"Stop. We'll figure it out. For now, you need to rest and get through surgery. That's all you are going to think about. I'll start coming up with a plan for the fundraiser. I'm sure I can find some space that someone will donate for the kids. I can be pretty persuasive."
He gave her a faint smile. "Don't I know it."
She smiled back at him, but then she turned serious. "There was a moment today when I thought I'd lost you, that I might die, and I wished I'd said something to you. I love you, Griffin. I know you think I was blinded to your flaws because you saved my life, and that I have this idea that you're a superhero. I'm not going to deny that I am incredibly proud and amazed at what you've done to help people in need and to save people's lives, including my own. But I don't love the superhero; I love you. I love the man who's passionate and tender and kind. The man who listens to me ramble on and makes me laugh and gives me courage and makes me happy. I love talking to you and making love with you and even arguing with you. Neither of us is perfect, and that's good, because then we can just be ourselves." She blew out a breath. "And once again, I am talking way too much."
"I love listening to you, Annie. And I love you, too." He paused. "But Paige said something to me, and it hit home. She said that I was dark and moody and that I took her down. That was before I turned into a ghost. I don’t want to do that to you. I know I can be too quiet, that I push people away, and to be honest I was doing that long before I changed my name and ran for my life. I grew up alone. I've always been more of a spectator. Opening the bar was a way for me to be part of a scene without really being part of it—which you already guessed."
"I did guess that. I'm not worried about you being too dark. I know you need your space, your solitude. That is totally fine with me. But when you're ready to talk and play, then I'm there."
He winced as he adjusted his position.
"Be careful," she said quickly. "You should be resting. We can talk about all this later."
"It's all right. I'm fine. I like talking to you."
The nurse came into the room. "We're going to take Mr. Hale to the OR in a moment."
She nodded and got to her feet as the nurse stepped out of the room. She leaned over and gave Griffin a long, emotional kiss, feeling an immense rush of love for him. "I'll be here when you wake up."
"Good. Because we have a lot more to talk about, and I'm going to do at least some of the talking."
"I'm looking forward to that."
After Griffin was whisked away, she walked back into the waiting room, and realized it was full of not only employees from the Depot but a lot of their customers. She doubted Griffin had any idea how much he was loved.
Vinnie came over to her, concern in his eyes. "How's he doing?"
"He's going into surgery. But he'll be all right." She included everyone in the room with her comments. "He wants us to work on finding a place for the fundraiser. He's worried about the kids not having their Christmas party."
"That sounds like Griffin," Vinnie said with a nod. "He almost gets himself killed and he's worrying about a kids' party."
"I told him we'd work on it. We'll find another location and we'll make it happen, not just for the kids, but for Griffin, too."
"I'll help," Justin offered.
"Me, too," Danielle said, followed by a chorus of others, all willing to pitch in.
"Thanks," she said, starting to feel a little teary-eyed again at the swell of support. "I know Griffin is worried about all of you being out of work for a time, but he's going to try to do right by you."
"He just needs to get well," Vinnie said. "The rest will sort itself out. Can I speak to you, Annie?"
She nodded and followed him away from the crowd.
"How are you doing, Annie? Did you get yourself checked out?" he asked.
"I was given oxygen in the ambulance. I'm okay, a little dry throat, but nothing terrible. I was really lucky. If Griffin hadn’t come around the back and gone up the fire escape, I never would have had the courage to get on that ledge. Frankly, I still don't know how I did it. But when fire is licking at your fingers, it's a little easier to let go."
"There was a fire escape by Griffin's apartment, too, but it broke a year or so ago. The landlord took it down but didn't replace it." He frowned. "We should have made sure he did."
"I'm sad that beautiful old building is gone."
"Yeah," he said heavily. "Me, too. The landlord is flying in tomorrow."
"Do you think he'll rebuild?"
"I don't know, but if Griffin is up for it, I hope we'll reopen the bar somewhere."
"I'm sure that's exactly what he wants to do."
"Did you and Griffin work out whatever was bothering you both today?"
She smiled. "We did. There's nothing like a life-and-death moment to get your priorities straight. I love Griffin, by the way."
Vinnie grinned. "That isn't news, Annie. I've known that since about the first day you showed up."
"I didn't love him then. He was not at all welcoming that first day."
"But he grew on you."
"He did," she admitted.
"You're good for him, Annie, and I told him that earlier today." Vinnie paused. "Griffin said that you made me into a superhero? I really hope I'm the handsome one."
She laughed. "You're very handsome in my drawings. Your muscles are huge, and your apron is really a cape."
"I like that."
"But I'm not going to show the public my work. I will show you sometime, if you want, but that's as far as it goes."
"Listen, I know Griffin doesn't want to be famous, but I'm okay with it. You can use my likeness any way you want."
"I appreciate that."
"You had anything to eat or drink?"
She couldn't even remember. "I have no idea. This day has been a blur."
"Then let's get you fed. Because I know the one and only thing Griffin would want me to do right now is take care of you. I hope he told you he loves you, too, because he does. He's not always the best with words, you know?"
"I know, but he did say the words, and I am not letting him take them back."
"I don't think he's going to want to do that."
* * *
When Griffin woke up, the sun was coming through the window of his hospital room. Annie was sitting in a chair next to the bed, but she was resting her head on her arms on the mattress next to him, and she was fast asleep. Her beautiful, reddish-blonde hair, was still streaked with some ash from the fire, but her creamy complexion was rosy from sleep and there wasn't a scratch on her. For that, he was truly grateful.
He'd lost a lot yesterday, the bar and the business he'd built the past four years, but it didn't even matter, because this woman was all he needed. He wanted to wake up next to her for the rest of his life. And it was almost shocking to realize he could do exactly that.
There was no one else to run from. He could live his life in the open, in the sunshine. He didn't believe anyone else would come after him now that he knew it had been Paige and Kenny behind the attacks. They'd been the closest to Tom. And Tom was never going to wake up. It was amazing how the actions Tom had taken had changed the course of so many lives, most of all his own.
Annie murmured something in her sleep, and he smiled as he gently stroked his fingers through her hair. Even in sleep, she had something to say. He didn't think he would ever get tired of listening to her.
She drew in a deeper breath and then shifted position, finally lifting her head. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes as he ran his fingers down her face and gave her a tender smile.
"Good morning," he said.
"You're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Honestly? Never better."
"The drugs must not have worn off yet."
"I don't think it's the drugs. I think it's you. When I woke up and saw you next to me, all was right with the world."
"I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."
"Well, ge
t used to it, because I plan on saying a lot of nice things."
"So, now that you're talking, there's no stopping you," she teased.
"You got that right."
"But how are you really? Are you in any pain?"
He shook his head. "Not much."
"Would you tell me if you were?"
"Maybe."
"That's a no."
"Has anything else happened since I went into surgery?"
"No. Your entire staff waited until the doctor came out to tell us you did great and would make a full recovery, and then they went home. I told them we're going to hold the party somewhere next Sunday, and we'll let them know where as soon as we know. Vinnie talked to Deb at Hamilton House, and they were more concerned about your welfare than the party, but he assured them we were going to make the fundraiser happen. I'm planning to get started on all that this morning."
"I can help."
"You're going to rest and do what the doctor says."
"I'm not going to rest here, no matter what anyone says. I do not need to stay in this hospital." He paused. "However, it occurs to me that I'm homeless, unless a pretty redhead would like to invite me home?"
"Oh, you are definitely invited to my home, and we have several more months before we're going to get kicked out." She smiled. "We're quite the pair—unemployed and no permanent address."
"And yet amazingly happy," he finished.
"Amazingly," she agreed.
"Although…"
"What?" she asked warily.
"It's been a really long time since you kissed me."
"Are you sure you're up for that?"
"I only injured my shoulder; the rest of me is working just fine."
She stood up and gently put her hand on his chest. "Your heart is beating awfully fast."
"Because you're killing me with anticipation."
She gave him a wicked smile. "The wait is only going to make it that much better." She slowly leaned over, letting her hair tickle his chin, letting her breath warm his lips before her mouth touched his. It felt like the first time and the last time and all the times that would come in between.
When she lifted her head, she said, "You better get well really fast."
"Why don't you find the doctor and tell him to sign me out of here? Because I'm going to rest a lot better in your bed."
"I don't think they call that rest," she said with a laugh.
"There will be rest…after."
"When you put it like that…" She kissed him again and then headed out of the room.
He felt like a foolish idiot, grinning at the ceiling. He didn't know what this crazy feeling was that was running around inside him, but he thought it just might be happiness. And he couldn't wait to get started on the rest of his life.
Epilogue
The party would be starting soon, and as Annie looked around the rec room at the Shoreview Senior Center just before three on Sunday afternoon, she felt proud of all she'd accomplished. Five days earlier, they hadn't even had a venue for the holiday fundraiser, but now they had created a winter wonderland. She'd been working on the room since nine o'clock in the morning, and with a lot of help from the Depot employees, the room had been decorated with holiday wreaths, garlands, lights, and, of course, an enormous Christmas tree.
Now, the caterers had set up a buffet and were whipping up hot chocolate and hot cider drinks in the kitchen, while a few seniors came in early to grab a seat at one of the round tables before all the commotion started.
The senior center had graciously offered their rec room for the party, believing, as she did, that a multi-generational event would bring joy to everyone.
It had certainly been a whirlwind of activity the past few days.
They'd plastered newly redesigned flyers all over town and posted on social media to get the word out about the change in venue. The price of admission for the event was one wrapped toy with a label designating the age of the intended recipient and whether the item was best suited for a boy, or a girl, or was gender-neutral.
To make sure they had enough toys, Vinnie and Griffin had sent Justin and Danielle to the local toy store to pick up even more presents. In addition, cash donations to Hamilton House were also going to be welcomed, and all donors would be eligible for a raffle with the grand prize being a three-night stay at a very fancy and luxury hotel in San Diego.
"Wow," Griffin said, coming up next to her.
She gave him a happy smile, pleased by his reaction. She'd managed to keep him out of most of the work, wanting him to rest and heal, but he hadn't been the best patient, taking a lot of meetings with Vinnie and the landlord to discuss rebuilding and reopening the Depot. "You like it?"
"It's spectacular," he said. "You did all this in such a short time. No wonder I haven't seen much of you."
"I had a lot of help from your employees, who all seem to have vanished at the moment, but I guess they went to their homes to change before everyone gets here."
"They'll be back. Everyone did a great job. The kids are going to love it."
"And so will the seniors."
"I still can't believe you got the senior center to agree to a party for a bunch of at-risk kids."
"It's a win-win for everyone. The older folks get to enjoy all the young energy, the holiday spirit, the music that will be starting shortly, the great food donated by the wonderful people at Carmichael's Seafood Restaurant, the photo booth donated by Sonny's Surf Shop, and the video arcade games on loan from Game Systems, Inc., that will create even more fun. I hope I've thought of everything."
"I'm sure you have. It's perfect, Annie." He put his good arm around her shoulder, his other arm still resting in a sling. "This is better than what we would have had at the bar."
"I don't know about that, but as a nod to the Depot, did you notice the incredible miniature train working its way around almost two hundred yards of track?"
"I did notice that," he said with a grin. "Maybe we can find a place for it when we open the new Depot."
She gave him a curious glance. "Have you come to a decision?"
"We have. Vinnie and I are going to buy the property from our landlord. He has moved out of the area, and he doesn't want to rebuild, so he has decided to sell it to us."
"That's great. Is it a lot of money?"
"Yes," he said, but not looking too upset about it. "And the construction will be more money, but we've been putting cash aside the past two years, in case we had the opportunity to buy the building, so we have enough for a down-payment. We're also taking on a third partner—Danielle."
"Danielle?" she asked, surprised that the forty-something widowed waitress would have cash for that kind of investment. "Danielle has money?"
"Yeah, we had no idea. She got a settlement after her husband died, but she was bored doing nothing at home, so that's why she came to work for us. When she heard our plans, she said she'd be interested in investing if we wanted another partner."
"That's great. I think she'd be very easy to have as a partner." She paused. "Although, I think she might have a little crush on Vinnie."
"Oh, it's more than a little crush," Griffin said. "And apparently it's reciprocated. They've been seeing each other for months; they just didn't tell anyone."
She laughed at his disgruntled expression. "Imagine that. Someone else had a secret besides you."
He nodded, then dropped his arm from around her shoulders as he checked a text on his phone. She was a bit puzzled by his sudden distraction. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, it's all good."
"Hey, I thought we tell each other everything now."
"Don't worry," he said reassuringly. "I just have a little surprise for you."
"Now I'm curious."
"You're always curious." He leaned over and gave her a sweet, hot kiss, that instantly made her toes curl. There had been a lot of those kisses in the last week and yet not nearly enough.
"Griffin. Not in front of the seniors," she said
with a laughing protest.
"Don't mind us," an elderly woman said as she walked by. "It's been awhile since I saw a good kiss like that."
She flushed a little, then tapped her fingers against his chest. "No more of that until we're home."
"Hey, I just got rave reviews," he said with an unapologetic grin.
She liked how happy and carefree Griffin was now, and she was enjoying getting to know his lighter side. "I give you rave reviews all the time."
"Yeah, but that's because you just want more of the good stuff," he teased.
"That's true."
"But…" Griffin began, checking his watch again. "I have to go. I will be back in a few minutes."
"Do you need any help?"
"I'm good. I think it's time for you to open the doors, Annie."
"I think they're already open," she said, as a group of young kids came walking and skipping into the room, immediately crowding the food tables, racing across the room to see the train and the tree, and exploring the video arcade games they'd set up by the stage.
The children were followed by teenagers and a few parents as well as volunteers from Hamilton House.
She spent the next ten minutes welcoming everyone inside, a little worried that her fellow helpers were nowhere to be found, especially as the room filled up.
Danielle was supposed to be selling the raffle tickets. Vinnie had promised to organize the toys that were brought into the party, and Justin was supposed to get the band going.
An uneasy feeling ran down her spine. Something was going on.
Griffin had mentioned a good surprise. She hoped it had something to do with that. She was still a little gun-shy after almost losing her life in the Depot.
As she glanced toward the front door, her entire mood lifted. She could not believe the group walking into the room: Mia and her husband, Jeremy, and their daughter Ashlyn, as well as her sister Kate and her boyfriend Devin.
When Kate and Mia saw her, they gave a little squeal and broke away from their guys to run toward her. She threw her arms around both of them in happy delight. After a happy hug, she said, "What are you both doing here?" Before they could answer, she turned to their men. "It's good to see you two as well. And you, Ashlyn," she added, smiling at Mia's daughter.
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