Chexton: Wounded Hearts & Battle Scars

Speechless

*April's pov*

[Three months later February 18th I wake up at 8am Ethan is staring at me I say:]

"Were you watching me sleep?"

"No. I'm turning off the alarm. So you can sleep in now go back to sleep baby."

"I have so much to do today. The house is a mess and I told Nick I'd help him pack."

"I called Nick and he's sick with the flu so you don't have to go over there. I can clean up the house."

"No the last time I asked you to clean the house it was a mess."

"That's because the kids messed it up right before you got home. The kids are gone for the next three weeks."

"What are you talking about? What did you do with my children?"

"They're with my parents now go back to sleep April."

"What if I don't want to?[I roll over so I'm on top of Ethan he laughs I kiss him and say:]"What if I want to snuggle with my very sexy husband?"

"You're so bad. Ooh you're burning up. Maybe I should check your temperature."

"That's cute. I like that."

"No babe you're actually burning up. Come on get off of me please?"

"I cannot be sick."

"Under your tongue."[April runs into the bathroom and slams the door I hear her start throwing up a lot I ask:]"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You don't sound too good in there."

"Go get a pregnancy test and ask Noah to come over and make chicken soup."

"I can make your chicken soup for you."

"No! I want Noah to make it. It's my mother's recipe. He knows how I like it."

"Okay. I'm gonna go to the store. I'll be back in a little while. Call me if you need anything."

"Don't forget to get Noah."[Ethan leaves I come out of the bathroom and watch him drive away. I take a long hot shower and get dressed I put my hair in a ponytail and start cleaning the house I'm eating ice cream and doughnuts in the living room in my fort when Ethan comes back he laughs and says:]

"Babe?"

"Hi honey."

"You made a fort? Are you feeling better then?"

"Yea. I'm good I actually wasn't sick. I just wanted you out of my hair for a little while. I needed some alone time."

"You know you could have just asked for some space."

"Yea but look how clean the house is. Hey bubba. How are you?"

"Good. Faking sick again?"

"Yea. I missed you how was your trip to visit Sarah's parents?"

"Good. She and the kids are still there I just wanted to tell you in person that we're leaving."

"Leaving Chicago?"

"Yea. I got this great offer from Massachusetts General in Boston we talked about it and we're moving in May."

"No. You promised me that you wouldn't leave!"

"April we both knew that one of us would leave one day."

"I'm just really going to miss you Noah."[Two days later it's Gia and Rafi's birthday I wake up at 6am and go on a run and to the cemetery I find Derek there he's putting flowers down he says:]

"Hey Rafi, Frankie your parents and Gia miss you so much. I just wanted to say thank you for looking after your sister in the fire. She shouldn't have made it out but you gave her the strength to try and save her friends. I also wanted to say thank you for convincing Frankie to go out with me. Everyone misses you so much little man but I know that you had to go so that your mom and sisters could find their true strength. I miss you Raf. Happy birthday."[I say a prayer and stand up I see Mrs. Choi sitting on a bench I go over and say:]"Good morning."

"So you're the one who's been leaving the flowers?"

"Yes. They're carnations Gia's favorite flowers. I hope you don't mind."

"No not at all. It's nice. Do you come here every week?"

"Every day. I've seen you here too but I just kind of waited until you were finished."

"Have you talked to Frankie?"

"We talk every night. She's okay and she'll be back soon I hope."

"Derek do you want to get breakfast with me?"

"I'd like that."[after she talks to Rafi for an hour Mrs. Choi and I go to Frankie's favorite diner The Julep everyone says:]

"Hey Derek."

"Morning everyone. This is Frankie's Mom, April. Mrs. Choi this is everyone."

"Hi guys."

"Hey Derek did you ask her yet?"

"Not yet Manny. Please be sure to check in with my girl. Her dad died and she's going through a rough time."

"Definitely but that's not gonna be a problem. She's in the corner been here since yesterday morning."

"Excuse me a moment please. Manny I'll have the regular and so will Mrs. Choi."

"Don't order for me."

"You're gonna love it. Coffee French vanilla with a shot of caramel three creams and four sugars."

"How do you know how I like my coffee?"

"Because that's how my girl takes hers too. Excuse me."[Frankie looks up and runs into my arms she breaks down crying and sobbing I hold her tightly as close as I can we hold each other for a while I take a step back and softly kiss her tears away and wipe her cheeks with my thumbs I whisper:]"I love you so much baby girl and I wanna make you my wife when you're ready."

"What's stopping you from asking?"

"I'm waiting for your mother to give me her blessing."

"Why do you need her blessing and not my fathers'?"

"I have your fathers' blessings. BOTH of them actually. I asked your mother for her blessing because you wouldn't be comfortable knowing that she was left out of it. You need her approval of me and us before we say I do. Once I have it I'll propose on a night that you wouldn't expect it and I hope that you'd say yes."

"I'm saying yes now because you're the only one for me."