Ch.11
Author's Note: I encourage you to open the following link in another window during the section I have indicated. It will make the words on this page more meaningful if you can hear them ringing through your ears as Michaela and Sully can. (It's a fun coincidence that the video is actually of the two of them. I simply meant for you to hear the song.)
(The editing tool wouldn't allow me to paste the link directly, so simply type in you tube into your browser with the following text after .com/watch?v=MRWGPTUEuvQ)
Disclaimer: Song lyrics are from Two Is Better Than One by Boys Like Girls. Song itself and lyrics are property of their respective owners.
April 21st, 2010
"Sully, I'm sorry to tell you this, but they have just arrived," a brunette nurse spoke out in a whisper as she stepped into the room.
"Thanks Emma. Think ya could stall them about three minutes?" he asked hating when they arrived early.
"I'll see what I can do," she said with a friendly smile and exited the room as quickly as she had entered.
"Hey, sweetheart I have ta leave now. They're here to visit ya though. I'll see ya again later tonight after they leave. I love you," he spoke as he placed a kiss on her forehead.
He stared at her for a few moments longer knowing he was almost out of time. If he didn't leave now they would find him in here, and that never ended well. It was better if he left before they ever saw him. He couldn't stand fighting in front of her. The doctors had explained that patients in a coma were often aware of conversations taking place around them. He definitely didn't want her hearing all of the arguing that would inevitably take place if he stayed.
"Goodbye," he whispered as he gently squeezed her hand before quickly exiting the room.
June 11th, 2009
He stood in front of the mirror and adjusted the lapels on his black jacket one more time. He ran his hands through his hair again, as his thoughts drifted to the night ahead. He was extremely nervous. In fact he couldn't remember the last time he was this anxious. Actually it was a year ago today, he thought with a smile. He had been planning for tonight for what seemed like forever. He wanted tonight to be perfect… magical. He smiled to himself as her beautiful face danced through his mind. He picked up the small box and slipped it into his jacket before taking one last look in the mirror. Tonight is the night…
He glanced over at her as he drove down the highway. She looks absolutely amazin'. Beyond amazin'. I really don't think she's got a clue as to how beautiful she really is.
She was wearing a sleeveless, empire waist, black dress that flowed smoothly down to just above her knees. The jersey material, of which it made, clung to her body in all the right places. He had definitely noticed that as soon as she had opened the door for him. His favorite part was the low, v-neck front. He had to force himself not to stare directly at her chest the entire evening. The diamond heart necklace she was wearing hit in exactly the right spot that made focusing his eyes on something else almost impossible. She had already caught him staring several times since he picked her up, but she almost seemed to enjoy it. He really thought that she must have done that on purpose. Whether to entice him or simply drive him mad, he didn't know. However, both seemed to be happening at the moment. She had even worn her hair down in ringlet curls the way he liked it best. It was easier to run his fingers through it when it was down.
He didn't think he had ever seen her look more radiate than she did tonight. He had told her to dress up for the evening, knowing the restaurant he had planned to take her. However, he hadn't anticipated her looking this phenomenal. After all, he had only told her they were going to dinner. Maybe she knows what tonight is… She probably does, but I hope she doesn't know how I plan to end the evening…
He was a little worried that she was on to his plans, but he figured that she would assume he would execute them at dinner. However, he had no such intention. No, this was going to be perfect. He wanted it to be so much more than she expected… or even dreamed.
"Have I told ya how gorgeous you look tonight?" he said as he turned and flashed her a quick smile.
"Yes, but a girl never tires of hearing it. And I must say you look rather handsome yourself," she said as she returned the smile. "Where are we going to dinner?"
"You'll see," he said fixing his gaze straight ahead. If he looked over at her, he knew he was liable to crack a smile that gave something away.
"Some place special?" she questioned clearly probing him for answers.
"Yeah, I guess," he responded still not willing to reveal anything.
"You aren't going to tell me anything are you?"
"Ya know me so well," he said as he held back a grin.
He looked over at her from his wooden chair, as her gaze wandered through the restaurant. She was clearly entranced by the décor. It had a romantic appeal, but his favorite part was the natural accents. He liked the glass columns containing trees with fiercely red leaves and the bare bark tree sculptures scattered throughout the space. He had always been partial to places that reminded him of nature. He loved that she seemed to be as well. She turned her gaze over towards him, and their eyes met across the table.
"It's so beautiful in here," she spoke with a sensual smile.
"Yeah, it really is," he returned smiling back at her.
"Have you ever eaten here before?"
"No, actually I haven't. I heard they had really good steak here, and that the atmosphere was nice," he replied trying not to give too much away. The real reason for choosing this location being that tonight was no ordinary night. He had wanted to choose a romantic and rather upscale restaurant and his friends had recommended this place.
"Well I don't know about the steak yet, but I do love the atmosphere. It has such a presence of nature, almost as if we were eating outdoors."
He smiled back at her enthralled with her answer and her beauty. She truly was perfect.
"What?" she said letting that sensual smile grace her lips again.
"Nothin'. I was just thinking the very same thing is all," he replied. He didn't add that he was having a hard time concentrating on anything she said. All he could focus on was how beautiful she looked tonight, and how he couldn't wait to share his surprise with her.
"How's Becca doing?" he asked trying hard to focus on the conversation.
"She's great. I just talked to her this morning," she replied.
"I bet she's tired," he responded.
"Yeah, but this little one isn't her first. I think she's used to the lack of sleep," she said with a small laugh.
"I'm sure ya are excited to see your new little niece."
"Yes, very much," she stated her eyes lighting up. "I wish I had been able to simply pick up and leave work last week, but with my two-week vacation beginning next week it just didn't work out that way," she said with sadness in her voice.
"She sent ya pictures though, didn't she?" he inquired.
"Oh, yes. Between her, Marjorie, and Edmund I have hundreds," she said with a laugh.
"I would love ta see them. Bet she's adorable."
"She really is. She looks just like Becca did as a child," she said with a wistful smile.
"I would love ta see her in person sometime," he winked at her.
"Maybe you will."
"What time does your plane leave on Tuesday?" he wondered.
"11:30," she answered simply.
"Alright. How about I swing by your place at about 9:15 and take ya down there?"
"You don't have to do that. I really appreciate you offering, but we both know the traffic at LAX is ridiculous. Even if you are just dropping someone off. I'll just take a cab," she replied.
"All right. But if I'm already drivin' all the way down there, it seems a little silly that ya wouldn't ride with me," he replied suppressing a grin.
"What are you talking about?" she asked with a confused look.
"Well my flight leaves at 11:30, too."
"What?" she answered the shock on her face clearly evident.
"Yep, it does. I checked my ticket twice," he responded as a smile began to make its way across his stunning features.
"Where are you going? Why didn't you tell me about this before?"
" 'Cause it's fun ta watch the expression on your face 'cause I didn't tell ya sooner," he spoke with a playful grin he could contain no longer.
"Sully! I can't believe you," she said teasingly. "Really though, where are you going?"
"See for yourself," he said as he pulled a ticket from his jacket pocket and handed it to her.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed in shock.
"You seem surprised," he said stating the obvious.
"Oh my God, really?" she uttered again.
"Yep, and sitting in seat 21B. Ya know who's sitting in 21A?" he returned. Her face then broke out into one of the biggest grins he had ever seen.
"Yeah, I thought ya might know her."
"You are coming with me to Boston?" she spoke clearly still shocked.
"Yes," he said as the playful grin still graced his face.
"Really?" she replied still unable to grasp what he was saying.
"That's what the ticket says."
"I can't believe you are coming! How long have you had this planned? Why didn't you tell me as soon as you bought the ticket? And why didn't you say yes when I asked you to go with me months ago?" she spoke firing the round of questions at him.
"Wow that's a lot of questions."
"Yes, and I want a lot of answers," she responded only part of her joking.
"Alright. I've had this planned for a long time now. I bought the ticket the day ya bought yours. Just called the airlines and told them I wanted a seat next ta you. I didn't say yes when ya asked me, 'cause I wanted ta surprise you. Did it work?" he finished. He already knew the answer, but he wanted to see that excitement grace her face one more time.
"Of course, it did! I can't believe this I'm so excited!" she exclaimed as she leaned across the table to give him a quick kiss.
"Oh, I have to let my mom and dad know you're coming," she spoke as she began to dig her phone out of her purse.
"Don't worry about that. Your dad already knows I'm coming. Actually, he invited me ta stay at their house with you," he explained.
"No?" she replied believing she had heard him incorrectly.
"Yes," he answered.
"I can't believe this, you really did think of everything," she spoke as she smiled back at him with sparkling eyes.
"I try," he said with a sly grin. He smiled inside knowing that she was clueless as to the reason behind why he had decided to accompany her to Boston. He knew she would want him with her. Especially after tonight…
"Do you want to dance?" he turned to her and asked.
"You dance?" she spoke somewhat surprised.
"Not well, but I thought ya might enjoy it," he said with a smile.
"Well you thought right," she replied as he took her hand and led her towards the dancing couples.
As they stepped onto the dance floor, he led her over towards the small stage where the band was located. They were about to wrap up the song they were in the midst of at the moment, and Sully winked towards the manager at the side of the stage.
"What was that about?" she inquired as he pulled her towards him wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Hmm? Oh nothin'," he answered knowing she wouldn't believe that.
"Nothing, okay," she said with a wink as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
As they began to move together across the dance floor, the band began to play.
Click on the video now. ;) Lyrics from Two is Better Than One by Boys Like Girls
"I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life and I thought 'Hey, you know, this could be something"
"This is exactly the way I feel about you," he whispered into her ear as he held her close.
"'Cause everything you do and words you say
You know that it all takes my breath away
And now I'm left with nothing
So maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
And maybe two is better than one
But there's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you've already got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one
I remember every look upon your face
The way you roll your eyes
The way you taste"
" 'You make it hard for breathing. 'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away, I think of you and everything's okay'," he whispered into her ear in sync with the musician as his hand gently stroked her cheek.
"I'm finally now believing
That maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
And maybe two is better than one
But there's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you've already got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one"
As she was pressed so closely against him, he knew this was where she belonged. He couldn't deny the feelings she stirred inside as he held her close. She lay her head down on his chest, and in that moment he felt all was right with the world. She belonged right here in his arms, forever. She turned her head and looked up to face him as she gently cupped his cheek with her hand. Her eyes sparkled back up at him like diamonds, and he knew he would remember this moment for the rest of his life. He felt as if they were the only two people in the world. He could feel the warmth of her body against his own, but more than that he could feel the warmth from her heart. The love she gave off for him, and only him.
"I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life and I thought 'Hey'
Maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
And maybe two is better than one
But there's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you've already got me coming undone
And I'm thinking
Oooh, oohh, I can't live without you
'Cause baby two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
But I've figured out
When all is said and done
Two is better than one
Two is better than one"
As the song ended, she looked deep into his blue eyes and spoke softly, "You told them to play that song didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did. I wanted to dance with ya to that song the minute I heard it," he said love shining in his eyes.
She reached up cupping his face with both of her hands and kissed him with all of the love, longing, and emotion buried deep inside. In that moment, he felt closer to her than he ever had before as their intense emotional connection was reaching a new high.
"I love you," she whispered in his ear after she gently pulled her lips away from his.
"I love you, too," he replied holding her close.
As they were leaving the restaurant, she wrapped her arms tightly around herself. He noticed the goosebumps on her arms, and he knew exactly how to rectify that.
"You look cold," he smiled at her.
"Mmm," she replied hoping he had the same idea she did.
He removed his suit jacket and held it out for her. She slipped her arms into it and turned toward him.
"Better?" he asked.
"A little," she smiled shyly. "But I can think of something else that would help even more."
"You can, can you?" he grinned. "Well so can I," he spoke as and he pulled her into his arms.
She grinned up at him, and he looked down into her beautiful green and brown eyes. He took a depth breath, breathing in the wonderful smell of her perfume as she laid her head down on his chest. He felt his body tremble inside as she was pressed so closely, so intimately against him. He wanted her so badly… so badly that it hurt inside. His mind quickly flashed to their next stop, and he couldn't wait to get there. He couldn't wait to tell her what he had been dying to say all night.
"Better now?" he asked as she was still locked in his arms.
"Much," she replied as she moved her lips towards his for a soft kiss.
"Come on," he called out. "Can't wait to take ya to our next stop."
Before she could reply, he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards his car.
She grinned over at him when they pulled into the parking lot. She now knew exactly where he planned to take her. However, she didn't know the why behind it yet.
"What are we doing here?" she said with a laugh.
"Hmm, well I don't know what ta tell ya other than ya have ta follow me," he answered with a sly smile.
"Follow you, huh?"
"Yep."
"Well, all right then let's go," she stated.
He jumped out of the car and opened her door. Then, taking her hand in his, their fingers entwined, he led her up the stairs to the familiar wooden pier.
He looked down at her hoping she hadn't figured out his plan yet. A few times during dinner, he got the feeling that she may have figured out his intention for the evening. She just didn't know where exactly it was going to happen. He knew it was driving her crazy not knowing what was going on, and it made him smile deep inside. If only she knew.
He had really been thinking about and planning this night for the last nine months. After that day she awoke in the hospital, thoughts of when and how he would propose danced in his head. He wanted it to be perfect, but not just fairytale perfect. He wanted it to be perfect, because the moment was special and real between the two of them. The moment would be real if the place and time had real meaning to them as a couple. This idea had blazed into his head not long ago, and he knew it was the ideal location. The idea of June 11th had sprung in his head not long after as the perfect day.
He smiled to himself trying not to outwardly grin too big, as he patted the pocket in his jacket to make sure it was still there. He simply couldn't wait much longer to see the look on her face. The sparkle in her eyes when she made all of his dreams come true.
"Hey," he smiled at the Ferris Wheel operator as he approached the front of the gate leading to the ride.
"I've been expecting you," the operator spoke with a smile.
"Thought as much," Sully replied as the operator opened the gate for them.
"He was expecting us?" she questioned confused as to what exactly he was up to.
"Yep," he answered simply.
"And we don't need a ticket?" she smiled catching on to his plan a little.
"Nope, already took care of that," he said with a smile as he held the tiny door of the cart open for her.
She looked back at him a little puzzled, but quickly took a seat in the cart. He sat down next to her and winked at the operator.
"So, I have to ask you why are we the only two allowed to ride this now? Aren't the rides supposed to be closed?" she wondered.
"Yes, for everyone else. Not for us," he answered.
"Okay," she said with a smile. "Why did you bring me back here? Any particular reason?"
He took her left hand in his and stared into her eyes penetrating deep into her soul with his gaze.
"Remember when I first brought ya here on our first date?" he asked.
"Of course," she said with a smile. "I will never ever forget that."
"A year ago today, I sat here with you in my arms thinkin' I was the luckiest man alive. You said ta me that bein' up here with me at sunset was one of those moments when everything is right with the world, and ya can't imagine things gettin' any better. I couldn't have agreed with you more. This last year has been the best year of my life. I never dreamed I would meet someone as beautiful, intelligent, and caring as you, Michaela. I knew that night when I kissed ya, that you were the one for me," he spoke from his heart as the cart came to a stop at the very top.
She knew what he was going to say. Her heart speed up as tears began to form in her eyes.
"I knew it as soon as our lips touched for the first time. I knew ya were my forever, my heartsong. I know I don't want ta live another day without you in my life. I want to be with you. I need to be with you. I will love you all my days. Michaela, will you marry me?" he spoke from the depths of his soul.
"Yes," she answered with tears sparkling in her eyes.
His heart skipped a beat as that one precious word slipped from her lips. His heart was filled with more joy and happiness then he ever could have imagined. He moved his hand up to her cheek, and brought her face towards his, their lips meeting in a fiery embrace. Their kiss deepened as both had a desperate longing to connect as their souls reached out for one another. As their passion grew flaming hot, he slowly moved his hand down to rest on her neck. As his thumb ran small circles along her jaw-line, her hand found it's way to his chest. He shuddered with desire as she moaned into his mouth. As tongues danced together, their kiss became so deep it left both gasping for breath.
He pulled his lips from hers and reached into his pocket pulling out a black velvet box. She stared at the ring sparkling in the night in complete awe. Two pear-shaped diamonds surrounded a classic, round, brilliant center stone. A tear fell down her face, as he reached for her hand and slid it into place on her third finger. He smiled as he saw her gazing down at the ring he had spent so many countless hours picking out.
"I hope it's everythin' ya dreamed of and more. I thought a lot about what kind of ring to get you. When I saw this one I could see myself proposing to you with it. I could see looking at it on your finger for the rest of our lives," he explaining hoping she felt the same.
"Oh Sully, I love it. It's perfect. This whole night has been perfect. I love you so much. I never believed I could be this happy," she said her eyes shining bright.
"Neither did I till I met you. I love you too sweetheart, forever," he spoke before he claimed her lips once again. He knew in that moment that she couldn't have made him happier. His soul mate had just agreed to spend the rest of her life as his wife.