Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  She spotted the cup of water another nurse had brought for him and reached for it. She noticed the wince Drake sported earlier when he tried to mutter her name, so she knows water is what he needs.

  "Here you go." She softy said, ever so gently lifting his head to prevent any more injuries. "You're dehydrated, Drake, drink this."

  Drake threw her a weak smile back before doing as she said. The tasteless drink burning yet soothing his throat at the same time as he greedily drank the whole thing.

  "How are you feeling, Drake?" Emma asked, still can't help but still feel perturbed.

  It's really great that he's awake, but is he really well? She glanced at the doctor for confirmation but was surprised to see him smiling back at her in a reassuring way.

  Drake swallowed hard, letting the water moisturize his throat. He couldn't help but notice the way the nurses and doctor kept continuing their routine and testing's on him, as if he's some sort of lab rat.

  This is annoying him. He hates this place already.

  "Shit." He bluntly answered her, unable to say a complete sentence without aching.

  However, he doesn't really remember what happen all that much that got him in here; only bits and pieces again since he's still feeling a little light headed.

  "Aidan's with Jenna, by the way." Emma said, brushing the hairs away from his forehead. "He misses you too, you know. Richard was a mess as well."

  Aidan?

  Richard?

  What?

  Drake shook his head. "Emma... I'm so sorry, but I really need help."

  He can't concentrate right now. Not when he has this feeling inside him that's been bugging him since the moment he woke up and her telling him these odd names.

  "What is it?" His beautiful lady asked him, her eyes widening with concern as the nurses neared him. "Are you okay?"

  "Not really." Drake couldn't help but feel guilty. "I just really need to take a piss. So bad."

  .

  .

  "REALLY?"

  Emma winced, holding the phone a few inches away from her ear. "Honestly Rich, we're on the phone, I can hear you loud and clear. I'm not deaf, you know."

  "What do you mean Drake is awake? Really? Like right now? How? What happened? Is he still awake?" Rich kept firing questions after questions, not leaving her any room to speak.

  Yes, yes. Drake is awake. They're very excited, but c'mon at least give the woman a chance to answer the questions one by one!

  She couldn't help but laugh, feeling the same jubilant emotion. "Would I lie to you? Yes, he's awake! He's been awake for a few hours already, actually. But right now they're doing some more tests on him and already asked him the basic questions just to see if he's alright."

  "Well, it's already nearly six in the morning. Can you discharge him?"

  "I'm not sure." Emma felt her spirit dwindle down. "Just to be safe, I think they want to monitor him for at least one more week, just to make sure he'll go back to normal and doesn't fall back into a deep sleep again -"

  "Well then. Drake is not going to be happy about that." Rich said, obnoxiously loud. "No visitors until ten in the morning, right? I'll be there as soon as the big hand reaches twelve, and the small hand reaches ten, ma'am!"

  Emma couldn't help but snort, amused by this man's need to take a serious matter and bend it as a joke. "Yes sir, I'll see you soon."

  "Thank you for calling me, Emma. You don't have to call Nancy; I'll just let her know myself when I pick her up." Rich quickly added, "Don't forget to get some sleep too. You're no longer a college student so need for an all-nighter."

  Sleep? How can anyone go to sleep when they've got this much adrenaline swimming in their veins?

  "Of course I called you." Emma dismissively said. "Despite the entire negative stuff you both been through; you're still considered his best friend, right?"

  Silence.

  Complete and awkward silence.

  What. Is the phone dead?

  "Richard?" Emma had to lean back and glance at the phone, just to make sure he didn't hang up yet. But nope, he's still in the line. When he still didn't answer, Emma continued on, "Hello?"

  "Did I ever tell you how fucking awesome I think you are?" Rich spluttered out randomly, causing her to frown and blush at the same time.

  What a little kiss ass! It's so amusing though. "Are you trying to flirt with me, Rich? Because if you are -"

  "No, I'm serious." Rich interrupted her, his voice exasperated. "You're the only woman who has ever challenged him with your tough love; the only woman who tells him like it is and blows his fat ass ego down. So for that, thank you. And also, for what you've done for me."

  She couldn't really understand what she was hearing. But still, she can't help but feel this warmth inside her and felt her whole entire face heat up with embarrassment.

  "And what have I done for you to deserve your thankfulness, Rich?" She teased.

  "Not only have you saved Drake, but you also saved me too." Rich explained.

  She frowned, "Saved you? How -"

  "I was the one who tipped the police in advance that fateful night." Rich reminded her, "I told them where to go. Why do you think they arrived immediately? No one knew about it. But for some reason, it was you who told my lawyer about that, giving her a reason to fight on my behalf."

  "Oh... right." Emma mumbled, that memory pushing forward in front of her mind. "You called the police on your own best friend -"

  "He knew I was going to do it - I even warned him and he still went." Rich indignantly said, "See? That's the thing with Drake... You'll warn him about something, but he will not take you seriously until after you really do it."

  Emma let out a scoff; oh, she knows that trait of his way too well like an old friend.

  "But I already knew you were going to save him." Rich continued on with a laugh. "I just didn't realize you were going to help me too. How did you know it was me, anyway?"

  Emma bit her bottom lip before letting out a small chuckle. "I don't know if Drake told you... but that night, I followed him because I needed to talk. But then I saw he was with these other guys and Jay. Something in me told me to record this, so I tried to catch everything."

  "Taping us in action? I always knew you were a kinky teenager back then." Rich couldn't help but tease. "I guess the dorky ones really are the freakiest."

  "You are so sleazy, Rich." Emma rolled her eyes, but continued on despite her merriment. "Anyway, when I saw Drake holding the gun and aiming towards that innocent guy, I freaked out. I was already on the phone with 911 when they arrived out of nowhere - but anyway, when I was looking over the footage, I noticed the way you looked completely relaxed. You even nodded at one of them! I sort of put two-and-two together and told your lawyer that you had something to do with them arriving on the perfect time, and handed the footage over to her and Drake's lawyer for his side."

  "Freaky, tough, and clever." Rich laughed, nodding in approval. "No wonder Drake loves you. But anyway, yeah... thank you. You're not like other girls out there, Emma. You're more complicated yet passionate; never boring. I hope to someday find someone as fierce as you."

  Wow.

  This conversation was starting to head on a different direction and she doesn't know what to think of it. This awkward and strange feeling started to slowly climb on her back and enveloping her as a whole.

  "Rich, don't. You'll find -"

  ''Whoops! My alarm went off! I'll see you both soon! Tell Drake to save me some pudding, eh?" Rich called out enthusiastically, before hanging up the phone.

  Emma pulled the phone away and stared at the screen, her mind blank for a few seconds as Rich's name continues to flash with the 'CALL END' sign. What was that all about?

  .

  .

  "Where have you been?"

  Emma closed the door and laughed.

  Despite that annoyed scowl etched on Drake's face as he stared at her with his arms crossed, she felt like a whole bucket of bliss wash o
ver her.

  "I don't see how me being worried about you is amusing, Emma." Drake continued to glare at her.

  Once she was within his reach, he leaned forward and gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer to him until she was right beside him; not letting her go.

  "Why were you worried about me, Drake?" Emma murmured, taking her other hand to try and flatten his bed hair. It's no use. His hair keeps sticking up all over the place.

  Oh well... she kind of likes it; it makes him look even more rugged and yum.

  "Emma?" Drake complained, when his woman wouldn't answer him. Hello, he just woke up from the most intense slumber he ever had; and she's ignoring him? "You left me alone with all these dumb nurses fawning over me."

  "Fawning over you?" Emma asked in amusement, taking the nearby chair and bringing it closer so she can sit. "How so?"

  "One nurse even had the gall to touch my chest. My chest, Emma!" Drake scoffed, his face morphing into a revolted look as he told her the kind of torture he had to go through. "Another even asked if I remembered my name...Like what the fuck? As if I would forget my own name."

  Wow. Emma couldn't tell if he was being serious or... Oh.

  This idiot.

  He's back.

  Drake had that little mischievous smirk painted on his face once again, indicating his teasing. Once he saw Emma caught on, he stopped his banter and grinned back.

  He pulled the hand he was holding and brought it closer to him, his mind automatically locking into memory the feeling of his lips caressing her soft skin.

  How she misses him so.

  "I love you." Emma murmured, loving this side of him. She was never a lovey-dovey sort of a person, but when it comes to Drake... she can make an exception!

  Drake once again felt something heavy hit through his chest and squeeze his heart. Only... it was a positive something.

  "Say that again." He mumbled, looking up at her.

  Emma giggled, never before feeling this carefree and happy - screw that they're in a hospital room, still! He's back! "I love you."

  "Oh finally." Drake let out a huge breath, reaching his hand forward and placing it on her face. He gently pulled her neck forward until he was once again reunited with her lips.

  She loves him...

  She finally loves him again.

  After all the shit they been through, he finally cracked that thick wall he helped build all these years ago that had been surrounding her. The feeling of hearing her confession was unlike anything he felt before.

  This was extremely intense; the slight throbbing pain he was feeling not too long ago immediately vanished and replaced what felt like bliss and exhilaration.

  He doesn't care that someone can walk in any at minute while they're devouring each other like some love sick hormonal teenagers.

  He just miraculously woke up for goodness sake; let him enjoy his little piece of paradise.

  He doesn't care that he's slowly losing his mind with the way Emma keeps moaning softly like that, or the way she brought her hands forward to caress his neck ever so delicately, making him shiver much to his slight embarrassment.

  Mmm, where the hell did she learn to use her tongue like that?

  Determined not to be out kissed, he lightly nipped her bottom lip and used the tip of his tongue to tenderly smooth the sting, inwardly grinning with pleasure and satisfaction when he earned another delicious sound from her.

  Oh man, he can never get enough of this woman. She drives him insane sometimes, but he will never replace her for anyone else.

  "Drake," Emma softly whispered as she slowly pulled back by an inch, letting oxygen return back to her. However, Drake kept peppering her with small kisses as he grazed at her cheeks and slowly down to the side of her neck. She kissed his cheek once more before leaning back all the way, grinning when Drake playfully pouted.

  "Slow down, wild one." She teased, though she felt like a blanket of joy was wrapped around her. "We don't want your heart to go into overdrive." She nodded towards the heart beat monitor.

  Drake merely rolled his eyes but laid back all the way back down. "The doctor said that I was extremely lucky. It wasn't a too serious problem because the wound didn't do much damage except letting out excess blood, causing my brain to swell up. But they managed to drain all the excess crap from my head; letting it return to its normal size on time."

  He touched the bandaged part of his head and winced, clearly still sensitive.

  "That's good." Emma nodded enthusiastically, "He told me you fell into a coma but I'm guessing they would have induced it anyway so you could properly heal. Did they say when you can go home?"

  "Can't wait to have me all to your own self, huh?" Drake gave her that all too familiar smirk she grew to love. "Are we going to christen your new home or what, because I -"

  "Unbelievable." Emma muttered, closing her eyes and shaking her head. "Even when you're lying down all weak in a hospital bed, your ego is still untouchable."

  "Well duh." Drake scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I'm Drake Rogers. I am untouchable!"

  She couldn't help but laugh. "Oh Drake, you've no idea how much I missed you. Not just me but our son and Rich too. Speaking of Rich, I went to call him while the doctor and nurses were tending to you."

  Drake frowned, "Rich? Our son?"

  "Yes." Emma nodded slowly, "You know. Our son? Aidan? The little bouncy ball of energy that is a spitting image of yourself? He's with Jenna and Jason at the moment. But Richard said he'll be here at ten," She looked at her watch and hummed, "Which should be like in three hours.''

  "Yes, yes, I know who Aidan is, I can't wait til Jenna brings him here." Drake asked, confused. "Is Richard our son too?"

  Emma blinked. "Drake, I swear, if you're joking with me I'll have you know that I am not in the mood -"

  "I'm kidding." Drake snickered. He knew that Emma knew he was just messing with her. But still, her annoyance was his mini entertainment. "What the hell, Richard as our son? That's gross; I would have given him to some other family immediately if that was the case."

  "You are so damn horrible Drake!" Emma snapped, but after listening to Drake's laughter she couldn't help but let out an amused chuckle. "You are just... out there, Drake. You're out there, away from the normal people."

  "I know." He lightly said all too proudly. "You love me anyway, so it's all part of my charm."

  "Idiot." Emma mumbled, her cheeks reddening.

  "Can you call Jenna too? I want to see Aidan." Drake sighed after a few minutes later.

  "I did before I called Rich." Emma informed him, "She said she'll be here a little early before she goes to work to drop him off."

  "Great." Drake said with a smile, "Then I can finally be with my family again."

  .

  .

  Emma kept flipping through the channels, unable to settle into one.

  "Put some cartoons." Drake suggested as he yawned. "I want cartoons."

  "Are you a child?" Emma mused, though she found the cartoon channel and placed the remote back to his side.

  Drake gawked at the television screen with excitement. Were the fates giving him a signal once again?

  "Tom and Jerry?" She noted with interest as she straightened her back, watching as the tall cat chase the little cute brown mouse. "Wait a minute, oh my goodness! I remember this! I used to watch this show!"

  Drake grinned, glancing at her.

  They both used to watch this show.

  .

  .: Junior Year:.

  "P.E.M.D.A.S., Drake." Emma groaned for the tenth time that day, she had no idea that being a teacher's assistant also meant tutoring her peers. "Not Panda. It's not that hard to remember PEMDAS as order of operations when solving these types of math equations. Remember, P for parenthesis, E for exponents, M for multiplication, D for division and -"

  "Blah blah blah, A for addition, and S for Suck it-traction." Drake rudely interrupted her with an obnoxiously yawn. "I know what they mean; I just some
times forget the word, pemdas. Like, who freakin' thought of the word 'pemdas'? Why 'pemdas', why not 'dasmep' or some other crap?"

  "Oh my goodness, you're unbelievable." Emma muttered under her breath, knowing he's not taking this seriously. "Here." She took his paper and wrote as she spoke, "Just remember this phrase, alright? 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.' Maybe a sentence will help you instead of a made up word."

  She glanced at Drake and scowled when he wasn't listening to her. Instead, his eyes were focused on the television screen.

  "Drake!" Emma snapped, "Pay attention! You're failing Algebra I, the easiest subject, when you should be in Algebra II by now! Stop letting your mind wonder off."

  Drake wanted to tell her to be quiet.

  He has other things in his mind besides doing something so stupid like math or knowing about fucking pandas or pemdas whatever the hell it's called. His father is already giving him a hard time; he doesn't need his hot tutor telling him what to do.

  Math isn't going to help him impress Jay, will it? No. Jay said there's a meeting tonight at ten. What for? Is he finally going to be a part of their elite group or what? Oh, if only his English friends can see him. Him? Joining the city's fearful small gang? Impressive.

  When Emma saw he kept his eyes on the television, she dropped her pen and heavily sighed. Maybe they need to take a breather since they been in this for hours. "Alright. Let's take a break then?"

  "Finally!" Drake muttered, pushing his books to the side and he headed towards the couch. "Why don't you scoot your cute little butt over here and watch some cartoons with me, Miss Collins."

  "Ugh, I'm your tutor, not your teacher. And cartoons?" Emma let out a short laugh, "Like what?"

  "Here." He took the remote and turned up the volume. "It's Tom and Jerry!"

  She threw herself on the couch with a huff, "I've never heard of it."

  "What." Drake dropped the remote and stared at her. "Have you been living under a rock all these times?"

  Emma ignored him, but kept her attention on the screen.

  After about thirteen minutes into an episode, she couldn't help but point out, "They're always at it. The poor mouse just wants to go back inside his little home in the wall."

  "Yes, but he did smash all those plates on the poor cat's head." Drake told her, "I mean, poor kitty, always getting the blame for something he hasn't done."