Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
J ules lay in her hospital bed, staring at the ceiling as the sounds of the hospital buzzed around her. It had been forty-eight hours since she was admitted, and she felt like she was starting to go stir-crazy. The constant beeping of the machines, the sterile smell of antiseptic, and the too-bright fluorescent lights were all starting to wear on her nerves.
Amari had come to check on her several times each day, his cologne overpowering the hospital smell every time he walked in. He tried to be charming, suggesting they get back together. Jules ignored him, her focus elsewhere. She couldn’t even muster the energy to argue with him. Jacqui, on the other hand, had taken up residence in the room, her glares at Amari making it clear that his presence was not welcome.
Her grandmother, N?inai, and her cousins had all stopped by, their visits brief but comforting. They brought flowers, books, and their warm, loving presence, each one trying to lift her spirits. There was one notable absence.
Fish.
She knew he'd been here. He'd brought her. He'd stayed in the waiting room. But he'd never once come to her room.
Noah had assured her that Fish was at the bakery, working overtime to get everything in order for her. It was a small consolation, knowing he was still trying to move all obstacles out of her way for when she got out, but it didn’t stop the ache in her heart from growing.
He'd been a fixture in her life since the first day he'd come to work in Chow Town. Stopping by for a pastry, lending a hand in the bakery, and then standing by her side during the worst moments of her life after the fire.
She couldn't remember a day without him. Though she was sure there had been some. Right now, she missed him desperately and couldn’t shake the feeling that he blamed himself for what happened.
"Jules, you need to eat something," Jacqui said, pushing a tray of hospital food toward her.
Jules wanted to tell her big sister that she wasn't hungry, which was true. But she knew that those words would only land her with a lecture. And so she sighed, sitting up in the bed.
"I'm not trying to helicopter you, but I can see your numbers."
The blasted machines gave Jules away. She took the food offered to her and chewed but tasted nothing. Though it was tasteless, she did feel the texture. It was even less appetizing. Tasteless, weirdly textured healthy foods were one of the reasons she’d started making her own food. Just because she was diabetic didn't mean that food had to be unappetizing.
"I know, I know," said Jacqui. "But it's all they had in the cafeteria. I'll make all your favorites when we bust you out of here."
"I love you, Jacqs."
"I know you do. I love you too, Jule-bug."
Jules looked down at her hands. The hospital band around her wrist felt heavy. It read Jules C. Pike. She hadn’t expected the name to have such an impact, but seeing it there, so official, made her chest tighten with a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite untangle. It wasn’t just a name; it was a connection, a bond that had formed so quickly, yet felt as though it had always been there, waiting for her to realize it.
"I love him, too."
Jacqui's response was a knowing smile.
"He said it was love at first sight for him."
Jacqui waggled her head. A small smile played at her lips. Had her big sister known? Had she seen Fish's emotions the whole time? Was that why she hadn't been Amari's fan?
But what about Fish? If he loved her so much, then where was he? Why wasn't he at her bedside?
"He blames himself for what happened, doesn't he?"
Jacqui didn't answer. She didn't need to.
"It was my fault. I should've known better than to go on that hike. But I wanted to do something he liked. He can't take all the blame. We're married. We're supposed to be in this together."
"Fish is the type to shoulder all the blame. He thinks he has to protect everyone."
"I don't need his protection. That's what I have you for."
Jacqui laughed and then nodded her agreement.
"I just need him near me."
"Well, when you get out of here, you set him straight," Jacqui said firmly. "You two need to talk. Really talk."
"I will. As soon as I’m out of here."
Jules lay back against the pillows. She couldn't help but reflect on her grandfather's will, the edict that had seemed so outrageous and antiquated at first. Forcing his granddaughters to get married to access their inheritance—it had felt like sexist crap, a relic of a bygone era. But as she lay there, she realized how much her life had changed for the better because of it.
"Jacqui," she said softly, breaking the silence.
"Yeah?"
"Do you ever think about how Yéye’s will brought us to where we are now?"
Jacqui tilted her head, considering. "All the time. It seemed like a crazy, unfair thing at first. But look at us now. I have Noah, and you have Fish. It’s like Yéye knew something we didn’t."
Jules nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I wouldn’t have married Fish if it wasn’t for the will. I would have waited years to marry Amari, and I would have been miserable."
The thought made her shiver, like she was standing out in a snow storm unprotected. Amari had never truly understood her dreams, her passion for the bakery. He might have even convinced her to give it up, molding her into someone who fit his needs rather than loving her for who she was.
She recalled the conversations with Amari about selling her recipes, turning her dream into a factory line of products devoid of the personal touch she loved. That wasn’t love; that was convenience. That was Amari making her into someone who served his ambitions.
Fish, on the other hand, had done everything to make her happy and fulfill her needs. He had supported her, stood by her, and worked tirelessly to ensure her dreams became reality. He had believed in her, even when she doubted herself.
Jules felt a pang of guilt. She needed to do more to make sure she was making him happy, fulfilling his needs. He deserved that, and so much more. She resolved to do just that as soon as she got released from the hospital.