The Arrangement

Confession

I tried to wake up so many times but my body was numb and wouldn't let me move to get my heart beating faster. Sleep dragged me into itself repeatedly. When my body finally decided to cooperate I didn't know if I wanted to wake up anymore.

My eyes fluttered open and I saw Tyler sitting beside my bed. His hand was holding mine and his head was resting on the edge of the mattress. He kept muttering things to himself and I didn't know if he was asleep or if he was awake and just exhausted. I smiled at him.

Tyler's shaggy blonde hair was unkept and his body looked exhausted just by his stance. I was burning up under this blanket and wanted to move but I couldn't help but stare at him, wanting to see his eyes. "Tyler." I whisper. He doesn't move and instead continues muttering to himself. I chuckle. "Tyler." I repeat, this time louder. My hand squeezes his and he still doesn't move.

Either he's a deep sleeper or he's just exceptionally tired.

I sit up, moving the blankets gently. Tyler doesn't move. I smile and run my thumb over Tyler's hand. He shakes his head but doesn't wake up. My hand runs through his hair, tugging gently. I liked the feel of his hair in my fingers. His silky locks flowed between my fingers smoothly and I found myself thinking I could do this all day.

"Tyler." My voice is warm, and I smile as he sits up blearily. His eyes are squinted and he has to blink a few times before his face lights up and he tackles me back down to the bed in a hug.

"Oh my god Jasmine. You're okay! You're alright... You- I'm probably crushing you." He backs up off of me quickly and I chuckle. Tyler's smile makes all of my worries, all of my pain go away. "Jasmine." He says quietly. His hand cups my face and I relax into his touch.

I don't wait for Tyler to kiss me. I jump out of the bed and wrap my arms around his neck, crashing our lips together. He chuckles into the kiss and then wraps me up in his arms and returns the passion that I put behind the kiss. When I pulled back for air I leaned my head against his chest and smiled a smile that only he could give me.

"There's people downstairs that have been waiting for you to wake up." Tyler says quietly. He runs a hand through my hair and I just close my eyes at his touch.

"It was Jake and Victoria." I say quietly. Tyler sighs.

"I know." He says, a tint of anger in his voice. "But they've been dealt with."

"My parents are dead." I say after that. Tyler is silent for another moment.

"I know." He continues to soothe me by running his hand through my snarled mess of hair. "I'm sorry." He whispers gently and kisses the top of my head. I look up slowly and he looks back at me with such intensity that I can't help but admire him.

"Tyler?" I ask quietly. He gives me a small smile.

"Jasmine." Tyler returns.

"The marriage... I know it's an arrangement and I know that you didn't want to at first but I have these feelings for you and-" Tyler silences me with another kiss.

"I knew I was gonna have to shut you up more." He chuckles. "I love you too Jasmine." He kisses me gently once more and joy springs up in my heart. "Now c'mon you lazy bum let's go tell people you're alive."

I take Tyler's hand and we slip down the stairs. Smiles surround me and I don't know that anyone had ever been more excited to see me than the small group waiting for me. Andrea was crying happy tears and Richard surrounded me in a protective hug. I saw Cathy with a steaming cup of mocha and Roy was grinning off to the side.

Tyler kept me close to him and my smile would not leave my face. After our meeting and the look over to make sure I was truly okay, we sat down and enjoyed a delicious batch of gooey cinnamon rolls that Cathy made. I found myself relaxing.