Imperfectly Beautiful (Jordan Knight Fanfic, Liadan #3)

Results and Routines

-MARIA-

My head pounded mercilessly as and leaned back against my hospital bed and mentally went through a checklist of all my aches and pains. Every inch of my body felt unbelievably heavy and all I wanted to do was go home and crawl into my own bed as quickly as I possibly could. I was beyond exhausted and couldn't stop myself from wishing that I'd just gone with my first mind and stayed home—going out had been far more trouble than it was worth. A million blurry memories ran through my head all at once and I felt unbelievably confused and unsettled.

The sound of a knock on the door made my already achy head hurt even more and I winced as I closed my eyes a little tighter before I finally gave in to the instincts of my body and opened my eyes to find piercing green orbs blazing into mine. A flush of red filled my cheeks and my heart rate quickened.

"She lives."

"Please tell me I'm in the middle of a nightmare," I whispered as I closed my eyes again and tried to shut out the Southern accent.

"If you're in a nightmare, I think we're having the same one. You gave us all a scare there for a second, Maria, and I think I stay pretty calm under pressure. How are you feeling?"

"Alright," I bit my lip and sighed deeply as I turned my head to look at him, "Please tell me the part of me propositioning you was a nightmare at least?"

"What?" Eli looked puzzled, but the slight glint in his eyes told me he was playing dumb for my sake.

I had made a complete fool of myself rambling about his "sexy" eyes and practically begging him to sleep with me.

My face blazed even hotter, "I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry, Maria, I have no clue what you're talking about," he shook his head. "And even on the slim chance that I did, it wouldn't be anything worse than I've done myself in a time of heartache, so trust me, I get it."

"You do?" I asked.

"I do," he nodded. "Heartbreak is a tricky thing. I've just learned over time that trying to find solace for it in a liquor bottle just makes it worse."

I sighed deeply, "I'm sorry I ruined your night."

"You didn't," he shook his head. "I was just people watching anyway."

"Still," I bit my lip. "Sorry. I'm sure you've got to get home to your daughter."

"Yeah, but I didn't want to leave until I was sure you were alright. I think the doctor went to talk to your family."

"Oh?" I asked and he nodded.

"She wouldn't tell me anything—HIPAA and all that, but I can send a nurse in on my way out to update you."

"You don't have to," I shook my head. "You've done far more than enough, Eli. Thank you. For listening to my drunken rambling and for saving me."

"I didn't do anything that anybody else wouldn't do," he gave me a smile. "Just consider it my first good deed of the New Year. That's my daughter's New Year's Resolution—to do at least one good deed a day and I promised her I'd join her on it."

I softened, "That's sweet."

"Yeah, my Elaina's a sweetheart. She gets it from her mama."

"If you ask me, she gets it from you too," I said.

"Well, thank you," Eli smiled and pushed himself up from the chair. As wrinkles in his pants fell out and he ran a hand over his brown hair, I realized that he must've been sitting there for a while.