Reclaimed

by Vicki Green

  20

  My heart swelled when I made love to her. I gave it to her. My heart. Of course, I’d given it to her so long ago but she didn’t know. To actually be able to look her in the eyes and tell her, to be inside her, and touch her – it’s a dream I never thought would come true. I know I’m playing with fire. I know I’ve put her and her dad in danger. I’m a selfish prick. I didn’t mean for it to happen this way. Fate or whatever is in the universe put us together at an opportune moment. I’d arrived in this town eight months prior to her arrival. I knew it was her hometown, knew that at some point she might come visit her dad, but I had no idea about the turn of events that would happen to bring her here indefinitely. Who could? Again, whatever forces of the world there is, saw fit to bring us together before my job is done. I was waiting, trying to get that mother fucker put away before I went to her.

  When I’d seen her in that bar, drowning her sorrows in tequila, and the look on her face, I couldn’t stop myself from making a move. I’d dreamed about that day, longed for it. I’d about gone crazy waiting for it. I had heard about her dad from Peter. I knew what was about to happen. She’s his only child, and I’d learned how close they are. I knew she’d come, and I knew it would be for an indefinite period of time.

  I believe everything happens for a reason. It’s not always clear or understood what that reason is. I do believe in God, the almighty power, and I also believe in the devil and what havoc he plays in the world. I didn’t want her to be involved in this fucked up mess. Didn’t want her to be anywhere near it. If anything happened to her, I’d… I can’t even think about it, or put my mind around it.

  Last night was a turning point – a crucial one. She didn’t tell me how she felt about me, didn’t say the words. But I knew. Sensed it in my heart. Felt it deep in my soul. The way she looked at me, touched me. I knew she’d never had an orgasm that had hit her so hard that I felt she actually left me for a moment. No, she didn’t need to say the words I long to hear, verbally. Her body and heart told me, whispered in my ear, floated around us in ecstasy.

  This afternoon, her dad is allowed to come home for a visit for the first time since he’s been here. To say I’m proud of him wouldn’t begin to describe how I feel. He’s worked hard with his therapy. The drugs helping this cursed affliction are working for now. Saige is a nurse and not only beautiful inside and out but a smart woman. She knows it’s only a matter of time that he’ll worsen, that this horrible thing that’s captured him will eventually take him. But I’m starting to figure out her mind, even though at times she tends to overthink things a bit. Like the night I got injured, and I convinced her to take me to her house. Where in the hell did she get the idea that I was getting illegal drugs? A drug drop? What the fuck is that? She’s adorable when she comes up with shit like that. Makes me love her even more although I’m not sure that’s possible.

  It’s five o’clock in the morning. I look down at her sleeping form. The last remnants of the moon giving the only light in the room, casting a glow over her. She’s undoubtedly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen my fair share. She’s facing me. Her hair fanned out behind her, cascading over the pillow. Her hands are tucked under the side of her face. Her body curled up under the covers. She has such a serene look on her face, one I hope I had a hand in putting there. I smile when I think of the note I left on the mattress behind her. Leaning down I gently kiss her forehead, hoping not to wake her. “Mia per sempre,” I whisper softly. Mine forever. I’m not Italian but the language is like music. Sexy. Alluring. I studied it at school and kept up with it long after I left. I never finished college, called by the business I’m doing now. I learned what I needed to be able to do a multiple of things to aid me through life. I push back a little of her long hair, hating to leave and wanting to climb back into bed, pull her into my arms and hold her all morning. The only thing about being injured was I got to wake up with her every morning, even though kissing and fondling her was about all the strength I had. That part sucked because even though I was in pain and was so weak, my cock still hardened for her, ached to be inside her.

  Sadly, I have no choice but to leave. After making sure her house is locked up tight, I get into my car and head to the nursing home. I find I’m anxious to do her dad’s physical therapy, spend some time with him. I’ve grown quite fond of him in such a short time. He has to know something’s up with me and his daughter. I can tell he’s not stupid by any means. But he’s never said anything. I won’t lie to him if he does. Before the dementia takes him over, I want him to know Saige will never be alone. She’ll always be loved and cared for. For the rest of my days. I’m sure that will comfort him, in some small way, unless he thinks of me as Saige has for a time. That I’m no good. A bad-boy always in trouble. Or maybe he’ll think I’d hurt her. Not in a gazillion years. I don’t even think I could ever get mad at her. Although she has made me a little anxious and cranky like when she got drunk that one night to the point she became ill or when she doesn’t eat, not taking care of herself. I might growl a little at her, but it’s only because I care. Guess I need to work on that.

  I pull into the parking lot and get out of my car, locking it. My leg is stiff this morning, giving me a very slight limp, one I hope to be rid of with more therapy. Every morning after I finish with Saige’s dad, I’ve been working out at the small gym down the street. It’s gotten better but then there’s times when it shoots discomforting aches down my leg. I walk inside getting welcoming hellos from different staff as well as some of the patients. It hurts me knowing that most of these patients have no one to come visit them. Some have family that’s deserted them, some with no family or friends to care. I try to make my rounds, spending some time with those I can. Betsy told me that I’m the hit of the home. It’s just the way I am. I’m lucky I grew up in such a loving household, being given the love some never have had. It helped make me what I am today, I guess.

  I walk down my hall, anxious to get started on Harry’s therapy. Turning the corner, I walk into his room. Over time, Saige has made it really homey in here. Harry’s sitting on the chair, some game show playing on the TV. He’s eating an orange. “Morning, Harry.” I walk until I’m standing in front of him. He’s already dressed, his bed made. I’d say he’s a bit anxious. He looks up at me and smiles.

  “And what a beautiful morning it is, Brice.”

  It lifts my heart knowing he’ll be going home for a visit today. Many patients here aren’t that lucky. I sit down on the edge of his bed, giving him the opportunity to finish his orange. I know that this place isn’t known for their great food. Most nursing homes have to make all their food very bland. This home is one of the best as far as trying to provide different things according to their patients. Special diets. Some with nothing special. Allergies. The staff that serves in the cafeteria maintains a list of all the patient’s special circumstances and offers the right food to meet their needs. I’ve sampled their hamburgers and must say they’re pretty damn good. I need to speak with Mitsi when I get a chance. She’s a dear older woman, I’d say in her sixties, and the head of the staff that serves in there. Inside information is my specialty. I want to make sure Harry’s fiber intake has been noted on his record there and that he’s getting what he needs.

  “I’ll be done in a minute,” Harry says, bringing me out of my thoughts. He pushes another slice of orange into his mouth, looking away from me. I watch him chew, opening my mouth to tell him no hurry when he speaks again. His eyes move up to mine. “So, you like my daughter.” Not a question but a simple statement. I nod, knowing he’s not done. “I love my daughter. With my whole heart. She’s everything to me.” I nod again, understanding exactly what he’s meaning. “She’s my world, the only family I have left.” He looks down at his hands then back up at me. “You know as well as I do, my time has grown more limited on this earth.” Folding my hands in my lap, I wait for more. Silence. I’m not sure if it’s because he doesn’t know what to say or
is thinking how to say it. “You love her.” Another statement but one that’s so true. Do I tell him the truth or pretend I’m only her friend? I’ve never been a good liar. I detest lies and deceit. Okay, maybe I’ve had to tell little white lies, but that’s only to protect people from getting hurt or worried.

  “Yes, sir,” I answer, knowing this could all backfire. What if I’m not good enough? What if he forbids us being together? Saige will take it to heart because it’s her dad. She’ll put his feelings over her love for me. I start to speak when he beats me to it.

  “Good. Thought so.” Huh. He puts another orange slice into his mouth, and I watch him chew in confusion. He swallows and smiles at me. “I like you, Brice.” I cringe at my name. Another small white lie. “You’re a good man. I believe you’ll take care of her, especially once I’m gone.” He grows serious. “You know, no one will ever be good enough for her.” I nod, dumbfounded. “But I trust you. I know you’re a hard worker, will support her emotionally when she needs it. She’s a strong one.” This I do know. “But even the strong have moments of weakness. There’s times when they need help just as much as anyone else.” He smiles and then eats another orange slice. We sit there in silence for a minute then he starts talking again and shifts in the chair. “So, what are your intentions?” Well, okay then. Let’s get right to it. Time to fess up, well about almost everything.

  I had to tell a couple more little white lies, wanting him to know everything. Well, mostly. I know at some point he won’t remember, and I think he deserves to know just how much I love his daughter. So, I tell him I saw her in a vision when I’d been hurt, but I didn’t tell him how I got hurt. I told him how I saw her in the ICU where she used to work. I told him how I knew she was the one the minute she’d come to me in that vision and how once I was healed I did everything I could to find her. I explained how long ago this all happened. How it was by chance my work, meaning my physical therapist work, brought me here and when I heard about what happened to him, I volunteered to be his therapist so I could be close to her, get to know her more. By the time I’m done, he knows everything, including our run in at the bar down to being with her last night. I’m not stupid. I didn’t tell him about us having sex. He’s nodding through my entire speech and when I stop talking, he stops nodding. He lets out a sigh and smiles.

  “And you think she has the same feelings for you? Just as strong?”

  I sit up straight with conviction. “Yes, sir. I believe in my heart she does. She hasn’t said the words but I can tell. I know it’s fast but…” He holds up his hand, stopping me.

  He’s looking at me but seems so far away. “I met Saige’s mom, Annie, right after college, which I attended a couple of years longer to get more degrees. I was working as an accountant in a large firm in New York.” He folds his hands and looks behind me, lost in his memories, and smiles. “She was working at a quaint diner down the street from where I worked. I was new to the firm, the greenhorn, so I’d not been there yet. After a while, some of the guys I worked with asked if I wanted to go to lunch to this diner. I didn’t want to tell them no, afraid I’d never fit in, so I went with them.” His eyes look like they came back into focus, looking right into mine. “Back then, you just didn’t walk up to a lady and ask her out. You had to get to know them first, speak when you got the chance.” I nod, loving that he’s sharing some of his memories with me. Trusting me that much. “That day, at lunch, she was our waitress.” He lets out another deep breath. “I’d never seen anyone so beautiful.” I think I know how he feels. “Anyway, once we were done eating, we were leaving to go back to work. I’d made it as far as the door to leave when she ran up to me, stopping me with her hand on my arm. Little flutters spread where she touched, and my arm broke out in goosebumps. She asked me out to dinner that night. I didn’t hesitate to say yes.”

  I find myself smiling. “And the rest is history?”

  He laughs. “Yes, pretty much. We dated for three months. I moved in with her on the fourth. We didn’t get married for another year, and she was pregnant with Saige at our wedding. You see. We were both in our early thirties, me, a few years older than her, and she had this worriedness that since we both wanted kids, we needed to get started as soon as possible. Something about an internal clock ticking or some nonsense.” He laughs again, and I join in. His laughter dies down, and sadness replaces it. “So, you see. There’s no such thing as fast. Not where life is concerned. Life flies by and if you’re not careful, it will be gone before you do the things you want or be with the one that has taken your heart. Life doesn’t slow down and wait for you to make decisions.” He looks at me with wetness in his eyes. “Other than Saige, my memories are all I have of Annie and our son Bobby.” He sniffs.

  “They’ve both been gone for too long, but my memories have sustained me.” He’s staring at me, and my heart feels heavy for him. “When they’re gone, when this dementia takes them from me, I’ll have nothing. I might not even remember Saige at some point. Everything that matters to me will be gone.” A tear falls from his eye. “I don’t want to be here when that happens. I pray that God will take me before dementia takes my memories completely and makes me less than a man.” I turn and take out a couple of tissues from the box and hand them to him but when he takes them, he holds onto my hand. “I see how she looks at you, hangs on your every word. She has feelings for you, of that I’m sure. Just do me a favor?”

  I nod eagerly. “Anything.”

  “Be there for her, through thick and thin. Don’t let her snarky attitude get to you. Trust her, believe in her, and love her with everything you have. She’s precious and has the biggest heart. Love her, protect her, and support her.”

  I’m still nodding, a lone tear making its way from my eye and down my face. “Sir. I love her with every fiber of my being. I promise you that. I will protect her, support her, and be there for her in every sense. I can’t live without her and will die trying to keep her.” He nods, releasing my hand. He wipes his eyes with the tissues. “I will also be here for you and do whatever I can to help you as well, sir.”

  “One more thing?” he asks.

  I nod, wiping away my own tears. “Yes, sir?”

  “Don’t hurt her.” He looks at me as I suspect any loving father would. As if the thought would hurt him more and he’d kill me – or find some way to do it – if I wronged his daughter in any way.

  “No, sir. I’d die first.”

  He nods again and then lets out a laugh. “You know she can be quite stubborn. So much like her mother.”

  “I think I’ve already witnessed that.” I laugh.

  “Witnessed what?”

  We both turn and see Saige walk into the room, walking right over to Harry and kissing his cheek. She stands up and looks at me then at him. “What are you two doing?”

  I slide off the bed and help Harry up from the chair. “Oh, nothing. We were just talking.” I look at him and grab his walker next to the chair. “We’ve got some work to do.” Shit! That was close!

  21

  It was the best day. I was a little curious as to what Dad and Dax had been talking about but shrugged it off when Dad started his therapy. Dax was so gentle with him but also demanding. He walked Dad up and down the hallway then came back and had Dad get into his bed and did some exercises with his legs. I sat there amazed by his strength, his caring and gentle nature. I’ve seen his mysterious side, rough, tough, and a little scary. Now, I know a little why he’s that way even though I wish whatever he’s doing he’d stop doing it. I’m now worried about him being in danger.

  Once Dad’s therapy was over, Dax said he needed to leave. I smiled, but inside I was saddened he was leaving. Dad and I talked for a couple of hours and watched TV. Finally, I kissed him goodbye as I needed to head to work, telling him I’d pick him up after I get off to take him home for dinner. I’d brought my scrubs with me so I could change after I get there and had asked if I could work from ten until two today. They’ve been so great a
bout letting me schedule the hours needed when things come up. I think I have Peter to thank for that.

  I close Dad’s door but a crack when a hand covers my mouth. I gasp and try to scream until the familiarity of the hands holding me calm me instantly. I can’t help smiling as I’m led down the hall and into the small storage closet. I’m pushed up against the shelf that I’ve become so familiar with and as soon as he uncovers my mouth, his lips press against mine. Hard. Rough. Eager. His hands cup my face, and my arms instantly wrap around him. He deepens the kiss and captures my moan as I move my hands up his back and fist his shirt. God, what he does to me. His shirt feels damp and that musky aroma that’s just him has a hint of something else, but I love it, whatever it is.

  “I missed you,” he murmurs against my mouth.

  I’m so horny. I wish he’d take me right here. I buck against his rock hard cock and am surprised I can feel it so well through his clothes. He kisses me harder and our tongues tangle together. I look down and see he’s wearing gym shorts. I tilt my head back as he starts kissing along my jaw then down my neck, my hand finds its way down his side, and he moans, rather loudly, when I grasp his length through his shorts.

  “You’re killing me, woman,” he whispers against the skin at the base of my throat then proceeds to suck in a mouthful. Damn, he’s gonna give me a hickey.