Inception (8 page)

Mira sits in the chair, grinning like a little girl who got a pony for her birthday, staring at the ring I placed on her ring finger.  Watching her admire her engagement ring is doing crazy things to my heart. 

“We can do it however you want, Pea, as long as you promise me forever and always.
”

“I’m yours as long as you will have me,”
Mira says, staring deep into my eyes, touching my soul. 

Mira leaps forward and crashes her mouth to mine, trying to take control of the kiss. 
Silly girl, that’s my job
. I capture the back of her head, showing her exactly how much I love her.  As I press my crotch into her stomach, she can feel all of me and know what she does to me.  This is one of the many reasons why I am so in love.  She wastes no time leading us back to the bedroom to celebrate our engagement the best way possible.

Chapter Eleven

Mira and I decide to wait until graduation day to tell our families.  We’re all getting ready at the girls’ apartment.  They already have all their hair stuff and makeup there, so it makes sense. 

Skylar and I get to the apartment with a couple hours to spare.  We carry the bags containing
our suits up the stairs and we’re met in the hall by a very beautiful looking Mira.

“You guys are late.  We’re going to be late,” Mira says, voice laced with panic.

“Pea, we have a few hours until we need to be at the ceremony, breathe.”

“We’re meeting all of our parents for lunch in a half hour.  Did you forget?  You guys aren’t even dressed,” Mira yells, staring at me wearing a pair of gym shorts and my U of M hoodie. 

“Sweets, really, you need to calm down.  We just have to change and we’re ready.  Give us five and really, calm down,” Skylar says, pulling Mira in for a hug. 

I brush past the two most important people in my life and make my way to Mira’s room.  She must have just sprayed her perfume because it’s all I can smell.  Mira comes
rushing into her room, with her hair and makeup already done.  She carefully removes the tank top and shorts she’s wearing to slip her dress over her head.

Watching her change is so sexy.  She really has no idea what she does to me. 
Before she pulls on the dress, she turns to look at me.

“What?”

“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are and how much I want you right now?”

“No, don’t go there, Danny.  We have twenty minutes to get to the restaurant.  Just remember this and we’ll celebrate tonight.  Don’t you worry, I have something special planned for you, Mr. Thomas.”

“Oh do you now, future Mrs. Thomas?  Care to give me a sneak peek at what I’m to expect?” I make my way across the room, capturing her against the wall.  Watching her breasts rise and fall with every breath is killing me.  I palm her ass and lift her up to where she can wrap her legs around my waist.  The second I feel her heat against my pants, I almost lose it. 

“You’re right, Pea.  I can’t start this now because I won’t let you get out of bed
and then we’ll miss all the fun.”

She makes a pouty face before slipping into her short black dress and matching black heels. 
If she would’ve put the heels on before the dress, I know there would be zero control left in my body.  I quickly turn away from Mira, and start to change into my suit.  We figure it’s easier if we leave our change of clothes behind since we’re going to stay here tonight.  We gave the parents mine and Skylar’s house to sleep at tonight.

It only takes us a few minutes to get downstairs and pile in Skylar’s car, guys in the front and girls in the back.  Mira and Kylee are talking about some nonsense that happened the last day of classes and then Mira tells her she found out she would be graduating with honors.  I really had her going that day, I almost felt bad, but she was just too adorable.

We get to the restaurant with minutes to spare.  All of us file out of the car and into the diner to meet our parents.  I have been really nervous to tell our parents about our engagement, but getting here and seeing all of the people who love us, I know it’s perfect.

As soon as everyone is seated and our orders are taken, I turn to Mira and squeeze her thigh under the table.  I whisper in her ear, asking if she’s ready to tell them.  She smiles and nods.

“Excuse me everyone, Mira and I have an announcement,” I say, standing up from my seat, grabbing Mira’s hand to pull her to stand with me. 

“As you all know, Mira and I have been dating for quite some time and we think it’s time for the next step.  A few weeks ago, I asked Mira to be my wife and she agreed,” I said, watching Mira’s face blush slightly and holding up her left hand to showcase the ring she hasn’t taken off since I put it there.

“Oh my gosh, Danny, I’m so proud of you,” my mom says, standing to rush over and give me a hug.  When she’s finished hugging me, she pulls Mira in for one.  My mom whispers something in Mira’s ear and Mira lights up like a Christmas tree.

“I promise, Mrs. Thomas, with all my heart,” Mira says.

Looking at Mira confused, she leans into my ear and says, “I promised to love you forever and take care of you.”

Tears form in my eyes.  My mom is always looking out for me and the smile on her face lets me know that she agrees with my choice for a wife.

Hugs continue to go around the table.  The only thing off is the look that Skylar’s dad keeps giving him.  I want to ask him what the problem is, but I can’t seem to escape another hug every time it comes around. 

After an amazing lunch, we all leave, heading over to the ceremony. 
Taking our seats -- Mira and Kylee by each other, Skylar in the middle and me at the end -- we wait for our names to be called to receive our degrees.  When Mira crosses the stage, she has such a glow to her.  Happiness is radiating out of her pores.  As soon as her degree touches her fingers, she shoves it into the air, telling the world she did it.  I know all of our parents are taking pictures, so I just sit there and watch the love of my life get something she’s busted her ass for.

Slowly, the rest of us get our chance to walk the infamous stage.  Once we’ve all received our respective degrees, we’re all asked to change our tassels from left to right, signifying our journey has ended and we’re graduates. 
The ceremony is complete when we all throw our caps into the air when it’s announced that we’ve all completed college and are now able to go into the real world as well rounded adults.

I find the girls and Skylar standing in front of the building with our parents, taking pictures.  All of the moms are calling out poses.  Our final pose consi
sts of the four of us.  I stand holding Mira’s hand, while she leans into Skylar and finally, Kylee, stands side profile pouting her lips.  This is true to our relationships over the past four years.  Mira and I, the happy couple, Mira and Skylar are close friends who have grown into best friends and Kylee knows she’s a knockout and never lets us forget it.

The second we can escape the parents, we all leave, piling back into Skylar’s car.  The alumni are throwing us a graduation party tonight and we decide to go.  Skylar and I drop the girls back off at the apartment to get ready and we head home.

“We should take the bikes out tonight,” I say, walking into the house with Skylar.

“You sure?
  The girls might not like that.”

“Yeah, they will love it.  We’ll surprise them, though.  Don’t tell them.”

We each take a quick shower and get ready.  I change into a pair of faded jeans, black button up and a pair of sneakers.  I wait for Skylar to finish spiking his hair and walk to the front door.

We pull up to the apartment and I make my way to the front door to go grab the girls.  As soon as I enter the hallway, I see the apartment door is open.

“Hey, Pea, you ready to go?”

“I am. I heard you pull up. I guess since we’re on the bike, I’m not bringing a purse.”

“You know the rules, Pea. No purses or heels on the bike. Change your shoes please. You can put your heels in my backpack, if need be.”

I walk back downstairs to wait by the bikes and I hear Mira yell that she’s coming. 
I wait on the sidewalk for her and when she’s down, we walk over to my bike.  Kylee is getting on the back of Skylar’s bike and Mira straps on her helmet and climbs on the back, gripping my waist.

This is exactly why I’m going to marry this girl.  She’s such a girl, but has no problem doing things that other girls don’t like.  She said before that she would choose riding on the bike with me to shoe shopping any day.  I don’t think Kylee would agree, but I love that Mira loves to ride.  It’s such a stress relief for me and I think it is for her
, too. 

We get on the highway to
make the quick trip to the hall where the party is being hosted.  It’s such a great night out, a little chill in the air, but nice enough that it feels good.  Before I know it, the smooth ride I had just been thinking of takes a turn for the worst. 

A green SUV swerves into our lane, causing my bike to shift beneath me.  Mira’s hands tighten on my waist.  I’m trying to keep the bike steady and not let the tank
slap take over. I’ve seen tank slap up close and personal.  It’s not pretty.

I think I can hear Mira screaming my name, but the roar of the bike and traffic, plus the blood rushing through my veins and pounding in my ears isn’t helping. 

The tank slap eventually wins as we crash into the guard rail on the highway.  I flip over the front of the bike, landing on the other side of the highway.  I manage to stay on my back, skidding across the pavement.  I have a hell of a lot of pain in my left leg.  I try to move it so I can stand up and find Mira.  If I went down, I know she must have gone down too.  My leg has to be broken because I can’t move it or put weight on it.  I can hear Skylar in the distance.

“Danny!  Where the hell are you?”

“Over here.  I’m okay, go to Mira.”

Waiting a few minutes, I can hear the sirens o
f an ambulance barreling toward us.  The first paramedic reaches me and puts me on a stretcher.  As we’re moving toward the ambulance, I see another stretcher carrying Mira.  She’s lying flat, not moving. 

“Sky, what’s wrong?  How is she?  Is she okay?”

“She’s alive man, but she’s fucked up.  She’s not waking up.  They think she hit her head.  The helmet is cracked clean down the middle,” Skylar says, running over to the ambulance I’m going to be riding in.

“Fuck!” I yell.

“It’s gonna be okay, man.  I’ll meet you guys at the hospital.  I got Ky.  It’s gonna be okay, I promise.” Skylar tries to reassure me but it’s not working.

I lay my head back on the stretcher, trying to think of how this
all went wrong.

“Please God, don’t take her from me.  She’s my world,” I pray.

Chapter Twelve

Four weeks later …

Mira’s been in a coma for a few weeks now.  The doctors aren’t giving us a lot of useful information.  They keep telling us that she could wake up any day now, or she won’t wake up at all.  Her brain function is good and she’s finally breathing on her own, so they took away the breathing tube. 

The first few days were really rough.  Skylar and I didn’t leave her side, not for a minute; we were glued to her.  When the doctors informed us that she had been six weeks pregnant with our child and lost it, I found myself broken.  We didn’t even know she was pregnant.  Just thinking about having to tell her, if she ever wakes up, makes my stomach turn.  I know how badly I took it, but
to have to tell her again?  I don’t know if I can.

For the last few weeks, Skylar and I have been taking turns staying with her, just in case she wakes up.  We don’t want her to be alone and scared.  I can only imagine the
questions she is going to have if she wakes up.  Someone needs to be with her.

I’m getting ready to relieve Sky from his post when I stop right outside the door to Mira’s room.  I hear Skylar talking to her, but I can’t make out the words.  He’s been so torn up over this, my heart breaks for him.  Over the last few years, those two have gotten really close, almost as close and Mira and Kylee.  I crack the door quietly so I can listen to
their one sided conversation.

“Sweet, please don’t leave us.  We love you.  I can’t imagine doing this without you.  You’re my best friend.  You know me better than anyone else does.  I need you around.  I love you, Mira.  Always have, always will.”

What the fuck?!?!

Did he just say that he loves my
fiancé?  Did he just say that she is his best friend?  What the fuck is going on? 
I love you, Mira.  Always have, always will.

I’m about to go into the room
when something pulls me away.  I might be angry and confused right now, but I’m not a dick.  I always had a feeling that Skylar loved Mira.  They’re friends for Christ’s sake.  He was always loyal to our friendship and I have no reason to believe anything has changed.  I let him finish his time with her and go downstairs to get a cup of coffee.

Standing in line at the coffee stand, a beautiful brunette catches my eye.  She looks very similar to
Mira; I do a double take, wondering if I’m seeing things.  The girl is standing a few people behind me.  I step out of line and get to the end of the line with her.  Something about this girl makes me want to know her.  She looks so troubled and lost.  I’m sure I don’t look much better, but I can at least lend her an ear.

“Are you visiting someone?” I ask the girl.

“Yeah, my grandfather is here.  He has end stage lung cancer.  They have him in the ICU, debating if they are going to send him home with hospice.  You?”

“I’m so sorry about your grandfather.  I’m here with my
fiancé.  We were in a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago and she’s been in a coma ever since.”

“I’m sorry,” the girl says, putting her hand on my arm and rubbing lightly, “My name’s Melissa.”

“Danny,” I respond.

“Well Danny, I’ll be around for a while.  My grandpa is on the fifth floor.  I’m usually in the family waiting room.  If you ever want to talk, I’ll be there.  I’m a good listener.”

“Thanks, Melissa.  I might take you up on that.  It’s been a hell of a couple weeks and I could really use someone to talk to.  And by the looks of things, you could use someone, too.”

We get to the front of the
line and we order our coffees; I pay for both.  She blushes, just like Mira, not wanting to accept the free coffee.  I smile genuinely and tell her that’s it’s fine.  She owes me one now.  We get on the elevator, coffee in hand.  I push the button for the fifth floor for her and the third floor button for me.

When I exit the elevator, I look back
, “Have a good day Melissa, or at least try too.”

“Yeah, you too.”

I get back to Mira’s room, finding Skylar sitting in the reclining chair that transforms into a bed in the corner of the room, looking sad and depressed.

“I’m here man.  Go home and get some rest,” I tell him, sitting my coffee on the table next to Mira’s bed.

“I need a shower.  I’ll be back in a few hours.  I know you need to start work and I don’t want her alone,” Skylar says.

“That’s a good idea.  Take a nap while you’re there.  You look like shit.”

“I feel like shit.  Call me if she wakes up,” Skylar says, walking out the door.

I sit back in the chair, drinking my coffee.  I know the doctors told us to talk to her, keep her company, but I can’t bring myself to do it.  If she’s going to die, I have to start letting go.  It’s been
twenty eight days since the accident.  If she was going to wake up, she would have by now, right? 

I hate thinking like this,
but these weeks have been terrible for everyone.  I lay in the bed with her, not moving, crying my eyes out.  Skylar finally made me go home to shower and rest.  He’s been my life saver.  With all of the doctors giving us information that’s neither hopeful nor beneficial, I can’t make myself believe she’s coming back to us. 

Closing my eyes, I can’t stop thinking about Melissa and her grandfather.  She’s here, with a dying man, and her eyes are still full of hope.  Maybe if I spend some time with her, I’ll get my optimism back.  Maybe I can believe that Mira will come back to me. 
Melissa said she was a good listener. 

Maybe I’ll feel like me again.
  Maybe Mira will wake up and everything will go back to the way it was before.  Maybe I can have hope again.

Maybe I can live.