Loving Lizzy (The Serenity Mountain Series Book 6)

Chapter Twenty One

Lizzy cast another glance in Michael’s direction. He’d seemed much calmer since he left with the guys. Kassie assured her the men took him out for a bit of air. When he returned to the room, he sent her a smile and took his place on the other side of the bed. She scanned him for a black eye or broken bones. She didn’t know what to expect after his outburst and how rapidly the men escorted him down the hall.

Kassie gathered her things. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.” She leaned over and kissed Lizzy’s cheek.

Michael stood and met Kassie at the end of the bed. He bent down and wrapped his arms around her, and Lizzy heard him whisper an apology as Kassie embraced him. She saw Kassie’s head shake as she whispered in his ear. He nodded every now and again while he held her tightly. When they broke apart, Chase’s arm went around Kassie’s waist as she beamed a smile in Michael’s direction. She shot Lizzy a smile before exiting with Chase, leaving Lizzy alone with Michael.

“Sorry about my outburst earlier,” he told her quietly. “I let my frustration get the best of me and I didn’t mean a word of it.”

“I hope not! Those women are my friends. They sanitize their hands when they come into our home or wash before even coming near me. I heard Catherine say she showered and changed before coming to help after she picked the kids up from school,” Apparently, she carried some anger too. “They’ve done nothing but bend over backwards and you acted like a bonehead.”

“I did.”

“You got that right.” She crossed her arms, ready to berate him again and stopped short on hearing his agreement.

Michael put the bed rail down and placed his head in her lap. “I’m a bonehead. When you feel up to it, I promised to take Kassie to Ty’s for her favorite dessert.”

“Don’t you mean Bryanna’s?” She ran her hands through his thick hair.

“No, Chase surprised Kassie with a brownie dessert Ty made for her birthday. Kassie’s not a fan of cake. When Chase went missing, whenever I saw her feeling particularly low, I brought her the brownie. It became a way for me to tell her everything will work out. I owe her one.”

“Make sure it’s a big piece,” she admonished him.

“Are you feeling better?” He turned to scan her face.

“A bit. I don’t feel nauseated, the headache comes and goes,” she told him. A soft knock on the door drew their attention as the older generation walked in. Maddie walked to Lizzy’s side while Carol sat a vase of flowers on the bedside table. Victoria handed Lizzy a bag with a beautiful velvet robe in pink. Joe and Jake followed shortly, bringing coffee for Michael from the café down the street.

“We thought you needed a cup of good java,” Joe handed him the cup while the women fussed over Lizzy.

“We aren’t staying, we took the girls to the aquarium this afternoon and Kassie took them all home. We thought we might check on you before heading back to the mountain,” Maddie told her while she fixed the sheet.

“Ivan is on his way, and we’ll have dinner here before returning,” Victoria informed the group. “Do you want to join us?”

Joe glanced in Maddie’s direction. “I rode over with Jake and Maddie drove in with Carol, it’s up to the women.”

Lizzy watched as the game suddenly became interesting and she knew the next play.

“Dinner sounds lovely. Jake, what about you?” Maddie turned in Jake’s direction.

“Sounds fine to me, do we need to make dinner reservations for six on a Friday evening?” Jake asked.

“I won’t be joining you. Lizzy, I’m happy to see you’re feeling better. Victoria, do you mind dropping Joe and Maddie off?” Carol dug in her purse for her car keys.

“We’re staying in one of the cabins at the hospital. Ivan’s men set up a huge theatre screen on the back deck of the hospital and added outdoor heaters. With the fire-pit, it’ll be warm enough to allow the patients to come outside and watch a movie and roast marshmallows. We’ll join them later.”

Jake swiped the hat off his head. “Carol, why don’t you join us for a bite to eat? Kassie said she and Chase planned to take the kids to finish the set up.”

“I can’t join you this evening, I have a date tonight.” Carol’s chin went up a notch as she made her announcement.

Lizzy sucked on her lip and put her head down to smother the laughter bubbling up inside her as Jake turned three shades of red.

“A date?” he coughed out.

“Yes, Owen asked me to dinner at Ty’s.” She leaned over the bed and patted Lizzy’s hand. “Edie sends you get well wishes and says she’s flying in next week. We’ll see you at home in a few days after you get settled.”

“Thank you for stopping by,” she told the group. Carol slipped out the door and Maddie stepped up to say her goodbyes, then Victoria.

“Owen’s taking my Carol on a date?” Jake asked Joe, oblivious to anyone else in the room.

Joe nodded to the couple as he slapped his arm around his friend and led him out into the hallway. Victoria’s eyes twinkled as she gave Lizzy a gentle hug.

“Seems Jake never heard the song about putting a ring on it, did he?” she whispered. Lizzy giggled.

When the ladies left, Michael turned the lights down, fussed over her blankets and kissed her. “You’re tired and I want to take you home tomorrow. Let’s try to get some rest while the Serenity crew battle things out. Why did it feel like we sat in the middle of a soap opera? Did we voluntarily move into this?”

“After living in foster homes, watching the family dynamics is nice. They take care of each other. Even the couples share the kids with each other. I find it comforting,” she yawned and closed her eyes as Michael traced her face with his fingers, making her relax.

“One day, we’ll be a part of it, Lizzy Bee. We’ll live a blessed life, exactly like them.”

Opening her eyes, she turned her head to study his face, “I got my blessings. I held Conner and felt a love like no other. Then you found me again.”

“I regret I wasn’t there to hold him. My only comfort is knowing his last memory consisted of his beautiful mom singing him a lullaby as he drifted off to sleep.” Her hand cupped his cheek in silent agreement. “Now, my only wish involves getting my happily ever after with you.”

She swallowed, and tears filled her eyes. “Maybe this is our happily ever after. You found me again and received closure. You now know why I left and how much I love you.”

“I refuse to believe it.” His eyes turned a steely green. “I lived through getting held hostage by hanging on for you and Conner. We lost him and no one will replace him. You and I belong here. We’ll fight for our happily ever after together. No matter what happens, Lizzy Bee, we do it together.”

She leaned back on the pillow and closed her eyes, letting Michael believe she had fallen asleep. A little while later, she felt his hand relax as he held on to her while he slept in the hospital recliner. A soft snore escaped him. She turned her head and whispered.

“If this is our happily ever after, know I loved you with my whole heart. I loved you enough to let you go and live a life full of love, laughter, and kids. Please don’t hate me if I have to leave you.” She watched the man she loved sleep as the tears rolled from her cheek and onto the bed.