A couple weeks passed.
It was the morning of Melanie and William's wedding.
Lips touched mine, waking me up.
I pulled back and opened my eyes to see Jake smiling at me.
"Good morning," I smiled.
"Hi, beautiful," he smiled, kissing me again.
My phone rang.
Jake groaned.
I reached over and grabbed it. I answered, "Hello?"
"Hey, Britt. It's Carly." The trial patient who took Wesley's place. She was becoming a really close friend.
"Hey. What's up?" I smiled.
"Did I wake you?"
"No, Jake already did. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I was online and I found the most perfect shoes for your wedding. They're American flags and they're covered in crystals. I texted you a picture."
I looked at the shoes. "Ooh. Love them. Nice find."
"Right? I was really excited when I found them."
I smiled, "I'm going to have to have Diane order them for me."
"I already forwarded the picture and link to her."
"You're awesome," I smiled.
"I know. Okay, so you're not coming in today, because Jake's sister is getting married?"
"Right, I'll be in to get his dad, then I have to rush him to the church. I'll come check on you tonight, though."
"Sounds awesome. Have fun for me!"
"You know I will. I'll see you later."
"Bye."
I hung up.
Jake was pouting. "Was that Carly?"
"Yes."
He sighed.
I got up.
"Where are you going?" Jake asked.
"I'm taking a shower. You want to join me?" I smirked, walking towards the bathroom.
He got out of bed and followed me.
We stripped and got in the shower.
The water was hot and steamy, very soothing.
After we washed each other, I turned to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. I pulled him to me, closing the space between us. I reached up and gave him a kiss.
He deepened it and pulled back. "We need to hurry."
"Then, what are you waiting for?" I breathed, giving him another kiss.
He lifted me up and onto him.
A moan escaped both our mouths.
The muscles in my stomach clenched as I held onto him. I made a trail of kisses to his neck as he pushed me against the wall.
With each thrust becoming more hard and intense than the one before, my body was building high and higher.
When one of the thrusts became all I could take, I clenched my teeth down on his shoulder.
He moaned and released with me. He pressed me into the wall, holding me up.
We were both panting, trying to catch our breaths. We looked in each other's eyes, holding each other as if our lives depended on it.
"Dr. Malone?" Diane called.
Jake dropped his head to my neck, trying to catch his breath.
"Yeah, Diane?" I called.
"Your outfit is set out and ready for you to put on."
"Thank you," I spoke.
Diane had helped me pick out what to wear. She was really good with things like that. I imagined that she picked out my father's outfits more so than not.
"And I took it upon myself to bring in stylists to do your hair and makeup."
"You're awesome."
Jake wiggled his hips.
I glared at him and pulled his hair.
"The stylists are ready when you are," Diane spoke.
The door closed.
Jake looked up at me. "Mean."
"Me? Try you!"
"Here's a question. How are we going to get out of here without them knowing we were in here together?" he asked.
Crap.
"Put me down. I'll go out and distract them."
He nodded, pulled out of me, and put me down. He opened the shower for me.
I stepped out and dried off. I brushed my teeth and hair, then I stepped out of the restroom.
The stylists were in our room. They were in all black, both with dark brown hair and green eyes. I briefly wondered if they were related.
They immediately got to work. One of them curled my hair and tied a piece of it back. Then, the makeup artist began working on my makeup.
Jake came in, dressed in a crisp black suit. His hair was scruffy and ruffled.
I smiled, looking at him in the mirror. "You look amazing."
"I know," he smirked.
I rolled my eyes.
"Okay. Time for you to get dressed," a stylist spoke. She turned to Jake. "Come here and let me work on that mess you call hair."
He switched places with me.
Diane helped me into my dress. "I got your clutch fixed up. Your phone, cash, and pager are in it."
"Awesome. Thank you." I stepped into my heels, put my jewelry on, and turned to her. "Well?"
"You look beautiful, like you should be in a magazine."
"Thank you."
Jake stood and turned to me.
His hair was parted to the side and curled. It looked like a hairstyle from the 40s or 50s. He looked amazing. He smiled at me, his eyes widening.
"You look beautiful," he smiled in a breathless tone.
I blushed. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."
He smiled and walked over to me. He twirled me around, watching as my pink dress spun around me. "Oh, that's going to be fun tonight."
"You like me in twirly dress?"
"Yeah," he smiled.
"Then, you're going to hate my wedding dress," I smirked, fixing his pink tie.
"I'm going to love your wedding dress. It's going to be your wedding dress," he smiled, gripping my waist. He gave me a quick kiss and smiled. "We should go. You have to get Dad."
I nodded. "I'll meet you at the church."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you," I smiled.
He left the room.
I turned to Diane. "Is-"
"Adam is ready and Dr. Cole is getting Mr. Hamilton ready as we speak," she nodded.
The stylists left.
Diane and I left.
Adam drove us to the hospital.
I got out and went to find Peter.
He was sitting in a wheelchair, speaking with Dr. Cole. He smiled when he saw me. "Jake's one lucky guy."
I smiled, "Thanks, Peter. You ready?"
He nodded. "Dr. Cole said you have to watch me like a hawk."
"I was already planning to."
He smiled.
"I'll bring him back tonight," I smiled.
She nodded. "Have fun."
I nodded and took Peter from the room. I ran into Dr. Hart, Dr. Taylor, and Dr. Welch who were all speaking in the hallway.
They looked up. Their eyes widened.
"Dr. Malone, you look amazing," Dr. Taylor smiled.
"Absolutely breathtaking," Dr. Welch agree.
"Beautiful," Dr. Hart smiled.
"Thanks, guys. I'm headed to Dr. Hamilton's daughter's wedding. I would stop and talk if I could, but I'm escorting the father of the bride to the wedding and we're going to be late if we don't get there soon," I smiled.
"Okay. Get going," Dr. Welch smiled.
I took Peter to the car, where Adam helped me get him in the SUV. Adam put the wheelchair in the back and got in.
When we got to the church, flowers lined the railings of the stairs that led to the church.
I helped Peter out and wheeled him up the ramp. I took him into the church.
Melanie stood in a long, white dress. It was a tulle ballgown. It was really pretty on her. Her hair was curled and pinned up. She looked beautiful.
She smiled at Peter. "Dad, you look great."
"Sweetie, you are so beautiful. I can't believe you're getting married. You're my little girl," he spoke, sniffling.
"Dad, don't cry. If you start, I'll start."
He looked up. "Britt, will you help me stand? I'd like to walk my baby girl down the aisle."
The bridesmaids were already down the aisle.
I helped Peter stand.
He smiled at me.
Melanie intertwined their arms. "I got him. Go sit down."
I nodded and took a side door to the sanctuary. I sat beside Kelly.
She smiled, "Hey. You look great."
"Thank you."
Jake caught my eye. He smiled at me and winked.
I smiled.
The music started.
We all stood.
Peter and Melanie slowly walked down the aisle. When they got to the front, Peter gave her to William and whispered something to him. He took a step backward.
Jake left the line of groomsmen and helped his father sit on the other side of Kelly. Then, he went back to the lineup.
The ceremony was long and tedious. The whole ceremony was nearly three hours long. It was absolutely exhausting--enough wedding for a year.
When they kissed, we all stood and applauded.
They went back down the aisle.
I ran out and got Peter's wheelchair. I brought it back in and helped him into it.
He sighed, "I'm tired."
"Do you want to go back to the hospital?"
"No, I owe Mel a first dance. Then, we can go."
I nodded.
We took him out for pictures, which last nearly as long as the ceremony.
When we got to the reception, Peter gripped my arm. "Did you bring something for nausea?"
I nodded and handed it to him with a bottle of water.
He took it and nodded.
Melanie and William came in. They did their first dance to a beautiful piano serenade.
Then, Peter looked at me. "Britt, I think it's time for me to dance."
I helped him up and walked him onto the floor.
"Mind if I cut in?" he asked William.
William stepped aside and found his mom.
The four of them danced.
I watched from the side of the dance floor.
Someone tapped on my shoulder.
I turned.
Jake smiled, "Beautiful lady, I took the liberty of buying you a drink." He handed me a glass of champagne.
"Thank you, handsome sir," I smirked, taking a drink. I reached up and gave him a kiss, releasing a bit of champagne in his mouth.
He smiled and deepened the kiss. He pulled back and ran his thumb across my bottom lip. He whispered, "I could marry you right now for doing that."
I smiled against his lips.
He gripped my waist. He smiled at me and bit his lip. He wiped the lipstick from around my lips. "Tell me, beautiful lady, have you ever made love at a wedding before?"
"No, I haven't," I smirked, taking a drink of champagne. I raised my brow.
"Jesus Christ, Bridget, you make me weak at the knees," he whispered.
I smiled and gripped his lapel. "I love you."
"I love you," he smiled. He gave me another kiss.
I heard a gasp.
"Britt, help!" Melanie shouted.
I pulled back and turned.
Peter was on the floor.
I gave Jake the champagne and ran over. I knelt beside Peter. "Peter, what is it? Tell me what's wrong?"
"I can't breathe," he gasped.
I looked up. "Get me his wheelchair."
Jake brought it over.
I got the oxygen mask from the tank on the back and hooked it up to Peter. "Jake, get my phone."
He got it and handed it to me.
I rang Dr. Cole as Kelly knelt beside Peter, taking his hand.
"Dr. Malone, how's the wedding?"
"He can't breathe. I'm bringing him back. Can you have Dr. Hart meet us in his room?"
"Yes, of course. See you soon."
"Bye."
I hung up.
The room was chaos and the music was still going.
I looked up and shouted, "Hey! Give us some space and turn the music off!"
The music went off and everyone took a step back.
I put my head down to Peter's chest. I listened as Peter struggled to breathe.
His breath sounds were shallow and his pulse was weak.
I lifted him into his chair. I looked to Kelly. "I'm taking him back to the hospital. He's in good hands, so you can stay and be here for Melanie."
She looked at Peter.
"Listen to Britt," he breathed.
Kelly gave him a kiss.
I made another call. Adam.
"Dr. Malone?" he answered.
"Hey. I need you to pull around out front."
"Yes, Doctor. I'll be there in a minute."
"Thank you." I hung up.
Melanie and Peter had just said goodbye to each other.
"Peter, you ready?" I asked.
He nodded.
Jake handed me my clutch and kissed my cheek.
I took Peter outside and helped him into the SUV.
We left.
Adam drove as fast as he legally could to the hospital. He pulled out in front and brought the car to a stop.
We got out and helped Peter into his wheelchair.
I rushed him inside and to an elevator. I helped him upstairs and to his room. I helped him get in bed.
Dr. Hart stepped in. He looked worried. He listened to Peter and turned to Dr. Taylor. "Take Mr. Hamilton to CT. It could just be the treatment, but I want to make sure we're not missing anything, okay?"
He nodded.
Dr. Taylor and I took Peter to CT and helped him in the machine. We went to the observing room. His scan came up on the screen, looking normal.
"I think he just overdid it," Dr. Taylor spoke.
I nodded.
We took Peter back to his room and helped him into bed.
I hooked him to oxygen and helped him change out of his suit. I helped him dress in pajamas. I hooked him to a new IV.
When he fell asleep, I went to check on Carly.
She was sitting up. "Britt, hey."
"Hey. How are you feeling?"
"I'm good. Mom just left for the day. How was the wedding?"
"Nice, but Jake's dad had a scare, so I had to bring him back early." I sat in a chair by her bed. "What's up with you today? Anything exciting?"
"No. Oh! There were fries today in the cafeteria."
I smiled, "That is a bright side."
We sat there for hours, talking. We talked about everything from weddings to hot guys to dream vacations. It was fun, really fun.
A knock on the door brought us back to reality.
Jake was at the door, still dressed in his suit. He held a plate wrapped in foil. "I had to beg Kristi to tell me what room you were in, but she finally told me. I take it that Dad's fine since you're here?"
"Yeah, he just fell asleep, so I came to hang out with Carly."
Carly nudged me. "Introduce us."
"Oh, right. Jake, this is Carly. Carly, this is Jake."
He shook her hand. "Pleasure to meet you."
"Me? Try you. I've heard so much about you, but I was beginning to think we were never going to meet," Carly smiled.
He smiled, "She doesn't like me getting involved in her hospital life, so I typically stick to my dad's room."
Carly nodded.
Jake put the plate on her table. "I brought you both some wedding cake. It's insanely good, but sickly sweet."
We nodded.
He hesitated, then spoke, "Well, I better go. I just wanted to come check on you."
"Are you going to see your dad?" I asked.
He nodded. "I had to drive Mom. She's worried sick."
"As she should be, but I would've called if things weren't okay."
Jake nodded. "We know. Are you coming home tonight?"
"Yeah. I'll meet you in your dad's room."
He nodded and smiled at Carly. "It was nice meeting you."
"Yeah, you too."
Jake kissed my cheek and left the room.
Carly and I ate the cake.
"Okay. If you don't marry him, I will," she smiled, taking a bite of cake.
I laughed.
When Carly started to fall asleep, I left. I went to Peter's room.
Kelly was holding his hand.
Jake stood. "Hey. You ready?"
"Yeah, it's been a long day," I spoke as he approached me.
"Have you called Adam?"
I got my phone and sent Adam a text.
Jake hugged his mom. Then, he took my hand and led me from the room. He pulled me down the stairs and out to the main lobby.
When Adam pulled up, we went outside and got in the SUV.
Jake took my hand and kissed it.
I smiled at him.
When we got to the house, we went inside.
I started to head for the stairs, but Jake pulled me back. "Aren't we going to bed?"
"No." He pulled me into the living room. He released my hand and hooked his phone to a music player.
Sam Smith's "Make It to Me" began playing throughout the room.
Jake turned to me. He smiled, "You're the one person I wanted to dance with tonight. Would you do me the honor?" He put his hand out to me.
I smiled and took his hand.
He pulled me to him and began dancing.
We danced until the song was over, Michael Bublé's cover of "Can't Help Falling in Love" came on.
I rested my head on Jake's shoulder, holding him close as we danced. Tears stung my eyes. They overflowed throughout the song.
When the song ended, Jake froze, holding me in place. He kissed my head. He sighed, "Oh, Bridget."
I reluctantly pulled back to look at him.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, wiping my tears away.
"I'm just so in love with you, it kind of just overwhelmed me for a minute. I'm fine. I promise."
He gave me a kiss and pulled back. "You know, I've been wanting to rip that dress off you all day."
I took a breath. I loved him, but I really wasn't in the mood for sex. I was tired and I needed to lay down.
"But I'm thinking that instead of doing that, instead of having sex, we could have a bath and just lay in bed. I can open a nice bottle of wine and we can drink to our hearts' content." He tightened his arms around me.
"Sounds nice. I'll go start the water while you get the wine."
He gave me a sweet kiss and released me. He left the room.
I went upstairs and began running the bath. I put some soap in it to make it bubbly. Then, I went into our room and kicked my heels off. I reached up to unzip my dress, but I couldn't get it.
Jake walked up behind me. "Let me help."
I dropped my arms.
He carefully unzipped my gown. He reached the sleeves and removed my arms from it.
It fell effortlessly to the floor, pooling around my feet.
I turned to Jake and undid his tie.
"You looked amazing today. Seriously, half of your sisters friends were checking you out," I smirked, shoving his jacket off him.
He smiled, "Is that why all of them wanted to dance with me?"
"They probably wanted a lot more than a dance. If I were them, I would have wanted you to take me home." I began unbuttoning his shirt. I took a glance up at him.
He was looking at me, watching me intently.
"What?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking."
"About..?" I prompted.
"When we first met, did you want me to take you home?"
"I don't know, but I remember just looking into your eyes made me speechless. I remember being nervous talking to you, taking your order at the diner. You were just another customer, but you gave me butterflies."
"I did?"
"You still do," I smiled, unbuttoning his last button.
He smiled and gave me a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you," I smiled, giving him a kiss. I removed his shirt, then his undershirt. I unbuttoned his pants and let them drop the ground with my dress.
He stepped out of his shoes and pants, then slipped his socks off. He pulled me into the bathroom.
The bath was just finishing getting full.
I turned it off and turned to him.
He walked to me and ran his hands up my sides and to my back, where he unclasped my bra. He ran his hands around to the cups and removed it from my chest, tossing it to the floor. His thumbs slid into the sides of my panties. He slid them down to the floor, kneeling in front of me.
I stepped out of them.
He kissed right where my thighs meet.
"Jake," I breathed, my eyes fluttering.
He stood and gave me a kiss.
I smiled and pulled back. I removed his briefs.
He stepped out of them and lifted me into the bath. Then, he stepped in.
We sat across from each other.
Jake pressed a button on his phone, which sat on the side of the tub.
Michael Bublé's "Best of Me" began playing.
I smiled at Jake.
Why did he have such soft, loving music on his phone? Just a few weeks ago, I caught him jamming to rock music. He was a tough guy...was that just an act? Was he really a big, soft, cuddly teddy bear? To me, he was, but what if that was really him?
I moved over and turned, putting my back to his chest.
He wrapped his arms around the front of me, holding me to him. He kissed my head. "I've been looking at songs for the wedding, trying to find a first dance song, and there's too many songs. I can't decide."
I smiled, "I'd be happy to help with that." I put my forearms and hands over his. I rested my head back on his shoulder.
"I'd like to have your help," he spoke, kissing my shoulder.
I smiled and kissed his neck. After a minute of thinking, I sat up. I took a breath. I needed to talk to him about everything, the war included. I needed to know who he was before. I needed to know what to expect if he came back home a different man.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing. It can wait until after our bath," I spoke. I sighed.
There was a knock on the door.
Since we were covered in bubbles and nothing could be seen, I spoke, "Yeah?"
The door opened a bit. "Dr. Malone, Dr. Walker called. He has a surgery at seven tomorrow morning. He wants to know if you'll scrub in."
"Yeah, of course. Did he mention what it was?"
"A malignant tumor in a man's cervical spine, says it's impressive."
"Okay. Call him back and tell him I'll be there."
"Yes, Doctor." The door closed.
I sighed.
"Hey, don't think about work tomorrow. Don't think about the future or the past. Stay with me in the now, in the present. It's really nice. I promise."
I smiled and kissed his jaw. "I think I'm ready to lay down."
He stood and dried off, then he lifted me up and dried me off. He carried me to our room and placed me on the bed. He turned and got me panties and a shirt.
I slipped them on and watched as he slipped on briefs and pants. I moved to my side of the bed and laid down, gazing up at him.
He laid beside me and gave me a kiss.
I pulled back and sighed, running a hand across his perfect chest.
"What is it?" he whispered. "Something's been on your mind this evening."
"Just thinking about you."
"Yeah? Like what?"
I hesitated.
"C'mon, Britt. You can ask me anything."
"Before-Before your first deployment, what were you like?" I asked.
He was quiet.
Great. I overstepped some sort of line. He was probably going to have a nightmare. Why, oh why, did I ask? Why did I have to be so damn curious?
When I considered telling him to forget it, he spoke, "I was...different, happy. I used to love playing guitar. Acoustic. I was good, really good. I loved music, loved the way it made me feel. I was going to major in music and learn all I could about it."
I nodded.
"I liked playing football. Drew and I used to play together in the yard. One time, we broke one of the windows on Mom and Dad's house. I spent the rest of that summer being a lifeguard at the local pool, so I could pay for a new window."
"Did you end up getting the money?"
He nodded. "I liked saving people, liked the idea of using my strengths to help the weak. That's why I joined the military."
I nodded.
"I'm not that much different. I used to have a lot of hope for the world and I don't anymore, because I've seen how bad the world can be. I'm not as innocent, not as ignorant."
"Ignorant is bliss," I mumbled.
"It really is."
I sighed.
"You should sleep. You've got a big surgery in the morning."
I nodded, knowing this discussion was over. He clearly didn't want to talk about it as much as I did. Maybe he wasn't ready to...but would he ever really be ready? I hoped so, because I didn't want him to bottle in the hurt. I wanted him to share it. I wanted to understand who he was. I'd never wanted anything so much in my life.