A/N: Again, Stephanie owns the saga – I like to imagine them as friends!
I'll apologize to everyone for this chapter taking so long to post. I am overworked in RL and have also been jotting down notes for a new FF that is riddling my brain (one that is NOT rated teen). Again, this story shouldn't be too many chapters, just need to get the story out of my head and down on this virtual paper.
I wanted to say "Thanks" to those that reviewed the last chapter and another "Thanks" to those that added me as a favorite. I appreciate feedback, so please send me a review at the bottom of the page!
Chapter 3
I instinctively reached down into my apron pocket and pulled out her handkerchief, holding it to my nose. Its sweet smell was long gone, but I smiled as I heard her imaginary voice inside my head.
My dear, you were wonderful. You helped Walter! He was embarrassed and you made the other children go away. He was scared and you helped to calm him. He was shy and you made him talk to ease him down out of the tree. I am so proud of you!
"Thank you," I whispered out loud, almost willing her to hear me – where ever she was now. "Thank you for always being with me." The darkness overtook me then. I felt my eyes closing and suddenly I felt as if I was floating and the pain…was gone.
It's dark and I am in pain. No, something is definitely not right. I try to open my eyes to look around and I can hear Walter's mother chatting to my mother from afar. What happened? What's going on?
My eyes slowly open and take in my bedroom around me…I am definitely home. I slightly move, ready to get up and the raging pain is back. Somehow, my curiosity takes a back seat to the incredible pain making its way through my body. I think I scream at this point. I am not sure. I hear someone by my side and holding my hand and trying to get me to drink. The pain is too much for me to focus on anything else, but I drink the bitterness. My, it's hot. Feels like someone poured hot tea down my throat without asking. What is going on? And just like it started, everything fades back out to black.
****
My next moment of consciousness finds me in the back of our carriage – very bumpy ride. I feel the pain, still, but it seems slightly muted. It hurts, but I don't care so much. Mmmmm, what's going on here?
My tongue feels thick. I smack my lips together and get a feeling for how thick they are as well. Makes no sense, but at least the pain is dulled.
I look around the back of the carriage… I am alone. I turn my head to look toward the front to get my bearings and see my mother. She has chosen to sit up front with father, leaving me all alone in the back. In my mind, I question her sanity of not wanting to coddle me. I mean, I know that I am not a child any more, but why would a mother not want to console her offspring that is hurting?
I do what I normally do in such situations where my mother successfully neglects me. I remind myself that I am indeed, a big girl now. I remind myself that I have always known that she was definitely not the "mothering" type.
So, I pull my handkerchief out and hold it tightly in my hands. My rescuer from so long ago was immediately at my side, patting my hand and telling me how everything was going to be alright. The ride immediately became even less excruciating as I started to calm down. I even began to feel my heart rate lower and my breaths became slower. I may have even smiled at one point. I could feel her warm golden eyes on me…reassuring me that everything would be okay.
I hear my mother reciting the words back to my father telling the story of how I ended up broken. It seems our local doctor was out on a house call on the far side of the county and wouldn't be back until well after midnight. The nurse suggested that my mother "liquor me up" and take me the 5 miles into Columbus. She assured my mother that the hospital there was fully staffed at night and would be able to accommodate the level of care that I needed.
Columbus?! Hmmm, maybe I would see my golden eyed angel tonight – she was so loving and nurturing, she had to be a caregiver. Maybe, just maybe, I could be comforted in person tonight instead of my old memories.
Once we pulled up to the hospital, my father walked to the back of the carriage and picked me up. As he carried me inside, the pain found its way back and each step he took felt like fire ripping its way down my leg.
They will stop the pain, they WILL stop the pain,……… I hope they can stop the pain.
The foyer was dimly lit as most patients had been seen and dismissed. After ringing the bell several times, a timid woman came to the interior door and opened it for us. She looked tired and I could almost see a desperate sigh escape her lips.
My father walked toward the second door. "I need some help for my daughter. She fell out of a tree and we believe she has broken her leg. Our local caregiver sent us this way."
The nurse immediately asked for us to follow her into the first room off to the side of the entry way. As I was placed in a little bed, the nurse handed me a cool cloth for my head and promised my parents that a doctor would be in immediately.
I took a slow and steady breath as I placed the cloth over my eyes. Immediately it helped ease the nausea but didn't stop my head from spinning. I was pulled to other places. I thought of Walter and wondered how he was doing and if he felt better.
The sudden knock on the door quickly brought me back into the room and I anxiously tilted my head towards the door. The door slowly creaked its way open as the nurse's voice introduced the doctor.
"Excuse me, Mr. Platt. This is Dr. Cullen, our local night doctor. He'll be taking care of Esme."
The cloth slid off just in time for me to see the nurse walk to the back of the room to get the supplies in order. The next voice I heard sounded like an angel straight from heaven.
I immediately stretched my neck and strained to follow the sound of the voice. When I did, I felt an excruciating pain rip through my leg and screamed out loud. At once, I felt cold hands on my face, reassuring me it would okay. The tinkling sounds of melodic harmonies that resonated from him took me straight back in time to my angelic rescuer. It was almost as he was imitating her voice; just to soothe me…I wondered briefly if they were related.
When the pain passed, I opened my eyes. Oh my…
Oh my, Lord.
His eyes. His wonderful eyes. His wonderful…they looked like fresh honey…maybe even a buckskin foal.
His gorgeous eyes were trained right on me and I could see the same golden eyes and the same look of concern and compassion was now staring at me. But there was also a new feeling.
I didn't know if it was the medicinal "liquor" that my parents used or what, but I was starting to sweat and blush under this particular set of golden eyes. His hair, his nose, his chin…his face was perfect. He reminded me of the Roman God stories from school. He looked as though he could be Zeus' younger brother…he was perfect.
I quickly shut my eyes, because I was just a child compared this perfect man and I was afraid that my body would catch on fire based off the heat that my face was radiating. I had never felt these feelings…ever. I had heard some of the local girls talking about "love at first site" but I never thought it was possible.
And suddenly, two cold hands are on my face, breaking my thoughts.
"Esme?" his twinkling voice said.
I pulled my eyes tighter. If I was dreaming I didn't want to wake up.
"Did she faint?" I heard my mother ask.
The voice whispers in my ear, "Esme, dear? Can you hear me?"
I feel his cool breath flowing over my face and I take a deep breath of my own. He is intoxicating. I feel as though I have drunk the medicinal liquor all over again. My head is swimming and before I know it, I have turned my face towards his.
I slowly open my eyes and behold his beauty again.
My! Oh my – he is so lovely, so beautiful. My angel reincarnate.
"Esme, can you hear me now? Can you speak to me?"
I feel overwhelmed but I know that I should at least speak before he assumes I am insane and helps my parents escort me to the local asylum. My voice is trembling before I even speak, but I manage to squeak out three little words.
"Yes… my angel."
What did I just say?!?
A/N:
I will try to post another chapter after the first of the year…again, it's not me, but my 9-5 job that sucks all the mental energy away, leaving NOTHING creative in its wake. Begging for your reviews---they help with the process!
5