I Promise (21 page)

C
hristian woke from her deep sleep to the sound of someone calling her name. She didn't want to leave the safe haven of her dreams where she and Jordan lived happily ever after.

“We need for you to wake up, Chrissy.”

She recognized Dr. Murphy's voice and she tried to open her heavy eyelids. Her head lifted when the bed was electronically controlled to place her in a sitting position. A wave of nausea hit her. A tray of some kind appeared immediately beneath her chin.

Pain shot through her head as she emptied the remaining contents of her stomach. When she finished, a cool, wet towel was placed across her forehead.

Tears of misery trickled down her face as her body tried to recover from the anesthesia. Why had she come here alone? Loneliness shuddered throughout her body. She desperately wanted someone to tell her that everything was going to be okay.

She lifted her hand to wipe her tears away. She was tired of trying to be brave, tired of trying to solve her problems on her own. She could have told her grandmother what was going on, but Bobby couldn't offer her the kind of comfort Christian needed.

Jordan's image flashed in her mind. Her heart squeezed. She wanted to see him, to be with him. It was time for her to face reality. She loved him more than life itself. Whenever she was in his arms, she felt complete. She felt whole.

An hour later, Nancy appeared and rolled her into the post-anesthesia care unit. Once there, the nurse helped her from the bed into a sort of lounge chair. The sudden movement again had Christian vomiting into a new tray.

Miserable, Christian sipped greedily from the cool cup of water Nancy handed her. The cool drink performed wonders for her parched throat. She leaned back in her chair as her mind clouded.

“She's just around here.”

Christian recognized Dr. Murphy's voice and struggled once again to open her eyes.

The curtains of her small cubed area opened and to her utter amazement, Jordan stepped into the room.

The mere sight of him stole her breath.

“I hope by your silence, it means you're happy to see me.” He smiled down at her, then took the vacant chair beside her.

Fresh tears sprang into her eyes. “How? When?”

Jordan reached over and took her hand in his. “You didn't think that you would be able to get rid of me that easily, did you?” He leaned over and placed a tender kiss against her temple.

She squeezed his hand. “I was so wrong,” she whispered through her streaming tears. “I do love you.”

His gaze roamed over her. “I love you, too. I told you I couldn't leave this place without you and I meant it. I'm always going to be with you. And together we'll face whatever the future tosses our way.”

The love blossoming in her heart filled her with a warm glow.

She licked her lips as she met his gaze. “There's something I have to ask you,” she said soberly.

Jordan leaned closer. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“Will you marry me?” she asked. Her grip tightened on his hand.

A bright smile caressed his lips. “I thought you'd never ask.”

A week later

C
hristian finished packing her clothes as the phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Chrissy, this is Dr. Murphy. We received the pathology report from the lab.”

She sat up on her bed and took a deep breath.

Jordan immediately appeared at her side. “Who is it?

“And?” she asked unable to say much more.

“The lump was nonmalignant. Everything checked out fine.”

She breathed a sigh of relief as she slumped into Jordan's arms. “That's wonderful news, doctor. Thank you so much for calling.”

“You're welcome. By the way, congratulations on your engagement. I know you and your fiancé will be very happy together.”

“Thank you.” She hung up the phone, then turned to wrap her arms around Jordan's neck. “The test came back negative!”

Jordan squeezed her body tight. “That's wonderful. I'm so relieved.”

“Come on.” She jumped up. “We have to go and tell Bobby the good news.”

He pulled her back. “Maybe we should have our own little celebration right here first.”

A bright smile lit her face at the conspiratorial gleam in his eyes. “Oh, really?”

He brushed a light kiss against her lips. “I know I'm in the mood for one.”

“You're incorrigible,” she teased.

“Are you bragging or complaining?” He pulled her body onto the bed.

“I'm definitely bragging,” she whispered before she covered his mouth in a kiss that sealed their love.