After getting dressed, I head back to the waiting room. Everything is so monotonous. The pale green walls, the matching chairs, the blue carpet. It’s all starting to get to me. When in the hell are they going to let me back in her room. Just as I’m about to lose my patience, the doctor appears in the doorway.
“Ms. Wilson is responding quite well. She has remained in stable condition. Mr. Moreno, you can go see her now. Remember, it could still be awhile before she wakes up.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
It takes me less than two minutes before my hand is back with hers. I take my place next to the woman I love. The woman I can’t imagine my life without. I hope one day she can forgive me. I can’t believe I was so stupid as to ever let her go. I’ll never make that mistake again. I lean my head against the bed rail, squeezing Maggie’s hand gently and whispering ‘I love you’ into her ear over and over again.
I must have fallen asleep because it’s pitch black outside. I look around the room because I could swear something woke me up. Then I feel it. Her hand is wrapped around mine, it’s no longer lying lifelessly, cold and detached. Oh my God. Maggie’s awake! I start yelling like an insane person because I don’t know what else to do.
“Maggie, oh God, Maggie. Nurse! Nurse! I think she’s awake!” I sound frantic but I don’t care. My prayers have been answered. “Maggie, can you hear me?”
She squeezes my hand in response. I stand up next to her, leaning over her body, trying hard not to touch her. The tears fall freely from my face down onto her cheeks.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. We have all been so worried.”
Just then the doctor enters the room. He starts talking to her while he completes his examine. For whatever reason, she isn’t able to speak. Her only form of communication is the tiny movement in her hand and the ability to blink her eyes. The doctor steps into the hall to update the nurse.
“It looks like we can expect a full recovery.”
That’s when I really lose it. I start to cry tears of joy instead of sadness. She’s really going to be okay. I look back down at her beautiful face, watching her eyes close again as she drifts back to sleep. The elation of the good news keeps me awake for a couple more hours. I asked the nurse to please tell our friends that she woke up briefly. I didn’t want to leave the room in case she came to again. But it’s been several hours since her eyes opened for the first time. My head is lying back on the railing of her bed, my mind lost in thought. All of a sudden I hear a faint sound coming from Maggie.
“Water.”
“Maggie, is that you?” I sound like a complete idiot. Of course it’s her. I guess I’m just so shocked because I haven’t heard her voice in over four days. She repeats herself again.
“Water.”
This time I spring into action. I press the call button for the nurse, telling her Maggie’s awake and wants water. She comes in the room and helps her drink a few tiny sips from a straw. She tells me I can give her some more but in small amounts before leaving the room.
“Vince?”
“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I love you.” My heart just skipped a beat hearing those three words come from her mouth.
“I love you more than you know, Magnolia.”
The next couple of days are spent anxiously awaiting the small moments Maggie is awake and alert. The doctor keeps reassuring me that this is all very normal. She just gets so tired from the smallest activity. Today, she got moved into a regular room. Everyone is so ecstatic because that means they finally get to see her. I do feel somewhat bad that they’ve all been kept out; I can only imagine how hard that’s been for them. The nurse raises her bed slightly before leaving the room. Amanda comes in almost immediately after, raising her voice slightly with pure elation that Maggie is really okay.
“You scared the crap out of us!”
True Amanda form. She doesn’t pull any punches. But Maggie just smiles in return at her best friend. I step out into the hallway to give them some privacy. It’s not long after that Amanda joins me outside of the room.
“She looks good. Right?”
“Yes.”
“She got tired again. I told her to rest. Why is she sleeping so much, Vince?”
“It’s perfectly normal. It’s just her body’s way of recovering. She’s completely fine. Everything’s fine.” I don’t know if I’m reassuring Amanda or myself at this point. It’s been hard to watch because she can’t seem to stay awake longer than ten to fifteen minutes but the amount of times she’s waking up is increasing. The doctor keeps telling me that’s a good sign. I go back into her room to wait for the next time she’s lucid.
The sun is shining brightly in her room. The rays are dancing around the room, bouncing off of every shiny object they can reach. When I look back at Maggie, I see her eyes open wide, taking in the radiant sunshine.
“Maggie?”
She turns her head, looking deep into my eyes.
“Vincent. I need to talk to you. Can you just sit and listen without interrupting me?”
Oh no. This is it. This is where she tells me to get the hell out and send Asher in. I’ve been dreading this moment for days. The moment when she’s finally coherent enough to remember she doesn’t want to be with me. That she can’t forgive me after all.
“I saw my Dad. I know that sounds impossible, but I did. We had such an amazing time. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay with him forever but he told me my life wasn’t over yet. I didn’t understand in that moment what he meant but the first time I saw you after opening my eyes, I got it. You are my everything. I want you in my life. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. I can finally let go of the hurt. I forgive you, Vincent.”
“Magnolia. I. Love. You.” I look into her sweet, loving eyes filled with a deep sense of completeness.
“I love you.” The words fall sweetly from her lips. I would give anything to kiss her right now but I’m too afraid of hurting her.
“I don’t ever want to lose you. Even if you never forgave me, I would still be here. I will never leave you again.”
“I know. We all make mistakes. I’ve made plenty. Can you forgive me for being so stubborn?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have you any other way. God, I missed you.”
Chapter Thirty
It’s been just a little over two weeks since the accident. Maggie came home a few days ago and insisted I stay with her. I was relieved and eager in the same instance. I want to be around her every second of every day but that’s proving way more difficult than I anticipated. This morning after we had breakfast she suggested taking another shower together. That was pure torture. She’s driving me crazy with need. It doesn’t help that her mind is in the gutter right along with my own. I refuse to give in because the doctor said no extraneous activity for at least another week. I’m assuming in layman’s terms that means sex.
Instead, we’ve spent the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon studying. We have a lot of catching up to do. I’m so grateful for all the help our friends have given us. Asher went to all the professors for the both of us, explaining what happened and collecting every assignment. The University has been extremely understanding. After hours and hours of reading, Maggie gives up.
“Come lie down with me? Please? I’m really worn out.”
“Sure. I could use a break too.”
This is the longest she’s gone without needing to rest, which is very encouraging. Her body is healing, mending every broken bone and bruised muscle. It makes me extremely appreciative for the care she received. I help her down the hallway and into her room. She takes her sweat pants off but needs help getting her sweatshirt over her head because of the sling. After getting her situated comfortably, I take my shirt off and climb into bed next to her. But she doesn’t seem pleased. I see her scowling at my sweat pants that are still in place.
“Just a precautionary step. We don’t need to add anymore temp
tation to the mix. Don’t you agree?”
“No. I don’t.”
I can’t help but laugh at her. Her persistence is relentless. I pull her gently over to her favorite spot. She nestles in next to me with her cheek pressed against my chest. I have to take several deeps breaths, trying with everything in me not to become aroused. It’s been so long since we’ve been together. Since I’ve been with anyone. After she left, I didn’t want anyone but her. Breathe, Vince. Just breathe.
After several minutes, just when I think Maggie has drifted off to sleep, she starts making small circles on my chest and kissing me right over my heart. I don’t have the restraint for this. I want her so damn bad. I remind her that she swore she’d be good.
“Maggie, you promised.”
“I lied.”
She doesn’t say anything else before her lips work their way up to my jaw and then my mouth. I try again to plead with her, full well knowing it’s futile. When she wants something bad enough, she always finds a way.
“Maggie, we can’t. Please stop.”
“We can. I trust you. I know you’ll be gentle. Please. I need you.”
She pulls my bottom lip into her mouth slowly, seductively, sucking and pulling until I can’t take it anymore. It’s one of my weak spots and she knows it. I flip her over so she’s lying on her back, crashing my lips hard against hers. I’m supporting my body weight with my elbows, trying very hard not to crush her still fragile body. She’s trying to force me closer but I don’t want to cause her any pain.
“Maggie, this isn’t a good idea. I don’t want to hurt you.”
She doesn’t listen. Instead, she pulls my mouth back to hers, kissing me with so much passion, so much love that I feel it down to my core. She moves down to my jaw, then my neck, and finally my ear before whispering the words that completely undo me.
“Make love to me, Vincent.”
I can’t take it anymore. I press my pelvis down onto her body, trying not to put pressure on her ribs but still showing her exactly what kind of an effect she has on me. Her fingers are in my hair, pulling me closer and closer. I slid my left hand down her side softly until I find the end of her tank top. I lift it just enough to make my way up to her breast. The second my finger brushes over her nipple, she lets out a moan that almost brings me to my breaking point.
“I’ve missed you so much, Magnolia. I love you. Every single part of you.”
I kiss her. Deeply, madly, insanely. I can’t seem to get enough of her. She tastes so good. She feels so good. I want her. I stand up, quickly removing my clothes. I lay back down on top of her gorgeous body, relishing in the feel of her skin against mine. I slid her panties off but right before I’m about to take it any further I ask about protection. When she says she doesn’t have any, my face falls. I guess we’re going to have to wait after all. I rest my forehead against hers trying to calm my body down with slow even breaths.
Then Maggie practically yells in my ear that Heather has condoms. I’m reluctant to go through her nightstand but Maggie will not take no for an answer. I throw my boxers back on and run across the hall. I’ve never been so grateful for late night study groups as I am now. I try not to notice the huge stash this girl keeps in her drawer, but thankful she’s fully stocked. I grab one foil package and return to Maggie. I get undressed again, climbing back over her delectable body while pulling the covers over us.
I slide the condom into her hand and then I kiss her with every amount of love I have for her. She reciprocates the feeling, making me feel more loved than I ever have before. Her impatience is growing, evident by her animalistic action of tearing the condom open with her teeth. I grab it from her hand, putting it in place. Before I move closer, we share a moment of pure, endless bliss. Once I know we’re both ready for this, I slid into her slowly. She feels amazing.
I’m doing everything possible not to put pressure on her right side. I’m taking things as slow as I can given the circumstances. I’ve missed everything about her. The way she smells, the way she feels against my skin, the way her body reacts to mine. We move in sync with each other, our mouths never leaving one another, our skin never loosing contact. My lips touch her neck, her shoulder, the top of her breasts as she moans ravenously in my ear. Just when I think I can’t take anymore, she comes undone beneath me, giving me permission for my own release.
I allow some of my weight to fall on her body when we’re finished because I just can’t hold myself up any longer. She runs her hand over the back of my neck, telling me how much she loves me. It’s the most inconceivable feeling on this earth. To make love to the woman I plan to spend the rest of my life with when I thought I had lost her forever.
“That was the most incredible, the most unbelievable feeling in the world. I’m so glad you have no self-control.” I smile against her neck, thankful that I didn’t hurt her.
“Me too.” She whispers softly in my ear before kissing me again.
*****
The next several weeks are spent getting Maggie completely healed. Her cast was taken off a few days ago and she no longer has to use the sling for her shoulder. Everything else has repaired itself. The bruises have faded away, leaving behind little to no evidence that she was ever in a car accident. We’re leaving today, driving to Ohio for spring break. I wish I could say I was looking forward to it but Maggie will be at her Grandfather’s for the first four days. I’m just being selfish. I know that. I’ve had her mostly to myself for the past six weeks. It’s time to share.
After packing everything up, we head out to the truck. It’s days like these that I’m thankful I kept my truck here. It’s the middle of March for crying out loud. Why is there still so much snow? I load our suitcases in the back and then help Maggie into the cab.
“I think I can handle it, Slick.” She gives me her sassy little smile.
“Old habits are hard to break.”
I’ve done everything for her since the accident. Helped carry all her books to and from classes, helped her shower, driven her anywhere she’s needed to go. I think she’s still scared of being behind the wheel. I can’t say I blame her. I just hope she does okay with her new car. Her grandpa is taking her car shopping while she’s in town. It’s a long drive so we play a few road games along the way.
“I spy something red.”
“I’m tired of this game. Can we play something else?” Maggie says with a bored look on her face.
“What do you suggest?”
“I don’t know. The license plate game? Twenty questions? You pick.”
“How about twenty questions.”
“Okay. I’ll go first. Is it an animal?”
“Wait, who says you get to go first? I haven’t even thought of anything yet. You’re awfully bossy. I think all this special treatment has gone to your head.”
“Fine. You can go then.” She says with a huff. I can’t help but laugh. I’ve missed our banter more than anything.
“Okay. Is it an animal?”
“Yes.”
“Does it live in a zoo?”
“No.”
“Does it live in someone’s house?”
“No.”
“Does it live on a farm?”
“Mostly.”
“Is it a horse?”
“What kind of horse?”
“A mustang?”
She smiles brightly at me before leaning over and giving me a congratulatory kiss. We play for another hour before she’s bored again. But it doesn’t matter because we’re here. After talking with her Grandfather for about an hour, it’s time for me to head back to my house. My mom can’t wait to see me and was disappointed Maggie wouldn’t be with me but she understands.
I get a short but sweet kiss goodbye from the love of my life. It’s so hard leaving her after everything we’ve been through. But she needs this time with Joe. I respect that. I climb back in the truck and make the two-hour drive home.
After unpacking and saying a quick hello to Tommy, I head to
my mom’s house. She would never forgive me if I didn’t come over as soon as possible. I know she’s missed me. She isn’t used to me being away from home. I’m also a little giddy because I finally get to pull the Mustang out of the garage. It’s been months since I’ve driven her. Minutes later, the purr of the engine alerts my mom to my arrival just like every time before today. She steps out onto the front porch, waiting for me.
“Hi mom.”
“Hi Vincent. It’s so good to have you home.”
“It’s good to be home.” I wrap her in a huge bear hug until she says she can’t breathe. Maybe I missed her more than I thought. We take a seat on the front porch, enjoying the spring air. There isn’t a single snowflake on the ground here and the temperature is what it should be for this time of year, unlike Michigan.
“How’s Maggie?”
“Good. She’ll be in Milford by Wednesday evening.”
“Do you need to pick her up?”
“No. Her Grandfather is helping her find a new car.”
“That’s good. Do you think she’s ready to drive?”
“I think the only way she’s going to get past her fear, is to take it on full force. Just like she does everything else in her life.” My mother laughs softly because she knows it’s true.
“How are things going with the two of you? You sound inseparable over the phone.”
“We pretty much are. Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Mijo. Anything.”
“I know Maggie is the one for me. There isn’t a single doubt in my mind. But how did you know when the time was right to marry dad?” She gets the biggest smile on her face before answering.
“You just know. Don’t rush things but if it feels right, then it’s right. I’m so happy for you Vincent. It warms my heart that everything has worked out for the two of you. It was a rough journey but I would like to think you both agree it was worth it.”
“One-hundred percent.”
We head in the house to eat dinner and talk about a welcome home gathering at my place when Maggie gets into town. I don’t call it a party because it will just be family. And by family I mean Amanda, Tommy, Joey, Keri and my mom. I wish my dad could see me now. I wish he could see all of us. Some of the joy that left my mother when he died, has slowly started to return. She finds it in watching her boys grow and mature.
Sublime Forgiveness (Sublime Series Book 3) Page 20