Touched

by Vicki Green

  I look over at Jade when I hear her happy gasp and receive the biggest smile. She reaches her hand out, and I take it in mine. I can’t seem to grasp it too hard as I feel so weak. Finally, my eyes return to Phillip. “I’m ready. I need to get stronger yet and get the hell home with my girl.”

  He chuckles. “Good. How about we start with a light lunch?” My stomach takes that moment to growl loudly, and they both laugh. “Yes, well I guess that gave me my answer.” He starts to walk away. “I’ll let your nurse know. Good to see your eyes open, my friend.” He walks out the door, closing it behind him and Jade’s in the bed before I can turn around.

  She cups my face again, her mouth presses against mine, and I actually moan, just feeling her. “I’m so happy you came back to me,” she whispers.

  She starts to move back, but I slide my hand under her long hair, grabbing the back of her neck and pull her back to my mouth, the IV straining with my move but I don’t care. “Mmmm, I’ll never leave you. Remember that. Never.” Our kissing begins to get heated but then my mouth decides to let out a huge yawn breaking us apart.

  Her face is full of worry, and she frowns. Her finger touches around my moist lips and she sighs. “You need to get your strength up and you’re tired, darling.” She adjusts herself and lays down next to me never removing her hand from my arm, always touching as her head snuggles against my shoulder.

  “Talk to me, Angel. I had so many vivid dreams but now I can’t remember them. I remember hearing your voice always next to me.” I turn my head until we are face to face and stare into her beautiful eyes and my brows lower in confusion. “It seems there was something about a sandbox and a picture?”

  Her brows raise as she smiles so bright. “You heard me.”

  I smile back, my finger lightly rubbing over her chin, jaw and around her cheek. “I think I heard you but it seems like I was dreaming.”

  “Do you remember as a little boy playing in a sandbox at a park with a little girl?” She asks, still whispering but with hope in her sweet voice.

  My heart starts to race as memories and so many feelings sweep through my mind, my heart and my soul. “Yes,” I whisper back. Why do I feel so nervous?

  “It was me,” she whispers softly, her chin quivers as her eyes fills with tears.

  “What? What do you mean it was you? I… She was my first love, my first girl and…” I’m so confused. What is she telling me? It couldn’t be her. Could it?

  Her hand lays against my face, her wet eyes searching mine. “Yes, Knox. It’s me.” My eyes now fill with tears as I grab her arms and pull her into me, my hand holding the back of her head firmly, the other cupping her face as I hold on tightly.

  “Oh, my God! Angel, my angel. It really is you but how…?”

  The side of her face rubs against mine. “Fate, Knox. It’s fate that brought us back together and love, love reached us both and bound us forever.” My eyes close, the tears meshing with hers, and I squeeze her even tighter. Her warm lips press on my face and make their way over to my ear. “Be careful that you don’t hurt our baby.”

  I push her back just far enough to see her bright eyes and the huge smile on her glowing tear streaked face. “Baby?” I whisper.

  She giggles and then bites her lip. “Yes, my love. We’re pregnant.” I can’t get her back close to me any faster, her laughter in my ear is sweet music. I’m going to be a daddy!

  “Angel, I… I couldn’t be happier. I’m going to be a daddy.” I kiss all over her face, and her giggles continue as I make my way all around. She finally pulls back and settles down next to me, sitting up with her legs crossed but not releasing my hand. “When did you find out, are you ok? You took a hard hit. Is the baby ok? Is it a boy or a girl? Oh, that’s doesn’t matter to me. When will the baby be born? Are you taking care of yourself? Are you eating properly?” She laughs again as she presses her finger against my mouth, shushing me immediately and my mouth forms into a smile against her finger, then I kiss it.

  “Please don’t turn into, Amber,” she giggles then her smile turns sad. “I’m sorry you weren’t the first to know but when I passed out…”

  “WHAT?” I shout.

  “Shhh. Don’t get all riled up, it’s not good for you right now.” She smiles again and I relax, but only a little. She’d better start talking or I’m getting up and taking her home to take proper care of her and our baby. “I wouldn’t eat or sleep. I was so worried about you and I ended up passing out. At first, Dr. Whiteman thought it was my head injury but ran some tests and found out I was pregnant. I’m not very far along so they can’t determine a due date yet but they will be able to in several weeks. Are you happy? Truly happy?”

  My hand presses against her neck bringing her mouth to mine again, and I kiss her with all the passion and love I’m feeling. Her soft moan enters my mouth. My other hand holds her face as my fingers thread into her hair, and I’m lost in her. We turn our heads in unison, our lips sticking to each other’s when we hear someone clear their throat. A nurse is walking into the room carrying a tray of food, and she walks over placing it on the bedside table, moving it over me. Jade giggles and sits up but never leaving my side.

  “Now, this side is yours, Mr. Dunway. All light foods and this side is Miss Morley’s. She needs to eat more for herself and the baby.” The nurse points to each side of the tray and then scowls at Jade. “You need to get nourishment in you. Got me?” Jade’s eyes are wide, but she nods and gives her a smile. “Good.” She starts to leave us but keeps talking as she walks. “If you need more, use the nurses button and I’ll bring it. That tray better be empty of food when I get back.” She closes the door behind her, Jade and I look at each other and laugh.

  “I like her. She’s tough like you but hard on you like I am,” I smirk.

  She lightly smacks my arm and then dives into her food. “I am starving! Oh, my God! This is so good,” she says with a mouthful.

  I give a sad look at my side of the tray and pick up my spoon, taking a small bite of my Jell-O then look over at her side. “You’re side looks so much better than mine.” She looks over at me, fork raised and gives me a frown.

  “Eat, darling. If you’re a good boy and eat everything, you can have more and then you can maybe graduate to better food with more substance.” My face lightens a bit at her words and I start to eat more of my less than substantial food. “Hey, once we get home I’m going to fix you the biggest meal and we will have a belated birthday party for you.”

  My eyes brighten. I’d forgotten I aged a year in the last few days. “Oh, I’d forgotten. What did you get me,” my eyebrows waggle at her and am delighted when she giggles around her fork.

  “Now, now. Not going to tell you or it would ruin your surprise.” She leans over and kisses me, her mouth doing wonders for my appetite, but it’s not food I’m wanting anymore. “I can’t wait to give it to you, my love.”

  My mouth presses harder against hers, our breathing becomes labored in its intensity. “I can’t wait to give it to you either.” Her panting is only spurring me on and my cock twitches as I notice her nipples strain against her shirt.

  She sets down her fork and lays her hand against the side of my face. “All in good time, darling. Let’s get your strength up first. When we make love, we going for a record time.” Our mouths smile pressed together, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life and hope it never ends.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Two days later we are finally ready to leave the hospital. Thank God, Tabbie brought us some clean clothes and bathroom necessities the other day. Now that Knox is getting stronger, even though he has a ways to go yet, I finally tore myself away from him long enough to take a shower and make myself more presentable. We can go home and begin our lives all over again at last. He’s just as stubborn as I am, refusing to get in the wheelchair until I promise him I’ll sit on his lap if he’ll do as he’s told. His gorgeous smile and strong arms around me was worth the small ride into the elevator
along with a bunch of kisses until we get outside. There’s a mob of paparazzi all over the place but also officers to keep them back. Of course, he shrugs off Ralph’s help getting in the SUV and almost falls, but he finally manages and we snuggle together all the way home. My arm is through his as we walk into the front door, and I quickly look to see if my surprise is in place before leading him to the living room. I almost fall over when he stops abruptly, and I look back at his shocked face. His eyes are wide, his mouth open as he grips my arm tightly. “Do you like it?” I ask in a small, insecure voice.

  I can tell he can hardly tear his eyes from it when his head turns to me. “Are you kidding me? That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He bends down and tries to lift me but winces and quickly covers his chest with his hand.

  “Knox! Be careful!” I grab his arm and slowly lead him over to the couch, helping him sit, his eyes never leaving the picture on the wall over the fireplace. When I sit down beside him, his arm immediately moves around my shoulder, bringing me into his side.

  “I don’t think you’ve ever been as beautiful as you are in this picture, Angel. I can’t get over it.” I close my eyes as his mouth finds mine and when I open them, again, he’s still staring at the picture then they finally make their way to mine and soften. “Marry me. Make me the happiest man in the world and a legal daddy to our baby. Let’s be a happy family and do things right.”

  My eyes blink with wetness as I smile and don’t hesitate a second. “Yes.” His eyes grow wide and he just stares at me. My smile is huge, and I giggle. “I said, yes.”

  I’m pushed down onto the couch, quickly, and his body is on top of mine in an instant. “Angel, sweetheart. Did you really say yes?” My head bobs up and down as I laugh but his lips are on mine so fast I don’t have time to take a breath. We lay there enjoying each other and then his head raises and he gives me the most loving smile. “I don’t think I can get much happier than this. I’ve waited for you all my life. What took you so long?”

  My finger traces his lips and then I place my hand on his chest, careful of his injury. “I got lost but finally found my way home.”

  He leans down, kisses my mouth gently and rests there. “Home. It will always be where you and our children are.”

  My brow raises and I tilt my head. “Children?”

  He kisses me again. “Count on it.”

  I could never be as happy as I am now. To think that this man was that little boy oh so many years ago that I had fallen in love with. Yes, we were so young, but I knew in my heart, he was the one.

  As the day turned into evening, Knox drove me crazy with wanting to have sex. The man will not give up. He doesn’t seem to realize that he’s still healing and could bust open his stitches if he’s not careful, not to mention how close to death he had come and could have a heart attack from too much exertion. So, I did the next best thing. I lead him to our bedroom, got his pants and boxers down and gave his cock what it needed. Major attention. That helped relieve some stress for him, but then he pulled me up to him by my arms, rolled me over and proceeded to have his own fun with my breasts, and I won’t even go into what he did with my extremely wet pussy. Let’s just say, we both were very satisfied when done. Then we had a bath together but again had to be careful of his stitches.

  Once cleaned and dressed I’m finishing applying makeup when he walks up behind me, his arms moving around my waist and his hands cover my flat stomach. “How long until you start poofing?” He grins at me in the mirror as I wrinkle up my nose at him.

  “Ha, poofing?” My laugh makes him smile wider.

  “Yeah, poofing. You know you’re stomach poofing out. Our baby will grow and make your stomach poof. When will that happen?” He asks inquisitively.

  “Um, I’m not sure. I’m going to buy a pregnancy book and read about everything. I hope not too soon though,” I laugh. Sighing I turn in his arms. “This is so surreal, ya know? I thought I’d be alone forever, was going to make sure of it. No chance for heartache, no getting hurt, no feelings to be crushed but then you found me.” My head tilts a little, my eyes squint and I whisper, “How did you find me?”

  “I saw you through the window at the gym when I was walking by one day. After that, I followed you, found out everything I could about you and then I went into the club one night and I knew you were the one. My heart beat for the second time since I met you on the playground. I didn’t understand my feelings then but for the second time in my life, I was alive again. You touched my heart, my soul: forever.”

  My body and mouth crush against his, my fingers threading through his hair as his hands are all over my back. I don’t think we can get close enough to each other. My mouth releases his and my face rubs up his soft skin, my teeth nipping his earlobe, eliciting a sexy moan from him. “We have to stop. I can’t take it anymore.” He bends to try to lift me, and I push back gently because I know it will hurt him. He becomes frustrated and takes my hand, his full intention to lead me to bed, when the doorbell rings. His hands run through his hair and pouts.

  “Perfect timing,” he grumbles leaving me to finish in the bathroom.

  I look in the mirror, my face flush and my hair looks like we did just have sex. I do damage control, smooth my dress and go to join our guests. He can’t get healed fast enough, and we may both combust before he does.

  By the time I get to the living room Tabbie and Amber are already having a drink by the bar. “Jade! The picture is magnificent. You did great with that,” Tabbie screeches as I walk up to Knox, putting an arm around his waist as he does mine.

  Amber looks at us and smiles. “You two are too cute together. And to think, you knew each other as kids and then found each other again. It’s like a romance movie.” She sighs and takes a sip of her drink. “Oh! And there was a huge mob of paparazzi out front when we got here. Thank goodness Ralph and Emmy came and helped us get into the house.” My eye brows raise into my hair and I give her ‘the look’. “Em… Um… I mean Emerson.”

  “Amber. Emmy? Really?” I smirk. She looks down at her feet and then raises her eyes to me and a slight smile on her pretty face. “Oh, girl you and I have some talking to do.”

  My head turns when Knox chuckles and then snaps his mouth shut when he figures out he’s busted. “Why don’t you and Amber go get the food while Tabbie and I have a little chat?” I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss his full lips and then turn and walk over to Amber, threading my arm through hers, and we head out for the kitchen.

  “What’s that all about?” Amber asks as we walk.

  “Who knows? He’s full of surprises.” We smile at each other, and my walking is as light as I feel. I’m so happy.

  § § § §

  “Is everything in place for tomorrow?” Tabbie smiles and giggles while nodding eagerly. “Good. Damn, I can’t wait to get her there. She’s going to be so surprised.”

  “Knox, it’s a perfect place and the plans are phenomenal. I wish I could live there. You two are going to be so happy. I mean three.” She giggles again. “I’m so proud of you.”

  I take a sip of my Tonic with lime and smile. “Oh, it’ll be more than three of us. That you can bet on. What time are we going? My minds a little jumbled still since the accident.”

  She gives me a frown. “Around two o’clock. Is that still ok? We can go any time.”

  “No! No, that’s fine.” My head turns as Jade’s voice interrupts.

  “What’s fine?” She walks over to me, setting a tray of food on the bar then leans over and gives me a quick peck.

  I reach over and grab a Hors d’oeuvre and pop it in my mouth. “Nothing.” She eyes me wearily and then takes one herself, and I watch as she puts it in her mouth, slowly chewing. Damn, she even makes that look sexy. I think I need to call Phillip tomorrow to see what my sexual limitations are. I’m going to combust if I don’t have her soon.

  “So you all gave your statements in the hospital but you still have to go there tomorrow?” Ta
bbie asks, putting our plan in motion. Jade looks over at me and I shrug, eyeing Amber over Jade’s head because I don’t trust her not to squeal.

  “We do? That seems odd. Why would we need to do that when we’ve told them everything already? I thought they said we were done?” I put my arm around her shoulder and kiss the top of her head.

  “Last minute I guess. I got a call earlier today. Sorry I forgot to tell you, Angel.” She takes a sip of her water and smiles. “It’ll be over quick. I promise.” My hand squeezes her shoulder, and she relaxes.

  The girls made a great dinner or more like a feast. We’ve been sitting around the table eating, talking and laughing. Best time I’ve had in a long time. “So, we would sit there almost all day and build our imaginary castle. It would have two levels and a finished basement, lots of windows and a beach right behind it.” Jade sets her elbow on the table, her chin resting on her hand and sighs, looking at me with such love. “It was our dream house that he built for me, I only helped a little. I wish I would have gotten a picture of it.”

  “That’s so romantic. And you were only four and eight years old? Pretty smart for little kids and pretty romantic. I’m telling ya this could be an award winning movie,” Amber states as she takes a bite of her food. She looks over at me and winks and I quickly turn to find Jade looking at her plate, then taking a bite from her fork. Looking back at Amber, I raise a brow and smirk. She’s going to ruin the surprise, I just know it.

  Finally, they leave around ten o’clock, and I’m exhausted. “Go get in bed, darling. I’ll clean up. You just got out of the hospital and are over doing it.” Jade kisses my lips and I hold onto her when she tries to leave.