The Wedding Issue

Chapter Twenty Five - Finding Neverland

The sky was a peaceful shade of blue this morning. The clouds floated around like fluffy, white marshmallows – it made me crave for a smore. The summer heat was refreshing for a change. The trees were greener than I remembered this time of year. The birds fluttered around whistling joyous melodies. The air, despite the notorious New York pollution, smelled fresh and light. My shiny, black Merc was waiting for me with its door open and a number of bouquets placed neatly inside.

After three weeks of non-stop sleep – I can't believe how I missed three weeks of my life with a blink of an eye – I was finally being released into the world. Sure, I was confined to a wheelchair for another week or so, and I had to wear a neck and collar brace because of my broken bones, but it still beat staying in the hospital.

I had grown sick of the white walls, the pungent hospital smell, and the steady heart monitor. I couldn't wait to get out into the real world and eat real people food. A double cheeseburger seemed like such an exciting idea at the moment. Maybe with some curly fries and a cheese dip. My waistline was the last of my worries today.

I don't mind hospitals as long as I'm not a patient in there. In that case, it was hell on earth.

Benji got out of the car to greet me. His smile was both happy and sad, but his eyes were heavy with worry. It was on rare occasions that I got to see the loving father side of him. He took the bag full of medicines and handles of the wheelchair from the nurse who rolled me out, and then he rolled me to the car. I could feel how tense he was by the way he gripped the handles.

'How are you feeling?', he said as he helped me up and gently placed me into the car.

'Like a million bucks', I said.

He chuckled, assuming I was being sarcastic.

I really didn't feel all that bad despite what I went through. It could be the result of the painkillers. It could've been worse, though. I could've died, or worse; stayed as a vegetable forever!

'Is there anything I could get you?', he asked, his voice breaking.

'Yes. You can get me home to the not-so-surprise welcome home party you guys have planned for me.'

'Nothing runs by you', he said as he leaned on the car door and gave me a crooked smile.

'I was born this way', I shrugged it off wittily.

The ride home was longer than I expected, but it gave me time to work on my surprised face. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much it hurt like hell – primarily because of my broken bones. I felt like I was a kid again and that Benji was my playmate. We were making funny faces at each other and laughing uncontrollably. What a fun way to start the day!

I was also very eager to see Killian. There were so many things I wanted to say to him, that I just didn't know where to begin. I feel like I was born anew with this fountain of courage flowing through my chest, which I also think is the result of the sedatives in my system.

I felt his warm hands touching mine. He held me so tight that his palms were sweaty – and I didn't mind it. I felt his soft lips caress the skin on my hand, practically making love to it. Some of his kisses were soft and sensual, others were wet and hungry, but all were equally arousing. Did he know that I felt his presence so profoundly?

He made me feel things and think things I never thought I could before. Before the accident, I used to think it was scary what he could do to me, but now I feel empowered by it. I felt a new surge of strength that restarted the beating machine in my chest. It made the world hazy and my eyes lazy and the thoughts in my head completely and utterly crazy.