Chapter 30: Ash

When I return from my morning PT session, Lexa informs me that she has to go with Blake into town this afternoon and translate for him. She says that Raven is going to help me with my shower after this evening's PT session, and she would see me for dinner.

Something is up with Lexa; she is acting weird. She never leaves the hospital, not since I woke up, and she is letting Raven help me shower. So, she is up to something; I just don't know what. I trust her, though; I mean, she told me she loved me, and I believe her. So, I will play her game and wait and see what she has up her sleeve.

After Lexa leaves, I sit and watch TV. It is crazy how attached I have become to this girl in such a short amount of time. She has only been gone a couple of hours, but I miss her terribly. I'm starting to go crazy in this room by myself when Raven shows up to take me to PT. Good, at least now time will go by quickly.

She takes me to the gym, and we go through my workout. I can't wait to finish the training because I know I will be able to see Lexa after it. I work out hard because I want to be able to take her away from here soon. Raven surprises me by saying that I am strong enough to walk with a cane now. I hate having to use it, but it is better than that stupid wheelchair.

Raven walks me back to my room and helps me in the shower. Once I'm finished, she helps me get dressed. Instead of my regular pajamas, she put on some jeans and a nice blouse and boots. I ask her what's going on? All she says is that Lexa told her to dress me in these clothes, and she doesn't want to piss her off, so…

Just as I finish putting on my boots, Blake walks in and says, "Hey, are you ready?"

I look at him and say, "Blake, what the hell is going on?"

He shakes his head and says, "Ash, just be patient. I'm here to take you to meet Lexa, and that's all I'm going to say because she scares me as much or more than you do."

I just laugh at him and grab the cane and say, "Fine, let's go then."

He walks with me down the hallway and out into the courtyard. I can't believe it. There are lights strung up around a small table set for two. Standing by the table is Lex, and she looks terrific. She has had a haircut, and is wearing these black jeans that fit her precisely right, and she is holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I don't know what to say. I look at Blake, and he smiles and tells me to have fun.

Lexa walks over and says, "Thank you, Blake, I will take it from here." Then she leans in and kisses my cheek as Blake walks away. "Hey, babe, you are walking. That's great."

I reply, "I guess, but I have to use this stupid cane. So, Babe, what's all this?"

She takes my hand and leads me over to the table, and pulls out the chair for me. She then says, "These are for you," as she hands me the flowers. Then she walks over to a small table and turns on some soft music.

When she comes back over to the table, she says, "Ash, I know that I have already said that I love you, but I also wanted to show you that I am all in with you. I will follow you anywhere, and I will always have your six."

Then she removes the lid over the plate in front of me to reveal a big T-bone steak and baked potato from the restaurant I took her to. I can't help it. I start to cry. I'm just so overwhelmed. She immediately comes and kneels beside me and asks what is wrong. All I can say is, "Nothing, everything is perfect, you are perfect, and I don't deserve you. Thank you for all of this. It is amazing."

She replies with a smirk, "Oh, I'm just getting started. Let's eat."

I can't help but laugh at her. I haven't seen this side of her before. Come to think about it, I really don't know much about her other than I am falling hard for her. We eat and talk about all sorts of things. We talk about her growing up in the orphanage and about my childhood as an army brat. We actually have a lot in common, in that we didn't have any friends growing up. We spend the next couple of hours just talking and getting to know one another better outside of the battlefield.

She gets up and walks around to my side of the table and holds out her hand, and says, "My lady, may I have this dance?"

I look up at her and say, "Yes, you may." I take her hand, and she pulls me close. She puts her hands on my waist, and I put my arms around her neck, and we begin to dance. I think to myself; this girl has some moves. We dance for a few songs, and then she spins me and dips me.

She holds me there and looks me in the eyes, and says, "Ash, I love you." and then she kisses me deeply. Once she breaks the kiss, she sits me back in my chair and then rings a bell. I have no idea what she is up to now, but Blake walks in carrying a tray that he sits down on the table and then walks away. Lexa lifts the lid on the tray, and there sits the biggest banana split I have ever seen.

I can't help but laugh and say, "Babe, this is amazing. How did you even get all of this planned? You know what? I don't care. This is the best date I have ever been on."

She replies, "I have one more surprise." She pulls out a box and slides it across the table. "I know this isn't a dirt bike, but I wanted to get you something since you have given me so much."

I take the box and open it. Inside is a 7-inch black K-bar tactical knife with a shoulder holster. When I pull it out of the holster, I see that the blade has an inscription written in purple. It says, 'To my love, I will always have your six!' I don't know what to say, so I stand up and use the table to balance myself, walk to her, sit in her lap, and kiss her.