Chapter 17

Previously: "Reed Brennan, will you marry me?"

Reed POV

I blinked over and over again. My head was fuzzy. Did I just hear what I thought I heard? Was I just imagining that Josh asked me to marry him?

A hand slowly moved in front of my eyes and away again and I focused my eyes back on Josh.

"What did you just say?" It came out in a croaky whisper. He looked at me confused, so I cleared my throat and tried again.

"What did you just say?"

He looked at me and gripped my hands even tighter.

"Reed Brennan, I love you. I asked if you wanted to marry me and spend the rest of our lives together."

I couldn't think straight as the words went over and over through my mind. He wanted to marry me?

I opened my mouth to answer, but I couldn't find the words to say anything. I needed him to know how much I loved him and wanted him.

I moved to get up, but realised that the IV was restricting my movement. Slowly I moved it out of my hand, wincing at the pain. Josh looked horrified, but I didn't give him the chance to do anything, as the moment it left my hand I threw myself into his arms.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

He looked confused for a few seconds before he realised what I was talking about. His eyes met mine and he asked, "Are you sure?"

I merely had the chance to nod before he kissed me. It felt right to be back in his arms, the warmth of his body around me. I shivered and realised I was wearing only a hospital gown.

Josh seemed to notice my discomfort and chuckled. "I'll phone Noelle, get her to head back to school and pick a few clothes and other bits for you."

I shook my head, "I'm not staying in here Josh, I don't need to be on a mental ward!" His voice quickly soothed me, "Reed, we can try and get you discharged as soon as possible, but I know it won't be today."

I must have looked like a little kid, as a small smile graced his face. It soon turned into a large smile and then he started to laugh. I snuggled back into his arms and we sat together in silence for a few minutes. Suddenly I felt his lips on the hollow of my neck and giggled. His hands tickled my sides and I squirmed, trying to get away from him. I couldn't move, as his arms trapped me to his chest and his fingers moved up and down my arms. His eyes seemed to be focused only on me and then he suddenly flipped us over.

I now had my back to the chair and Josh stood over me. He slipped his jacket off and went to pull his t-shirt over his head, but not before looking towards me; Josh was always the gentleman. I nodded, my whole body feeling excited. I had waited for Josh for so long.

He slowly walked over to the blinds on the windows and doors and let them down. He turned towards me and smiled, before walking at an agonizingly slow pace back to where I could grab him.

He lifted me onto the bed with no effort at all and climbed on top of me, his lips gently brushing mine. I tried to reach behind me to untie the gown and Josh froze. He shook his head as if to clear his mind. Then he slowly climbed off me and walked to the window.

"I'm sorry Reed, I didn't mean for it to go that far." He couldn't look at me.

I let out a frustrated screech and jumped off the bed. I span him round and grabbed his shoulders. "Why are you sorry Josh? You're not going to break me and I wanted it to happen."

He looked at me, his eyes sad. "Can't you see it Reed? You're distracting yourself so that you don't think about your parents. I know that's what you're doing. I'm not going to be a part of that."

He turned back towards the window and let out a sigh. "I need to know that you love me Reed. Do you really want to marry me?"

Part of my heart broke as he turned towards me with a devastated expression, "I need to know, please Reed"

I shook as I stumbled so that I stood next to him. "Josh" He looked down at me, eyes watering, "I love you with all of my heart. All my life I've been an outsider, but when I'm with you, I feel like I have someone I can tell all my secrets to. Of course I want to marry you."

His smile made me feel so happy. He picked me up and span around, the both of us laughing. A knock at the door interrupted our moment. An elderly nurse opened the door and stuck her head in.

"Sorry to disturb you dear, but these flowers were just delivered for you and I thought you would like to see them."

She pushed the door open wider and moved in, the vase of flowers clutched to her chest. "Odd colour they were though, not sure what they mean."

Josh moved forward to take them from her, but stopped in his tracks. The nurse was holding a vase filled with black roses. A card was nestled among them. I reached forward and plucked it out. I opened it and read:

REED,

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE SEEN YOU

DON'T WORRY, I'LL BE BACK SOON

I REALLY HAVE MISSED YOU

IT CAN BE JUST LIKE OLD TIMES

SDL

Josh read the card over my shoulder. His face hardened. It was all happening again.


Yet again, I am so so so so so so sorry. Schoolwork has gone absolutely insane. I got 17 bits of homework this week and it is taking me a while to get through it all.

That's it for my excuses.

I hope the chapter was good, although I'm not too sure.

Please Review : )

Loren Sebastian XxX