Your Fan Forever

by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

  “Congratulations?” Preston yelled with his hands up. “Now tell us something we don’t know. Like how you fell off a mountain.”

  “She dropped her phone.” I said and hit Preston in the chest before sitting down. My body ached and my hand throbbed.

  “What do you mean you’re getting married?” Kate asked.

  It was Callie’s turn to narrow her eyes. Before anyone could answer the doctor came in.

  “Ms. Blake.” Callie’s doctor stood in the middle of the room flipping through something on a tablet. He had yet to acknowledge any of us. “My names Dr. Shears.”

  He tucked the tablet under his arm and walked towards Callie but stopped.

  “Uhm. Aren’t you Kate Stone?” Dr. Shears ran a hand through his hair and grinned.

  “No, I’m not. I’m Kathryn Carter.” She flipped her blond hair and stood up. “But I get that all the time.”

  I hid my mouth with my hand to keep from laughing. Callie giggled, but stopped and touched her head.

  I went to the other side of the bed and grabbed her hand. She stared up at me and smiled.

  Wow. I loved her smile. Loved her everything. She wanted to marry me. She said yes before, but now I feel like she meant it.

  “Oh. Sorry.” Dr. Shears shrugged and made his way to the other side of Callie’s bed. “Ms. Blake. I’ve looked over your x-rays and your EKG. Besides the cut on your head, which we were able to stitch up with six stitches, and a slight concussion, you are fine.”

  “Nothing broken?” I asked.

  “Nope. A few cuts and scrapes, but nothing to worry about.” Dr. Shears patted Callie’s hand. “If you have to fall off a mountain, you couldn’t have done it any better.”

  “Callie does everything perfect.” Preston said.

  I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

  “Can I get out of here?” Callie asked.

  “I’d normally keep you overnight for observation, but if your friend here will keep an eye on you, wake you up ever few hours to make sure you’re okay and alert and you come back and see me tomorrow. I’ll let you go tonight.”

  Callie exhaled. We all did.

  “I’ll have the nurse discharge you with some instructions.” Dr. Shears made a note on his tablet. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon?”

  “Yes.” Callie nodded.

  The doctor peered at Kate again and then walked out shaking his head.

  Kate glared at him until Preston patted her ass and her attention returned to us.

  Callie lifted the blanket covering her and let it drop.

  “Where are my clothes?” She gasped again and sat up before I could stop her. She held her left hand up to her face. “Where’s my ring?”

  Callie grabbed my shirt. Tears pooled in her eyes.

  “Hey. It’s okay.” I reached in my pocket and pulled it out. “I got it.”

  She snatched it out of my hand and shoved it on her finger. She held her hand up and admired it with a sexy little grin on the side of her lips.

  We all stared.

  She looked up.

  “What?” She shrugged her shoulders. “I love this ring,” she said and relaxed back on the bed looking at her hand.

  “So,” Preston stepped up the bed. “You’re getting married. When?”

  I shook my head.

  “Friday.” Callie said. We all turned toward her.

  “Friday.” Kate said.

  I would have said it, but I couldn’t speak. I blinked, but words wouldn’t come.

  “Yeah.” Callie gripped my arm. “My parents and sister are in LA, they could be here no problem and you guys are here and I’m sure we can fly your dad in.”

  “What about the photographer?” I asked.

  “Preston.” Callie turned to him.

  “Yes.”

  “You are in charge of finding a minister and a photographer, “ Callie said.

  “I’m on it.” Preston grinned. He loved a good project.

  “Kathryn?” Callie took her hand. “I you don’t mind being Kate Stone for a little while and maybe get your stylist to Fed Ex a few dresses here.”

  “Better than that.” Katie stood up. “I’ll have my hair and make-up stylist here for the day as well.”

  “Perfect.”

  “Where is this little ceremony taking place?” I asked.

  “Okay. Uhm, open mind, baby.” Callie dropped her eyes.

  I took a deep breath.

  “Timberland lookout.”

  I shook my head.

  She grabbed my shirt and sat up again.

  “That’s why I got up so fast and dropped my phone. I was about to take a photo and tell you I’d like to get married in that spot. It’s perfect.”

  “You almost died on that spot.”

  “But, I didn’t.” She grinned. “It would make for a great story.”

  “Fantasy and reality,” Preston said under his breath.

  “Shut up.” I said to him.

  “Noah.” The color returned to Callie’s cheeks. I was afraid the color had drained from mine.

  “It is a beautiful spot.” Kate chimed in. “And the perfect place for an impromptu wedding.”

  “The photos are going to be amazing.”

  They had all ganged up on me. I was out voted. If Nip was here, he’d be on my side, but I had to say yes.

  “Okay.” I leaned over and kissed Callie on the cheek and whispered in her ear. “But, I’m putting a safety line around your waste.”

  She licked her lips, kissed me, and giggled. I tugged on one of the red strands not concealed by the bandage on her head.

  “You’re going to be a beautiful bride Caliente.”

  “You’re going to be a handsome groom, my love.”

  “Well, what are you going to do about the honeymoon?” I asked.

  “We’ll have the honeymoon when we get home,” Callie answered.

  “Return to the place where we met.” I said and grinned.

  “I guess we have it all figured out.” Preston took his phone out of his pocket.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “This wedding isn't going to plan itself.” He spoke into the phone. “Hey Jerry. So, it looks like we need one more thing before we leave on Sunday.” He paused. “How are you and your people at planning a wedding?”

  Preston chuckled and walked out the room.

  “Like I’m going to let him plan the wedding.” Kate ran after him.

  “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Callie asked.

  “Yeah.” I sat down next to her. “If it’s what you want. I’m all for it. Besides. I love this place.”

  “You wanted me to love it, too.”

  I nodded.

  “I do.” She pulled my face towards hers. “I love you, but you have one more family member to convince.”

  She narrowed her eyes.

  I ran my hand along her cheek.

  Recognition flashed in her beautiful green eyes.

  “Nip.” We said and nodded before breaking out in a laughter that felt like home.

  Fourteen

  Callie

  We sat in the back of the black SUV as the house manager drove us back up to the cabin. Preston sat upfront, on the phone with someone talking about wiring music up the side of a mountain. I curled up in Noah’s lap and rested my head on his chest. Kate pulled my legs into her lap and smiled before tapping away on her phone.

  The further away from the fall, the more my body ached and my head throbbed. Exhaustion threatened to take over, but part of me was too excited to allow it.

  Noah held me. His touch eased my aching muscles. We both smelled like mountain and dirt and I couldn’t wait to get back to the house and take a shower.

  I drifted to sleep because the next thing I remember was Noah climbing out of the car with me in his arms.

  “I can walk.” I said, but wrapped my arm around his neck and clung to him.

  “Let me take care of you.” He whispered in my ear
.

  My insides fluttered.

  He carried me up the stairs and we turned towards our room and stopped. Nip sat at attention in front of our door.

  “Oh.” I frowned. My little guy waited up for me.

  Noah walked us down the hall and sat me down in front of Nip. I squatted down.

  He yelped and sniffed my hand. He had to reassure himself it was me. He yelped again and leaped into my arms.

  “Oh, baby.” I ran my hand down his back. His soft fur comforted me.

  “Someone cleaned him up.” Noah said as he scratched Nip behind the ears.

  I stood with Nip in my arms. I nuzzled up and smelled his fur. Flowery shampoo filled my nose.

  “Someone needs to get you cleaned up, too,” Noah said and disappeared into the bathroom.

  I heard the spray from the shower. I sat down on the end of the bed.

  “I heard you tried to rescue me.” I kissed him and let him kiss me back. “You were so brave.”

  Nip yelped and wiggled in my hand. I sat him down and he crawled in my lap. He wasn’t done checking on me.

  Noah came back into the bedroom. He had removed his shirt and shoes. I pulled off my coat and watched him maneuver around the room.

  He pulled out a pair of boxers, one of his Giants practice t-shirts I love to sleep in and a pair of shorts I sleep in. He threw them on the bed.

  He knelt in front of me and helped me take off my shirt. I winced from the stretch.

  “Easy.” He narrowed his eyes and concentrated. He lifted Nip and sat him on the ground.

  Nip protested with a bark.

  “Nip.” He said in his best dad voice. “Mommy needs a shower.”

  I reached up and took a small leaf out of Noah’s hair.

  “So does Daddy.” I grinned. “You going to take a shower with me.”

  “Well, I think I have to. I mean, you might pass out or get disoriented.” He touched the bandage on my head. “We need to keep your hair dry.”

  “You going to take advantage of me in my weakened state.” I giggled.

  “I’ll control myself, Noah said.

  My arms dropped to my lap. I blinked.

  “Hey,” He cupped my cheek. “You need to stay awake for a bit.”

  “Okay.”

  “You okay?” He ran his hands down my arms and took my hand.

  I nodded and yawned.

  “Stand up.” Noah scooted back.

  He unbuttoned my pants and slid them down my legs. He ran his hand up my thighs and rested them on my hips. He kissed my tummy and the butterflies flutter like they had taken a dose of speed. I licked my lips and pushed my hair out of my face.

  He removed my panties. His hands skimming over my ass as he pushed them down my hips.

  Noah stood up.

  “Don’t give me that look Callie.” Noah warned.

  “What look?” He took my hand and pulled me into the bathroom.

  We stopped outside of the shower stall. I leaned in and kissed Noah’s shoulder blade. He looked down. I reached around and ran my hand over the front of his pants. He was turned on, too.

  “Callie.” His voice cracked when I squeezed him. “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t know.” I ran my hand down into the waistband of his pants. “I’ve never had a concussion before. Maybe it makes you horny.”

  “If it did, I don’t think we would be trying so hard to prevent them in the NFL.” Noah pulled my hand out of his pants and grabbed a plastic shower cap sitting on the counter.

  Noah grinned and placed the cap over my head. He pushed the ends of my hair up into the cap, careful not to touch the bandage. I saw my reflection in the mirror.

  “Now, that’s attractive.” I reached up.

  Noah pushed my hand down. He shook his head and nudged me into the shower.

  “Watch your head.” He pointed and left me alone.

  I stood under the spray and groaned as the hot water pelted my sore shoulders. The heat encompassed me and woke me up. I closed my eyes, but opened them when the sensation of falling made me reach out.

  As I reached out, Noah’s arms wrapped around me and pulled me into him.

  “I’m here.” He held me as the shower spray washed over both of us. I leaned back into him, enjoying being surrounded by him. Being taken care of by him. He took care of me last time I hurt myself, too.

  The last time I was running away from him.

  I was running towards him now. Running towards our new life together.

  Running towards a happily ever after.

  Maybe I should change my URL to LifewithCallieandNoah.com

  Fifteen

  Noah

  “Turn around.”

  Callie turned in my arms, steadying herself by not losing contact with me. She snapped the waist of my now soaked shorts.

  “Really?” She grinned and laid her head on my chest. “You afraid I’m going to take advantage of you.”

  The shorts weren’t much of a buffer as I grew hard rubbing against her stomach. I tried to ignore it and ignore the fact, showering with Callie usually led to amazing sex. Maybe we were both water animals in our past life.

  I washed the dirt and mud from our bodies.

  Callie clung to me tighter and titled her head up.

  “I’m really tired.” She sounded like a four year old.

  “Let’s dry you off and get you to bed.” I ran the removable showerhead over her back side once more. I turned off the water and wrapped Callie in a huge stark white towel. She pulled the shower cap off her head and shuffled over to the mirror.

  I peeked into the bedroom. Nip and Valentine both sat in the middle of the bed, actually touching each other waiting to see if Callie was okay.

  I chuckled.

  “What?” She asked.

  I pointed.

  “Oh, look.” Callie held her hand over her mouth. Tears sprung to her eyes. “They do love each other.”

  Valentine stood up concern on her little white face.

  “They have one thing in common.” I said as I walk up behind her. “They love you. How do you feel?” I rubbed her shoulder and she winced.

  She opened the towel and inspected a purple and black bruise forming on her shoulder.

  “I guess no off the shoulder dresses for the big day.” She touched it and winced.

  I leaned over, and placed a soft kiss on the ugly mark.

  “We don’t have to do this on Friday,” I said.

  Wrong thing to say. Her tired eyes lit up and the pout on her face turned into a glaring scowl.

  “Hey.” I grabbed her hips and held her to me. “Relax. It was just a suggestion.”

  “It’s all settled.” She pushed away from me and walked into the bedroom. “Don’t argue with me. I can’t think straight.” She plopped on the bed.

  Valentine approached and Callie pulled her into her arms and kissed her head.

  “I missed you little one.” She said to Valentine. “We have so much to catch up on.”

  Nip inched across the bed. More tentative. Callie gave him some attention, rubbing his belly without taking her eyes off of Valentine. I got vision of Callie and babies.

  I shuddered and shook the thought out of my head. One step at a time.

  I knelt in front of her and dried her off before dressing her. She stood to step into the shorts. She ran her hand through my hair, twisting the strands between her fingers.

  “I don’t think we should wait.” Callie said and dropped back down on the bed. “This way the wedding can be about just about us.”

  She motioned to the dogs.

  “We never got married on the blog.” I asked. I hadn’t read the entire blog.

  “No.” She said. “I wrote about it, but never published it.”

  “What did it look like?” I asked as I lead her to her side of the bed and pulled the covers back.

  She slid between the white sheets.

  “We got married on the Brooklyn Bridge.” She said. Her eyelid
s flickered. “It was just you and me and a hippie shaman we flew in from our trip to Bali.”

  “Noah and Carrie went to Bali.”

  “Oh yeah. It was a great trip. They had sex in a sacred pool and then got kicked out of the place for being obnoxious indecent Americans.”

  I laughed.

  I pulled the deep mahogany quilt up to her chin and tucked her in. I turned.

  “Don’t leave.” She reached a hand out.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” I sat on the edge of the bed.

  Callie scooted onto her side. Valentine crawled over Callie and situated herself next to her mommy. Nip was continent to rest his paws over her hip and guard the bed.

  I sat and looked at her. I pushed her fiery red hair away from her face. Her beauty blew me away the moment I saw her. I had sworn off women, done with them and she’d taught me how to love. What I was doing with women before I met her wasn’t love. It was a constant battle between me knowing they didn’t want me for me and me given them enough of me to make them stick around, but only on my terms.

  Callie got to know me because all she had was the public persona and the fantasy of me in her head. She put all that aside and fell in love with me. At times I forgot that, but she would remind me.

  I wasn’t real until I met her.

  “What are you thinking about so hard?” She asked.

  “Writing my vows.” I said and chuckled.

  He eyes grew wide.

  “Oh, tell me.” She leaned up.

  “Nope.” I shook my head and pushed her back down. “Get some rest. You’ll have to wait until Friday.” I leaned over and kiss her soft lips. I pulled back a little, stared at her. She’d done so much for me. I wanted to thank her. I kissed her again. Her eyes blinked and then they closed.

  “I love you.” I whispered.

  I made sure she was asleep before I pulled on sweat pants and a t-shirt and headed down stairs. I found Preston and Kate in the living room, curled upon the couch watching a movie.

  My stomach growled. I headed for the kitchen.

  “Hey.” Kate turned and looked over the back of the couch. “How is she?”

  “Tired.” I opened the refrigerator.

  “The chef made dinner.” Kate pointed to a covered plate on the counter.

  I pulled the cover off and my mouth waters at the shrimp and pasta dish underneath.