Deb pointed to herself and raised an eyebrow. “Me? Tell me what to do.”
“I want you to come with me when I buy her a ring.” He had it all figured out. “She won’t question me if I go somewhere with you. She won’t worry or rush home from work. She’s the most at ease when you’re watching over me.” He rolled his eyes, he felt like a schoolboy. “Anyway will you take me? Besides, I’d like your help picking it out.”
And there were Deb’s tears again. She brought Jake into her arms and hugged him. “Of course I’d take you.” She pulled back and stared at him. “I’ll call George the jeweler.”
“Okay.” He smiled at the excitement that exuberated from his mother. “Let’s just keep this between us for now. I really, really want her to be surprised.”
“My lips are sealed!” She whispered, and Jake laughed. His father would probably know by the time Jake dragged his ass back down the stairs.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jake had been admitted into the hospital two days ago, and immediately the doctors worked to administer his last dose of chemotherapy. It was over. The pain and suffering he endured from the chemicals that were shot into his body, came to a close. The doctors wanted him to finish out the week in the hospital, feeling more comfortable with him being in their care, in case the side effects became too much. His nausea had left after the first day and mostly all he felt was tired. He glanced around his hospital room, he really couldn’t wait to break the hell out of there. He wanted more than anything to put this whole thing behind him and start living the life he dreamed of. He smiled as he watched Cara sleep in the chair beside his bed. He had an engagement ring sitting in his mother’s closet, and couldn’t wait to ask her to be his wife. He sat up at night, watching her sleep and thinking of all the ways he could ask her.
It was funny, if someone would’ve told him that he would be on the verge of proposing he’d laugh in that person’s face. Well, he shouldn’t say that, he didn’t think six months ago he’d get cancer either.
“Hey, why didn’t you wake me?” Cara asked groggily as she stretched her arms over her head.
Jake laughed. “Why would I do that? So you could stare at the paint on the walls with me?”
She glanced at the walls and made a face. “It’s such a horrible color too.” She shuddered as she turned her attention back towards him, smiling.
Jake stared at the putrid pink walls and glanced back at Cara, his face serious. “We should file a complaint.” He reached out for her hand and winked.
“Are you feeling okay?” She said as she bent and kissed his fingertips.
“Like a million bucks.” His thumb caressed the inside of her palm. “I hope they let me out earlier.”
“What’s the rush? You got some hot date I don’t know about?” She joked and squeezed his hand.
“Something like, that.” He cocked his head to the side and smiled at her. “The first thing I’m going to do when I have my strength back is take a ride with you.”
She smiled wistfully playing along. “Where would we go?”
“Who cares, we’ll just ride until we run out of gas.” He meant it; he didn’t care where they went. Just being able to ride his bike again with his girl, it’s something he dreamt about lately.
“I’m all for that.” Cara sighed. “Providing you feel well enough.”
“I told you, baby. I believe with my whole heart I beat this shit. You’re stuck with me girl, for the rest of our lives.”
“That sounds amazing.” She grinned.
“Yeah? You okay with you and me growing old together?” He asked huskily and was surprised by how nervous he felt asking her. He watched her eyes fill with unshed tears.
“In a perfect world I dream of growing old with you.” Her voice was hoarse, and she cleared her throat. She stood up and sat on the side of his bed, and her hand lifted to caress his face. “To watch each other’s hair turn gray and to count the lines on our faces.” A lone tear slid down her cheek.
Jake had to swallow the question he almost asked. Not now, not in a hospital, he told himself. Instead he leaned forward, gathering all of his strength and cupped her face in his hands. He stared into her hazel eyes, and saw so much love in them.
“I love you, Cara.” He whispered roughly before pressing his lips delicately against hers.
Before Cara could respond there was a knock on his door, and it swung open. They pulled apart and both turned to face his family.
“I told you to wait before you opened the damn door!” Joe growled at his wife.
“Shut up, Joe. I’m sorry are we interrupting?” Deb asked innocently.
“Of course you’re interrupting!” Joe bellowed as he rolled his eyes. Sam and Luke pushed through the door behind their parents.
Cara laughed. “It’s fine.” She ran her fingers through her hair.