Chapter Nine #6
Lincoln grinned. “I figured he’d be happier to see you than me.”
Ray laughed in agreement. “See you later, Jackson. He’s in room three twenty, good luck in there.” Then they were gone.
Jackson took several deep breaths before buzzing the nurses’ station to open the doors.
When he got to Henry’s room, he felt dizzy and nauseous again.
Get it together, Owens. That’s your man in there, and you need to do whatever it takes to get him back.
He shook off the nerves so that he could walk into the room.
He swallowed over the large lump in his throat. “Henry?”
Henry opened his eyes then squinted at him and shook his head. “They really weren’t kidding about that head injury.”
Jackson stepped closer to the bed as Henry rubbed his eyes. He looked confused when Jackson took his hand. “Do you feel up to seeing me right now, or should I come back tomorrow?”
Henry stared at him for a few seconds before speaking. “What are you doing here?” The man shook his head, like he couldn’t believe he was seeing Jackson.
“Actually, I’ve been praying,” Jackson told him.
“Praying?” Henry looked skeptically at him. “You don’t believe in prayer.”
“It was the only option I had left.”
“What were you praying for?” Henry’s face became unreadable. He wasn’t even sure the man was happy to see him.
Jackson blew out a hard breath. “That you’d be okay, that it wasn’t too late, that I still had a chance.” He squeezed Henry’s hand as he felt tears sting the corners of his eyes.
“A chance to what?” Henry’s voice gave nothing away either.
“Tell you that I’m sorry to start with.” Jackson looked deeply into Henry’s eyes; they too betrayed nothing. Fuck, what if he hates me now? I did break his heart.
“Shouldn’t you be on a base somewhere being the few and the proud?”
“I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, Henry.” Please don’t let it be too late.
Henry shook his head. “Who called you?”
“No one. I found out from your receptionist that you were in the hospital.”
Henry looked confused. “What do you mean? You were here before you found out?”
“Yeah,” Jackson whispered, feeling like he could finally breathe when Henry’s fingers curled around his hand. “I sat in that office, with the paperwork right in front of me, and I couldn’t sign it. All I could think about was you telling me that you love me.”
“That didn’t seem to matter before.” Finally, Jackson saw emotion. Intense pain flashed in Henry’s eyes. His voice was calm, however, and Jackson appreciated that. If their positions were reversed, he could imagine how harsh and sharply he would have said that.
“It mattered.”
Henry focused his big blue eyes on him. “Why?”
“Because I love you, Henry.” Time seemed to stand still as he waited for Henry to say something.
When he didn’t, Jackson continued. “I’ve never said that to anyone.
I’ve never felt like this about anyone but you.
” The man was still silent. Jackson brought his free hand up to Henry’s jaw.
“Say something, baby.” Tears formed in Henry’s eyes then spilled down his cheek.
“Please don’t cry.” Fuck, why is he crying?
He took a chance, leaning down to kiss Henry softly.
When he kissed back, relief washed over him so intensely that he felt his knees almost buckle.
“Henry,” he whispered, pulling back slightly to look into the man’s eyes.
His vision was blurry due to the emotion coursing through him.
Henry’s eyes were teary as well. Their lips were so close. “I love you so much, baby.”
The beginnings of a smile teased the corner of Henry’s mouth, and the brilliant sparkle returned to his eyes. “I love you too, Jackson.”
“I got you something while I was in California.” Jackson was so nervous that his heart was racing at an out-of-control pace. What if this wasn’t something Henry wanted. “This isn’t the right time or place, but I can’t wait.”
“I’m sure it will be okay if you give it to me now.” Henry squeezed his hand.
“I hope so.” Jackson’s breath was coming hard and fast. This might very well be the scariest moment of his life.
“You look a little pale. Are you okay?” Henry looked worried.
“Yeah. I’m just nervous,” Jackson admitted.
“About what?”
Jackson slowly let out a breath. “Giving you this.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out the jewelry box, and handed it to Henry.
Henry opened the lid, eyes widening at the sight of the two golden bands inside. “What?” He looked up at Jackson.
“You are everything to me, Henry, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
“I thought you didn’t believe in marriage.” Henry stared at him. He looked like he was in shock.
“Maybe not.” Jackson shrugged. “But I believe in you and me. I made a huge fucking mistake leaving. You are more important to me than anything has ever been in my entire life. I need you to say yes.”
Tears again filled Henry’s eyes. Jackson’s heart beat wildly in his chest while he waited for the man’s answer. “Yes,” he finally said.