Illusions of Love (15 page)

“Katie,”
Cole’s voice said gently.

I
opened my eyes and sat up. My eyes immediately went to my uncle. I was hoping
he was awake, but he wasn’t. Everything was exactly the same.

“Katie,
you need to eat and clean up. Why don’t you let me take you to your uncle’s
house?” Cole said quietly.

I
shook my head. “I want to stay here,” I said defiantly.

“Katie,
you have been here for two days. You need food, and rest. Now don’t make me
drag you out of here because I will,” he threatened.

I
scowled at him. “What if he wakes up and I’m not here?”

“I
will be here,” a female voice said from behind Cole.

My
mother stood in the doorway. “Mom,” I said excitedly as I stood and hugged her.

“Oh
Katie, I am so sorry,” she said softly.

“I’m
glad you came,” I said relieved. It had been a while since I last saw her. I
was really glad she came. I didn’t even think to call her.

“Cole
called me. I had no idea what happened. I came as soon as I found out,” she
said as she hugged me tighter.

“Come
on Katie. You need rest,” Cole said firmly.

I
reluctantly released my mother and took Cole’s hand. “I will tell him you
didn’t leave without a fight, and I will call as soon as he wakes up,” my
mother said and smiled.

I
nodded and let Cole lead me out of the room. I was extremely tired. Two days of
sleeping in a chair really wasn’t comfortable.

I
showered while Cole made me something to eat. I thought it was amusing that he
was going to attempt to cook. He claimed he could, but I didn’t really believe
him.

After
my shower I walked back downstairs. I was surprised that the house actually
smelled good. I walked into the kitchen and sat down on one of the barstools.
Cole set a plate of macaroni and cheese in front of me. I smiled when I saw it
was the kind with the little cartoon characters.

“I
thought it might cheer you up,” he said amused.

I
laughed. “It does a little.”

We
both ate in silence. We hadn’t had much time to talk. He spent every day at the
hospital with me. He only left my side to get coffee. His phone started to
ring, and I looked up at him hopefully.

“Hello,”
he said watching me. He looked relieved. “We will be there in a few minutes.”
He hung up and smiled at me. “He’s awake.”

I
hopped up out of my chair. “Let’s go,” I said and hurried toward the door.

When
I walked back into my uncle’s room he was propped up. He smiled faintly at me,
and my heat leapt.

“Uncle
Mike,” I squeaked and ran to him. I hugged him careful not to hurt him.

“Hey,
Katie bug,” he said softly.

“I
was so worried,” I whispered as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Don’t
worry about me Katie. I’m ok.” He was trying to sound tough, but he sounded
weak.

I
sat down next to him and held his hand while the doctors looked him over. I was
so happy he was ok. He had a long road before he would be normal again, but I
was just glad he was awake.

Over
the next week I stayed in the hospital with Uncle Mike. Cole started going back
to work so he was in and out. He attempted to get me to go home, but I didn’t
want to. I wanted to stay with Mike until he could leave. My mother stayed with
us. We took turns running to Mike’s house and showering before coming back.

It
was early Saturday morning, and they were going to release him today. “You are
coming to the city to stay with me,” I said firmly.

“You
don’t have time to babysit me. I will be fine,” he argued.

“I
requested more time off of work. I have time, at least until you get on your
feet again,” I insisted. I wasn’t going to let him sway me. I wanted him where
I could make sure he was taken care of properly.

“Cole
isn’t going to like me being around,” he said trying to find any way out of it.

“It
is my house and I already talked to Cole. He is fine with it,” I said amused.

He
sighed heavily. “Well I guess I don’t have a choice,” he said amused.

I
smiled. “No you don’t.”

Cole
came in the room interrupting us. “I was going to take your mother to the
house. She was going to get Mike’s bed ready. Eric will give you a ride when
Mike is released.”

I
nodded. “That sounds like a plan.”

He
leaned over and kissed me gently. “I’ll see you later,” he said smiling like he
was up to no good.

“Ok,”
I said amused.

“See
you in a bit,” my mother said happily and followed Cole out.

It
wasn’t long after that the nurses came in. She went over everything with my
uncle and me. Eric was standing just outside the door. I already had everything
packed and ready to go. I couldn’t wait to be home.

Eric
seemed to be taking his time driving home. I glanced at the speedometer a few
times. He was going ten miles under the speed limit. He was always speeding. I
didn’t understand why he had to go so slow on the one day I just wanted to be
home. Uncle Mike looked relaxed. I was sure he was just relieved to be out of
the hospital.

After
a grueling ride, Eric pulled up to the house. The lights were on, and there
were cars lining the street. It looked like there was a party going on. “What
the hell is going on?” I asked confused.

My
mother hurried out of the house. She was dressed up in a nice dress. I stepped
out of the car and looked at her confused. “Don’t argue, just come on,” she
ordered as she took my hand.

I
looked at Uncle Mike. Eric was already helping him out of the car. “Go,” my
uncle said grinning at me.

“I
don’t understand what is going on,” I said confused as my mother led me up the
stairs and into the house. She didn’t answer, she just went straight for the
stairs. She led me to my room. “Mom seriously, what is going on?”

“You
need to get dressed,” she said as she offered me my old wedding dress.

I
looked at her a little confused and her smile widened. “It’s your wedding. A
real one this time. He is waiting, get dressed,” she ordered.

“But…”
I started, but she held up her hand cutting me off.

“For
once in your life don’t think about it, just do it. That boy loves you, and you
love him. It isn’t often you find a love like yours,” she said firmly.

I
looked down at the dress. She was right. Cole and I were crazy about one
another. Even after years of being apart I felt the same way for him as I did
the day I married him the first time. “Ok,” I said softly and smiled.

She
squealed in excitement. I changed into the dress, and my mother fixed my hair
and did my makeup. I looked in the mirror. I was a little older, but I hadn’t
changed that much.

“Come
on everyone is waiting,” she said happily as she took my hand and practically
drug me down the stairs. She led me out to the back yard. The entire place was
decorated. It was beautiful. It looked like Cole spent a lot of time and money
planning everything.

Mayor
Michaels stood at the beginning of the makeshift aisle. He offered his arm and
I took it. Cole stood at the end of the aisle. Jack was standing near him.
Mandy smiled and waved at me. She was standing on the opposite side of Cole and
Jack. I was relieved to see Cole’s parents were there as well.

The
music started to play, and I felt the butterflies erupt in my stomach. Cole
watched me with the playful glint in his eyes that made him who he was. He was
back to being the Cole I knew and loved. For the first time since reuniting
with him I had a feeling everything was going to work out. I had forgiven him,
and he had forgiven me. We were in love, and we always had been, ever since the
day we met in that alley. 

Cole and Katie’s story is over; but check out my
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