Touched by a Phoenix (57 page)

Nan had brought him clothes for both him and Alexis. He knew she would not want to be in the hospital gowns all the time and he wanted her to be comfortable, to feel her own clothing against her skin.

Between Catherine and Nan, they prepared him dinner every evening. They sat with him while he ate and they talked to help pass the time.

He talked to Alexis all day—talked about everything. It didn’t matter whether it was about the weather, the modifications he was making to Rescue One, documenting her power source, or his design for her stealth capabilities…he simply talked to her.

He walked her though every task as if she were right there beside him, listening in with empathy, answering her unasked questions. If the doctors were correct, Alexis would know as much about the changes and progress on the project, as he did. He explained code and physics, anything to keep her engaged with their life.

Every evening he read to her from her favorite books and put on their favorite songs as he curled up beside her and drifted off to sleep.

Each day became more and more of a routine. Steady and easy, filled with tender loving care. He bathed her every day, washed and dried her hair, changed her clothes, and even figured out how to brush her teeth.

He learned to read the monitors, when she needed to be propped up or moved, fluffed her pillows, and made her as comfortable as possible. He went with her to physical therapy. Doctor’s came in at least twice a day to check on her, and a nurse stopped by every hour or so.

He held her hand often, brushed a wayward strand of hair away, and kissed her sweetly as if she was with him. At night, he held her close as if they were at home. He refused to let anyone talk about her as if she wasn’t there.

She kissed him sweetly. He looked down at her, my God, those eyes. They melted his heart…made him weak.

He groaned softly as he pulled her closer, “Please don’t ever leave me again.”

“I promise, my love,” as her lips touched his.

She was the kiss God had created and blown into existence, saving her just for him. Her kiss set his soul afire. He inhaled deeply, taking her into him, as his lips devoured hers. She ran her hands though his hair and down his cheek, as a soft moan escaped her lips as their kiss deepened.

“Baby…please….”

He jerked at the vividness of the dream.

Dammit!
He squeezed his eyes shut tightly. How much longer would this go on? Weeks had passed and every night was the same…dreams filled with his loving Alexis at his side. His mind tried to clear away the fog—no…it had been
twenty days
since this madness began.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?”

His mind played tricks on him but he responded aloud without thinking.

“No darling, I miss you.”

“Why?” she asked in that soft tone of hers.

Silence—this dream didn’t make sense, it seemed too real. He couldn’t still be asleep…could he?

Her soft breath against his lips, “
Shh
love, everything’s all right now.”

His eyes flew open. Startled…he pushed her away as he jumped out of the bed.

“No, this can’t be real.” He shook his head as if to clear the cruel dream from his head.

The soft shimmer of light cascading across the room glowed with just enough light for him to recognize her loving smile.

“You were dreaming about me.”

“Yes…but…but.”

The reality hit him. She was awake. He knelt on the bed and kissed her, taking her breath into him. God, how he needed this…he needed her.

“Shit, I have to get the doctor. I’ll be right back,” as he pushed off the bed and started for the door.

He skidded to a halt, rushing back to her for another kiss. “I love you,” he whispered.

“You don’t need to be scared anymore,” as she caressed his cheek.

He headed for the door again but stopped short, “Wait…how did you know?”

“I felt it.”

He jerked the door open and yelled, “Nurse, get the doctor…she’s awake.”

The early morning hours became battery of test and questions, poking and prodding. One test after another. She was tired and wanted to sleep…she wanted Brad.

“Please…I need Brad,” she whispered.

“Miss Saunders, we’ll take you back upstairs as soon as we’re finished.”

“Now…please….”

“Just a few more tests.”

“No, I need him now,” she murmured.

“Give us just a little more time to complete the test, I promise it won’t be long now,” the technician stated.

She closed her eyes and called to him….

Thanksgiving. A time for being grateful—grateful for what you have, today his gratitude knew no bounds. It was a Thanksgiving he would never forget.

Brad continued to pace the floor, waiting for her return. He felt her breath against his lips. A sharp pain shot through him. A pain so intense it stopped him in his tracks—stopped his breath. He rushed out of the room, stopping at the nurse’s station.

“Where is she?”

“Mr. Scott, she’s downstairs. She’ll be back soon.”

“No, you don’t understand, she’s calling me…where is she?”

“Mr. Scott, please calm down,” she commanded sternly.

“Please…,” his concern grew more apparent by the minute.

Something in his voice tugged at her heartstrings. In the twenty-seven years she had been nursing, she had never seen anything like the love she witnessed between this young couple.

“How about if I call down and see how’s she doing?”

He nodded, knowing no one would understand his ability to feel her, even if he found the words to explain. They would think he was crazy…need to be admitted into the psychiatric ward.

“This is Nurse Betsy from ICU. Can you tell me how Miss Saunders is doing?”

“What,” she exclaimed. She listened intently. Concern growing on her face the longer she listened. “No, stop the test. We’ll be right down,” as she dropped the phone.

“Come with me,” as she rushed past Brad.

She punched the elevator button several times.

“What’s wrong?” his panic growing.

“She’s nonresponsive.”

“What happened?”

The elevator doors opened and the pair rushed in. Nurse Betsy pressed the ground floor. “They’re not sure. She asked for you and they told her ‘soon’. She closed her eyes a few minutes ago and now they can’t wake her.”

He knew it—she
had
called for him. The ding from the elevator disrupted his thoughts.

The unlikely pair rushed out of the elevator. Brad followed the nurse as her feet quickly carried her down the hallway, around one corner, and into another hallway. She rushed through the door on the right.

“Where is she?”

“She still in the scanner.”

“Get her out now,” nurse Betsy called.

Nurse Betsy grabbed Brad’s hand and pulled him through the authorized personnel only door with her.

Pale stillness greeted him. He rushed to her, covering her face with kisses.

“It’s all right darling. I’m here.”

Her lashes flutter but did not open.

“I’m taking her back to her room,” The determination in his voice suggested ‘a do not tempt me attitude.’

Nurse Betsy offered, “Here, let me take her.”

She glanced up at Brad, unsure what to think but realizing something unique existed between the couple.

“You hold her hand.”

They got Alexis back to her room and settled into bed; he curled up beside her. He lay with her against his chest for the longest time, trying to absorb all that was becoming known. How is this possible? She nestled closer as if she heard his thoughts. He caressed her hair as she continued to sleep.

So many times over the past months, the sensation of her within him had come and gone. He hadn’t thought much of it as a single event but now the connection was getting stronger. At first, he explained it away through their physical closeness but when he was unconscious, he believed she was the angel in his dreams. He sensed her helplessness and her pain even through his fog. What was this strange connection between them?

Alexis had awakened such deep emotions and feelings within him—emotions he did not know existed until he met her. They would have to explore this connection after she recuperated.

If she called to him, he wondered if she had also sensed the change—the deepness. For now, he lay content, holding her while she slept.

Alexis stirred in his arms as her lashes fluttered open. She watched Brad sleep.

She wasn’t sure she ever wanted to sleep again. Her reality far outweighed any dream. There was nothing more beautiful than watching the man she loved sleep. Peacefulness reflected in his face from his serene dreams. His soft breath made her world stand still as she caressed his jaw tenderly.

Images she recognized but didn’t understand filtered through her mind. She had never loved until Brad. Never wanted to give herself to anyone but now he held her captive with his love. No, that wasn’t true.

She had a choice that day on the balcony, and she chose to stay. Not because she had to but because she wanted to. This was where she belonged, wrapped in Brad’s loving arms. He was all she needed.

Her love for Brad defied all logic or reason. It was unconditional from the beginning and her life would never be the same. He ignited a flame in her heart and she loved him more than words were capable of conveying.

She leaned over and kissed his lips, “You are my forever.”

“
Mmm,
” as he pulled her tightly against him. “Darling, how do you feel?”

“Better, thank you for coming to get me.”

“How long have you been awake?”

“A little while.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“Because I love to watch you sleep,” her soft smile as sweet and innocent as she.

A soft knock at the door prevented any further conversation. People came and went the rest of the day—all wanting to make sure that she was all right.

Everyone sat around the now small room for Thanksgiving dinner. The scrumptious smells assaulted her senses. Her mother had made turkey broth for her to sip on, and while it wasn’t dinner, it was enough for today. She was thankful for her family—both old and new.

As much as she loved them all, she wanted time alone with Brad. She smiled, listened politely, and stole glances at her lover as often as possible. With each glance, she found him devouring her with his eyes. A hot aching shiver ran though her…she wanted his kiss.

“Mom, Dad…I love you both, but I’m tired, would you mind…?”

“No of course not dear. We’ll come back in the morning.”

Catherine sat on the side of the bed and brushed a curl from her face, “Do you know how much I love you?”

Alexis smiled, “Yes Mom…as much as I love you.”

Catherine kissed her on the cheek and rose allowing Phillip to say goodnight. He had not known the depth of his love for his daughter until it was almost too late. He had broken down on more than one occasion over the past few weeks.

Her strong father sat down beside her. Alexis thought he looked as though he had aged years since she last saw him.

His hands shook as he took hers into his, “Alexis…,” the tears streamed down his face.

“I love you, Dad,” she whispered.

“I love you too, my dear,” he could not say more—he simply kissed her on the forehead and walked away.

Brad came to her side. “Here, let me help you settle in so you can rest.”

“I don’t want to rest,” she insisted.

The concern was evident in his tender voice, “Alexis, you sent your parents’ home because you were tired.”

“We’ve had company all day,” she pointed out as she reached up, running her hands through his hair and down to his cheeks, pulling him close.

She whispered, “I need you,” as she kissed his lips.

He sucked in a breath of air at the depth of her kiss. She kissed him as if she had only that one moment—like there was no tomorrow. He was afraid—afraid to hold her too tightly. Afraid she might break but Lord he needed her.

Then he did not have to think for she melded herself into his arms. He heard himself groan under her touch. He was alive again—the feeling was wonderful! Nothing had changed. She would always be his.

A deep shuddering breath shook his chest as he broke the kiss, “Not being able to hold you, to kiss you, was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”