Ranger's Apprentice - The Afterwards

Ch. 30

In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.
That's how Maddie's consciousness went. On the ride back - which admittedly was pretty short, though it felt like ages - every bump Biter hit sent her into a frenzy of pain. If her leg ever got jolted she would yelped and Horace would apologize.
Finally, they reached the castle. Guards swarmed around her and Horace as her father dismounted and carried her in his arms.
"I hate it when...when people have to help me..." Maddie said through hard breaths. Her father laughed softly.
"Well, at least you're letting me help." He said.
"I've learned my...lesson, Dad. I know...that I was-" she must have been straining for the words as much as she felt she was, because Horace stopped her.
"Maddie, I'm glad you learned a lesson, but don't use your energy on speaking. Just rest." He said.
"But...I want to be awake when...we see Mom and Jason...I want them to know I...I'm okay."
"Alright," her father said. "Just relax then. How does that sound?"
Maddie smiled sleepily. "Okay."

They reached the apartment and Horace kicked the door as a knock. Will flung it open.
"About time," he joked.
Maddie smiled again. "We were fighting the guards."
"I see," Will said, laughing. He stood aside as Horace walked Maddie over to the couch she'd come to hate for this very reason.
"I'm going to get a doctor," he said as he laid her down.
"Okay." Maddie replied. Horace smiled and stroked her cheek once with his hand.
"I'll be right back." He said.
"Okay, Dad." She said again, not disrespectfully.
He ran out the door and Will walked over. Before he could do more than crouch beside her and take her hand, Cassandra and Jason ran into the room.
"Maddie? Are you okay? Oh my- your leg is so bad!" Her mother exclaimed. Maddie laughed.
"Thanks, Mom." She said. It truth, Maddie was a little worried about her mother. She looked as though she'd had a breakdown. Her eyes were redrimmed, like she'd beed crying and she hadn't slept in days. Her hair was pulled back in a messy little bun.
"I'm sorry, Maddie." She said and she knelt beside Will. "I'm so glad you they found you."
"Me too." Maddie smiled. Then she turned her eyes to Jason and nearly gasped.
He looked worse than when the bandits had gotten them. He obviously hadn't had his wounds attended. His hair was everywhere. He looked like he hadn't even sat down since she'd sent him back on Bumper. He looked ready to drop.
"Hey," Maddie managed.
"Maddie." Jason choked.
Will leaned over to Cassandra and whispered into her ear. The woman nodded and the two of them stood. They smiled at Maddie and left the room.
Jason quickly took Will's place by Maddie, holding her hand.
"Maddie I- I didn't know what happened to you-" Jason began choppily. He stopped and took a deep breath.
"I was so worried about you, Maddie." He managed.
"Jason, you look like you haven't rested at all." She said. He smiled sheepily.
"Your mother offered me a bed, but I refused. I...I couldn't sleep. I couldn't even sit still. I was so angry at myself for leaving you." He said.
"In your defense, I did send Bumper out on a mission for me. I told him to take you home and not stop for anything."
"Well, he did a good job," Jason laughed. Then he got serious. "But next time, let me help you. Don't send me away without you."
Maddie cocked her head to the side, confused. "Why?" She asked.
"Because I..." He stammered. He took another breath and stared Maddie in the eyes. "Because I love you with all my heart." He said.
Maddie stared back. He'd said it. He had actually said it. She'd felt it the whole time, but he said it.
"I love you too," Maddie told Jason, still in shock of actually voicing her feelings.
Jason leaned down and kissed her. Not like in the meadow, when it was quick and rushed. Now, he kissed it like he meant it. Like he knew this is what he wanted. She kissed him back, the same feeling in her mind. When they pulled back, Maddie sighed.
"I need to go see my parents. Let them know I'm okay." Jason said. Maddie nodded.
"Clean yourself up first," she advised. Jason smiled and kissed her gently on the forehead and left the house. When the door closed, Will and Cassandra came back.
"He left? What happened?" Will asked as they made their way back around to Maddie's side.
"You mean you weren't watching?" Maddie asked. Will laughed.
"No," he said. "I've learned my lesson on that."

Decision: I believe I will make an epilogue next and end the book. Part of me is sad about it because I loved how active you all were with me on this book! But if I continued, it would just be too much. So, any other updates will probably be on the Ranger's Apprentice Quick Stories. Thank you guys SO much for being so active! A special s/o to RedRose-Arrow for being with me from the beginning! And thanks to the rest of you guys for being so consistently active and helping encourage me to keep writing! Ily all!