Jordan was thankful for such simple blessings but was confused. Why had she said ‘baby’? She never called him baby, and she had asked him once not to call her by the endearment. He had passed it off as not being important, but now he wondered. He pushed the thoughts out of his head. Jaynee loved him; he knew it with all his being. She’d heard his voice and responded.
The doctor entered the room and walked directly over to Jaynee. “Has there been anything else, Jordan?” The nurse hurried around the physician, proceeding to take his wife’s vitals, as Doctor McMullen checked her eyes and studied the monitors.
Jordan tried to push away the thoughts of whom she was calling out for. “No, she just squeezed my hand and muttered one word, ‘baby’.”
Out of his peripheral vision, Jordan saw a figure pass by the room in dark clothing. He knew it wasn’t one of the hospital personnel. It looked like the man who had also been in the waiting area for the last few days, but he couldn’t be sure. What surprised him was it looked as though the man were smiling, as if he had just received good news.
Dr. McMullen patted Jordan’s shoulder, slicing through his thoughts. “That’s excellent.” He nodded his head, seemingly satisfied with this news. “It will take time, she will sleep plenty. But the fact she has surfaced from the coma, with us just lowering her medication is a marvelous sign indeed. Keep praying, son, I think we have a real miracle on our hands.” His eyes were bright with enthusiasm.
But, Jordan wasn’t so sure. He wanted Jaynee back, more than anything. But the thought she could be calling out for another man plagued his mind. He knew who called her ‘baby’. Brian had called her baby, and she had supposedly hated it. But maybe she just didn’t want him to call her by the same endearment her past lover did.
***
Brian couldn’t remain in the waiting area anymore. He had to see Caycee, even if he just walked by her room.
He walked by at the perfect time as it turned out. He heard her husband tell the doctor she had spoken. She had said ‘baby’. So she was thinking of him. He always called her ‘baby’. He liked the way it sounded, as though she was helpless without him as she had always been. She needed him. He could protect her better than her so-called husband could.
***
Jordan remained at Jaynee’s side, unwilling to release even her hand. “Come back to me, Jaynee,” he implored.
She had heard him earlier and had responded. He couldn’t be sure if she had called out for Brian, but he decided he didn’t care. He just wanted his wife awake in his arms. He’d fight for her. No way would he ever give up without a fight.
He decided to make some promises, too. He told her before that when they had kids, he’d quit the force. She’d always said how much she hated him being a cop, because she worried so much about him. He had made her a deal. He’d told her that when she decided to have children, he’d quit. She passed on his offer, telling him she wanted children, but not until she finished her degree. It was the only thing they really ever fought over in the last five years of their marriage.
It was time to end that fight. “I won’t give up on you, Jaynee. I know I said I’d quit the force when you decided to have children, but I don’t care anymore. I just want you back. If you wake up, I’ll call right now. I’ll put in my resignation at the force. Nothing matters to me but you.”
63
Carmen DeSousa
Chapter Twenty-Three
(September 2004)
“Happy birthday, my love.” Jaynee heard Jordan’s rough yet seductive morning voice.
She smiled but didn’t open her eyes. “Does this mean I get to sleep in?” She was exhausted from the late evening at their reception and the even longer but incredible night once they returned home. Then a thought occurred to her. She opened her eyes and frowned. “How did you know it was my birthday? I purposely didn’t tell you.”
“I am your husband. You don’t think I noticed all the times I had to write down our information—to get married, the helicopter ride and then again with the car. And naturally, your grandmother made a point of reminding me,” he admitted, lifting her chin up and kissing her.
“I guess that makes sense. But I don’t know yours?” She was embarrassed. Jordan took it upon himself to know everything. She didn’t even consider questioning when his birthday was.
He winked at her. “March twenty-fifth. You have plenty of time.” He obviously noticed how contrite she felt. “Would you like your gift now or later?” he asked with a crooked grin.
“Jordan, haven’t you spent enough,” she complained, but then sidetracked by the later comment, winced. “What’s later?” she groaned. “Please tell me you haven’t planned any kind of party, please…?”
He shook his head and laughed. “I didn’t. I couldn’t bear sharing you today. I’m partied out myself anyway. I never was comfortable with excessive socializing.”
“Thank God for that.” She sighed with relief.
“So, now or later?” he pressed.
“Um…what…oh yeah, now would be as good a time as any I suppose.”
His eyebrows narrowed at her lack of interest. “You don’t sound very enthusiastic.”
“I’m sorry. I’m just tired, and we have to meet my family for breakfast and drive them to the airport. I would rather just stay here. It’s our last morning together, right?”
“Only a week…not even a week. I’ll go in late on Saturday, and…” he drawled, his voice trailing off, “we still have plenty of time this morning. You actually woke before seven.”
“No…it’s more like you woke me before seven,” she amended.
Jordan waved it off as if it weren’t important; producing a tiny box he’d hidden under his pillow. He held it out for her to open.
Jaynee opened the lid, peering inside at the elegant gold cross. It was beautiful. The cross, delicately etched, contained one small diamond in the middle. It wasn’t gaudy or too big; it was perfect. She remembered the cross her grandmother had given her a few years back that disappeared from her jewelry box—or at least that was the last place she remembered putting it.
She looked up at Jordan, and he grinned widely. “Do you like it?”
“I love it; it’s perfect. How did you? When did you? Never mind…” She shook her head. He was always full of surprises.
His fingers lifted the little heart around her neck. “I noticed you only wear the same charm around your neck, and I wondered…” He didn’t continue with what he was saying, but she knew what he was suggesting. He was jealous.
“Jordan…my stepsister gave me this. She wasn’t my stepsister long; she was the daughter of one of my dad’s passing marriages. You thought…you actually thought I would wear something my ex gave me?”
He looked down sheepishly before speaking. “I wouldn’t begrudge you, if that were the case. But yes, I did wonder, and yes…I admit it, I am insanely jealous, and I have never felt this way about anyone. I don’t like to even imagine, the thought of you—” He stopped speaking as pain filled his eyes. He sighed then continued. “When I think about you with someone else, I feel things I don’t want to. When I even think of him or anyone else who has ever….wounded you, it makes me want to hurt them, and I know that is not a very Christian attitude, but—”
“Well then,” she cut him off. “Don’t think about such things. I am here with you, and I love you more than anyone else in the world.” She rested her hands on his clinched fists resting against his sides.
His hands encircled hers. “So you are not angry that I am acting ridiculous and jealous.” His eyes were concerned, as though he’d admitted a great weakness.
She pulled her hands away and reached behind her neck to unhook the latch of her necklace. “No, it is rather flattering. As long as it doesn’t get out of control. As long as you understand you have no reason to be jealous.”
Noticing what she was doing, he moved to assist her, but she’d already unlatched the chain. He held out his hand to accept t
he necklace from her and removed the heart placing it in her hand, proceeding to put the cross on the chain. She threw the heart across the room as further proof it meant nothing. She’d have to remember to find it later and dispose of it properly.
“Allow me,” he said, draping the chain around her neck, fastening the latch and then straightening it until the catch was behind her neck and the cross rested in the center of her chest. “Perfect. Happy birthday, my bride.” He leaned forward to kiss her but then pulled her down onto the bed and gathered her in his arms. “I love you too, more than you can comprehend.”
They lay together in silence; just their breaths filled the air. She could feel her eyes fill with water at the overwhelming emotions. Just lying next to her husband, she could feel the love he held for her and the love she undeniably felt for him. He was everything she had ever hoped and dreamed of in a companion. She couldn’t see her feelings ever changing and could only hope it was the same for him. Tomorrow, he’d return to being a police officer, and that made her anxious again, worried about his safety.
What would she do all day? College wouldn’t start again for more than three months. She could write…lengthen the story she was writing. She could add a love interest, something she hadn’t contemplated before, it was a depressing story. There had only been the love between a divorced mother, her father and her son. But now, she could envision it, there could be another character. A love interest who would accept her heroine for who she was, despite her preceding difficulties, a gentleman who could offer her character hope to love again. Yes, she could visualize it and knew exactly how it would fit into her story.
Jordan reached up and touched her face. “What are you thinking about?”
She rolled over on her side, facing him. “You…always you.” She traced patterns over his chest and down his side. With her fingers, she outlined the strong muscles of his lats and felt consumed with a hunger for him. “Make love to me, Jordan.”
“I thought you’d never ask,” he said casually, but then moved with indomitable speed as he flipped her to her back. She gasped at the suddenness of his attack but felt overcome with excitement as she searched his eyes. They burned with desire. “You’re mine, Jaynee, forever,” he said with vehemence.
She wondered if his words, rather his claim, should annoy her. She felt engulfed by his statement, wanting only to drown in his fervor, but she hoped his possessiveness wouldn’t inundate her.
63
Carmen DeSousa
Chapter Twenty-Four
(December 2009)
Jordan called his mother and asked her to come to Jaynee’s room.
After hearing the news from the doctor, she had been on the phone telling everyone that Jaynee awoke, even if for only a couple seconds.
Dr. McMullen had explained to Jordan that the hospital had to inform the detectives that Jaynee had woken up.
It was the perfect time then. Not that he wanted to leave Jaynee’s side, but he was a detective too, and it wasn’t often things slipped his notice. He had been too distraught the last couple of days to pay attention, but something had been eating at him. Something he planned to resolve permanently.
When Pat walked in the room, her eyes widened. “What is it, Jordan? What happened?” She must have discerned his look. She knew him well.
He shook his head and huffed. Now was not the time to calm down. It was time to prepare. “Nothing, Mom, I just need a moment, and I don’t want to leave Jaynee alone. Do you hear me; don’t leave her side. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said firmly, walking out of the room with determination. He looked first into the undersized waiting room designated for the ICU unit and then descended the stairs to the main waiting area when he didn’t find who he was looking for.
As he exited the stairwell, he saw him, leaning back in a chair, looking a little too composed as if he had just received good news.
He sucked in a deep breath and attempted to control his tone. “Hey, Brian!” He’d caught the loser off-guard.
Brian’s chin turned up instinctively. An expletive escaped his mouth. It was all Jordan needed. He crossed the floor in seconds, jerked him from the chair by his jacket and proceeded to drag him outside, as onlookers gawked in disbelief. Brian was taller than he was, by about four inches, but Jordan was larger and angry. He had the man by at least twenty pounds he estimated, even with the difference in height. It was cold outside, but Jordan couldn’t feel anything but fire pump through his veins as he held the scumbag up. “Who the hell do you think you are, and why are you here?” Jordan exploded, not waiting for an answer. He gripped Brian by the collar with his left hand and cold-cocked him with his right. The degenerate struggled to stand erect while Jordan pounded another punch into his mouth. His face turned blood red under his hands. “She doesn’t belong to you! You had your chance, and you blew it. She Belongs to Me,” Jordan seethed. “Now you want to return, and take what’s mine?” He punched him again but then pulled back. “She almost died because of you.” He released a breath. He needed answers, and a crowd had started to surround them. Jordan released Brian’s collar, allowing him to plummet to the concrete.
Brian gasped for air. “It’s not what you think,” he blurted out. “I just wanted to see her. I didn’t hurt her. I would never hurt Caycee.” He started to stand up but cowered under Jordan’s glare.
Brian lifted his hands to shield his face as Jordan pulled back to deliver another blow. “How did you know she was here? How long have you been seeing each other?” Jordan’s throat was raw with emotion. It was hard enough to believe something, it was another thing all together to have his worst nightmare confirmed.
Brian didn’t try to get up this time. “We weren’t seeing each other, but I was there Friday night. I saw her—” His words broke off as Jordan launched again.
He could see nothing but red, as he hurled his body at Brian. This sleazebag had been at his house. How could she? He heard the police sirens, but it didn’t matter, nothing mattered anymore.
“Listen!” Brian shrieked as Jordan encircled his throat with his hands, ready to squeeze the life out of him. “I wasn’t with Caycee. I was watching her. I know it was wrong, but you have to listen…there was someone else, a woman…”
Jordan stopped, but didn’t release his hands from his throat. “You weren’t having an affair?” He removed his hands from the man’s throat but grabbed a handful of his jacket with his fist.
“I wish,” Brian snorted, but obviously witnessing the fierce look in Jordan’s eyes, he recoiled. “Sorry, dude, it’s been a long time. I just wanted to talk, but she refused.”
So they had talked. He knew something was wrong, but was thankful it wasn’t what he thought. It still irritated him though, that Jaynee had withheld information.
A police cruiser screeched to a stop behind them. Jordan turned around, but continued to hold on to Brian, pulling him to his feet.
The officer jumped out of the car, but crouched behind the door, gun drawn. “Hands over your heads,” the officer yelled.
Jordan immediately let go of Brian and raised his hands, noticing Brian did the same. Jordan knew to raise his hands. And because of his lifestyle, Brian was certainly accustomed to the familiar drill.
The officer straightened up and walked toward them after assessing the situation. “What’s going on here, gentlemen?”
“A misunderstanding, sir,” Brian answered without a moment’s hesitation.
Jordan let his eyes wander from the officer for a second, glowering at Brian. Why would he let him off that easy? He’d just pummeled the guy. He should’ve wanted the officer to arrest him.
Another police car pulled up, this one an unmarked car. Out stepped two detectives, Nelson Williams and Len Powe.
“Hello, Jordan, having troubles?” Detective Powe drawled, smiling.
The uniformed officer glanced at the detective then jutting his chin toward Jordan asked, “You know this guy?”
“Yeah, he’s one of
ours,” Powe responded. “Is everything okay, Jordan? We heard your wife woke up.”
Jordan lowered his hands after a glimpse to the uniformed officer, Brian followed. “Yeah, everything’s cool, but we need to talk.”
Detective Nelson walked over to the uniformed officer. “Officer, my partner and I need to interview Jordan. Is it okay if he comes with us?”
“Unless this man wants to press charges for assault,” the officer retorted, gesturing his chin at Brian.
“Like I said,” Brian repeated. “It was a misunderstanding.”
The officer turned and walked to his patrol car, shaking his head as he left. Jordan didn’t know how he felt that Brian was giving him a pass, but again, he was grateful. Of course, now a discussion needed to occur between the four of them.
Brian rubbed his chin. “Man, dude, you got a mean blow,” Brian complained, as he followed them into the hospital. “I think you knocked my jaw loose.”
Jordan couldn’t suppress a grin. He had been holding back, afraid to inflict too much damage and not retrieve answers. He had always wanted to do that for Jaynee’s sake anyway, so he was thankful to get the opportunity. He realized now why Brian hadn’t wanted to press charges. The loser was surely on parole. No matter who got the blame, it wouldn’t look good to be in a fight. He probably wasn’t supposed to leave Florida for that matter, so Jordan could use that against Brian if necessary.
“Williams! Powe!” Jordan called ahead. They both turned. “Hey, take Brian to the cafeteria. He was at my residence the night Jaynee was shot. I’ll be there in a few minutes. I want to see if my wife is awake.” Jordan glared at Brian, and then turned his back on the men, bounding up the stairs two at a time, the elevator too slow for him.
Jordan pushed through the heavy metal door making his way back to his wife’s room, hoping she had not awoke while he was gone but that she would wake the instant he returned. He was selfish he realized.
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