- Domon' s Point Of View -
Before long, we had gone through the entire scrapbook. Rain lay in my arms and we just talked for a while.
Our topic had been the latest news report. Kissing had got someone sick, and the sickness had left him or her seemingly death bound.
"So, kissing can kill you?" she said in astonishment.
I think she had forgotten about her parents coming, because I know that I sure had.
"Yeah, but so far, the death toll has to be under ten. I mean, one person had to have a life threatening disease, and then they passed it on to their partner, so relax. I swear my kisses won't kill you." I explained
"They already do." She said flirtatiously.
I smiled and squeezed her tight and we remained silent for a little while, each lost in our own thoughts.
"Hey Rain, how long did the doctor say until you're out of here?" I asked.
"Five to six days." She said.
"What do you want to do five to six days from now?"
"I don't know the exact details, but some alone time with you sure needs to be in the schedule."
She snuggled into my chest and I looked down at her with a smile.
"Oh, well that fits perfectly into my plans."
"Your plans?"
"How would you feel about taking a vacation? A nice relaxing one about 8 days from now?"
She turned and stared at me, her eyes large and blank, as if looking for something she hadn't seen before. I wondered if I should back off.
"There's still plenty of time to cancel if you don't think you're up for it."
Her lips broke into a smile and she planted her arms firmly around my neck and hugged me.
"I'd love to go."
"Really?" I said, still questioning myself, "I mean if you don't feel safe or something..."
"I always feel safe with you."
I smiled and held her close, closing my eyes and taking in her sweet scent. When she broke the embrace, I placed my hands on her hips and grinned down at her.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Florida cruise. It'll go through Key West, and stop in Cozumel, Mexico too."
"Mmm...somewhere hot. I'm gonna get a tan...lay on the beach, have some fun in the sun..." she trailed off, listing things she wanted to do.
"And I swear I'm not taking you just to see you in a bikini." I said with a smirk.
She laughed out loud and flopped against me without warning. My back hit the headboard, and I laughed too. Snaking my arms around her waist, I gave her a raspberry on her shoulder, making her laugh even more and squirm a little. Not wanting to cause her any pain with her injury, I stopped, and put my head on the wall, while still laughing. Lying on top of me, she settled down and nestled into me again, closing her eyes with a smile on her face.
I stayed up though, letting her sleep. I listened to her breathe, and I thought about how I could get used to this, every morning, for the rest of my life. I imagined our whole lives together, all the things we could do, where we would live...heck, even a few kids...
- Rain's Point Of View -
Domon had dozed off when I got up. I had only slept for half an hour, Domon was still out. Everything from my waist up was on Domon, and it surprised me he could sleep with me on top of him in this position. Tilting my head, I stared up at his face. It was so calm and peaceful.
My hand went up to his face, and a single finger touched his lips. I traced them, thinking about my life and where it was headed. Domon seemed to be a definite addition, but the rest seemed thrown off. Oh well, mom and dad will help me sort things out and get me back on track....
MOM AND DAD!!!!!
They can sooo not get here and see me lying on top of Domon! I'm not ashamed of being in love with him, but they'll absolutely freak if they find me like this with a guy that I didn't tell them about! Even if it is Domon, whom they know and trust. Plus, this is kind of intimate, and it would be a little embarrassing.
"Domon...pst, Domon... wake up!!"
His eyes shot open like a bullet out of a gun and he jumped a little. He looked hurriedly around before glancing at me.
"What's wrong?" he said, breathing a little heavily.
"Relax, relax," I told him, "it's okay, I'm fine, you're fine, were all fine. It's just, my parents are coming soon, and I don't think we want to share this with them."
I gestured to me, and then to him, and then to me and him.
He smiled, laughed almost, and pushed himself gently up, taking me with him.
"Yeah," he said, "that would be a little too personal to share. Good thing you remembered."
I didn't know what to think about that. Did he mean he didn't want to tell my parents at all, or, that he didn't want them to see us like that without having time to explain? I wasn't sure.
"Domon, I'm not afraid to tell my parents you know. I want them to know about us."
Taking his eyes from the light he had been switching on, he looked down at me. Then, he grinned and spoke.
"Rain," he said gently, "Rain, Rain, Rain. Of course I want your parents to know! I want the whole world to know! Nothing would honor me more than to tell your father that I am in love with you. It's just, you lying on top of me and the feelings I get from that are two things that I only want to share with you, not with your parents."
"Oh.' I said dumbly.
"It's alright. Now that I think of it, I did kind of say that wrong. Simple mistake!" He said lightly.
"You sure?"
"Yes Rain. How do you want me to act though?"
"Hmm..." I thought, thinking it over, "I want you to act...to act as if you have known me for years, secretly loving me all the time, and you're now flirting with me because you are trying to find out if I love you too. You know, holding hands, hugs, and the occasional kiss on the cheek."
He smiled a knowing smile, almost as if he had done that before.
"Okay. That's fair."
"Alright."
"Rain," he said, "one last question."
I stared at him.
"Do you end up loving me?"
I smiled a broad smile and touched his cheek with my hand.
"Of course I do."
- Domon's Point Of View -
I couldn't help but wonder in awe at how well Rain's description fit me. Between the best friends and secret love, I almost wondered if she had felt the same way. Rain hadn't given me too much to work with on how she wanted me to act, but I figured I'd just go with it. I'll let her make the first move, see how drastic it is, and go from there.
I looked to the clock. About 4:30. That meant her parents would probably be here in an hour and a half.
"Rain, your parents will be here around 6:00. Do you need me to help you get situated?"
She smiled politely and shook her head no.
"Nah, I can sit up myself, but I would sure appreciate a cup of hot coffee right about now."
"Okay." I said, "I'll go grab one for you."
I ducked out the door and into the hallway. Glancing around, I wondered where I could find coffee. Spying a nurse a little way down the hall coming towards me, I stopped and waited. She nearly passed me, but I called out.
"Excuse me, miss?"
She twisted to look at me with questioning eyes.
"Yes?"
"Where can I find the coffee?"
"Coffee? Hmm...oh! The cafeteria is down on the second floor. If you take the elevator, once you get out, it should be on your...left."
I smiled. I love easy directions.
"Thanks."
"Uh-huh."
The nurse turned around and walked into the nearest room. As I turned to go as well, it registered in my head that she had gone into Rain's room. I considered going back, but I figured she'd be fine. Besides, with coffee, I'd only be gone five minutes tops.
So, following the directions of the nurse, I got into the elevator, rode down to floor two, and turned left. After three minutes of walking in that direction, I saw a sign that said that the cafeteria was the complete opposite way. This angered me slightly, but it was then I noticed that this little thing would have gotten me so mad about three weeks ago. But now, I just turned around, and started walking towards the cafeteria. Weird, I thought, wonder why I'm not mad.
Rain. That was why I was so calm. My worry for Rain and her safety had taken up too much room in my heart, and now, I didn't have the time or energy to worry about little things like wrong directions.
Well, I found the coffee, and, not knowing what Rain likes in hers, I take some cream and sugar, and our two cups and rode the elevator back up to floor four. As I near the room, I realize that between the coffee and all the condiments, that I couldn't open the door. I was about to put down one of the cups to get in, but at the last second, I noticed the nurse that had given me directions inside. So I tapped it lightly with my foot and waited for her to come to the door. She opened it and smiled at me.
"Domon! Perfect timing!" I heard Rain call behind her.
The nurse moved away from the doorway, and I entered. I put down the two cups on the table, went to Rain's bed, and kissed her.
" What's going on here?" I asked.
The nurse spoke at this.
"Well, I was just about to change Mrs. Kashuu's bed sheets, and we were hoping you could help."
It was all I could do not to laugh at how everyone thought we were married, and looking over at Rain, it was obvious she thought the same.
"Sure," I said, stifling a laugh, "what can I do?"
The nurse, having no idea what we were laughing about, decided to ignore it.
"We need to move her." She stated simply.
"No problem."
- Rain's Point Of View -
Domon looked at me with mischief in his eyes. I grinned and nodded. He obviously had an idea, and I trusted him. He stood up, tore the blankets off me, and, with one sweeping motion...
"Alley oop" he said, picking me up almost effortlessly into his arms. I put my arms around his neck, shivering in the sudden coldness. He held me close, and I relished in the heat of his body.
He sat down in a nearby chair with me still in his arms. I nestled into his warm, inviting chest, drawing strength from it. My chest was emitting stabbing, throbbing pains, and I was trying to hide it. I bit my lip as my eyes started to water.
"Does it hurt?"
Damn him.
I started to nod, but I figured that would hurt too, so I muttered a yes.
"Don't try to hide it Rain. I know it hurts. You've already proved how strong you are to me."
I smiled weakly as silent tears rolled down my face. He leaned over and kissed one softly away.
"Okay," the nurse said quietly, "the bed is done."
He picked me up, still gazing into my eyes, and placed me on the bed. I was faintly aware of the nurse leaving as Domon covered me up with the blankets. He sat on top of them and captured my lips for a short moment before wiping away my tears.
"It hurts doesn't it."
I he paused before speaking again.
"Seitt, and his betrayal. It hurts. I can see it in your eyes. They aren't as bright anymore. And I know it's not from your injury. When you broke your leg and couldn't run track, your sophomore year, that was a huge disappointment, but your eyes. They were still bright."
I smiled like a child hearing a lesson from his elder. Domon was right. Damn him again.
"Yeah. That part is pretty painful. I can take drugs for my stomach, but not for my heart."
Suddenly, he looked hurt. I could tell because his eyes fogged up and he looked away. While I was trying to figure out what he could possibly be aching over, his eyes changed again. This time, to anger.
He flew into a sudden rage.
"Rain, he's still in your heart! After all he's done to you he's still in your heart? What about us? What about my love Rain? Doesn't it count for anything?"
Oh God, he doesn't think...he couldn't think...I didn't mean it like that... oh no...no I meant...
"Well Rain?" He continued, "Well? You know if you don't want me here, all you have to say is leave, and I am out. I am out Rain!"
Tears fell from my eyes as he got up. I yelled after him.
"Domon? No, please don't go." I sobbed "Wait, I didn't mean it like that. Come back."
He froze and turned around. I could swear that his eyes were teary, but maybe it was just me. For a minute, he just stood there, staring at me, his eyes boring into mine as if testing me. I seriously started to doubt whether or not he was coming back, but I seemed to have passed his test. A moment later, he came to sit on my bed, waiting for an explanation.
"Domon, you have to understand, I didn't mean it like that at all. I...it...its like losing someone you trust. You know how much it takes for me to get to know people, to really let them inside. To let them be as close as Seitt was. And when he took advantage of that, and me, it killed me, because I had made the wrong decision to let him in. His betrayal of my trust is what kills my heart, not a love for him."
Now, a single tear slid down his cheek, and I knew I hadn't been mistaken on his watery eyes. He reached for my hand.
"And of course your love counts! Your love is the only thing keeping me alive right now. How could you think that it isn't worth a dime? I love you. Do you understand? I love you, and nothing is going to change that. So please don't leave again. I need you."
He pulled me into an embrace, running his hands up and down my back and through my hair. I slid my arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder.
After a moment I calmed down and stopped crying, but stayed in his arms.
"I'm sorry I got so angry. I love you so much.' He said, his voice thin and tentative.
"I'm sorry too. It's been so hard over these past days, it too much to take in and handle. Thank you for sticking by my side."
"Anytime."
He broke the embrace and looked into my eyes.
"Rain, there is something you must know. I want you to hear this from me, and not a doctor."
I swallowed, never breaking his gaze.
"On the night that Seitt took you for the second time, when I saw him shoot you, I couldn't control myself. I could not deal with the fact that you were hurt badly enough to die - and that this man had done it. He was standing there Rain, after you fell, he was just standing there, smiling, looking all victorious, and I just couldn't control myself."
He looked down at the sheets for a second, and then back into my eyes.
"Rain, I shot him."
I closed my eyes, pushing them together, and took a deep breath. I opened them, and there he was, appearing scared and worried.
"Oh Domon..."
I stroked his face for a minute, and let my hand fall. Then I took his hand, and, holding it in my own, I kissed it, and brought it to my heart.
"You were protecting me Domon. For that, I cannot blame you. In fact I thank you."
He smiled and kissed my forehead. I held his hand still, and he did not let go. I was lost in thought until Domon pulled me out with a question.
"Rain," he said, "you look tired. Do you want a nap?"
I looked to the clock. 5:30. I'd get less than a half hour till my parents came, so I figured it wasn't worth it. But I did notice our coffee on the table, forgotten about and waiting to be drank.
"No," I smiled, "but I could still go for some coffee."
He got up, brought the coffees to us, fixed his, asked what I liked on mine, fixed mine, and then we drank. Feeling the warm liquid pool in my mouth and slide down my throat warmed me and soothed my intense emotions. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation. My eyes were still closed when he reached out and took my hand. I opened them to the feeling of my palm being caressed. Domon was looking down at our hands, but as he realized my awakening he looked up with a slight smile. He brought our hands up, suspending them in mid-air above my face.
"They fit perfectly." He said
I couldn't help but smile at that.
"Yea. They really do."
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Well y'all, I know I promised you that I'd get the parents in this chappie, but, as you now know, I didn't. But I all time swear to God that they will be first thing next chapter. I just figured that this stupid chapter was getting too long, and if I did put the parents in, it'd be like seven more pages. So, everyone's just going to have to wait! Bye!