by N. Natishna
Just then a door that they took Emma through burst open and a distraught Dr. Van Buren stalked out, his vision homed in on me and our friends.
“Oh shit,” Zane muttered at the same time Reggie and Jeff mumbled, “Fuck.”
I got to my feet and Max stopped to look at us all before staring back to me.
“What happened to her?” he asked harshly. In the past two months, I’d seen Max a lot at Emma’s house. He wasn’t as wary of me as he first was, but he still kept an eye on me, which I didn’t take offence to. Now, with his face pale and tear-stained, and his eyes bloodshot, I felt even more guilty than I thought possible. He’d trusted me with his daughter and I’d completely failed her, and him.
“Cody Hudson attacked her,” Liam said when I kept silent.
“How?” he asked through his tight jaw.
“He was in the girl’s locker room after cheer practice,” Aria told him, flanking Liam’s side. “He must have been in there before practice ended, because nobody saw him go in after.”
She was right, because I’d had my eyes trained to that small building, and there was only one way in there. That sick perv had been in there while Emma was changing out of her uniform. I wanted to hit something or throw a chair across the room; anything to unleash the fire burning inside me. I can tell Max had the same thought as me, because his furious eyes flashed to me and he tightened his lips into a snarl.
“Where the hell were you?”
“I was waiting for her in the parking lot, Sir,” I told him.
He jabbed a shaking finger my way. “I trusted you to keep my daughter safe. I won’t make that mistake again.”
With those parting words, Max turned and strode off back into the emergency wing. I groaned and plopped back down in my chair.
“Don’t listen to him, man,” Reggie said with a shrug. Jeff nodded.
“Yeah, you should see him when he’s really mad.”
A laugh slipped out before I could stop it. I cleared my throat and shook my head. “Not helping, guys.”
“Jeff, Reggie, go and get a couple sodas from the cafeteria,” Liam told them and sat down, pulling Rosie down next to him. “And take your time.”
“There’s a vending machine down the hall,” Reggie said matter-of-factly.
Zane snorted. “Just take your asses to the cafeteria.”
They grunted but got to their feet. Reggie slung his arm over Jeff’s shoulders.
“I think they’re trying to get rid of us.”
“I feel so unwanted.”
I rubbed the bridge of my nose and checked my phone. We’ve only been here an hour, but it felt like longer.
“Deklan!” My head snapped up when I heard Emma’s mom, Cecile, call for me. Her heels clicked on the linoleum floor as she hustled passed the receptionist desk. I stood up and held out my arms when she reached for me. It had only taken her three weeks of her knowing me for her to start hugging me whenever she’d see me or say goodbye. She treated me just like she treated Jon, Kat’s husband, and I let her. My mother wasn’t for affection anymore, or almost ever, so it felt nice to lean on the closest thing to motherly affection I had.
Cecile pulled back and gave everyone a grateful smile.
“I don’t know what she’d do without you guys,” she told us and looked up at me. “Ignore anything Maxwell says, darling. He’s got both of his girls in the hospital right now and he’s jumping from one wing of this place to the next. He gets a little flustered when something happens to his cubs.”
I grinned and hugged her again. “I would’ve thought you’d be the big momma bear in the family.”
She winked. “I like to give Maxwell a little credit.”
Then another doctor strode out and smiled as he gave us the good news.
✽✽✽
Max was pacing back and forth in the private room he’d made sure his daughter was settled in. He was angry, so damn angry that his baby girl was lying in a hospital room, because of some jackass little boy!
The door opened and his wife walked in. Her hand went over her mouth as she walked close to the bed. She reached down with her other hand and touched Emma’s arm lightly.
“Oh, my baby.”
Forgetting his anger, he went to his wife’s side immediately and wrapped her in his arms. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks as she looked earnestly up at him.
“She’ll be okay, right Max?” She gripped his biceps and more tears fell. He smoothed back her hair from her face and kissed her temple.
“Yes, love, she’ll be all right.”
“Oh, I’m so glad Deklan was there!”
Pulling back, Max scowled. “He should have been closer to her!”
Cecile sniffled and rubbed her hands up and down his chest. She cast a sorrowful glance at Emma and then back at him.
“Maxwell, this is not his fault. You have no reason to be angry with him.” She sighed as he wiped away her tears. “I know you’re wary of him, darling, but you need to stop denying the fact that he’s good to our daughter. I’ve never seen her so happy to be with someone as she is Deklan.”
Groaning, Max brought his forehead down to rest on Cecile’s. He closed his eyes while taking a deep breath slowly. When he let it out, he opened them to meet his wife’s. She was right, there was no doubt about it. Emma’s smile shone brighter than normal since being with Deklan. Max didn’t like his background at all, but he did treat Emma with the respect and honor that she deserved.
“Okay, maybe I’m overreacting a little.”
Cecile laughed lightly and snuggled against his chest. “My big, sweet man. I love you.”
He cleared his throat and squeezed her closer to him. “Love you, too, honey.”
✽✽✽
Emma
Something was beeping. I was no longer seeing my fantasy of skinny dipping on a beach with Deklan, but I was somewhere with incredibly bright lights and an annoying beeping sound that wouldn’t shut up.
Where am I?
Then I remembered Cody, and how he’d hit me in the face. The last thing I saw was his shoe as it came flying towards me. Then I had woken up on a beach with a naked Deklan next to me.
Shit! Was I dead? No, I couldn’t be. I don’t think I’d be having a mind-splitting headache if I was already done for.
The beeping started to dull, which helped me calm down a little. I started hearing voices, like…a television? Damn, I knew exactly where I was – in the freaking hospital. I wanted to sigh with relief, because at least I knew Cody couldn’t be here right now, but I hurt way too much.
“Emma?” I heard my mother’s voice and I felt my eyes flutter, but it was still too bright. “That’s right, darling, open those eyes.”
They fluttered again, and then I blinked rapidly. My vision came clearer and I was staring at the white ceiling of a hospital room. Movement to my left had my head turning, wincing when pain radiated through me.
My mom smiled at me. “How’s my cheerleader doing?”
I tried to smile to reassure her I was fine, but my cheek throbbed.
“What happened?” I croaked and grimaced. Mom helped me sit up so I could drink a cup of water.
“You have a concussion and your nose was broken.” She gave me an apologetic smile. “They had to fix it, but it looks good, just swollen. And you had two fingers broken.” She smiled shakily and then her gaze went around the room. “Your other room smelled awful. I insisted on another one. You don’t mind, do you?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “No, I don’t mind, mom. I would expect nothing less from you.” She grinned and tapped her fingernails to her chin as she studied me. “You feeling okay, sweetie?”
I nodded and looked around. As much as I loved my mother being here with me, I needed to see Deklan. More than likely, he was worried about me, and I wanted to assure him that I’m fine. But more than that, I don’t think the fear I still felt would go away without him here. “Mom, where’s Deklan?”
“He’s having l
unch with your father.” My eyes widened and she chuckled. “Poor Deklan got the sharp edge of your father’s tongue. But I set Maxwell straight and he’s apologizing to him right now.”
I let out a pent up breath and gave a short nod. Damn, even that small act had my skull beating fiercely.
“Kat had her baby boy! They named him Joseph and he’s adorable! I can’t wait until you see him, Emma. He’s perfect.”
“I’ll go see him once I can leave.”
She nodded and fingered a strand of my hair. “The police are going to want to talk to you, Emma.”
“I know, mom.”
She gave me a watery smile. “I’m so glad you’re all right, my beautiful girl.”
I took her hand in mine and squeezed. “I am too, mom.”
I took another drink of water while my mom called the nurse in. Then she left to check on my sister and Joseph, and to tell her I was okay. The doctor came by and told me the same thing my mother told me, and that I was free to go as soon as they gave me my discharge papers. He gave me a prescription for pain pills and then left. A half hour later, my dad walked in and wrapped me in a tight hug. I groaned in pain and he loosened his hold with an apology. I looked over his shoulder at Deklan as I hugged him back.
“I’m glad you’re okay, Princess.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” He kissed my forehead and I smiled at him. “Do you mind giving me and Deklan some time alone?”
“Of course, sweetheart. I have to get back to work soon, but I’ll go get a cup of coffee with your mother and make sure your sister is fine.”
He turned, nodded at Deklan, and left the room, closing the door behind him. Deklan had his hands shoved down the front of his jeans pockets, his shoulders hunched forward. His eyes skittered to mine and then darted towards the TV. I was happy that the nurse had given me something for my pain, because now I could have Deklan here without hurting.
“Deklan,” I called softly. He looked back at me and I smiled. He was so handsome, even as disheveled as he was. His hair was just a mess. It was adorable, but a mess. I noted the blood on his shirt and grimaced, because I knew it was mine. That must have been hard on him, having to see me like that. I could see the guilt clearly on his face now and I reached out to him. “Come here, please.”
He was there like a shot, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling me to him. My arms went around his shoulders and up to the back of his head, and I blocked the glimpse of pain in my hand from my mind. I wanted nothing more than to soothe the anguish in him.
“You saved me, Deklan.”
He shook his head. “I was too late, Pixie. He’d already done you in when I got there.” His expression twisted with pain. “That’s twice that I wasn’t there when one of my girls needed me.” He gently caressed my swollen cheek. “Your precious skin is bruised.”
I nuzzled my lips in his palm. “This is not your fault, Dek. Please, don’t think such nonsense.” I sighed. “It would have been so much worse if you hadn’t arrived. I love you, so much.”
His lips grazed mine, gentle…too gentle.
“Deklan,” I whined and he chuckled softly.
“You’re hurting, baby.” But his hand crept down to my thigh and he squeezed a little. He had a smile on his face as his lips brushed across mine a couple more times. “Nothing but tender kisses for you until you’ve healed completely.”
I scoffed. “Seriously? Deklan it’s just a couple bruises.”
“And a concussion, and a recently fixed broken nose. Oh, and let’s not forget the broken fingers.” His eyes burned, but with anger instead of lust. His hands tipped my face up some. “And your neck.”
I gasped and my hands went to my throat. “Is there a marks?”
He nodded and his shaking hand brushed back some of my hair.
“Not the first time he’s marred your skin,” he stated softly. “He tried to choke you.”
“Don’t,” I told him and cupped his face, bringing it up until his eyes met mine. “I’ll be able to go home soon, and then you can stay with me tonight and kiss my aches and pains away.”
He kissed the bandage on my forehead. “That sounds good to me, baby.”
“Lay down with me,” I urged and tugged at his shoulders. “I want you to hold me for a little while.”
“The nurses could kick me out.”
“I won’t let them, now hold me.”
He lay back on the bed and I fitted myself to his side, my head resting on his chest. I sighed as I got settled and drowsiness had me closing my eyes.
“Love you,” I mumbled and yawned.
Deklan’s chest vibrated as he chuckled. “Love you, too, Pixie. Now sleep.”
I mumbled something I didn’t quite understand and promptly fell into a peaceful slumber.
EPILOGUE.
Two weeks later.
“I have a surprise for you,” Deklan whispered in my ear. I didn’t even realize he’d walked up behind me until then, I was so engrossed in looking over brochures for Paris. Aria, Rosie, Bianca, and Molly were sitting at the breakfast table with me, going through all the things my mom brought us. The guys were all playing the Xbox down in the basement, which was both a lounge area and a workout room.
“What are you doing up here?” I asked him and tilted my head a little when he kissed my neck.
“I had something I want to show you.”
“Take it to another room, people,” Molly muttered from across from me. She glared at us over the top of the brochure she had in front of her face. “I do not need to see this right now.”
I smiled and set the pamphlet down, getting to my feet. “Okay, fine. Show me this surprise before your sister loses her lunch.” I winked at her and followed Deklan.
Things have been going better since that day at school. Cody was locked up, thank goodness. The fear that he would come after me whenever he got out was slowly going away with Deklan’s presence in my life. I loved him whole-heartedly. I trusted him to be there for me, and to keep me safe.
He led me up to my room and closed the door behind us. I started to get a little anxious. We definitely couldn’t make love right now with everybody here, but I could definitely be persuaded. Deklan wouldn’t let it go further than small kisses and very, very light petting for the past two weeks, and I was so totally ready to kick things back up to the way they were.
I sat on the edge of my bed and he went to my desk to rummage through his backpack. He pulled out a piece of paper from a manila envelope and then came to sit next to me. I looked at him funny when he happily held out the paper to me.
“Trust me, you’ll love this.”
I looked down at the paper, the heading reading ‘The University of California, Berkeley’. We’ve talked about college a few times, and he knew that me and the others planned on going there after we graduate. I read through the letter and a squeal of giddiness erupted from my lips. I stopped reading to throw my arms around him.
“You got accepted!” I kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud of you! We’re going to have so much fun!”
“Yeah, I can keep guys from coming anywhere near you, too.”
I slapped at his shoulder. “Silly boy. What could I possibly do without you?”
“Let’s not find out, okay?”
“Deal.”
✽✽✽
I was pushing my suitcase towards the back of the SUV trunk when I heard a horn honk behind me. I glanced over my shoulder at Deklan’s and Bianca’s cars, and then Liam’s motorcycle, this one different than his Augusta. I could see Molly in Bianca’s passenger side and I smiled. I was glad she was coming. I think she would have a wonderful time in Paris. I gave my suitcase one last shove and turned around to kiss Deklan, who got to me first.
It was the day after Christmas and we were leaving for Paris for five days. My parents rented SUVs to take us to the airport and we had to be there in two hours.
Deklan helped put the rest of my luggage in the trunk and then his. While we were doing that Reg
gie, Jeff, Zane and Aria got here. Rosie was right behind them. At first she didn’t think she’d be able to go, but just the other day she told me she was coming. Now all that was left was Luke.
He arrived as we were putting away the last of the luggage.
“This is going to be so awesome,” Bianca cheered. “I definitely needed this trip, Slim.”
I huddled with her, Aria, Molly, and Rosie next to the SUV. Aria nodded.
“Agreed. This year is starting to get so stressful, Chica.”
Bianca scoffed. “What do you have to be stressful about, girl? You’re passing your classes, you got accepted to Berkeley, and you have a sexy guy that loves your sexy ass.”
“Hmm, very true,” Aria said with thoughtful expression. Then she laughed and tossed her hair behind her shoulder. “So very true.”
“I think Paris will do us all some good,” I told them as I looked over at Deklan. He was with the guys over by the third SUV, joking around and laughing loudly.
“There’s so much I want to see,” Rosie said sweetly. Her gorgeous hair was tied up high on her head, and below her bangs, her eyes shone with the sunlight. She’d gained some weight since the first time I’d seen her, and I mentally thanked Liam for loving this girl. She’d been so slight and fragile that first day, but now she looked healthy and happy. But I could see that something was bothering her. Her smile seemed a little forced today, but she still looked happy.
“We’ll take a bunch of pictures,” I told her.
“A shit ton!” Bianca seconded.
We split up and I headed around to the front of the SUV. I didn’t realize Rosie came with me until I stopped to grab my phone from my purse, and she bumped my arm. I looked over at her and smiled.
“You doing okay, Rosie? You’ve been looking a little shaky this morning.”
She swallowed nervously but nodded. “Yeah, just a headache.”
I pursed my lips and tilted my head as I tapped my fingers to my chin, just like my mother would do.
“You sure?”
She nodded again and looked behind her. I saw Liam making his way over with Deklan and I waved. Liam pulled Rosie around to help her into the SUV. Deklan moved my hair aside and kissed my neck. When he pulled back I noticed he was wearing the eyebrow piercing I got him for Christmas. It was a banana bell and had a black and red nautical star on the ends.