Breathless (14 page)

“Is it okay that I know the truth?” Peter asked, keeping his attention on the road. “I forced Lainey to tell me if that helps at all.”

Jon laughed. “It’s okay. I hoped Lainey would have someone she could trust. I sort of dropped a big bombshell on her before disappearing for a long time. I’m glad she told you.”

“I’m just glad you saved my daughter. Twice. You saved her from the water and you saved her from her own grief.”

“Dad –”

“I mean it, Lain. He did save you. Especially when your mom and I couldn’t, and for that, I will be eternally in his debt.”

Lainey smiled, taking Jon's good hand. “I know. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay him, but I will always be grateful he saved me and I got to save him.”

Rachel was waiting outside the house, holding up a big sign welcoming Jon home. Peter got out first and walked up to his wife, giving her a kiss and allowing them to have another moment alone before Jon was under supervision in the living room.

“Are you ready for this?” Lainey waited for him to smile.

“I am. I’m gonna be with you, so I can’t see a way things wouldn’t be good.”

“I really hope you remember that when Rachel feeds you a ton of her delicious cake and forces you to play Monopoly for hours on end.”

Jon sighed. “Lainey, I love you. For better or worse.”

*~*~*

Two days had passed. Jon’s side was healing well, but his shoulder was causing him some discomfort. He didn’t say it, but Lainey could see the lines of pain around his eyes and how tired he was. She’d taken to sleeping in the chair after Jon fell asleep and sneaking away before he woke. He wasn’t sleeping well, but neither was she. Lainey hadn’t told him about Becca. She wanted to, but she didn’t know how. Peter and her mom were both at work and Rachel had gone to breakfast with a guy from school she had a crush on. Gosh, kids grew up way too fast! Lainey carried a tray into the living room, seeing Jon was sitting up already and awake.

“Good morning. I brought you some breakfast.” She set the tray down on the coffee table. “How are you today?”

“Sore. I’m very sore.”

“I can get your pain medication, but you have to eat something first or it won’t settle in your stomach well.”

Jon nodded, thanking her. Lainey waited as he ate the pancakes before giving him the water and his medication. She smiled when he swallowed it without chewing it. He’d come a long way in a few weeks. The two sat in silence as he finished eating.

“Are you okay?” Jon asked. “You seem distracted.”

“Yeah. Would you like to go outside and sit on the porch for a while? It’s nice outside this morning.”

“Sure, I’d like that.”

Lainey helped Jon up and out onto the porch swing. She stuffed a pillow behind his back to help him lean back. After going into the house to get another pillow for his arm, she sat beside him and pulled her knees up to sit cross-legged. Her hands shook. Jon noticed and grabbed her hand, rubbing some warmth into her fingers.

“Something happened while you were gone,” Lainey said. “Something important.”

“Did you fall for Oliver? If you did, I will go without complaint,” Jon teased. “I didn’t know you liked the stubborn type.”

Lainey gently bumped his good shoulder. “No. I did actually forgive him and we hung out. He kind of found out what you were and wanted to help me find you. Sorry, I should have said something.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you didn’t fall in love with him.”

Just do it.
Lainey closed her eyes and focused on breathing as the swing moved back and forth. “They found Becca's body.”

Jon was quiet. Lainey could hear birds tweeting and the breeze moving through the trees. “I’m sorry. How are you doing?”

“I’m actually doing okay.” She opened her eyes and turned a little to face him. “I didn’t take it well at first. I had a panic attack and passed out, ending up in the hospital. But I’m doing better now. For one, you’re with me again. Also, it’s... nice to have closure and know she isn’t out there anymore. Her parents can bury her body and find peace. Becca can rest in peace.” Lainey was surprised no tears were falling. “I’m not falling apart anymore.”

“That’s good. How did she die?”

“She died how they thought. She drowned. The storm moved her body and covered her in sand in a small cove. Two young boys found it when playing hide-and-seek. I feel bad they had to find the body, but I’m glad they did. I’m glad it’s over.”

Lainey stuck her hand into her pocket and pulled out the evidence bag with Becca’s necklace. She unzipped it and dropped it onto Jon’s palm. His rough hands held it up and his fingers ran over the letters.

“Is this the necklace Becca was looking for?”

She nodded. “Detective Archer said it was around her hand when they found her body. She found it.” Lainey wiped her nose on her sleeve. “I want you to have it.”

“You can’t give me this.” Jon shook his head. “I can’t accept it.”

Lainey curled his fingers around the necklace, and placed her hand on top of it. “I’m giving it to you as a gift and a sign of my love for you. Becca would have wanted you to have it. You’re my best friend now. She’d want me to move on, just like you said. It’s very special to me, but you are more special.”

It took a few minutes for Jon to say anything else. “Thank you, Lainey. I will treasure it always.”

“You’re welcome.”

Lainey opened his hand and took the necklace. She wrapped it around his wrist and clasped it. Jon gave her a warm smiled before kissing her softly. Her body melted into the kiss. Lainey traced a small circle on his back before Jon pulled back. He put his arm around her and they sat on the porch swing, moving back and forth in an even rhythm. They watched the waves crashing upon the beach. It truly was a beautiful day.

“What will you do once you’re feeling better?” Lainey asked, wringing her hands nervously. “My parents love you, but I doubt they’ll let you stay here forever.”

“I was thinking of traveling and seeing everything the world has to offer.”

“Oh, that sounds nice.”

“Lainey, I’m kidding. If I go anywhere, I want to take you with me. Once I’m better, I’d like to get a job and find my own place. It doesn’t really matter as long as I can still be with you.” Jon kissed her. “What will you do, Lain? You can do anything you want.”

“I’m not exactly sure what I wanna do. I think I’d like to find a way to help others who go through situations like mine. Maybe I’d like to be a grief counselor. I can help them learn what not to do.”

“I think it’s perfect for you.”

The temperature started to rise as the heat of the summer day began. Lainey and Jon stood up to move inside to the air conditioning. He wasn’t quite ready to endure the heat of the day yet. Jon kept his arm around her as they walked.

“What shall we do with our afternoon?” he asked.

“I was thinking we could watch another Disney movie. I have one I’ve been waiting to watch with you. It’s called
The Little Mermaid
. It’s about a young mermaid named Ariel who longs to live on land and to love a prince named Eric. With the help of her friends, Flounder, and Sebastian the crab, they help Prince Eric fall in love with Ariel. It’s one of my favorites.”

“It sounds like a wonderful plan. As long as I’m with you, I’ll watch any movie.”

Lainey laughed. “I think you’ll change your mind on that if I make you watch
Twilight
. Don’t worry, I’m not cruel. Just don’t tell Rachel I said that. She loves that awful movie.”

“I promise. Especially since I have no idea what it is about.”

“Trust me; it’s a good thing not to know about.”

Lainey opened the door for Jon and walked him back to the couch. She adjusted the pillows behind him before popping in the movie and sitting down to cuddle with him. Halfway through the movie, Jon looked over at her as he ran his fingers through her hair.

“I love you, Lainey.”

“I love you too, Jon.”

He sighed. “I love you, but I don’t have a friend named Sebastian and there is no King Triton. Does that change anything?”

Lainey rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t change a thing. My love for you is better than a Disney cartoon. I’m all yours.”

It was a day of celebration; the three long months of recovery were done. Today was the day the doctor told Jon he was officially healed. No more physical therapy or nights of restless, pained sleep. Everyone decided to celebrate by spending one last day at the beach. The weather was getting colder and fall moved in quickly. Lainey grabbed the picnic basket and followed Jon to the sand. Her dad, mom, and Rachel were already laying out the blanket.

“Come on, Lain!” Jon teased.

Lainey had made them late since her shift at the café went a little long. She’d resumed her waitress job until the spring semester to go to college. Jon was taking paramedic classes to work at the hospital. It turned out he liked helping people other than just damsels in distress.

“Coming!”

Lainey set her blanket down as she said hi to her parents and ran to the water’s edge. Jon had already kicked off his shoes and was running in the water. It felt so good to see both of his arms stretched out and no pain on his face. He was truly happy and Lainey felt the same way. She slipped off her flip-flops and followed him into the water, letting it splash on the hem of her light blue dress. Jon ran towards her and picked her up in his arms. She screamed as he spun around before setting her on her feet. Lainey almost fell, but Jon steadied her, putting her arms behind his neck and fiercely kissing her. She tasted the sugary coffee on his lips and soaked in the smell of the cake Rachel had helped her bake for the picnic.

“It’s just like the scene at the end of that movie,” Jon whispered.

“What movie?” Lainey tried to catch her breath from the kiss. “
Twilight
?”

Jon groaned. “I still haven’t forgiven you for making me watch that, but no.
The Little Mermaid
. Ariel runs up on the beach and kisses Prince Eric. Then they live happily ever after.”

Lainey ran her hand down his cheek. “Life isn’t a fairy tale.”

“No, but this moment is.” Jon moved Lainey’s hands, getting down on one knee in the water and pulling a small box from his pocket. “I know it’s kind of sudden and we haven’t known each other for more than a few months, but there’s no one else I’d want to be with. There are other fish in the sea, but none as beautiful as you. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life saving you and making you happy. There’s nothing else I’d rather do. Lainey, will you marry me?”

Lainey pressed her hands to her face, unable to breathe. Tears of happiness welled in her eyes. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you.”

Before he could say another word, Lainey pulled him to his feet and kissed him with everything she had. He loved her and wanted to marry her. It was more than enough.

“I love you, Jon. Thank you.”

“I promise I will spend the rest of my days loving you, Lain. As long as I don’t have to sing any cheesy songs about being part of your world.”

Lainey laughed. “Just shut up and kiss me. I love you more, Jon. I always will.”

First of all, I would like to thank my family for loving me and my crazy dream of writing the stories floating around in my head. A special thanks to my sister and brother who put up with some odd Barbie playing while I was testing stories. I love all of you. Thanks for supporting my dream to publish books and sometimes act like a serial killer when I’m in a bad mood because a character isn’t behaving.