“Oh Walker, I think you know the answer to that.”
“Please tell me, Reese. I know my father changed the course of your life, but I have to believe that you wouldn’t have allowed him to stop you from me meeting our child.”
“Walker, you’re right about one thing. Yes, your father changed me and our life as we knew it. Losing our son was me hitting rock bottom. I had nothing left. Empty and broken, I didn’t see any light in my future when I was told he was gone. Losing our baby meant you were really gone too. After my breakdown, I picked up the broken pieces of what was left of my life and started over. You know what happened next. I was determined to reveal the real truth to you. By the time I arrived in New York that was my goal. I had to find you and tell you everything. It didn’t matter that you were with Elizabeth. That was never a factor in my mind. If I had the power to go back and relive that morning when I walked out of your home, believe me Walker, I would. Our life, our future, our baby meant everything to me, and yes I would have moved heaven and earth to reunite you with your son if he had lived. I swear on my life that is the truth.”
“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry that motherfucker ever hurt you. God!!! I’m so fucking sorry.”
Reese wrapped her arms around me and cried with me until we had no more tears to shed. If I was ever truly going to forgive my father, I had to allow myself to feel her pain, my pain, and his regret until it was completely gone.
“Reese, I’m sorry. I know I promised you, but I had to know.”
“Stop apologizing. There is no time table on grief. If this is what you need to do to finally be free of these ghosts that you are still carrying with you, then please let me in and don’t ever shut me out. I meant what I said to you, Walker. We can heal each other because our love is strong enough. We will get through this together. We will get Jackson through this. We will marry and welcome our daughter into the world. We will do all of those things…together. I love you, Walker Phillip Reed. Now kiss me.”
“Yes ma’am. Never piss off a pregnant woman, right.”
“Exactly right.” I kissed Reese with all the love I had in my heart for her. Holding her for a few more precious moments, she whispered something I didn’t expect to hear.
“About our son…I would have named him ‘Thomas Mitchell Walker Reed.’”
A lone tear fell down my face as I took in her words. All I could do was hold her, love her, and simply whisper back…, “Thank you.”
A FEELING OF warmth surrounded my body as I slowly awakened. Riley was wrapped around me like a constricting snake. Through the night as I tried to move, her hands would instinctively tighten around my waist. She never opened her eyes, but I could almost read her mind: Don’t even think about moving, Jackson Reed. The thought of her scolding me brought me to silent laughter. She was so protective of me, as I was of her.
My headache was completely gone, and I felt so much better. Yesterday’s events were a blur, except my father’s reaction to my deceit. He viewed my lies of omission as betrayal, as I viewed them as protection.
It was all out and in the open. I could do nothing to change it. I suspected something was wrong, but I never thought I would be told that I had an AVM in my brain. That was my father’s fear, not mine. I never allowed his fear of the unknown affect me. He had gone through hell losing my mother. I would never tell him how to feel.
I will admit that his overprotectiveness suffocated me at times, but it was something that I grew to accept. I knew it came from his need to always have control. This was my father. I knew how his mind worked. I was fooling myself in believing that I could truly keep anything from the long arm of Walker Reed.
He promised me that we were okay. We were always okay. I silently prayed that he meant the words he promised me. I won’t be able to fight this without him. I need my father. I need Riley. They are the most important people in my life. No more keeping secrets from them. They love me, and I love them back. They will get me through this and my angel above me. This I know to be true.
Riley was beginning to wake, her body rubbing up against mine. Of course she picked the most awkward time to do so. I was sporting my morning wood. It was tenting under my hospital gown and at full salute. How freaking embarrassing. We’ve been sharing a bed since we began our summer adventure, but I’ve always respected and not pressured Riley into anything she wasn’t ready for. It was usually Riley doing all the pushing.
Before we left California, my father had me join him in his study for “The Talk,” like we didn’t have that conversation a thousand times before. He knew I didn’t cross that threshold with Riley yet, but he still gave me his fatherly advice. I sat there and endured a thirty minute torturous lecture. He wanted me to think with my head and not the one between my legs. Oh my goodness! I wanted it to be over, but I remained planted to the seat.
All I could do was promise my father that he could trust me with Riley. I would never disrespect her, this he knew, but I also knew the unspoken meaning of our talk. He wanted me to be safe and not only protect myself, but Riley. We had college to look forward to. The next four years would be challenging enough without any unexpected surprises we weren’t ready for.
I don’t know what made me think of that, but now I realize that advice may have been a bit hypocritical on my father’s part. He did, after all, get Reese pregnant in their senior year of college. I couldn’t imagine Grandfather Phillip treating my father with kid gloves the way my dad treated me. No matter, Riley and I have not reached that point yet in our relationship.
I wanted to make love with her so badly. I wanted to make it special for her, and this hospital bed was not the place I wanted to have our first time in.
“Riley, time to wake up.”
I nudged her. She smiled, keeping her eyes closed. She must have felt my erection up against her. She was only wearing her shirt and panties under my blanket. I needed to get her up and dressed before our parents arrived. That would have been the last thing I needed to be explaining today!
“Good morning baby, and good morning to you too!”
Did she just say good morning to my dick? Yup, she did. Her hand was now wrapped around it and was giving me a hand job.
“Riley, please stop. We can’t do this here.”
“Shhh, this is a private room, and no one is going to come in without knocking. Let me take care of this for you.”
She kissed my lips and made her way down toward my throbbing dick. Her one hand was cupped underneath my balls as she took me into her mouth. We’ve both pleasured each other orally, but have never completely gone all the way yet. I can’t believe I am allowing her to do this to me, and here, of all places.
“Riley, please stop. I don’t need your father or mine to catch us and in this compromising position. Oh god, that feels so fucking good!” I cried out as she worked me over and took all of me in her mouth.
Of course my natural instincts kicked in, and my hands went to the sides of her head. I tangled my fingers in her hair and just allowed myself to enjoy the pleasure Riley was giving me. I was so close to my release, but I never came in her mouth. That was something I didn’t think she would be ready for yet, so I tried to pull away at my climactic moment but Riley clamped down and took in all of me. I couldn’t hold back any longer.
Riley lapped up every last drop of me until I was clean. This intimate act we just shared was something I never expected her to do. Once again, she was the aggressor and full of surprises. Once I was tucked back into my briefs, she worked her way back up my body. Her lips found mine where I could taste myself on her.
“Now it’s a good morning. I love you, Jackson.”
“I love you too, so much baby.”
Before I could say another word to her about what just happened here, she put her fingers to my lips to silence me.
“It’s okay, Jackson, I promise,” she said. “This was something I needed and wanted. Please don’t give it another thought. Just wait until I fully take you. I�
�m going to rock your world, baby. I love you.”
With those parting words and one last kiss, my very hot girlfriend bounced out of the bed and into the bathroom. My head was spinning in a thousand directions, but it was not due to any headache. Riley Taylor Briggs never ceased to throw a curve ball at me. She just gave me a blow job and didn’t even bat an eyelash. Not question her? How could I not? Oh my crazy girl. I love her so much, and the minute I am able to do so, I am definitely returning the favor.
The knock on my door brought me out of my sex crazed thoughts.
“Come in,” I called out.
“Good morning, Jackson. I’m Francesca. I work with Dr. Briggs.”
“I remember who you are. Good morning.”
I made sure to pull my blanket up to my chest. I suddenly felt exposed as if she knew what Riley and I were doing moments ago.
“Dr. Briggs will be in shortly to talk and to examine you. I’m just here to check your vitals. Is that okay?”
“Of course, it’s your job, right?” I didn’t mean to sound curt with her, but that’s a stupid question.
“It’s one of my jobs, but thank you for pointing that out to me.”
Smart ass! I thought. Something about her just didn’t sit well with me. I allowed her to take my temperature, blood pressure, and ask me question after question. I knew this would all be repeated once the doctor arrived. I knew my father would want everything repeated twice on me.
“Okay, Jackson, your blood pressure is excellent with a reading of 120/80. Any questions for me?” she asked.
“I’m good. Thank you.”
Just as Francesca was gathering her things to exit, Riley bounced out of the bathroom. She was freshly showered and looked beautiful with her rose colored cheeks. Ignoring the nurse completely, Riley grabbed my face and crashed her lips onto mine, kissing me soundly.
“Good morning, baby!”
“I think we already established that it was a good morning, don’t you agree?” I playfully asked her. She winked.
“Well, you never can have too many good mornings, right?”
“I guess not. Riley, we are not alone in here.”
I flipped my chin upward at Francesca, who was patiently waiting for our little love fest to finish. I didn’t care one way or another. After what I put Riley through yesterday, I allowed her to have fun. After another quick kiss to my lips, Riley remembered her manners and greeted the nurse.
Riley said to her, “Hello…and you are?”
“Francesca, my name is Francesca De Luca. I work with your father.”
“Hi. Forgive me for how this sounds, but I don’t remember ever meeting you. And I know the entire staff here, especially the ones that work closely with my father.”
“No worries, I assure you. Other than last night, this is our official introduction. I worked with your father many years ago when I was just beginning my career as a nurse. I’ve only recently transferred here to Johns Hopkins. I wish we were meeting on better circumstances.”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Your father and I have been seeing each other. I was hoping we would have a chance to get to know one another.”
“Excuse me? You’re seeing my father? As in dating him? This is unbelievable!”
Francesca responded, “I’m sorry, Riley, but what’s so hard to believe? Your father is finally with someone that cares about him. I would think you would be happy about that!”
“Oh my god! I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Who the fuck do you think you are? You bitch!”
“Riley! That’s enough,” I screamed. I had to break up this altercation before my girl completely lost her shit with this nurse. Before Francesca could respond, we all turned to see a very angry Dr. Briggs standing in the doorway.
“Ahem,” he loudly cleared his throat. “Good morning, Jackson. Riley.” That was all he said, as he turned to face Francesca.
“Will you two excuse me while I have a word with my nurse?” he politely asked.
Riley was clearly angry and once again shot daggers at her father, no doubt to the revelation just delivered to her.
“Of course, Dr. Briggs, take your time,” I said to break up the obvious tension in my room. As if I don’t have enough to deal with already. Now another fire I have to put out. I silently laughed to myself. My father hasn’t even arrived yet, and the fireworks have already begun. I’m beginning to think this wasn’t one of my smartest decisions coming here.
“Riley,” I called out to her. She was completely ignoring me. I called her name again and snapped my fingers to get her attention.
“What?” she shouted, and then immediately her beautiful face showed regret. “I’m sorry, Jackson. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. Is your head okay?” she nervously asked.
“I’m fine, baby, and I’m not that fragile just because you raise your voice. Come up here and talk to me. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“I’m fine, Jackson. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Come on, Riley. You think I don’t know you by now? You are practically foaming at the mouth. Now one more time, talk to me.”
“Who the hell is that whore who has sunken her claws into my father? After all the bullshit he put my mother through, he’s been secretly dating? I had suspected something after he got back from London, but I wasn’t sure. I want my father to find happiness again, but not with her. I can’t believe the audacity of that woman, just waltzing in here and behaving as if she knew me and could talk to me about my father like that? I don’t care what role she has here at this hospital. I don’t like her. I don’t want her near you, and certainly not with my father.”
“Wow! That was a mouthful. Why don’t you tell me how you really feel about Francesca?”
“Ugh…her name is so stupid.” Riley couldn’t resist and began laughing.
“Just think, my dad will be here soon,” I said, sarcastically. “The day can only get better.”
She looked back at me with wide eyes, a little nervousness to them.
I tried to reassure her, “Don’t worry baby. We will be okay. We are always okay.”
LEADING FRANCESCA AWAY from the surgical suite to my private office was no easy task on my part. I was seething with anger and hanging on to the last thread of my self-control. This was not the place to have this conversation, but her actions left me no choice.
Ignoring my assistant Gretchen as she called out to me, I entered my office, slamming the door behind me. I took off my lab coat and almost threw the files I was carrying, choosing to place them on my desk instead. I buzzed Gretchen to tell her to hold my calls.
I took a seat behind my desk, leaving a now safe distance between Francesca and myself. I had never been so angry with a colleague before until right now.
“Samuel, before you say anything, please let me…”
“Be quiet! Take a seat. You said more than enough this morning. You will now listen to me. Am I making myself clear to you, Nurse De Luca?”
“So, it’s ‘Nurse De Luca’ now?” she said in her usual smartass tone.
“In here, yes it is.”
“Too bad it wasn’t when you were fucking me up against the wall. You remember that, don’t you?”
“To answer your question, I wish I could forget that moment, because it was clearly a mistake and poor judgment on my part.”
“The hell it was, Samuel. We shared more than just a quick fuck, and you know it. Why are you being like this toward me?”
“Francesca, your behavior this morning was completely out of line. You were in that room to be a nurse and a nurse only. Here at Johns Hopkins, what we do here we take very seriously, and you work for me. I will never have my reputation tarnished because of the rude and infantile behavior you clearly demonstrated today. I have never witnessed such a gross display of unprofessionalism until today with you. What the hell were you thinking, confronting my daughter! And to add insult to injury, you do it in front of Jackson Reed. As if I
do not have enough to deal with knowing who his father is. Care to explain to me why you did this?”
“Oh, I can speak now? I thought I had to sit quietly and behave like a good subordinate with my mouth shut.”
“Francesca, you really do not want to play this game with me. Do you? My patience is running out. Now, answer my question. Why did you do that?”
“If I displayed any unprofessionalism for my actions this morning, I will accept any corrective actions that you feel are appropriate. As for making it personal, this I will not apologize for. You, ‘Dr. Briggs,’ have been stringing me along since London, and I don’t have a clue as to why? I thought after what we shared in London, we were going to move forward and publically announce our relationship. What happened to that?”
“Your definition and mine on this matter clearly mean two different things. Francesca, in London, we were two consenting adults that met at a conference, had a few drinks, and had sex. What did you think it was? True love? And now you are going around not only confronting my daughter, but also my ex-wife? You are out of control, and this behavior stops today.”
“If I’m out of control, it’s because of your actions, not mine. You have my head spinning out of control. I’m only acting like a crazy, jealous stalker girlfriend because you have shut me out. I have been there for you since we reconnected in London. I have supported you through your divorce. I’ve tried to help you with your therapy and with reconciling with your daughter. Now that the ex-wife and your daughter are now suddenly here, I’m nobody to you? How the hell do you expect me to feel?”
Francesca continued her rant, “I will not be used. And don’t think I didn’t hear your daughter’s comment about me, as you dragged me from her boyfriend’s room. I am no whore! And I will not be treated like one. If anything, your little princess deserved a slap across her face for that. I would have thought she was more graceful than that. The way you talk about her mother and her, all I imagined in my head was perfection. Now I see she’s just another spoiled, selfish little daddy’s girl not getting her own way.”
Our Forever Promise Page 20
