Here With Me

by A. C. Marchman

  “No. I’m staying right here until I can see her.”

  “Donovan, maybe you should come back home with us. You need some rest, too.” Julie looks at me just like a mother should look at her son. But my mind is made up.

  “No, I’ll be fine. I will stay here, Dr. Morales. Please have someone come get me when she is moved to a regular room.”

  “If you insist.” He stands to leave. “I’ll keep you updated.” I nod in approval. His beeper goes off. “Well, I need to go. We’ll talk soon.”

  Julie and Jon get up but I remain seated. My ass will stay parked right here until I see my baby. “Would you like me to stay with you?” Julie asks.

  “No, Julie. You go home and rest. I’m sure it’s going to be awhile before they let anyone see her. But if you don’t mind, could you bring me a change of clothes on your way back? I have a feeling I kind of smell.” I try to remain as lighthearted as I can, given the situation.

  “Of course. We’ll see you soon.” She leans down to hug me. “Jon, can you grab Jackson? He needs to rest, too.” He nods, then walks off in the direction my family went. Julie looks back at me. “Just remember, have a little faith.” With that, she follows Jon down the hall, and once again, I’m alone. Only my thoughts aren’t as dark as they were before. With the news that Allie is doing well, I feel better. Even though I know she’s not out of the woods yet, I still feel like there’s hope for us. I settle in, ready to wait. It’s not like I didn’t do this for a few days, so a couple of hours isn’t going to hurt me.

  Chapter 21

  Donovan

  Several hours pass. I try to catnap, but it doesn’t work. I stand, walk around, look out the windows, anything to pass the time. Refusing to think bad thoughts, I try to remember the first time I met Allie. When she knocked me down that day, I had no idea we would be where we are right now. I didn’t know that I could love someone so deeply, so purely. That had to be the best day of my life. It was her beauty that caught my eye, but it was her quick mind, her heart and honesty that made me fall in love with her. She’s the total package, and I’m lucky enough that she cares for me. The very thought of losing her crushes my spirit, breaks my heart.

  “What the hell, Donovan? Where is she?” Allie’s best friend Livey comes barreling towards me like a bull comes at a matador. The look on her face is enough to make my heart stop.

  “She’s in recovery right now,” I murmur, not wanting to look at her. I know that she hates me, with good reason. I’m the very reason why her friend is laid up in a hospital.

  “Jesus, what happened? Her mom called me and told me bits and pieces. Something about being kidnapped and shot?” She catches my arm, forcing me to look at her.

  “It’s a really long story, but yes, that about sums it up. She…she jumped in front of a bullet that was meant for me.” I don’t know if I will ever be able to live with that fact.

  The anger leaves her face, replaced by fear. “She took a bullet for you? Is she okay? I want to see her.” The color fades from her cheeks, so I motion for her to take a seat.

  Over the next few minutes, I go over the entire story, every ugly detail. I do leave the part out about Jackson, since I’m pretty sure that Livey doesn’t know about him yet. She listens intently, her mouth drops open every now and again. When I’m done, she stays silent for a moment, probably trying to come to terms with it all.

  “Look, I’m sorry that I was so angry before. I just…I just didn’t know what was going on. Now I can’t say that I’m not pissed at her for taking a bullet and getting herself shot, but I can understand. She loves you, Donovan, more than you probably realize.” She laughs lightly. “Well, you probably do realize it now, since she did that for you.”

  “I wish it were me instead. You have no idea how awful I feel that it’s her on that stretcher and not me. If I could only turn back time, I would.”

  “Yeah, I know you do. But what’s done is done, and you can’t change it. At least you know now how much she loves you.” She pats me on the shoulder, trying to make me feel better. Just then, a nurse in blue scrubs comes through the door. She smiles as she makes her way over to us.

  “Are you Donovan?” she asks.

  “Yes.”

  “Allison’s asking for you.”

  My heart skips at least two beats. This is the first time I’ve smiled all day. It almost feels foreign. I stand to follow the nurse, then turn to look at my couch companion.. “Come on, Livey.” She bolts up and catches up with me.

  As the three of us walk through the hall, I can’t seem to focus on anything. The numbers are in gold upon the massive doors to the rooms and I wonder which one holds my poor Allie. We pass the nurse’s station, so I stretch to see if I can find a monitor screen for her room. All of a sudden, we hear a code blue call come over the intercom.

  “Code Blue! Room four ten! Code Blue!” The dispatcher’s voice is loud and commands attentions. In a moment, nurses are coming from around the corner with a red crash cart with a doctor following right behind. I look at another door and notice the rooms start in the four’s. The one to my right is four fifteen.

  Oh my God!

  The nurse that was taking us to Allie’s room moves us against the walls as the team of life savers race down the hall to the possibly dying person. I pray that it’s not my girl, please don’t let it be her.

  “What room is Allie in?” I ask, wide eyed, scared shitless.

  She looks right at me, gives a tight lipped smile, and turns to walk back down the hall. Livey and I stare at each other, and I know we’re thinking the same thought.

  Please don’t let her be in room four ten.

  Chapter 22

  Allie

  “Please, Donovan, I need you.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, baby. I’m never leaving you.” He takes my hand into his, running his thumb over my knuckles. For a second, the pain stops. Donovan smiles as he bends down to kiss me as I lay in the hospital bed. Then bright light surrounds him, like a ray of sunshine, giving him a radiant glow. But I’m confused. Why is he glowing? Why is there light in my room? I frantically look around, unsure of what’s happening.

  The light becomes brighter, so bright that I have to shield my eyes. Then it’s like Donovan disappears and there’s nothing but white all around me. I’m no longer in my bed. I’m standing in front of my…father.

  “Daddy?” I can’t believe it. He looks the same as before, no aging. He hasn’t changed whatsoever. His eyes are just as blue as I remember. His smile reaches his eyes as he looks at me.

  “Baby, oh how I’ve missed you,” he says, taking me into an embrace. He feels real, which is surprising, and a bit scary.

  “Where are we?”

  “It doesn’t matter right now. I came by because I wanted to talk with you.” A park bench appears out of nowhere. Yep, now I’m officially freaked out. I can feel myself starting to hyperventilate. “Sweetie, don’t be frightened. Now, come. Let’s have a chat.”

  I obey, taking a seat right next to my dad. I look into his eyes. There’s no hurt, no pain, no sorrow. Just pure happiness. “I’ve missed you too, Daddy. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to tell you goodbye. I never got the chance.” Tears start pooling in my eyes, then a single drop falls onto my cheek. He wipes it away with his thumb.

  “Don’t cry. I’m happy where I am. Now, I don’t have long, so I have to say this as quickly as I can.” His arm wraps around my shoulder, pulling me close to his side. “Sweetie, I want you to know that I think Donovan is a good man, and he treats you right. The love between you two is just like what your mother and I had.” He smiles as he speaks about my mom. “I want you to know that I approve of the boy.”

  “You do?” My heart swells in my chest. To actually hear my daddy say he likes Donovan is music to my ears. “I wish you could meet him. You two would get along great.”

  “I know we would. It’s not easy for a father to accept the fact there’s another man who loves his daughter just as much.
But I know what his intentions are, and they certainly aren’t to hurt you.”

  I rub at my wounded shoulder, suddenly the pain is coming back. My father’s eyes suddenly project sadness..

  “I know what happened to you. But I also know that your boyfriend is worried sick over you. He blames himself for you getting hurt. He’s taking it pretty hard.”

  “I know it wasn’t his fault. It was my gut instinct to protect him and I jumped in front of it.” I wouldn’t change that, either.

  “Yes, I know. And never, ever do that again, young lady.” He still has that scolding tone, just like he did when I was little.

  “Yes sir.”

  The light starts to fade as my dad stands. “Time for me to go now, baby girl. Always remember, I’m with you wherever you go. I will see every important thing that happens in your life. I was with you for the birth of Jackson. I was with you when you graduated from Emory. I’ll be with you at your wedding.”

  “Daddy, please don’t go. Stay with me. I miss you so much.” I can’t control the tears streaming down my face. He brings his hand to my cheek, trying to rub the tears away.

  “I wish I could, darlin’. But I can’t. I love you. Tell your mom and Jon that for me, too.” He embraces me, then kisses my forehead. He would do that when he tucked me into bed at nights. It makes my heart hurt for him more.

  And just like that, he’s gone.

  “Allie?”

  I hear his voice. I feel his hand on mine, so I lightly squeeze his fingers.

  “Baby, are you awake? Can you hear me?”

  Forcing my eyelids to open, my vision is blurry. I can’t make out his face yet, but I know he’s there. I hear him, I feel him. Oh, please don’t be a dream.

  His fingers stroke pieces of my hair away from my forehead, which is soaked in sweat. I try to reach my hand up, but the sudden stabbing sensation won’t allow me.

  “Are you okay, baby?”

  When I try to answer, my throat burns. Now my hand is wrapped around my aching windpipe. God, why am I in so much pain?

  “Baby, your throat hurts because you were intubated during surgery.”

  Surgery? What the hell happened?

  “What do you mean?” I ask, my voice hoarse and quiet. I need water badly. My vision becomes a little better, the colors becoming more clear. I still can’t see Donovan’s face yet.

  “You had surgery to remove the bullet that you foolishly jumped in front of.”

  “Livey?” She’s here, too?

  “Yes, sweetie. I’m here. I’m going to leave you two alone. I need to call your mom and the rest of the family.” She pats my hand. “I’m so glad that code blue wasn’t you.” She turns to walk out the room.

  “Code blue?” I try to keep it short and sweet. My throat feels like it’s on fire.

  Donovan tells me what happened in the hallway when they were coming to my room. He was terrified that they were heading for my room, which thankfully didn’t happen. But I wonder if I didn’t leave the Earth for a little while since I had that conversation with Daddy.

  “Baby, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.” I shake my head quickly. “Yes, it is. I wish I could take it all back. You should have never been shot. I’m just…I’m so sorry.” I feel the wetness of a fresh tear on the back of my hand. I use my good arm to reach for him.

  I can finally see him. He looks so sad, so beaten down. I can’t stand it. With all the voice I have left, I say in a loud whisper, “I love you. Now kiss me.” And he does. His lips touch mine, like it was the first time. It’s not like our normal kiss, full of passion and lust. No. It’s sweet, gentle, soft. I know he’s probably scared to hurt me, and honestly, I am, too. But I don’t care. I need him, I have to know that he understands just how much. I’m pretty sure he feels the same way.

  “I love you, too. One day, I’m gonna prove to you just how much. Even if it takes me a lifetime.” He chuckles. “Of course, I don’t know if I can top yours. But don’t you ever do that again. Ever.” I cross my fingers over my heart. He kisses my forehead, just like my dad did. I smile, knowing that Daddy approves.

  Chapter 23

  Allie

  After spending a week in the hospital, I’m released. Many friends and family came by to see me; Rob and Megan, Mom, Jon and Jodi with the twins, Jackson, Livey, and of course, Donovan. I even broke down and told Livey about my son, and surprisingly, she took it better than I thought. She was a bit pissed that I didn’t tell her to begin with, but she understood. Also, Detective Ferguson came by to get my statement, as well as Donovan’s. He never left my side, so she killed two birds with one stone there. She, of course, wants us to testify, which we both agreed to. We found out that Claire died instantly. Frankie is also dead, from multiple gunshots to the chest. Donna is the only one that survived. She’s being tried with our kidnapping, the murder of Frank Dubois, and a number of other charges. Rob was heartbroken, but glad that he could finally get the divorce he’s wanted for so long. He said, “I knew the bitch was crazy, but I didn’t know she was that evil.” We all plan on being at her trial, front and center.

  The nurse pushes me in my wheelchair all the way outside to meet Donovan. As soon as he sees me, he rushes to open the door for me. He gently helps me up. The pain isn’t as bad as it once was, but it’s still not comfortable to move my shoulder around too much.

  “Careful, don’t trip,” he says as he helps lift me into the truck. “We’re going to stay at your mom’s house for awhile. You need the rest.”

  “But what about school?” I whine.

  “No buts, Allison Marshall. You can’t honestly believe I would let you go back to Atlanta right now.” He sounds like he means business. “Besides, there’s a really good PA school in the area. You might want to apply there instead.”

  “What? Why around here?” My heart drops, thinking the worst. He’s going to leave me up here while he lives his life back in Georgia.

  “Because, I think it’s high time you come home. Your family misses you so much. Besides, I’ve already put my house on the market.”

  “You did? You’re kidding.” He starts the engine, then pulls slowly out of the parking lot. “When did you do that?”

  “This week. I called my real estate agent, and he’ll handle the rest. Everything from the house will be profit since it’s paid for. Besides, I don’t want to live there anymore. Too many bad memories, but still, I have some good ones there, too.” He links his fingers with mine. I turn to look at him and see a slight smile creeping on to his lips.

  “And where are you going to live? What about your family? What about your practice you want to open?” All these questions start rolling out of my mouth at full speed.

  “Slow down, love. I’ll get all that figured out soon. Right now, your health is my main concern. Nothing is coming before that.”

  I’m actually liking the idea of moving back home. I miss my son and mom so much. I don’t want to miss out on anything else. But I will also miss Atlanta. Lynchburg is no comparison to ATL. But, it’s also a better place for Jackson to be. I close my eyes, imagining life here again. Before I hated it; I felt like there was never anything to do or anywhere to go. But now, looking back, I wish I never would have left. But then I wouldn’t have met Donovan or Livey, or Megan and Rob. I suppose life has a way of working itself out. It’s just in how you look at it.

  Before I know it, we’re pulling into Mom’s driveway. A banner is spread across the front, saying “Welcome home, Alley Cat!” I start laughing, then grunt because my shoulder hurts. “I’m never getting shot again.”

  Donovan laughs. “I think that’s a great idea.” He hops out and runs to open the door for me. He puts his hands on my waist, tenderly placing me on the ground. Everyone rushes out to greet us. Even Livey, Rob and Megan are here.

  “Oh, baby, I’m so glad you’re home to stay.” My mom gently embraces me, careful not to touch my injured limb.

  “How
did you…” I trail off, turning towards the man standing to my right.

  “You know that I had to talk to your mother about it first, babe. You know, get her blessing.” He gives me a wink.

  “Mommy!” Jackson comes racing towards me, and I bend to meet his hug. He stops short. “I forgot you’re hurt. Are you okay if I hug you?” He spies my arm in the blue sling.

  “Baby, of course I’ll be okay. Just be gentle and try not to touch the shoulder, all right?” I grin at my handsome little guy. He slowly walks up, puts his little arms around my neck, and gently squeezes.

  “Come on, sweetie. There’s a party going on, and we’re starting with or without you, kiddo.” My mom laughs as she takes my good hand, leading me into the house. Then I’m surprised to see Mary, Jackson’s adopted mom, sitting in my dad’s old recliner. To say I’m shocked would be a complete understatement. She has a silk scarf wrapped around her head, her face is pale, and she’s lost weight. She smiles when she sees me.

  “Allie, I’m so glad you’re home.” She stands to get up, but struggles a little. She slowly makes her way over to me. “I want to talk to you for a second, if you don’t mind. I know you have a lot of people here, but it won’t take long.” There are tears in her eyes, so I take her hand. We turn around to walk back outside. Jackson tries to follow us, but Mom steers him back to the kitchen.

  “What is it, Mary? Is everything okay?” I know it’s not, judging by her appearance.

  “Well, honey, there’s something you have to know. Obviously, I have cancer, so I started chemo. The only thing is, my doctor, well…” she fumbles, trying to find the words. “Allie, I have stage four breast cancer. My doctor says the chemo is a long shot. I’m going to try it, but it’s making me so sick. What I wanted to talk to you about is Jackson.”

  “Jackson? What about him?” I ask, confused by the change in subject.