Lasting Attraction (Cassie Series) (22 page)

             
The phone picks up after a handful of reads. "Evan," he answers curtly. His voice sounds very rough, and I try to sense the emotion in it, but its hard with only the simple word.

             
"Hey, uh, this is Avery Manning. You happen to be related to Pierce?" I hate asking that way, but how else am I supposed to fucking ask the damn question!

             
"Yeah, I uh, I'm his brother," he answers in a much softer tone than before. Definitely a sad tone, and I don't like the idea behind it.

             
"I'm sorry to be bothering you," I tell him, "but I heard Pierce was in an accident. Cassie doesn't even know, and I'm trying to find out what happened before telling her."

             
I can hear him sniffle and immediately I'm cursing myself. "Can you get Cassie down to Sharp Memorial soon?"

             
"Yeah, I just would like to tell her what to expect when she gets there."

             
"Nothing too wonderful. I got to go." He hangs up the damn phone before I can ask any more.

             
I turn to head into the building and see Cassie standing there, arms crossed, not too pleased right now. "What should I expect when we get where?" She cocks her head to the side and looks straight pissed right now.

             
"Cassie, get in the car. I need to bring you the hospital."

             
Her eyes squint at me, like she is going about curse me out, before all her emotions drain and I can see her body slump. "Who is it? Is it Pierce?"

             
I walk towards her and hurriedly pull her into my embrace. "Yeah, angel, it is. I don't know his condition, just that he was in a bad wreck the other night. That was his brother, he asked we come down to the hospital."

             
Her body starts to shake and I can feel her crying. I don't know how to comfort her in this situation, especially not knowing the actual result, so I just hold her until she is ready to get into the car. I basically have to pull her towards the car, I buckle her in even, and close the door for her.

             
When we arrive at the hospital, one of the nurses directs us the trauma unit. The only thing I can think, is he must be alive if it was days ago and he is still in the hospital, but that doesn't mean much. It could mean a range of possibilities, including being paralyzed or in a comatose state. Been there, done that. I don't wish that shit upon anyone, not even Pierce, not even after everything we went through.

             
Cassie runs into the arms of someone who looks just like Pierce just as we're outside the unit. He looks hesitant on holding onto her, but he does. He looks over at me and gives me a tight smile. His face is red and puffy, and he has certainly been crying. Cassie pulls back and looks up to him. "How is he, Evan? Please tell me something good."

             
He swallows hard and looks away from Cassie and I. "He is in and out of it. He survived, but barely, and there is a possibility he may not make it still. They had to revive him several times." He looks back at me, not Cassie, and continues. "I don't know all these fancy medical terms, but they say his levels are low or something like that. He has to be forced oxygen and shit like that. He is unrecognizable right now. And if he does survive, they're still not sure if he'll have mobility in his right arm."

             
"I'm sorry," I say, not really sure what else to say in this situation.

             
Cassie takes a step back from this Evan guy, who I assume must be his brother from their looks, and she walks back over to me. I hold her close, kissing the top of her head while she cries against my chest. Is this how Pierce felt when I was in the hospital? I feel guilty for ever hating him, I feel hurt for Cassie, I feel anger towards so much. I can't explain the shit I'm feeling inside, but damn, I know how newfound respect for Pierce, that's for damn sure.

             
We get a chance to talk to a doctor after a little while, but the conversation goes much the same. It's touch and go, and there is no guarantee of anything if he wakes up. If he does come to, then he could have issues with motor function and all sorts of scary shirt.

             
The two of us also talk with Pierce's parents. That was awkward at first, especially when his mom broke down about Pierce not being able to meet his own son, but after a little while, we all sat there supported one another in different ways. When it came to be close to supper time, they had us leave. I called Cassie's mom, and she had us go over there for dinner. I felt like Cassie needs to be surrounded by everyone she loves and that loves her. She didn't fight me on it, but watching her scares me, because she walks, talks and stares like she were a zombie. I've never seen her act this way.

             
Through dinner and desert, Cassie started to lighten up a little bit, but I noticed her hands just kept going to her belly, as if protecting it. It hurts me so much to see her this way. I don't know what I can do to ease her mind. When we get home from her mom's house, she goes straight into our room and lays down on the bed. When we sold off my furniture, she made me keep my bed, and instead sold hers. We converted her room into ours. We haven't started in the nursery yet, but I know we will in time.

             
Cassie lays down on the bed, and I lay down beside her. My hand wraps around her and rests on her stomach. "I love you, Cassie. More than life itself."

             
"I love you, too, Avery," she whispers back.

             
"I have something for you," I tell her and get up from the bed. I walk towards the closet and pull out my guitar hanging up on the inside. When I turn back to face Cassie, she pulls her eyebrows together in question, but doesn't say anything. She sits up, crossing her legs, and giving me her full attention.

             
I adjust the strings, tuning the guitar, then I strike a few chords to make sure it sounds right, then I sit on the edge of the bed, turning my body some to see Cassie better. "I wrote this a while ago. I wanted to sing it to you, but I never thought it was perfect enough. Then it kind of defeat its purpose, because this was meant to be sung to you while you were still with Pierce."

             
"Um." She doesn't say anything more, but she cocks her head, obviously confused.

             
"Just let me sing it. I'm not leaving you, and I hope you'll never leave me. I think this can explain just how I love you though." She nods her head with a small smile upon her beautiful face, and I start to play, losing myself in the music.

"If it took a hundred years, that'd be okay.

If I told you even a day too late, that'd be okay.

As long as you know, it'll all be okay,

Because everything I need is...

Is for you to know.

And if you said you didn't love me, that'd be okay.

And if you said goodbye, I'd be okay.

As long as you know, it'll all be okay,

Because everything I need is...

Is for you to know.

So when I look into those pretty brown eyes,

When your laugh
echoes through a million memories,

When you are all I see while dreaming at night,

It's because knowing you keeps my heart at ease.

My angel, you're all I'll ever need,

But I know, I know, you don't need me.

I just need you to know, that you're the one I love.

I just need you to know, you've stolen my heart.

I just need you to know, that its only you I see.

Angel, it'll be okay, because everything I need is...

Everything I need is for you to know.

Does it hurt when you see me walk away?

When you're in his arms, are you thinking of me?

And is he the one you want to spend forever with?

When I walk by, is it love that you see?

Tell me girl, what it is you feel,

Tell me my angel, am I the one you need?

But even if I'm not, it'll be okay.

If you push me away, it'll be okay.

Even if you don't return the love I feel, it'll be okay,

Because everything I need is...

Oh, everything I need is... for you to know."

             
Before I'm even done singing the first line, tears starting running down Cassie's face. By the time I finished singing, she was full on crying. I place the guitar down as she pounces at me, holding me close to her. Holding me as if I were her lifeline. And I sure as hell hope that I'll be her lifeline forever.

             
"That was beautiful Avery. It was perfect. You're perfect. I love you so much," she blurts out.

             
I stroke the back of her hair while she rests her head against my shoulder. "You're everything to me, Cassie. You and this baby. I know he isn't technically mine, but I want him to be. I want to be his daddy. I'll never replace Pierce, I'll never disrespect you two, but I want to be completely involved baby. And if something does happen to Pierce, I'll be here to help you and the baby through everything. I promise you."

             
She pulls back and wipes at some of her tears. "I know you will, and that is what I find so incredible. Thank you, Avery." I kiss her pretty little lips, not caring one bit about the salty tears.

             
We get ready for bed and I have Cassie remain shirtless. Once we're laying down and watching one of her girly shows, I rub down her back with some oil crap she bought, until she falls asleep. Once she is asleep, first I change the damn channel, then I lay as close to her as I can. Life is too damn short, we keep finding that much out, and I need to make sure I do everything in my power to protect Cassie and this precious bundle of joy.

             
The first week after finding out about Pierce was hard. It took me a while to adjust to this empty feeling. I had a lot of panic and stress, and more praying than I think I've ever done. It goes above and beyond being someone I love, it goes to the point that this is my child's biological father. I want him to meet his father and vice versa. We have a connection I may never have with anyone else, and its special.

             
Nothing had changed in this first week, and that was what made it hard. Of course I begged and pleaded for the best, but if the worse was to come, I needed that closure. The whole being in limbo thing was driving me insane.

             
The second week got easier emotionally, but as far as Pierce, not so much. He started to finally wake up and do a few things, but he ended up getting an affection, and he was lucky they found out when they did. However, he went back to being heavily medicated, and his body was taking such a toll that he continued being touch and go a little longer.

             
By week three I was snapping at everyone, but I was being sociable again. I want to finish my college degree, but I didn't go back when classes started in the fall, and instead started doing online classes. Only two this semester, and possibly the same next, but by next year I want to go back full time. My mom already said she'd help me with daycare and scheduling everything.

             
Week four came and went by as Pierce finally started waking up and started becoming more socialable as well, but he still isn't himself and it breaks my heart. Avery has been nothing but supportive and loving, and goes with me when I want, or stays away when I'd rather him not.

             
The fifth week my mom and Aubrey brought me shopping and we got paint for the baby's nursery. I'm doing a soft green with white accents throughout the whole nursery, including the wall. My mom got annoyed I didn't do the traditionally blue color, but I didn't want to be like everyone else. I also don't want my baby being like everyone else.