Waiting for Romeo

by Diane Mannino

  Logan leans forward and gently kisses my forehead. “Shh…you’re safe now, baby.”

  I breathe. “I blacked out and the next thing I know I’m in a dark room.”

  “Do you remember anything about the room? Do you think you were in his house? Anything you can remember…any little detail is helpful Emilia.” The detective pauses for a second then continues. “I already have my partner on this Milton/Hughes fucker. We’ll get him, Emilia.”

  I smile at her hatred and vehemence. “I hope so.” I pause and then try and remember details of the room. “It was so dark, but I know it was a room on the second floor…maybe a bedroom. There was one window but it was boarded up that’s why it was so dark. It took my eyes a little while to adjust, but then I could see there were two doors.”

  “No furniture or anything?” The detective asks.

  “No…it was empty. Just a boarded up window and two doors…that’s all I can remember. I’m pretty sure, but like I said it was hard to see.” I murmur.

  Logan sighs. “You’re sure you want to continue? Maybe you should rest? She probably has enough to go on right now.” He says, quietly.

  I blink up at him. “It’s okay, Logan.”

  “You’re sure, Emilia? Logan is right…if you want to take a break…I can get the rest of your statement later.” Detective Fernandez glances back and forth from my eyes to Logan’s.

  “I want to tell you how I realized it was him and not Sebastian.” I whisper.

  “Okay, but just tell me when you’re tired or don’t feel like talking anymore.” Logan says, softly.

  I smile up at him.

  “What?” He looks, amused.

  “I wanted to talk for so long. I heard you…I heard the voices around me and I can’t tell you how badly I wanted to talk. So right now, there’s nothing I’d rather do than talk.” I lean my head back against the pillow.

  “Okay.” He strokes my hair.

  “I don’t know if it was his house. Maybe. Everything happened so fast and it was dark. There wasn’t anything that I remember seeing that made me think this is where he lives, but it was definitely a house and I was in the upstairs room.” I pause a second and gather my thoughts.

  “My wrists were tied behind my back, but the rope was fairly loose so I was able to get out of it…that was my saving grace. If my hands were still bound when he came in the room I don’t think…” My voice cracks.

  “Oh, baby.” Logan whispers and kisses me softly again.

  I swallow and fight back the tears. “I thought it was Sebastian. I made my way to the door and tried to turn the knob but it was locked. He was just on the other side because he heard the knob turn. He said one word: ‘Don’t.’” The memory of the word sounds chills through me.

  Logan squeezes my hand, gently. “You’re safe now, baby. It’s okay.”

  I nod and gaze up at him. “I still thought it was Sebastian. I tried to talk to him. I was worried he had the gun on him. I kept talking to him…pleading with him until he just got fed up with me. He was angry. He threw open the door and that’s when I realized it wasn’t Sebastian.”

  “Why don’t you shut the fuck up.” His voice echoes in my head and the tears well up in my eyes.

  “I couldn’t believe it at first. I thought I was having a nightmare…like I often do, but he looked different…older, heavier, darker hair, but it was his eyes that I recognized immediately. I…I couldn’t move at first.” I start to cry.

  “Emilia, I’m so sorry.” Logan breathes and I lean into his chest.

  “You know, I’m going to go now.” Detective Fernandez stands. “But may I ask just one more question? You may or may not know the answer to.”

  “Sure.” I whisper.

  “Why? Why would he go to all this trouble to come after you? Change his identity and after all this time.”

  “I think I can answer that for you.” Logan says, quietly and looks towards me for approval to continue.

  I nod.

  “The sick fuck raped his own daughter, repeatedly. Emilia was friends with the girl and when she told Emilia what was going on…she encouraged the girl to tell someone and get help…that was just before Emilia and her dad moved out here.”

  “The daughter probably ratted him out and he blames Emilia.” Detective Fernandez mutters and scribbles on her notepad again.

  “Do you remember her name? The daughter?”

  “Jenna.” I breathe.

  “Do you know for sure that’s what happened…that the daughter went to the police or someone?” Detective Fernandez asks.

  “No…we don’t know that for sure, but when Milton…Mr. Hughes came into the room he said, ‘Paybacks a bitch.’” I shudder at the thought. “He also said, ‘you ruined my life, I’m here to ruin yours’.” I answer. My voice is quiet and shaky.

  “Sounds like we have a definite motive. Emilia, you’re an amazing young woman. You just get yourself better and we’ll make sure this fucking asshole spends the rest of his life rotting in jail.”

  “Thank you.” Logan says, quietly as my tears start to fall.

  “I’ll let you know what we find out as soon I hear something.” Detective Fernandez says and then heads out the door.

  “I just want to hold you.” Logan whispers as I weep into his chest. “But I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You’re not hurting me…please hold me.” I say, softly.

  He lies down beside me. Then very slowly and carefully he wraps his arms around me.

  “I feel so safe in your arms.” My tears stop falling as I gaze into his eyes.

  He gently wipes my tear-stained cheeks with his fingers. “I love you, Emilia. If I could hold you like this, surround you, keep you tight in my arms and safe forever I would. All I can do is try and I promise I will try every day for the rest of my life.”

  “I love you, too, Logan. I was so scared. I thought I was never going to see you again.” I sigh.

  “I know, baby. I thought the same thing…I was so worried. I knew something was wrong…we were at the track waiting for you. It’s not like you to be late. I was worried when you were just a few minutes late…I knew something wasn’t right.”

  “I was texting you, Logan. It happened so fast if I had just typed in something to alert you.” I frown.

  “You were amazing, Emilia. We can both come up with things we wish we could have done or done differently. Trust me, I’ve been beating myself about a handful of things. But you…you were strong, smart, and brave. Do you remember when you told me about your dream about a knight on a white horse carrying you off and rescuing you from your troubles?”

  “Yes.”

  “You know, I doubt very much you need a knight on a white horse to carry you away…I think if anyone is saving anyone here…you are saving me.” He brushes the hair back off my shoulder.

  “Oh, Logan. You are my knight in shining armor…my prince. You were there waiting for me…if you weren’t there and I didn’t get to the hospital when I did…I don’t think you’re giving yourself enough credit.”

  He sighs. “You always have a remarkable way of looking at things.”

  “It’s the truth.” I smile. “Besides, my strength came from you.”

  “Oh?” He asks. His expression is a mixture of bewilderment and bemusement. “How do you figure that?”

  “You were in my every thought. I fought him because I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing you again. Every bone and muscle in my body wanted me to stop fighting, but my love for you kept me going. Logan, loving you is what kept me alive.” I say, softly.

  His arms slide a little tighter around me, pulling me closer to him. His lips brush softly against my forehead. “I thought I’d lost you…forever.”

  “No way.” I smile at him. “I think you might be stuck with me.”

  “There’s no one I’d rather be stuck with, baby.” He caresses my cheek gently with his fingers. “And speaking of being stuck with each other, I want to…”
r />   There’s a soft knock as the door opens, interrupting Logan.

  “There’s my favorite patient.” A young Asian man in a white coat with blue scrubs smiles warmly at me.

  “I bet you say that to all your patients.” I look at him and wonder if I’ve met him before…something about him is so familiar.

  Logan quickly slides out of the bed and stands beside me.

  “Not true.” He laughs. “I’m Dr. Yamamoto. I see Logan is still taking good care of you. I’m just going to take a quick look at you. You’ve got a couple visitors outside and I know they are quite anxious to see you.” He checks my eyes and pulse while he continues chatting.

  “You’re one strong woman, Emilia. I’ve honestly never seen anyone recover so quickly…one of the reasons you’re my favorite.” He winks at me. “How are you feeling? Tell me on a scale of one to ten…ten being the most painful and one the least…how this feels.” He gently probes my stomach in different areas.

  “A five.” I say. “A three.” “A six.” “A two.”

  He continues talking as he slides his fingers around my sides. “You’re looking good. I see some color already returning to your face…how’s your head? Any headaches? Dizziness? Anything like that?”

  “No. I feel good…just a little tired.” I murmur.

  “Yes. Well, that’s very normal. You should rest.” He turns towards Logan.

  “Don’t let her over do it. I know she wants visitors, but make sure she takes it easy.”

  Logan nods.

  “The more you rest…the quicker I’ll let you out of here.” Dr. Yamamoto smiles. “Unless you like it here so much you want to stay.” He chuckles at his own joke.

  Then it hits me. “I remember your voice. When you first came in I couldn’t figure out what it was…I thought we maybe met at some point…you were so familiar to me, but the more you were talking…I’ve figured it out.”

  “Ah. Yes…it wouldn’t be the first time. Do you remember anything else?” Dr. Yamamoto asks.

  “I could hear voices…I heard you, Logan, my dad…I was very aware of what people were saying. Sometimes I could feel Logan holding my hand or you examining me. At first I was just so tired…all I wanted to do was sleep, but then I started to feel lonely and I wanted so badly to open my mouth.”

  “Well, like I said before, I’ve never had a patient respond and improve as quickly as you. There are two people who deserve most of the credit…yourself and Logan. He wouldn’t leave your side and didn’t stop talking to you. I can tell you it isn’t an easy task…when you love someone who is in a coma…to sit and talk to them…most people can only say a few words before they fall apart. I’m telling you this because I know he won’t…he was fighting to keep you here as much as you were fighting to come back.”

  “Thanks, doctor, but I think you and your nurses have a bit to do with Emilia’s recovery as well.” Logan says.

  “You two did all the work.” He smiles and pauses a beat. “We just helped you along the way. Now, before I go is there anything I can get you? You said you’re not experiencing any pain in your head and your ribs don’t seem too bad…are you having any discomfort or pain anywhere else?”

  “No. Do you think I’ll be able to leave soon?” I glance at Logan. “You said it’s Monday?”

  Logan nods. “But…” He starts to say but I interrupt him.

  I look back at the doctor. “It’s Spring Break. We were supposed to leave for New York on Saturday.”

  Dr. Yamamoto laughs. “New York? Well, you must be feeling better if you’re still up for flying across the country.”

  “Emilia, I don’t think…” Logan starts to say.

  “Logan, if the doctor says it’s okay then I think we should go. Wouldn’t you like to get out of here? I know I would.”

  Logan shrugs and I look back towards the doctor.

  “If you get a good night’s rest and everything looks good…you might be able to go tomorrow night or maybe Wednesday, but I can’t make any promises. I don’t think I’d agree to Ft. Lauderdale or Daytona Beach, but New York sounds surprisingly tame.”

  “Logan’s family lives there.” I say.

  “Okay. Let me see how you’re doing tomorrow…as long as you have no setbacks and I really don’t foresee that happening…I don’t see why not. But you also have to promise me you’ll rest…stay in bed. Now if there’s nothing else…maybe something to eat?

  “That sounds good. Thank you and thank you for helping me along the way.” I smile, warmly at him.

  “My pleasure, Emilia. I’ll send a nurse in with something to eat…and your visitors. There are two waiting, but it’s getting late so just visit with them and then lights out. Okay?”

  “I’ll make sure she rests. Thanks, doctor.” Logan smiles at him.

  Just as Dr. Yamamoto heads out the door, my dad and Bryn enter the room. They both have tears in their eyes and are grinning ear to ear. Bryn puts down a bouquet of brightly colored balloons and a shopping bag while my dad places a beautiful arrangement of flowers on a nearby table. My dad leans down and kisses me softly on the cheek.

  “I love you, honey. I can’t tell you how good it is to see you, sweetheart.” My dad says, softly as a few tears run down his face.

  “Emilia.” Bryn sobs. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. Shit.” She grabs a handful of tissues from the Kleenex box that Logan offers to her. She blows her nose loudly into the wad of tissues in her hand.

  “Hey, you two…I’m okay…no tears.” I smile at them, reassuringly.

  Bryn moves closer to me while my dad stands near Logan. They’re talking quietly and I’m sure Logan is explaining what happened. My dad probably doesn’t know about Mr. Hughes.

  “I don’t want to bother you about it now, but Logan emailed your dad and so I know a little bit about what happened. Emilia, I just want to tell you I’m so sorry…it must have been terrifying.” Bryn says, quietly and looks at me with concerned eyes.

  “It was…the police are looking for him now so…”

  Bryn interrupts me. “They’ll get the asshole. Try not to worry about it now…just rest and get better.”

  “You’re right.”

  There’s a knock on the door as another nurse walks in with a tray of food. She places it on the tray in front of me.

  “It’s not much…just some broth and jell-o. The doctor said that’s what he wants you to start with and then tomorrow he’ll start you on solids.” The nurse smiles warmly at me.

  “Okay. Thank you.” I say as I slowly sip some of the broth.

  “Just a little longer for visitors then you should rest.” She says before she turns and heads out the door. “Doctor’s orders.”

  Bryn’s eyes well up with tears again and she wipes the corners of them with a tissue. “I still can’t believe this happened. We were all on such high alert with Sebastian, even Seraphina to a certain extent, I never would have…” She trails off. “I’m sorry. I said I wouldn’t bother you about this now.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “I just can’t wrap my head around it.”

  “I know.” I mutter with a mouthful of soup. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started eating. “And, don’t feel bad about bringing it up…it was horrible but I’m okay.”

  Bryn looks at me with wide eyes. “You sound so unfazed by it. I think I’d be freaking out…I think normally you’d be freaking out…you’re sure you feel okay?”

  I smile at her. “You think I hit my head so hard that I’m not reacting the way you’d expect me to?”

  She nods.

  “Maybe I’m still in shock? I don’t know. Honestly, I’m so happy to be sitting here talking to you that it’s pushed way in the back of my mind. I’m thankful to be alive.” I shrug. “Does that make sense?”

  “Yes. When you put it that way. It definitely makes sense and you know what? I’m happy to be sitting here with you and I’m thankful you’re alive too.” Her eyes start to fill with tears again.

  �
�Oh, come here, Bryn. Give me a hug.” I smile at her.

  “You sure? I don’t want to hurt you.” She scoots closer to me.

  I reach my arms out towards her and she slowly and carefully hugs me. “Remember I told you to look before you leap?” Bryn whispers in my ear and then sits on the edge of the bed close to me.

  “I think so…was it about cliff-jumping or getting engaged?” I ask.

  “Probably both. But right now I’m talking about the engagement part.”

  “Oh?”

  “I just want you to know I’m fully onboard if you want to. I know I was giving you grief about just getting back together and everything, but after seeing how Logan took care of you these last few days…how much he worried…I’ve had a change of heart. I know it’s a promise ring but I want you to know I totally support whatever you two decide…not that my approval really matters.”

  “Of course it matters. You’re my best friend, but what makes you bring that up?” I blink at her with a look of bewilderment.

  “When you almost lose someone you love it puts things in a whole different light…carpe diem, Emilia. That’s all I’m saying. Does that make sense?”

  “Definitely.”

  “I know the nurses are anxious for us to get out of here.” She holds up the shopping bag she walked in with. “Some goodies for you from Victoria’s Secret or maybe I have that wrong…some goodies for Logan.” She laughs.

  I laugh but stop, quickly because of a sharp pain in my ribs. “Ow.”

  “Sorry, Emilia. It hurts to laugh?” Bryn asks.

  I nod and smile. “Yes, but honestly it’s a good kind of pain…the happy to be alive pain.”

  “Amen to that, sister.” She leans and kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll give you some privacy with your dad.” She turns and says a few words to my dad and Logan then heads out the door.

  “I’ll let you two talk in private.” Logan says as he and my dad move closer towards me. “I’ll be right outside.” He leans and kisses the top of my head gently.

  I nod and smile at him.

  My dad moves close to me and sits down on the edge of the bed. “Emilia.” He sighs and takes my hand in his. “How are you feeling sweetheart?”