Back to Reality

~Chapter Twenty-Four~

Asher's POV

"Death cannot stop true love, it can only delay it for a while."

An angelic smile lit up her face, and I couldn't help but to smile too . . . And apparently neither could the doctor.

"Well, I suppose that's true. You can check out as soon as you fill out this paper. You have a ride home I presume?" He said looking from me to Sam.

"Yes, she will have a ride home," I replied.

The doctor left, and then it hit me.

"Uhh, Sam?"

"Yes?"

"Umm, I have refused to leave your room, and my parents have refused to leave the hospital. I mean, you don't have to meet them right now . . . I feel bad for kind of having to spring this on you, but ---"

"Asher," she said, "I would love to meet your family."

I felt a wave of relief. "I mean, you really don"t have to. Most people have a while before they have to meet the parents. I could just go and ask them to leave."

I was concerned for her. I didn't know how her having lost her parents would affect her feelings toward mine.

"It's okay," she said, assuringly. "I would really like to meet them."

I smiled, and gently kissed her on the forehead. "You just wait here. I'll go and get them."

I turned around, but I felt her grab my hand. I looked back at her, and she said, "I'm actually excited. I hope they like me." She looked down at the ground. I put my hand under her chin, and lifted her head.

"Look at me, Samantha. They are going to love you."

"You really think so?" She asked, with a hopeful smile.

"If they don't, then I'll know that aliens have abducted my real parents."

She giggled, and let go of my hand.

"I'm going to get them. I'll be right back." As I was walking out the door, I paused. "I love you Sam. More than anyone or anything else."

As I walked down the hall towards the waiting room, I had an idea. And being the terrible person I am . . . I went with it.

I hung my head, and walked forward. Shuffling and looking at the ground.

Bingo

I heard a chair slide, and someone hurrying over.

I felt my mother's hand on my shoulder. "Oh honey, I'm so sorry."

"I just, I just want you to meet her," I said softly. Holding back a smirk.

"I know honey, but . . . wait, what?" She said.

I looked my mom in the eyes. "I said I want you to meet her."

I'm not gonna lie, it felt good to play a prank again. I hadn't done that in a long long time. My mother apparently noticed this too.

She hit my shoulder, but a big smile lit up her face. "That wasn't very funny Asher. We don't see or hear from you for a week, except that you don't want to see us, and now you pull a mean prank---"

"Aww come on mom. I know you aren't mad at me. That's the first prank I've played in a long time, and you know it." I said, raising an eyebrow.

Her smile widdened. "I know."

I turned around, and saw my dad behind me. "Hi dad."

"Hello Asher," he replied, and drew me into a hug.

"We were both worried about you," my mom said, getting in on the hug.

"Well," I said. "Umm, that's all fine and dandy and all, but Samantha is waiting for us."

My mother stepped back. "Ohh, that's right! I'm sorry, let's go!"

She was practically bouncing up and down. This would be the first time I ever brought a girl for her to meet. I could tell she knew just how important to me Sam was, and that pretty much automatically made her important to my mom too.

"Alright, if you're ready, then right this way." I said.

My mom turned to my dad and grabbed his hand. "Let's go Daniel."

I turned and started down the hallway. "This way," I said.

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A/N

Read on my Lovlies

"Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn't exist and never shall. There is only now." - Christopher Paolini