“With me?” I asked, unable to help my incredulity. It all sounded absurd. From the expressions on everyone else’s faces I could tell he wasn’t kidding.
“She wanted to hurt me, didn’t she? And the baby?”
Reid looked pained, but managed a nod. “She’s been keeping a notebook, and she wrote down my schedule over a two-week period, including the times I’m home, and when I’m at school. There was a date circled in red on her calendar,” – Reid’s Adams apple bobbed as he swallowed, and he fisted the blanket covering my legs – “Does the 25th of June mean anything to you?”
“That was our next doctor’s appointment,” I replied. “Why?”
“Shit,” muttered Reid. “Somehow she found out you were going alone, and she planned on following you. We don’t know what she had planned past that, but we’re hoping we can find out.”
I took a moment to process it, and slowly started to wrap my head around just how crazy Stella was. We could worry all we wanted about what she was going to do, but the fact is she wasn’t going to get the chance. She’d been a dark cloud hanging over us for far too long, and all I wanted to do now was focus on looking forward. Stella needed to be history, for good.
“I don’t want to know,” I said, looking at all the concerned faces around me. “As long as that psycho Hobbit gets put away in the looney bin, I don’t care what she had planned.”
Reid’s hard expression cracked a little, and I felt the tension in the room start to dissipate.
“Psycho Hobbit?” He chuckled.
“Yes. Psycho Hobbit. We all thought she looked related to the Hobbits from the Shire in Lord of The Rings. You have to admit, she had really big feet for a girl. I bet they were hairy too.”
Kennedy snickered in the corner, and soon couldn’t contain her laughter. It broke the intense silence, and soon everyone else followed suit. I relaxed, and gave Reid my best smile.
“You really know how to pick them, huh, Cole?”
Another head shake. “I was waiting for you. Ms. Matthews.”
The mood lifted, and despite the audience, I pulled Reid’s face down to mine.
“Siempre has sido mío,” I told him. You’ve always been mine.
He grinned, and the rest of the room fell away. I felt his breath hit my lips, and then he whispered, “Siempre, Mi Amor.”
Always, my love.
Chapter 21
Reid
33 Weeks
I handed my last exam paper in, and practically sprinted out of the door. I raced to my car like a man possessed, smiling like a fool the entire way.
Jade was finally being released from the hospital, and after passing the forty-eight hour mark, Dr. Burke was happy with her progress. After two weeks of studying, hospital visits, and sleeping alone, I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning to have Jade back at home. A nervous energy filled my bloodstream, making me twitchy as I made my way to the hospital. I had two relatively large surprises waiting for Jade at home, and I hoped she would like them.
I greeted the nurses along the way, and when I stepped into Jade’s room my feet halted mid-stride.
My.
Heart.
Stopped.
Beating.
She was dressed in an aquamarine strapless sundress, an item I’d bought her a few days ago because I knew she needed some more clothes to accommodate her growing stomach. It complimented her long, dark hair, and her caramel skin, and swayed over her muscular thighs as she finished packing her things. She hadn’t seen me yet, so I took the chance to simply watch her, and fall in love with her all over again. Standing up straight, she caressed her belly, and smiled wistfully.
“I know baby girl,” she cooed. “I’m just as excited to go home and see daddy. He’d better not be late though, otherwise -”
“Otherwise what?” I asked, leaning against the door.
Her head snapped up, and she smiled wide. In that moment I knew I wanted to give her everything her heart desired, and so much more.
“Hi,” she said. “I was wondering when you were going to get here.”
I pushed away from the door, and closed the gap between us, circling my arms around her waist with her baby bump between us.
“Hi,” I replied. “I got here as quickly as I could after my exam. You miss me?”
I lowered my head, and gently brushed her warm, lush lips with mine, savoring the way her breath stuttered from the contact.
“Always,” she sighed. “How did your exam go?”
“I nailed it, but we can talk about that later. I have something else I’d rather do, and it involves a little less talking.”
Jade’s eyes beamed up at me, the rich chocolate color shining. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“I’ll show you,” I replied. My lips slanted against hers, and my tongue snuck out to taste her bottom lip. She opened for me, allowing a breathy moan to escape before my mouth moved a little harder. I tasted her, she tasted me, and although I’d kissed her more times than I could count, something about this one was different. Her body leaned into mine, bringing us closer, closer, closer.
I broke away, panting, and watched as Jade’s eyelids fluttered open.
“Well,” she exhaled, “I’m glad to see you missed me too.”
A throat cleared behind us, and Jade rolled her eyes just as I turned to see Nurse Alba walk in. Jade was still not her biggest fan, but during her stay at the hospital they’d struck up the unlikeliest of truces.
“Mr. Cole,” she greeted, pushing a wheelchair in.
“Alba,” I replied, trying to hide my grin.
Jade scowled at the wheelchair. “I’m not sitting in that.”
“Oh yes you are,” replied Nurse Alba. “You are still on bed rest, missy. Doctor’s orders.”
“Are you sure?” Asked Jade. “How do I know you didn’t bring it just to torture me one last time before I leave?”
Nurse Alba’s lips twitched. “I brought it because you’ll get out of this hospital faster. The sooner you leave, the sooner I can get back to my more agreeable patients.”
“Please,” snorted Jade. “In order for your patients to be agreeable they have to like you, and I just don’t see that happening.”
“Maybe not, but I like them a whole lot more than I like you.”
Jade folded her arms over her chest, and smirked. “I don’t like you either, you old bat.”
“Finally, we agree on something,” retorted Nurse Alba. “I can’t say I’m going to miss you.”
“I won’t miss you either.” Jade shook her head. “Not even a little bit.”
They stared at each other for a bit, and then Jades’ mouth turned up into a smile. She stepped forward, and hugged Alba.
“Thank you for everything,” said Jade.
“You take care of yourself and that baby,” replied Alba, her voice stern as ever. “And no sex.”
I chuckled, and could practically hear Jade rolling her eyes again. The ‘no sex’ thing had been a sore topic for Jade, and Nurse Alba had always made a point of reminding us, although I suspect it was just to get a rise out of Jade.
They broke apart, and Nurse Alba helped Jade get situated in the wheelchair. I placed her bag on her lap, and spun her towards the door.
I looked at Nurse Alba. “Thank you for taking care of my girls. I appreciate it.”
She looked surprised for a split second, and then her face hardened again. “Just doing my job.”
She made a quick exit, clearly uncomfortable with the affection and gratitude, and finally I was alone with Jade again.
“You ready to go home?” I asked, wheeling her out the door.
Jade looked up, her expression radiating her contentment. “We’re ready.”
“IF YOU VALUE your life Reid Cole you will open this door, and take this blindfold off. NOW.”
I shook my head, a rueful smile on my face. We’d only been home for thirty minutes, and Jade was already bossing me around. “Patience woman,” I laughed. I nervously wrapped my hand around the brass doorknob, and inhaled deeply before pushing the door open. I ushered Jade in until we stood in the middle of the room, and lifted the blindfold.