Chapter Seventeen
Dana
As I came back into the room, I noticed the heavy rise and fall of Jake’s chest. Seeing him alive and breathing made my heart flutter, and I couldn’t fully accept that at least for now our nightmare was on pause. He had fought with the nurses about taking his medicine, and it took me putting my foot down before he actually agreed. I knew that he needed to sleep, but he insisted that he wasn’t tired and what he needed was to stay awake with me. I shook my head and softly chuckled, thinking of how stubborn this man could be. Argue as he might, the nurse and I had won out and he had swallowed his pills begrudgingly. Finally, his medicine had started to kick in, and the rest he so desperately needed had finally come. I didn’t want to bother him, but after what happened, I needed to at least be nearby. I sat down beside him and just watched his face as he slept. I noticed every wrinkle and line, every curve and crease that made up his face. How this stunning man fell for me was a mystery, and I smiled to myself as I thought about the first time I saw him in that bar. If Mitch hadn’t been called away, if Jake hadn’t winked, if I hadn’t winked, where would I be today? I thanked the universe for putting everything in motion, even if there had been some roadblocks and hurdles along the way. Anything worth loving is worth fighting for, I reminded myself, and decided it was best to focus on the positives right now.
Jake started to murmur in his sleep, and I was worried that he would wake himself. His body desperately needed time to heal, and resting was the only way that was going to happen. I decided that maybe the warmth of my body would soothe his dreams, so I stood up and delicately moved the blankets aside, giving me enough space to slip underneath. This clearly was not a bed designed for two, but I angled my slight frame so that it fit perfectly into Jake’s nook. Our bodies fit together like two jigsaw pieces, and I instantly felt his breathing relax. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my neck, and I gently pulled one of his arms around me. I silently prayed that he wouldn’t wake up, and I knew I was playing a risky game by moving him. But I had spent the better part of the last few days separated from him, and now all I needed was to be in his arms. Nothing in this world had the ability to calm me as quickly as Jake did, and even being deeply asleep his simple presence comforted me. I snuggled in delicately, trying to match up our bodies without jolting him awake.
Jake instinctively moved his body so that he was spooned perfectly around me. His breathing deepened, and I let my breath fall in sync with his. I focused on the sound of him breathing, letting my stress melt away for the first time in what felt like ages. Knowing my Jake was safe helped erase all of my fears, and I knew that we could conquer the world so long as we had each other. As he continued to sleep, I allowed myself to close my eyes. I wanted to stay awake and watch over this man, the warrior in me wanted to protect him. But I knew that right outside the door stood an army, and no one was going to be penetrating their barricade tonight. I hated to admit it, but at the moment I was thankful for the Flaming Dragons. They may have tried to pull Jake and I apart, but they had his back when he was at his most vulnerable moment. With Mitch back in his bed, and Tina tending to him, I knew that for right now there was nothing left for me to do. A final sigh and let myself join Jake, taking a well-deserved rest.
***
I awoke to the feeling of light kisses on my neck. Jake was smiling.
“Well good morning to you, sleepy head” Jake purred. “You clearly got some beauty rest, because you’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”
His words made me blush, and I ran my hand through my hair trying to tame it so that I didn’t look like a crazy mess. Jake grabbed my hand and stopped me.
“Don’t go messing up that sexy bed hair. I love when you look wild and untamed, reminds me of how you look when you’re pouncing on me!”
I playfully slapped at Jake, and grasped my wrist, pushing my arm flat against my chest.
“Do I need to restrain you, Dana Doll?” Jake teased “Because you know that I’m more than happy to.”
Our lips locked, and my hands raked through his hair, pulling him closer against me. I began to cry as the sensation of having him in my arms finally hit home how close I had come to losing him. This was my soulmate, and I knew that our future together had almost been extinguished.
Jake wiped away my tears and looked at me with such love that I couldn’t help but have my tears well up again. I vowed to myself that I would make a beautiful life with this man, and that nothing would ever stop us. I wanted to live my life enjoying every moment with Jake. I could picture us with children, with grandchildren, and simply growing old together in each other’s arms.
Jake held me close and softly kissed my head over and over, while I buried my face in his warm chest. This man may not be perfect, but I knew he was absolutely perfect for me and I was never letting him go. I knew the feeling of having him ripped from me, and there was no way I was ever going to let that happen again. This man was going to commit to me until death do us part, and if I had my way death would never come. I knew that was unrealistic, but in this place reality didn’t matter and I just wanted to focus on the forever that lay ahead for Jake and I.
“Dana, before we have to return to life and face what is outside those doors, I need to ask you one thing.”
“What? I’ll do anything that you ask, just say what you need.”
“Make me the happiest man alive, and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Oh Jake, I thought you’d never ask!”
I gave Jake my answer and beamed as I thought about becoming his wife. Deep down, I had known from our very first glance that this was how it was going to end for us, and to have it settled out loud filled my heart with complete and utter joy.