CHAPTER 27: From one emotion to the other...

Celeste
I leave Daddy with Randol and head out of the infirmary to find Mr. Woods. I didn't have to go far. He is sitting in a chair about four feet from the door. "Mr. Woods, how are you doing?"
"To be honest, Celeste, I'm terrified. How is Randol?"
"He lost a lot of blood, but I was able to stop all of it. He had some pretty serious injuries. It will take a while for him to recover, but the shifter genes will help now that the lacerations are closed. He should make a full recovery, as long as he will rest and give his body time to heal."
Before I get the last words out he is moving toward me, and throws his arms around my back. "Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here. I owe you so much." I hug him back and try not to cry.
"No need to thank me. It's what I do. Now, why don't you go in and see your son. My dad is in there keeping an eye on the monitors for me so I can stretch my legs and get some coffee. He'll be sedated for a while, but I assure you, he's fine."
"I will. Thank you, again." With that he turns and goes into the infirmary.
I watch until the door closes and then head for the basement kitchen. There is already coffee. Oh, thank God. Completely against my will, my eyes linger on the two chairs at the counter where Randol and I ate dinner. We danced right over there. He really is an amazing man. I have to get out of here. I take my coffee and head for my happy place. I can't get on the roof here, so I guess the upper balcony will have to do.
I open the balcony door, only to realize I am not the first person with this idea. "Ajax, sorry. I don't mean to interrupt. I'll find somewhere else to drink my coffee."
"Celeste, no. You are not interrupting. I just had to get some air. Come on. Come sit down." I make my way over and sit in the lawn chair next to the one Ajax is in, then take a long drink of my coffee. "How is Randol doing?"
"He's in bad shape, but he'll pull through."
"Glad to hear it." We sat silently for a minute, but then he continued. "You know, Celeste, Ryu and I both saw it today."
"Saw what?"
"You've made your choice. You made it before today."
"How..."
"Look, it's okay. We both wanted to be your happily ever after, but believe me when I say, it's enough for both of us that you get it, even if it isn't with us."
"Ajax, thank you. I don't want to hurt either of you. You are both amazing men. You deserve happiness too, you know."
"I know. We'll get there. It's just going to take a little longer now that we have someone like you to compare others to."
"Oh, stop it. Ajax, how could you guys tell?"
"The way you looked at Randol today, or I guess to be more accurate, Kai, there was nothing but pure adoration and affection in that one look. I certainly have never had anyone look at me that way. As soon as I saw it, I knew. I think it was the same for Ryu."
"I'm sorry, Ajax. I really wanted to tell all of you myself. I decided I had to do it after the meeting, but, well, as you know, we got a little sidetracked."
"It's okay. I've known you for a long time, and I know you would never intentionally hurt me."
He really is a wonderful guy. I give him a hug as I stand to leave. "Thank you, Ajax."
"When the mutt wakes up and you tell him, let him know I said if he's not good to you, I'm right on his heels."
I throw him one more smile and wave before I head back in. He still makes me feel so calm. I needed that right now too. I don't know if I should tell Randol how I feel after all that's happened. I don't want him to think I picked him out of sympathy. No. If today has taught me anything, it's that what happened to my mother could happen to anyone, at any time. I need him to know. I need him to wake up first. I look down at my watch. Shit! I've been gone for an hour. I race back down the stairs to the basement. I head straight for the infirmary and find a crowd outside.
"Oh my god! What happened? What's going on?"
Uncle Anthony grabs my arm. "Celeste, calm down. Thomas just came out and let us know everything was okay and that he was resting. We were just standing around talking after he went back in."
"You people almost gave me a heart attack."
"Wow. You've got it bad, don't you, young lady."
"Really? You too, Uncle Anthony?"
"I must admit I was hoping it would be Ajax. I already think of you as a daughter, but having you officially in the family would be a blessing."
"I love you no matter whose family I'm in, Uncle Anthony."
"I know, and I'm glad you're happy."
"Well, don't be glad yet. I haven't even told him. He may hate me after almost getting him killed today."
He lets out a big laugh and hugs me. "Honey, for someone so intelligent, you say some dumb things sometimes."
"Hey! Rude!"
"No matter what the cost, that man will love you until his last breath. I can guarantee that."
I finally hug him back. "Thanks, Uncle Anthony. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a patient to check on."
"Sure. Keep us posted, okay?" I nod as I walk off toward the door.
I enter the room and see Daddy and Mr. Woods chatting away. "Hey, guys, how's our patient?"
"Well, Doc, you tell us. Everything looks okay to me, but I would be much more comfortable with you giving my son the medical attention. I'm sure he would prefer it too. You're prettier than me."
I giggle. "I don't know, Mr. Woods, I can definitely tell where Randol gets his good looks from."
"Gross." I can hear Daddy grumble next to Mr. Woods, which only makes me laugh harder.
"Everything looks good on the monitor, and surprisingly he is already starting to heal at the laceration site. Good genes, huh, Mr. Woods?"
Now it's his turn to laugh. "That's right. Chip off the old block."
"All right, old block. Let's get some food in you. I haven't seen you eat all afternoon. Also, because you two are making me nauseous." Daddy gets himself and Mr. Woods to the door.
"Bye, you two. I'll let you know if there are any changes." They wave and leave the room, my dad still rubbing his temples.
After they're gone I sit down in a chair that has been pulled up to the bed. I lightly take Randol's hand in mine, and stroke his cheek. "Randol, I don't know if you can hear me, but I have had some patients tell me they could hear family members talk to them, when they were trying to recover, so it's worth a try, I guess. Of course, I've also had patients who have heard Elvis, but we're going to give it a try anyway. I need you to wake up, Randol. I have something I need to tell you, but I can't if you are asleep. I know you were hurt pretty bad, but you're strong. You can make it through this. You have to wake up so I can tell you what a wonderful, kind, and caring man you are. You have to wake up so I can tell you how much I care about you." At this point, tears are streaming down my face. I feel lost and helpless. I just lay my cheek against his hand, close my eyes, and sob. "You need to wake up so I can tell you that I picked you. I picked you well before any of this, but I didn't get the chance to tell you. Please, please. Wake up."
Just then I feel something on my head. I look up to find Randol's other hand stroking my hair. "Randol, you're awake! Oh, thank God!" I throw arms around his neck and squeeze until I hear a groan. "Oh shit! I'm so sorry, Randol. Damn it, I'm a doctor. I, of all people, should know better. Anyway, I'll go get your dad."
"Celeste, wait." His voice is barely a whisper. "Please come back."
"What's wrong? Did I hurt you when I hugged you? I'm so sorry."
"No, I'm fine. Just a little sore."
"You were almost cut in half, by a bear. You are not fine." He laughs a little, but then winces like it hurt. "Celeste, did you mean everything you just said to me?"
"You asshole! You were awake the whole time?"
"Well, most of the time, I think. I came to somewhere around Elvis."
"I take it back. I take it all back. You are not a nice person."
"Really?"
Sigh. "No. Even though you're an asshole, I still meant it." He lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses the back of it. I can see tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Who knew that on a day that I was almost cut in half, by a bear, I would be able to count myself as the luckiest man in the world."
"Does that mean you still want me, even though I almost got you killed?"
"I would endure this a thousand times in my life just for a chance to prove to you that we belong together."
I lean up and press my lips softly to his. I pull back and look directly into his eyes. "My father told me when it's time to choose my life partner don't choose someone I could live with, choose someone I can't live without. I think I've found that in you, Randol." He takes my face in his hands and pulls me in. He kisses me more passionately than I feel like he medically should be right now. I pull back and smile at him. "Whoa there, big guy. You're still in recovery. Let's watch that heart rate."
"My doctor is a tyrant."
"That's what I hear. We'll talk about this later. Right now, I have to go find your dad."
"Celeste, thank you."
"Well, sewing people up is my job, you know?"
"Yeah, I know. That's not what I mean, though."
"Well, what do you mean then?"
"Nothing. We'll talk about everything later. You better go get Dad, or I'll never hear the end of it."
"What are you talking about? He's a sweetheart. And so handsome too."
"Gross."
"Funny. That's the same thing my father said earlier when I said it."
"Dear Lord. Just go find my dad before this conversation gets any worse."
I laugh as I head out the door to finally give his dad some good news.