Papá's Girl

Dreaming

©JRF2016

I woke up the next morning to Shane's loud snores beside me. I smiled as I sat up and looked over at him. I ran my fingers through his dark, curly locks and leaned over to kiss him on the forehead before rolling off my side of the bed and standing to my feet. I pulled in my jeans and in the process of sliding my shirt over my head I felt two large hands slide across my hips. "Good morning." He whispered against my shoulder as he placed a soft kiss there causing me to smile once again. I have to admit I really missed the feel of his touch against my skin. "Non volevo svegliarti." {Didn't mean to wake you.}

"Non mi dispiace." {I don't mind.} "You can wake me up anytime you feel like it girl." I turned around still wrapped in his arms and saw the huge grin on his face. "I was just going to take a little walk, enjoy the quiet." I slid out of his arms and smiled devilishly at him, "Quindi non stare a sentire russare cosi dannatamente forte." {So I don't have to listen to you snore so damn loud.}

"Do you mind some company?" I shook my head and took his hand pulling him toward the door. "Wait," he laughed, "I think I need to put some clothes on first, don't you?" I turned and my eyes scanned his bare chest down to the boxers he had on. I smiled trying to hide the fact that all kinds of dirty thoughts were creeping into my mind at the sight. "Beh sbrigatevi bel ragazzo." {Well hurry up pretty boy.}

We were walking through the quiet little streets side by side. I kept glancing over at Shane who was grinning at me. That slick grin of his he always wore, the same one I despised at first but now couldn't seem to get enough of. He inched closer toe and intertwined our fingers before kissing me on the cheek. "I love you, Izzy." I stopped and turned to face him, staring into his big, chocolaty brown eyes when I heard a gunshot ring through the streets.

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As we walked I kept noticing Isabella stealing little glances in my direction and I couldn't help but smile at her. I can't believe Merle Dixon had a daughter, let alone one as beautiful as Izzy. I can't believe I'm in love with a Dixon, Merle Dixon's daughter of all things. I slid over closer to her and grabbed her hand intertwining my fingers with hers and kissing her on the cheek. "I love you Izzy." She turned around staring deep into my eyes when I heard the gunshot. I jerked my head around to look behind me but I didn't see anything or anyone. When I looked back to Isabella her eyes had grown dark and her limp body fell into my arms. "Shane!" I looked up with shock written all over my face to see Rick running up the street toward me, "What happened? Where'd that shot come from?" I shook my head but I couldn't answer him. When I finally managed to utter something it was just one word, "Help." I watched as Rick turned and yelled down the street but I couldn't hear any sounds except birds chirping. All I could focus on was Izzy. She couldn't die. I can't lose her. Not like this, not this way. I held her in my arms as I ran behind Rick back toward the house. I lay her on the couch as Carol stepped up to her, pushing me back out of the way and started working on her.

I've been sitting on the edge of this couch just watching her sleep for two days now. She hasn't so much as blinked her eyes once but now she is smiling. She's actually smiling. "Carol!" I called out, "Come here!" Carol came running in the room and stood in front of me now. "What's wrong Shane?"

"Nothing, nothing's wrong, this has got to be a good sign right? She's smiling." I looked up at Carol who flashed me a short smile as if she wasn't so sure but not to dash my hopes. "Right?" I asked her again and this time she squatted down beside Izzy to check her out. She finally answered, "Well, her heart rate is good, strong. She's tough. She could very well pull through this."