Decisions

Chapter 9

I woke up and confusion filled me. I wasn't in my bedroom and there were arms wrapped around me. Then realization hit. I was at Nick's and Joe was home. At that a smile took over my face and I turned over so that I could look at the beautiful man sleeping next to me. I softly pecked his forehead and his arms tightened around me. I swallowed a giggle. He was absolutely breathtaking. I am so happy he is home. I remember calling the center and finding out he was coming home.

I was standing in Nick's kitchen with him and the rest of his family. We had just got done Christmas shopping. They came down early so that they could shop and visit Joe. "Do you think I should call them and see if they'll let us bring him presents, Denise?" I asked his mom. She stood in thought for a second. "Yeah, I think that would be a good idea sweetheart." She said. So I took out my cell phone and dialed the familiar number that I called at least once a day so I can talk to Joe. While it was ringing I walked out of the room so I could have more privacy. "Twin Oaks Rehabilitation Center. This is Melody speaking. How may I help you?" Melody asked once she picked up. "Hello, this is Janine Mason." I spoke. "Oh hey Janey. Hang on one second and I'll transfer you to Mr. Jonas' room." She said. "No actually that's not why I called. I was wondering if we could bring presents when his family and I come to visit him on Christmas Eve." I told her. "Hang on one second Ms. Mason." She spoke then put me on hold. I waited for a few minutes. "Ms. Mason?" She said. "Yes?" I asked. "It seems Mr. Jonas has a release date set for Christmas Eve." She said. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "How come he didn't tell me?" I asked. "It seems that he doesn't know yet. The doctor just decided today." She said. "Oh ok. Well could we keep this a surprise? Like not tell him at all?" I asked. "I will tell the doctor to keep this a surprise." She said. "Okay thank you so much!" I said and hung up. As soon as I hung up I squealed. My baby will be coming home! I ran into the kitchen, "What's wrong?" Denise asked. I shook my head. "Nothing! They are releasing him on Christmas Eve!" I told her. She too along with everyone else squealed and cheered.

I smiled while recalling the memory. Joe moaned softly and his eyes fluttered open. "Good morning beautiful." He croaked with his oh so sexy morning voice. "Hey handsome." I said then leaned down to peck him on the lips. "Come on, let's get up and go downstairs with the rest of your family." I told him. "Okay. I am so glad I am home." He smiled. "Me too." I told him and then we both got out of bed to go downstairs. When we finally made it downstairs into the kitchen we were greeted by his family and the smell of breakfast cooking. Everyone's head snapped up when Joe and I walked in. "Hey guys." We said in unison then chuckled. "Good morning baby." His mother said and approached us. She wrapped her arms around him as he did the same. "Did you sleep well?" She asked him. "Yeah, I slept like a baby." He said. Then she greeted me. Once all the greetings were made we sat down at the table and said a quick prayer before we ate. "Come on guys! Presents!" Frankie yelled. We all laughed and once we were all finished we headed into the living room and gathered on the floor. I said in between Joe's legs. The rest of the couples were pretty much in the same position. His mother and father were on the couch and Denise was snuggled into Paul's side smiling down at us. We were laughing at Frankie's enthusiam. That kid is just too cute. Once it was Joe's turn he reached for a small box and handed it to me while smiling. "What's this?" I asked. "Well, open it and find out." He said. Once I opened the box I gasped. There was a silver necklace with a key attached to it. I smiled. "Thank you Joe. It's beautiful. But when did you get this?" I asked him. "I had some help." Came his reply. I smiled. Once all the presents were unwrapped Joe looked at me. "Wait I think there is one more." He said. We all glanced under the tree to see a teeny tiny box. "Who's it for?" I asked. He reached for the box and handed it to me. "You." He said. I quickly unwrapped it and immediately I was confused. "What is it?" Frankie asked from his spot where he was playing with some new robot he got. "It's a key?" I said. I looked up at Joe. "I know these last few months have been really tough and difficult but to be honest they would have been much more difficult if you weren't by my side. Will you move in with me?" He asked. I faintly heard the others awwing. Tears flooded my vision. "Yes!" I squealed then kissed him passionately, once we pulled away I looked at him. "You will?" He asked. "Yes." I told him. He smiled so wide and kissed me again. The rest of the day flew by and by the time we went to bed Joe hadn't wiped the smile off of his face. "I am so glad you are gonna live with me." He told me. I smiled again. "Me too." I told him honestly. "I can't wait to wake up to your beautiful face everyday and kiss you good night every night." He told me. He is just too sweet. With that I leaned over and kissed him. "Good night Joe." I told him. "Good night beautiful." He replied. We laid down, Joe wrapped his arms around me and we fell into a blissful sleep together.