by Unknown
She was going to drown me with that damn ice if she keeps this up.
“Stop,” I managed to croak out, and noticed the scratching was duller.
“Seriously Adalyn, I’m just trying to help.”
I wish I could laugh, but I didn’t have the strength. “Light. Off.”
I could feel Rudd next to me and I turned into him. “Is it too bright, angel?” he spoke gently into my ear and I nodded. I could feel his hand on my cheek.
“Lights are off. Curtains are closed.” I felt the bed dip down. “Can you open your eyes now?” Madi asked.
I lifted them slowly. It was darker. I was relieved. It took effort, but I got them opened. They were still weighed down and I felt loopy, drunk, almost like I had been drinking Tequila again.
“There’s my angel.” Rudd kissed my forehead. It felt good. He hesitated. He did not want to pull away.
“Adalyn,” Madi started crying, “I missed you.” She pushed Archer out of the way to hug me. I couldn’t do anything but let her. I was able to move my hand, but that was about it.
“Why are you crying?” I whispered. “And where am I?” I looked around the small room. I did not see much because the lights were off, but I could tell where I was. “This looks like a hospital room.”
Archer’s voice dropped. “Angel.”
“Oh my God, what’s wrong with me? How sick am I?”
“Calm down, baby. You’re fine. Everything’s okay now.” He was holding my hand not in the cast, with the two of his while he sat next to me. His eyes never left mine. They were both sitting on the bed staring at me. Madi had stopped crying. There was pain on their faces, but they looked relieved.
I believed him, always would, but something else was going on.
“You. Guys. Are. Scaring. Me.” I really needed to stop talking. Madi held the ice up and I nodded. She gave me another piece.
“We’ll get around to everything soon, I promise. I don’t want to overwhelm you.”
He was being super sweet. I loved it when his voice got soft and full of concern.
I was exhausted. Forcing my eyes to stay open was such a chore. I trusted him with my life and everything in it, so it was safe to let the sleep take me again.
One week later ...
"Let me see if I got this right." I sat up in the hospital bed I despised. It was hard and very uncomfortable. It was also very hard to cuddle with Rudd in this bed, but we made it work the last few days.
I hated being here. Now that I know how long I’ve been here, this past week went by super slow. I was getting stronger every day, and I just wanted to leave. I wanted to check myself out like Rudd had when he was shot, but I was still wobbly on my feet so I gave up that fight.
Plus, I knew Rudd wouldn’t let me.
Brain surgery was much more difficult to recover from than a shoulder wound.
“After I passed out from what that psychopath idiot did to me, I died.” I saw Rudd’s jaw get tense and his eyes adverted mine. I couldn’t even imagine how he felt when he found me lying on that floor, unconscious. “Rudd did CPR and got me breathing again. Then, I died for a second time, but not for long. I had major brain surgery. I was in a coma for over a month.” I looked at my parents. “My parents are here and want to stay. The kids love them and of course, they love the kids. Who wouldn’t?” I shot my mom a look. “I’m pretty sure they love Rudd, because we’re still getting married.” I played with my engagement ring and glanced around the room, looking at everyone. Rudd, my parents, Ian, and Madi were there. Scott had taken the kids outside so we could all talk.
Thinking about it all exhausted me. Rudd was right, I’m glad he didn’t overwhelm me all on the same day. Every day he told me something new. The past week was full of visits and my parents explained everything to me about our past. It all made sense. They did everything they could to protect me. I wasn’t mad at what happened.
It was no one’s fault, but that Rainor guy. Who is dead. Totally dead and never able to hurt another person again. Scott ruled the shooting of Rainor in self-defense on my father’s behalf because he still had the gun on him when they found me.
I continued to sleep a lot. I was slowly getting back to myself. Every day I felt better.
Every day I woke up, Rudd was there. He never left. Not once. His love and devotion consumed my heart and soul. Love surrounded me, and I knew it always would.
“You forgot I’m your Maid of Honor,” Madi told me.
“If memory serves me correct,” I said tapping my chin, “I never asked you.”
She stood up and pointed at me. “You wouldn’t!”
“I would.” I gave her my best poker face, but I sucked at them.
She sucked in air, marched over to my bed, and hit me. “You just hit me.”
“In the arm.”
“I just woke up from a coma!”
“A week ago.”
“They cut my head open!”
She hit me again in the arm. “Blah, blah, blah. Poor Adalyn. Get over it.” She smiled and sat on my bed. “I already ordered the dresses.”
I loved my best friend. “Dresses?”
“Yours, Bailey’s, and mine. I figured you’d be getting married as soon as you left the hospital, so I wanted to make sure they had time to make and ship them.”
I had it all. But, I was getting more.
I woke up breathing today.
Life was good.
Epilogue
I looked down at the two blue lines and then grabbed the box off the counter. I flashed my eyes to the box, then back to the stick. I did this at least five times.
I was pregnant.
Pregnant!
I tossed the stick and box into the trash, pulled my dress up off my feet, and walked out of the bathroom.
“I really did good designing your dress,” Madi said as she came to me, looking the dress over again, and fussing over my hair. She did. It was ivory white, silky, and hugged my waist, flowing down my legs and had a small train in the back. The back was open just enough to give it an elegant feel of a ball gown. Her dress was blue, and Bailey’s was green, the color of my eyes.
Tears burned my eyes. “I’m pregnant.”
“Oh my God!” She grabbed me by the shoulders. “That’s why you were gulping down water this morning!”
I moved away from her. “I need to tell Rudd.”
“No! You can’t see him before the wedding. It’s bad luck.”
“I have to tell him, Madi!”
“Give it five minutes. Walk down the aisle, say your vows, and then tell him.”
“I don’t want to wait,” I whispered, and the tears threatened to fall.
“I’ll get your dad, and we can get this show on the road!”
Rudd and I were getting married on the dock, where he and the kids proposed. It was a little chilly, but I didn’t care. No one did. It was only October, so it wasn’t like it was snowing yet. My parents, the kids, Madi, and Ian were the only ones with us during the ceremony, besides Judge Norman, because no one else could fit on the dock. They were all waiting in the enclosed tent-slash-reception area that we had set up on the backside of the property.
After we were married, the papers would be ready for Rudd and I to sign, officially adopting Danny. He was opening up more each day, and he’s been watching out for Bailey at school, even though she’s fitting in just fine on her own. Everyone loves her.
“I did it!” Bailey screamed running into our bedroom. She stopped right in front of me, out of breath. “I ran,” she sucked in some more air, “all the way in here.” She took a big deep breath. “Igainedtenpounds,” she said so fast, wrapping her arms around me.
That was her goal; gain ten pounds by the wedding.
I pulled her into my arms. “I’m so happy for you, sweetheart.” I could tell she was gaining weight and she grew at least an inch since she’s been here. Either way she was beautiful, always shining bright, full of life.
“Okay,” Madi said
coming back in the room. I set Bailey down and she went and held hands with Madi. “Let’s get this started!”
I hooked my arm with my dad and he said, “You look beautiful, Adalyn.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Thanks, Dad.”
There was music softly playing in the background as he stepped outside of the house. I could hear it more the closer we got to the dock. Madi and Bailey stopped right in front of us Bailey turned around, smiled, and said, “I love you….Mom.”
“Oh God,” I breathed. My dad held onto me tighter. Bailey quickly turned around and they started walking down the dock.
“Feels good,” my dad said softly.
“I’m so full of love I don’t have anywhere else to put more.”
“You’ll find the room, and if not, if it starts to overflow, let it. Your children and Archer can soak it all up”
He turned to me with glossy eyes. “You are the bravest, strongest person I’ve ever known. I’m so proud that you’re my daughter.”
I choked up, started crying, and threw my arms around him.
“Shit, don’t cry,” he teased, “your mom will kill me.”
“I need to tell Rudd something.” I broke free from my dad, ran down the deck, tossing myself at Rudd. He caught me and I whispered in his ear, “I’m pregnant.”
He dipped me, kissed me hard and deep, while everyone whistled at us.
***
I was married.
I was now Adalyn Archer.
My husband pulled me into his arms as we started our first dance. I wasn’t even sure what song was playing. It didn’t matter. I was where I was supposed to be.
“I love you, Rudd Jonathan Archer.”
“I love you, Adalyn Rose Archer.”
He kissed me softly and tasted like wine. He dipped his head and his lips found my neck.
“We might have to sneak away, Rudd,” I whispered as he continued to kiss my neck.
“Thank God,” he said and dragged me behind him as we left the dance floor before the song was over.
***
“You guys really need to stop running off,” Madi told me.
“I can’t help myself.”
“You keep this up you’ll be pregnant again before this one has a chance to pop out.”
I shook my head. “We do want a lot of kids.”
Madi stuck the dollar in my dress. “You’re supposed to give that to my dad.” I told her. He was collecting the money for the dollar dance.
“Keep it. It looks good on you.” She turned around and yelled, “Next!”
The dollar dance was Madi’s idea. We didn’t need the money, so we decided to donate it all to the animal shelter. My mom was next in line.
“You look beautiful, baby girl.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Your dad and I are so proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you guys.”
She laughed and held me close as we danced. “Let’s not start crying again. I’m sure my makeup looks awful.”
I smiled at her. “Nope. Beautiful as ever.”
“Thanks, Becca.” She kissed my forehead and left. Sometimes my parents would call me Becca. And every time my mom did she blinked away her tears.
The next in line was Ian. He rolled out to me and put his hand out. “Thanks for coming, Ian.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” He pulled me on his lap and spun his chair around slowly; then did a small wheelie, tipping us back. I held onto his neck and laughed.
“I’m happy for the two of you,” he said, slowing us down when the music changed.
“Thanks…I know you’re still helping Rudd.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I help him sometimes with his cases. You know he’s a detective, right?”
I chuckled. “I’m not stupid. But promise me something.”
“I’ll try.”
“Be safe. Both of you.”
“Don’t worry about me; just take care of Arch for me.”
I saw Rudd watching us. “I think it’s time we switched out,” I said nodding over at Rudd.
“Nah. Let’s make him sweat. Besides, I gave your dad more than a dollar.”
After a few more spins in the wheelchair, I noticed Jacobs was next in line.
“It looks nice in here,” he said, keeping as much space between us as possible. I glanced around. The blue and green colors blended well. There were green tablecloths and blue flowers on all the tables, which Jack and Jill donated to us for a wedding gift. There were a few balloons in just the right places, and I made our three-tiered wedding cake.
“Thank you, Jacobs.”
He smiled and walked off.
***
“Rudd. Oh. God.”
I’m not sure how, but we ended up in his truck this time. I was riding him, his finger was rubbing my clit, and his mouth at my neck.
I wanted it to last longer, but I couldn’t. I was going to explode.
“Husband,” I breathe as I came.
He leaned forward, twisted me in the seat, and was over me. I had one foot on the back of the seat and one on the dashboard, so he could slam into me a few times, riding out his orgasm.
“Say it again.”
“Husband,” I whispered.
He slid his hands under my ass and lifted my hips, slamming into me again.
“Fuck,” he moaned.
“More, Rudd. Please,” I begged. “Faster.”
He was going to make me scream.
“Again, angel.” He slammed into me again. “Come with me.”
I did.
We both lost it.
I loved it when we came together.
“Perfect. Angel,” he said after one more slam into me. “Fucking. Perfect.”
He was right. It was.
“I love your middle name,” I said, trying to slow my breathing. He was still in me and his face was in my neck. “Jonathan. I like it.”
He kissed my neck while one hand grabbed my knee. He slowly pushed his hand up my leg.
“What are you trying to tell me?”
“If it’s a boy…”
“Hmmm,” he mumbled into my neck. “You have the best ideas, Wife.”
***
“Adalyn!”
I took another bite of cake and saw Madi running across the dance floor towards me. She was smiling and had her phone in one hand.
“Oh. My. God.”
“Breathe, Madi.”
“Trying.” She put a hand on her chest.
“Are you okay?” I asked, setting down my plate and fork.
“Oh God,” she said.
“What?” I stood and walked to her. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m going…well…when you decided to take that long ass nap of yours…” She always referred to when I was in the coma as my long ass nap. “I, um, appliedtobeonatvshow,” she said way to fast and it all blended together.
“Huh?”
She tossed her hands in the air. “I’m going to be on TV, Adalyn.” She threw her hands in the air “TV!” she yelled at the ceiling.
“What do you mean TV?”
She stopped and stared at me. “I’m contestant number twelve on a TV show!” she yelled at me. “Reality TV, Adalyn.” She shook me. “Like building shit and designing stuff.”
“That’s so cool!” I hugged her and we started jumping up and down. Rudd walked over with Ian at his side.
“Madi’s going to be on TV!” I shrieked at Rudd.
“What?”
“A TV show, honey.”
I looked back at Madi and her smiled slowly died on her face, and she was looking a little pale.
“Oh shit.” She started fanning herself.
“Madi, what’s wrong?”
“I’m going to be on TV,” she whispered right before she passed out in my arms.
Book 2 in the Aster Lake Series coming 2016, told from Madi and Rocco’s POV.
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