French Kiss (Silver Cove Series Book 2) (21 page)

“Keep her awake,” Joseph called to him.

“Lilly,” he said softly, as the dog crouched up next to her body and whimpered. “I know this isn’t the right time, but can we have a dog?”

He heard her chuckle and her eyes opened again. “Anything.” She smiled. “But I want at least four kids.”

“Four?” He smiled down at her, brushing a tear from her dirty face. “I was thinking of five.”

“Sounds good.” She sighed. “I hurt.” She frowned.

“I know, baby. Hang on. I can hear the chopper now.” The sound was almost deafening, but he didn’t remove his eyes from her face.

“Lilly.” He waited until her eyes moved to his. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“What?” she asked, her eyes focusing slightly.

“It looks like you’ve got bangs.” He smiled as a tear slipped down his nose and landed softly on her lips.

She licked her lips and smiled. “Salty. Don’t cry,” she said. “They will grow out.”

He laughed and then was pushed away from her as the paramedics took over.

He stood back and watched them shove tubes into her arms, tie her body up tight into a gurney, and load her into a chopper. He held onto the dog until the sound of the blades disappeared. Then he was pushed onto a gurney himself. When they tried to take the dog away, he refused to let go until they promised they would patch him up and keep him until he could pick him up.

As they drove him away, he saw the last embers of the building that had been her prison. He wasn’t sure what had happened to Carl, but somehow he knew the man was no more.

He felt torn. He wanted to hurt the man who had ripped his happiness from him, but at the same time he was so relieved that Lilly was safe that all his anger was now gone.

All he could think about was Lilly. He couldn’t wait to see her again. To hold her in his arms. To kiss her and tell her how much he loved her.

There was no question in his mind that she would be alright. He’d seen it in her eyes as she’d laughed at him. Five kids. They were going to have five kids. He kept saying it over and over again as they worked on him during the drive to the hospital.

“Congrats,” one of the paramedics had even said. “I’ve got three of the little rug rats myself. Number four is in the works right now.”

T
he sounds were the first thing she remembered. French curse words slurring together, so loud that she finally opened her eyes.

“Would you stop cursing,” she growled out. When the room turned silent, she smiled. “There, that’s much better.”

She felt her hands being taken, then kissed.

“I’m sorry, love. I promise never to raise my voice again,” Adam said next to her ear.

She snorted, then groaned. “Damn,” she said under her breath. “Life would be boring if you kept that promise.”

She heard a few chuckles and glanced around, blinking a few times until she could focus.

“Tell me.” She took a shallow breath. “How bad are the bangs?”

Several more chuckles echoed in the room. Then Sarah walked over and leaned over her.

“You only have half bangs.” She smiled down at her. Lilly could tell she’d been crying. “And half mullet.” She ran a hand over her hair. “Sorry, but this whole side of your hair got singed.”

“Okay.” She rested her face in her sister’s hand. “What else?” She looked to Sarah.

When Adam started talking, she shushed him. “You’ll tell me what you want me to know, my sister will tell me everything.”

Adam frowned down at her. “Go pout somewhere else.” She smiled up at him. “Now, talk.”

“Well.” Sarah looked to Adam, then nodded. “You’ve got three broken ribs.”

“Two more than me,” Adam added in.

“You’ve got burns on the left side. They aren’t bad, but you’ll be covered in bandages for a while. The doctor doesn’t think there will be too much scarring.”

“What else?” She could already feel most of it, but knew there was something else.

“Um, a broken leg.”

“And?” She waited.

“More cuts and bruises than I can count.”

“Sarah.” She twisted her head around until she could see her friend. “What else?”

She bit her lip. “You were missing part of a finger. But they sewed it back on. They aren’t sure if… if it will stay.” Her friend’s eyes turned red and she started crying.

“Yeah, I figured that.” She closed her eyes. “I had to cut the ropes off my legs.” She sighed. “Tell me I didn’t lose my ring.” She wished she could feel the numb digits.

“It’s here.” A woman with a very thick French accent and long dark hair stepped forward. She held up the ring and smiled. “I’ll hold onto it until you’re able to fit it back on your finger.”

“Lilly, my mother, Adeline.” Adam smiled over at the woman and Lilly could see the love in his eyes.

“Okay.” She smiled. “Thanks.” She turned back to Adam. “Anything else?”

He smiled. “You may have almost lost a knuckle, but you gained a dog named Roscoe.” He smiled. “Do you remember him? He was there, he led us to you.”

She shook her head. “No, but I love him already then.” Everyone laughed. “What about you?” She reached up with her good hand and brushed it down his face.

“Broken rib.” He smiled, then frowned. “Cuts and bruises, nothing more.” Someone coughed. “Okay.” He rolled his eyes. I might have sprained my ankle.”

She looked down and saw the crutch under his armpit.

“Why are you standing?” she asked. “Go, sit.”

Everyone laughed again. “Why don’t we leave these two to talk. Now that we know she’s alive.” Sarah turned to the room. “Oh, and don’t think that getting yourself blown up gets you out of being my new manager,” she warned with a smile.

“Never.” Lily smiled in return.

After everyone left the room, Adam scooted the chair closer so he could sit right next to her bed.

“So, what are we going to name them?” he asked.

“What?” She blinked and then decided to just keep her eyes closed.

“The five kids we’re having.”

“Five?” She smiled slightly. “I only remember saying four.”

“Yes, but you agreed to five.” She felt his fingers brush the side of her neck.

“I was under duress.” She could feel the medicine kick in again as the warmth spread up her arm through her IV.

“Yes, but I have years to persuade you to change your mind,” he murmured next to her.

When she woke again, the room was dark and she could feel Adam’s hand in hers. She heard him breathing lightly and instantly relaxed and slipped back into the darkness.

By the end of the fourth day stuck in the hospital, she was ready to pull out the rest of her singed hair. Her back and butt hurt from laying in the bed so much and she’d been caught trying to use Adam’s crutch so much that he’d taken to storing it outside in the hallway when he came in.

“Please,” she begged. “Check me out. Take me home. I can’t stand one more night in here.”

He rolled his eyes. “One more. That’s it. Then tomorrow you start physical therapy.”

“How about you take me home tonight and we come back for therapy tomorrow?” she pleaded.

“Tomorrow,” he promised. Then Sarah and Ben arrived with a stack of DVD’s and they all sat around and watched
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
.

Before they left, Rowan walked in, all dressed up, with a pretty brunette following behind him.

“Oh!” she exclaimed. “The party.” She’d totally forgotten that she’d promised to go with Rowan to his party.

“It’s okay.” He smiled. “You had an excuse.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “Besides, I hear you’re already taken.” He shook Adam’s hand. “This is Kayla Thomas…”

“His date for the night.” She stepped forward and smiled down at him. “We’re old school friends. Actually, Rowan used to date my sister Lori,” she added.

“Yes,” Lilly remembered. “I’ve heard of you, well, your sister, before.” Lilly glanced over at Sarah, who was frowning into her lap. “Are you back in town? I heard you were…”

“In New York for school. Yes, I’ve moved back and ran into Rowan the other day, and since you were tied up.” She smiled. “He invited me to fill in for you. I heard you had quite the adventure.”

She chuckled. “I guess you could say that.”

“I also hear that congratulations are in order.” She nodded to Adam. Then, in fluent French, she said, “Congratulations, may your life together be as adventurous and as powerful as your coming together.”

Adam smiled, then looked over to Rowan and winked. “I like this one.”

Rowan coughed and turned a little red. “Well, we should be going. We don’t want to be late.” He took Kayla’s hand and practically dragged her from the room.

“What was that all about?” Lilly turned to Sarah who just rolled her eyes.

“Let’s just pray that she didn’t turn out anything like her sister,” she added.

“Didn’t her sister die when she was—”

“Sixteen. Yes, on the night of Rowan’s sixteenth birthday party. Right after he’d broken up with her.”

“That’s right,” Lilly added.

“I sure hope he knows what he’s getting himself into.” Sarah frowned at the closed door. “I don’t think he could stand to go through something like that again.”

“What? Loss?” Adam asked.

“No, dealing with a bitch who cheated and manipulated him, then caused her own death because she was a psycho.” Sarah turned to Lilly and gasped. “I’m sorry.”

“What?” She blinked. “Why?”

“Carl.” The name was a whisper in the room.

“It’s okay.” She smiled. “For all of Carl’s faults, with his last breath, he tried to save me.” She smiled and reached for Adam’s hand. She’d told him everything that had happened and had relayed it to the police for their reports. “In his twisted way, he just wanted to keep me safe.” She shook her head and felt her skin shiver. “Okay, enough of that…” She broke off when the door opened again. Expecting a nurse, she smiled at the woman who entered. Then she felt every ounce of blood drain from her face as she stared back at her own eyes. Only these were older, sadder, and empty of almost any love.

“Mother?” It came out as a whisper.

***

Adam sat in the corner and watched Lilly closely. He refused to leave the room even when she had told him she would be fine. Everyone else had vacated quickly, but not Adam.

His eyes had raked over the woman. Scanning for… well, he didn’t know what. Emotion? All he knew was that he wasn’t going to leave Lilly to deal with all the emotions alone. He’d made himself a promise that he would never leave her alone to deal with anything again. Especially her past.

“I understand your hesitation in agreeing to see me. When I heard what had happened…” Carolina glanced in his direction and twisted her hands together, a move he’d seen Lilly do herself on multiple occasions. “Well, I was worried and figured…” Her tone was flat.

“Thank you for the flowers.” She nodded towards the bouquet of pink carnations, which sat among a wall of brightly colored flowers and balloons from everyone else. “And thank you for making the trip from Atlanta.”

“Oh.” She nodded. “I read what happened to you. I’m sorry you had to go through something like that.” There was no emotion in her voice and Adam was beginning to wonder if the woman had any at all.

Lilly’s eyebrows shot up. “Something like…” She chuckled and Adam could see the hurt. “You mean, sorry I had to be blown up? Is that what it takes for you to feel remorse?”

“I…” Her mother shook her head, then he watched her chin rise. “I know you’re angry with me about the past, but I’m a changed woman. I had to hold down three jobs just to keep food in your mouth.”

“Is that how you justified it?” She shifted. “You told yourself you were too busy to deal with the problems? Or did you even have a problem with what Dave did to me? Maybe you got off knowing what he was doing?” She shifted when Adam’s hand reached out to touch her, to calm her. She jerked her hand away. “No, I understand that you’ve made nice with your mother, but your mother didn’t idly sit by while her husband fucked her teenage daughter every night.” She was almost screaming it.

“You watch your tone with me,” Carolina warned.

“Or what?” Lilly sat forward. “Let’s get one thing straight. I forgive you. I forgive you and the moment you walk out that door, I will forget you. You have no place in my new life, nor in the life I will build with my own family. I replaced you, years ago, with a woman who would fight to the gates of hell to make sure I was happy and safe. I have a sister who, even there’s no blood between us, would gladly give up everything she has to do the same.” She glanced over at Adam and a tear slipped down her check. “I have a man who would do everything in his power to see me smile, even with his or my dying breath.” Her eyes turned slowly back towards her mother. “So, go. Live your changed life and know that I am well, despite anything you’ve ever done.”

Carolina looked between him and Lilly, then without a word and without shedding a tear, turned and walked out of the room.

Adam got up, picked up the pink flowers, walked them to the trash, and dumped them in. Then he walked over and wrapped his arms around Lilly and held her as she cried.

“Well played, my love,” he murmured into her hair.

Less than a minute later, Sarah and Crystal rushed in. “Is that bitch still here?” Crystal said, glancing around.

“I called mom.” Sarah smiled and walked over to wrap her arms around Lilly. “I figured you would need us.”

Lilly sniffled and nodded. “I do.” She held on as her family wrapped their arms around each other. Crystal held out an arm to him and he joined in.

“There, now the universe is righted.” Crystal nodded as a tear slid down her face. “Don’t you fret any more about your past. I read your chart this morning and I see only happiness from here on out.” She glanced towards Adam and winked. “And there are five rings around your universe.” She turned to Lilly.

“Mother,” Sarah warned. “You can’t possibly…”

“Shush.” She waved towards Sarah. “Serenity Sunshine Holley, I’ve told you to leave reading charts to me.”

Ben coughed from the corner. “I think you mean, Serenity Sunshine Rothschild.” He smiled and walked over to wrap his arm around his wife.

“Yes,” Crystal smiled. “Of course I do.” She tilted her head and wiggled her eyebrows. “I read your chart this morning too.”

Sarah groaned and rolled her eyes.

“What did it say?” Ben asked.

“Don’t, you’re only egging her on,” Sarah croaked.

Lilly laughed. “I would like to hear too.”

“Let’s just say, twins run in our family.” Crystal laughed when Sarah slapped playfully at her as she rushed around the room, giggling.

Adam couldn’t help but laugh and realize that he had the best family in the world. A family that stuck together no matter what and one that knew how to laugh and, more importantly, one that knew how to love.