The Arrangement

Chapter 16

“Jenny! Oh you look so beautiful.” Sarah yells running down the porch as we get out the car. Michael grins from ear to ear just as Sarah grabs me and hugs me tightly. Sarah yanks on my arm and pulls me towards the mansion, I barely have the time to greet Harry properly, he gives me a sympathetic smile and I’m inside the mansion. Safely in the day room with all my limbs attached Sarah lets me go.

“Tell me everything. Okay, well not everything break it down for me.”

“What do you want to know?”

“You know. When did it happen? How did it happen? Did you like it?”

How the hell does she know it? s**t!

“Honey I know when something’s changed.” She smiles.

“Am I that obvious?”

“Of course not darling, Michael is.” She laughs. I must be frowning because she says, “It’s when Harry called this morning.”

I don’t remember Michael saying anything that would suggest anything besides nothing had happened then.

“Besides sweetheart, I’ve never seen my son so happy.”

“And you think it has something to do with me?”

“Don’t be coy. I know something happened.”

She is not going to let this go. I try to keep my face straight. “Okay something happened.”

“I knew it!” She exclaims.

“I’ve told you now so you’ll let it go, right?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know me.” She chuckles. I smile at her. I really love this woman. She is practically jumping up and down in her chair.

Michael and Harry strolls in, Michael looks a little pale and Harry looks really angry. I wonder what they’ve been talking about.

“Jenny, can I please speak to you privately?”

Oh no! Why? I look over to Michael trying to read what I’m in for but he offers no help.

I get up and follow Harry to his office; he closes the door behind us and takes me by my shoulders. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No.”

“I’m so sorry it should have never happened.”

“I’m fine Harry I promise.” Looks like Harry is not too pleased about what happened between Michael and me this morning. I honestly didn’t think he’d take it this bad.

“Are you sure you are all right?”

He looks so worried. “I am. Please don’t be mad at Michael he didn’t force me to do anything.”

“Michael? I’m not mad at Michael.” He stumbles then the realization hits, “Oh.”

I panic. “Who were you talking about?”

“Christopher.” He mumbles.

Oh no. I messed up. “Oh I’m so embarrassed.” I say sinking into the chair burying my face in my hands.

“No honey. I’m sorry I should have never poked my nose into your business.”  He says rubbing my back.

This is so awkward and embarrassing. I wish the floor would swallow me whole.

There is a knock on the door. It’s Michael. I can’t look him in the eyes.

“Time to eat.” He says looking from his father to me. Harry leaves the room. I’m alone with Michael.

I completely misunderstood Harry. What is Michael going to say?

“Jen?” He asks me puzzled.

How am I going to explain this to him?

“I’m sorry that I told him, he interrogated me about why I wanted Chris off the guest list. Please don’t be mad.” He says sitting down next to me.

“I’m not mad at you but you might be with me.” I mumble.

“Mad at you. No, why would I be?”

“Oh Michael. I messed up badly.”

“What do you mean? Chris is a bastard and you did nothing wrong.”

“Harry didn’t use any names and I thought he was talking about you. I just told him that you didn’t force me to do anything and that he shouldn’t be angry at you. When you came back with him you looked so pale and he looks so angry.” I ramble.

“So he knows?” He asks lifting his eyebrow; he looks amused like he can burst out laughing at any moment. I manage a nod.

“Well good then.” He smiles. I look up at him confused. He strokes my cheek with the back of his hand.

“It doesn’t bother me. My mother is ecstatic and I think dad just feels bad right now for grilling you. Besides I think mom has suspected that I’ve had feelings for you for a while now.” 

How can this be so easy for him to talk about when I find so uncomfortable.

“It’s hard for me to talk about.” I say.

“I get it, believe me. I don’t need you to push yourself to talk about anything when you’re not ready to. It’s just easy for me to be around you, you don’t judge and you let people feel so comfortable around you. I love that about you, you don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. I think I’ve been in love with you since I can remember.”

He is pouring his heart out to me and I can’t find the right set of words to let him know how I feel. How I’ve always felt. I’m scared my brain to mouth filter will malfunction and it will screw everything up. He is searching my expression while I try to put everything in order in my head. I inhale slowly and exhale equally as slow; I decide to use simple words. “I’m in love with you too.”

“Oh thank God!” He says releasing the breathe he was holding. I realize that he was bracing himself for rejection.

“I wish sometimes you could read my mind, I’ve closed myself off so much I don’t know any more how to say what I’m feeling.”

“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.” He reassures me. He leans in making his intention very clear and I feel a smile forming. I kiss him. I wonder if he knows he was my first kiss.

“Wish I could read your mind now.”

I giggle. “I was just wondering if you know that you were the first guy I’ve ever kissed.”

”First?”

I nod.

“I don’t think I’ll forget that night.”

“You remember?”

“I could never forget that was a dream come true.” He is making me feel extremely wonderful. “It was the night you and your friend sneaked into a party.”

“We didn’t actually sneak in; the guys pretty much welcomed us in with open arms.”

“I nearly had a heart attack when I saw you. If your dad knew you were there.” He says shaking his head.

I laugh, “My dad was the one who told me to go and have some fun. I did have fun.”

Michael looks at me surprised. My parents always told me to enjoy myself but I was like my mother, kept to myself.

Maria walks in without knocking; she’s been the housekeeper since she was sixteen when she worked alongside her mother. Sarah says that Maria is the lady of the house and I believe it. Harry has been trying to get her to retire for years now.

“Come on lovebirds. The food is getting cold.” She smiles, I always feel bad with her serving me and she scolds me often. Always the same lines. I don’t mind or it’s my job.

I blush on cue. All this is all very new to me not like it was in my head it’s all out in the open now for everybody to see.

We get up and head to the dining room. Harry and Sarah sit next to each other, both look like ghosts. I don’t know if it’s because of last night or this morning.

Michael pulls my chair out and I sit down feeling nervous.

“So mom and dad why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Michael asks. I can tell he wants to smile.

For a moment Sarah smiles and takes Harry’s hand. He seems to relax a bit. Thankfully Maria arrives with the food a welcome distraction at least this way we don’t have to talk for a while.

The food smells great but I can’t bring myself to eat, it feels like I’m in trouble. What if Harry is angry with me? I don’t want him to be.

“So what are the two of you planning to do today?” Sarah asks breaking the silence.

“Not sure, whatever Jen wants to do.” Michael shrugs.

All eyes turn to me and I’m begging the ground to swallow me whole.

“I’m not sure.” I reply.

“Okay everyone!” Sarah calls our attention. “Why are we all acting so strange? Jenny is obviously fine and Chris will never get anywhere near her again.”

Michael tenses; I reach over and take his hand under the table. He still blames himself and it angers me it wasn’t his fault I wish he would realize that.

“Harry, what have we always said?” She asks Harry.

“That Michael would find a nice young lady that would treat him right.” Harry reluctantly says.

Michael shifts uncomfortably; I’m just relieved the attention is off of me. Michael’s ears are turning red. I’m fully aware that it is my fault that his parents know about us in the first place. Michael strokes my knuckles with his thumb. I look up to see him watching me while Sarah chats away about her club, I’m just trying to focus on my food and not what his touch is doing to me.

His hand moves from mine to my knee and up my thigh. He must know what his touch does to me. He is enjoying himself.

Maria clears our plates and we go outside, the fresh air hits my face, to the right is the rose garden, it’s beautiful despite the fact that I got shot there. My dad also had a scar from a bullet, he gave me some vague answer about it being a bad man, it is when I searched my mother with her maiden name that I realised what truly happened. They were strong people both of them, my mother is my hero. It also explained a lot of things when it came to their parenting I never told them I knew because it was a part of my mother’s past that she didn’t want to relive. I’m sure it must have been so hard for her.

Michael catches my gaze and takes my hand. Harry looks over to us, now he is grinning; I think the shock has subsided from my accidental confession. It’s been a strange day.

“You okay?” Michael asks.

“Are you?” I ask.

“Why won’t I be I had a very exceptional start to my day.” He winks.

“You’re doing it on purpose.”

“I’m sure I have no idea what you mean.” He says all innocent like.

“Oh I think you know exactly what you are doing.” I eye him.

“Jenny, come over here, dear.’ Sarah calls me over and I walk to her but Michael doesn’t let go of my hand.

“Let go.”

“I don’t want to.” He pouts.

I giggle and pull my hand free. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away. I reach Sarah where she is sitting on the couch.

“Oh honey. Do you want to talk about what happened last night?”

“Not really. I wasn’t as bad as Michael thinks. I know he feels bad but it wasn’t his fault.”

“He cares about you.”

“I care about him too.” I reply.

“I’m so happy right now. This is really a dream come true for me the two of you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my son so happy.”

“He does seem happy, doesn’t he?” I mutter looking over to him as he is talking to Harry. He is relaxed.

“He looks like he is in love.” Sarah giggles then turns back to me, “So do you.”

I flush and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. I am.

“About earlier I am so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about it is my big mouths fault.”

“I wish I could have seen Harry’s face.” Sarah chuckles.

“You should have seen mine; I just wanted to run away as fast as I could.”

“Does Michael know he was the first?”

Her question should surprise me but it doesn’t. Sarah has always been direct with me as I have been with her.

“He sort of figured it out for himself.” I reply and look down at my hands.

Sarah laughs loudly, Michael and Harry turn to us frowning. I just shrug at them. Sarah is so sweet and it would definitely not be the worst thing to be officially part of the family.

“Do you have any questions?” Sarah asks more serious. Isn’t this weird for her to talk about?

“No not any at the moment.”

“So what do you think they’re talking about?” Sarah asks turning to look over her shoulder.

“I hope that they’re not talking about what we are.”

“I’m sure the conversation went that way.” She shrugs.

“You’re making me worry.” I mutter.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure Harry just gave him a lecture about taking good care of you. Besides Michael told Harry what happened that night when he got so drunk.”

Oh no. How much did he tell him?

“Anyways Harry was really, really mad at him, they had a long talk.” Sarah says matter-of-fact. “You know Michael hasn’t had any alcohol since that night. Well he had a glass of champagne at the engagement party but that has been it.”

“But it’s not like was an alcoholic before.”

“Almost.” Sarah replies shaking her head. “That Lilly really did a number on him.”

“Do you think he’d ever get over her?”

“He is over her, that I can promise you. He got over her that night my dear. He came here the next morning and I knew it. He was so worried when you were gone, he knew he messed up.”

“I didn’t go out because I was mad at him.”

“I know honey, I think he realized then he wanted better than what he had with her.”

Michael strolls over looking very sexy. I get goose bumps just thinking about this morning, his hands on me…

“Hey, what are the two of you gossiping about?”

“Oh just you honey.” Sarah says calmly. I blush. Alarm flashes over Michael’s face as he looks from his mother to me but she gives nothing away I on the other hand feel like I have a huge flashing sign across my forehead.

“We better head home.” Michael says.

“No dear. I want to start on cocktails and I haven’t spent any time with Jenny in a while.” Sarah sulks.

“I’m sure Jen is tired, it’s been a long day.” Michael replies. Sarah lifts her eyebrow and stares at her son. “Really?” She mouths. Michael blushes looking at me.

“Honey if you’re worried about drinking and driving your dad can take you home, you know how long he takes to drink a beer.”

“Do you want to stay?” Michael asks me.

“Yes.” I reply.

“Okay we’ll stay.”

“Come on son, we’ll have a beer and watch some TV, while the girls chat.” Harry says and Michael follows him, he winks at me and I just want to jump him. He’s woken something in me. How does he turn me on with only a wink or a smile?

“What’s on your mind?” Sarah asks.

“I think Michael is deliberately teasing me.” I speak to soon. Should I really be telling Sarah this?

“Well honey you can do that too you know.” She smiles. Adding, “I do it to Harry all the time.”

“You do?” I smile.

“I’m old sweetheart not dead.” She grins.

“Any tips? If it’s not too weird.”

“I don’t think you actually need to do anything, I see how he reacts around you.”

“I’d just like to do to him what he does to me. I don’t know why but when he looks at me or holds my hand or touches me…” I trail off.

“You affect him the same way. I can see he is trying really hard to hide it.”

“How am I going to get this done?” I say more to myself. I want to do this but I’m sure I’ll end up failing but I don’t really care if I do. The end result will pretty much be the same.

“It’s simple. Touch.” Sarah says.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to pull this off.

“It might not sound significant but it’s effective, brushing against him in passing, touching his arm, shoulders or neck, whispering in his ear. There is a bunch of things you can do that will drive him crazy.” Sarah says.

“I know you’re going to get embarrassed when I say this so I’ll make it quick. He is the only man that you’ve ever been intimate with so use it.”

Right on cue I blush, I’m so inexperienced.

“Come on honey; let’s get some liquid courage into you.” She says getting up and rubs her hands together.

I get up and let out a long breathe. I’m nervous.

We’re in the kitchen and I’m leaning on the counter watching Sarah whip up some or other dangerous cocktail. She is in her element, I hear footsteps coming into the kitchen, Sarah smiles and turns around to open the fridge. It’s Michael. I can feel his presence. I straighten up.

He walks up behind me and puts his arms around my waist and pulls me closer. “Ready to go yet?” He whispers in my ear. Giving me butterflies.

Oh my damn. Am I going to be able to go through with this? I put my hands on his arm and step back into his embrace, “Not yet.”

I can hear Sarah moving things around in the fridge, she’s trying to buy as much time as she can. I have to do something. But what?

Sarah closes the fridge and then looks up at Michael holding me; she smiles, “Can’t seem to find those silly little umbrellas.” Michael doesn’t seem to care that his mother sees him holding me.

“You thought they’d be in the fridge mom?” He smiles.

“You never know.” She shrugs. “Oh Jenny, why don’t you check in the drawer there by you?”

“Sure.” I say letting go of Michael’s arms, I bend over slightly to open the drawer. Michael inhales sharply. Oh my. I search for the umbrellas and pretend not to notice the effect I just had on Michael. “Nothing here.” I tell her.

“Okay, I’ll check the pantry.” Sarah says and casually strolls off. I close the drawer and straighten.

“You did that on purpose.” He breathes.

“Did what?” I ask innocently turning around to face him. He studies me and I really hope he can’t tell what I’m up to.

“What are you going to drink?” He asks changing the subject.

“I’m not sure but knowing your mother it’s going to be strong.”

He smiles, “You have fun then.”

Damn! He is going to leave.

“If you really want to leave then we can go.”

“No. We can stay as long as you want to.” He says pulling me closer.

“Okay.” I reply running my hands up his arms and putting them around his neck, my dress lifts a little. I can feel his jeans on my legs; I pull his head down and lean up to kiss him. My body responds to him as does his to me. I want him. He wants me. I now know what all the fuss is about.

I hear footsteps coming into the kitchen and I pull away leaving him and me wanting more. Sarah returns with two umbrellas.

“I’ll go and find dad.” Michael says and dashes out of the kitchen.

“What did you do to him?” Sarah asks surprised.

“I just kissed him.” I reply. I’m dumbfounded he couldn’t away fast enough.

“I told you, he is crazy about you.” Sarah giggles. “I know. Why don’t you take them some beers?”

“I can do that.” I like this. I can affect him too. Just like he does me.

I walk down the hall with two bottles in my hands as I enter the TV room I hand Harry his beer and he thanks me returning to the TV. I hand Michael his beer and he doesn’t take his eyes off of me.

“Thank you.” He says.

“My pleasure.” I reply and walk around the couch; I let my fingers brush over his shoulders. He shifts. Can’t believe this is working.

I walk back to the kitchen feeling very pleased with myself. Sarah hands me a cocktail and I take a sip. It’s so strong and to think I’ve managed to heat Michael up without any alcohol.

“Let’s go to the game room.” Sarah suggests.

“Yeah.” It’s been a while since we’ve played pool. The game room is next door to the TV room. As we walk past Michael’s eyes dart to me, I smile and give him a little wave. Sarah and I play a couple of games, it is fun mostly because we are not competitive when we play.

“I want another one. How about you?” Sarah asks.

I know she can handle so much more than I can; I still have half of mine left so I shake my head. As I wait for her to return I start packing the balls. I look up as Michael walks in.

“Want to play?” I ask him.

“Sure.” He replies, I continue setting up the balls. He watches my every move. When I’m done I say, “You can go first.”

“Are you sure you can handle loosing?”

“What makes you so sure I’ll lose?” I reply arching my brow.

“I’ve been playing for years and I’m very good.”

“So am I.”

“We’ll see.” He grins. Oh, he is baiting me; well I am quite good. I know I can beat him.

He breaks and sinks two balls stripes and solids.

“Stripes.” He says.

“Fine with me.” I shrug. He takes another shot sinking a ball. He is good so I might lose. I don’t want to lose. I walk around the table where he is standing I bend in front of him and take my shot, I sink a ball. I smirk at him. Told him so. I sink two more balls. He is starting to worry. We play until we only have the black left on the table.

“Well you’ve played a good game.” Michael says.

“It’s not over yet.”

“After this shot it will be.” He replies bending and taking aim.

“You could still miss.”

“That would be a first.”

Damn he is so cocky. I need to get him distracted. Think fast.

“Seems like this is a day for firsts. I had one this morning.” I say and he shoots, the white ball doesn’t even touch the black ball. I try to hide my smile but I fail.

“I missed.” He says in disbelief.

“Told you.” I tease.

He shakes his head; I think he is on to me now.

“Your turn.” He says. I feel like he is planning something. I bend and aim.

“Speaking of firsts. How was yours?” He says. My body betrays me. Focus.

“It was amazing actually. Can’t wait to do it again.” I say looking at him over my shoulder. There. Back in control. Michael’s eyes burn into me as I put my attention back to the task at hand. I shoot. It sinks. Yes! I won. I put the cue down on the table and turn around, my hands resting on the table.

“Well played.’” I tell him.

“Not as well as you.”

“Are you going to sulk because a girl beat you?”

“No.” He says shaking his head. “I have something else in mind and it doesn’t involve sulking.” His eyes burn with desire. Oh wow.

“What are you kids up to?” Harry says strolling into the room.

Bad timing Harry.

“Just beating Michael at a game.” I smile.

“Oh well done. I can’t remember the last time Michael didn’t win in pool.” Harry grins.

“I’ll want a re-match soon.” Michael says looking at me.

“Anytime.” I reply narrowing my eyes at him.

“I’ll go check on mom.” Michael says and walks out.

“Having fun?” Harry asks when Michael is gone.

“I am. Thank you for inviting us.”

“This is your house too. It’s always been. You’re welcome here anytime.” Harry says. “I wanted to apologize for earlier. I shouldn’t have been so hard on you. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay. You were just worried. I’m glad Michael was there.” I reply honestly.

“If it wasn’t for me, Chis wouldn’t have ever had that chance in the first place.”

He’s blaming himself. It seems to run in the family.

“Harry, please don’t feel guilty. It’s not your fault.”

“Oh Jenny, if he hurt you I could never forgive myself.”

I throw my arms around him. “He didn’t hurt me. I promise. I would have never let him.”

“You’re such a strong woman. You turned out just the way Jason would have wanted you to.” Oh no. I’m going to cry.

“Sorry honey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s okay. I’m fine. I just miss them so much.”

“Me too.” He says patting my arm.

“Let’s find the others before we both start crying.” I say and we head for the kitchen. Michael and Sarah are not there. Strange.

“Where could they be?” Harry asks.

“Maybe they’re outside?” I suggest.

As we walk down the hall, I hear Sarah beg, “Please John don’t hurt my son. He’s never hurt anyone.”

“Shut up you b***h!”

My heart stops beating. Harry rushes past me before I can stop him.

“What the hell?” John says and I hear a thump. “You old hag! You told me there was no one else here!” John shouts.

“Oh please no.” Sarah begs, “He must have just gotten home.”

She sounds terrified. So am I. What the hell am I going to do now?

“Tie him up!” John commands.

The room is quite. I look around the hall for something anything that I can use. A solid gold candle stick. It could work. It’s heavy but not too heavy for me. Where is Michael? I can’t lose him too, I’ll never recover. I peak around the corner. John has his back to me. I can see his is holding a gun. I shiver and run my hand over my side. Getting shot hurts like hell. I start shaking; he’ll shoot it he gets frightened. I tip toe down the hall, when I’m at the front door I open it and then slam it shut. Hoping it was loud enough so he could hear. I hide the candle stick behind my back. I breathe and call out, “Hello?” I’m proud that my voice is so steady.

“Sarah? Michael? Anyone home?” I call walking down the hall. “Hello?” I call louder. John jumps around the corner pointing the gun at me. I jump.

“You shouldn’t be here?” John says.

“What are you doing here?” I ask not hiding my horror. “Why do you have a gun?”

“They’ve taken everything from me.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask trying very hard to ignore the gun.

“Why did you come here? I have no quarrel with you.”

Good to know, I guess.

“Then take the gun out of my face. You are scaring me.” I say.

“I’m sorry.” He says and lowers the gun. I sigh out of relief. He is clearly unstable. I need to know if everyone is okay.

“Where is my family?” I ask feeling a lot more relaxed than I did a moment ago.

“They’re not your family!” He yells.

“They were there for me when I needed them!” I shout at him angrily.

“Let me handle it. You’ll be better off without them.”

“Are you insane? You’re planning to kill them?” I ask pushing past him, to hell with his gun. I enter the room and nearly sink to my knees. Michael is lying on his back bleeding from his head. Harry’s temple is bleeding and he’s tied up Sarah too, tape covering her mouth, she is crying and scared out of her mind. John hasn’t noticed the candle stick. Thank the heavens I was able to move it so he didn’t see.

“You should leave, I don’t want to hurt you again.” He mutters.

“You’re the one who shot me.” I say and turn around taking the candle stick to my back again.

“It was an accident.” He says and looks at Michael pointing the gun. “I was aiming for that bastard!” He starts waving the gun at Michael his other hand on his head. f**k! He is insane. I throw the candle stick at him mostly out of rage. It hits him on his arm and the gun falls on the floor. Harry seems to have recovered slightly and kicks the gun away, it slides under the couch. Josh’s eyes grow wide. I don’t have a weapon anymore but if he comes at me I’ll take him down. What is he going to do?

Josh suddenly falls on the floor; Maria becomes visible standing with her pan up in the air. I don’t know whether to laugh out loud because she knocked him out with her pan or to cry out of happiness that no one got shot.

“The police are on their way.” Maria says cool and calm. I throw my arms around her. I didn’t know she’d come back. I’m speechless.

“It’s okay now. He is out cold but I’ll tie him up just in case. This is one crazy guy.” She says shaking her head.

I let go of her and rush over to Sarah, I take the tape off of her mouth and loosen the rope. “I’m okay, check on Michael.” I leave her and run over to Michael while Maria unties Harry. I fall to my knees besides Michael, “Michael, can you hear me?”  I take his hand.

He doesn’t move and panic sets in. “Michael? Oh please, please wake up.” I beg. Sarah, Harry and Maria are all frozen in place. Why won’t he wake up? I want to shake him but I don’t know the extent of his injuries and I don’t want to make it worse.

“Oh no.” Sarah whispers and Harry puts his arm around her, Maria calls the ambulance, I take Michael’s hand, tears stream down my face, “Please come back to me.” I lay my forehead on his chest, crying, whispering and begging over and over for him to open his eyes. I can’t lose him, not him too. He squeezes my hand and I lift my head up in surprise.

“Michael?”

He stirs and I’m overwhelmed with relief. Maria runs out the room as we hear the siren from the ambulance, everything else slows down, the paramedics pull me off of him. I’m paralyzed. Detective James appears and leads us to the couch. I sit down next to Harry and see another detective talk to Maria.

I’m not paying much attention to the conversation, my eyes only focused on Michael while the paramedics work on him. “So he admitted he is the one that shot you?” I hear Detective James ask. I don’t answer I can’t I’m willing Michael to be okay.

“Detective she is in no state to answer your questions, please tell us if our son is going to be all right.” Harry says.

I stare down at my hands; they are smeared with blood, thankfully not a lot. A slender man walks over to us. “He is okay but he has a slight concussion, we should get him to the hospital so they can run a scan just in case.”

“Understood.” Detective James nods.

“Do you want to ride with him?” The paramedic asks me. I nod.

“Go honey, we’ll follow.” Sarah encourages. I nod and get up and walk with the paramedics to the ambulance, they put Michael inside and I climb in with one of them. I sit down and take Michael’s hand he is in and out of conscious. The drive to the hospital feels so long, time seems not to exist in this moment.

I’m pacing up and down in the waiting room when Harry and Sarah run in followed by Detective James. A doctor walks up to us, her face gives nothing away.

“He’s awake now if you’d like to see him.”

“You go and I’ll talk to the Detective.” I say to Harry and Sarah. They nod and follow the doctor.

“I’ve been doing this so long I’ve forgotten about the worry that the people feel when their loved ones are hurt. I’ll wait here; you should go and check on your fiance.”

“It’s okay; I just want to give them some time because they almost lost their son.” I reply. A parent’s worse nightmare I can imagine.

“And you almost lost the man you love. I can wait.”

“Let’s just get it over with.” I say then add, “Please.” I’m not strong enough yet.

“Okay, let’s sit.” He says motioning to a chair. I sit down staring at my knotted fingers, I’m grateful for the nurse that helped me to clean my hands.

“Please walk me through what happened.” He says.

I tell him step by step.

“Good thinking on Maria’s part.” Detective James smiles.

“She’s tough, wouldn’t want to mess with her.”

“I can imagine.” He chuckles. Then he gets more serious, “I plan to charge John with multiple attempted murders and assaults.”

“John said that he wasn’t aiming for me.”

“I’ll find out what I can from him.”

Harry and Sarah return and Sarah is smiling. I know Michael is going to be okay.

“He is asking for you.” Sarah tells me when they reach us. I look over to Detective James and he nods, “We’re done. Go to him.”

I get up and Sarah hugs me, all the worry and anger leaving my body.

I open the door and I see Michael siting up in bed. “Hi.” I say to him.

“Hey yourself. Are you okay?”

“I should be asking you that.”

“Just a bump on the head, no swelling so I’ll be good to go in a couple of hours.”

“That’s good news.” I reply reaching the bed. He takes my hand.

“Heard you threw a candle stick at him.” He grins.

“Yeah, but Maria is actually the one that saved the day.”

“I’m sorry.” He frowns squeezing my hand.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Actually it is. I’m the reason for all of it.”

“Stop blaming yourself please, you are not the one that made John shoot me or go to your house and hurt you and your family. He made those choices not you.”

“You’re shaking.” He says.

“It’s been a terrifying couple of hours.”

“Why didn’t you come in with my parents?”

“I almost lost you today. I was a wreck so I needed to get my thoughts together before seeing you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“It’s not always up to you.” I reply wiping a tear away from my cheek.

“Come here.” He says pulling me on the bed next to him, wrapping his arms around me, I lay my head on his chest just under his chin. His steady heart rate calms me. He strokes my arm that I’ve put around his waist. A nurse enters the room holding a clipboard to her chest, “Mr Wellington, the scans shows no swelling or bleeding. But if you start to feel dizzy or nauseous you must alert us immediately.”

“Thank you, when can I leave?” Michael asks.

“As soon as the doctor releases you but at worse you will have to spend the night.”

“Okay.” He says, I’m surprised that he accepted this. The nurse turns and leaves.

“I’ll stay with you.” I say looking up at him.

“Go home and get some rest. You should probably change out of that dress it is very distracting and I’m weak and fragile.” He grins.

“Michael!” I exclaim, shoving him gently, smiling up at him.

He leans down and kisses me softly on the lips. I want to get lost in him.

Sarah and Harry enter the room and I sit up.

“We spoke to the doctor, she told us you need to stay for observation.” Harry says.

“I’m fine dad.”

“I’m very glad to hear that son. You had us all so worried.”

“Honestly dad, I’m going to be okay.”

“We should leave you to rest.” Sarah says but like me I know she wants to stay just to be sure.

“Go please. I’ll be okay. I’ll see you all later.” Michael says and we reluctantly leave.