Flames In The Fire

TWO

John POV

I sit on the side of the hospital bed, watching the most beautiful creature I know sleep soundly from her pain med. I would give anything to take the pain from her. Why couldn’t it be me sick? She does not deserve to be lying here in this cold hospital. Soon, my Ellie, I am taking you home today, my love. 

*FLASHBACK*

Noah and I sit at the bar. How in the hell I let him talk me into coming to his sister’s wedding. I do not want to be here. Jana and I broke up last week, and I do not want to be around anyone. I want to be at home alone, mad at the world. 

“Have a drink,” Noah says, handing me a shot. 

“Really, you want to get me drunk?” I ask him. 

“If you are going to be a sourpuss all night, you should go ahead and get drunk,” Noah says.

 “You know I do not drink,” I say.

 “Yeah, that is right. Mr. Straight, how could I forget?” Noah says, laughing. 

I have never enjoyed drinking or wanted to drink. I got enough of alcohol watching my father drink himself to death. I look across and see her, Daniela Morris. I cannot help but watch her walk into the reception. At least on this night of hell, I can see her beautiful face.

“Well, is that flame still burning?” Noah says.

I have always had a crush on Daniela, but we come from separate sides of town. Her family is wealthy, and mine, well, we are just your typical middle-class working people. I have not seen her since we graduated from high school three years ago. She is still as beautiful as ever. She went to college, and I became a cop, just like my father.

“Shut up!” I say to Noah. “You should go talk to her. My sister invited her to the wedding, and I know there is not a plus one for a fact. She is single,” Noah says. 

“She would never talk to me,” I say. 

“Why not? You are a catch!” Noah says, laughing. 

 I sit watching her walk across the room in her long pale pink dress, her blonde hair flowing beautifully. She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Daniela is not just beautiful; she is kind and has a smile that lights up any room. 

Noah jumps up from the bar. “I will be back, my friend,” he says as he dashes away. Noah goes straight to Daniela. I see him talking to her and pointing at me. I am going to kill him when this night is over. I want to crawl under something. 

Noah returns without Daniela. He smiles like a jackass, and I want to punch him in the face. “Guess what she said, Mr. Perfect,” Noah says.

“Why did you do that?” I ask him. 

I feel a small hand on my shoulder. I turn around, and Daniela is standing behind me. “Hi,” I say. It is all I can manage to get out. 

“Hi,” she says softly. “I am sorry. My i***t friend here is drunk. I hope he was not rude,” I say to her.

“No, he told me that you wanted to dance with me,” she says. “He did. I am sorry, Daniela, but I do not dance,” I say. 

“Ellie, no one calls me Daniela anymore. Just Ellie,” she says. “Ellie, I am a terrible dance partner,” I say to her. “I am a great teacher, come on,” she says. She reaches for my hand. How can I say no to her?

I take her hand, and she leads me to the dance floor. A slow song is playing as she gets close to me. “I promise I do not bite, John,” she says. “I am sorry, I am a little nervous,” I say. I smile at her. I feel like an i***t standing here, letting her lead me.

“See, you are not so bad; you are doing great,” she says. “What did Noah say to you?” I ask Ellie. “He said that you were dying to ask me for my number but that you were scared of me. Are you scared of me, John?” she asks me. 

“No, I am not scared of you. I did not think you would ever give me your number or talk to me,” I say.

“Hmmm. So you are afraid of me,” Ellie says, laughing. That smile. “Okay, fine, I am terrified of you,” I say.

“I tell you what, John. I will give you my phone number on one condition,” Ellie says.

“What is that?” I ask her. “You have to promise me that you will call me tonight after you drop me off at home,” Ellie says.

“Oh, you need a ride home?” I ask her.

“Yes, I came with my mother, and I would be forever grateful if you got me out of here,” Ellie says.

“Deal, I do not want to be here either,” I say.

“Really, you do not want to be here with me?” Ellie asks. 

“No, No, No. I want to be here with you, just not at this wedding reception. Noah dragged me here,” I say. 

“So, are we ditching this wedding reception or what?” Ellie asks. 

“Let’s do it,” I say to her. 

Ellie leads me off of the dance floor, and we sneak out the back. We run across the parking lot for my car like two kids playing hide and seek. We jump into my truck laughing. 

*Present DAY*

“John, John, John,” Ellie says my name over and over in her sleep. I rub her hand, waiting for the nurse to come back with her release papers. 

The door opens, and the nurse finally comes into the room. “Dr. Newbern has her orders ready. I called an ambulance to take her home. They will be up in a few minutes if you want to go ahead home and wait for her. Home health should meet you there,” the nurse says.

“Thank you,” I say to the nurse. 

I kiss Ellie on the forehead. “I will see you at home, my love,” I say to her. I leave the room. I cannot help but break down as I walk to the elevator. I am not ready to lose her. I know it is coming, but I am not prepared.