Chapter 28

Hello friends, I am back after a very long break. A lot of things have already happened on the show, but here I am continuing this story. Hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

The ride to Hailey's place was a quiet one, none of them spoke. Hailey was still tired and Jay was merely relieved that she was fine and that she has actually been allowed to go home. As the reached home Jay helped her out of the car and led her to the door. He escorted her inside as well, wanting to make sure she didn't face any difficulties whatsoever. Finally Hailey spoke, "I am fine Jay, you don't have to walk around eggshells."

He simply looked at her and spoke, "It doesn't matter, I am here and I am going to take care of you."

Hailey was speechless and she didn't even try to come up with an answer. Deep within she was so delighted to see Jay behave in this manner, but her external being stopped her from expressing these feelings. She knew she had to guard her heart. Their break up had been civil but both of them were affected more than they showed. Hailey had immersed herself in her work and so had Jay, but somehow they were back together again. Something or the other kept happening that brought them closer, contrary to what Hailey had told him earlier. Problems had presented themselves, but these very problems were bringing them closer than before.

He led her to the sofa and made her sit gently, fully aware of all her injures. Then he spoke in a soft voice, his eyes never leaving hers, "Hailey, you rest, I'm going to prepare lunch."

"Jay, you don't have to. We can just order something. You need rest as well," she said, knowing that her statement was going to be dismissed in any case.

"I'm fine, and I want to do this. So please bear with me," he said with a small wink.

Hailey smiled and let the matter drop. She lay down slowly on the sofa and closed her eyes. But the only thing she could see was the sudden burst of light reflecting on her face and that forced her to open her eyes. She couldn't get the vision out of her mind, it was haunting her and she realised it was having a bigger affect than she had hoped for it to have. She tried again, but her eyes had to open because she was tormented by the memory and vision of her accident. So she got up finally and switched on the TV realising that she needed to divert her attention. Jay joined her after a long while, with plates and spoons and lunch. They ate in silence, watching whatever was playing on the TV, but their thoughts elsewhere. Once they were done Jay took everything to the sink and returned, deciding to clean up later, right now wanting to be next to her. He sat down beside her and looked at her, she knew this look of his and couldn't stop smiling. It was the look that suggested he had his most cherished thing right in front of him and nothing else could ever make him happier. Hailey was overwhelmed, why did he do this? Why did he always make her feel so special and so precious? It was a marvellous feeling no doubt, but she just couldn't put her heart through any sort of turmoil anymore. If anyone asked her whether she loved Jay, she would reply by saying no. But her heart knew better than that, she loved him so much that she was afraid to be with him, around him.

Jay sensed her worries and read her expressions and moved closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulder gently. He pulled her gently towards him, whispering, "Come here."

She didn't deny or resist, but melted into his touch. She placed her one hand on his chest and instantly felt his heart rate increase. It had been weeks since they had been so close, but surprisingly it didn't feel odd or alien, it felt natural. She shut her eyes and this time the vision didn't invade her mind, but she heard something and was forced to open her eyes again. Jay was speaking in the softest of voices, "Hailey… I was so scared."

She understood what he was talking about and didn't interrupt him because she herself had been terrified to her bones. He continued, "I thought I had lost you… I didn't know what to do…"

Tears were streaming down his face now and she couldn't control herself any longer either. She looked up at him and gently wiped his tears away, seeing the pain on his face. Both of them had kept it together in the hospital, not displaying intense emotions, but here they were letting go slowly and somehow it felt good and relieving. Now she spoke, "Jay… I was also so scared… But believe it or not, before that guy rammed into me, your face was the only thing that flashed before my eyes."

He looked down at her and searched her tearful eyes. She looked at him and smiled ever so slightly confirming what was in his mind. She gently released herself from his embrace and sat up, looking at him. Her mind had shut down, all the plans she had made in her mind thrown out of the window. All the internal decisions she had taken were forgotten. She placed her uninjured hand lightly on his chest and kissed him softly. For a moment Jay was just still, but then he let her in and himself explored her mouth, his hands gently settling around her waist. She was crying and so was he, it was such an emotional moment for both of them that they would never forget it. They parted gently, foreheads still touching. Hailey's eyes were still closed but Jay's were open and he saw her from this proximity and was reminded once again why he had fallen in love with her. She was so gentle, so kind, so pure, so honest and she was the only person who cared for him more than himself. She never showed it directly, but she always made sure he was fine and that he was happy. For the first time he wondered if she could love him more than he loved her, but realised that it didn't matter. He would love her infinitely even if she didn't feel that same way because she was the only person who put him first for everything and cared for him like no else had before. Finally she opened her eyes and separated from him, still in tears and said, "I am sorry."

He smiled and replied, more in love with her than he had been a few minutes ago, if that was possible, "Don't be. Both of us needed it and if you wouldn't have initiated it, I certainly would have."

The rest of the day went by in this manner, Jay and Hailey chatting casually and hanging around in the apartment. They had a light dinner and had decided to call it a day early because they were both exhausted. Hailey said as she entered her bedroom, "You can sleep wherever you want, I don't mind."

He nodded as he followed her inside. The awkwardness between them had long gone, but today they were more free with each other and they didn't really have to worry about what they told the other. They spoke, behaved and did things as though they were a couple, but only they weren't, at least currently. Hailey was checking the covers, then she turned to tell him something else when she found him on one knee, facing her with a small smile and evident tears in his eyes. He was holding a shining ring in his hand and he held it up to her, looking her in the eyes. He spoke softly, "Will you marry me Hailey?"

And here we go, another cliffhanger. But this time I have decided, I will not follow what I have in mind particularly. I will see what the majority wants and take the story in that direction.

Option A: Do you want them to get married already and he happy together and end the story soon?

Option B: Or do you want to more drama, more aspects into the story and a lot more things happening? But the outcome is certain, they are going to be happy together in the end.

So do let me know what you wish for and I will see what the majority wants and take the story in that direction. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and are excited to see what's to come next. Thank you for reading. :)