Spurs & Stilettos (25 page)

Chapter 34

The voices I hear sound so familiar but I must be dreaming. Mom and Dad aren’t in heaven, they are still alive. I swear I hear Amber too and I assume I’m having some kind of withdrawal from life. I can feel the muscles in my eyelids attempting to open and I don’t fight them. They open and blink several times trying to adjust to the bright lights.

“Oh my god, honey she’s awake! Hope, can you hear me?”

“Mom?” I ask. “What are you doing in heaven?” I’m groggy and my head feels fuzzy.

“Sweetheart, you were in an accident. Do you remember?” She’s stroking my head and her face is stained with tears.

It all comes back to me in an instant. That car ran the red light and mangled my car. I can still hear the deafening sound of metal on metal. I cringe at the memory. A very nice man and lady helped me out my car and then I fell to the ground. “I’m not dead?” I ask as a tear slides down my face.

Dad squeezes my hand and a tear glistens in his eye. “No baby girl, you’re here with us.”

Never in my life have I been more excited to see my parents. I wish it were under different circumstances but we’re here together and I’m alive.

The nurse comes walking in along with Dr. Barnes. My heart plummets as I take one look at my doctor. “Is my baby ok, Dr. Barnes?” I ask fearfully.

“We’re going to check in just a second. The nurse is going to check your vitals and then we’re going to take an ultrasound to make sure everything is ok. You took a pretty nasty hit from what I was told. I’m just glad you are ok.” She smiles warmly giving me confidence that everything is just fine but I can’t shake the nervous feeling in my stomach.

I’m told my ankle is sprained which explains why I fell getting out of my car. They also told me that the burning fire I feel on my shoulder was a result of seat belt burn. I’m exhausted lying in this bed and I’m beginning to feel every ounce of pain from the accident. I’m waiting for Dr. Barnes to come back for the ultrasound when Amber comes bursting into the room wearing a frantic look on her face.

“Hope, oh my god. I came as soon as I heard. You scared the hell out of me!” She wipes the few tears that have fallen and leans in to give me a hug. “How are you and how is the baby?”

“I’m ok, just a sprained ankle. Dr. Barnes is going to give me an ultrasound in a little bit. I never saw it coming Amb, I was so scared. Wesley doesn’t know, I have to call him.” My body shakes with sobs that I can’t control and her and my mom both comfort me.

“I used your phone to call him Hope, he knows.” She states quietly, continuing to wipe her eyes.

“Thank you,” I choke out. “Amb, I’ve never been so scared in my life.” She can no longer hold back her tears and they now begin to flow freely down her face. “Amber, I’m ok. Please stop crying, I’m fine. Plus I’m tired of crying too.”

I attempt to smile but I can’t get much of one out right now. I notice a vase of flowers on the table beside me but they aren’t daisies like I wish they were, they are red roses. I can’t wait to get home and be able to rest in my own bed. Comfort only goes so far in a hospital bed. All I want is to be able to see that my baby is ok and I want to talk to Wesley.

“Does someone even have my phone? I didn’t grab it from my car.” I ask in a panic.

“I haven’t seen it sweetheart,” Mom pipes up

I groan at the fact that I don’t have it. Amber said she called Wesley but I want to be able to text or call and let him hear it from me that I’m fine.

“I can call the towing company and see if someone can look for it.” Dad says as he stands up. “I need to stretch my legs anyway.” He leans in to kiss my forehead before stepping out into the hallway.

The hospital feels like a waiting game. I’m not sure how long I’ve been here but it seems like an eternity. No one seems to be in any rush although I’m pregnant and was in a car accident. I close my eyes for a moment trying to relax and just be content in the fact that I am alright. The police officer told me I was very lucky that I was able to walk away from the accident. It’s safe to say that my car is a total loss.

Dr. Barnes comes walking in wheeling a portable ultrasound machine with her. My body immediately tenses up and all I can do is pray that everything is fine. I can’t lose this baby. I won’t be able to face Wesley if I lose this baby. Would he be able to forgive me? The guilt of it all weighing down on me would be hard enough but to have him blame me? I would have rather died in the car than have to live with that.

“How are you feeling Hope?” she asks wearing a smile on her face.

“I’m just sore, but ok I guess.”

Amber moves out of the way giving Dr. Barnes access to my side where she plugs in the machine. “We’re just going to do a routine ultrasound to make sure everything is fine, just like I told you earlier, ok? Just relax and it’ll be over before you know it.”

I give her a tense smile as she squirts the cool gel on my belly. Just like before, I suck my stomach in as much as I can, which isn’t much at all anymore. She touches my belly with the wand and begins moving it around looking for the baby. There’s nothing right now and I feel my worst fears coming true. My Mom is still holding onto my hand and she’s practically squeezing the life out of it right now. The screen is still an unwelcoming shade of black and the silence is deafening. My heart is sitting in my throat and hot tears are threatening to fall when the sound of music feels my ears.

Thump thump. Thump thump.

The tears fall but for all the right reasons. My baby’s heart is beating and I can see the tiny being on the screen. Mom lets out a gasp beside me and manages to squeeze my hand even tighter. I wince at the pain but quickly disregard it as I continue to stare in awe at the screen. Amber smiles big and there’s not a single dry eye in this room.

Dr. Barnes continues to move the wand checking on the baby and she stops suddenly. “Well Hope, I know your appointment wasn’t for another few days but I’m going to surprise you. Your baby girl is doing just fine.”

A girl. I choke out a sob of relief at the fact that my baby is fine and I release another sob knowing that I’m carrying our baby girl. I’m so thankful she is ok and now I wish this pregnancy would hurry up so I can hold her in my arms. Devastation also consumes me when it hits me that I found this out without Wesley. Once again I’m feeling hopeless without a phone. I’ll have to borrow Amber’s to tell him the good news.

A voice fills my ears causing me to look around. I’m almost convinced I’m hearing things. It’s got to be nothing more than wishful thinking. I miss Wesley so damn much and I was so scared until just moments ago that I’m making him a figment of my imagination. Slowly, I turn my head towards the door. “I knew we were going to have a girl.”

I wish like hell I could get up out of this bed right now because I would run straight up to him and jump into his arms. I can’t believe Wesley is here. In an instant he’s right beside me and I turn into a puddle of mush. The tears are so thick in my eyes I can barely see in front of me and I’m sobbing uncontrollably.

Mom lets go of my hand and kisses my forehead before looking at Amber. “We’ll give you two a moment alone.”

Dr. Barnes smiles and congratulates us once more before unplugging the machine and following them out the door.

I feel like I’ve died a thousand deaths since the last time I saw him. Now, he’s right beside me and I still can’t believe it.

“Sweetheart, I came as soon as Amber called me. I’ve never been so scared in my life.” His vibrant green eyes are filled with tears as he pulls my hand into his. Electricity shoots through my veins proving to me this is real but I still have my doubts.

“I still don’t think you’re real Wes.” I sob. He wipes the tears that stream down my face with the pad of his thumb.

“I’m very real Olivia Hope and I love you. I should have never left you and maybe this wouldn’t have happened had I didn’t. If something had happened to you or our baby, I don’t think I would’ve ever forgiven myself. Are you ok?” My heart is swelling with love for him. His eyes are laced with concern as he eyes me up and down looking for any signs of distress.

“I’m fine Wes, just a sprained ankle and a bit of seatbelt burn, but our baby girl is fine and that’s all I care about. I’m sorry I didn’t get to call you. I don’t even have my phone. I think it’s in the car….”

He continues to study me with a slight frown on his face. I’m not hooked up to a million different machines like he was but I know this is still hard on him.

“Are you done babbling sweetheart?” he asks with several tears lingering in his eyes. “I was so scared I lost you. Amber didn’t know how bad it was but I couldn’t help but think the worst. When can you leave?”

“I’m not sure, hopefully soon. I know you have to get back Wes. Amber will take care of me.” I squeeze his hand giving him a slight smile. The thought of him leaving again deeply upsets me but I won’t show him that. I was selfish before, I can’t be that way again.

“I told Hank I’m not going back Hope. I’m not missing anything, I don’t know what I was thinking leaving you the first time. I want to take care of you and our baby.” His expression hardens but his eyes stay soft practically pleading me to realize he’s telling the truth.

“Wesley, I can’t let you do that. This is your dream. This is your life and I’m not going to let you do this.”

“Look at me Hope.” I focus on him trying to look for some sort of sign that he’s just saying these things to make me feel better but I can’t find a thing. “You and that beautiful baby in you’re carrying are my life. I don’t care what I lose. None of that matters to me. I’ve walked away one too many times. You are the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me.”

He brushes a strand of hair from my face and leans down gently pressing his lips to mine. I kiss him softly wincing through the pain in my shoulder. Our mouths part as he gently slides his tongue inside moving it against mine. I manage to find the back of his head and pull him in closer. He pulls away and looks me dead in the eyes. “I’m not leaving you Hope. I swear on my life.”

This feels like a moment of déjà vu. Not long ago I rushed to his side in Vegas and refused to go anywhere until he was better. I stood by his side waiting for him to wake up. My whole world stood on eggshells at the time and I kept waiting for it to crumble beneath me but it never did. I’ve never been happier in my life to be able to stand strong.

“I don’t want you to regret this. I don’t want you waking up one day and hating me for not going back to what you love.”

“Hope,” he speaks softly. “I would regret walking away from you again. I won’t do that. I could never hate you, not in a million years sweetheart.”

Chapter 35

A soft knock at the door brings us back to the reality that my parents are out there and also hopefully a doctor who will dismiss me. Wesley plants one more quick kiss on my lips before telling them to come in. The door opens slowly and my parents walk back in followed by Amber and a nurse.

“I’m getting your discharge papers ready Ms. Trahan. I want you off your feet as much as possible for the next few weeks. Take it easy. Don’t try to be the hero, ok?”

“Yes ma’am.” I nod my head in agreement and groan shortly after. I just finally went back to work and then this happens. I’ll be lucky if Mr. Collins works with me on this but in my defense this wasn’t my fault.

I sign papers and receive the doctor’s orders which are everything she just told me. I’m given a pair of crutches but I really have no intentions of using them. I had to use them once as a kid and had a hard time, I assume being pregnant and trying to talk on them will be much harder. I don’t want to end up back here again, not until it’s time to give birth to my beautiful baby girl.

Amber leans in closely whispering, “I’m going to get my car and bring it up front, ok?”

I look to Wesley and he smiles a perfect smile. I smile back before turning to face Amber. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to home with Wesley.”

She glances at him and shoots him a questioning look. “Are you sure, Hope?”

“Yeah, I am.” I tell her confidently.

She pats my shoulder and steps back so the nurse can help me get into a wheel-chair. I didn’t know it was possible to be this exhausted but I find myself yawning. Mom and Dad hug me and Mom begins crying again. My eyes are cried out and the thought of crying makes my head pound.

“Mom, please don’t cry. Everything is ok.”

“I know baby, I’m sorry. Wesley, take care of my baby girl. If she gets to be too much you call and I’ll come help.” I love my Mom for everything she does. I’m all her and Dad have left so her protectiveness doesn’t bother me at all.

“Yes ma’am.” He replies pulling her in for a hug. Mom hugs his tightly for a moment and it looks like she may not let him go. When she does, he shakes hands with my dad and then helps get me in his truck.

A thousand waves of panic hit me once he starts the truck. The rumble of the truck used to soothe me but right now it has me with an uneasy feeling. “Wesley, I’m not ready.”

“Not ready for what sweetheart?” He turns to look at me.

“I’m not ready for you to drive. I’m scared.”

“Just breathe Hope, its ok. I won’t let anything happen to you. You have to trust me ok?” I hear his seatbelt unbuckle and his hand is behind my neck pulling me into him. He wraps his arms around my body and cradles me close until my breathing becomes normal again.

I’m content in this moment and if we could stay right here in his truck I wouldn’t mind at all but he slowly pulls away and his lips land on mine. “I love you Wesley.”

“I love you too Hope.” He smiles as he slides back over to his seat and begins the drive back to his ranch.

After all of that anxiety, I fell asleep in the truck. I wanted to stay awake but my body and mind are so exhausted. When I wake in the morning, I’m lying in his bed. I don’t remember arriving at the ranch but I know I’m hurting like hell today. Everyone says the day after an accident is the worst and I totally get that now. Mom has already texted to check on me. I reply letting her know I’ve been sleeping since last night and I let Amber know the same thing.

I glance at the clock and try to jump up a little too fast when I notice the time. I move a little too quickly for my own good. I forget for a split second that my ankle is sprained until I set my feet down too quickly and cry out in pain.

Wesley comes running in the room shirtless and my heart drops. I almost forgot how nice that chest of his looks and now I just want to touch it. “Christ, Hope, are you ok?”

He’s at my side helping me sit back on the bed comfortably as the anxiety begins taking me over. “I need to call my job, I’m supposed to be at work in ten minutes!”

“Calm down, we’ll take care of it. Didn’t the doctor tell you not to be the hero?”

I roll my eyes at him and playfully shove his chest. “Maybe I’m just waiting on my real hero to show up. Have you seen him?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me about this hero of yours--?” He asks with devious eyes. My heart skips a beat as I get the courage to continue.

“Well you see, he has these amazing arms that I fit perfectly in. When he holds me, I forget everything. Then there’s this chest that’s so hot you could melt butter on it. His eyes are the most amazing shade of green I’ve ever seen and he has the softest lips I’ve ever kissed. I could go on for days. I have to say, I’m pretty much in love with my hero.”

“Really? Well, what about these arms?” He moves in slowly wrapping his arms around me and I shudder at his touch. “I think these fit perfectly, what do you think?”

“These seem to pass the test so far. Go get some butter, I need to see if you pass the next part.”

He goes to stand but I pull him back onto me wincing when he accidentally brushes against my shoulder. “Are you ok?” he asks.

“Just the seatbelt burn, I’m ok.”

“I don’t want to hurt you or the baby.”

“Wesley,” I ask timidly changing the subject. “Can you forgive me for storming off that day?”

His lips meet mine softly as they work against them. Slowly my back rests on the mattress and his body hovers over mine. “I don’t want to talk about that anymore,” he says between kisses.

The ache between my legs is hard to ignore, I need to feel him so bad. His hands graze my hips as he my removes my pajama shorts. I moan in pleasure silently begging for him. He reads my mind and I’m elated as he delivers. We skip the foreplay going straight for the good stuff. My fingers fumble around with his zipper and once his jeans are off, he enters me in one swift movement. I fall apart immediately feeling more alive than I ever have in my entire life.

I’m lying on Wesley’s chest in total bliss. His lips graze my forehead in a tender kiss. His hand rests on my belly massaging little circles. I’m completely relaxed until I remember the reason that brought him back into the room to begin with.

“Can I use your phone Wes? I really need to call work?”

He reaches over to his nightstand and hands me his cell phone. I hold my breath as I dial the number to the firm. When Bailey answers, I struggle to find my voice. Amber keeps proving to be the best friend ever. Bailey explains that Amber already called this morning and then patches me through to Mr. Collins. I’m now pretty terrified but I know what I have to do. I explain everything to him and he listens until I’m finished. My heart is pounding out of fear he will fire me but he doesn’t, not even when I tell him I’m not sure when I’ll be back. He assures me I’ll always have a job there and not to worry. I love my job so this is the hardest phone call I’ve ever made. I thank Mr. Collins for everything and apologize all at once. As I end the call I look up at Wesley feeling confident.

His phone rings almost as soon as he sets it back down. He lets out a groan once he sees who is calling him. I didn’t get to see before he answers but I feel his chest tense. He barely gets a word out before the other person begins laying into him. I can’t make the conversation out but I can make out a rather angry voice.

“Look Hank, I told you. I can train and do everything I need to do from home. I have plenty of free space. I’m not leaving her again.”

I hear more yelling from Hank’s end of the phone. I let out a sigh as I attempt to sit up but Wesley pulls me back down beside him. I flash him an uneasy grin as he begins to speak again. “I don’t care if I fuck that up. I’d rather fuck that up than lose her.”

Hank rambles on about something else before Wesley cuts him off again, “You know what Hank? This is bullshit. You’re fired. Yeah, you heard me. You can easily be replaced.”

My eyes are wide after hearing him fire Hank. “Wesley, are you sure you want to do that?”

“I know who has my best interests at heart and Hank does not. He likes to make me think he does but if he did, he would understand what’s going on right now.”

“Please don’t stop your life because of me Wes.” I beg with him. I can’t believe he just fired Hank. Yes, I’m doing a happy dance on the inside right now but on the outside I’m shocked.

“Sweetheart, my life is just beginning. It’s fine. My dad can help me find a new manager. I’ve been doing this for years. I know what I need to do anyway. Stay right here, I made you breakfast and I didn’t get to bring it to you because you decided to be stubborn this morning.”

“I’m just keeping you on your toes.” I say with the best pouty face I can come up with. He laughs as he slowly gets up and disappears into the kitchen.

Wesley walks back in holding a tray with a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast on it. He also gives me a glass of orange juice that I nearly drink in one gulp. Everything tastes amazing. “Thank you Wes, this was delicious. At least let me help you do the dishes or something.”

He shoots me a serious expression. “You need to stay right where you are. I’ll throw them in the dishwasher real quick so hang tight.”

“Don’t worry warden, I’m not going anywhere.” I cross my arms over my chest and begin to pout. This sucks immensely, although I appreciate this more than he will ever know. All I want to do is be able to help him somehow. Being catered to is new to me, I’m not sure how to adjust to this. ‘

“You are something else, you know that?” he chuckles as he walks back into the kitchen with the empty plate and glass.

When he returns we resume lying together. I hate feeling helpless in this bed, I want to get up and do something for myself but I decide to let Wesley do this. He seems so content with doing these little things for me so I leave it alone. No sooner I fully relax on his chest.