The Beginning of Us (89 page)

“I'll be right here if you need anything.”  I say as I kiss her forehead.

She only uses me to hold the hose for her when she's putting soap on and to wash her back. 

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Eaven

It's a workout just to take a shower. I wanted to take a shower with Talon, but I saw how disgusted his face was when he saw my body. I just want normalcy back. I want to feel like life will go on and everyone will make it through this hellacious week. I'm nervous about going to the police station. I know that what I did, I had to do to survive. It just makes me nervous that I have to do anything at the police station. I don’t like to go there for any reason.

“Are you ready sweetheart?” My dad comes in while Talon is still in the shower.

“Just about. I hope the doctor comes soon so I can get this over with. Will mom be there?”

“Yes she's going to leave Avery with the sitter and meet us at the station.” My dad isn’t really a talker. He's a thinker. I can tell his mind is going strong.

“What’s wrong dad?”

“I'm just thinking about everything you have been through recently. I'm proud of how strong you have become. You make me very proud.”

“Thanks dad. I don’t feel very strong right now. I'm scared out of my mind that something bad will happen today at the police station.”

“Your mother and I'll support you one hundred percent. We will fight anything that they try to throw at you. You have such a great support group surrounding you.” He starts to think again with his face looking concerned. “Tell me, do you love Talon?”

“Yes dad.” I say curiously. Why is he asking me this? “Why?”

“I'm just checking in on my girl. I see the way you look at him. He saved your life Ev. I know how bad you were in that river and Ivy told me how close you were to slipping from that rock. I'm glad to see you find someone who makes you happy.”

“He does make me happy.”  I say just as Talon opens the door to the bathroom. 

“Well I'm going to see if I can find the doc.” My dad leaves the room and I'm left with the fresh scent of hospital soap lingering through the room as Talon makes his way near me.

“Who is this asshat that makes you happy? Because I’m gonna kick his ass?”

“He's just some sexy guy who has my heart!” Ok that sounded a lot cheesier out loud than it did in my head.

“I’ve been thinking!” I say quickly.

“What about?”

“I would like to take home the cards from all of my gifts and ask the nurses to distribute the flowers and balloons to patients who don’t have any.” I say hoping that doesn’t sound corny.

“I fucking love you,” is his only reply.

We get cleared from the doctor with orders to see my primary physician in two weeks.  I'll have separate appointments for my leg in four weeks.  I have luckily mastered walking with crutches. 

We meet everyone at the police station.  Mike leads the way through the entire process.  I tell the truth about what happened.  They make me listen to the voice message and I explain my thought process along the way.  We made a trip out to the river and I had to see where the guard rail is missing and explain what happened.  I'm not really much help at the river since it was dark when I was there last time and the current pulled me down river so quickly that I was disoriented about my exact location. 

Mike finishes our meeting by telling them that if they have any further questions to notify him.  He informs them that we fully intend to cooperate with their investigation, but that he will put all of his resources into making sure I'm not convicted if they try to arrest me.  I researched Mike Wheeler.  He's cut throat and down to business.  He's known for winning cases.  

It's a couple of days later that we finally get the call from Mike saying that the DA has decided not to file charges against me and that the evidence proves that it was self-defense.  The toxicology reports showed that Nicole had high levels of narcotics and anti-depressants, which helped my case tremendously. 

Talon and I are both so relieved that I think we sleep for twenty-four hours straight. I have been staying at his house since my apartment is upstairs. I have had so many visitors the last few days wishing me well in recovery and the case.

Ivy instructed the guys on what to move from my apartment.  I ask for my laptop and camera so I can edit photos while I'm on Talon enforced rest.  He's serious when it comes to me resting.      

Talon arranges it so that Avery spends a day with us also.  She's so energetic.  He takes her outside to paint for a while so I can study some.  I'm working extra hard to get caught back up on my classes.  I'm so glad that Ivy is in class with me because she helped me so much.  I keep working on study guides so that we can review easily when an exam comes up. 

I get released at my two week appointment to go back to class.  It's difficult to maneuver around campus on crutches, but I have the help of many each time I move.  It's quickly turning into fall and I really want to be out of this cast and to be back to normal. 

Talon and I spend every night together in each other’s arms.  We have retained a level of intimacy somewhat, but we have been limited.  My body is still bruised and Talon is extremely gentle anytime he's near me.  This cast is a blocker in itself.  I miss our moments together, but I know that we will fall right back into the rhythm once I'm completely healed. 

I love how much he's taking care of me, but I'm ready to be independent again. Tomorrow is my 22
^nd
birthday and Talon has invited everyone to Smitty’s for a party in hopes of cheering me up.  Ivy and I'll be going out for the day so I can get out and have a girl’s day.

~Chapter Seventeen~
 

Talon

“Are you sure you are ready for this shit? You have only known her for a couple of months.” Taron is trying to talk me out of surprising Eaven tonight.

“Yes I'm sure. I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”

“Did you ask her dad and all that traditional shit too?”

“Yes actually, I did talk to him in the hospital.”

“You have got to be kidding me.  You are a big whipped pussy.” 

“Whatever! I'm not locking you into a life-long commitment so keep your fears to yourself. I'm not going to let her go another day without knowing how I feel about her. Shit, she could have died. Life is short brother, you have to live it.”

“That is what I'm telling you. You have to live it up!”

“I'll live it up with the girl I love!”

“Are you dropping the band?”  He has every right to question my loyalty to the band.  I have not been to the last two practices because I wanted to stay home with her. 

“No. I'm in and as committed as I have always been. I just won’t be giving you any competition in the groupie love department.”

“Huh, like you were any competition anyway.”

“Do you not remember that we are identical twins?”

“Bro, it’s your lame ass personality that lost you girls.”  He says, smugly. 

“I disagree!  It was your slutty ass personality that lost you THE girl!”

“She never even saw me that day. Her eyes were glued to your dark ass the very second the girls entered Smitty’s that first night.”

“What is the story with you and Ivy?” We don’t normally share details about girls, but he does know all about my past two relationships so I think it’s his turn to spill.

“There is no story. We are just friends. I would like to be friends with benefits, but she isn’t interested in my supposed ‘rot cock’. So we are just friends that tease about sex.”

“That must suck!”

“You have no idea. I'll break through Miss Poison Ivy soon.” I notice how contradictory his last two statements are, but choose not to point it out to him. If there is something meant to happen for the two of them, it will.

I have invited both sets of parents to dinner tonight.  Holden and Taron are going to help me grill out and get everything ready for her party.  I decided for dinner to include only our immediate families so Avery can bring her birthday present for Eaven. 
Of course Ivy is also invited since she's practically Eaven’s sister. Our friends will show up at Smitty’s around 8:00 for after dinner fun and I plan to surprise Eaven then.

My parents want to come early so they can help.  I have a feeling that mom is missing all of us since we haven’t been home much lately.  My parents didn’t get to meet Eaven before the accident.  Of course my dad spent plenty of time with us during the preparation for the police questioning with the lawyer. 

Mom was at the hospital hours upon hours with me when she was first admitted.  I think mom had the mother’s sense of knowing how important Ev is to me and didn’t want anything to go wrong without me having support.  

It's amazing how much a person can get through with the strength of loved ones bonded together during tough times.  It doesn’t even have to be blood relations. 

I talked for hours about our relationship with my parents while Eaven was out of it at the hospital. They weren’t as surprised as I thought they would be when I told them I want to ask her to marry me. I have a feeling that one of my brothers may have prepared them that I'm head over heels for her.

Of course they're encouraging me to follow my heart, but be smart about it.  They want to see us engaged for a while so we can see how the band gig affects our relationship.  I know that most people are going to think we are rushing things.  I also know that I don’t care what people think.  I don’t ever want her to doubt how important she is to me. 

Sometimes it takes almost losing something before you see the importance. I always knew she was important, but it wasn’t until I was in the river that I realized that my life is nothing without her. Life changes very quickly. Marriage was not on my radar at all before I met her and now look at me. I'm planning to ask her the single most important question that I have ever asked anyone.

I'm looking forward to Eaven spending a little extra time getting to know my mom today.  She will be very appreciated in my family.  After a life full of boys, my mom will finally get to do girl things and have girl talks.  I know they will get along great.

“Hey guys!  I'm glad you were able to come early.  Eaven should be back soon.”  I tell my parents while we start to unload the car.  I should have known my mom would not have come without trays and trays of food. 

“Mom, I told you not to bring anything.”

“You know better than that, son. If there are left-overs, they will get eaten in this house. So are you ready for the big night? Does Eaven know?” My mom starts in with the questions before we are even in the kitchen.

“I'm just excited to officially have another female in the family.  You don’t realize how lonely a girl gets with all of that testosterone suffocating her.  To be honest, I was afraid it would be ten years before we would have any additions to our family.”  

“She is special mom. I'm just nervous that I'll shock her completely into silence. I know without a doubt that she loves me just as much as I love her, but I hope that she doesn’t freak out when I ask her.”

  “Maybe you should consider asking her in private and give her the opportunity to talk to you without any awkward moments in front of all of your friends.”  I consider what my mom is saying and decide that she may have some good points to think about.  I decide not to rush things today and get caught up in the stress of asking her in front of everyone.  I have the ring and if the time is right, I'll ask her.  If not, then I'll wait until the time is right. 

I hear car doors outside and walk out to see Eaven and Ivy struggling to get up the steps with the crutches. I meet them at the door and put my arms around the birthday girl. She exhales when I touch her lower back.

“Are you hurting today?” 

“Not from my injuries. I'm hurting because of my birthday present to myself. Meet me in your room and I'll show you.”

“Baby, I would love to meet you, but my parents are here.”

“It will only take a second.”

I give her time to make her way through the house and into my room.  She props one of the crutches against the bed and uses the other one to balance on one leg.  She begins to lower her yoga style pants on the right side of her hip.  Then she lifts her shirt in the back high enough for me to see.  I see what she has done and all of the earlier insecurities and doubts I had disappear instantly. 

“I can’t believe you got a tat!”  I get closer to see the detail.  It's an infinity symbol that ends with a feather exactly like the ones from my angel on my back.  The figure eight is continual with both of our names written in cursive along the path.  The symbol comes to an end with the feather.  She had it placed on the right side of her lower back. 

I stand up to look into her eyes.  “I like the sound of our names interlocked forever near your ass.”