Chapter 49

They pulled into the parking lot on what AJ was pretty sure were only two wheels and parked in the first spot she saw. Getting out of the car he came around to her side and quickly took her hand and got down on one knee. Holding out the ring box he said, "I know we're in a hurry, but I would like this to be official, Akaliiani Bennet will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Oh yes!" she told him hugging him as she pulled him to his feet. AJ opened the box and slid the ring onto her finger. With hardly a look at it she turned and hurried into the hospital. At the front desk she gave her name and asked where to find her father.

As they walked quickly down the hall to the room they were told her father was in, Akaliiani told him, "I love the ring AJ, I'm sure there is a story behind the lovely stone, just as your inciteful choices of flowers have, I can't wait to hear it as soon as we find out if Pops is okay."

They entered a large room with eight beds in it. There were only curtains seperating the beds for privacy, which was why they could hear Gerald's voice the moment they were through the heavy doors.

"I don't need to stay overnight!" he was protesting. "My daughter will be here any minute and she can take me home!"

"Sir, we need to keep you for obversation. You fainted," the nurse was telling him.

"Marines don't faint. young lady!" Gerald told him.

"Then what would you call it, Gerald Bennent?" Pearl Jefferies, who was sitting beside his bed asked. "How about collapsed, or passed out?"

"Yes Pops, please tell me what had Mrs. Jefferies calling me to say she thought you were having a heart attack?" Alaliiani questioned as she and AJ approached the bed.

Before her father could answer Pearl said, "I don't mean to interfere Ms Bennent, but you might want to get that information from the doctor or nurse. Your father gets a bit adjitated with us talking about what happened, as you can see."

With an affronted look, Gerald started to speak, "That is not true!" he insisted. "All I want to do is to go home!" his voice started to rise and he tried to sit up.

However, when Akaliiani stepped closer and placed her hand on his chest to get him to lay back in the bed, he was sidetracked by what he saw. "Is that a ring on your hand, daughter?!" he demanded.

"It is, dad," she replied, she didn't want to get him even more riled up by calling him 'Pops' at that moment. "You're very observant," she grinned.

AJ saw the doctor approaching them and touched Akaliiani's arm to alert her to the fact. Flashing him a smile she was about to ply the doctor with questions when she was preempted.

"Mr. Bennent, I was told that you don't like the accomidations here and want to go home instead of remaning with us.

"Yes! My daughter is here now and can drive me," Gerald informed him.

"After checking with you regular doctor, Mr. Bennent, I can tell you that we can let you go once your blood pressure has come down," the doctor replied.

"If I'd had any idea that the stress of coming here tonight would have caused you to have an attack, I never would have called you!" Pearl cried out, dabbing at her eyes.

"Would someone please tell me wat is going on here? It seems like I am the only one in the dark!" Akaliiani snapped. The stress of not knowing, clearly was getting to her.

AJ placed an arm around her shoulders as they waited for someone to speak up.

"My husband Herbie had been terminally ill for sometime and your father's birthday was actually his last 'good' day," Pearl was the first to speak up. "After talking to your father that day he wanted to see him again before he passed. So I called Gerald, and he was good enough to come. But like I said, if I'd had any idea that it would cause him to have an attack I promise you that I would never have asked him to come! This is all my fault!" she sniffed and wiped her eyes and nose on her hankie.

To be continued…..