Racing for Keeps

Chapter 20

Shawn's POV

"Camila I can't believe it's your last day here.  We have never been more excited to discharge a patient than we are to see you get out of here" my girlfriends doctors say as everyone surrounding us starts to get emotional.  Tears of joy at how miraculously Camila has recovered overwhelm everyone in the room.  Her favorite nurses share a group hug as her doctors shake hands with my parents and Sinu.

It's been several weeks since our last little excursion, and after a long, hard decision, the Mayo Clinic doctors finally feel comfortable letting Camila be discharged.  She'll have a couple more follow-up appointments here before we head back to Indiana, but there are a couple more things I have planned before we leave Arizona.

One of which is silver, shiny, and reminds me of how much Camila lights up my life.

As I watch Camila's face morph from sadness, to joy, to relief, and finally to love; I can't help but think how lucky I am we didn't lose her in that earthquake.  How lucky I am to have such ab incredible strong, stubborn, and unbelievable woman at my side.  The world has thrown more than its fair share of trauma, grief, and other ups and downs in her path and she's beaten them all head on.

I turn away from the goodbyes to take a moment and stare out the window of our hotel at one point I'd thought would be a permanent fixture in my life and let out a deep breath as tears start to form.  This world doesn't deserve her, and I know I certainly don't; but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying to show her how much she means to me.  How lucky I am that after all the shit we've been through, she's forgiven me and loves me still.

A small, warm hand intertwines with mine as I feel her presence envelope me with warmth.

"Hi baby" she says softly has I wrap my arm around her.

"Hi honey" I reply as I place a gentle kiss to her temple.  "How are you feeling Mila?" I ask.

"It's hard to put into words right now... Overwhelmed, sad, excited... there's just so many things I'm feeling.. but mostly thankful and loved" she says as she turns me to face her.  Gently bringing my lips down to hers, we share a brief but meaningful kiss.  Tears stain both our cheeks as I wrap my arms around her and we both sigh in relief.

"You're welcome baby" I say as I respond to the thankful look I can read on her face and see in her eyes.  "I'd do anything for you!  Always my love" I whisper as I muzzle my face into her neck, breathing in her scent and committing this moment to memory.

"Okay guys, it's finally time to spring Camila out of here!" James teases as he comes up beside his sister.  "Thank you again man for everything.  I'm glad I was wrong about you" he smiles at me while shaking my hand.  "You weren't always wrong" I chuckle, but nod none the less in silent acknowledgement.

"Got everything?" I ask my beautiful girlfriend before looking around the room one last time checking to make sure we didn't miss anything.

"I think so" she replies in a somber tone.. "God, I can't believe this is really happening... I'm finally leaving this place" she says while looking around the room before locking eyes with me.  "I finally get to go home with you" she says as tears run down her cheeks once again.

Rushing to her, I hold her tightly in my arms as all her emotions poor out.  "It's okay baby, I got you.  Let it all out" I coo as I gently rub soothing circles on her back.  "It's okay to feel whatever you need to feel Camila."

"What...what if I'm not really ready?" she sobs.  "What if something goes wrong once I leave here?"  Holding her tighter, I signal for everyone else to go ahead while I cradle her in my arms.

"Camila... Mila baby... The doctors are some of the best in the world.. Your scans have been clean for the last couple of months, and we've been having sex like rabbits" I chuckle as she lets out a snort and laughs.. "Everything is going to be okay.  You are safe, you are healthy, and you are mine baby, and I've got you.  To the moon and back baby, I've got you for the rest of time" I say as I hug her even tighter before pull back slightly, cupping her face in my hands.  "I love you, and nothing and no one is going to keep us apart ever again.  Okay?"

"Okay" she responds as she lets out a big sigh; her shoulders sagging as if she's just let the weight of the world off her shoulders.  "I love you too Shawn... Thank you for coming for me, never giving up on me and loving me through it all."

"There's nothing I'd rather being doing" I reassure her as I bring my lips to hers.  We share a kiss so sweet, so tender; it feels like the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. 

Breaking away before things get too heated, I lace my fingers through hers with one hand, and grab her final bag with the other.

"Let's get you out of here baby..  We have lots of things to do, and so much more time to do them."

She smiles up at me before pulling me along, and slamming the door shut behind us as if officially closing this chapter on our lives.  As we make our way through the building and out the front door, she pulls me down for one last kiss in the place that we've called home for almost a year.

"Here's to the next chapter baby, and whatever comes next" she whispers as she grabs my keys and leads me outside.  "I'm so ready baby... I'm so ready!" I smile as we get in the car and drive to our house for the night.