The Love of Jury Duty

Awake

My eyes hurt and I felt fuzzy. Where was I and why was I so tired? I rubbed my eyes into focus and slowly looked around. A hospital? Why am I in a hospital? And I was alone. Of course I would be.

My eyes focused across the room at the multiple bouquets of flowers and I smiled. I grinned at the one closest to me. It was a bunch of peach roses, my favorite, and I knew exactly who they were from. The door opened slowly and I sat up the best I could without pain and grinned. He was carrying another big bouquet of roses and he gasped and grinned seeing me

"Are those for me?" I teased

"Lilly! I've missed you. I've been so worried. It's amazing to see you awake and smiling."

He kissed my lips repeatedly and carefully hugged me. I was so happy that I wanted to cry. I was scared he wouldn't be here. He pulled away and set the beautiful white and yellow roses next to the others across the room

"Are they all from you?" I smiled

"No, most of them are. One is from Gabe and Jake. One is from the guys at the shop and the rest are from me." He smiled

"What happened? I remember Lindsey showed up and Mike took me out to my car."

"Someone in a truck veered into your lane and hit you head on. You were trapped and they had to use the jaws of life to get you out."

"Oh." I mumbled looking down, "so it was really bad?"

"It was bad. But you weren't hurt as bad as you could've been. You had a concussion, broke a couple ribs and had a collapsed lung. You also sprained your ankle, partially tore your ACL and your pelvis was fractured. You've been asleep for about a week to let your lung heal and just give your body a break."

I laid there looking down trying to process everything. I was grateful it wasn't worse but I felt bad that I worried him and made him upset.

"What's wrong? You don't know everything. Are you ready?" He smiled

"Ok" I half smiled suspiciously

Nick smiled and sat on the edge of the bed facing me. He was so handsome. His green eyes, his smile, the way he looked at me. I was so in love. He took my hand and searched my face

"We live together. When I come home I come home to you. Mike helped me move my stuff in. That house is so lonely without you...just so you know."

"Really? For real?" I whispered

"For real. After the ambulance left Lindsey confronted me. I got some of the guys to help me pry open your passenger door enough to get in. I was with you until they took you away. She was watching from across the street. I told her and she told me to never come back. It's just us and our kids. Just like I promised. It's all I've wanted."

I bit my lip and tried so hard but I couldn't help it. Nick pulled me to him carefully and held me close as I cried. Having Nick with me every day is all I'd wanted for the longest time. I wasn't sure I was ever going to get it. Crying made my chest hurt and feel like it was ripping apart, but I was just so overcome with emotion I couldn't stop myself. He caressed my hair and my back softly and kissed my head.

"Don't cry Lilly. Please. Are you sad?"

"No." I mumbled, "I'm just so happy and emotional. I never thought this would happen. I love you Nick."

"I love you so much. I do have one more question."

I sat back and sniffled wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. This was a more serious question. I could tell by the tone he used. I watched him curiously