Chapter Nine
Aunt Kim
Grace and I had talked for about two hours straight. I knew that she was still hurting immeasurably from losing her family. I wanted to be there for her. I was upset that she would be leaving tomorrow to go to that foster home, and I wished that I could take her in myself.
Pete and I didn't have the necessary money to raise a teenage girl, and with hospital bills piling up I knew that she would be better off in a more stable home with another family.
He was a truck driver, and I no longer worked at the hospital. Pete always said that I shouldn't have to work after I had a cancer scare a couple years back. I had been in remission for six years now. Despite how Pete felt, I knew that I would have to get a job to help out- I wanted to help out.
If only he would wake up. I needed him- he was the love of my life. I remembered the day he asked me to marry him. We had still been living in Dublin at the time, dating for six years strong. We were twenty-five.
He had taken me out in his old Chevy truck and had pulled over about ten minutes before we were to reach our destination- wherever that was, I didn't know. He placed a blindfold over my eyes and I was smiling with delight. He was such a romantic.
"Ready, Kimmy?" He asked me breathlessly.
I nodded, excitement causing me to bounce up and down on the seat.
He laughed; his famous contagious laugh and I caught it instantly.
He drove for a while longer and told me to wait for a moment. I wanted to peek out of the blindfold so badly, but knew that it would be worth it to wait.
A few minutes later, he came to my side of the car and opened the door, taking my hand.
"Come on, darling," He said happily.
He led me a few feet and sat me down. He slowly took the blindfold off and I gasped.
We were on the highest point of the lookout. You could see straight down into the ocean from where we were if you went closer to the edge. Twilight had come and gone leaving us with a breath taking view of the stars. He had set out a blanket and had a picnic basket.
"Could you set out the sandwiches, dear?" He asked me, busy fixing us a drink of white wine.
I nodded with a smile and opened the basket. I grabbed the sandwiches and looked in the basket to see if I had missed anything. I noticed a small black box and gasped. I whipped my head over to meet his gaze and back to look at the box.
I slowly picked it up and opened it. In it, there was a white gold ring with a medium sized diamond, a smaller diamond on each side. It was beautiful. I gasped, tears pooling in my eyes.
"Kimmy, will you be mine forever?" He asked me, a slight blush covering his face.
I covered my mouth with my hand, completely overjoyed.
"Um, Kim... an answer?" He prodded nervously.
"Oh! Of course, of course I'll marry you! You're always going to be the only one for me, Pete."
I sighed and realized I had spaced out on Grace.
"Oh, sorry dear. I got kind of wrapped up in my own thoughts." I said apologetically.
"Aunt Kim, could you help me over to Pete's bedside? I'd like to sit with him before I leave tomorrow." Grace said, a twinkle in her hazel eyes.
Her request warmed my heart, this girl was really something. She was never anything but sweet and caring towards others.
"I'd love for you to meet Pete. He would love you, you know." I said happily.
I carefully led Grace's small frame over to one of the chairs that occupied Pete's half of the hospital room.
"Petey, this is Grace, the amazing girl I've been telling you about. She's really something. I know you would really like her." I said, trying to get a hold of my tears.
Grace bit her lip, and I could tell that my emotions were affecting her. I would try to hold it together for her- the last thing she needed was my grief on top of her own. I would try my hardest not to do that to her.
Grace began talking to Pete, telling him to wake up. I couldn't hold it in any longer and my body began to shake softly with my tears.
When she was finished, she just rubbed my back. It was a simple action but the comfort it provided was astonishing. To think that a small, broken teenager would be able to comfort me shocked me.
No, she may be broken... but she is far from helpless. She will get through this; I will make sure of it. I will do my best to help her beautiful soul- money or no money.
The door flew open, and there stood Jaxon with his guitar hanging from his shoulder. Seeing my expression, his facial expression turned to panic.