Chapter 56

Candice
It's been six weeks since everything went down and so much has transpired in that time. I was in the hospital a total of six days and when I was finally released they gave me three weeks off work. During that time I had a physical therapist help me move my back and arms better. I was still in pain because I did indeed get an infection, but after two weeks, I was able to move around easily. Rodger happened to be the one I was referred to and I was happy about it because it allowed me to get to know him better. He really is a good man and mom couldn't be happier.
Jared ended up coming to the hospital once he found out what happened to me. I told him everything and apologized for not letting him know I was safe. I just wasn't used to anyone else in my life other than mom and grandma, but he showed me that I did, I had a big brother that wanted to help and protect me. I introduced him to mom a few days ago and at first mom was a bit taken back but she soon realized that I needed Jared in my life.
I helped Jared gather evidence against Nicholas, but I explained to him that I wanted nothing to do with the actual trial. I've had enough of Nicholas Cole for a lifetime and nothing would make me happier than just simply moving on.
I did end up going out on one date. We had a new surgeon in the building next door and he took a little liking to me and he asked me out. His name was Peter and as sweet as he was, as amazingly sextafied as he was, once again, Lyla's word, he just wasn't for me. He didn't drive a bike, didn't have tattoos down his arms, didn't call me 'darlin', nothing. I heard from Austin just about every few days. Either by text, by call, or he would show up at my job. I avoided him at all costs.
I no longer felt the pain of him not trusting me but not wanting my pride to be broken I kept up with the anger. I just didn't want to be hurt again. The man was making it difficult for me not to run back into his arms though, I would get flowers, candy, even a basket of muffins that Lyla told me I was crazy for not going back to him after he had sent me actual food. I knew she was just trying to make light of our fight, but it still stung a little that he didn't care enough to listen to me.
We had a small funeral for Melissa, where just her grandmother came. Apparently that was the only family her and Psych had left. Ben, Lyla and I went so it was just the four of us. Ben had no idea what happened, not the whole truth anyways. He knows her brother killed her, but he figured it was just a freak accident that happened. Lyla and I both agreed to never tell him anything. After all, Shane still comes and picks Lyla up every day and we don't want bad blood between the MC and Ben. Lyla thought I was a crazy to have a funeral for Melissa, but no one understands that she was what saved me and Austin that day. I owed it to her and I felt good about it.
"What the hell are you making girl." My grandmother says from behind me.
I got so lost in thought that I'm burning the damn salmon. Again. What is with me and Salmon? I jump and turn the fire off and when I turn around to glare at my grandmother, I laugh my ass off instead. She is wearing another of her famous moo moo's but this one says old people do it better. I really must find out where she gets these things from.
"I was making some smoked salmon but apparently that went down the drain."
"What are you doing making dinner anyways. Isn't it your moms turn this weekend?
Grandma, mom and I decided that we wanted to work through some distance between us. Rodger came up with idea. Mom felt guilty that I was never really myself in front of her and grandma felt the same way towards mom, something I didn't know. So every weekend we get together and cook each other dinner, spend some time watching movies and just talking. Rodger even joins every now and then.
"Yeah, but her and Rodger asked me too. They wanted some alone time to talk about something important." I say wiggling my eyes and gyrating no hips.
Grandma throws he head back and laughs then pushes me out of the way, so she can save my attempt at dinner. I swear I really am a good cook.
"Go on and get to that couch. Those damn medical books came in today and I for one am tired of tripping on them.
I laugh and walk towards the living room. I ordered new editions of medical books I was interested in. Grandma called me a nerd, mom laughed, and Rodger told me to go for it. It felt good having a father figure in my life that not only believed in me, but made sure I knew he did. When I get to the living room I hear a faint sound of a song. I stop in my tracks and look around but can't see where it is coming from. The sounds become a little louder and I hear the unmistakable sound of Nickelback's Far Away, my favorite song.
I walk to the window, the very same window that started all this mess and looked outside. My heart skids to a halt as I take in the image in front of the house. Austin is standing right outside the house with his motorcycle and is holding a huge boom box in his hands above his head. He has on black jeans and a simple plain white tee. I can hear the song get louder as Chad Kroeger sings about not being able to breath without the person he loves. I open the front door but leave open the screen door that Rodger installed a few weeks ago.
He is doing it. He is giving me my happily ever after. He is showing me that I am worth it. The man is standing there looking amazing in his Lloyd Dobler pose and showing me that he chooses me. A large smile plays on his lips as I open the screen door.
"Either you go get him, or I will." My grandmother whispers in my ear. I giggle at her antics and run down the stairs.
Austin catches me in his arms, dropping the boombox onto the ground. It falls but the song doesn't stop. I have tears coming down my cheeks and for once I'm glad they are there.
"It's been a while since I've seen the fuckin movie babe, but I reckon this is when I get the girl?" A smirk grows on my lips.
"I can't believe you did this Austin."
"I'll do anything for you Candice. It took me a long ass time to get that, but I'm done pushing my heart away from you. I want you, in my bed, back of my bike, in my life. More than an old lady, I want you to be forever. I love you baby."
"Oh God Austin, I love you too. So much."
The man couldn't have said it more perfectly. I want all that and more and damn it, I deserve it. Instead of answering him with words I let him know how much I want him with my mouth. I missed his lips, I missed his hold, I missed him, and now that I finally have him back, there is no way I will ever let him go again. He is my forever too.
I turn when I hear a throat clear behind Austin. Max, Shane, Chance and the rest of the Nightmare Warriors are here. How did I not see them? How did I not hear them all pull in? I give Austin a strange look, but he simply shrugs.
"They wanted to see me grovel. Said it wouldn't count unless I did it in front of them." Austin mumbles and I hide my laugh behind his chest.
I wave at the men and get mostly grunts and head nods back, which still cracks me up, then Austin helps me get on the back of his bike just as the song is ending. I snuggle against his back and hear the roar of the bike start up along with all the others. It's an amazing sound. When I turn around, I see my grandmother with a proud look on her face and her arms crossed. My mother stands not two feet away holding onto Rodger. They were in on this.
I turn back to my front and see the men form an open space for Austin to ride through. Once Austin pulls up to the front of the line with Max and Chance right behind him we ride off. I got the man of my dreams and my happily ever after, and I'm worth it all.