{Chapter 18}
Kennedy was sitting with Cindy, holding her hand as he dozed in the uncomfortable chair at her bedside. He felt her squeeze his hand and opened his eyes. Her sky blue orbs met him.
“Hey,” he said smiling. “You’re awake.”
“And in a world of pain,” she replied wincing as she shifted position.
“I’m just happy to look into those beautiful eyes again,” he replied. “I’ll go get the nurse to get you something for the pain.” He released her hand and stood to get the nurse.
“Ken,” she called softly. He stopped in the doorway turning his attention back to her. “The answer is yes.” He looked at her questioningly. “In the ambulance you said you were going to ask me to be your wife. The answer is yes.” She smiled at him sweetly, though she winced as pain shot through her shoulder.
“I’ll get the nurse and then we can discuss that later,” he said chuckling as he left the room.
~*~
Randy groaned when someone knocked on his hotel room door. Cena and Jeff had to go on to the next town with the company. Neither man was seriously wounded and had a job to do. Randy had stayed at the hotel to keep an eye on Isabella for Kennedy. He would be out of action for some time while his wound healed. He had some minor nerve damage, but was told it would heal as well.
He padded over to the door and opened it revealing Isabella. She carried a blanket and pillow with her. “I couldn’t sleep,” she said softly. “Can I stay with you?”
“Come on in,” he said. “You didn’t need to bring a blanket and pillow though.”
“I’m a blanket hog,” she replied smirking a little. It was the first sign of the old Isabella he had seen since getting back from the hospital. “Which side is yours?”
“Left,” Randy replied.
“Too bad,” she said throwing her pillow down and pulling the blanket around her as she curled up on the left side of the bed. “You’ll have to deal with the right side.”
Randy smiled. “I’ll deal,” he chuckled. “Good night, Izzy.” He crawled into bed next to her.
“That’s the first time you’ve called me that,” she said.
“John told me you don’t like Isabella,” Randy replied.
“I don’t mind it when you call me that,” she replied softly. “Good night Randy.” She curled up on her side and closed her eyes.
“Good night, Isabella,” he said and leaned over to the nightstand, shutting off the bedside lamp.
Sometime in the middle of the night Randy was awakened by the sound of whimpering. He realized that Isabella was having a nightmare. Reaching out he pulled her into his arms.
“It’s all right, Isabella,” he cooed softly. “You’re safe. I won’t let anyone hurt you…ever.” She quieted and relaxed in his arms. He watched her sleeping for a while before his eyes drifted shut, sleep overtaking him.
~*~
Isabella woke in the morning feeling arms wrapped tightly around her. Carefully she pulled free and rolled over, watching Randy sleeping. Her eyes trailed to the heavily bandaged shoulder and guilt washed over her. He had taken the bullet for her…saved her life.
Tentatively she reached out and lightly touched the bandage. He groaned and opened his eyes, his blue orbs meeting her hazel ones. They laid there staring into each other’s eyes for a long while.
“Did I ever thank you for that,” she finally asked.
“You don’t need to thank me,” he replied softly. “You were in danger and…I just reacted.” He was lying through his teeth. The truth of the matter was that he was afraid Jakob would have killed her and he couldn’t stand the thought of losing her.
“It was more than just a reaction,” she said reaching out to touch his cheek. Closing his eyes he leaned into her touch. “You saved my life, Randy. You risked your own life for me.”
“It was nothing,” he said opening his eyes and meeting her gaze once again.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a terrible liar,” she asked with a smirk. “Thank you, Randy.” With those words she brought her lips to his and kissed him softly.
Randy wrapped his uninjured arm around her, pulling her closer to him. He wanted to savor the kiss, to feel her warm body close to his. She pulled away a few moments later and he groaned inwardly. It was over too quickly and he wanted more.
“I’m sorry, Isabella,” he said after a few moments of silence. “About Jillian. About being a total ass and ruining what could have been a great relationship.”
“You can make it up to me,” she said.
“How,” he asked.
“Dinner and a movie is a good start,” she said. “Then we can see where things go from there.”
“You got yourself a deal, beautiful,” he said smiling.
~*~
Slowly Isabella returned back to normal. The investigation into Jakob Carter’s death ruled it as self defense. Slowly her nightmares had dissipated until she was able to sleep the night without tossing and turning. She had finally gotten her life back. Isabella no longer needed to live in fear of her ex coming back into her life.
Cindy spent a few days in the hospital mending and then was released. Isabella had planned a big welcome home party for her. She had enlisted Jeff and Matt to help decorate. Cena and Randy also helped while she prepared the food.
“They’re home,” Jeff called as he watched Kennedy help Cindy out of the car.
“What’s all this,” Kennedy asked as they entered the house.
“Welcome home party for Cindy,” Isabella said.
“All this for me,” Cindy asked smiling.
“You deserve it, Cinder,” Matt said to his cousin. “We missed you.”
“Yeah,” Jeff said giving her a hug gingerly. “You’re like the little sister we never had, Cinder.”
“Speaking of sisters,” Isabella said smiling wide. “Ken tells me I’ll be calling you my sister-in-law soon.”
Cindy chuckled and nodded. “We haven’t set a date yet, but yeah. Ken made it official before I left the hospital.” She held out her hand showing off the engagement ring.
“Check out the size of that rock,” Cena said. “So, Kenny, you decided to make an honest woman out of our little Cindy, huh?” He clapped Kennedy on the back.
“Sure did,” Kennedy replied, slipping an arm around Cindy’s waist. “Couldn’t risk losing her and a joker like you snapping her up, John.”
“You couldn’t lose me if you tried,” Cindy chuckled.
Isabella watched as Kennedy ushered Cindy over to the couch and propped her up on a bunch of pillows. Randy joined her, slipping an arm around her waist. “Aren’t they cute,” she asked him.
“Very,” Randy said smiling and kissed her neck softly. “Why don’t you serve that delicious food your prepared, baby?”
“Only if you help me,” she said taking his hand and leading him into the kitchen.
Cena watched them and sighed sadly. Jeff joined him. “You could have had her all to yourself you know,” he commented.
“Nah, she was into Randy this whole time,” Cena replied rubbing the back of his neck. “I never stood a chance. She’s happy now and that’s all that matters.”
~*~
After everyone had gone home full from a delicious meal Isabella sat with Kennedy and Cindy just relaxing with a movie. Kennedy was close to dozing as Cindy lay with her head in his lap. Isabella wasn’t really interested in the movie, but didn’t want to go up to bed just yet.
“So, Izzy,” Cindy said after a while of comfortable silence. “How long before Randy proposes?”
“Jesus Christ, Cindy,” Kennedy exclaimed. “They’ve just started dating!”
“Relax, Ken,” Isabella said chuckling. “I’m sure Cindy was just making conversation.”
“I was,” Cindy said smiling mischievously. “So, how long do you think, Izzy?”
“For Christ sake,” Kennedy grumbled.
“Not for a very long time,” Isabella said chuckling. “Right now I need to concentrate on finding a job and a place of my own here.”
“You’re not going back to Jersey,” Kennedy asked, ecstatic that she wanted to stay close to him.
“Nothing for me there,” Isabella replied with a yawn. “Besides, how can I torment my dear old brother if I’m in another state?” Cindy giggled at her comment. Kennedy just shook his head. “I think I’m heading off to bed. Night guys.”
“I think we should hit the sack too,” Cindy said to Kennedy once Isabella had disappeared upstairs.
“I’m not really tired,” he replied smirking.
“Then we’ll have to do something about that,” she said smirking as well. She offered him her hand and he took it standing and allowing her to lead the way up the stairs.
|
