According to his memory

Chapter 33

3 days later...

Cheyenne Flint

Everything around us seems to like going wrong. Mike still hasn't responded to anything that the doctors are trying but he had just switched over his next of kin to CJ who was barely awake enough to think. She has been waking up for an hour or so everyday but hasn't really talked to us yet. She still is on a lot of medications. We haven't told her about Miles or Mike. But for her the only thing she has in the next coming months is grief and decisions that can ruin her entire world. Rose walks in with a thermos, a duffel bag and a few books in hand.

"What are you doing here? It's not your weekend." I say as I recognize what she's doing. We had decided to switch on and off for weekends until this whole chaotic roller coaster stopped. I had been sitting and talking with Mike for an hour or so and then switched off to CJ.

She just gave me a simple smile before saying, "Here." She hands me a rolled up piece of paper that is tied up with a golden sparkly ribbon. I open it carefully so I don't ruin it.

Gracie, I know a lot is happening right now but you have to remember to take time for yourself. Get ready and meet me outside in ten minutes -S

Happy little butterflies erupt in my tummy as I smile at the handwriting. Rose offers the duffel she had on her shoulder. "I didn't know what you wanted so I picked out three outfits." I hug her quickly before taking the bag into the bathroom to decide and change into something to wear. I end up in a pair of jeans, a white crop top, and a green cover up. Scott definitely had something to do with these outfits because he loves me in the crop tops which I never wear unless going to sleep. I come out giving Rose and unconscious CJ a little fashion show. Rose does a quiet clap and takes a photo of me.

"Now get out of here and have some fun!" She erupts with giggles motioning with her hands for me to leave. The biggest grin fills my face and just as I am stepping out of the room I turn back. Rose sits down in the chair next to CJ and holds her hand whispering who knows what to her. I walk across the tiled floor and give CJ a kiss on the head before reaching out for Rose's hand and giving it a kiss as well. "Thank you."

Scott is waiting outside for me. I spot him instantly in my favorite forest green button up and slacks. "Hey Gracie." His smile is wide as he notices me approaching. I roll my eyes at him. "You look amazing."

"You would think that wouldn't you?" I question knowing he was the mastermind behind all of this. "Only you would have picked this out for me." His cheeks turn a shade of pink that I love as he puts out his arm, offering it to me. I take it and allow myself to be led to the car. Scott opens up my door, making sure the cover up isn't hanging over before shutting it, then gets in himself. The sky is already spraying gorgeous colors as it says goodbye to the sun and waiting for the embrace of the moon and stars. We drive for a while before entering the city and parking near the pier.

"So what are we doing?" I ask smiling up at him. He grins back before getting out of the car leaving me answerless. He opens up my door and offers his hand to help me out. I take it, "I'm going to play along with this little game of yours but I want you to know that I'm onto you."

He chuckles, still remaining silent while he intertwines his fingers with mine. We walk down the pier that has been decorated with twinkling lights for the light festival this coming weekend. We stop once we have reached the end and he looks at me. "Do you trust me?"

My heart starts to race and I don't have a clue what he is referring to but I nod. He looks down at our hands, bringing them up so he can kiss the top of mine. "Gracie, Marry me." He said it so quietly it was lower than a whisper.

My heart was beyond racing at this point. "What?" He cups my face with both of his hands and kisses me, really kisses me. He pulls away and my head feels dizzy. "Marry me, Cheyenne Grace." he says with his hands still on either side of my face so all I can look at are his eyes. "Marry me so everyone will know your mine and I am yours. Marry me so if something bad happens I will die being happy because I'll be married to you. Gracie, I love you and I don't want to lose you. So marry me."

My mouth is dry and a tear escapes going down my left cheek. "No." his face drops and he removes his hands. "Scott, we can't do that right now... I can't-" I start crying as I try to give my explanation to him. He shakes his head and backs away as if he has been hit.

He is about to say something but is cut off by a voice in the distance. "Did you hear that?" He asks as his entire demeanor changes to one resembling an alert animal. He skimms that space and buildings near the start of the pier and I hear it this time. It's a shout. Scott grabs my hand and leads me to the commotion but keeps me behind him, using himself as a shield. Soon the voice is clear.

"Help!" We start running. Scott and I search between buildings and anywhere else the voice bounced off of. Neither of us could pinpoint exactly where it was until finally we stumble upon a group of bars. Scott puts a finger to his lips telling me to stay quiet as he peeks out from behind a dumpster. He motions with his hand to come and I do. He grabs my face and kisses me again. "Call 911 and stay hidden, do you understand me?" I grab his arm and look him dead in the face. He shakes me off, undoing his shirt a little and messing his hair up before fake stumbling out onto the scene. I look out from behind the dumpster to see a group of five men beating another who they have kicked to the ground against the wall. The man is bleeding and groaning in pain. He tries to call for help again only to be met with a kick to his face. As his head is forced up by the kick I recognise him... Vince.