Surviving Valentine (16 page)

A cough interrupted our moment. I looked towards the door; the nurse was just coming in to look at something. I turn back to Scarlet, who was blushing pretty hard. “Um, Nadine, this is Darien.” She paused, like she didn’t know how to introduce me. I guess we hadn’t talked about it but we definitely were something. “Her boyfriend.” I added. Scarlet beamed at me again. Nadine came over and shook my hand. She asked Scarlet a couple of questions, made some notes on her chart and exited the room. “So we are official now?” She asked shyly. “Yep, you are mine.” I shrugged as if it was just a fact. “You can make it Facebook official now if you’d like.” I winked. She tried to smack me with her good arm.  It was cute. “So, I guess I am going to be hanging out in here with you, I think I am going to use your little bathroom over there and clean up. Do you need me to do anything for you?” She pondered for a minute. “Actually I am starting to feel a little drowsy from the medicine, do you think you could call my insurance company, so we can report my car and get a rental, and oh! Call Ross so they know about everything!”

“Sure thing babe, I’ll be your secretary. Want me to do anything else.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her like I was trying to insinuate something dirty. She just shook her head, like I was crazy. “I love you.” I said.  She snuggled into the hospital bed. “I love you too baby.” I liked it when she called me baby. I turned and went into the bathroom to try and become human Darien again instead of mountain man Darien.

Chapter 19

Scarlet

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, I was still feeling drowsy. Medicines like this and I never really got along. They made me so tired, but at least there wasn’t any pain. I tried to sit up, but there was a steel band of an arm wrapped around me. I looked up into Darien’s sleeping face. His lips were parted. He looked so handsome, and he was all mine. It seemed kind of weird calling him my boyfriend considering everything. He was just so much more for me.  He had done so much for me, he became my everything. I hoped that now we made it through this that nothing else would happen, I mean surely the person that ran us off the mountain thought we were dead. I thought back to when I was sitting in the campsite waiting for Darien. I kept going over the scene in my head. I tried to think of anyone I knew who could do such a thing. I thought of Frank immediately but he was in jail in Asheville so that was impossible. Then there was Darien’s old team member Fox. He gave me the creeps. He was 6 foot.  Had a short buzz cut hairstyle; his eyes looked like he was trying to see through my clothing the first time we met. And at my class he looked like he wanted to eat me. I got goose bumps thinking about it. I knew there was bad blood between him and Darien, but enough that he would do something like this? I don’t know. I could see it. He seemed like an evil man. I shivered. Which woke Darien. “Are you ok baby?” He panicked.  I looked at him and nodded. “You look so tired, go back to sleep baby.” I told him. He probably didn’t get too much sleep yesterday. I knew he would be worried about me, and trying to keep an eye on everything to make sure we were ok. He was a leader, a care taker, but he needed a break. I kissed his cheek. “Go back to sleep, I’ll be right here in my nook.” I snuggled into his nook as I spoke. He kissed my head and fell back asleep quickly. I felt the drugs take me to sleep again as I focused on his breathing.

              I woke up to the sun shining in through the window. I moved my good hand over my eyes trying to block away the light. Ugh I wasn’t ready to wake up. I was dreaming about a bath tub and Darien, yeah it was a good dream. Darien? The pillow I was on smelled like him, but he wasn’t there. “Darien” I croaked out. My voice sounded awful. I found a glass of water next to the bed, and took a sip. The water felt so good going to my desert of a throat. Darien walked through the door a few minutes later. “Hey there’s my girl! How are you feeling?” He sauntered over and sat next to me. He touched my face, grazing his hands across my across my cheek. I loved it when he did that. Tingles ran straight through my body. He consumed all of my thoughts. “Scarlet? Are you ok?” He asked again, and I realized I hadn’t said anything to him. His touch completely made my mind go blank. I tried to focus. I cleared my throat before talking. “Sorry, um I’m feeling fine. The medicine is starting to wear off, but I think I would be ok with just an Advil. How about you?” He shrugged. “I’m good. I took care of all those phone calls you wanted me to make. The car insurance dropped off a car this morning. Candace was frantic and is going to meet you at home. She is determined to be your nurse when you get back.” I just rolled my eyes. She was never going to leave me alone. “Great.” I said with sarcastic enthusiasm. “I’ll be there with you, you won’t be alone to face the little pixie.” I had to laugh at that! She was such a pixie.

“Are they going to let me go soon?” He nodded. “Yep, just go sign some papers whenever you are ready and we are free to go.” He was smiling. God he had an amazing smile. A mouth full of pretty white teeth, I would have to thank his mama for that. I pulled the blanket off and swung my legs to the opposite side. As I got up the vertigo hit, the room was spinning again. I took deep breaths and it went away. He walked around the bed and held onto me to help steady me. His face was full of concern. “I’m ok, it just takes a minute to go away.” I pulled away and walked over to grab my dirty crash clothes.

Sigh I really wanted a shower, and some fresh clothes. As if reading my mind Darien speaks. “Sorry, I couldn’t go get us some new clothes.” I shook my head; I didn’t want him feeling bad about it. I was tough. I was just about to go to the bathroom to change out of the hospital gown when Nadine knocked on the door. “Hey guys, I know you have a long trip back,  We wanted to give you these, so you wouldn’t have to ride all the way back in your accident clothes.” She handed us a pair of scrubs. Bless her heart. I was so thankful for everything they had done, but this was just, well there were just no words. I could feel tears building up. “Thank you.” Darien and I said in unison.

I quickly rushed to the bathroom so no one would see my glistening eyes. I tried to put my clothes on but I was just too sore to do it. “Darien?” I called out. He opened the door a smidge. “What’s up?” I chuckled. I wasn’t used to asking for help so it was kind of a struggle, the words seem stuck. He stuck his head through the door to see me when I didn’t answer. His eyebrows pinched together. “Here let me help you.” I could just hug him. He just knew it was what I needed. Slowly he helped me get into my clothing, every touch made my blood feel on fire. It was so hard not to jump his bones in the bathroom. My breathing started picking up when his hands ran over my breasts and waist as he pulled down the top. He sucked in a breath. Our eyes met, and like a spark we attacked each other, mouths colliding, tongues meshing. Completely consuming. It was so much. My body was screaming, both for him and because of the pain. I felt him hard against my stomach. I groaned, I’m not sure how we did it but we managed to get even closer to each other. His hands ravished me. I sucked in a sharp breath as his hand ran over my ribs, and damnit it hurt like hell! He pulled back. He immediately took his hands off me. “I’m sorry Scarlet.” The pain was still there. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It hurt to breath but after that it was ok. “It’s ok, I’ll be fine.”  He looked like he was in agony, knowing he put me even a little pain. I didn’t like that look. I raised my good hand to his face. “It’s ok Darien, I’m fine. It’s just a little sore.” He sighed. “I am just going to keep my hands off of you until you heal up.” My face scrunched up. “I’m not sure that is going to work.” He just shook his head. I guess I would have to make him change his mind, but not here in the bathroom. “Ok.” I grabbed his hand. “Let’s go home.” I told him, as I led us out into the room. It took no time at all to sign my discharge papers and make our way home.

Finally after that long ride, we finally made it home. I was so relieved to be back in the comfort of my own home. Darien got out and walked around to help me get out of the car. He was so good at taking care of me. Aunt Tara had been right, he was a jack of all trades. He was a God in bed, a nurse, a good dancer, and Bear Grylls. I was one lucky lady he wanted to be with me. I smiled to myself at that thought. He was mine. My Valentine. I chuckled at that. His right eyebrow raised in curiosity. Nope I wasn’t going to tell him that he finally broke my Valentine’s Day curse, and his name was Valentine, it was destiny I guess. He walks to the trunk and pulls out 2 bags. One is his, and the other is my bag of lingerie goodies. I blushed. I didn’t know the EMT’s grabbed that. Darien smirked. “I couldn’t let them forget to grab these. I don’t think I could go on if I wouldn’t be able to ever see you in that Princess Leia costume. I laughed a real, true, deep down laugh. We were home, and alive. It was a time for celebration.

A loud shriek came from my house, I looked towards the noise to see a frantic Candace running towards me. It looks like she was going to crash into me, and she did. I yelped as she squeezed me. Then her mouth started moving a mile a second. “OH MY GOD! Scarlet, I’m so sorry, oh my god, I missed you, I was so worried, and we didn’t know what happened to you! I was freaking out! Are you ok? How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Oh, I’m so happy to see you!” she hugged me again but lighter.  It was good to see her again, although she was going to be the overdramatic mother to me. Her hug lasted like 5 minutes. After she releases me she was sporting tears down her cheeks. “Oh, Candace, I’m so happy to see you” I told her. More tears rolled down her face. Her eyes turned towards Darien. She mouthed thank you to him. Ross came out and gave Darien a big bear hug. My chest grew with happiness seeing everyone together. Candace grabbed my hand and led me inside. Roxy came barreling towards me. She was happy to see me too. I bent down and gave her kisses and petted her. I walked over to the cabinet and gave her a treat, which she accepted happily.

We all sat down in the living room and talked about what all happened. Candace’s face was full of emotion, from panic to tears of joy. Ross looked concerned throughout the story. He kept asking Darien if he knew who did it. We still didn’t know for sure. But I’m sure Darien would find out. We ordered take out, and just relaxed together. I snuggled into Darien as we just chatted on about random things. Having everyone together, my best friend and his together, everything was perfect. I needed to find out more about her and Ross later. They were looking pretty serious, glued to each other. I was so happy for her. Darien kissed my head; his fingers were rubbing my arm as he held me. I’m glad he was ok with touching me like this at least. I would pin him to the ground if I had to.

I was going to have to call Bethany, my occasional substitute for Scars. Of course I wouldn’t be able to do anything at work until I healed.  The clock started to round 10:30 when I started yawning.  “Let’s get you to bed babe.” Darien whispered to me. I nodded. I was tired.  Darien scooped me up into his arms as he stood up. We said our goodbyes, and he carried me upstairs. Which was definitely unnecessary, but I was in no condition to stop him. He set me on the counter in the bathroom and started the water in the tub. Thank god! As tired as I was, I was not going to sleep all nasty. He even put bubble bath in it. Ah he is perfect! He slowly and carefully undressed me, and helped me into the tub. The warm water felt heavenly, it made all of my sore muscles feel like mush. I wish I could get my right arm wet, but it was in the temporary cast, so no water for it. A few cuts I didn’t know I had stung a lot. Darien climbed in behind me and started to wash us. After our soak he lifts me out of the tub and dries me off. I walk over and crawl into my comfy bed. Darien climbed down next to me and pulls me against his bare chest. His hard, muscular arms surrounded me. I hummed with delight.  He kissed my head. “I’m so happy we are back here.” He whispered into my hair.  “Me too, thank you for everything Darien.” He kissed my head again. “Anything for you, good night babe.” I brought his hand to my lips. “Night.”

              Four weeks passed almost in the same manner. Darien took care of me, well Candace ended up coming over every day and taking away most of his duties while she mothered me.  We watched TV, movies, played games, he ended up having to go back to the base and train people. I got my permanent cast on a week after we got back.  I went with blue and of course everyone signed it.

You’re my bitch! Love ya! Candace

Candace is my bitch so I guess that makes you my bitch too ;) Ross

FUCK THAT! You are only my bitch. Can’t wait till this comes off, ;)  LOVE, Your boyfriend who is dying to meet Princess Leia, Darien.

Even Darien’s family came to visit; they showered me with hugs and food. Darien and I were happy as hell. Candace, Ross, Darien, and I all wanted to go out to dinner. Candace helped me into a nice dress with a sweater jacket to go with it. She even did my makeup and hair since it was hard to do it with one hand. She finished the finally touches on my eyes when she said “There.  B-E-A-UTIFUL!” I looked in the mirror; she did a soft purple eye shadow, with a little splash of gold to accent my eyes. The few cuts I had on my face had healed and thankfully no scars formed. I had a scab on my head from hitting the glass but my hair covered it. She pulled my hair up into a messy bun, with little ringlets falling down. It was nice to be able to dress up.

I turned around and looked at Candace, she was smiling at me. “Thank you, I love it! You look gorgeous too. Ross won’t be able to contain himself.” She blushed. “He told me he loved me last night.” My mouth dropped open. I was so happy for her! “Oh my god! That it so amazing! What did you say? Do you love him?” I asked. She sat down on my bed. “I love him so much. I wouldn’t think it possible. But I do.” I just sat next to her and put my good arm around her, and leaned my head against hers. “I know the feeling babe.” She just nodded. “Darien really loves you; he would do anything in the world for you. I’m so happy you found someone babe. Especially after everything you have been through.” I didn’t want to start tearing up, so I gave her a big fat kiss on the cheek and got up. “Alright bitch, let’s go get our men. Lord knows what they are getting into.” We laughed together at the thought, and rushed down stairs.