Chapter Twenty-Four #2
“I had this ring made durin’ our senior year of high school.
I know you saw it because Marcus shared your conversation with me.
I’ve held onto the ring for all these years because no one was ever worthy of it other than you.
Little Fairy, I’ve loved you since the second I saw you in the hall being cornered by Jess and tremblin’ like a leaf in a wind storm.
That was the first time in my life I ever felt protective over another person who wasn’t blood or in the club.
That’s how I knew you were the only girl I’d ever fall in love with and marry one day.
It took us a long journey to get here and I’m sorry for all of my fuck-ups along the way.
All I know is I don’t want to stay on this ride alone any longer.
Sheridan Russell will you do me the greatest honor of bein’ my ol’ lady and wife?
” Axel asks me, his voice gentle as tears fill my eyes and I nod my head yes while holding my hand out for him to slide the ring on my finger.
The second it’s in place, Axel stands and leans over the bed to claim my lips with his. And there is no simple kiss between the two of us. He claims me despite my dad being in the room and the fact that someone could walk in any second. I’m breathless in seconds and give him back as good as I get.
“She’s still my daughter,” my dad says, finally interrupting us.
Axel slowly pulls his lips from mine and I can’t help but look down at the ring sitting on my finger.
“I never asked about the purple sapphires. Why did you choose them?” I ask Axel while inspecting the ring once again.
“They remind me of your eyes when you're happy. Your eyes sparkle and light up as if all the light in the world is shinin’ from them. I’ve never seen anythin’ like it before,” he answers me as a knock sounds on the door of my room.
We look over to find the doctor standing in the doorway with a tablet in hand. He’s hesitant to come inside very far and I can’t blame him after Axel chewed him a new ass.
“We’ve got all the results from your tests and imaging back.
You’re very lucky, Miss Russell. There is some slight swelling around your spine but I believe it’s from the car accident you were in since you’re still healing from that.
All of the wounds on your body are superficial with the exception of the two hits you took to the head.
Those are already healing though and won’t require stitches.
You have a concussion and will need to be watched.
You’ll likely experience headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
If any of those become overwhelming, you need to come back to the hospital immediately.
We didn’t detect any kind of bleeding on your brain, but we may have to check again.
For now, I recommend wearing a brace on your left wrist. I know you didn’t get out of the cast that long ago.
I’d like to ensure there is no further damage that’s been done to the area after being confined in the handcuffs that dug into you.
Are there any questions any of you have?
” the doctor informs us as I sigh in relief.
“The first question is how much longer do I have to be here? Secondly, can I take a full, hot shower when I get home?” I question the doctor as Axel holds my hand in his.
“I’d like you to get some more fluids in you through the IV.
You are dehydrated. After that, we’ll discharge you to go home.
You can take a shower when you get there.
I don’t recommend a truly hot one though.
It could make you dizzy and fall in the shower,” he says as I slump back against the lumpy pillows.
“A nurse will be in with a brace shortly. For now, try not to move your wrist too much. When you have a follow-up appointment, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re put in physical therapy to help strengthen your wrist.”
“Thank you,” I tell him before he leaves the room. “I’m ready to get the hell out of here.”
“We’ll be headin’ home soon enough, Little Fairy. Get the fluids you need and then we’ll be out of here. I’ll even stop at the diner and grab all of your favorites so you don’t have to wait to eat,” Axel says just as there’s another knock on the door.
Jolene is standing there with bags in both hands. “I already asked the doctor if you could eat. Hammer and Knuckles made a run to the diner and grabbed a ton of food. This is for the three of you,” she tells us with a large smile on her face.
Axel grabs the food from his mom and brings it over to divide between us.
The bags are loaded down with burgers, fries, spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, grilled cheese, a chocolate milkshake, mozzarella sticks, and a piece of cheesecake.
My stomach rumbles in hunger as I take in all the food laid out in front of me.
Axel and my dad each grab a burger while he hands me the spaghetti and meatballs.
The garlic bread is smothered in cheese and I don’t hesitate to take the first bite of bread.
I don’t stop the moan that escapes because the food from the diner is always delicious and I will never turn any of it down for any reason.
The three of us eat in silence as we devour the food brought to us.
I manage to eat most of the spaghetti and meatballs, all of the bread, and a few mozzarella sticks.
Axel and I end up sharing the cheesecake because it’s our favorite.
By the time I’m done eating and fully stuffed, I can’t stop myself from falling asleep.
If I’m gonna be kept here a few more hours, I might as well get some rest while I can.
All I want to do is hold my son in my arms and stare at him as if it’s been years since I’ve seen him instead of the four days I was away from him.