by K E Osborn
"Yes, of course, sir."
"Thanks, Mike." He lifts and cradles me in his arms. I cough into his chest as he takes me into the bedroom and lays me on the bed. I start to feel weak while he pulls out my robe. He walks back over to me and places it around my shoulders. I maneuver my way into it, and he picks me up again and walks with me in his arms to the elevator.
We proceed to the parking garage. He puts me in the front passenger seat and does up my seat belt. I feel tired, almost dizzy, like I want to faint.
"Stay with me, baby." He gets into his side of the car and races out of the parking garage toward the hospital. My chest feels tight, and I can't breathe properly, as I cough uncontrollably.
"Hang on, baby, we're nearly there."
I doze in and out of consciousness. I start to feel my chest getting tighter and tighter, as I start to wheeze when we pull up at the emergency department.
Aiden screeches to a halt and races around the car to get me. He carries me into the emergency ward. "Help, my girlfriend's having trouble breathing," I hear him say as I cough and wheeze.
A short nurse comes up to us with a gurney, and he places me on it. My chest is so tight it's scaring me. I reach out for Aiden's hand as I fall unconscious before I can hold it.
Chapter 19
A nurse is flashing a flashlight in my eyes; I have an oxygen mask on my face and drips in my arms. What the hell? I try to talk, but my throat is so sore I can only cough.
"Jenifer, Jenifer honey, can you hear me?" the nurse says as I look around the room. I nod minutely.
"Good girl. You're in St. Richmond Hospital. Do you understand?"
My throat is dry, and I want something to drink; I pull at my oxygen mask.
"No, no. Sweetie, you need to leave that on for now."
I let go of the mask. "Aiden?" I somehow muffle.
"Your boyfriend is over there, sweetie." She points to Aiden, who is sitting in a chair asleep.
"He hasn't left your side since he brought you in. You're going to be fine; you need some oxygen therapy and once your breathing has stabilized you'll be released. If you need anything, press this buzzer once."
I nod, and she walks out of the room. I look over to Aiden; he looks restless. I try to sit up in the bed as my mom and Callie walk in, carrying coffee and talking to each other.
Mom looks at me and hurries over. "Oh, Jeni, you're awake," she says loudly, waking Aiden, who looks at me and exhales. He rushes to my side then takes my hand in his. I still feel a little dizzy as I sit up and point to the glass of water. He takes the water and lifts it toward my mouth, pulling my mask to the side so I can drink through the straw. The cool water is soothing on my sore, dry throat. I can't help it; I drink the whole glass. Aiden looks worried. How long have I been here? I wonder to myself as Aiden and my mom fuss over me, fluffing my pillows and tucking in my blankets.
I doze in and out throughout the day, sipping on water in between. Aiden, Mom, and Callie never leave my side. I look over at the counter in my room and see a couple of bunches of flowers. I wonder who they're from.
The next day I'm feeling quite a bit better and see the early morning nurse coming in to check my vitals.
"You're oxygen levels are back to normal now. No need for this anymore." She removes the mask. "How are you feeling?" the nurse asks quietly, trying not to wake my entourage.
I clear my throat trying to speak. "I'm fine. The dizziness has gone, but I'm still a bit sore in the throat," I say, my voice sounding hoarse.
"That's normal. It'll subside with time, shouldn't take long though. We've been dosing you up with antibiotics and fluids through the drip. Depending on how you feel, you may be able to go home either later today or early tomorrow."
"Thank you."
"You have a wonderful support crew here," she says, looking at my mom and Callie on the sofa and Aiden in a chair, all asleep.
"Yeah, they're the best."
"Buzz if you need anything."
"Thanks." I pick up a glass and drink some water.
She walks out of the room.
I try to think back to the fire, but my head is still a little foggy. I can't quite remember what happened, but I'm sure Aiden will fill me in. I look over at him sleeping restlessly; he has disheveled hair and slight stubble on his face. I feel like I have a little energy, so I decide to wake him up. I lean over and get the box of tissues from the drawer next to me, and I throw them at him, hitting him on the chest. He wakes suddenly and looks at the box of tissues, furrowing his brow. I start to giggle, and he looks up and sees me smiling at him. He stands up, bringing the tissue box with him; he places it back in the drawer and takes my hand in his.
"Are you feeling better?" He leans in to kiss me.
"I am now," I say once he takes his lips from mine.
He sits on the edge of my bed. "How are you really?"
"My throat is still a bit sore, but the nurse said that will go away soon. She said I might be able to go home later on."
"That's great news, do you remember what happened?"
I try to think, but it's like a thick fog I can't break through. I shake my head. "I remember cooking the chicken and then waking up here. How long have I been here?"
"You came in on Tuesday night, and its Thursday morning."
"And you've been here the whole time?"
"Yes, and our mothers."
"But what about work yesterday and today?" I ask, making Aiden chuckle.
"You're in no fit state to work."
"Obviously, but what about you?"
"What about me? You're my first priority, not work. Plus Bree and Father have it covered." He tries to reassure me.
"We're going in on Monday."
"Let's wait and see what the doctor says, and we'll go from there."
***
The rest of the day goes by with the doctor coming in and telling me I'm well enough to go home. Aiden and Callie pack all my things and the flowers into the car as Mom makes a fuss trying to help me.
"I'm fine, Mom. I can walk," I say, getting frustrated.
"Jenifer, I'm only trying to help."
"I know. I'm sorry, Mom. You know I don't like being fussed over."
Mom steps back, letting me hop into the car on my own.
"Thank you, Mom. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetie." She hugs Aiden and then Callie.
"Look after my girl, won't you?"
"Of course, thanks for your help, Ev, and we'll come and see you soon," Aiden says getting into the back seat with me, and Callie gets in the front with Mike.
***
"The kitchen is partitioned at the moment, but the repairs are being made as we speak," Aiden says. He helps me out of the car. We walk with Mike and Callie to the elevator, each holding flowers from my hospital room. We ride up the elevator to the apartment and the doors open. I hear banging and men chatting.
"Repairers." He winks.
I walk into the living room and we place the flowers onto the coffee table. I go to look at the kitchen. A big white sheet hangs from one side of the wall to the other, completely partitioning it off. He pulls the sheet back. Where the fire was above the stove and along the wall and ceiling has been completely removed. There's wooden frame work on the wall, and a man on a ladder hammering, plus two other men doing other things. I'm not sure what.
I sigh. "I'm so sorry."
"No, don't be sorry, baby. These are only material things. I can fix that. I can't fix you. If something happened to you, I ..." He stops and shakes his head. I hug him, and he holds me tight. Callie and Mike make their way to the elevator.
"Don't forget you can come to my place for meals until your kitchen is back up and running. Dinner's at six."
"Thanks, Callie."
After we make our way to the bedroom, I sit on our bed and flop down onto the comfortable mattress. Aiden walks over and brings me Mr. Snuggles. I take hold of him, hugging him around his neck as he walks to the en-suite.
"I'm having a
shower. Are you going to be alright?" He stands in the doorway to the en-suite and slowly takes off his clothes.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be here resting."
He takes off his pants and throws them at me. Of course the distance is too far for them to hit me, but I get the message. I giggle and stare at his masculine physique; my God, this man is gorgeous.
He walks toward the shower, out of sight. I turn over on the bed and cuddle into Mr. Snuggles. I wake to Aiden softly playing with my hair.
"I'm sorry to wake you, but are you hungry?"
I open my eyes. "Yes, I could definitely eat."
"It's six p.m. Mom will have some food for us if you want to go to her apartment, or do you want me to go get it and bring it back here?"
I notice the banging has stopped, and I sit up. "No, we can go there," I say then he helps me off the bed.
We take the elevator to level two and make our way to Callie's apartment. He knocks on the door with one hand, the other holding mine.
Callie answers the door. "Hello, my darlings, come on in. Dinner's nearly ready. Jeni, would you like a drink?"
"Yes please. Water's fine, thanks."
"Can I have a drink, Mom?"
"Don't be silly. Of course you can. Get yourself a drink, and while you're at it, get Jeni's water for her too."
I can't help but giggle. Poor Aiden.
"I think you're the favorite now," he says quietly. I giggle at him and take a seat on the sofa while he gets our drinks.
"So, sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Callie asks me.
"I'm feeling even better after the nap I had before we got here."
"Oh, I'm glad. That's fantastic news." She stirs something on the stove as he brings me over a glass of water and sits next to me.
We eat dinner and talk about various things, eventually heading back up to our apartment and to bed.
***
I wake from my sleep, and everything is black, except a slight orange glow coming from the other room. I get out of bed, trying not to disturb Aiden, and I make my way through the bedroom to the living room. The orange glow is coming from the kitchen. I walk toward it and see the elevator doors closing. I look and see a dark shadow in the elevator as the doors completely close. I turn my attention back toward the orange glow and walk on my toes, trying not to make any sound as I get closer and closer. I feel the heat, an intense heat, surging toward me. Suddenly I'm surrounded by flames, surging and swirling around me like a whirling inferno. I scream for help, but the smoke penetrates my throat, choking me. I fall to the ground as the fire has me trapped; the flames are so intense I feel the sweat pouring off my skin. I look up, and through the flames, I see a figure standing in black with a hood on. I can't see the face, only the outline, and I'm scared, petrified, of this dark figure who I know wants to hurt me. I try to stand, but the flames push me down lower and lower until they engulf me, burning me until I'm nothing but ash.
I wake suddenly from my nightmare, sweat pouring down my brow as my breathing quickens. I sit bolt upright, waking Aiden. He reaches out and feels the sweat on my arm.
"Baby, you feel hot. Are you alright?" He sits up and feels my forehead, as he takes his hand away sweat drips off his palm.
"Oh my god." He wipes the sweat on the quilt. "Jeni, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"
"It was a nightmare," I say reaching for my glass of water.
"Some nightmare."
"I might go have a cool shower."
"Good idea. Do you want me to come?"
"Yes." I need him for comfort.
***
It's a bright and cheerful morning, and I'm feeling much better. My throat is only marginally sore, and my voice is back to normal. This is going to be a good day.
"Morning, beautiful." He kisses my nose; I giggle and kiss him back.
"I want to take you out tomorrow night if you're feeling up to it."
"What's the occasion?"
"It's a celebration."
"What are we celebrating?"
"You. Being alive and back to your old self."
I kiss him. "Sounds great. Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"Oh, can't you tell me? I don't know what to wear if I don't know where I'm going."
"Wear something nice, something a little dressy."
"I have to go and do some things today. Are you going to be okay here on your own?" "Are you going to work?" I ask, because it's a Friday.
"No ... but I have some things I need to take care of."
He's giving me the run around, I think to myself.
"What types of things?"
"I don't know ... insurance stuff for the kitchen. Yeah, insurance stuff." He nods his head and smirks.
I shake my head. Fine, don't tell me!
"Have fun with that," I say and get out of bed.
He chuckles, and sensing my angst, he gets out of bed and walks over to me.
"Baby, it's a part of your surprise for tomorrow. I can't tell you." He kisses me on the cheek and walks to the closet.
"It better be a good surprise," I yell as he walks off, making him laugh.
"You'll be suitably impressed," he yells back.
I walk to the en-suite and flatten my bed hair out and brush my teeth. Aiden walks in behind me and slaps me on the ass.
"Ouch." I jump, spitting out toothpaste, and it falls all around my mouth. I look at him with evil eyes.
"Oh, what are you going to do about it?" he says.
"This." I kiss him with the toothpaste, smearing it all over his face.
"Yep, you're gonna pay for that." He turns on the tap and splashes water over me. I squeal and run into the shower, closing the door behind me so he can't splash me anymore from the sink.
"Truce," I yell out.
He laughs and opens the shower door; he quickly reaches in and turns on the tap, the water flowing all over me.
"Ah, Aiden," I scream.
"Now it's a truce," he says wiping the toothpaste from his face.
I shake my head and threaten him with my toothbrush as he walks out of the en-suite. I figure I'm already wet so I might as well have a shower since I'm in here.
***
It's a beautiful warm day, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and Aiden has a surprise dinner for me tonight. Could a girl be any happier at this moment?
It's getting closer to the evening, and I look up at Aiden, who is still on the phone. He's been on that stupid thing all day. It must be business stuff that he missed out on while I was in hospital because he keeps going out on to the balcony to talk to people while I'm sitting here bored, watching the TV. He finally comes inside, but heads to the bedroom. "Urgh." I sigh. This was supposed to be a happy day not a boring one. He comes back out, all nicely dressed in a suit.
"Jeni, I'm so sorry. I have to take care of a few things, but I'll meet you at the restaurant. Mike knows where to take you. He'll be ready for you in about an hour. Can you be ready and meet him in the parking garage by then?"
I look at him with disdain, and I sigh. You're kidding me right?
"'K," I say as he blows me a kiss and walks toward the elevator. I roll my eyes at him when he walks away.
"Love you."
"Uh-huh." I pretend to watch the TV.
What a complete jerk! He's been ignoring me all day yesterday and today, and now he wants to take me to dinner. But, no, wait, Mike's taking me to dinner. Aiden goes there on his own. What an ass! I'm only going because I'm hungry. I decide I'd better go and get ready, as I have only one hour to be down in the parking garage ready for Mike. I pick out a little black dress with the diamante bow black heels that Aiden bought me for the retirement ball. I walk into the en-suite and do my hair and makeup, my hair in its usual long curls, and I decide to go for the smoky-eye look. I look at myself in the mirror. I look good, compared to the last few days.
Finally I'm ready and head down to the parking garage where Mike is waiting with the same pink Cad
illac he drove on our first date. I laugh when I see it and walk toward the car.
"Good evening, Miss Taylor. You look stunning," I take his hand and enter the Cadillac.
"Thanks, Mike, I can't believe Aiden got this car again. You must be happy about it too."
"Oh very, Miss Taylor." He closes my door.
At least he gets points for consistency.
"Where are we off to, Mike?"
"You know better than that, Miss Taylor. It's a surprise." I see him grinning in the rearview mirror. I sit back and enjoy the ride.
Chapter 20
We arrive at the botanical park where we had our first date. Mike drives up the long, winding road. I see cars filling the roadside as we make our way through the park. The sun is setting when Mike pulls up next to the cobblestone path, the same one I walked down on our first date. Mike helps me out of the car. I look down at the path and see red rose petals leading the way, and tiny tea-light candles light the path on either side.
"He's outdone himself," I say to Mike, who gestures down the path. I follow it nervously, steadying myself so I don't fall like last time. I put my hands out to touch the ferns on the side of the hill again. The smell of greenery is still encompassing as I hear the sounds of the waterfall up ahead.
My nerves start to get the better of me, I start to feel nauseous; those darn pesky butterflies attack again. I'm not sure why I'm nervous, whether it's the shoes making me unstable or whether it's the memory of our first date, our first touch, or our first kiss that's making me bashful.
I turn the corner to see him standing there with a bunch of red roses, in the suit that he changed into earlier, this time with a baby pink tie on. Behind him is that gorgeous waterfall cascading down the cliff with the lush greenery surrounding us. As I take a step closer, I hear music playing. "Thank You for Loving Me" by Bon Jovi. It's our song. I feel my eyes welling up as all the emotion and love I feel for this man is becoming too much to bear.
His smile is beaming from ear to ear when I approach. Finally I reach him. He holds out his hand for me to take. I take it, and he pulls me into a tight embrace.
"This is perfect," I whisper.
"Perfection for perfection, my love." He kisses my cheek, and places the bouquet of flowers on the railing. Any thoughts of how much of a jerk he's been for abandoning me the last two days for work is pushed out of my mind. I can't hold back the tears any longer, and they flow freely down my cheeks. He pulls back and he wipes my tears away with his thumb, caressing my face. Then, in one swift movement, he's down on one knee, holding my left hand in his. He gulps and I can see he is breathing quickly. I feel his hands shaking. I realize what's happening. My eyes widen, and my hand shoots up to my mouth in shock when he pulls out a tiny blue box from his jacket pocket.