Hugged By An Angel

by Capizzi, Roberta

  I laughed. Here we go again; I was sure he’d start making fun about my height now, just like every man in my family. I should have seen it coming, sooner or later.

  “David and Declan always made fun of me, saying I was a pixie because I’m barely five foot three,” I said, shaking my head in resignation. “And since I’m the shortest in my family, they always said Mom and Dad found me in the woods, and that one day my real family would come and take me back to their realm.” I smiled remembering how, when I was younger, I’d always believed the fairy tale my brothers had made up. I’d dreamed about ruling a kingdom full of pixies.

  “I love pixies; I think they’re quite cute,” he said, kissing the tip of my nose. “And they can be very sexy, too,” he added with a mischievous grin. I stood up on my tiptoes to kiss him and he laughed, turning his attention back to the pan. A waft of the lovely smell of frying bacon hit my nostrils and my stomach grumbled, making us both laugh.

  “I’ve built up quite an appetite this morning,” I said with a smile, and he nodded, kissing the top of my head. “Even pixies have to eat every now and then, you know.”

  “Forgive me for starving you,” he said, placing the rashers onto a plate and breaking a couple of eggs inside the pan. “Scrambled?” he asked and I nodded, my arms still wrapped securely around his waist. His right arm went back around my shoulder as soon as he’d finished cracking the eggs and I loved it.

  My legs were starting to feel weak but I didn’t want to let go; I wanted to enjoy this cozy everyday moment a little longer. It was the first time he’d cooked breakfast for me and I thought it was quite romantic; but then again, everything seemed romantic to me, as long as he was involved.

  A minute later he placed the eggs onto another plate and picked them both up, looking down at me.

  “Are you ever going to let go of me and eat breakfast, or am I supposed to feed you standing here?” he asked with a smirk and I blushed, immediately releasing him from my hug. My legs gave in just then and I was lucky the table was behind me, otherwise I would have landed on my butt.

  He gave me a scolding glance and put the plates on the table before asking me if I was okay. I nodded and sat down on the closest chair.

  “Don’t go overboard, babe,” he said, pouring hot water into my mug and bending down to kiss my cheek. “Take it one step at a time. We’ll get there little by little, but I need you to understand your limitations.”

  I nodded, then he sat down next to me and we devoured everything he’d cooked.

  Chapter Forty-two

  Colin

  June 24, 2012

  Cooking breakfast for her had been quite a new experience for me and, although it was stupid, I’d really found it exciting. I’d never had any girls stay for breakfast and I’d definitely never cooked for them. It would’ve been too intimate and I wasn’t one for the intimacy—but Kathleen had thrown my world off its axis and all these intimate, family moments were something I longed for now.

  We spent the rest of the day kissing and cuddling on my couch. There was an NBA match on TV and I didn’t want to be rude asking her to watch it with me, but when I told her I used to play basketball in high school and that it was my favorite sport she seemed genuinely interested in watching the game, too. She said she’d never watched any sport but rugby and it’d be nice to try something new; she’d even suggested I teach her to play, so she could thrash me.

  We watched the first half of the game, cheering when the Knicks scored and booing when the Lakers did. I enjoyed sitting with her snuggled up against my chest with my arm around her shoulder. At the first break though, she looked up at me and, when our eyes met, the Knicks were quickly forgotten and we totally missed the rest of the game.

  “Forgive me for asking, but weren’t you the one who said he could be in a relationship without sex?” she asked, propping herself up with her hands on my chest and staring at me with a raised eyebrow. I grinned.

  “That was before I knew what it would be like with you,” I said seriously, and she shook her head in feigned exasperation. “I’m addicted to you, now.”

  “And I to you,” she said in a husky tone that made me groan and roll my eyes.

  “Stop it, you evil pixie, or you’ll be in trouble,” I threatened. I stroked her cheek and kissed her lips softly and she fell back onto me, my arms wrapping around her a second later.

  “I love you,” she whispered against my chest, and I knew I’d never in my life feel as good as I did then unless she was by my side.

  We’d agreed to meet David in the hospital parking lot again and when his car stopped next to mine, Kathleen started to fumble in the seat. She wanted to find the perfect moment to tell everyone about Declan, so we agreed we’d pass off her recovery as an inexplicable miracle.

  I got out of the car and scooped her up in my arms as if she still needed me to, just to keep up the pretense. When David noticed the wheelchair wasn’t anywhere in sight he asked me if he should take it out of the trunk, and looked warily at us when Kathleen and I exchanged glances and shook our heads simultaneously.

  I put her down. When David saw her standing on her own, I could swear he was about to pass out.

  “Holy cow!” he said, looking at Kathleen, his mouth agape. I couldn’t tell if he was shocked, surprised or happy. Kathleen smiled at him and opened her arms, taking a tentative step forward. She couldn’t get much farther, though, because his arms encircled her a moment later. I was afraid he was going to suffocate her.

  “How…? When…? What…?” he stammered, unable to form a sentence, and Kathleen gave a hearty laugh. He pulled away and looked down at her, his eyes glistening with tears.

  “It’s…a sort of miracle,” Kathleen said, a little tremble in her voice.

  “Yes, I guess it is. It must be,” he whispered, still dazed. “Mom will pass out when she sees you, sis. Wait, when are you coming home? You’re not staying here for good, are ya?”

  She smiled. “I’m not totally okay yet; Colin will help me get back in shape, so I might need to stay a little longer than just one weekend,” she said, and he seemed to relax a little. “But eventually I’ll move back to Dublin, David. I was going to ask Annie if I could live with her again. I can’t stay 124 miles away from the man I love.” I could swear I saw him wince at her words, and I knew it was because he still didn’t trust me.

  “Now, why don’t we go for a coffee together, so you can get to know Colin before you feel the urge to break his legs?” she teased, and he grinned.

  “I’m still quite sure I’ll have to kick the guy’s arse before the day is through.” I saw her raise an eyebrow at him, and he shrugged. “By the look on your face I’m pretty sure you made up for lost time last night, and I don’t like the thought of a pair of roaming hands all over my little sister.”

  Kathleen blushed hard and I couldn’t help but chuckle. When David’s grin suddenly faded though, I feared I’d be in trouble.

  “I knew it,” he said through gritted teeth, and he turned back toward me. “I do hope you were wise enough to use protection, Doctor, ‘cause if you got my little sister pregnant, I swear I’ll smash your head in!” he shouted, and I couldn’t help but laugh heartily at that.

  “Don’t worry, David; we did use protection,” I said, crouching down in front of Kathleen, who was now sitting in her brother’s car. I stroked her cheek softly, with a smug grin on my face. “Besides, I’d be only too happy to have your sister’s babies.”

  Kathleen blushed even harder at that, and I thought she was going to choke. I turned back expecting to see a murderous expression on David’s face, but I was shocked to see he was smiling. Smiling?

  “That’s a good answer, buddy,” David said, folding his arms across his chest. “Was just testing if you had balls, ‘cause I can’t really let a spineless coward date my little sister, ya know?” I laughed and David joined me, one hand patting my back, the other extended toward me. “No hard feelings, then?”

  I took his h
and and shook it firmly. “No hard feelings, David.”

  Kathleen looked at David then at me and, when I saw the beautiful smile on her face, I couldn’t help but feel my heart swell.

  This is definitely another little miracle.

  I remembered how only yesterday David had threatened to break my legs. Now he was treating me like a friend. I hoped that, from now on, things would look up for all of us.

  Chapter Forty-three

  Kathleen

  August 4, 2012

  Weeks went flying by after that day. With Colin’s help I quickly regained the strength and muscle tone I’d lost and was able to walk normally by the end of July, as if nothing ever happened.

  Since moving back to Dublin and into my old house with Annie I’d started thinking seriously about my future and the career plans I’d made before the accident. Thanks to David, I’d started writing a fortnightly column for the Galway University newspaper. Colin found me a second job, since one of his new patients worked for a famous Dublin-based magazine, and they were looking for freelance writers for a weekly column.

  In-between articles I’d started writing my book, just like I’d promised Declan I would. It took me a while to get into the right state of mind because I was afraid I wasn’t good enough, but after gaining more confidence I spent most of my free time writing. It took me less than a month to finish the first draft and Colin was very supportive through all of it, especially when I was moody, cranky or weepy. When I was stuck and had writer’s block he’d wrap me in his arms, kiss my face and tell me he had faith in me, and it always worked miracles. Colin called it ‘Byrne’s special cure for writer’s block’, and he joked about patenting it and using it to help other female writers. I’d smack him and say he was my personal therapist and I wasn’t going to share his services with any other woman, especially considering that part of the therapy consisted of rolling around in bed.

  I hadn’t met his grandmother yet, although when I started working on my novel he’d begun going up to see her every weekend. I’d decided to hold off joining him until I could walk properly, as I wanted to make a good first impression.

  I’d started getting paranoid lately because I was afraid she wouldn’t like me or would want someone better for her grandson. It was silly and Colin kept reassuring me she’d love me, but I still felt a little uneasy at the thought. And, even though he’d already met my family when I was in hospital, Colin hadn’t officially met them as my boyfriend yet, and I knew he was dreading the moment, too. In the end, we’d both decided to delay the official introductions for a few more weeks, or maybe months.

  But fate decided for us when we were snuggled up in his bed one Saturday morning. I’d finished the first draft a couple of days prior and decided to take at least a couple of weeks off before revising the whole manuscript again. Obviously, this meant I was spending all my free time with Colin.

  I was starting to nod off again when his phone rang. I gave a start, but he kept his arm around me while picking up the phone from the nightstand. After a moment, though, he abruptly sat up and I saw him go pale.

  “What? When?” he shouted into the phone, raking his hand through his hair. “Where is she now? I’ll get in the car straight away.”

  When he hung up he sprang out of bed and picked up his clothes, running toward the bathroom.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked and he snapped out of it, turning toward me with a frown as if he’d forgotten I was even there.

  “I need to go up to Gran’s. I’m taking a shower and leaving immediately afterward. You can sleep in and go home whenever you’re ready.”

  “Colin!” I called after him, getting out of bed and pulling his t-shirt over my head. “Wait a minute. What happened?” I rushed into the bathroom just as he was turning the hot water tap, and he stared at me with a look I’d never seen before. His eyes were glistening, and I knew then that something was wrong; I was one-hundred percent sure. My heart skipped a beat at the thought something might have happened to his grandmother.

  He’ll have to walk over my dead body if he thinks I’ll let him drive up there by himself.

  “Gran’s been taken to hospital,” he said, clearing his throat when his voice cracked. I gasped and he walked into the shower, talking at me from behind the curtain. “That was my aunt Geraldine on the phone; she told me not to worry, that she only has a broken leg, but I’m not sure if she was being honest or hiding something. I need to get there immediately.”

  I stripped off and stepped into the shower. Colin looked at me with raised eyebrows and I shrugged.“I’m going with you, so I thought we’d save time if we showered together.”

  He smirked, and I brushed his cheek gently. “How could you even think I’d let you drive all the way up there alone, in the state you’re in? What kind of girlfriend would that make me?”

  He nodded and the frown temporarily left his face, although I knew he was a bundle of nerves. I’d be there to help him through, just like he’d been there for me through the worst months of my life. It was my turn to take care of him now.

  A little less than three hours later we were walking through the sliding doors of Sligo General Hospital, my hand squeezing his in silent reassurance. We bumped into his aunt Geraldine while she was coming down the corridor from his grandmother’s room. When I asked about his other relatives in Ireland he’d told me his father’s sisters had never really forgiven their brother for leaving the country and their parents and, since his grandfather had died, their relationship with his father had become even colder. When Colin moved in with his grandmother they’d been wary about him for a while, but then he’d proven to be useful since he took care of his grandmother and that left a little more free time for them.

  The way his aunt greeted him now, I understood he wasn’t exaggerating. Her hazel eyes skittered over me briefly, barely acknowledging my presence, and then she left, saying she had to go home and get her mother some stuff she’d need; they’d keep her in for a day and, if everything was okay, release her tomorrow.

  His aunt left and Colin pulled me behind him, taking giant strides toward his grandmother’s room. Suddenly, I was very nervous.

  Chapter Forty-four

  Colin

  August 4, 2012

  “What the hell were you thinking?” I shouted, as I walked into the hospital room and saw Gran lying in bed, paler than usual, her left leg in traction.

  “No need to shout, Colin; I’m not deaf. Come give me a hug, son.” In spite of my outburst she was all smiles, and it made my blood boil.

  “Shit, Gran, you could’ve killed yourself!”

  “Watch your mouth, now,” she chided, frowning as I got close.

  I rolled my eyes and looked at her waiting for me with open arms. I couldn’t help but bend down and hug her. God, I’d been so worried!

  “I’m still alive, as you can see,” she whispered in my ear, in her own very grandmotherly way—the same way she used to talk to me when I was in one of my dark moments and missed my parents. “A broken leg is not such a big deal. I’ll be as right as rain in no time.” She pushed me back and grinned at me; she looked more like Gran now, and I smiled back.

  “No, you won’t. A broken leg won’t heal that quickly at your age. I’ll have to take care of you now. You know, if you wanted me to come home, you could simply have said it.” I snorted in mock huff, taking her hand in both of mine. She chuckled then looked over my shoulder beyond me.

  I saw her face light up when she saw Kathleen. I knew she was dying to meet her. In the past couple of months she had begged me to bring her over; she wanted to meet the one girl who’d been able to stick around for so long. I was sure Gran somehow understood I had finally met The One.

  I turned back and motioned for Kathleen to come in. She’d switched over to shy-girl mode and I was sure she wasn’t particularly at ease. She’d been worried sick that Gran wouldn’t like her; my attempts at convincing her she’d be wrong had failed.

  “Gran, this is
Kathleen,” I said, taking Kathleen’s hand and pulling her close to me so I could wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Kathleen, this is my featherbrained grandmother, who still thinks she can climb ladders at eighty-two.”

  I winked at her and Kathleen chuckled, while Gran scowled. Then she took Kathleen’s hand and looked up with a big smile. Yep, she definitely approved of my girlfriend. Problem solved.

  “I’m so happy to meet you at last, Kathleen!” Gran said, a broad smile still on her face. “I’m sorry we’ve had to meet like this. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble, in spite of what Colin says.”

  Kathleen smiled coyly at her and I noticed her cheeks were rosier than usual. She was so cute I wanted to take her face in my hands and kiss her, but I knew it would make things even more awkward so I restrained.

  “I’m glad to meet you too, Mrs. Byrne. I’m sorry for not coming up sooner.”

  Gran shook her head and squeezed Kathleen’s hand a little more. “Please, just call me Doreen. Let’s not be so formal now you’re part of the family.”

  Kathleen smiled and her cheeks turned even redder. She was trying to look confident, but I could see Gran’s comment about being a part of the family hadn’t exactly put her at ease, so I decided to step in.

  “Okay, since I’ve ascertained you look fine enough, I guess we can leave now. You made us skip breakfast and now I feel like I’m gonna pass out any minute,” I said, wearing the most scolding expression I could. Gran chuckled in response. “We’ll be back in later today, okay?”

  She nodded and took my hand in both of hers; it was something that still managed to warm my heart. It had always been her way of showing me she loved me, the way she used to comfort me when I was feeling down since she knew I wasn’t the hugging type.