“Evan?”
“I need to know something…” he pauses and I feel his grip on my sides clinch.
“Oh God.” I’ll deny it until the day I die.
“When Marco was with you… When he was lying to you about me, did you and… What happened?” This is exactly the complete and utter opposite direction our night should be taking. If I walk through this door, Evan will think I’m broken and I can’t do that to him. Because I know I’m not broken. Not anymore.
“Tell me the truth.” His jaw is tight and I know that he knows. I’m not sure how he knows, but he does.
I turn in the tub with my back to his chest and he begins to play with my hair.
“Please,” he begs
I close my eyes, but only because I know he can’t see me. He’ll know what I did and he’ll think I’m a horrible person. Because I am.
“Evan?”
“Yeah?” I hear a hiss slip through his response.
“I’d really like to just enjoy this moment with you.”
“Did he hurt you, Abigale?” Oh, he’s using the long version of my name. I asked nicely and he isn’t respecting that. I suddenly want to snap.
And I do…
I turn in the tub and apparently throw on my big girl panties. “What do you want me to say, Evan? Do you want me to tell you that I was fine while you were gone and everything was perfect? Do you want me to tell you that Marco was a perfect gentleman? Do you want me to tell you that I didn’t cry every second of the day, even if only on the inside while I was trying to be strong?” I take a deep breath. “Because none of that would be true.” I didn’t realize my body was trembling until Evan’s arms wrapped around me. “Nothing was fine, Evan, nothing.” He pulls me into his chest.
“I’m so sorry, baby, I’m so fucking sorry.” I know that he is because my big strong man is crying. This is exactly why I didn’t want him to know. I didn’t want that to be on his mind. “Did he try anything?” he continues to pry.
“Evan, can we please talk about this another time? I can’t take it right now.”
He doesn’t speak, he only pulls me into his arms and stands from the tub. “Let’s go to bed so I can hold you properly.”
“That sounds like the best thing I’ve ever heard.”
This bed is something I’ve dreamt I would be in with Evan again one day and here we are. I’m standing in the bedroom soaking wet and Evan is drying me with the towel I’d put in there when I’d agreed to move in.
Once he’s finished, I walk over to the made bed and pull the blankets down. Evan gets in the bed and I crawl in letting his body engulf me. Home sweet home.
We lay here for several minutes as Evan’s hands trail along my naked flesh. “I want us to try to have a baby.” I’m stunned by the words that he’s just said and I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless. He pulls me over to look at him. “I want everything with you, Abby. I want everything, and I want to have a baby.”
“Evan, why with everything going on do you want a baby? Our future is so unclear.”
He jerks up from the position he’s been holding. “Is it? I thought we’ve decided we’re getting married. Isn’t that the next step anyway?”
“Yeah, but are you sure?” His hand finds my tummy and his eyes close for a few seconds.
“I never thought having a baby was something that I wanted.” He’s looking through me now, lost in thought maybe? “But, when that doctor told me our baby was gone I realized that’s everything that I want. You and our child. There’s nothing sweeter than that.”
“That would be amazing, but shouldn’t we wait until we’re married?” I’m really freaking out right now.
“Don’t take your birth control tomorrow.” His hand is wrapped around mine. “I don’t want to wait.”
I don’t answer him because I don’t even know what to say or what I want, to be honest. Why the rush? “That’s moving a little quick.”
“If you want to wait till we’re married then let’s get married as soon as possible.”
“Evan, where is all this coming from?”
The darkness is back in full force and I have a feeling secretive Evan is back. “Abby, my life flashed before my eyes when I was in that hole and you were all I could see. You and our baby. I’m going to love you forever so why not?”
If he knew what happened, he wouldn’t want to marry me tomorrow or next month, and this is guilt that I don’t know what to do with.
“Morning beautiful,” Evan’s huddled in the bed next to me holding an aroma filled steaming cup of coffee, and while coffee hasn’t been my go to morning drink lately it’s just what I need after these past weeks trauma.
The sun’s shining in through the windows that replace the walls and it gives me hope that today will be an amazing day.
“Your phone’s been blowing up this morning.” He says as he begins shuffling through his draw.
“Oh?” I question sitting up on the bed, taking and wrapping my hands around the warm cup pressing my lips to the edge. Evan makes the best coffee. “Yummy, thank you.”
“Angel, I’m jumping in the shower because I have a surprise for you today.” He smiles and the dimples that I’ve missed so much jump out and kiss me hard.
“Yay, I love surprises.” I smile. Evan walks into the bathroom closing the door slightly behind him.
I set the coffee down on the nightstand and search through my purse looking for my phone. “My dad?” he’s called one… two… ten times? My heart stops in my chest because that’s not like him at all. I know he wasn’t worried because I texted him last night to let him know I was with Evan.
“Dad?” I say after dialing him, not even realizing that I had.
“Princess I don’t want to scare you, but we need you to come to the hospital.”
“Um Dad, if you didn’t want to scare me then you shouldn’t have led with that. What’s going on? Are you sick? Where’s Mom?” My body’s shaking and I don’t know what to think.
“Abigale, I need you to come to the hospital and I’ll explain when you get here.”
“I’m on my way.” I hit the red end button.
Have you ever noticed when fear and adrenaline run through your veins life looks different? Colors are dull and inconsequential. The air that enters your lungs doesn’t even matter anymore.
I jump from the bed running into the bathroom. “Evan, I have to go to the hospital something’s happened. I don’t know what’s happened, but I have to go. I’m back in the bedroom rummaging through the drawers for something to wear. I pull out a bra, underwear, jeans and a turquoise blouse from the closet.
After I’ve thrown on my clothes, I run my toothbrush over my teeth and follow suit with my hairbrush. Evan’s already dressed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, he wouldn’t tell me over the phone, but I’m scared. I don’t have a great track record with hospitals, Evan. I’m really scared.”
He approaches from behind wrapping his arms around me. I’m reminded of the electricity that flows between us and I know that no matter what’s going on I will always be safe in his arms. “I’m sure everything’s good.” He softly presses a kiss to the top of my head snuggling into my hair. His warm body wrapping around mine.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Abby
The traffic’s horrible and my nerves are out of control. My stress limit has officially been exceeded.
I reach my hands into my bag to take my pill, same as I do every day. I remember what Evan had said last night and I still my movements.
I’m holding it in the palm of my hand, just staring at the small, white, round pill not knowing what I should do. What should I do? “I’m sorry Evan I can’t right now.” I apologize and pop the pill into my mouth swallowing it with a gulp of bottled water. He doesn’t say anything, but his face is covered in the dark stare I’ve seen there so many times before.
We eventually pull into the hospital parking lot and Evan and I quickly make our
way through the entrance. “I don’t know where he is,” I say pulling the phone from my bag to dial my dad. He doesn’t answer, but I see a text he’s sent.
Dad: We’re on the second floor.
Abby: Heading up now.
I fidget with the ring on my finger as we wait for the slow elevator to make its way to us. I push the button over and over hoping it’ll help, but it doesn’t. Damn it!
“Hey, it’s going to be good.” Evan slowly takes my hand. Once we’re on the elevator, he takes me into his arms. “I’m here it’ll be ok, I’ll see to it.” He leans down placing a chaste kiss to my lips and then holds my head into his chest.
“Thank you.” I know that if something’s wrong Evan will have no control, but I’m grateful he wants to protect me this way. I’m grateful he’s here.
We step off of the elevator to the same floor I’d spent months on and fear rips through me.
My eyes begin a frantic search for my dad. I need my dad to tell me everything’s going to be ok. I need my daddy to tell me it’s all right.
Evan’s hand is linked with mine as we walk to the nurse’s station and I see only one nurse behind the counter. “Hello,” I say.
“Hi, can I help you?” The brunette nurse smiles at Evan not even making eye contact with the person that’s actually speaking to her.
“Over here,” I hiss. I can’t believe this shit right now. I’m about to need a freaking hospital bed because my heart’s pounding in my chest and this bitch is swooning over my man. I don’t think so. Poor sad pathetic Abby is gone and I will take charge.
She turns her head flipping her hair slightly making eye contact with her face falling into boredom. “What can I help you with?”
I will slap this bitch. “My father, Alfred Hayes.”
“Dr. Hayes?” she snaps her posture up in a quick hurry as she spits out my father’s name.
“Yeah, where is he? I was told to meet him here?” I don’t believe I have ever been this short with anyone in my entire life.
“Oh, umm… just one minute.” Oh someone’s a little nervous aren’t they? Hmm. I’ve never used my dad’s name to have anyone do what I wanted them to, but today I’m glad it set her straight.
Evan’s grasp on my hand is tighter now and I know he’s trying to reassure me.
The little hussy walks off somewhere as I turn to Evan. “I’m scared, what if something’s happened to my mom?”
“Did you call her phone?” he answers in a calm, soothing voice as he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear.
“No, I was afraid she wouldn’t answer and then I’d know she was sick or hurt.” I’m fidgeting again.
“Umm… I will have you come this way,” she says, this time leaving out the snarky bite. She walks us through the nurses’ area and down a hall to the right. I feel my heart pounding in my chest and my breathing’s becoming irregular.
“All will be good, angel.” Evan wraps me into his side. “We’ve got this.”
“Here you go,” the nurse says stopping in front of a dark wooden door.
Evan reaches forward opening it and presses his hand against the small of my back. “It’s me and you angel, we’ve got this.”
I close my eyes as my feet take off in the direction of the door.
“Surprise!” I hear.
I jump and quickly open my eyes I’d closed just moments before to see my mom, dad, Amy, Dom, and all of the staff that helped care for me while I was in the hospital.
“Oh my God, you scared me to death that something was wrong.” My heart’s beating faster now than before. The adrenalin’s just kicked it up a notch.
“I’m sorry princess, but I had to make sure that you got here and without a clue to the surprise.” He smiles kindly seeing that I’m a wreck.
“Mom, you’re ok?”
“Yes baby girl, I’m fine.” She seems surprised by my question.
“Oh, suck it up, doll.” Amy smiles.
I feel so bad that she hasn’t a clue what’s been going on in my life for weeks, but Natalia said it was best that no one knew.
“Abby, it’s so good to see you,” Hollister announces. Evan’s grip tightens on my hand, but I don’t react because it’s just Hollister. I did think at one time he was hitting on me, but he’s only ever been a gentleman since then, so I’ve just thrown that idea out the window. Except for the day I was released from here, but I don’t think that was anything really.
“You too.”
“Evan, I see that you’re well,” Hollister says to Evan.
“Very well.” Evan pulls me into his side tighter. “Thanks to Abby.” I love the way he loves me. I smile.
I take a second to look around at everyone that put this together and my heart drops. They did this for me, but why?
“Ding, ding, ding,” I hear my father say as he holds up his plastic cup. “Abby, we’re here today because you have come a long way to recover as beautifully as you have. Just a few short months ago we weren’t sure our baby would be with us…” he pauses as the tears pool in his eyes. I want to run across the room and hug him, but I’m just so taken aback that I can’t move. “You are an amazing woman, Abigale. We are all so proud of you for working so hard.” He holds up his glass and continues, “Here’s to a long and happy life. Cheers.” Everyone erupts in their cheers as my dad ends his toast. “See I told you everything’s going to be good,” Evan leans down whispering into my ear.
“Hey, you look really happy, Abby,” Hollister announces.
I can say for the first time in my life I’m really and truly happy. I don’t feel that terrible sadness in my soul anymore. I still have a tug of pain that will always be there. Missing Addie will always be a part of who I am, but I don’t cringe in my own skin anymore. I’m excited to start this journey with Evan.
I’m so thankful that I found him. That we found each other. I know that when we’re together we can get through anything.
“I’d like to make a toast,” Evan says as he leans forward grabbing two cups.
I see Amy’s face light up with intrigue immediately. Everyone else seems curious as well.
Evan turns to look at me and I suddenly feel like I should hide my face. “Abigale Hayes has agreed to be my wife.”
I hear a gasp echo from the small room and burst of congratulations ringing in my ears as Evan holds up his glass.
“Shut up! This is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.” Amy’s more than a little excited about the ring she’s practically attacking my finger right now. “Abby, oh my God you’re getting married?” Amy hugs me. I hold onto her a little longer than normal.
Amy has been through these horrible years with me and has always kept my spirits afloat even if those spirits were practically sinking, she still helped me survive the storm and a friend like that just doesn’t come around every day. She’s a once in a lifetime friend to me. Sister really.
“Hey, let me get some.” Dom laughs.
Evan’s hand grips harder as Amy nearly knocks him down with her congratulations.
Amy lets go and Dom leans in to hug me. “Abby you deserve this and I’m so happy that you’ve found it.”
Dom releases me extending his hand to Evan. “Bro, this is the best news.”
“I guess this is turning out to be one heck of a party then. Good job dad.” My dad laughs as he teases.
I see my mom staring at me just waiting for her turn, and I have to admit that I’m a little nervous about my parents’ reaction. My dad seems happy, but my mom hasn’t said a word. Inner sexy girl is hiding her head under a pillow.
“I’ll be right back,” I whisper in Evan’s direction.
“Hey, I’m really sorry that I didn’t come to you personally. Please don’t be mad.” I cringe waiting to be sent to the corner, even though I know I’m an adult.
She pulls me in for a hug and it catches me way off guard. Not the reaction I was thinking would come. “We knew silly girl.” My mom laughs pressing her lips to my cheek.
“You knew? How?” I ask confused.
“Alfred?” My mom waves my dad over. “He came to us and asked for your hand in marriage. I was so shocked.” She presses her hand to her heart. “I didn’t know that boys did that anymore.”
I had no idea that he had done this. “When?”
“Don’t worry about the technicalities Abigale, just enjoy the moment.” She cries leaning over reaching for a napkin then presses it to her cheek.
“You’re going to make the most beautiful bride.” My dad joins us leaning in for a hug.
“Hey.” My mom playfully taps my dad’s arm.
“With one exception, of course.” He winks
“When did he come to you?” I pry again still shocked.
“Don’t worry about it?” she teases. “I’m just glad that that it’s official so that I can or I mean we can, start planning this wedding.” She beams. I think I must have forgotten about that part of the whole wedding thing. “Big, small, destination?” Amy sings as she and everyone else has joined in on our conversation.
“Uh,” I hum not knowing any of the answers.
“We really haven’t talked about that stuff yet.”
“Probably no hurry though, right?” Hollister asks.
“We are actually thinking spring.” I smile at Evan as he answers.
“Wow, soon then?” Hollister’s eyes lift in surprise.
“Hey Hollister, let's step into the hall.” Evan grinds his teeth and I can tell he’s not trying to draw attention to himself, but I can see pure anger beaming in his eyes.
“Somebody’s in trouble.” Amy holds her hand to her mouth in laughter.
“Amy,” my mom scolds.
“What? I’m just stating the obvious.” She huffs.
Evan and Hollister are only in the hallway for about ten minutes. When they come back, the tension seems a little more so than when they’d walked out. I don’t know why or what was said, but I intend on finding out as soon as we’re alone.
The small party fades after the cake is passed out. Everyone leaves with hugs and congratulations on our upcoming wedding and I have to admit I'm really excited about it.
My Demons (The Angel Trilogy #2) Page 18