Wanting Mr. Barkley (Book 2)

Chapter Nine . . .Lucky

Chapter Nine . . .Lucky

Karen's POV

The next day after the attack, I was able to leave the hospital and I did so happily despite the fact that talking was almost impossible.

The fact that I was leaving with Derek by my side was more than enough to put a smile on my face.

"You doing okay?" Derek suddenly asked me as we pulled up to my house.

My response was a nod, and he smiled back at me. I wish I could tell him how much I loved that smile, but my throat was worse than it was yesterday, and even a whisper caused excruciating pain.

"Well, we're here. Stay in your seat and I'll get you out." He said as he shut off the engine and hopped out of the car. He ran around to my side and opened up the door, and I went to hop out but he stopped me. "No sweetheart, let me help you." He whispered before putting my legs in his arms and lifted me up like I weighed nothing.

"De-" I couldn't finish his name due to the coughing fit.

"Karen, relax honey." He said gently as he walked up to the door. "There's a surprise for you in here, and I need you to stay calm." Surprise? Stay calm? I began to panick which only caused Derek to chuckle. "I said stay calm not panick." He moved his hand to open the door and when he did I was greeted by balloons and flowers filling the room.

I blinked a couple of times to adjust to all the color in the room. "Do you like it?" He asked me and I nodded wanting to say it was beautiful. "Good because there's more." He carried me into the living room where there were more flowers, more balloons, lit candles, and a cake.

Derek gently put me to my feet and I walked over to the cake. Tears formed in my eyes as I read the description, "Welcome home Momma! Hope you are feeling better! I love you!"

"Mom!" I heard and turned to find Garrett with a grin on his face and Derek standing behind him. I opened up my arms to him and Garrett ran in them while sobbing. "I thought I lost you!" He cried and I shook my head and kissed his cheeks.

"Your mom is a fighter Garrett, we could never lose her." Derek said and when I looked up he had tears in his own eyes. I smiled at both of them before my throat was suddenly dry and I began coughing horribly.

"Mom?" Garrett asked and I pulled away from him and covered my mouth.

"Uh, Garrett why don't we let your mom rest, huh?" Derek's voice came closer and then suddenly there was a pair of hands on my shoulders.
I shook my head.

"I'm fine." I said hoarsed.

Derek led me over to the couch and sat me down. "Garrett get your mom some water, please." He said turning to Garrett and then back to me.

"Karen, how are you feeling really?" I looked into Derek's eyes and realized I couldn't lie to him.

I sighed and instead of using words I laid my head on his chest. I was so tired and wanted to sleep, but clearly my baby needed me. I felt a hand on my back begin to rub circles.

"Okay. It's okay." There was a kiss on the top of my head.

"Here mom." I heard a small voice say and when I pulled my head up I saw Garrett holding a glass of water, shaking. I sighed and took the water out of his hand and pulled him into my lap despite the pain in my ribs.

"I'm okay." I whispered to him and he snuggled up into my chest.

"Don't leave me mom, please." He whispered and I shushed him and looked up at Derek who only looked like he wanted to help.

"I won't." I whispered again and kept rocking him gently in my arms until I heard a soft snoring. I smiled at my baby and fixed his hair.

"De ja vue." Derek mumbled and I looked up to him to see shock in his face. I tilted my head to the side to see if he would continue. "The first time you came to our house, it would of been late, remember?" I nodded. "Well, you had him in your arms and rocked him to sleep with a bottle in his mouth. I thought you were an angel at first, you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen." He looked at me before adding, "Still are."
I adjusted Garrett in my arms before grabbing Derek by the shirt and kissed him as hard as I could showing him how much I adored the man.

When I pulled away trying to get air, Derek kissed my cheek. "Why do you do this to me Karen?" I couldn't help but giggle quietly while he adjusted himself from the kiss.

"I'm going to take him to his room, he's probably worn out, you should be too." I nodded in agreement as he lifted Garret from my arms, and took him to his room.

While I was alone I couldn't help but smile. How was I this lucky? After everything I did, and what I had to be, why would God give me such a wonderful man?

"What are you smiling about?" Derek teased as he walked back into the room. I could only shrug. "It has to be about something?" He continued as he sat next to me on the couch making me bounce a bit. "Karen what happened the last time you wouldn't tell me what you were laughing about?" I scootched my body away from his remember that the last time this happened would of been when we were teens and it started as an arguement then ended in a tickle fight.

I pointed my finger at him and shook my head.

"Okay. I won't but seriously, you are horribly injuried after being attacked by some stupid asshole and are smiling. What the hell as you so excited?" I silently chuckled and shook my head before leaning over and kissing him on the lips gently. He sat there frozen almost like he didn't expect it, but before he could even react I pulled away with a grin.
His cheeks turned a pinkish color and he ran a hand through his hair.

"Two kisses in one day, I think it's time for someone to go to bed." He said as he stood up and picked me up bridal style. "You know I could get use to this." He said as he began walking towards the bedroom.

"What?" I croaked out and he smiled at me.

"Carrying you to bed, and treating you like a queen." He said and I gently touched his cheek as we approached my bedroom.

He untucked the covers and put me down. "Do you want your socks off?" He asked nicely and when I shook my head he covered me back up with the blankets. "Comfty, baby?" I nodded.
"Good. I'm going to spend the night if that okay?" He asked.

"Absolutely." I managed to get out making him grin.

"You know you shouldn't talk so much, you are only causing yourself pain." I rolled my eyes at him and he did the same to me. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He chuckled and pulled away but I grabbed his arm. "What is it?" He asked concerned.

"Stay with me." I said and began coughing. He sat me up and began tapping on my back like I was a baby, and eventually I stopped. He sighed in relief and gently lowered me back down.

"Okay, no more talking." He warned jokingly but I could tell that everytime I coughed it caused him pain. I nodded and patted the spot next to me.

"Are you sure?" He asked not sure of himself. "I know you want to take this slow." I only rolled my eyes and patted the spot again. "Okay." He whispered to himself and made his way over to the other side and slipped into the covers next to me. He threw his arm around my waist and kept me close to his chest. "Is this okay?" He whispered in my ear, and I nodded trying to suppress a shiver.

"Goodnight Karen." His voice warmed my body and before I knew it I was drifting into a peaceful sleep, but before I was fully out I heard soft words from Derek's mouth whisper.
"God, how did I get so lucky?"