How Not To Start Your Marriage

Chapter 4:Enter the Doctor

Lily stared at her hand, still in his. Suddenly it was all real. She was sure she had stopped breathing. His hands were warm, his touch gentle, and yet, this still wasn't right. She snatched back her hand, cradling it against her as if she had been burned, and tried not to look at Dylan's confused face. Her heart raced as the walls suddenly felt too close. She stood frozen in place, not really hearing or seeing anything around her. She vaguely heard him trying to get her attention but couldn't respond. What could she say? Her feet were moving before she even knew it and she found herself rushing through the bustling crowds, dodging unwitting shoppers as she made a beeline for the door. As she exited the shopping center, she looked back to see if she could see Dylan following her and her body smacked into what felt like a solid wall, and strong arms wrapped around her. She barely heard the strong masculine voice as the world faded away from her.

"Easy now, Koukla. You are safe... "

She slumped into his arms and the world faded into darkness. The first thing she became aware of as the world came back to her was raised voices nearby. The bed she found herself in was warm and soft, and she willed herself back into the peace that had come with sleep, but sleep would not return.

" I already told you I don't know why she was running. How do I know YOU didn't do something to her when she met up with you?" As she opened her eyes she saw Dylan glaring up at a dark-skinned man with a thick accent and dark curls framing his strong face. Dylan's own eyes flashed with an intensity she didn't know her new husband had in him. He wheeled back and forth impatiently as the stranger followed him, intent on getting to the bottom of the situation.

" The girl showed all the classic signs of shock when she ran into me. She was pale and clammy, her breathing irregular, and her pulse was WELL over 100 beats per minute. Whatever was done to her could have given her a heart attack. " The mysterious man pressed on, accusation fully evident in his tone.

" Oh, so you are a doctor now? " Dylan was entirely lost in his frustration, needing someone to be angry at, and it looked like this stranger was the unfortunate one.

" Indeed, I am," the man calmly replied and produced a hospital badge from the inside pocket of his coat.

" Well, isn't that just lucky? " Dylan huffed, and his face softened, he ran his hand through his hair with a sigh" Is she okay though? I swear, I didn't do anything to her. We were having a great time..."

The man she now knew as a doctor approached her bed and she quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. Maybe it was childish, but she was just too tired to face the world right now. The man carefully took her hand and pressed two fingers into her wrist. He stood that way for a bit, he ran a hand down the side of her face and pinched at her chin, pulling down her bottom lip. Finally, he stood

"She is fine, just needs rest. " She could hear the warm smile in his voice and cracked open her eyes to peek up at him. She saw him gazing down at her with a knowing smile. " Your bride seems to be awake. Get some water for the little koukla"

She remembered that word from before and couldn't help but wonder what it meant. Before she could ask, Dylan was at her bedside with the water she desperately needed if she was being honest with herself.

The man was already headed for the door. " I already have your contact information. It was in our little Koukla's wallet. I will be calling to check on her tomorrow" The door closed behind him and Dylan sat staring at the door looking as if he smelled something foul. He once more ran his hands through those right ebony locks and turned his chair to wheel himself over to her bed, his rich golden eyes darkened as he himself looked her over, and after a silent moment, he spoke his thoughts.

"What was that about, Lily?" his face carefully kept in check, he left no trace of emotion for her to read. "Where did you think you were going? Do you realize what could have happened? "

Lily felt her body tense, staring at him in silent defiance. He spoke to her like she was a child. There was nothing to say if he wasn't going to take her seriously. She turned to look out the window, soaking in the stunning view of the Aegean Sea just outside their window. He sighed "We need to talk about this. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

"Everything" she snapped," Everything is wrong. I had no choice in this. No warning. It all happened so fast. I don't even have my own clothes right now. And then there's you, running around, pretending like everything is normal... we didn't even know each other just two days ago! We are STRANGERS and you have whisked me off to some place I don't even know the language. You keep showering me with gifts like that's going to make it all better." She paused to catch her breath as her head swam" Do you think this is normal?" a frustrated tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away with a huff and glared over at Dylan.

There were the hands in the hair again. He squeezed his eyes closed and sighed in defeat. " You are right" he offered. " I just wanted..." he took a breath as if gathering his courage" I just wanted you to enjoy yourself before we went back home. I don't exactly live like a member of my family. They resent my condition and, though they provide for me, I don't have the same luxuries they do. Once we go home... it's back to reality. " He couldn't meet her eyes and she was absolutely floored. An outcast in his own family, just like her. She flopped against the pillows.

"So what do we do now?" she sulked as she spoke, refusing to let it go just yet.

"Now? How about we just go for a walk?" He gave her a boyish smile. That infectious smile seemed to finally make her feel warm and safe, despite all the protests that echoed in her mind. She still wanted to be angry, but he simply melted her defenses. She found herself smiling back as they combed through the cobblestone suites, soaking in the sights. They stopped to watch the sun set over the sea and his warm hand found hers. "You know", he almost whispered," If it had been up to me, I would have done things differently. I am sorry for how all of this has happened."

The two stood in silence as the sun dipped below the horizon. He didn't need her words to know that, despite her frustration, it wasn't him that she held at fault. They stopped for dinner as they returned to the hotel. She was excited to find her favorite, chicken pesto, on the menu. He went with a ribeye, cooked medium well, somewhere during the meal the music became softer, and he watched her carefully as she finished off the rest of her pasta.

" How about a dance" he grinned as he watched her brows knit together in confusion. He slowly rose from his chair." Remember, I told you I have my good and bad days. I feel more than strong enough for this". He offered her his hand and led her to an empty space on the floor, drawing her in close. He guided her with grace that she didn't think was possible, his heat and confidence surrounded her as they twirled and swayed as the music drew to a close. He wrapped his arms around her and simply swayed to the gentle beat. She rested her head on his shoulder. He buried his nose in her hair and planted a kiss on top of her head, startling her. She decided to go with it and relaxed into his arms. As they headed back to the table she noticed he moved slower. It was obvious to her, he had pushed his limits. She moved ahead and rushed back to his chair. He carefully returned to the chair and allowed her to push him back to their suite to rest for the night.