Mandy and Lindsay turned their attention to the door as Jacob came running in through the doorway. He stood there panting as he tried to catch his breath. The two of them fell silent as the smiles on their faces dropped once they saw the panicked expression upon Jacob's face. Lindsay felt a feeling of nervousness wash over her as she saw Jacob staring back at her as he opened his mouth to speak. "Jacob, what's wrong?" Mandy asked as she stood up and walked over to him, placing a hand firmly on his arm. Lindsay held her breath as Jacob opened his mouth once more to speak, she anxiously awaited his response, afraid of what he was about to say.
"I have some bad news." Jacob said gravely as he looked back over at Lindsay, his eyes fixed upon her.
Lindsay took a deep breath as she stood up, "What happened?" she asked, not really wanting to know.
"I just got off the phone with the hospital." Jacob swallowed hard as he paused once he looked over at Lindsay's worried face. "It's James, he was in an accident. The rain-"
Lindsay stared back at Jacob in shock, her mouth gaping as she stood there speechless. Tears springing to her eyes as she processed what Jacob had just told her. She felt a pang in her heart at the sound of those few words "It's James, he was in an accident." Those were words Lindsay never wanted to hear. Lindsay stood there staring back at Mandy and Jacob through the blur of tears that began to fill her eyes. Feeling her legs begin to give way Lindsay collapsed onto the bed beside her, her body began to shake as the tears finally began to fall.
Lindsay shook her head as she a sob escaped her lips. This couldn't be happening, not now, not after the way they'd left everything off. Her stomach began to turn in knots as the thought of losing James forever rushed through her mind. There were so many things left unsaid, so many things she'd wanted to tell him but couldn't say that night. She wanted him to know that she wasn't angry with him, she was only angry with herself for what she'd done. And though she finally found happiness with James and wanted to be with him so badly now, it still hurt her that Adam died because of what she'd done. She wanted to just go to him and tell her how stupid she was for making him leave and just sit there in his arms, where she felt safe. Everything was falling apart and she couldn't handle it anymore. He couldn't just die like that, he just couldn't.
Standing up, Lindsay rushed out of the room. She ran down the stairs as fast as she could, ignoring Mandy's cries. Lindsay grabbed Jacob's keys off the table and rushed out the front door. Within minutes Lindsay was flying down the driveway, she had to get to the hospital.
I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done.
Mandy and Jacob rushed out onto the front lawn as they watched Lindsay fly down the street.
"LINDSAY!" Mandy screamed, hoping she'd hear her but with no avail.
Mandy turned around to face Jacob who was standing behind her. "What do we do?" she asked him.
"I don't know, should we follow her?" he asked.
An exasperated sigh escaped Mandy's lips, "I don't know, I just wish there was something I could do."
"The only thing we can do now is be there for her, she's been through enough already." Jacob said as he pulled Mandy close to him.
"Yeah," Mandy said in barely a whisper.
And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here.
Lindsay thought back to earlier that night, trying to remember what James had said.
James turned to leave and walked toward the entry way. He stopped in his tracks for a moment before he turned around again. "I'm sorry Lindsay."
Lindsay sat there looking down at the now lifeless body that lay before her, not wanting to look up at James.
"I'm not going anywhere Lindsay, but…if anything happens, just please stop by at the house. I left something there for you." James said before he turned and left, the door slamming shut behind him.
Lindsay sniffled as she remembered the look on his face when he'd left, how hurt he'd looked. She blinked away the tears that wanted to continue to fall as she pulled up into the driveway. Unlocking the door she made her way into the kitchen. Finding nothing there she went upstairs to James' bedroom. As she opened the door she spotted something upon the nightstand. Walking over she found a bunch of lilacs, her favorite flower, laid upon an envelope. A small smile formed on her lips as she smelled the flowers before she picked up the letter. Opening it up she took out the folded piece of paper and unfolded it as she sat down on the bed.
Lindsay,
I don't know what'll happen after tonight, after what I'm about to do but I just want you to know I'm only doing it to protect you. You may hate me for this, or I might hurt you because of it, but I can't live knowing he will do something to hurt you. I promised I wouldn't let him do anything to you, and I'm going to keep that promise.
I know lately things have been hard for you because of what happened between us. All I want you to know is I wouldn't give any of it back for the world and I don't regret it at all. I've never wanted something so much before and all I know is, I love you Lindsay, and I always will. No matter what happens tonight, I will always love you and that will never change.
There's only one other thing I ask of you, and that's to open the top drawer. You'll know why when you see it.
Always and Forever,
James
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear.
Louder, louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say.
A tear fell onto the paper as tears streamed down her face. For all she knew she could've ruined everything between them or might have even lost him. Wiping away the tears she let out a sigh before she moved closer to the nightstand. Opening it up slowly she peered inside. The only thing she found within the drawer was a small black box. She took it out and shut the drawer behind her. Sitting back down on the bed she opened up the box.
To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbye
I nearly do.
Lindsay brought her hand to her mouth as a sob escaped her lips as she looked down at the ring that rested inside. She took it out of the box, her hands shaking. Swallowing hard, Lindsay slid the ring onto her finger. Her lip quivered as she stared down at it, tears now streaming down her face once more.
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear.
Louder, louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say.
Slower, slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads.
Lindsay rushed down the steps as fast as she could and out the front door. She sped off down the street, going to the hospital. The only thing she knew was she had to see him – if she hadn't lost him already.
Rushing into the hospital Lindsay came upon a nurse at the front desk. "I need to know where James Scott is," she said immediately.
The nurse looked up at her before looking back down at some papers, "I'm sorry but I can't tell you where he is right now."
Lindsay scoffed, "No, I need to know." The nurse shook her head before she looked back down half expecting Lindsay to leave. Lindsay felt the anger build up inside of her as she glared down at the girl. "Did you hear me!? I need to know NOW!" she screamed.
The nurse looked up at her with a panicked look, just as she was about to speak a doctor came round the corner. "Is there a problem here?" he asked.
"She wants to know what's going on with James Scott, but as I've already told her she can't right now."
He nodded before he turned to Lindsay and pulled her aside. "May I ask how you know Mr. Scott?"
"I-I-I'm his wife," Lindsay said. She felt only the slightest bit of happiness at the sound of those words at the moment, but she was too upset to dwell on it.
"I don't see any record of Mr. Scott having a wife."
"Um-" Lindsay looked began wringing her hands as she looked down at the floor. "We just got married, they must've not filed the papers yet."
"I see," the doctor said, half believing it. "Well, after what happened to him, I'd say Mr. Scott is one lucky man. Based on the crash I would've thought he wouldn't make it, but he made it out with only a few cuts and bruises."
Lindsay felt a slight bit relieved from this information as a sigh escaped her lips. "Um, can I see him?" she asked quietly.
"I think it'll be alright." The doctor led Lindsay down a hallway and over into a small corridor. "He's in the room to the right."
Lindsay nodded, "Thank you." She turned around and headed toward the door.
Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess.
She stopped just outside the door for a moment, trying to prepare herself. Swallowing hard she forced herself to walk inside, holding her breath as she walked into the doorway.
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear.
James bolted up in bed, his body covered in a cold sweat. He sat there gaping as he tried to catch his breath. He threw the sheets off of himself and got out of bed. Walking into the bathroom he stopped in front of the sink where he washed his face off. After he dried his face he found himself thinking back to the awful dream he had just had. All he could remember was speeding down a darkened street in the pouring rain. And just before he woke up his car had careened off the side of the road before crashing into a tree. Taking a deep breath he turned around to head back to bed but stopped dead in his tracks when he came face to face with Amber. She looked up at him somewhat worried, yet still half asleep. "Are you okay?" she asked as she pulled the sheets tighter around herself.
James stood there unable to speak. Dozens of questions raced through his mind as he stared at her. Why was she here? Where was Lindsay? Did he really just dream about all of that, or was it real? Would Lindsay ever forgive him if it was true? But if it was true, why was he dreaming of crashing his car?
Amber stood there impatiently, waiting for his response. "James?"
James shook his head, trying to shake off the feeling. "Yeah I'm fine." He said before turning back around. "I'm just a bit confused." Looking into the mirror he saw her step closer to him, now at his side. She laid a comforting hand on his shoulder as she stepped aside so she could see his face.
"Confused about what?" she asked, getting no response she tried once more. "Is everything alright? You seemed a bit shaken up when you woke up."
"Uh yeah, I'm fine. Just a bad dream. Um what are you-?" James stopped as he stared down at her hand. He felt his breath get caught in his throat as he looked down at the ring upon her finger.
"What?" Amber asked, somewhat confused.
"Uh-uh nothing, um, I gotta go." James said before he moved Amber aside and walked into the closet.
"What?" Amber asked as she followed him inside. She watched as he threw on some clothes quickly. "Where are you going?" she asked as he walked past her.
"I just need to do something," he said before he walked out of the room.
"James?!" she called after him but he didn't even stop. After a moment she heard the front door slam shut, she walked over to the window and pushed the curtains away. Amber watched as James drove off, his car screeching down the street. A sadden look washed over her face as she watched his car drive off into the distance.
James sped off down the dark streets, he had no idea where he was going but he knew where he was bound to end up. Everything didn't make sense, before he and Lindsay were together, they did get into an argument, but he sure wasn't with Amber anymore. He knew he was just kidding himself then when he was with her, but it didn't make any sense at all why he'd be with her now. And married to her? He couldn't possibly have married her, he knew he never had feelings for her before but why were they together now?
Lindsay stood there just outside the door, wanting so badly to go in, but hesitating because of the fact that she was afraid what she might find. She swallowed back some tears that had welled up in her eyes and took a deep breath before turning the corner. Standing there, Lindsay felt her breath get caught in her throat and a pain in her heart. On the other side of the room lay James, he looked so helpless laying there, motionless. Lindsay walked closer to the bed, she grabbed onto the arm of a chair as she collapsed into it. A sob escaped her lips as she finally diverted her glance from James. She tried to blink back tears as her vision blurred but she couldn't help it. Tears began to fall down her cheeks as she let out another choked sob. The only thing going through her mind now was the guilt she felt when she first laid eyes on James when she walked in.
James pulled up next to the curb and walked up the driveway. He took a deep breath before he reached up and knocked on the door. After a few moments Lindsay came to the door, a smile on her face as she turned from the person she was talking to. Her smile faltered as she saw James, "James?" Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she looked up at him, "What are you doing here?"
James felt his breath get caught in his throat as he saw her smile fade. He swallowed hard as he looked at her through saddened eyes, "I wanted to see you."
"You wanted to see me?" Lindsay asked in confusion.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" James asked, afraid to hear the answer. Everything was different now and he didn't know why.
"James, I haven't spoken to you in months. I figured you wouldn't want to after what happened."
James noticed the hurt in her eyes as she said this. "Oh," he said quietly as he looked down at the ground. "This might sound odd, but what happened?"
Lindsay swallowed hard as she looked back inside behind her before stepping outside and shutting the door. "James is everything alright?" she asked in concern.
"Yeah-" he said reassuringly but knew that it was obvious he was lying. "Okay not really, I'm just…confused."
"Confused about what?"
"About what happened to us," he said as he looked down at her.
"James, I don't-" Lindsay sighed for a second before she continued. "I don't get why you're asking me this now."
"Listen I'm sorry, but can you just tell me what happened?" James said hopefully.
Lindsay took a deep breath before she looked back up at him. "Well, I don't see how its something you could forget, but alright."
The two of them made their way down the steps and down the street. They headed across the street to the park and sat down on a bench before they said anything.
"Well, it all happened that night you came over while Adam was away." Lindsay started off. "The night-" she paused as her breath caught in her throat.
"The night I told you my feelings about you." James finished. He stared down at the ground, why had everything gone wrong this time?
"Yeah." Lindsay said as tears welled up in her eyes. She wiped them away and sniffled before she looked back at him, "Sorry. You wanted to know what happened…" James looked back up at her as she paused. "After you said everything I panicked and just ran, I just couldn't stand to look at you when you said that. It hurt too much…"
Lindsay ran across a field to a small park across the street that had a swing set in the middle of it. She ran over and clung to the pole as she sank to the muddy ground sobbing. James stopped as he reached the grass area. He stood there saddened as he watched Lindsay break down. James stood there for a moment then rushed over to where Lindsay was. He bent down beside her and was going to take her in his arms until she protested.
Lindsay began to sob as the tears fell. She shook her head as she looked away from him. "Don't...just go James."
"Lindsay, I'm sorry! But I've known you my whole life and you are the only one I have ever truly loved with all my heart."
Lindsay still clung to the pole as more tears began to fall. "I know that, that's not what hurts. Its the fact that we could have had something and now we can't."
"I know, and that's my fault, I should of said something but now…"
Lindsay finally looked up at him for the first time, "Now?! James, we can't have anything now. I'm married to Adam and you are dating Amber. There's no way we can take that back."
"So you want to just forget this ever happened? Just go back to pretending like there is nothing between us? Lindsay, I've been feeling like this for a long time and the feeling will never go away..." James protested.
Lindsay looked back up at him, hurt apparent in her eyes. "I felt that way too James, but-"
"You don't now." James said quietly as looked away from her, feeling defeated.
"I don't know what you want me to do James, I was too afraid to admit it before, but we can't have anything now. I'm with Adam now."
"You don't even love him Lindsay." James said.
"How do you know that? And it's not like you cared, you started dating Amber right after you heard about our engagement."
"I was hurt, Lindsay. And confused, I knew I had lost you then and I didn't want to have to deal with that. I started dating Amber hoping it'd make me forget you, make me not love you anymore. But I just…I can't." James said, his voice quivering a bit.
Lindsay looked up at him, tears falling from her eyes. "You have to let me go James, there's nothing left for us now."
James shook his head as he looked down at her in disbelief, he felt his hands ball up into fists as he turned away.
Lindsay stood up and walked up beside him. "I'm sorry James, but there's nothing you can do now. I loved you, I did." Lindsay said pleading with him. "James please say something.."
"I don't know what to say to you Lindsay." James said, still not looking at her.
"I'm sorry," Lindsay said as she swallowed hard. "James please, just say something."
"I don't have anything to say to you now Lindsay," he said bitterly as he started to walk off.
"James!" Lindsay called after him.
"Just don't Lindsay, we can't anything now right? So what's the use?" James said as he turned to look back at her.
"Can't we just talk about this?" Lindsay asked.
"Talk about what? How you don't love me anymore? No, I think I got that."
"James, I'm sorry. Please don't just walk away.." Lindsay said, a sob escaping her lips.
"You're the one who wants me to let you go, so I'm doing what you asked. There really is no reason for me to stay any longer." James said as he turned to leave.
"That's it? You're just going to leave?" Lindsay said as she stepped closer to him. He turned to look at her, "We're going to see each other again right?" Lindsay asked hopefully.
James looked down at the ground as he felt a lump grow in his throat. He swallowed hard before looking back up at her, "No, I don't think that'd be a good idea. It's best if we just don't see each other anymore Lindsay. It'll be easier for me to forget about you that way."
"James…" Lindsay started to say.
"No, Lindsay. There's nothing else left to say, I'm done, okay?" he said before turned to leave. He walked off, the rain pouring harder down on him.
"Oh." James said, as Lindsay finished.
"I really am sorry James, I didn't want things to end that way," she said as she sniffled again. "You were probably right though, it is best that we just stop seeing each other anymore. We need to get on with our own lives, right?" Lindsay said as she stood up.
"Lindsay I-" James started to say.
"It's fine, I get it. I hurt you, I know that, there wouldn't be any use in me doing it again. So I'm just going to go now, bye James," she said quietly before turning to leave.
James ran his fingers through his hair as he sat there and held his head in his hands. He sat there for a while, just staring off into space. He didn't understand why everything had happened this way, everything was fine. Well for the most part it was, what confused him the most is how he'd gotten here. Was it all just a dream? Or was what he'd thought had happened all just a dream? Maybe he'd just dreamt about he and Lindsay together..? He wasn't with Lindsay here either and he began to wonder, maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe they weren't meant to be together at all.
Lindsay finally looked back up and James, she reached for his hand, her hands shaking as she took his hand into hers. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I am so sorry James. I never meant for any of this to happen. I just wish everything could be simple, easier, maybe that way we wouldn't have ended up like this. I know I probably hurt you with the way I treated you earlier tonight, but I just want you to know that my feelings for you never changed. I was just confused and panicked with everything that was happening, it was all happening so fast. It's almost hard to believe any of it happened, I kind of wish it hadn't. I wish everything hadn't happened, that we hadn't really said our feelings for one another. Maybe that way you'd still be here, and I'd still have you." Lindsay voice quivered as she spoke, "Oh gosh, what am I saying? These past couple months were amazing, that was probably the best thing I'd done. I just wish things hadn't happened the way they did with Adam." A small smile spread across Lindsay lips as she looked down at the ring on her finger. Maybe, just maybe, if James woke up they could make things right. Maybe even be together once and for all, but as she looked back up at James she felt a sadness in her heart. As much as she wanted to be with him, she knew that it was her fault this had all happened. Looking at him made her heart break, out of everything that'd happened he was the last person she'd want to be hurt by any of this. He was fighting to save her, to protect her safe, and she pushed him away. Now he was the one who was hurt, she couldn't help but feel guilty, wish that it was her who'd been hurt and not him.
Tears began to fall from her eyes again as she looked at him. "I'm sorry this happened James, it's all my fault. If it wasn't for me you'd be okay. I know I probably hurt you earlier tonight when I sent you away, but I just hope you'll be able to forgive me. I don't want to lose you, you're the one thing that matters most to me in this world. I love you, more than you'd ever know. And I just wish everything could be okay, that everything will be fine and we can be happy together again. Like before, before Adam and Amber came along, but we can finally be together this time around. I just hope you'll forgive me…" Lindsay said as she reached over and stroked his hair. Leaning over she kissed him softly upon his forehead as she continued to stroke his hair.
Lindsay walked inside the house and shut the door quietly behind her. Adam walked up behind her, "Where'd you go?"
"Oh, um..that was James." Lindsay said quietly.
"Oh. How'd it go?" Adam asked.
"As well as could be expected," Lindsay said with a small smile.
"I'm sorry, I know how much his friendship meant to you." Adam said as he walked up to her. "Listen, I might have some news that might cheer you up." Adam said smiling down at her.
"Oh, and what's that?" Lindsay asked.
"I just got a call from the doctor."
"Am I?" Lindsay asked, afraid to hear the answer.
"Yeah," Adam said as his smile widened. "We're going to have a baby." He said as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
Lindsay felt tears well up in her eyes, she sniffled as a frown spread across her lips.
"What's the matter?" Adam asked concerned. "Aren't you happy? I thought you wanted this..?" he asked a bit of fear in his voice.
"Yeah, I do. Haven't you ever cried when you're happy?" Lindsay asked as a smile spread across her lips.
Adam smiled back down at her as he hugged her once more and kissed her neck.
Over the sea and far away
She's waiting like an iceberg
Waiting to change
But she's cold inside
She wants to be like water.
Amber looked outside the window as James pulled up into the driveway. A frown spread across her lips as she looked out at him as he walked up to the door.
All the muscles tighten in her face
Buries her soul in one embrace
They're one and the same
Just like water.
"Hi." Amber said quietly as James walked in.
"Hey," he said, not really looking at her.
"Is everything okay?" Amber asked in concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?" James said, trying to hide the hurt in his voice.
"You seem kind of sad," Amber said.
"No, I'm alright. What about you?" Amber looked down at her lap. "Is everything okay?"
"Um. Not really, I need to talk to you about something," she said quietly.
"Okay? What is it?" James asked as he sat down on the couch.
"Do you love me? Do you really love me?" Amber asked.
James swallowed hard, "Yeah, why wouldn't I?" He asked as he took her hand into his.
The fire fades away
Most of everyday
Is full of tired excuses
But it's too hard to say
I wish it were simple
But we give up easily
You're close enough to see that
You're on the other side of the world to me.
Amber shook her head as she pulled her hand away. "No you don't," she said with a frown.
"What do you mean?" James asked.
On comes the panic light
Holding on with fingers and feelings alike
But the time has come
To move along.
"James, I've noticed the past few weeks how you've been acting. I wasn't sure if I should accept your proposal before and now I know why." Amber said.
"What are you talking about?" James asked, confused.
"I just got off the phone with Lindsay, apparently you two talked when you went over there."
"So? We talked, that was it." James said defensively.
"Yeah but it isn't. I've seen the way you look at her James, I know you don't love me, because you have feelings for her. Deep down I knew that was true but I didn't want to believe it. I knew there was a reason why I was doubting it and now I see why."
The fire fades away
Most of everyday
Is full of tired excuses
But it's too hard to say
I wish it were simple
But we give up easily
You're close enough to see that
You're on the other side of the world to me.
"Amber.."
"No, it's fine. I get it, I was just the girl who was supposed to make you forget. I realize that now, which is why I think its best if I go." Amber said as she looked away from him.
"Go where?" James asked.
"I don't know, but all I know is this will be a mistake if we don't end it now. You can't just forget about someone you love James, and I know that. And if we stay together I'll know that you don't feel the way I do. You just did it because you know I loved you enough, but its obvious you don't feel that way, which is why I'm ending this now. I'm sorry James." Amber reached down and slid the ring off her finger, she took James' hand in hers. She placed the ring in his hand and then folded his fingers over it. "I still do love you, but I think this is best. I hope you understand." James just looked away. Amber swallowed hard as a lump grew in her throat, "Goodbye."
Can you help me?
Can you let me go?
And can you still love me
When you can't see me anymore?
With that she got up and walked out. James looked down at the floor as a fist formed around the ring. He'd just wished he could finally wake up. That this was all a dream and that it'd be over soon. He wanted to see Lindsay, the one who loved him, if she even existed.
The fire fades away
Most of everyday
Is full of tired excuses
But it's too hard to say
I wish it were simple
But we give up easily
You're close enough to see that
You're on the other side of the world to me.
Mandy and Jacob walked up to the room the doctor had directed them to. Before they walked in, Mandy stopped just outside the door. "Can I do this alone? Just to talk to her?" Mandy asked quietly.
Jacob nodded, "Yeah," he said quietly.
Thank you. Mandy mouthed before walking inside. A frown spread across her lips as she saw Lindsay sitting at James' bedside. "Hey," she said quietly when Lindsay didn't turn to her.
Lindsay looked up at her, "Hey," she said in almost a whisper.
"How's he doing?" Mandy asked, motioning toward James.
"They said he'll be fine, they just don't know when he'll wake up." Lindsay said as she looked back at James.
"That's good. Well the 'he'll be fine' part."
Lindsay looked up at her and gave her a small smile.
"Sorry," Mandy said quietly. "How are you holding up?" she asked as she walked up beside Lindsay. Mandy placed a comforting hand on Lindsay's shoulder and squeezed it a bit.
"Just about as well as could be expected." Lindsay said, placing her hand over Mandy's and squeezing back.
"I'm really sorry, Hun. I know how overwhelmed you've been already. I'm sure he'll be okay." Mandy said as she sat down beside Lindsay in a chair. She placed a hand and Lindsay's arm, "He'll wake up on his own terms. You know James, always has everything his way." Mandy said with a comforting smile.
A small laugh escaped Lindsay's lips, "Yeah."
Mandy looked down at Lindsay's finger, she noticed the ring, the ring that hadn't been there before. "What's that?" Mandy asked.
Lindsay looked at her, then at the ring when she realized that's what Mandy was asking about. "Um..James gave it to me," she said quietly.
"He gave it to you? How'd he do that?" Mandy asked in confusion.
"It's kind of complicated. He asked me to go to his house and I found it there with a note. I just don't know if he'd want me wearing it now."
"Lindsay, come on. You know that's not true. He loves you, psht I even know that before you did." Mandy said with a giggle.
"How'd you know that?" Lindsay asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Because I know everything, duh." Lindsay laughed, "No, I just felt it. The way he always looked at you, the way he acted around you, I just knew he did. He may not have wanted to admit it and you may not have seen it, but I knew it was there."
Lindsay smiled. "I just wish this hadn't happened to him. If anything, James doesn't deserve this. He was just trying to protect me, like he always has."
"It was just an accident, sweetheart. It was probably because of the weather, don't stress yourself out about it so much. I know James wouldn't want you to." Mandy said as she took Lindsay's hand into hers.
"Yeah," Lindsay said quietly as tears filled her eyes again.
"Linds, what's wrong?"
"I just..I hate to see him this way. He's seems so helpless, and he's hurt. I just can't help but blame myself for it. I don't want to believe it but you know if it weren't for me he'd be fine." Tears began to fall down her cheeks again, "I just wish everything didn't have to be so complicated."
Mandy wrapped her arms around Lindsay and hugged her. She stroked her hair, "It's not your fault, Lindsay," Mandy said reassuringly. A sob escaped Lindsay's lips once more.
"She's right you know-" Mandy and Lindsay looked up, and over at James. "It's not your fault," he said almost in a whisper.
"James?" Lindsay asked as she felt her breath get caught in her throat.
James forced a smile onto his lips as he looked up at her. Lindsay pulled away from Mandy and leaned over. She gently stroked his hair as he looked up into her eyes. "I thought I'd lost you," she said as a tear slid down her cheek.
"I told you I wasn't going anywhere and I've got to keep my promise."
"What's that?" Lindsay asked.
"I asked you to marry me didn't I?" James asked with a smile.
Lindsay smiled as she looked down at him. She leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips. "I love you," she whispered.
James' smile grew wider, he opened his mouth to say something but Lindsay put her finger to his lips.
"Shh.., I know." Lindsay said before she leaned down and kissed him again, this time more passionately.
After a few minutes Mandy and Jacob walked into the room. "Alright you two, break it up." Mandy said as the reached James' bedside.
Lindsay smiled down at him as she pulled away. She took his hand into hers as she turned to Mandy and Jacob.
"How are you feeling?" Jacob asked James.
"Fine. I'm feeling much better now," he said as he looked over at Lindsay. He squeezed her hand lightly as she smiled down at him.
"That's good, we're glad you're alright." Mandy said with a smile. "Well I can see we're interrupting something here, we'll leave you two alone," she said with a smirk.
Lindsay laughed, "Okay, thanks Mandy."
"Anytime, Hun. We'll stop by the house when you get back?" she asked James.
He just nodded as the two of them walked out.
"I'm really glad you're okay." Lindsay said as she looked back down at him.
"I'm just glad to be able to be back and that everything's okay."
"Me too." Lindsay said quietly.
"And I'm glad you accepted, you did accept it right? Otherwise I'd feel like a total idiot right now."
A small laugh escaped Lindsay's lips, "Of course, there's nothing else I'd want more."
James smiled up at her, "Good."
Lindsay stood up and sat down beside him on the bed. She laid down next to him, laying her head upon his shoulder. He smiled down at her as he brought her hand to his and kissed it softly. "I love you," he whispered to her.
"I love you more," Lindsay said as her lips went crashing into his.
Songs:
1. Run by Snow Patrol
2. Other Side of the World by KT Tunstall