by Abby Gale
Acacia moans with the first sip she takes from her water, and I smile at her. She is sexy even in this situation, and she doesn’t even try to be.
“You’ve had this young man very worried, you know.” Dr Ryan says, looking at me with amusement. I kind of irritated him the past a few days with my non-stop questions.
Turning his attention to Acacia, he says, “You’ll be sleepy today and will most probably be in and out of consciousness but that’s normal. Are you in any pain?”
“Not really, just a headache.”
“Okay, the nurse will bring you a painkiller, and I’ll be back tonight before I finish to check on you.”
Acacia nods her head with a small smile. She looks tired. As the doctor leaves, I go after him, “Doctor, thank you so much!” I shake his hand firmly.
“You’re very welcome. She’s going to need plenty of rest when she leaves here, but I’ll release her in a day or two. I’ll be back later.” He smiles and leaves the room.
Instead of sitting back in the chair, I sit on the edge of the bed so I can be closer to her then take hold of her hand again.
“Baby, I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“How long have I been here?”
“You’ve been in a coma for five days. God, I thought I’d lost you. What happened?”
Her eyes fill with tears, and I can’t bear to see her upset, so I change the subject. “Toby and Landon should be here soon, Toby has driven me crazy these last few days. Does he ever shut up? I can see why you two are so close, though.” I wink at her in amusement as tease her about her nervous non-stop chatter.
Acacia chuckles a little and has another sip of water. I watch her try to swallow as the movement of her throat gets my attention.
Taking the cup from her, I put it on the cupboard at the side of her. “How long have you been here?”
Just as I’m about to answer, a voice answers for me, “He hasn’t been home, he didn’t leave. He’s a stubborn son of a bitch, and he needs a shower!”
Rolling my eyes, I snap, “Nice to see you, too, Toby.” I turn to face them and smile. “Landon.” I nod, shaking his hand as he brings me in for a hug.
“Hey, dude!” Landon walks towards the bed and kisses Acacia’s cheek.
“I’ve showered here if you must know.”
“Ashton, come here?”
I walk towards my girl as I reach the bed she crooks a finger at me and asks me to come closer to her. “Go home and shower and eat, for me...please? I’m awake now. Toby will stay until you get back.”
I reluctantly agree when I smell my t-shirt. Now that my girl has come back to me I need to be the best version of myself to keep her by my side. She deserves the best version of the man she loves.
I take Acacia’s face in my hands and kiss her lips tenderly, looking deep into her pretty eyes I lose myself and kiss her again. “I won’t be long.” I kiss her cheek.
“You won’t have a chance to miss me,” I whisper and place another kiss on her forehead, making her giggle. “We’ll talk when I get back.”
She nods, and I finally take a step back from her bed.
Taking one last glance at her, I turn at Toby. “Look after her. I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, boss,” Toby smirks, and Landon tries to hide his amusement but fails miserably.
Once I’m home I don’t waste any time, strip my clothes, and get into the shower. I let the warm water pour over me. The anguish and stress from the last few days were being washed away from me. I was so close to losing her.
I hope you won’t be too late for me.
Her words echo in my mind. She was about to be right with her prediction. I could have lost her to my grief and sorrow. I was about to be too late for her because I couldn’t say my goodbye because I couldn’t set April free. But now everything is on the right track. Life has given me a second chance, and I’m not planning on wasting it. I vow to myself I won’t waste any more time. I’m done with grief and sadness.
This is our time now.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
ACACIA
I watch as Ashton walks from the room and look at Toby.
“What if he doesn’t come back, Toby?” Toby looks at me in total confusion. Landon has gone to fetch them both a coffee so it’s just us.
“What? Girl, are you crazy? Why wouldn’t he come back?”
I just shrug as an answer, not trusting my voice.
Shaking his head Toby takes my hand in his. “That boy loves you! He hasn’t left your side, I’ve tried so many times to get him to go home and he refused every time.”
I watch the door hoping to see him walk back through, but he only left a few minutes ago. The emotions from everything that has happened overwhelms me. The tears fill my eyes, but I can’t stop them. I thought I was dead, I thought that was it for us. I just want Ashton, I want him to hold me and tell me we’re gonna be fine. Toby’s arm goes around my shoulder and he pulls me into him the best he can. “Hey, come on Sia, don’t cry. Everything is going to be good, turn that frown upside down huh?”
Sniffing loudly I nod my head and smile when Landon passes me a tissue. I blow my nose and dry my eyes as Toby speaks, “Do you wanna talk about it?”
I shake my head. “I want to talk to Ashton first.”
“Okay babe, I’m here when you’re ready.”
I nod and settle down on the pillow. I’ve started feeling sleepy again from the pain meds they gave me. Closing my eyes I let the medication takeover and fall into a deep sleep.
***
No, no!
I watch as the bird hits the window.
Then swirling begins... out of the way.
Shit! A loud thud… then pain.
I hit the barrier.
Screams… loud, painful, and horrible. Is that me?
“Acacia?! Baby, wake up you’re dreaming,”
I open my eyes to Ashton stroking my face, he’s talking to me softly.
“You’re okay now, baby,” he smiles as I frown, my mood is down; I can’t get out of my head why he left. I shake off the nightmare and look into Ashton’s eyes and ask him,
“Ash, why did you leave me?”
“Is that what you think? Is that why you were in the car?”
Nodding my head, I drop my eyes to the bed covers, suddenly feeling guilty and ashamed of thinking he’d left me, but there was no other explanation. His finger finds my chin as he forces me to meet his eyes.
“Talk to me. I know you don’t fully trust me and that’s my fault. I put insecurities there with all this back and forth, but I won’t do that anymore.” His face is lined with concern and I hate to see that I’ve caused that.
“That morning when I woke up alone, I thought you’d left me, that you’d regretted it again. Only I wasn’t going to let you go this time. I was gonna fight for you but I was a mess when I got in the car. On the mountain road I should have stopped and schooled my emotions, but I kept driving to your place. I didn’t see the bird and the rain was really heavy. Everything happened too fast. One moment it hit my window, the next I lost the control and was sliding on the road. I could only stop when I hit the barrier. I think I hit my head too, because I don’t remember anything else; everything was black.” Shaking my head I take a deep breath. “I remember calling for you. I was reaching for you, but you were so far away. All the time I was asleep I heard muffled voices, but I couldn’t make out whose they belonged to.” Ashton wipes my tears from my face. Hitching myself across the bed I make room for him so he can get closer to me. I need him in close proximity now. I need to be sure my heart won’t be shattered by him. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into him. I rest my cheek onto his chest as he kisses the top of my head.
“I didn’t leave you Acacia, I went to do the one thing I should have done before. I said goodbye to April, baby. I set her free to be able to do the same for myself. I want us, Acacia. I want to be with you. I love you.” I look up at him as he
leans down and captures my lips tenderly. He pulls away, kisses my forehead then hugs me closer to him, tighter. “I’m not letting you go anymore; never again.
“I love you too, Ashton. I’m sorry I thought you’d left me, I should have just called you but I didn’t think.”
“Shhh, it’s fine. You’re here and we’re together.”
“I think I was scared of losing you. You got under my skin, Ashton Kennedy.”
“I was so scared I’d lost you, too, Acacia. I know how scary and how painful it is. I would move heaven and earth to not lose you. My life wouldn’t have been worth going on if I’d have experienced another loss.” His thumb strokes down my cheek as he speaks.
“Maybe I had an angel looking over me?” I whisper. His thumb stops moving as he looks down at me.
“Do you think so?” Ash asks. His eyes study my face.
I nod a little cautiously and watch as his face lights up with a smile as he agrees with me, “Yeah, I think you’re right.” He leans into me for a soft kiss.
“Will you tell me about her one day?” I bite down on my lip, wondering if this is the best time to ask that question, but to my surprise, he smiles wide. “Yeah, I’ll tell you about her. I’d like that.”
We snuggle up on the bed and enjoy the peaceful silence together. We are content in our silence and sleep overtakes both of us.
One Week Later
Ash gets out of the truck and opens my door, helping me out of the truck. We walk through the gates of the cemetery hand in hand, but I stop him before we go any further.
“What’s up?” Ashton asks as he looks down at me. I gaze up at him, “Are you sure you want to do this? I don’t want to intrude.”
He cups my face in his hands and looks at me lovingly. “Acacia, you’re not intruding. I love you, and I want to introduce you to April, properly. She would love you. Come on, you ready?”
I nod as he bends slightly to kiss me. He hugs me tight before pulling away. I’ve got used to his tight hugs, I know as he hugs like that he’s telling me I’m his and he’s not letting me go; it’s comforting.
I still can’t believe how or when he became to mean so much to me?
I thought I was annoyed at him from the first moment I saw him, but before I could notice the change or how it happened, I was neck deep in his love.
I love him with all my heart, so much I think it may burst.
Ash takes my hand again and leads me to April’s resting place. We both stand there at the bottom of the grave. I look around, there are flowers and a framed picture of her sitting on the grave. She was so pretty with her dark hair.
I let out a gasp, but it soon turns into a sob, I can’t hold back my emotions. I place my hand across my mouth so he can’t hear me.
“Hey April,” Ashton says, his voice thick with pent up emotion. I watch him with tears in my eyes.
This moment is just so precious, so special. He caresses my hand before saying, “This is Acacia, I thought you should meet her. I did what you wanted me to, I moved on. I know you watched over her for me, you brought her back to me. Thank you.” he rasps, his Adam’s apple is moving as he tries to make out of the words.
Tears blur my vision, but I don’t attempt to wipe them away, knowing they won’t stop anytime soon.
“I love her April, but then you knew, didn’t you? You knew even before I could figure it out, always so smart.”
He runs his hand over the top of the gravestone, lovingly, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. “You’ll always be with me April, always in my heart,” he chokes and kisses his fingers before placing them on top of the gravestone.
Walking back towards me he wraps me in his arms. I slide my arms around his waist and rest my cheek on his chest.
“I love you with everything I have, Acacia. I’m yours, baby,” Ashton whispers with unshed tears in his eyes.
Looking at the grave, I smile with gratitude to the woman I’ve never had the chance to meet in real life.
“Bye, April. Thank you for looking after him and helping him find his way into my life.” I wipe away the tears as Ashton looks at me with a sad smile before kissing the top of my head.
I never did tell Ashton about my experience with April. I wasn’t even sure if it even happened or if it was just a dream, but deep down I knew it was real. I remember everything she said to me. That’s our secret, and it’ll stay with me for the rest of my life.
“Let’s go home.” Ashton picks me up in his arms as he takes me by surprise, causing me to squeal. I put my arms around his neck and hold on to him as he carries me the rest of the way to the car.
During the drive, there is a new clarity in the air, between us. We are content, we are happy, and most of all we are hopeful for the future that lays ahead of us. I’m feeling weightless, free, and full of joy.
When we get home, Ashton takes me straight to the bedroom.
“Welcome home, baby,” he peppers my neck with kisses as he slowly strips me of my clothes.
“Is this homecoming?” I ask, smiling at his as he lays me down on the bed, caressing every curve on my body.
After placing himself between my legs he smirks at me, “You’ll be the one who is coming soon, baby.” A response to his bad joke is on my tongue, but before I can voice any of them, my eyes roll back in my head because of his tongue.
Soon, I am the body of pleasure and a writhing, moaning mess under his worshipping touches and kisses all over my body. Our eyes stay locked the whole time as he makes sweet love to me... tenderly, passionately.
I’m home, and I’m his. I couldn’t be happier.
EPILOGUE
ASHTON
One Year later
So many things have happened in just over a year. I never did go back home, there was too many memories even though some of them were happy I wouldn’t be able to handle the looks, the pointing fingers and the whispers. This town brought me peace so instead of going back to the city I decided to stay here and make a life with Acacia.
She’s moved in with me into the cabin. We didn’t want to waste time in different houses after the accident. I needed to be sure she was safe, with me.
I started to take back my life with Acacia’s encouragements. I enrolled back into college, finished my degree and found a job in a medical company. I also invested some of my money into a little venture for Acacia.
Today is the day to finally break the news to her.
The bar where she works, Smokey’s, is now… hers. I know how much she loves the place, how hard she works for it to be a fun and popular place in the town. And since her boss is just after money without a single care about the bar it was easy for me.
I can’t wait to tell her and see her face shine with excitement.
I add the last few finishing touches to the table and go to the oven to see if the meat is cooked. After everything is ready, I look outside from the window, waiting her car to show up.
People take everything granted, think the things they have won’t be taken away from them. But I experienced the fragile reality in this world twice. The first, April, was still a pain that will never go away. She will always be in my life, in my heart, and in my thoughts. But the second time, Acacia… I was lucky that I got her back. But that thought taught me something. Nothing is permanent in life. No moment is granted. And after her accident I decide to make everyday count.
I make sure to say I love you every single day.
I make sure to kiss her in the morning and before I go to sleep.
Even though we argue sometimes I never let her sleep without her knowing how much I love her.
It’s those little things that mean the most... The things we used to take for granted. But I’ll never do that again.
When I see her car I check the table one more time. The steak, veggies, dessert… everything is ready. Burning the candles I turn off the light the moment she walks inside.
“What’s going on Ash?” She looks around me and sees the dinner on the tab
le all ready to be served up. “Oh my god, Ashton!” she covers her mouth with her hands and gasps loudly.
“Welcome home, babe.” I kiss her as I take her coat, leading her toward the table.
During the dinner we chat happily about work and my degree and where we are going to go from here. Our future we will build together. All the time smiling like an idiot and taking in her beautiful features. Her hair is red at the moment it’s been every imaginable color since we met and I wouldn’t change a thing about her.
Once we’ve finished and taken care of the dishes I lead her to the sofa, handing her the envelope. She looks at me in confusion.
“Go on open it,” I urge her on.
She takes the contract from the envelope, still looking at me with a little frown, waiting for me to explain. Instead I smirk. “You may want to read and sign it, babe,” I say handing a pen.
If I could freeze time and take a picture of the look on her face, I would. Her eyebrows are raised, her eyes are shining with excitement and happiness, her lips part with surprised breath she takes… she is beautiful.
“Ashton… this is-”
I interrupt her, “This is for you.”
“But…” she trails off.
“No buts, Acacia. I wanted to do something for you as I owe everything to you, babe.”
“Oh, Ashton. Thank you so much! I didn’t even know he was selling the bar.”
I just smile at her as I move to the floor. Getting to my knees in front of her I position myself between her legs. “There’s something else, too. I love you with every piece of me, Acacia. We’ve been through more than most and if all this taught me anything it is to take life by the balls. That’s what I intend to do and I want you there by my side. I want you to marry me, be my wife...” I watch the tears fill her eyes as I take the ring from my pocket. She launches off the sofa and throws herself at me, causing both of us to hit the floor as we laugh. I roll her to her back and kiss her till there is no air left in my lungs. “Will you be Mrs. Ashton Kennedy?”