Chapter Twenty-five
“Local business owner saves girlfriend from fire set by jealous ex.” Jen read the headline from the news website off her phone.
Eric frowned from his chair next to her hospital bed. He’d suffered a few burns that needed treatment, and his lungs had more than a bit of scarring, but the doctors had released him only knowing that he wouldn’t be leaving anyways.
“Aren’t you supposed to not be talking much?” he grumbled.
Jen laid down the phone and frowned at him. “You know full well he said to take it easy. There was nothing about talking.” She pointed to the annoying oxygen tubes planted firmly against her nostrils. “As long as I’m wearing these, I’m getting what I need. At least for the next couple days while the swelling goes down.”
Eric shook his head and reached out to take her hand. “He said to take it easy and not to strain your voice.”
His voice was soft as he spoke, and Jen knew he was just worried about her. It was all he had done for the last couple days she’d been there. She loved him but had thought more than a couple of times about strangling him with her oxygen cords.
Jen sighed and gave his hand a squeeze.
“I’m okay. Really,” she said.
Her words seemed to ease his mind at least a little, and he sat back in his chair, his hand still holding hers.
Jen looked back down at the news site. She didn’t read the rest of it out loud. She didn’t really need to since they’d both lived it. Although she’d been out for all the heroic aspects, she was more than aware just how amazing Eric was.
The only difference was that now the whole city knew it as well. The steady stream of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff was more than indication enough. Despite his dismissive nature, Eric was famous, and everyone now saw the amazing man that he was.
Her gaze slid over to the picture of Charles they had next to Eric. Each man covered in soot and disheveled, but only one an attempted murderer. Her stomach tightened, and she closed her eyes for a moment to get her anxiety back in check.
The hospital shrink said she would likely have some PTSD. There would even be moments where her anxiety might spike at odd moments, likely triggering all those emotions in some small way.
Eric had given her some good tricks to get by, including some breathing exercises, visualizations, and relying on the people around her. She opened her eyes and looked over to Eric who was staring at her once again.
He stroked her hand with his thumb in a calming way before standing and sliding onto the bed. She nestled herself into his warm arms. There wasn’t much she remembered about leaving the apartment, but one thing had stayed with her, the safety she felt while wrapped in his arms.
Jen sighed as she closed her eyes against his chest, soaking up the strength he offered. Her head still hurt from where she’d been hit by Charles. The doctors had run several tests, and it didn’t seem as if there were going to be any lasting effects. Still, the dull ache lingered there behind her eyes.
“Do you think he’ll go to prison?” she asked.
Eric tensed against her. They had avoided talking about Charles. She assumed that the shrink had mentioned to him something about letting her talk about what happened on her own terms. It sounded like something he might say.
“I think there will be a trial, and he will be convicted if he doesn’t plead guilty first,” Eric said.
Although she wanted to be tough, Jen hoped Charles pleaded guilty so she never had to see him again. Either way, she wanted to make sure he didn’t see the light of day for some time.
“No matter what, you’re safe with me,” Eric added.
His other arm wrapped gently around her, and she nestled in against his chest. Her eyes landed on the beautiful flowers sitting beside her bed and she smiled. There was no question to anyone that she was safe in his arms.
Even her parents had come around to their side. When she’d first come out of the medically induced coma, she was surprised to find herself surrounded by not just Eric but also her parents. There was a lovely bouquet addressed to them both, a nice example of just how drastically things had changed.
She knew things would never be perfect between any of them, but what family was? With a little effort on her part, who knew what the future would bring?
Jen sat up a little and smiled at Eric. She placed a soft kiss against his lips.
“I love you,” she said softly.
Eric frowned a little before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a little black box and thrust it into her hands.
Jen flipped open the case and was surprised to find a small diamond ring, with clusters of diamonds on each side.
“It was my mother’s,” he said softly.
Jen fingered the beautiful ring. “It’s lovely.”
Eric took her hand in his. She stared up at his deep brown eyes, and her heart jumped into her throat.
“Marry me,” he said softly.
Jen hadn’t been expecting this at all.
“I’ve loved you from the moment I first set eyes on you,” Eric continued, “and I will love you until my last breath. Marry me, Jennifer.”
Her hand shook as she held it out, and he slipped the ring easily on.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked back at him and placed another kiss against his lips. This time she slipped her tongue into his mouth as she melted into him.
After a moment, Eric pulled away and smiled down at her. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Jen gave a small laugh and held up the ring on her hand. “You already have my heart. You might as well have my hand.” She smiled. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Eric leaned down and planted a hard kiss against her lips. After a few moments, he pulled away and stared down at her. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.” He grinned.
Jen snorted. “Let’s see if you’re still saying that after surviving a wedding with my mother.”
Eric leaned down and nuzzled her ear. “As long as I have a week to enjoy you on our honeymoon, I don’t think I’ll care.”
A blush spread across her cheeks as she pictured a week in bed with him. “We could always elope in Vegas and spend two weeks on the honeymoon.”
Eric let out a loud laugh, and she grinned back up at him. “Fine but you get to break it to everyone.”
Jen laughed and nestled into his arms. “Sure thing,” she whispered. “I’ll just send an email once we’re already on the plane.”
A warm hand surrounded her once again, and she sighed at the heat on her back as it soothed her. A yawn slipped from her mouth. His hands worked magic on her soul.
“Get some sleep,” Eric whispered. “We’ve got the rest of our lives together.”
Jen smiled as she slipped off to sleep, wrapped in the arms of the man who would love her from now until forever.