Chapter 29
twenty-nine
VANESSA
I woke up knowing in my bone marrow that I wasn’t alone. I suspected I hadn’t been alone since the fainting debacle on the hike. I’d felt and heard the same three people the whole time, with an additional deep, professional voice weaving through it all.
“She’s alive,” Penelope said, her voice dripping with its usual sarcasm. “Great way to dodge an inevitable conversation, V. Never seen someone make themselves sick just to avoid a talk. You’ll have to teach me how you do it.”
I opened my eyes and shot her daggers.
Morgan was sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. She shushed Penelope and placed a cool hand on my forehead. “You feel a lot better. Less clammy,” she whispered with a small, relieved smile. She was going to be such a good mother.
Then I saw him. On the armchair by my bedside, Elliott was asleep under a haphazardly thrown blanket.
“He hasn’t left your side,” Morgan said quietly.
Penelope plopped down on my other side. With the two of them flanking me like a set of bookends, all I could manage was the truth.
“Before we talk about anything else… I just want to say I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you guys.
I see now how wrong it was to keep it from you.
I hope you know I didn’t do it maliciously.
I thought I was doing what was best, and clearly, I was wrong. ”
“It was brutal finding out that way, Van. Even if you had the best intentions,” Penelope said, her tone softening just a fraction. “Don’t ever pull that shit again.”
I looked at Morgan. She was still staring at me, her eyes misty. “That dress is beautiful, Vanessa. I can’t even describe it. It’s perfect.”
I saw where this was going, and before she could turn into a puddle of pregnant hormones, I stopped her.
“Your dream was always to wear your mom’s gown, but I knew you’d never allow scissors or needles anywhere near the original.
So, the plan was always to make you a replica.
I didn’t intend for it to be some grand apology—the dress was always going to be yours.
I just figured it wouldn’t hurt my chances of being forgiven. ”
She was glowing, and when she hugged me, I noticed for the first time that she was finally starting to show. She latched on tightly, and I felt Penelope’s spindly arms squeeze in, too. Pen pinched my side, and I moaned into Morgan’s hair.
“Pen, you’re such an asshole.”
“Awww, I love you too, babe,” she said, trying to sound sweet, though we all knew better.
When we pulled apart, Morgan noted the color returning to my cheeks. I looked around the room, trying to separate reality from the fever. “I think there was a doctor here?”
“Yeah, Dr. Montgomery’s been checking on you,” Morgan confirmed.
“When your fever wouldn’t break, he made us pull down your pants so he could give you a shot,” Penelope added helpfully. “He knows your ass up close and personal now. Nice thong, by the way.”
“Good Lord, I don’t even remember that.”
“He’s been checking on you around the clock, too,” Morgan added.
“If he’s single, you should hit that, or I will,” Penelope offered. It made me wonder what the status of her crush on Elliott was. We had never addressed the elephant in the room.
I sensed Elliott waking before I even saw him move. I didn't look at him; I was too busy frantically trying to figure out which of my hazy memories were real and which were dreams. Had he really held me in the shower? Had I really told him I was jealous?
“He’s all yours,” I said to Penelope after a pause.
“Yeah, I figured,” she said with a sly, knowing grin. Maybe she was over it.
I’d never spoken to either of them about what had happened between Elliott and me all those years ago, but I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn’t hard to piece together.
“You feeling better?” Elliott asked. His voice was raw, his eyes bloodshot. He looked exhausted, and a fresh wave of guilt hit me.
“I feel like I got hit by a bus, but better than before.”
He nodded slowly.
“Why didn’t you tell us you felt sick the minute you knew?” Morgan asked.
“We weren’t speaking,” I reminded her gently. “You guys weren't answering my texts. I felt off before I even landed, but I thought I’d just overworked myself. I didn't know I was sick-sick until I got here.”
“Well, it was a truly terrifying way to kick off a wedding trip. Thanks for that,” Penelope said, the snark returning in full force.
“I’m sorry, Morgan. I didn't mean to ruin your week or stress you out.”
“Good Lord, Van, you didn't plan a fever.”
“That’s enough, Mother Hen and Evil Witch,” Elliott’s voice rumbled from the chair. “Why don’t you two go get breakfast and let her rest?”
They both left—Morgan for a nap and Penelope off to find a new victim.
Once the door clicked shut, I finally swung my legs over the side of the bed.
I was in a different sports bra and boy shorts that weren't mine.
The moment my feet hit the floor, my left leg buckled.
I flinched, the sharp, white-hot pain catching me off guard.
“What? What hurts?” Elliott was on his feet in a second.
“My leg. It’s been hurting since I got here.”
“Should I call the doctor back?”
“No, I’ll be okay. I just have to wait it out.”
“That doesn't sound normal, Ness.”
“It probably isn't, but it’s just my reality.”
I noticed another bag next to mine and a few of Elliott’s things scattered around the room. He shrugged when he saw me looking. “I kind of moved in while you were out.”
“Thank you… for everything,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “I don't know which memories are real, but you were in a lot of them. Thank you for staying. My mom will love you even more now, if that’s possible.”
“Yeah, she called a few times. I had to tell her. Hope that’s okay.”
The air between us grew thick and awkward.
“God, I’m surprised she hasn't flown out here.”
“She wanted to,” he laughed softly. “I promised her I wouldn't leave your side.”
“And what else?” I asked, knowing my mother.
“She also wants round-the-clock phone calls.”
I tried to stand again, and this time I didn't refuse Elliott’s hand. He held me steady, his grip firm and warm.
“I’m so stiff. I need a shower.” I looked at the itinerary. “What’s on the agenda today? Cliff diving?”
“No. The rest of the week is just dinners, clubbing, and a bonfire. Morgan’s nesting, so she unpacked for you. She even bought some things for you to wear.”
I groaned and limped toward the bathroom.
“I’ll be right outside if you need me,” he called out. His voice was heavy with worry, a look I usually only saw on my mother’s face.
In the shower, the steam didn't help. I massaged my thigh, the phantom metal beneath my skin feeling like a hot poker. I finally broke, hot tears mixing with the water. When I stepped out, it was impossible to hide that I’d been crying. The pain had spiked from a dull roar to a screaming nine.
Elliott didn't even ask. He immediately called Morgan, the doctor, and my mom.
Ten minutes later, I was back in the armchair, waiting. Dr. Montgomery was handsome—older, a glimpse of what Elliott might look like in twenty years. I let out a jagged moan as he poked at the scar tissue.
“I’m not a specialist, Vanessa,” he said, his brow furrowed. “But this level of pain after so many years isn't right.”
“That means they botched the surgeries, doesn't it?”
He offered a sad, knowing smile. “I think you already suspected that.”
“Jesus, Vanessa,” Elliott groaned, his hand over his mouth.
“I can prescribe something for the rest of the trip, but you need to see a real specialist when you get home,” the doctor said. “It could be the hardware, or a long-term reaction to the metal. I’m based in Texas, but I can point you toward someone I trust.”
“Thank you, Doctor. Can you explain that to my mom, too? She’ll lose her mind.”
“Oh, so you’ll listen to him, but not me?” Elliott asked, his irritation masking his fear.
“He has a medical degree, Satan’s spawn.”
The doctor chuckled. “Do you want something for the pain?”
“Yes,” Elliott said firmly. “No,” I snapped at the same time.
“She’s taking the meds,” Elliott said, his eyes daring me to argue. I glared back. Make me.
Penelope popped her head around the corner with a tray of food, taking in the heavy atmosphere. “God, the sex must be amazing with this weird dynamic you two have going on.”
Dr. Montgomery forced a polite smile and excused himself as quickly as he could.