Stricken Trust (Stricken Rock) (22 page)

“What if she dies?” Stacy blubbers in the corner.

“She’s not going to die, sweetie.” Kyle strokes his shaggy blonde hair.

I’m the only person without anyone and the only person I’d want is in surgery.

I’m leaning against the wall of the waiting room. Cammy has her arms wrapped around Johnathan. If my Mama Bear saw this, she’d know instantly he’s been dating her. I don’t know why he keeps leading her to believe he wants her still. Either he is trying to win Emily back and using Cammy as an extra on the side. Which he’s known for. Or he just doesn’t know how to let go of Emily and be with Cammy. He’s been determined for months to end up with Emily. She is the one who made him want to be a better man. But he can’t have her. She’s mine.

“I’m here with news of Emily.” Dr.Golds comes in with big dark circles under her eyes.

I step forward. “Hello James.” She produces a half smile.

“Dr.Golds.” I nod.

“What’s the news?” Stacy chokes out.

“Emily will be okay,” she says evenly.

“And the babies?” I ask her, trying to remain strong. Those children might not be mine biologically but they feel like they are mine. I love them like I would my own child if I ever had one.

“They babies are both alive, and safe and sound inside their own sacks. She had what we call in intrauterine tear. It’s common in women with endometriosis. I was lucky to find it quickly and repair the tear. We had to administer three bags of blood. Two of which were yours, James.” She nods toward me. “But I have full confidence she will make a full recovery. But her strict bed rest has just been upgraded to a full hospital stay until they babies are ready to be delivered. I don’t want to risk her possibly having another hemorrhage and I’d like to keep a closer eye on her. The twins are healthy and growing very well. I’m not so much as concerned with them as I am her health,” She explains.

“So when can we see her?” Three of us ask simultaneously.

“Each of you can, two at a time. But I am warning you gentlemen now, if you raise her blood pressure or upset her in anyway with not being able to control your tempers, I will have you removed from this hospital. She is in a fragile state and I will not have any of you jeopardizing her health any further.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” I chime in and give Johnathan a dirty look. After this is all said and done, I quit. I’m not working for him anymore. Not after him attacking me in the bedroom when he is already dating a different woman. Who Emily is now friends with. My poor lover never gets a break.

The doctor leaves after we all thank her and I walk over to Johnathan, peering down at him as he sits with Cammy.

“We need to talk.”

He nods and crinkles his nose.

I walk down the hall and find another waiting room that’s empty. Johnathan takes a seat across from me on a couch. His eyes red from crying.

“What I want to say first of all… Yes, you did hear correctly. Emily and I are in love with one another. We’ve made love many of times and eventually I would like to marry her,” I tell him. I’m not holding anything back. I’m quitting anyhow.

“What gives you the right, James? A bodyguard falling in love with his job. Seems sick.” He snaps.

I knew he would play the childish route with this. He always does when he doesn’t get his way.

“I quit, Johnathan. So don’t worry about firing me.”

His face sinks. “You can’t quit.”

“I can and I just did.”

He shakes his head. “Even if you are in love with her, she needs you to protect her. Those are my babies in her and we both know the paps are nuts. And she’s a very lovable person so people eat her up.”

I nod. He’s right, they do love her. It’s hard not to. Sweetness radiates from her, even if she has a sassy mouth. Which she rarely uses with me.

“I will still protect her. I’m just not going to be doing it on your dime. And I think once she’s healthy enough, you should take the guilt away that she feels for loving me because she thinks you want her too.”

His face turns into a blast of confusion. “I do want her.”

“Maybe. But you’re dating Cammy, and Emily doesn’t know that. She deserves to know.”

His mouth drops open. “How?”

“It’s my job to know, Johnathan. Just like when you told her you slept with three women the past few months. I know it was five. I also know you’ve been dating Cammy for a month and you’ve already had relations as well. You told Emily you didn’t. But what did you really expect? Her to be okay with Cammy and then what? You try and be with both of them? Now that, sounds a little sick doesn’t it?”

His eyes widen with horror. Yes. I know your games, Johnathan. I’ve dealt with them for years. I’m not a novice.

“I didn’t ask her to move in. I gave her a job when she wouldn’t take the money, I offered her to keep her on her feet. She’s always known about Emily and how I felt about her. She also knows that if Emily would have me I would be with her. I’ve not lied to Cammy about anything if that’s what you’re hinting at. It was Emily who wanted her to move in, not me. I like Cammy but I love Emily. I want to marry her.”

I shake my head. “No you don’t Johnathan. You wouldn’t have another girlfriend if you did. And you’d be honest with Emily like you are Cammy. I would never think to date another woman or look at another woman. I love Emily with all of my heart and my manhood could never get up for anyone but her. Just the thought alone makes me sick to my stomach.”

“If you expect me to give up Emily because of your claim on her, you’re wrong. You are no longer welcome at our home and I want you out.”

I scoff a deep bellowing laugh at him and throw my head back for show. “Do you think I’d be staying at the house anyhow? Emily is going to be in the hospital until the babies are born. I’m not leaving her side.”

He growls with a dark menacing face. “You will not be staying here. She is not yours to have, James. She is mine.”

“Ask her who she loves and ask her who she wants to sit by her bedside. Then we’ll see who’s she is, Johnathan. I don’t question her love for me. You do. You could have had her. I gave her the distance to try and figure stuff out with you. I even tried not to show my affection towards her. But she deserves someone to love her completely. And I do that for her and for the babies in her belly.”

He growls again. “Those are my fucking kids, James. Not yours! And you’ll do good to remember that!” He yells.

“They might be yours by blood. But I’ve been the one talking to them every day. I’ve been the one rubbing them and telling them I love them. Not you,” I say as coolly as I always talk. I’ve never been one to lose my temper. It’s part of my entensive training.

I get up and decide I’m done speaking with him. I’ve said my peace and eventually Emily will find out about Cammy and Johnathan and then her guilt for loving me will be gone and I can only hope we sail into the sunset together.

I can hear talking. Who’s talking? Where am I?

Oh fuck, I was bleeding on the deck of my new house. Where’s James? Are the babies okay? Is Dylan alright?

Open your eyes, Emily. Come on, you can do it. The muffled sounds are getting louder. I wiggle my finger. Oh, someone is touching me. Is someone holding my hand? I wiggle my fingers again.

“James, she’s waking up.” I hear the most joyous voice say. It’s my mom. My mom is here! Oh how I’ve missed her.

I wiggle my hands again and try to open my eyes. I can’t get them to open. Oh come the fuck on, damn-it!

“Sweetheart, we’re here. I love you Emily. Open your eyes,” The best male voice on the planet says and my heart thuds in my chest. That’s my man. My lover. “Emily, I’ve got you.” He caresses my arm and I can actually feel it. Am I drugged or something?

Focus Em, open your god forsaken eyes. I concentrate as my mom squeezes my hand and the love of my life rubs my arm. He’s here for me. I knew he’d never leave. Oh my James.

Something warm encases my lips and I can feel the spark of love filling my veins and the minty scent flooding my nose. He’s kissing me in front of my mom. Oh my god. I guess the cat’s out of the bag.

I force myself to purr in my throat and he chuckles. “I guess you can feel me.” He presses his lips against mine again and I try to will my eyes open. Slowly, I see a line of light in my sight.

He pulls away and I groan in protest and my mom chuckles this time. “I guess she likes your kisses. Well maybe if you’re that good James I should get a kiss too.” She smacks her lips. Oh no she doesn’t!

My eyes fly open and she breaks into a full on laughter and so does James. “See that worked.”

Oh that evil, evil woman.

I clear my throat, it’s Sahara desert dry. “Not funny,” I murmur, my voice raspy.

Looking down, I see that my belly is still the same size. I look to James and he rubs my tummy. “They are still inside and kicking sweetheart. Your endometriosis caused an intrauterine tear which made you bleed out. Your doctor fixed you up.”

My mom, like she was reading my mind, puts a straw to my mouth and I drink up. Oh, the cool refreshing taste of ice water. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything quite as good. Okay, James’s man juice, maybe. But that’s about it. I know, I know that sounds gross but it’s true. I’m not going to lie.

He keeps talking, his hand resting on my belly. “The doctor has ordered you to stay in the hospital for the reminder of your pregnancy. So your mom and I have been here around the clock.”

I frown. “How long have I been out?” Good it came out better this time.

“Four days and a few hours. They kept you under for a day and have been slowly cutting back the pain meds. You had a blood transfusion too.” He smiles.

Who in the hell smiles about their lover having a flipping blood transfusion, what is wrong with him?

“Is something funny about the fact I almost died?” I snap.

Coming closer, he lowers the rail on my bed and sits next to me. His hand caresses my cheek as he stares me in the eyes. Oh I love looking at him. He’s so sexy.

“It’s not funny love. But the blood that is in your veins is also mine.”

Okay, now I really don’t understand. “Come again?”

“When you needed a transfusion it’s customary for them to ask if any family wants to donate. I’m O blood type so I’m a universal donor. So they took two bags of my blood and transfused it into you.”

Well if that doesn’t scream “I love you,” I don’t know what else does. Who in the whole world does that? I have to be a rare case where your lover’s blood is actually coursing through your veins.

I smile and chuckle. “Well if that’s not a marriage proposal I don’t know what is.”

His face drops into sadness mixed in with contortion. All kinds of screwed up, it what it is.

“James, I was kidding.” I tease. Man, he’s so damn serious.

“Well, that’s kind of what I was hoping to do.” He pulls a ring box from his pocket and gets down on one knee next to the bed.

I instantly break into a fit of tears. He’s so romantic.

“I know this isn’t the right place. But I can’t wait and I’ve already gotten your mother’s blessing.”

I look to my mom who’s holding my hand and she’s crying too. My mom, the sap. I must get it from her.

“I love you, sweetheart. I know this with Johnathan has been hard but I know you love me too and I want us to be together. I can promise I will never cheat, or lie, or hurt you in any way. Will you marry me?” He opens the ring box and I gasp.

Oh my god, that’s a huge rock.

“You had me with blood transfusion,” I smile and offer my arms for him to hug me.

He stands and gently hugs me, pressing his lips to mine. “I love you,” he murmurs against my mouth.

“I love you more.”

My mom chokes back a tear and claps loudly. “Oh, that was so romantic,” she sobs.

I giggle as James pulls his delectable mouth from mine. Mmmmm…I love his kisses.

“Yes, mom, he’s quite the romantic.” I wink at him and he slides the giant rock onto my left hand. I hold out my hand and look at it. Wow, that’s beautiful. It’s a huge princess cut diamond in the center with lots of little stones around the band. And it glistens oh so perfectly on my hand. He’s got wonderful taste.

“It’s perfect,” I smile.

“It better be; your mom and Stacy helped pick it out.”

When did he have time to do that? I thought he said he was here round the clock. I can’t complain if he left to buy me a ring. That was so sweet. I not only have my heart full with love for him. I literally have his blood pumping through it. That’s amazing. He’s amazing.

A knock sounds at the door.

“Ah. I see our patient is awake,” Dr. Golds says, making her way to my bed.

“Yes, and I’ve already been proposed to.” I flutter the ring on my finger so it can catch the light and she smiles.

“I’ve seen it already, and it’s gorgeous.”

I glance at James and he shrugs with a smile. “I was a little excited. I’m certain all your nurses have seen it too.”

I giggle and shake my head. “You’re adorable, Papa Bear.”