Page 157 of In the Air Tonight

“I hear you. We’re on it.”

We arrive at the Charlton ER a few minutes later. He pulls up to the door. “Go ahead. I’ve got Fenway. Call me when you’re ready for a pickup.”

“Thank you again.”

“No problem.”

As he drives off, I go inside through the automatic doors. At the reception desk, I ask for Blaise.

“Are you a family member?”

“Yes.” It’s the easiest “lie” I’ve ever told. I’m her family, and she’s mine. We don’t need a ceremony or vows to make that true.

“Let me check on her status. I’ll be right back.”

I want to tell the woman to hurry, that Blaise has very quickly become the most important person in my life, that I want to marry her and raise a family with her and have everything with her. But I don’t say any of those things. I simply stand there andwillthe nurse to understand what Blaise means to me. I’m so thankful I told her I love her. I’d wanted to tell her that for a while.

How did this even happen? How did a red-headed beauty become more important to me than my own life? One day I was minding my own business, taking care of my home and dog while growing my art career. The next minute she was there, and everything had changed. I’ve never held much stock in the idea of fate or soulmates or true love or any of that stuff. But now I get it. I understand why perfectly sane people do the craziest things to hold on to love once they find it.

It's the most precious and perfect thing there is, and all I want is to feel this way for the rest of my life.

The nurse comes back and gestures for me to follow her.

I move so fast I nearly crash into her back as she leads me through double doors into the bustling emergency department. We go down a corridor, past multiple patient rooms until we stop outside of hers.

I have to hold back a gasp as I take in the cut on her forehead, the bruises on her face and her arm immobilized in some sort of inflatable cast.

Tears fill her eyes when she sees me.

It’s a struggle to hold it together as I go to her. My heart is pounding as I realize I came very close to losing her. “Baby…”

Her chin quivers. “I’m okay.”

“Yes, you are.” I caress her unbruised cheek and kiss her softly. “You’re going to be just fine.”

“I was so scared.”

“I can’t even imagine.”

“I’ve always hated driving on that bridge.”

“You’ll never have to do it again. I’ll take you any time you need to go over there.”

“And your mother’s car… I hope it’s not totaled.”

I haven’t given it the first thought. “It’s just a car. The only thing that matters is you’re okay.”

Her chin continues to quiver as tears slide down her cheeks. “All I could think of was you.”

“Same, babe. From the second you left, I thought of you, and when Houston came to tell me you’d been in an accident…” I shake my head. “I should’ve gone with you.”

“Then you’d be hurt, too.” Her eyes widen all of a sudden. “Where’s Fenway?”

“With Houston.”

“Oh, good. That’s good.”

“I’d never leave her alone.”

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