by K. S. Smith
Step one was to make sure she didn’t kill me at dinner, but that would have to come after I dealt with an emergency at one of my construction sites.
Pulling into the site I saw my foreman, Danny, surrounded by a few of the other workers. I slipped out of my truck and made my way over toward the group of men.
“Gentlemen, why on earth are we working on Thanksgiving?” I asked “I can assure you I have better things to be doing than spending my time at a construction site as I’m sure the rest of you do, as well.”
Danny spoke, “We do. We’d all like to be at home with our families. But it appears that there was a break in last night and some punks damaged a few of the penthouse suites.”
I took a step back and looked up toward the top of the high rise, “Well it couldn’t have been that bad, there aren’t even walls on the building yet. It’s still just a frame.”
One of the workers piped up, “You’re right sir, it’s nothing that can’t wait until after the holiday. I apologize for alerting you of the mess.”
I shrugged my shoulders, “Well since I’m here I might as well take a look and see what we can do when we get back next week.”
The four of us stepped into the construction elevator and we headed up to the 32nd floor. The elevator began moving upward slowly, a screeching noise growing louder as we passed each floor.
“Is there something wrong with this elevator?” I asked, knowing it shouldn’t sound like this.
Danny leaned back against the metal wall, “It’s been acting up for a couple of weeks, probably just getting old. All the dust around here is just probably just causing it to move a little slower. I’ll have one of the guys check it out on Monday.”
I nodded, “Order a new one if needs be. I can’t have a delay because a rickety old elevator breaks down.”
When we arrived I took in the damage. Two suites were fully covered in graffiti and a few of the interior walls torn down. Nothing I hadn’t seen before, “This is the least of my worries. You can get it cleaned up on Monday, but for now I want all of you to get home to your families. It’s Thanksgiving and you should be spending it at home with your loved ones, not here dealing with this petty shit.”
I walked back over to the elevator and pressed the call button as I awaited the doors to open, the guys still lingering behind.
“We’re going to discuss the plan of attack for Monday and then we’ll be out of there, boss. Have a great Thanksgiving with your family.”
I nodded toward Danny and the guys and then stepped into the elevator. Pressed the round number one button and that’s when the floor fell out from beneath me.
My body was being tossed around like a rag doll as I flipped and flew through the elevator that was crashing down thirty-two stories. I could feel bones crunching as I flew from side to side and then everything went black.
****
The next thing I remember is the sounds of an emergency vehicle screaming as I was rushed into a hospital room by the paramedics. Doctors were all over and for a brief moment I swear that I began calling out for Reagan, but before I could fully grasp what was happening everything began to fade away and all I saw was her face.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The room was quiet for the most part, other than the sound of the beeping machines, but I couldn’t see anything. I tried my best to sit up, but I was unable to move a muscle. Nothing on my body was working except for my hearing. I could hear everything that was going on around me.
A long creak alerted me that the door was opening and I prayed to God that it would be a familiar voice, someone here to visit me, to make sure I was okay.
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be greeted by such an angelic sound, “Hi honey,” Reagan’s voice instantly heightened my heart beat. My nerve endings were standing at attention as if they’d just been given a second chance at life. I did my best to focus on her words, not sure if this would be the last time I ever heard her voice.
She went on, “Baby, I’m so sorry for everything I put you through. I know this isn’t the ideal time to talk about it, but you just need to know, I don’t care what happened.”
Shouting inside I tried to respond to her, but I quickly realized that I was the only one who could hear myself, I’m sorry, Reagan. It’s not for you to apologize, this was all my fault. I should have never given you a reason to question my love for you!
My thoughts remained unheard as she continued speaking to me, her voice so soothing, “The only thing I’m concerned about is that you know I love you.”
She loves me, did she really just say that she loves me. Is it possible that I haven’t lost her for good? Damn these doctors for knocking my ass out when I need to be awake. I hear you, Reagan. I hear you loud and clear, I love you too, more than you will ever know! I continued to shout, hoping with everything in me that my mouth would begin to work and I could convey to her exactly how I felt, how much I loved her, how much I would always love her.
“You’re the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. You’ve got to get better so I can tell you that, please, Cole. I can’t live without you.”
Her cries began to fill my ears and I could feel the anger swelling deep within me. I wanted, no, needed to get out of this bed, to wrap my arms tightly around her and tell her that everything was going to be just fine. I needed to tell her that she was the only person that made my life whole and I would spend the rest of my existence doing whatever it took to prove that to her.
I recognized another voice as Case began to soothe her in the background. Don’t let her cry, Case. You tell her that everything is going to be fine and when I get out of this hell hole she and I will spend the rest of our lives together. Tell her, just like I would tell Addison if the roles were reversed!
After a few moments passed her sobs subsided and before I knew it she and Case were actually laughing. Case was going on about one of our cousins groupies that he’d brought to Thanksgiving dinner, but all I could do was focus on Reagan. Her breathing, her laugh, her voice. She was my sanity in all of this, the one person who I would fight like hell to recover for.
Another creak of the door alerted me that we had company just as Reagan let out a loud belly laugh.
Suddenly the nurse spoke up, “Do that again!” She demanded.
I could hear the confusion in Reagan’s response, “Do what?” She asked.
The nurse went on, “Anything, laugh, talk, whatever, just do it again.”
Regan began to speak, but I was doing my best to focus on the nurse, I wanted to hear what was happening.
Her voice began again, “He likes the sound of your voice, every time you talk his vitals rise.”
Yes! Keep talking to me, babe. I can hear you and I need you to know that I love you, that I am all yours, forever.
I spent the rest of the evening listening to the muffled voices of family members as I did my best to catch every single word that left Reagan’s lips, after all, those were the most important to me. I could tell that things were winding down when Case’s voice began to tell Reagan that he was heading out for the night.
Take her home, Case, make her get some rest. I want her here all night, but I know she needs to rest up.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but I began to assume that Reagan left with Case and then all of the sudden, for the first time I felt the warmth of another person’s skin touching mine.
My arm began to move and I wasn’t doing it. The bed sunk and I was instantly hit with the scent of Reagan’s body wash. My heart started to accelerate as her body pressed up against my side, her fingers lacing with mine. She placed a light kiss on my shoulder and whispered, “Goodnight, love.”
Goodnight, Reagan. I love you, more than you will ever know. Thanking Case for not taking her home with him I finally allowed myself to relax as I drifted off to sleep with the love of my life right by my side.
****
The next few days passed on painfully slow and I was less than thrilled when the
doctor alerted my family of a minor setback. But they took it in stride and before I knew it I began to feel the life coming back to my body.
Focusing on each appendage I began to test them all out as I laid there, my toes, then fingers. They were working fine, moving like normal. After the realization hit me that I finally had control of my body again I forced my eyes open. The lights on the ceiling were shining brightly, causing me to squint, almost as if I needed sunglasses. I slowly scanned the room and noticed that my mother was in one corner reading a book and my father was in the other, focused on the evening news.
I figured this was the best time to see if my voice had caught up with the rest of me, “Mom.” I grumbled, my mouth so dry it was difficult to speak.
Both of my parent’s heads shot in my direction and they were on their feet and at my side in a matter of seconds.
“Honey, you’re awake! Harrison, call the nurse right now.” My mother leaned in and began kissing my forehead, running her fingers gently through my hair.
I winced at her touch and her hand jolted back, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you, I’m just so happy that you are finally awake.” Tears began to pool in her eyes.
A moment later my father and a plump nurse walked back into the room, “Mr. Conrad, glad to see that you are finally awake, I bet you’d like some water, wouldn’t you?”
I nodded my head as she placed a straw into a white Styrofoam cup of water and held it up to my mouth. I opened my mouth and took a sip, feeling rejuvenated. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was until the cool liquid hit my lips. After I finished the water I got straight to the point.
“Where is Reagan?” I asked, practically begging for her to appear out of thin air.
The nurse interjected, “She went home to rest, now let me give you a good once over to make sure you are up for visitors.”
Irritated I huffed, then winced at the pain in my abdomen, “Can someone just please let her know that I’m awake, I need to see her. I’ve got to talk to her.”
My father nodded just as I heard Case’s voice echo from behind the door, “Damn man, you’re not awake for five minutes and you’re already being a pain in the ass.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Case as he walked over to the other side of the bed, opposite of the nurse and lifted his fist to mine. Addison clung to his waist, holding him snugly in her arms.
“Addison,” I spoke, my voice still gruff, “get her here, I have to see her.”
A smile spread across her face as she reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone, “You got it, boss.”
****
It’d been almost an hour when the nurse came back into my room. “She’s here, but I’ve got to tell you, you cannot overdo it or you’ll regret it later on.” She walked over to my bed and adjusted the settings so I was able to sit up. “Now take a deep breath and I’ll send her in.”
She turned and left the room, my parent’s in tow and I sat there for a minute, taking it all in. I was about to see Reagan for the first time in a long time and suddenly I was nervous.
My eyes focused on the crack in the door, willing her to appear; the sound of the metal handle hitting the wall echoed through the room and there she stood, my reason for existence.
I could see the tears flooding down her cheeks and instantly my heart began to break for her. Sure, all of this may have been difficult on me, but I couldn’t even begin to imagine what it’d been like for her, especially after losing her parents.
“Hey, don’t cry. Come here.” I begged, laughing to hopefully lighten the mood even though the pain was shooting through me with each chuckle. I lifted my hand out toward her in the hopes that she’d move from the spot she was currently stuck in. Her body floated across the room; her beautiful brown eyes never leaving mine.
My body was aching for her touch, so badly that I stretched my hand out, but she bypassed it entirely. Instead, she climbed on to the bed with me and I instinctively wrapped my arms around her, not a care in the world that my body was screaming out in pain as she snuggled up with me.
I let out a sigh of relief, “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to have you back in my arms.” Her head shifted up as her eyes that were still flowing with tears locked onto mine. The warmth of her hand rested on my chest, right next to my heart. My heart that belonged to Reagan in its entirety and we just laid there, staring at each other as if nothing else existed but the two of us in this very moment.
CHAPTER TWENTY
A few weeks in the hospital had allowed enough time for Reagan and I to hash out the Heather debacle and luckily for me, put it behind us for good. We both decided there was no reason to re-hash that night time and time again. What was done was done and there was no changing the situation that I’d allowed myself to get into, all we could do was learn from it and move forward, leaving Heather where she belonged, in the past.
Finally home we were able to focus our sights on more important things, like building our life together.
Addison and Reagan were out spending some of the gift cards they’d gotten for Christmas when I met up with Theo and Teresa at their house for drinks and a discussion that was long overdue.
“Cole, please sit. Is there anything I can get you to drink?” Teresa asked while glancing around the room for Theo.
“Water would be fine,” I replied, clearing my throat that was suddenly dry.
She nodded and made her way toward the kitchen, returning with a glass of water and Theo right behind her.
“Cole,” Theo said making his way toward me, “it’s great to see you.”
I nodded and stood, reaching out to shake his hand, “You too, thank you both for taking the time to meet with me.”
They both sat down across from me and suddenly I felt like I was in high school all over again preparing myself for the talk. The talk every teenage boy gets when he picks up a girl for their first date. Shaking that thought I focused back on the real reason I was there, Reagan.
“As both of you know Reagan and I are committed to each other and there isn’t another person I could imagine spending the rest of my life with.”
The two of them nodded their heads in agreement, Teresa smiling from ear to ear.
“You both already know about the surprise trip to Colorado in a few days. I know my original plan to win her back involved taking her on this trip, but obviously the accident halted those plans. That being said, this trip will be even more special than that would have been because this trip is twofold. Not only is a trip down memory lane for Reagan, but I’d also like to include something else.”
I took a sip of water and pushed my shoulders back, “I plan on asking Reagan to marry me. I know you two are the closest thing she has to parents so I’d like to ask your permission for her hand in marriage.”
Teresa brought her hands toward her mouth and the tears began to trickle down her cheeks. She and Theo stood at the same time and looked at each other.
“We would love nothing more,” Theo said confidently.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding; a sigh of relief washed through me and before I knew it Teresa had her arms wrapped around me, “Oh Cole, we are so glad for you and Reagan, she is going to be thrilled.”
They were both genuinely happy for us and I was grateful for that. If I couldn’t have the blessing of Reagan’s parents, Theo and Teresa’s blessing was second best and I was truly pleased in that moment that they had approved.
“Shall we toast?” Theo said as he glanced at us.
Teresa nodded, “Of course, Theo, please prepare a drink for each of us and I will be right back. I’ve got something upstairs that may just make this moment even more special.”
Teresa winked as she darted off toward the grand staircase, leaving Theo and I alone in the living room.
“There is no telling what that woman is up to, why don’t we head into the kitchen and I’ll pour us all a glass of champagne.”
Theo led the way
and I followed him through the house and into the kitchen where he prepared three glasses of red wine and the two of us awaited Teresa’s arrival.
A few moments of small talk passed and I heard her heels clipping against the floor. When she walked in she had an enormous smile on her face and was cradling a small black velvet box between the palms of her hands.
Teresa didn’t waste any time, “Before we toast I’d like to give you something extremely special. I’m not sure if you’ve already picked out a ring for Reagan, but I wanted to give you this option before you pop the question.”
I watched as Teresa’s delicate fingers opened the black velvet box which showcased a stunning diamond ring inside. She passed it to me and began, “This ring belonged to Reagan’s mother. It was the ring her father proposed with. Theo and I have had it and intended on giving it to Reagan as a gift for her thirtieth birthday, but I think this is more fitting.”
I held the soft box in one hand and pulled out the engagement ring with the other, lifting it up to examine it. I’d already picked one out at Tiffany’s, but this was even better. Sure the ring I’d picked was a show stopper, but there was no sentimental value behind it. This ring belonged to Reagan’s mother and I couldn’t imagine a better place for it than on the hand of her daughter for the rest of our lives.
“Thank you,” I said looking up at both Teresa and Theo, “this is perfect. I know Reagan will love it.” I smiled as I placed the ring back in the velvet box and gently slid it into my pocket.
“To Cole and Reagan.” Theo said as he passed us our glasses. We each lifted them in the air and clinked them together.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Reagan and I stood there, in the cabin where she’d made so many memories with her family and Addison’s family as a child, side by side, decked out in some of our finest clothes as we shouted at the television together counting down the last ten seconds before the New Year. “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Happy New Year!” We both screamed as loud as possible before I pulled Reagan’s tiny body up against mine and plastered my lips to hers. I knew this was the last kiss she’d ever have as a single woman, so I made it a good one, slipping my tongue past her lips as she moaned into my mouth.