It Started With a Kiss

by Melanie Moreland

  When we left brunch, Daniel drove us to his house. He showed my dad around the clinic, and they disappeared to see the horses, leaving my mom and me to talk. I showed her the house and we walked the grounds. At one point, I saw Daniel and my dad in deep conversation by the barn. I started to walk toward them, but my mom insisted I leave them to “work it out on their own.”

  “If Daniel is going to be part of your life, you need to let them hash things out. Your dad will have his say, and Daniel can have his.”

  “Can he? Will Dad let him?”

  She smiled, linking our arms, tugging me away. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. Your dad isn’t so bad. He’s just being a dad. And he likes Daniel. He liked the way he stood up to him yesterday.” She waggled her eyebrows. “That was quite a sight that greeted us when he opened the door. Your father didn’t know where to look.”

  I sighed, thinking about how hot he had looked prior to the panic.

  “Your man is rather sexy, Avery.”

  We both giggled.

  “I know, Mom. I know. But he is even more amazing inside. He makes me feel so loved.”

  “He’s the whole package.”

  I tried not to laugh at the fact my mother said package—or to think about Daniel’s package. I failed at both. Luckily, she laughed with me.

  She shook her head. “I think, however, next visit, we’ll call ahead.”

  “Good idea. I thought Dad’s head was going to explode.”

  My mom fanned herself. “I thought I might.” She winked in an exaggerated fashion. “I swear, daughter of mine, if I was forty years younger and not so in love with your father . . .”

  I didn’t tell Daniel. I was sure his head would have been the one to explode that time.

  I smiled up at Daniel. “They liked you—once they got over the shock.”

  “Good, because I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Good.”

  A wide, mischievous grin lit up his face.

  I gasped in surprise as he swung me up into his arms, striding toward my apartment.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Your parents are gone.”

  “And?”

  “Alone. We’re alone for the first time in a week.”

  “Oh. Oh!”

  His voice was a low growl in my ear. “I think it’s time to find a wall and celebrate, Sprite.”

  A long shiver raced down my spine. “Walk faster, Daniel.”

  Rain hit my window, the sound steadily beating against the glass. I glanced at my watch with a frown. Daniel was late.

  He had called to say the roads were bad, but insisted on coming in to see me, even though I wanted to cancel.

  We had been busy since my parents left, and it had been three days since I saw him. Tonight, we were going to dinner and a movie, then I would go back to his place for the weekend.

  I sighed as I looked around my apartment. It no longer felt like home, but rather a place I lived. Daniel’s place felt like home, because he was there. I planned to surprise him this weekend when he asked me to move in, as he always did, by saying yes. He certainly wanted it, and it didn’t matter in the end what anyone thought, or said. It was right for us and I wanted it. I wanted to be with him more.

  I already knew what would happen when I told him. His warm, blue eyes would light up, and my favorite smile would appear. The one that made his eyes crinkle and the dimple in his chin stand out. It changed his face from one of handsome to devastatingly irresistible. I loved making him look like that. Then he would find the closest wall and thank me the way only Daniel had ever thanked me.

  My phone rang, and I grabbed it, not surprised to see Caitlin’s number. She had been busy organizing that week’s brunch and her calls had been frequent to check details.

  But when I answered, it was the anxiety in her voice that instantly made me nervous.

  “Avery?”

  “Caitlin? What is it? What happened?”

  Her words made my blood run cold.

  “There’s been an accident.”

  My heart raced in my chest, and my breath came out in heavy pants as I gripped the phone. “Daniel?”

  “You need to meet us at the hospital. Don’t drive—the roads are too bad. I already called a cab for you.”

  “Is he all right?”

  “His truck was totaled. I don’t know much about his injuries. Just get here, Avery. Town General.”

  Tears made my voice thick. “I’m on my way.”

  The cab was waiting when I exited my building, and despite the weather, I begged him to go as quick as he could. The fear in Caitlin’s voice had shaken me. The thought of Daniel hurt, or worse, made me panic. The entire ride I prayed and pleaded, begging God to let him survive. As long as he was alive, it was fine. We could handle it together. But a world without Daniel seemed too much to face. He had to be okay.

  I raced through the doors of the emergency room, immediately finding Daniel’s family. His parents were standing together, his father holding tight to his mother. Caitlin was sitting, legs bouncing. Steven paced, holding Chloe, keeping her occupied. Caitlin saw me and stood, hurrying over, hugging me hard. I felt the tremors running through her body.

  “How bad is he?”

  “He’s unconscious. We don’t know the extent of his injuries. He’s still being assessed.”

  “Where?”

  She knew exactly what I was asking.

  “His shortcut.”

  I shut my eyes, trying to hold it together. He promised me he would be careful. He told me he wouldn’t speed on that road anymore.

  “He was coming to me,” I breathed out.

  She stood close, shaking my arms. “Don’t do that. You aren’t to blame for this accident. He’s used that road for years.”

  I opened my eyes and met her gaze. Eyes so similar to Daniel’s stared back at me. There was no blame or anger in them. Only fear and anxiety.

  “He’s going to be okay,” she assured me.

  Inside, I was screaming. He had to be okay. I needed him to be okay. All I could do was nod. “He’s tough.”

  “He is. He’s Daniel.” A tear slid down her cheek as she gave me a small smile. “I’m winning the bet right now. I plan on collecting.”

  “They only won the preseason, Caitlin.”

  She shook her head, speaking with conviction. “I’m still ahead. He is going to get better, and he is going to pole dance.”

  I hooked my arm through hers. “Okay then.”

  We waited, all of us anxious and silent as we shared hugs and spoke quiet words to each other. I held Chloe so Steven could comfort Caitlin. Sean kept his arm around Julie, a pillar of strength for everyone, despite the worry I saw on his face. They had each other, but the person I needed to comfort me was somewhere in this building, injured and alone. I tried to stay calm, offering brave smiles and words of encouragement. Daniel would want that.

  Finally, a doctor came out and spoke to the family. Daniel’s arm was broken, three ribs were cracked, he was covered in contusions and bruises, and he was still drifting in and out of consciousness, but the tests showed no brain trauma. The air bags had saved his life, but his truck was a complete write-off.

  Julie sank into Sean’s chest, tears of relief flowing down her cheeks. Caitlin pressed her face into Steven’s neck with a long, shaky exhale of air. I fought back tears, placing a kiss to Chloe’s head, breathing out my thanks.

  “Can we see him?” Sean queried.

  “Family only and just a short visit. He will be in and out, probably more out than anything for a while. We’ll monitor him closely.”

  Julie stepped over to me, her voice firm. “Avery is family. She’s his fiancée.”

  I hid my surprise at her announcement. If it meant I could go in to see him, I was fine with her small fib.

  The doctor nodded. “I’ll make sure she is on the list.” He paused and regarded us all. “He looks bad. There’s lots of swelling and bruising, but I assure you
he is stable. Keep that in mind when you see him. He might be fuzzy when he’s awake, and that’s normal. He has suffered a major trauma. He’ll need a while to recover. However, I think he’s going to be fine.”

  I tried to hide my tears, except it didn’t work. A huge sob of relief escaped and instantly I found myself in Julie’s tight embrace.

  “He’s going to be fine, honey.”

  I nodded against her shoulder. “You need to go see him.”

  “We all do.”

  “You go first with Caitlin and Steven. Chloe and I will wait here.” I hugged her small body closer.

  They seemed to realize I wanted to see him alone, and without arguing, they went down the hall. Once they disappeared, I sat down heavily, the relief in my body making my legs shaky. I sucked in some deep breaths, all while patting Chloe’s sleeping form.

  He was going to be fine. He would need time to recover, but he would recover. I said a small prayer of thanks, and waited.

  When it was my turn to see Daniel, Julie came with me. Caitlin, Steven and Chloe left, Sean walking them out to their car.

  He was so still when I walked in. I had to grab the bed rail for a moment as I stared at him, reminding myself he was going to be okay. His handsome face was bruised and cut from the broken glass of his windshield. His arm was encased in heavy plaster, and I knew under his hospital gown his ribs were taped. More cuts and bruises were on his arms and neck. He was hooked up to various machines, and although I knew they were for precaution more than anything, it was still a shock to see them.

  As I discovered early on in our relationship, Daniel was a restless sleeper, his feet moved and his hands twitched. He often muttered in his sleep, lips pursing or frowning as he dreamed. But in the hospital bed, he was still, arms and legs unmoving. His eyes were shut, his chest rose slowly, and his face was impassive. I swallowed, trying not to cry again. Julie slipped an arm around me.

  “He woke up a couple times earlier. He asked for you.”

  I could only nod, trying to fight down the emotional response I was feeling.

  “Go to him. He needs you.”

  Hesitantly, I approached him, my hands hovering, needing to touch, to feel him, unsure where I could place them so they didn’t cause him any pain. Finally, I traced my finger over his cheek, stroking the skin on the right side, which wasn’t as bad as the left appeared to be.

  Daniel rolled his head, leaning into my touch. His eyes flickered open, his gaze unfocused. He blinked, his eyes drifting shut again. One corner of his mouth curled slightly, then he became still once more.

  I ghosted my lips on his cheek. “Sleep, Daniel. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  He made a noise—somewhere between a groan and a grunt, and his fingers twitched by his side. I sat down in the chair beside his bed and slid my hand into his. There was the slightest of pressure before his body relaxed.

  Julie laid her hand on my shoulder. “He’s glad you’re here.”

  “There isn’t anywhere else I’d be.” I cleared my throat. “And I’m not leaving until he does.”

  She chuckled softly and dropped a kiss to my head. “I’d expect nothing less.”

  It kept raining. The sound was a constant dull beat against the window as I continued to sit beside Daniel’s bed. The ward was quiet aside from the busy tasks of the nurses and doctors as they came and went. Daniel drifted in and out, mostly out. His eyes would open, his weary gaze finding mine, occasionally looking around the room, then closing again. He muttered incoherent words at times, and other than the random groan or mutter, was silent.

  The chair I sat in was uncomfortable, but I refused to move. I held his hand, stroked his arm and head at times. He seemed to like it, his breath leaving his body in a long sigh as my fingers combed through his hair in gentle passes. I would get up and stretch, sip at some water, then return to his side. They assured us he would be fine. His body needed the rest. He would wake up in short order, and be more coherent.

  It took me a long time to convince them, but finally Julie and Sean left after I assured them I would be staying. The ICU ward wasn’t full, and although it was against the rules, I had managed to convince the staff to allow me to stay, since Daniel was in a private room, and I was very quiet.

  It was now the middle of the night. I had been at the hospital for eight hours, waiting and watching, needing Daniel to wake up and say my name. I had kept myself together, for the most part, shedding some tears of worry in the bathroom. I had cried when I called my parents, who had immediately offered to return, but I assured them if I needed them I would let them know. Their offer, however, meant one thing to me. They liked Daniel and wanted to be there as much for him as for me. They had gotten along very well after the first disastrous meeting, seeing him for everything he was—kind, caring, and as in love with me as I was with him.

  “Don’t cry, Sprite.” Daniel’s low, raspy voice, broke the silence.

  I sat up, startled, gripping his hand tighter as I stood.

  I hovered over him, and caressed his face. “You’re awake.”

  “Sort of.”

  I bent down to brush my lips over his cheek. “I’ll take it.”

  He cleared his throat, and I reached for the ice chips, sliding one between his dry lips. He hummed in appreciation, opening his mouth for another one.

  “I’m sorry I upset you.”

  “Stop it.”

  He tugged at my arm, asking me silently to come closer. I leaned in, lifting his hand to my mouth, kissing the bruised knuckles.

  “What do you need? Are you in pain? Can I get the nurse?”

  “No. I need you to know . . .” He cleared his throat again, the sound rough. I gave him more ice chips, letting the cold soothe his pain. When he spoke, his voice was quiet.

  “I wasn’t speeding. A deer ran out in front of me and I swerved to avoid it. I lost control.”

  “I know. The doctor said you couldn’t have been going too fast or the damage would have been much worse.” I hesitated, gathering myself, because “much worse” had deadly implications. “Your truck is totaled, though.”

  “Damn. I liked that truck.”

  “It doesn’t matter. The truck can be replaced, you can’t. You’re here and that’s all that matters.”

  “Yeah.” He exhaled. “I remember the deer and the rest is a blur. I sort of recall being airborne and the world spinning.” He licked his lips. “I woke up here.”

  “Don’t think about it. You need to concentrate on healing and feeling better.”

  He looked down at his body with a grimace. “Do I want to know?”

  I listed his injuries with a steel resolve to stay calm. “You’ll be off work a while. You won’t be able to drive, either.”

  He frowned. “How will I come get you?”

  I rolled my eyes. That was what he was worried about?

  I cradled his face in my palms, and met his gaze. “You don’t have to come get me, Daniel. Not anymore.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I will be right there with you.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m moving in with you.”

  All the pain and worry disappeared as his smile broke out. It was exactly the way I pictured it—aside from the cuts and bruises marring his handsome face. “Yeah?” he breathed out.

  “Yes.”

  “Soon?”

  “I’ll bring my stuff gradually. But I’ll be there to look after you.”

  He tugged my arm, and I lowered my face closer to let him kiss me. I knew what an effort that was, so I stood back. “But for now, you’re going to rest.”

  “Already bossing me around.”

  “Get used to it.”

  He squeezed my fingers. “Happily.”

  I sat down, stroking his arm.

  We were quiet for a few minutes.

  “Avery . . .”

  “Hmm?”

  “Can I have three?”

  I held his hand to my fa
ce. “I love you so much, Daniel Spencer, and I can’t remember what my life was like before I met you.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “I’m going to nurse you back to health.”

  His lips curled up. “Does that include sponge baths?”

  I chuckled, then stood and pressed my lips to his.

  “I am never letting you go. Ever.”

  “Perfect.”

  I kissed him again, smiling when his lips moved against mine. “Here’s a bonus. I can hardly wait to live with you. I want to be with you every day.”

  He sighed, eyes drifting shut. Our short exchange had exhausted him. But a smile played on his lips.

  “I like the bonus.”

  Daniel

  “Is this the last of it?” I asked.

  Avery nodded her head as she looked around her apartment.

  “Are you sure you don’t want any of this furniture, Sprite? We have lots of room.”

  “No. These are all just pieces I picked up second hand, and a few were already here when I came. The girl moving in is thrilled to have them. My bed can go in the guest room, and we already took the few pieces I wanted to your house.”

  I dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Our house,” I reminded her in a gentle tone.

  “Our house,” she agreed. “Our home.”

  I kissed her again. It was a home only when she was there, and now she’d be there every day. I was spoiled always having her around.

  I had spent a couple days in the hospital, relieved when I was released and able to return home. I ached all over, my arm uncomfortable, and my ribs felt as if they were on fire every time I moved. It had felt awesome to walk in my front door though, even if I moved at a snail’s pace.

  Over the next few weeks, I learned how short my patience was with my physical limitations. I needed help to do everything, and I had to rely on my family and Avery for it all. She took some time off and was with me for the first couple weeks. She handled my recuperation better than I was able to, rarely losing patience with me. I hated that I needed help to shower, dress, sit, and even shave.