Indelible Love Series + Entwined Bundle

by DW Cee

  “Emily?” She wasn’t in bed. Actually the bed looked no different than when we first got home. “Emily?” I walked into my closet and still no Emily. But, yikes! Did my closet look clean. All my ties were color coordinated. Belts precisely hung up on the belt rack. Every watch and cuff link were lined up on my drawer tray. My scrubs had been washed, ironed, and folded in a neat pile. I opened up all my drawers, and every piece of clothing had been refolded and replaced according to type—underwear, socks, shirts, shorts, jeans, and sweaters. My closet was scary looking. I didn’t realize Emily had a neat-freak side to her.

  Emily. The sight of my closet made me forget why I came in here to begin with. I ran downstairs and there she was…my Emily, in the kitchen with an apron on. It was a dream to see her here playing house.

  “What’s the matter?” Emily asked.

  “I came looking for you in my bedroom but you weren’t there so I got worried. By the way, is today Monday morning or Sunday afternoon?”

  “It’s early morning Monday.” My soon-to-be bride giggled. “Did you think your bride got cold feet and ran away?”

  Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her into my body. “Good morning, Beautiful.”

  “Good morning. You fell asleep at 4:00 in the afternoon yesterday. I trust you are well rested?”

  “Yeah. I feel good. Did you sleep at all last night? I noticed that you ransacked my room then put it back together in a scary way. Are you normally this neurotic?”

  “No. I hope you don’t mind. I couldn’t sleep so I kept myself busy between your room and these croissants.”

  My life was only getting better. It appeared Emily made croissants from scratch last night as well. Money was well spent on those cooking lessons at the Escoffier.

  I ran back up to my room to get ready for the day and zoomed back down to find a vegetable omelet, French press coffee, and three kinds of croissants waiting for me. I couldn’t wait to get married and make this woman my wife.

  “Love, what else did you do last night?”

  “Um, I did many, many, many loads of laundry by myself even though I recall someone promising to help me.” Her lips looked like a right-side up macaroni. I grabbed her cheeks with my hand and smacked my lips on hers.

  “Sorry. That was payment for not helping with laundry.”

  “Ooh. I like those kinds of payments. Then, I unpacked all my stuff and put it away in your, I mean, soon-to-be our mansion-like bedroom. Then I answered a slew of emails—most of them from Japan. And lastly, I chatted with Sarah and Max, and we are all having dinner tonight in Santa Monica. Can you make it?”

  “Probably not. I’ll call the chief and see what the schedule looks like today.”

  “What is this delicious smell?” We both looked up to find Nick walking into the kitchen. Emily and Nick exchanged hugs and more love while I sat by my lonesome. He sat and ate breakfast with us and woke up Mom and Dad in the meanwhile.

  Emily and I asked Mom and Dad if they’d mind us living with them for a whole year instead of just this summer, as Emily’s tenant needed to lease her house another year. Nick also talked of moving back in the house. This was an extremely joyful time for me having all the people I loved under one roof again. We hadn’t all lived together in over ten years. To make it even sweeter, I’d be with the person I loved most.

  Time sped by and Emily walked me to my car. Her smile turned into a frown, and she sighed.

  “I’m sad to see you go. How am I going to go the whole day without you? When will you come home?”

  I placed my hands on her face. “Probably not till late—maybe sometime after midnight. I’ll know better as the day progresses.”

  “Midnight?” Her whine grew louder.

  “The chief told me I’ve got a tough three weeks before the wedding. You’re OK taking care of this wedding without me?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ll just miss you!” I loved it when she whined.

  “I know, Love. I’ll miss you too.”

  We kissed, we tried to part, then we kissed some more. It would be a long day without my love.

  “Congratulations, Dr. Reid! We hear you’re getting married.” A group of nurses at the station chorused. “When’s the wedding?”

  “Thank you. We’re getting married in three weeks on the Fourth of July.”

  “Why so soon?” Jeffery, our youngest intern, asked, “and who’s the crazy girl?”

  “It’s Emily, the girl you asked out and the same girl who turned you down.”

  “No way! You’re getting married to her?” There was a look of incredulity on his face.

  “Why do you speak with such wonder? What about this story surprises you?”

  “Why would she want to marry you when there are younger, better-looking doctors in this world—like me?”

  “Why don’t you shadow me today, Jeffery? As a matter of fact, why don’t you stay with me all week? Be in OR 1 in ten minutes.”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  Everyone on the third floor laughed at Jeffery.

  The morning whizzed by and on my way to the cafeteria, I called Emily.

  “Hi, Honey!” Emily sounded ecstatic to hear from me.

  “Hello, My Love. What are you and my parents up to right now?”

  “We’re eating a grilled veggie salad, and after lunch we’re going to the Christian Dior store for another fitting. Your tuxedo is here and they want you to come in for another fitting.”

  Emily gave me a detailed summary of all that had been accomplished for the wedding. Having been with her an entire week after a five-month absence, I missed her intensely. Going home from work had a whole new meaning with Emily living with me. I couldn’t wait to be with her.

  “Jake?”

  “Yes, Love. What’s the matter?” She sounded sad.

  “I really miss you. Can’t you come home any earlier than midnight?”

  My heart delighted to hear her sorrow. “I miss you too. I’ll be home as soon as I can, but don’t wait up for me. It will probably be very late.”

  “OK.” She sighed.

  “Do you want me to bring home anything? Are you craving anything?”

  “Just bring yourself home. You are all that I crave.”

  I chuckled at her answer. “All right. There goes my pager. I’ll try to call again later. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Bye.”

  The next number of hours sped by, and I was more than ready to go home. Tired but happy at the thought of seeing my fiancée, I headed toward the elevator and ran into Max.

  “Hey.” We shook hands. “I heard you had dinner with Emily tonight.”

  “Yes. Congratulations. That’s some ring you put on her finger.”

  “Thanks. It’s all due to a generous grandma.”

  “I drove your fiancée home, and she wanted me to tell you she’ll be pining away for you. She wants you home immediately.”

  We both laughed. “Yeah, I’m headed home right now. It’s been a long day without her. Have a good shift. See you soon.”

  “Bye.”

  I committed every traffic violation to see my Emily that much faster. As soon as I got home I was greeted by a body lunging at me, almost knocking me off my feet. I picked up my love, and we walked up to our room, lips attached. Practically falling on the bed Emily showed me what she meant when she said she was pining away for me.

  She responded to my lips, my tongue, my hands. I wondered…did we get married already and I’d forgotten about it? It was unreal the way she was letting me touch her as freely as I’d liked. I took off her pajama top and she allowed me. My hands caressed body parts that usually stayed hidden, and my mouth quickly went south and explored newfound territory. Unknowingly, my hands began pulling down her pajama bottoms, and even with her mouth free to admonish or even weakly complain, she only moaned with pleasure. This was too weird. I had to stop.

  Staring at her, I asked, “Are you going to stop me? This is unusual
that you haven’t said no yet.”

  Her wide brown eyes stared innocently. “Um, I wasn’t ready to stop but I guess we should, huh? Sorry I got carried away.” She started to giggle.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. I stopped us?” She might have gone till the end if I hadn’t pulled away. What an idiot I can be at times. “I can’t win.” I shook my head in fury.

  “Yup, I guess I have you trained better than I thought.” While she guffawed I walked in to take a cold shower.

  “Emily, when do you want to take…” I stopped my question when I noticed she was soundly asleep. Wrapping the blanket around her, I kissed her lips one last time and slept in Nick’s uncomfortable bed.

  The next morning, Emily wasn’t in our room again. She was probably downstairs making breakfast for me. I got dressed as quickly as possible, thinking she might allow me to have my way with her again before I left for work. Looking irresistible in her apron I waltzed into the kitchen and showered her with love till I got rudely interrupted.

  “Ahem! Hello, nephew. Don’t I get a good morning kiss?”

  “What are you doing here, Chief?” As if I didn’t see my uncle enough at work, he was in my kitchen interrupting my cuddle time with Emily. “Hi, Aunt Babs. Good to see you.” I reached over the island and gave her a peck on the cheek.

  Uncle Henry explained he needed a ride to work and while I noshed on my crepes, Emily gave me a rundown of all that needed to be accomplished today. I chimed in and asked her to go to the bank and get her name on all my accounts. She sweetly recited the name on her ATM card that read Emily Reid and smiled.

  “Emi, can you deposit my paychecks into our checking account while you’re at the bank?”

  Instead of a simple yes, I got a shocked, “Do you really get paid this much? Is this a monthly or every other monthly paycheck?”

  “Emi, this is a two-week paycheck. You do know that I save lives by operating on hearts, daily. Sometimes it’s multiple hearts. Anyhow, we need my paychecks if we’re going to enjoy trips like Paris. We probably spent at least one paycheck in Paris.”

  “Are you kidding me? We spent that much money there? We cannot vacation like that anymore.”

  “It shouldn’t be as bad next time since we won’t have to get two rooms.”

  I attempted to kiss her again when Aunt Babs interfered this time.

  “Why did you have two rooms at the Ritz?”

  “Don’t ask. I got into big trouble for telling Gram that Emily’s a virgin.”

  Aargh! I shouldn’t have said that. Emily’s head went down, and she gave me that shooting daggers look again. Just when I thought I’d paid for my mistake in London, she would be upset with me again for a while.

  “You mean you’re not pregnant?” The chief yelled out. “That’s not why we’re having this shotgun wedding?”

  Crap! Only the chief would come up with such asinine ideas to get me into more trouble. I looked over at Emily and couldn’t help but laugh. She was mortified at the accusation of being pregnant when she hadn’t been anywhere near sex. While everyone at the table apologized for their major faux pas, I took my flustered fiancée upstairs to make sure she wasn’t too upset.

  “You OK?” I gently pushed her against the wall and undid the tie on the apron.

  “I’m fine.” She once again flashed her trooper smile.

  “I’m guessing,” my mouth was all over her ear, “you won’t let me,” my hands went under her shirt, “finish where we,” I unhooked her bra, “left off last night?”

  “You’re guessing correct,” she answered but left my hands and lips alone. “Jake?”

  “Hmmm?” I couldn’t talk. My mouth was busy.

  “Can I come visit you at the hospital and have lunch with you today?”

  “I’d love that, Emi. My colleagues keep asking when you’re going to stop by. When do you want to come?” Her news was exciting enough to make me stop what I was doing.

  “Maybe around 1:00? Will you be done with morning surgery? I’ll make you something yummy for lunch.”

  “I should be. If I’m not done, wait for me in my office and I’ll meet you there.”

  “OK. You should go before Uncle Henry calls for you.”

  Too late. He yelled my name, but I left only after giving my future bride another round of passion.

  The chief and I went our separate ways after surgery, and I ran to my office eager to see my bride.

  “Emily?” I walked in to find her asleep on my couch. I knelt down and kissed her lips till she woke up. After calling Uncle Henry to the cafeteria, I introduced my beautiful bride to everyone. All the nurses greeted her warmly—well, almost all of them did. And Emily charmed my fellow doctors with her looks as well as her wit.

  “Ms. Logan!” We heard as we entered the cafeteria.

  Emily gave me a who’s that, look.

  “Ms. Logan, do you remember me? I’m Jeffery.”

  “Umm…”

  “Jeffery from the ER, genius young doctor?”

  “Oh. I remember you. It’s so nice to see you again.” Emily unnecessarily greeted him kindly. “You’re not in the ER anymore, Dr.…What should I call you?”

  “Just Jeffrey is fine,” Jeffery answered, first trying to get Emily to be on friendlier terms with him.

  “Dr. Collins,” I answered soon after trying to separate any niceties between my fiancée and my subordinate.

  “Dr. Collins, have you been well?”

  “I turned twenty-one, so now we could go get that glass of wine, if you like.”

  “That’s really sweet. After the wedding we’ll have you over for dinner and we can have that glass of wine then. Would you like to join us for lunch?”

  Before Jeffery got too excited, I told Emily he needed to get back to work and shoved him out the door.

  “That wasn’t very nice, Dr. Reid,” she reprimanded.

  “And that wasn’t very nice of you to get his hopes up. He’s a young kid. His heart is probably racing at the thought of having dinner and a glass of wine with you.”

  “With us, Dr. Reid. I don’t think he misconstrued my words like you did. Did you call Uncle Henry?”

  “He sure did. What’s for lunch, Niece?” The chief walked in as we grabbed our table.

  “Sushi!” she answered.

  Emily proceeded to lay out large round boxes filled with food. One box had all tempura, another had an array of sushi, another had salad and pickled sides, and there was also a box with only sashimi, and the last had all kinds of fruit with cream. My bride outdid herself.

  “Thank you, Sweetheart. This looks amazing.” I thanked her with a kiss. “Emi, what fish is this? I’ve never seen it before.”

  “Oh, it’s my new favorite fish. I discovered it when I was in Japan. It’s called Kinmedai. I think it’s a cross between a red snapper and a sea bream.”

  “What did you do to it? It has a delicious smoky taste to it.”

  “You’re supposed to either take off the skin or sear it. I used the pastry torch I bought in Paris and torched the skin. Isn’t it yummy?”

  The way her eyes lit up…I could never compete with this joy, though I believed now I came a very close second to food.

  “It’s all excellent, Emily,” the chief complimented while stuffing his face.

  “Thank you, Uncle Henry.”

  “Emi, have you thought of what you want to do after the wedding?” I asked her.

  “What do you mean? I’ll enjoy married life till school begins mid-August.”

  “Would you consider quitting school and going to culinary school? We have a top notch culinary academy five minutes from our home. Why don’t you enroll there in the fall?” I wanted to realize this dream for her immediately. She didn’t need to wait till the kids were gone and we were retired. If this was one of her dreams, she could have it now.

  After doubting her desires, her ability, and even our finances, she promised to consider this option. An amazing lunch gone, I went back to a
full day. The chief and Aunt Babs found me on my way to their dinner.

  “Don’t you look beautiful, Aunt Babs.”

  “Thank you, Jake. Am I almost as beautiful as your fiancée?”

  “Not even close,” I said with a smile.

  “Did you two enjoy your lunch today? Sandy, Bobby, and I were also treated to a wonderful lunch. Jake, you did really well with that bride of yours. She’s kind and pretty and she can cook. I hope Doug will find somebody just as sweet.”

  “Thank you for the nice words. Now would you put in a good word for me with your husband, so I can go home to my Emily before midnight?”

  “Henry, if the hospital isn’t too busy, let Jake go home early. Emily was moping around the house this afternoon after seeing Jake at the hospital. That girl has no interest in the wedding. She just wants to say I do and be married to our nephew. If it weren’t for the family, I could see her agreeing to elope and be married tomorrow.”

  “That’s how I feel. How’d you figure out Emily so easily?”

  “It doesn’t take much to read her. I don’t know how she stayed away from you for so long. She is very much in love with you.”

  “I love her even more, Aunt Babs.”

  “Enough with the love…you can go home if there isn’t much else going on,” the chief pretended to be exasperated.

  “Thanks, Aunt Babs.” I gave her a wink.

  Grabbing the flower arrangement I picked out during my dinner break I broke every traffic law again and raced home. I walked in the door to find Sarah walking out.

  “Hi, Sarah.” I gave her a peck on the cheek. “How was the honeymoon?”

  “It was wonderful. Thank you for the fabulous wedding gift. Charlie and I use the cappuccino maker every morning.”

  “My pleasure. I’m glad it finally reached you.”

  “You sent them a wedding gift?” Emily asked.

  “Of course I did. I gave it to Max when I saw him at the hospital right before I came to find you in Japan. I would have gotten them something even nicer if Sarah had let me know sooner where you were hiding.” I tried to give her a mean smile.