TRAVIS

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Her goddamn phone has been incessant for hours, but she’s intent on showing her commitment to us. It’s sweet, but I don’t need her reassurances anymore. I know this is it. Now, we enjoy living our lives together.

I go in search of her phone, but it stops ringing before I get to it. She has twenty-four missed calls, and they’re all from her dad.

“Jules. You better call your dad.” She emerges from the bathroom in nothing but a towel, and I can already feel myself hardening for her again. It’s like now that the dam is open, I can’t control the flood. I want more—my thirst for her is insatiable.

“Why? I told you I can call back later.”

“You have a ton of missed calls from him. Maybe it’s important.”

“How many?” Her color drains as fear wraps her in its cold tendrils.

“Twenty-four.” Panicked, she grabs the phone out of my hand. “There’s something I need to tell you before you talk to him.”

“Whatever it is can wait. I need to check they’re okay.” She disappears from the room with the phone to her ear.

“Daddy… what’s wrong? Slow down.”

I quickly dress and find some clothes for Jules. From the sound of her voice, I’m assuming the worst which is confirmed when she reappears five minutes later with tears streaming down her face.

“It’s my mom. She took a bad turn… tried to make breakfast for my dad… there was a fire.”

“Oh my God. Are they okay?”

“Yes. My dad got her out, but she got some pretty bad burns on her arms. They’ve taken her to the hospital. I have to go. I know the timing with us is… but she’s my mom.” I pull her into my arms, her body shaking against mine.

“I’ll go with you. You shouldn’t have to do this alone.”

“I can’t ask you to do that. What about Eli?”

“I’ll bring him with me. He can stay with his grandparents. It’s not up for debate. I’m coming.”

I make her sit and have coffee. She forces herself to eat, but it’s not a lot. I book the next flight to LA and set about packing a bag for the three of us. I’d let him stay here with my parents, but I don’t feel right about leaving him after the bear attack. It’ll be good for him to have a change of scenery for a few days, and I can be by Juliet’s side for whatever comes next with her mom.

We pick up Eli on our way to the airport and just like that, everything changes… again. Life changes on a dime, and if I’ve learned anything recently, it’s to roll with the punches. We can get through this together.

The smell of hospitals makes my stomach churn. Nothing but bad memories and death linger in these hallways. Juliet’s father was here to meet us when we arrived, his face pale and gaunt, the ravages of worry taking their toll.

I lace my fingers with hers trying to offer her strength as she steels herself for what she’s about to see. The room is quiet, the gentle hum of monitors and medication lines the only sound. Her mom is asleep, but the damage is clear. Her arms are wrapped in thick bandages from her wrists to her biceps.

Jules turns her face into my chest, a silent sob racking her body at the sight of her mom, vulnerable and injured. The realities of this disease are lost on most people. I did some research after she told me, and it’s alarming. It’s also a possibility that Juliet has the same gene. A life with her could mean her forgetting the life we build and needing round-the-clock care. But, none of that matters to me. I’d walk to the ends of the Earth for her. I’d slay the dragon. I’ll care for her if this is her fate.

“She looks so frail, Daddy. And, you look exhausted.”

“It’s been hard, muffin. I’ve been trying to cope by myself, but she needs better care than I can give her. They are saying she needs full-time home help, or she’ll need to move to a facility for round-the-clock care.” He breaks down, unable to face the future that lies ahead. Juliet goes to him wrapping her arms around him, rocking him like a child.

“It’s okay, Daddy. I’m here now. You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll figure it out.”

I step outside giving them a few moments together. I take the time to make a few calls, setting the wheels in motion for an earlier plan of mine. I was holding off to gauge Juliet’s reaction, but it’s too late for that. This requires action—now.

The hours tick by slowly as we watch and wait for her mom to come around. We’ve spoken with the doctors who are concerned she may need skin grafts, but it’s too early to tell. Jules formally introduces me to her dad, and it lightens the mood somewhat.

“Travis, this is my father, Matthew.”

“Nice to meet you, sir.” I hold out my hand, his shake firm and strong.

“Likewise. I wish it was under better circumstances. But, I’m glad to see you two got your act together.” He rests his hands over his wife’s. “There’s no time for nonsense and indecision.”

Mrs. Abrams eyes flutter at the sound of her husband’s voice and the touch of his hand. Her voice is barely a whisper.

“Is that you, sweetheart?”

“Yes, love. I’m here.” She opens her eyes and looks around the room, taking it all in.

“Where are we?”

“The hospital. You had an accident. The doctors are taking real good care of you.”

Her eyes find mine, and I think I see a hint of a smile on her lips.

“And who is this fine-looking young man?”

“Travis Thorburn, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m praying for a speedy recovery for you.”

“What a sweet boy. Thank you. I’m Margot. And who is this pretty lady you brought with you?” My heart sinks as she looks to her daughter with a vacant stare. She has no idea who Jules is.

“It’s me, Mom… Juliet.”

“Mom?” Margot becomes agitated. “I’m not a mother.”

“It’s okay. Sometimes you forget things. Don’t get upset, Mom.” The tears drip from Jules’s eyes and onto the harsh hospital sheets.

“Stop calling me that. I don’t know you. I don’t have kids. I’d remember. What kind of mother forgets her own kids. You’re lying. Get out of here. Get out!”

“I… I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry.”

“Get out!” I rest my hand on her shoulder offering whatever comfort I can.

“Why don’t we go and get some coffee? We’ll bring your dad back something to eat.” Her father looks at us with desolate eyes, a silent plea for help and the strength to carry on. I have to lift Jules to her feet and support her as we make our way to the door, her legs struggling to hold her up.

“Are you okay? I know that’s a stupid question right now. What can I do for you? Tell me, and it’s done.” She stares blankly into the distance—her fight is gone.

“I need to go up to the finance department and figure out a payment plan.”

“You don’t have to worry about any of that. Focus on your mom and dad.”

“She doesn’t know who I am.” Saying it out loud hits her like a ton of bricks. Her breath quickens. “My mom doesn’t remember me.” Her eyes roll back in her head, and she goes limp sending her crashing toward the floor. I manage to scoop her into my arms before she gets hurt, but my attempts to rouse her are ineffective.

“Jules, wake up. Open your eyes.” She remains unresponsive, so I carry her to the closest nursing station.

“I need help. My girlfriend just passed out, and I can’t seem to wake her.” They rush us to a room and doctors go to work on her, the nurses trying to push me out the door.

“Sir, you need to wait outside. Let the doctors work.”

“I’m not leaving her. What’s wrong? One minute she was talking to me and the next she was gone.” My heart feels like it’s about to explode. I can’t go through this again. I need her to be okay.

“We don’t know yet. The doctor will run tests, and we’ll figure out what’s wrong. Please just go to the waiting room. I’ll come and get you as soon as I know anything. You can’t do anything for her right now.” I know… and that’s what’s killing me. I can’t do anything to help her.

The waiting room is cold and dark, and I’m the only person in here. I’ve been here before—the night Eli was born. It makes me sick to my stomach to think of Jules lying on a gurney, helpless and alone. The cheap clock on the wall gets louder with every minute that ticks by. I should go and tell her dad what’s going on, but until I know something, I don’t want to add more stress. He’s already frantic with worry for his wife. Add his daughter to the mix, and I’m scared he’ll have a heart attack.

An hour goes by before the nurse comes to get me.

“She’s asking for you, Mr. Thorburn.” I catapult myself from the chair and out the door, desperate to get to her.

“What happened? What’s wrong with her?”

“I can’t tell you that, sir. You’re not a family member. She’ll be able to explain everything. The doctor has already spoken with her.”

“She is family no matter what a piece of paper says.” She shows me back to the room where Juliet sits smiling back at me. Her eyes are sunken, exhaustion clear in the lines of her face.

“I’m so sorry about this, Trav.”

“Don’t ever apologize. I’m worried about you. What happened?”

“I’ve just been so sick with worry, I haven’t eaten today and was overwhelmed with what happened with my mom.” I search her eyes, looking for the answers she’s not telling me.

“You wouldn’t wake up, Jules. That’s not just a fainting episode. Is there something more serious going on that you don’t want to tell me? I’m not going to lie, this hospital holds bad memories for me, but whatever it is, I can handle it. I’ll be here with you and never leave your side.” She reaches out her hand, beckoning me to her bedside. My adrenaline is pumping so hard, I find it tough to sit still. ‘They said they couldn’t tell me because I’m not family. That’s a load of bullshit. We’re family, Jules. You know that, right?”

“Yes.”

“We’re going to get married the second we leave this hospital. If people need a piece of paper that lets them know your mine, so be it. You are mine to care for, and love, and be there when shit gets bad. I never want to feel so helpless again.”

“Did you just propose to me? In a really aggressive not aimed at me kind of way.”

“I…” I stop and think about it for a moment.

“Maybe we should just forget that conversation. You might feel differently when you hear what I have to say.” What am I thinking? I’ve known since our first kiss that I want her to be my wife. I didn’t want to face it at first because it felt like a betrayal to the marriage and the life I had before. Now, I realize that Eli was right. My angel put Jules in my path. She sent me a woman who completes my bruised and battered soul. I drop to one knee at her bedside, clasping her hand tight in mine.

“Juliet Abrams, I’ve been searching for you for a long time even when I didn’t think finding love again was a possibility for me. You took my blackened heart and breathed life back into it. You saved my son’s life as bravely as you saved mine. I love you with everything that I am and everything I hope to be. I want you to be my wife, my life partner, a lover, and a friend through the bad and the good. I want you to be a mother to Eli. I don’t care what happens next as long as I’m with you. Nothing you could tell me would ever change the way I feel about you. Will you marry me?”

I wait patiently, praying she’ll say yes, but when she opens her mouth to speak, I’m shocked by her answer.

“I’m pregnant.”

“What?”

“That night you came for me in L.A. Lost in the moment, I forgot my contraceptive injection had lapsed. I was distraught after I got back from Montana. Nothing seemed important.” Unadulterated joy fills my heart. Even in our darkest moment, we created something beautiful.

“Really? We’re going to have a baby?”

“Yes.” I place my hand on her stomach in awe of her body. She’s carrying my child in her belly.

“Eli’s going to be a big brother. I can’t believe it.”

“Are you happy? I know we didn’t plan this. I would never have had sex without protection if I’d known.” My heart constricts in my chest.

“Do you want the baby?”

“More than anything.” I cup her face in my hands, stealing a tender kiss, licking the seam of her lips, begging entrance to worship her with awe and wonder as if for the first time.

“So do I. Please, Jules, say you’ll marry me. You’ve already made me the happiest man in the world, but I want you to be mine. I want all the caveman archaic gifts that men have enjoyed without appreciation. I want you to take my name, to bear my children, to love me when no one can. Let me care for you and protect you and love you more than any other man in heaven or earth could until my dying breath.”

“Yes. Of course, I’ll marry you, Travis. I love you. I do have one request before I become your wife.”

“Name it, and I’ll make it yours.”

“I want you to take some time to think it over. It’s a big deal. If we’re going to be a family, I would like to ask your permission to adopt Eli. I love him, and I want to be his mom before I become a mother to this baby. He’s my son. I realized that the night of the bear attack. I can’t explain it… like…”

“Like you were sent to us by an angel?” Her eyes well with tears as she nods in understanding. “Eli realized it, too. He told me that his heavenly mommy knew he needed a mommy to love him here on Earth, and she sent you.”

“Oh my God. Travis. Say yes.”

“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. You are mine, and I am yours, and he is ours.” I rest my hand on her stomach. “And we’re all going to love this baby so much.” Happiness replaces fear, and we choose to be joyful in the face of adversity.

When the doctors are certain she’s okay and have given her a prescription for supplements and a date for a follow-up scan, we make our way hand in hand back to her mom’s room. Her dad is asleep in the chair still holding his wife’s hand as she drifts in and out from the medication.

“I was supposed to go to the finance office. Can you wait here and tell my dad where I’ve gone?”

“Not a chance. I’m not letting you out of my sight. You need to go home and rest. Besides… it’s all taken care of.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t get mad.” I know her, and that’s why I hadn’t told her yet.

“What did you do?”

“When you told me about the Alzheimer’s, I did some research. I realized how much support families need who are dealing with this. I didn’t know if things would work out with us, but I knew that I loved you, and I wanted to help no matter what happened between us. I set up a trust in your mom’s name and instructed my lawyer to make sure all of her medical needs are covered.” She bursts into tears, and I’m afraid I’ve upset her rather than helping.

“Travis… that’s too much. I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t. I want to. We can get help in the house so that she doesn’t have to go into a home. Your dad will be able to enjoy his time with her and not worry about taking it all on himself.”

“Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

“I do have something else I’d like to suggest now that we’re going to be a family.”

“What? You’ve done so much already. I can’t thank you enough.”

“I’d do anything for you, wildcat. There’s a third property on my land. It was the original house that was there when I bought it. It’s not elaborate or anything, but it’s big enough for two. We could renovate it, and if you would like… they could come and live there?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. You’ll be able to see them whenever you want. They’ll be able to see the kids. And most of all… you won’t have to feel torn up about not being close to them. Think about it, talk to your dad, and take as much time as you need. The offer is there. We can have a live-in nurse at their house to care for your mom.” Jules slams into me, pushing me against the wall with a fierce kiss.

“I love you. Do you know that?”

“I do.”

“The fact that you were willing to help us even if you decided we couldn’t be together. Travis, you have the biggest heart.”

“And the biggest…” I try to lighten the mood feeling overwhelmed by the events of today. She slaps me on the shoulder before leaning in for a spine-tingling kiss that sets me ablaze.

I’ll never tire of her lips on mine.