I was discharged from the hospital the next day, with a concussion, and was told to take it easy for the next few days. To use a cold compress and avoid aspirin and NSAIDS, even if I have a headache. I felt embarrassed when the doctor asked how it happened and Sarina told him we were acting like kids. I was scolded by a doctor for horsing around. The only upside was, Sarina tended to me, staying home with me and made sure I didn't have any problems.
It was nice, considering I'd been missing her attention and companionship as of lately, and now I had it. Except, for the headaches and getting sudden dizzy spells randomly, I was fine for the most part. It gave me time to do research for my patients and we discussed some of the music we wanted played at the wedding to give to the DJ.
Since someone was supposed to keep an eye on me for the next seventy two hours, Sarina had to do a bit a video calls and meetings with everyone working on the apartment buildings. On the second day of the watch, some papers needed to be signed for some permits that would be needed for later areas of the project. She notified me that John and Tori would be stopping by for that. I was in the middle of a headache, waiting for the meds to kick in when I heard the door bell ring.
I was laying down in the bedroom with the lights off, when Sarina comes walking in.
"Hey baby, John and Tori wanted to say hi." She comes over and checks on me. "Still hurting?" She asks.
"Yes, but I can handle a hello." I give her a smile and she kisses my forehead and fetches them.
"Hey, Brian." They both come in and Tori says hello as she approaches me. "Heard you hit your head pretty badly." She states, concern showing through her demeanor and pinched brows.
"That's what happens when you're chasing Sarina around the house though. She figured out a way to take my ass down." I joke, making John laugh and Sarina scoff, but Tori's brows just pinch closer together.
Tori harumphs, "Well you're obviously going to survive if you can joke about it. Maybe next time you should break one of his bones." Tori smirks at Sarina.
"Maybe next time I will if he thinks this is funny." Sarina folds her arms in front of her.
I'm honestly surprised though as John speaks up, "Oh ladies, stop. I think since he's alright there's something wrong with you two if you can't laugh about the situation. He's able to and he's the one who's head feels like it's an egg that's been cracked."
"He has a point." I remark.
Sarina sighs, "Let me sign those papers, John. We'll be just a few minutes, babe." Sarina motions to John to follow but Tori stays in the room.
"So, you going to be alright?" Tori asks.
"Yeah, Doc's said headaches should go away here in a few days, along with the dizzy spells. Just need to take it easy for a few days." I let her know, sitting up slightly as my headache has begun to dull.
"Good to know. So what exactly happened?" Tori asks.
I sigh and let out a humorless laugh, "Well you see, we were discussing something and she was so certain that she said she would be willing to bet on it. So when I tried to take her up on the bet, she started weaseling her way out of it. She told me to kiss her ass... So I proceeded to chase her down telling her, I was going to do more than just kiss it..."
Tori covers her mouth as she snorts in laughter, "Oh my gosh! Seriously?! " Tori well manicured brow raises in question, like she believes it, but wants to make sure I'm not pulling her leg.
"Yes, I'm serious. Then she started throwing pillows at me and I stepped on one and slipped and went down hard. I don't remember hitting my head, honestly. I just knew I could not get up and should not get up right afterwards. I guess I started slurring and Sarina was about to call the ambulance but I said no, so she called Lance. I wasn't sure what had happened other than I fell and she was worried and I shouldn't move."
By the time I had finished telling her about what the doctors said while at the hospital, John and Sarina are walking back down the hall. When they enter the room, my headache is well enough I'm sitting up completely in the bed.
"Oh good the meds finally kicked in." Sarina says walking over to me and kisses my forehead.
I remember what she wanted to ask John so I grab her hand and whisper, "Did you ask him yet?"
She looks confused for a moment before it dawns on her, "Oh, no. I forgot."
She turns to them both and smiles a little forcefully, before clearing her throat. "Um John, I wanted to ask you something, since you're here." She starts fiddling with the hem of her shirt, as John's brows pinch together before he nods for her to go on. Tori looking at Sarina and him curiously.
"As you know, every one in my family is pretty much gone...." She lets out a heavy breath, stumbling on her words at first, "Will, I mean, I'd appreciate .." She fumbles, nervous and awkward, "What I mean to say is.." She takes a deep breath and straightens her thoughts out, "Would you please walk me down the Aisle and give me away at our wedding?"
John freezes a moment, before his eyes drop to mine, an unreadable emotion passing through them before he looks back up at Sarina.
"You want me to walk you down the aisle?" He asks, like he needed her to clarify the question.
Sarina nods, looking guilty and anxious as she rushes to say, "You're the closest thing to a family member I have now, other than Alyssa and the twins. I think.. No, I know David wouldn't mind and thank you if he could give his two cents about it. So will you? Please?"
John shuffles where he stands, exchanging a look with Tori. I now see what Sarina was saying the other day with those silent conversations they have.
John shrugs but turns back to Sarina and nods, "Alright. I think I can do that." He gives her a light smile and shrugs with his arms out to his sides.
Sarina lets out the breath she had been holding and gives him a quick hug, "Thank you, so much." She quickly lets him go, but still beams at him.
Sarina turns to me beaming like the sunshine through an afternoon window, and mouths thank you as she lays another kiss on my lips.
I whisper, "You're welcome. I'm glad I remembered to say something to you."
John clears his throat, "Well we have other things we need to handle today, so we should get going. I hope you're back on your feet soon, Brian."
"Thanks, John."
"I'll walk you both out." Sarina smiles and escorts them out with Tori waving and mouthing bye to me.
With one more thing taken care of for the wedding, Sarina seemed more at ease and I felt much more relaxed over the next few weeks. Sarina had her dress, we had our honeymoon destination picked out and everything seems to be continue to move on smoothly. We even hired several professional nannies to take care of the children and babies that would be there, so no one would miss out. I didn't bother asking the cost of any of it anymore. Sarina had her budget that she was willing to spend from her profits of the apartments of her building. The money I had saved up was going towards the honeymoon.
Now that was something I was starting to look forward to. The wedding day is going to rush by in a flurry, it's the honeymoon where I will get to enjoy my wife. My Wife.
Mr. Huller and Mrs. McNeal.
I didn't care that she was keeping her last name. When I had first mentioned it, it kind of bothered me, but if the tradition was reversed I wouldn't want to change my name either. Us getting married did not change who we were, or change just her. Why would she need to change her identity if I was not willing to do the same? She doesn't care if anyone calls her Mrs. Huller, it just won't be her legal name.
Sarina will be my wife, mine. Thank you god, for making me such a lucky man.
These thoughts have been running constantly through my mind as the months start growing closer to the big day. The last of the dress fittings is happening next week. Then one month from now, I'll get to watch her walk down that aisle to me.
Today, I had a cancellation on my last time slot, so I hurried home and made a special dinner for Sarina. I made her favorite filet mignon served over pasta with a spinach and tomato alfredo, lightly drizzled in balsamic vinegar. I had purchased a bouquet of stargazer lilies and red roses, setting them up on the dining table and lit candles all around the house for ambiance.
I had everything ready by the time she would come home.
An hour later, she's still not here and I've not had a phone call or text. Half an hour later I'm giving her a call to find out where she is. She answers the phone, laughing at something.
"Hello, babe. I'm having dinner with everyone working on the apartment project. Everything alright?" She answered.
"Oh. I didn't realize you were having dinner with them, I was just worried since I didn't receive any word from you." I sigh, looking at the candles and the table, thinking how I did all that for nothing.
"I didn't send you the message?" She seems to be fiddling with her phone and groans, "I'm sorry babe, I must have forgot to send it. I'll be home later this evening though. Okay?"
"Sure thing, Sarina. I'll see you later."
Disappointment flows through me once we hang up. I take the card from the flowers and write two words on it and slide it under the vase, part of it sticking out so she can see it. I walk around blowing out all the candles, grab my car keys and head to the club. It's been a while since I've been there. I could use a drink.