Touched By You (The Touch Series) (30 page)

After the long day of flying into Boston and sitting at the hospital we came home and had the talk I’ve been dreading since we reconnected. I’m not proud of the things I’ve done in my life. I seem to never look out for others. I make life all about me…just Chloe. I really am not a good person to the people that care about me the most, but not anymore.

Coming back here yesterday made me realize that this really is my home. This is where I’m supposed to build my life. As much as I hate the time I’ve spent away from my family, I can’t say I regret the opportunity to live on my own. I believe that because of my choice to move away, I gained a better appreciation for what I really have here.

I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have a man like Derrick to care for me and want to start a future. I cannot and will not take him for granted ever again.

Today is a new start for me.

I want to make sure that everyone that loves me knows that I would do anything for them.

I can guarantee some people, including myself, will be taken back by my sudden change in my ways. It’s important to be there for the people you care about and not just a shallow person that only looks out for her.

There’s a lot of stuff to take care of starting with reaching out to Trent and Andrew.

Trent was my best friend while living in LA. He did his best to make sure I was taking care of myself and I want him to know how much I really appreciate all that he’s done for me. I want him to know that he’s always welcome to come and visit us in Boston and that I’ll still be there for him even if we’re miles away from each other.

As for Andrew I owe him an apology for leading him on that night, if that is what really happened. Even if I was drinking a bit more than usual he deserves to know that my heart is with another man. What we did was a huge mistake and it’s only fair if he knows the truth.

I want to turn over a new way of life and by starting with these two men I can begin to work toward the closure I need to move past my life in LA.

Tomorrow is my chance to start my new career here. Getting the field analyst position with the Red Sox would be a dream come true. Not only will I be able to work side by side with my favorite team, but I’ll also be able to stay close to my family and Derrick.

I feel like things are starting to work out just the way I need them to. For once I’m going to put my loved ones first. It’s time to take care of them instead of them always watching out for me.

Pulling myself from Derrick’s arms I make my way to the bathroom to freshen up. I brush my teeth, pull my hair back in a pony tail and wash my face. I feel much more awake now and want to make Derrick breakfast before we go back to the hospital to see Char.

Once out in the kitchen I start rooting through the refrigerator and pantry. Thankfully Emma and Derrick are keeping the house stocked with food. I grab out the eggs, peppers, onions and ham. Derrick loves his western omelets so this will be the perfect food to make him breakfast in bed. I start up the Keurig once the pan is full of the omelet and brew us both a mug of coffee. I grab out the breakfast tray from the pantry and put the plate, napkin and fork in the center. I carefully carry everything up stairs without dropping it or spilling a drop of coffee. Kicking the door slightly with my foot, it swings open and I see Derrick start to stir in bed. I set the tray on my side and crawl in next to him.

His back is to me so I start running my nails lightly up and down his back. He starts to twitch and before he goes crazy from his tickle spots I kiss him on the back of his neck and wrap my arms around his chest.

“Hey Derrick, I made you breakfast in bed. Come on sleepy time to wake up.” I say in a whisper.

He rolls over on his side and pulls me into his chest. I can hear his heart beat and a smile immediately crosses my face. This man’s heart beats strong for me, for him….for us.

“I don’t know that I’ve slept that good in months. It was so good to have you here next to me angel.” He says and kisses my forehead.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I respond pulling myself in closer to his body.

“Good, so when can I have all your stuff moved back in to our home?” He asks in a whisper.

“We can make the arrangement tomorrow.” I reply.

Derrick flips over in the bed so fast I almost fall off the side. He quickly grabs my body and slides me underneath him. I can feel his growing erection through my shorts and my panties become wetter by the minute. He kisses my neck and trails his tongue along my jaw line bringing his lips to mine. He kisses me passionately and I let out a moan.

“Chloe you just made me very happy. I never want to be apart from you again. Are you sure this is what you want?”

He takes in a quick breath from his sudden ramble of words and starts kissing me again. His tongue sweeps into my mouth and I get lost in the feel of Derrick. He spreads my legs apart with his knees and pushes himself in closer to my aching core.

I’ve missed his touch so badly over the past few months I just want him inside of me.

We continue to kiss like we’re taking our last breathes.

He pulls away and looks me in the eye. Without words I know his soul is communicating with mine. It’s so good to be this close to him again and I swear I’ll never let him go.

We make love in our bed, in our home and for the first time in awhile I feel like I’m giving myself to someone else. It’s time I do things right for this man right here. He deserves to be happy and I’ll do just that for the rest of my life.

This morning was amazing.

I woke up to Chloe running her hands up and down my back and then was given the best surprise…she’s really going to move back to Boston, like now.

Shit, if this is a dream, please don’t wake me up.

Not only did she share that fucktasitic news with me, but she also made me my favorite omelet for breakfast. Too bad it was ice cold by the time I got to eat it, but we did use the time wisely to get reacquainted with one another a few times.

After we finally got untangled from the sheets, Chloe and I fed each other breakfast and then took a quick shower. Well it was meant to be a quick shower.

On our way over to the hospital all I can think about is our conversation after breakfast this morning. Something seems to be different with Chloe, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I was totally thrown off by her comment about calling to have her things moved so quickly. I thought for sure that I would have an argument on my hands with her on that one, but she really wants to come back home. I’m so happy about the whole situation. I really don’t want to ask questions. All I care about is that Chloe is here with me now and she’ll be moving into our home again to stay.

I look over at her as I drive down the highway. Chloe looks absolutely perfect and she is my whole world. Her long dark hair is lying along her shoulder in waves and I hate that I can’t see her eyes with her giant sunglasses hiding her face. I look down along her body and she is wearing the cutest sundress and sweater. She is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and she is all mine.

The conversation we had last night could have ruined any chance of us getting back together, but when it really comes down to it we love one another. Chloe and I have been through too much to allow anything destroy what we had and what we still have.

We pull into the parking deck and I hear Chloe let out a deep breath.

“You okay angel?”

“Hmm, what did you say?” She asks.

“I asked if you were okay.”

“Yeah, sorry. I guess I’m just a little nervous. Now that we know Char has no serious damage to her organs or brain I just wish she would wake up. I know it’s silly but I really want to be there for her. When she wakes up I want to be the sister she needs, not the one she has to take of anymore. I’ve got a lot of making up to do to her and I want to start as soon as those big brown eyes open up.”

“I think that’s great Chloe and Charlie will be so happy to know that you’ll be back here in Boston for good. You’ll see everything is going to turn out just as it always should have been. I can’t wait to have you home with me every morning and every night again. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you being close enough to touch.”

“I know Derrick, me too. I promise to make things right this time. Tomorrow I’ll get the job and move everything back home. We can start from scratch and build up from there.”

I shake my head and swallow hard the lump that is now in my throat.

“Chloe, I don’t want to start over with you. We have years of love, passion and a connection that is impossible to forget. Yes, we were apart for four fucking long as hell months. But now we just move past that hurdle and pick up where we left off. I’m willing to make it work and try whatever we need to be together, are you?”

“Of course I am. I wasn’t kidding when I said I wanted to move back home. This is where I need to be, where I want to be and there’s no one else I would ever want to have a future with other than you Derrick. This is it for me. I promise you…we are my forever.”

“Good. That’s my girl. Now let’s go in and see how Charlie is holding up and give Riley some clean clothes.”

As soon as we get out of the car, Chloe comes to my side and holds onto my hand. I’m loving the instant connection she is determined to share and I can’t help the giant smile that is spread across my face.

This morning the visitor’s room is much fuller than it was yesterday and I immediately see Bryce and Teresa sitting in the far end of the room. Chloe and I walk over to them and they greet us both with a hug.

“How were things last night?” I hear Teresa ask.

“Things are great. Right Derrick?” She asks looking at me and squeezing my hand.

“You got that right angel, things are damn near perfect.”

“Any word on how Char is doing?” Chloe asks looking between both of her parents.

“The doctor said she is doing remarkably well. Her vitals are normal, her brain activity is great and the swelling is almost completely down. She just needs to wake up.” Bryce says.

“Well I’m going to go in and visit for a bit, give Riley a break.” Chloe says letting go of my hand and giving me a kiss on the lips.

I watch as she walks away through the double doors leading to Charlie. My heart skips a beat and I feel like everything is perfect. Never in a million years did I imagine that the last two days would have happened to us.

It’s tragic what happened to Riley and Charlie, but if not for them Chloe would not have been brought back into my life.

No fucking joke, it’s true when they say everything happens for a reason.

Chloe has been a huge part of my life for years.

One day I’ll marry that girl and forever she’ll have my heart.

When I tell her my vows, it’s not just words that will be said.  

She’ll understand exactly what I mean when I tell her…

You are my soul mate.

You are the love of my life.

You Chloe are my forever. I’ve been touched by you and only you.

I guess people are right when they say, you don’t really know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

That is exactly what happened to me a little over nine months ago.

I never would have thought that things would have come around full circle for us, but thankfully Derrick and I have a love that is stronger than anything. Really we are indestructible. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have him in my life. In fact, at times, I don’t know why he put up with my shit for so many years. But something about him was drawn to me. No matter what happened or what I did to hurt him or those that we loved, Derrick always stuck by my side.

When I made that promise to myself five months ago, I never intended for things to go my way. I was dead set on making sure that I was the servant to my boyfriend and our families, but in turn they rewarded me with so much.

Some days are harder than others. I still have to take a step back, evaluate the things that I have and be grateful more than anything. I can’t take things or my loved ones for granted anymore.

I made a pact with myself to live everyday to the fullest. To always think of others before I think of myself. It’s not always easy, but I’ve made a lot of progress.