Love Is Blind

Heading Home

  It hadn't taken terribly long to free us from the confines of the elevator car. Twenty minutes, maybe a half an hour at the most. It wasn't enough time. I needed more time with Lacey to finally weasel a real answer out of her.

  Firefighters, police, and quite a few co-workers rushed over to us. Desperately, they all tried to talk to us and figure out what had happened; they tried to see if the two of us were okay. Thankfully, a couple of paramedics shoved and weaved their way through the thick throng of loud people, making their way to us.

  "Just as a precaution, we really need to check the two of you out. No hospitals unless something is wrong, but it is best if we at least examine you both to make sure you're alright." One EMT explained to us.

  Another broke in, her face just as stoic as the one before her, "Legally, we can't force you to get checked out by anyone, even us. It is highly recommended, though. Better safe than sorry."

  Appealing to what the two emergency workers probably thought was a pleading case, we nodded. They seemed almost grateful that we didn't put up any sort of fight, and I guessed it was from the sheer amount of people that were packing in around us and how hard it would be to coax two unwilling people to get checked out.

  Lacey stumbled a little as her cane constantly smacked between peoples feet. It wasn't her fault, and the space was so cramped with people that I didn't blame her when she skipped right past sorrys. Deciding that things would go much faster if I helped, I wrapped a helpful arm around Lacey's waist gently.

  "Jake-" She began, using the familiar nickname even though I'm pretty sure she hadn't actually meant to.

  "Shhh," I whispered against the crown of her head, "Just hold on."

  Again, she went to speak, to ask what I meant by 'hold on', but I didn't give here the chance. Sweeping her off of her feet gently, I picked Lacey up and held her in a bridal-like fashion.

  Letting out a surprised, but subdued squeal, Lacey wrapped her arms around my neck quickly. Dropping the cane to the dip that her body created as I carried her, she held on for dear life, "What are you doing?"

  Keeping my voice low, more because I didn't want to add the chaos and noise of the rest of the crowd than anything, I explained, "I am helping you through the crowd so that we don't drown in bodies."

  Any other time, I am sure that Lacey would have giggled, but this time she didn't. Instead, her bottom lip was being worried, her face covered in what I could only describe as realization.

  Not too long later and I had pushed us out of the swarm of people that had swamped the elevator and main lobby. Carefully, I set Lacey on her feet, allowing her to catch her balance properly before I let her go.

  The air outside was much lighter without so many people crowding around us and adding to the density of the atmosphere, but winter was just around the corner and so an icy wind whipped around us.

  Seeming apologetic, the paramedics we had met earlier led us to the backend of an ambulance parked just outside the building.

  "Is she okay? Was she hurt?" The female EMT instantly stepped closer, placing a steadying hand onto Lacey's arm.

  Shaking my head, I removed my eyes from the emergency vehicle and looked her in the eyes, "No. She's okay. It was just easier to carry her out here than to try and let her walk her way through that kind of a crowd. We would have never made it out here in time."

  Smiling softly, she nodded at me and dropped her hand, "Smart idea. Okay, who wants to get examined first?"

  Making sure Lacey went first, I stepped off to the side as they made sure she was okay. (Even if I knew she was, I would rather her be examined first, just in case.)