Protected

Garden Intimacies

Carson and I hobbled outside to the garden, where we seated ourselves on a bench. I adjusted myself to a position that caused me the least pain, and turned to him.
     "Alright dude. Dish." I directed, indicating that I wanted to hear how our escape came about.
     "Well," Carson said, getting into his story, "After I had passed the pen to you, I headed back into the study to finish cleaning. Boss had just left, and the computer was on. I thought to myself, how about I find out the closest Californian police force? Just in case our plan fails?"
     I interrupted Carson here. "Why should our plan fail? I'm perfectly capable of creating and executing a good plan! And why not call Mexican police?"
       Carson shushed me, and continued. "It was just in case our plan failed, and American police are more what I'm used to, and maybe more reliable. Anyway, I finished up in the study and headed for the dining room when I realized Boss, Smalls, and the 3 guests were already eating. After a moment of watching them, I realized they were all high, and that nobody was keeping guard of you and I."
        He paused, and I encouraged him to go on. "So I headed back into the study and Googled the closest Californian police force. I called the number with the study phone. I was a little worried about whether there would be an issue because we were in a different country, but it turned out that because we had been a pretty big alert in the U.S., they could come over and handle it."
       I grinned. "That was good thinking Carson." I complimented.
        He smiled and went on. "They showed up at the door, and I was already panicky because I knew you were upstairs with Boss. One guy handcuffed Syd, Smalls, and the guests while the other 3 rushed upstairs. You know what happened from then on."
     I nodded then asked, "How far are we from that house?"
      "You were in the ambulance for about an hours ride. A little loopy, but yeah."
     I whistled. "I didn't realize they drove me so far. Wow. Where was Syd in all of this?"
      "He was lurking in a corner of the dining room." Carson answered.
        I sighed and looked at him. "How can I ever thank you for saving me, Carson?" I asked, my face inches from his. He looked into my eyes and smiled a crooked little smile.
     "No need to thank me. I was being a hero." He said gruffly.
     "Oh." I said, and wrapped my arms around him. "Then this is for being my hero." I said, hugging him close to me.  
      I looked up, his eyes inches from mine. Adoration and devotion glowed in the sapphire blue pools. My vision dropped to his lips, and next thing I knew I had my lips pressed to his. "And that," I whispered, smiling. "was for being with me and for me the whole time."
       His face was still inches from mine, and he grinned. "I think that's sufficient thanks." He said huskily.

I was laying in my bed, Carson was on the chair. The two days had gone painstakingly slow, but our parents were due to arrive any minute. I perked up, hearing my fathers rough voice down the hall.
       "Yes," he was saying. "We're Nick and Brenda Nahorm, and this is Cal and Liz Trayco. Our children were brought in a couple of days ago?"
      I looked at Carson, knowing his joy filled eyes were mirrors of my own. I couldn't hear the receptionists reply, but I heard my father say 'thank you' and footsteps rushing to our room.  
       Carson's parents walked in first, and without hesitation Liz rushed to her son. I looked up at the door as my parents walked in. My mom gasped, and her hands flew to her face. "My baby." She whispered hoarsely before rushing to my bedside.
       I reached my arms out to her and held her tight. "Mom!" Tears streamed down both of our faces, while she stroked my hair. "I was so worried."
         She pulled away and studied my face. My dad butted in and stole me.  "Daddy."
      "Sweetheart." He wrapped me in a bear hug and squeezed. I winced and whimpered. "Oh what was I thinking. You're hurt. Where are you hurting hon?" I pointed to my injuries and e nodded, knowing to be careful of those areas.
      My mom took my face and gently kissed each bruise and almost-healed scratch. Then they sat on the bed, while Carson's parents dragged in chairs, and we told a very generic story of our nightmare. I was keeping my arm hidden but eventually I told them I had broken something and pulled it out.
      I must admit, I did it very dramatically. Upon seeing my arm, my mom paled, and covered her face with her hands.
      Liz and Cal gasped and my dad gaped. I looked to each of the faces I loved, shocked by how horrified they were.
      My mom, her hands still over her face, gave a stifled sob, her shoulders shaking. I watched, stricken, as tears leaked from under her hands.
     Liz gently took my mom, and saying, "We'll be right back," escorted her out of the room. I sat on my bed, crestfallen.
    "I knew it was bad," I whispered. "But I didn't think..." I couldn't continue.
       Carson got up and sat next to me, on the other side of my dad. Glancing up, he said to our fathers, "Could I have a minute?"
      A number of emotions flickered across my dads face, including hesitation and denial, but my dad knew it would be good for me and nodded.
       Carson and I were alone. Taking my shameful arm, he brought it to his lips, gently kissing each fingertip. "Your mother was just shocked, Lexi."
     I shook my head. "Shocked in a bad way. Horrified, she was."
     Carson frowned. "Alexia, I'm telling you. She just didn't expect it. I'm sure your mom still loves you, and it won't be an issue in the near future." He tilted my chin toward him, forcing my eyes to meet his. "Your mother will love you anyway, just like I do."
       He leaned forward and kissed me gently. I melted, and knew that he was right. My mom was tired, and surprised. She would be perfectly perfect with my imperfection.