor jumped announcing my agony to them.

  “Are you in pain, dear?” The nurse moved quickly to my side looking at the monitor closer.

  “Yes,” I whispered with my eyes closed. Will held my hand now, and he rubbed my back gently as I tried to calm down. “It hurts so badly, it’s my head.” I whispered not looking up, trying to slow my breathing down.

  “Okay dear, hang on. I can help you. Doctor Parker gave orders for certain pain medications should you wake tonight.” I didn’t look at her injecting the needle in my arm. I only felt a prick and then quickly, the pain lessened to a tolerable level. Will stepped back as the nurse finished with me. He sat in the chair quietly observing.

  “I’m okay now. I think… it’s not so bad.” I sighed as she poured me a glass of water.

  “Now drink slowly, and if you keep this down, we can see about something to eat
for you. You’re going to be very hungry.” I smiled weakly and nodded as I clutched the water glass, my throat was so dry. I could have drunk a gallon of water.

  The nurse left, and William got back up and sat on the edge of my bed, as I inhaled the water greedily.

  “You scared me for a while,” he said, softly kissing my forehead. “I was starting to fear you couldn’t wake up and were lost to me.”

  “I tried, but I just couldn’t.” I inhaled a jagged breath so many emotions flooding my mind. “I could hear you and feel your touch.”

  “I know. I told them you could but they didn’t listen. Only Doc understood.”

  I sat there silently. The horror of the night of the attack was seeping back in to my mind. I knew why I was in here, but now I was remembering the details. I looked up at Will. He already knew what I was thinking.