Rose In Bloom (33 page)

“He’s a tough, stubborn boy, but I think you of all people know that.”

“Yes.” I say, looking down.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Drake.”

“Skylar, I told you a long time ago that my friends call me Rebecca.”

“I just thought after everything…”

She pulls me back in for a hug. “He will always love you, but you can’t make your heart feel something that isn’t meant. You will always hold a place in my heart dear. I miss our chats,” she whispers in my ear.

Stepping back, she releases me and looks down at my stomach.

“May I?” she asks and I nod. Smiling, she gently slides her hand across my stomach.

“Do you know what you’re having?”

“We’re having a daughter.” I say, grinning as Sebastian comes behind me, gently placing his arm around my waist.

“I’m so happy for you both. It is a miracle that you are all right. Sebastian told me about the attack. I do hope that they catch the person responsible.”

“Yes, thank you.” I say, looking over her shoulder.

“Do you think I can see him?” I ask her.

“Why of course. Come with me, dear.”

Sebastian hesitates to let me go, but then falls back, shaking hands with Michael.

My eyes zone in on how bruised and swollen Lucas looks lying there in the hospital bed. So many secrets we all share, secrets that will only remain between us.

“What is SHE doing here?” Chandler says, storming towards me.

“You’re not seriously going to let her in here, are you? She is nothing but a fucking two-timing bitch!”

“CHANDLER!” her mother interjects. “You will stop this behavior now!”

“It’s the truth and you know it! He’s been so hung up over her that it’s probably why he’d had the wreck in the first place!”

“Chandler, let’s go.” Michael says, digging into her arm.

Wincing, she jerks free and comes right at me, pushing her mother aside. Before I can react, Michael has his arms wrapped around her waist, carrying her out of the room.

“Put me down!” she screams and kicks, but Michael continues.

Sebastian comes in the room, his eyes full of concern. I’m more shocked than anything.

“Are you all right?” he asks, turning to face Rebecca. “I think it’s time we get going.”

“I’m so sorry for my daughter’s behavior.” Rebecca apologizes. “Please don’t rush off.”

“We need to get back. We have friends waiting for us there.” Sebastian explains.

“Can I have one minute private with him, please?” I plead.

“Skylar,” Sebastian says, shooting me a stern look.

“Just one minute and I’ll be right out. I promise.”

Nodding, he follows Rebecca out of the room, turning to give me one last pain-filled look. I mouth ‘I love you’ to him and he gives me a weak smile before he walks out, shutting the door behind him.

Walking closer to the bed, I slowly reach out and take Lucas’ hand before squeezing it.

“Lucas. It’s me. It’s Skylar. You did it. You saved the baby and me. I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough for that. I will always care for you, Lucas. I need you to know that. You’re one of my best friends and I’ll always love you. Your family needs you, Lucas. We all need you to wake up.” Giving his hand one last squeeze, I bend down and affectionately kiss his forehead.

Backing away, I turn to walk back to the door, but I’m halted by something I hear. Mumbles, to be exact. Turning back around, I see his head turn and his mouth move. Running to the door, I throw it open.

“I think he’s waking up!” I shout. Suddenly, the room is flooded with people. Falling back to the side, Sebastian and I wait with his mother for the doctors to finish their exam.

“My dear girl, I don’t know what you said, but you brought our boy back,” Rebecca says, throwing her arms around my neck.

“I... I really didn’t do anything.”

“We need to be leaving,” says Sebastian but Rebecca grabs my hand and pulls me to her.

‘Please don’t leave. I’m sure the doctors are almost through. Besides, I know he’ll want to see you.”

“Mrs. Drake?” the short doctor calls from the doorway of Lucas’ room.

“Your son’s asking for you,” he says smiling.

Rebecca beams and then pulls me with her into the room. Nervously, I look back to Sebastian, who is biting on the inside of his jaw. He follows us to the doorway and then stops, propping himself on the inside of the door.

Lucas turns his head and smiles when he sees his mother rush towards him. Not wanting to intrude, I hang back and allow them to have their moment.

“Oh, you scared us all to death. I was so afraid I was going to lose you.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. You know I’m not going anywhere.”

“Oh, honey, Skylar’s here,” Rebecca says, turning to me, motioning for me to come closer.

“Skylar?” he says, confused.

Nervously, I move towards his bed. As I approach, his green eyes take me in and he blinks back to his mother in confusion.

“Hi there. You sure know how to scare people,” I say, teasing. Shifting in the bed, he looks back at his mother.

“I’m sorry. Are you a friend of my mom?”

Stunned, I look to Rebecca. Surely, this is just Lucas making a joke to lighten the mood.

“Lucas, that isn’t funny,” Rebecca scolds him.

“Mom, I’m not being funny.” Facing me, he asks, “Am I supposed to know you?” His face is serious and my stomach grows sick.

“It’s me, Skylar. You don’t remember me?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I don’t. Trust me, I’d remember a pretty face like that.”

Rebecca looks at me and swallows hard. I feel Sebastian’s hands come around me.

“Sebastian?” Lucas says in recognition.

“Yeah, how are you feeling man?”

“So is she with you then? Is that how I am supposed to know her?”

“Skylar’s my wife, Lucas.”

“You’re married? Wow! Man, I guess I really hit my head hard then. You and I have always been the same when it came to women.”

“You really don’t remember her?” Rebecca asks.

“No, but I’d have given you a round for your money if I’d have seen her first,” he says, winking at me. Sebastian squeezes my shoulders.

“We’re going to let you rest.” Sebastian says, rubbing my arms. God, even now, he sends electrified chills up and down my body.

“I’m glad you are awake, Lucas. I know someone will be taking good care of you,” I say, nodding to his mother.

“Well, she’s good, but I’m hoping for a sponge bath from that hot nurse that just walked out,” he says, winking at Sebastian.

“I’m sorry I don’t remember meeting you before, Skylar. I guess I hit my head pretty hard. Hopefully by our next meeting, I’ll have my memory back.”

“Take care, Lucas.” I say, holding the sadness inside. When we turn to leave, I know Rebecca is waiting to speak to us privately.

“I’ll walk you out,” she offers and we both nod.

“Send that hot one back in Sebastian. Tell her I feel faint.” He laughs.

Once we are in the lobby, Rebecca pulls me in her arms.

“I’m sure it’s just his injuries. He had such swelling. The doctors warned us this may happen. Just give it time.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine, in time. I’m just glad to see him awake.”

“We are, too, honey. You look so tired. Let your husband take you home so you can rest. I’ll be in touch, okay?”

“Thank you, I think I will.” I say, hugging her goodbye. Sebastian is there with the wheelchair, and it isn’t until then that I realize just how exhausted I am. Easing down into the seat, I rest my hand on my stomach.

“Don’t make yourself a stranger, young lady. Maybe once Lucas is recovered, we can meet for lunch. I really miss talking with you.”

“I’d love that. Goodbye, Rebecca.”

“Bye sweetheart,” she says, patting my face. “You take care of my girl, Sebastian.”

“Yes, ma’am. You can count on it.” he replies, kissing my forehead lovingly.

Neither one of us has spoken since we left the hospital. I think Sebastian’s trying to let me process all of this.

“I can’t believe he doesn’t remember you,” he says, breaking the silence as he turns off our exit.

“I know. Maybe once the swelling goes down, he’ll start getting his memory back. I think this kind of amnesia is pretty common in head injuries.”

“Yeah… I’m sure he’ll remember eventually. Maybe, though, with everything that’s happened, it’s for the best that he doesn’t,” Sebastian says as he turns into our long driveway.

“Maybe you’re right,” I say as he parks in front of the house.

“What are you talking about? I’m always right.” He places his hand on my stomach. “Do I need to remind you, Mrs. Thorne?” he teases.

“You are really something else, you know that?”

“Yes, I am, but only because I have you.” He presses his forehead against mine. “I’m so glad to have you home,” he says, before giving me a deep, passionate kiss.

A hand slapping the passenger side window interrupts us.

“Okay, like, can you get your tongue out of my best friend’s throat long enough so I can give her a hug?”

God help her, you have to love my best friend.

Nik is grinning like a Cheshire cat so I know something must be going on. Kylie swings open my door and helps me out of the vehicle before carefully throwing her arms around my neck.

“I’m so glad you’re home!”

“Me too! Thank you guys so much for flying in to check on me.”

“Are you kidding? Of course, I was coming here! Besides, we have a surprise for you.”

“You didn’t have to do that, Kylie. I’m just so thankful you’re here.”

“Come on, hussy, I can’t wait for you to see.”

Walking up the stairs is proving more painful than I thought, but Sebastian is right there scooping me up.

“I thought I was too heavy for this,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Never!”

When we reach the top of the stairs, Sebastian carefully eases me down to my feet. Placing his hands over my eyes, Kylie instructs him where to place me.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I had to do something about my soon to be Godchild’s room.”

The nursery? Oh HELL no! There is no telling what the woman has done in there. She’s probably decorated it in naked man posters and condoms.

“All right, are you ready?” Kylie asks.

“Hmm.” I tease her and I feel Sebastian’s body shake as he chuckles behind me.

“Oh, shut up bitch and open your eyes!” She snaps and Sebastian moves his hands away from them.

The moment I open my eyes, I am in complete awe. Instantly, my hands fly to my mouth in astonishment. Never in all of my life have I ever seen a more beautiful room. The once cream walls are now a soft shade of light pink. Beautiful, white lace curtains tied with a pink sash hang from the large windows. Frilly pillows with beautiful designs fill the window seat. But when my eyes see the gorgeous white crib, I lose it. Above it, painted in the shape of an infinity symbol are the words,
Love is forever. My forever is with you.
Painted below the words is a beautiful white rose in full bloom.

“Well? What do you think?”

“Oh My God, Kylie! I-I LOVE it!” I say, my eyes filling with tears.

“Do you really? At first, I was just going to set some of the furniture up, but I couldn’t stop myself when he told me you were having a girl. I went a little mad in the baby department, I guess.”

Pulling her in for a hug, I’m fighting the pregnancy hormones and emotions. I don’t want them thinking I’m a crying mess all of the time.

“Hey! Where’s my hug? I did put the crib together and move furniture, for goodness sake.” Nik chimes in, walking into the room.

Laughing, I release Kylie and throw my hands around his neck to thank him.

Sebastian chimes in, a shocked expression on his face. “You mean you put my kid’s crib together? The place where my tiny little baby will sleep? Um… yeah, we will be making sure that that is well secured first. Remember, I’ve seen your handy work.” Sebastian teases, earning him a punch in the stomach from his cousin.