Before You Found Me

Two days after I woke up, I was ambushed. And by that I mean that Lorne, Arela, and Haven surprised me with a hospital room birthday party—complete with balloons, streamers, and cake. Evidently they convinced a couple of the nurses to come up with as many useless tasks and tests and errands as they could to keep me out of my room while they prepared to execute their evil plan. Next thing you know, they're popping up from behind my bed, yelling like crazy people, and scaring me half to death.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
“...I love and hate you guys so very much right now.”
Arela skipped around the bed and grabbed me in a deep, squeezing hug. “Aww, I know it's love more than hate. Surprise! And happy birthday, Adira, darling.”
Okay, pretty hard to hate someone who's hugging you and calling you darling. Just sayin'. “Okay, okay. So, who's gonna cut that cake?”
Haven stepped up, holding a cake knife. “Seeing as how I'm the one holding the cake cutter, I'd say that's my job.”
“Um, Haven, have you been holding that knife the whole time?”
“Adira, that info's on a need-to-know basis. All you need to know is it's cake time.”
I chuckled. “Fair enough.”
Haven went to go start cutting and plating the cake. “I'll help!” Arela shouted, eager as always to be of service.
Lorne came to stand beside me, watching the two work happily, chatting and laughing with each other. He elbowed me lightly. “I know you probably don't feel much like celebrating—you've never been one to let others take care of you—but look how much we all love you. I figured you might feel better if you were reminded of that.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Lorne.”
“I also figured...it would be better if, after all this is over, you don't come back to live with me and Dad.”
I turned my head to him quickly, shocked. “What?”
“You've spent your whole life protecting me. I need to look after you, now.” Lorne looked to his shoes. “I love you, and I just don't know what I'd do if you stayed around for me and got hurt because of it.” He looked to me once more, tears in his eyes. “You need to take care of yourself now, sis.”
I nodded.
“Cake time!”
“Arela, you're gonna wake the other patients. And we don't have enough cake for the entire hospital, you know.”
“Gosh, Haven, don't be a killjoy. Just eat some cake!”
“Mgmmmmfmfmhhmm!” Did Arela REALLY just shove cake in Haven's face?
“It's impolite to talk with your mouth full.”
Gulp! “Gosh, thanks, Arela.”
Arela grinned, completely impervious to Haven's sarcasm. “You're welcome!” She turned in our direction. “So, Lorne... Um, how's Fox?”
“She's okay I guess. I don't really know. I haven't talked to her since Adira's been in the hospital. She's probably gonna be pissed.”
“Lorne, you haven't talked to your girlfriend in five days?” I asked.
“I guess not. I don't know, I just didn't feel like having to deal with her.”
Arela looked just a little nervous as she spoke up. “Maybe you should get a girlfriend that you don't have to 'deal with'.”
“Yeah, I suppose you're right. But it's not like I've got a line of you guys waiting for me.”
“Well-”
Haven interrupted. “Are you guys gonna stand there all night, or are you gonna eat this fantastic cake I spent hours on?”
“Cake?”
We all turned to the voice in the doorway. “Harry Butt? What are you doing here?”
I could hear Arela try and fail to suppress her giggles as Harry walked into the hospital room. “I heard it was someone's birthday.”
My eyes widened as Harry pulled a box from behind his back, focusing on the wrapped rectangle and then his face. “You got me a present?”
“Well, it is your birthday, isn't it, Mystery Girl?”
“How did you even know where to find me?”
“I asked Haven why Lorne wasn't at work,” Harry said, nodding to the latter, “and he told me he was here watching you. Told me they would be celebrating your birthday tonight. The nurses did the rest. They seem to have really taken a liking to you.”
“Those scheming girls...” I looked to Lorne, who gave me a 'not me' glance.
“Cake?” Arela piped up.
“Um, sure. Why not?” Arela took the box and replaced it with a slice of my favorite one bowl chocolate cake, which was beautifully decorated, by the way. I'll have to thank Haven later.
I sat on my bed with a small 'oof''. “So,” I joked, “no pinata?”
Arela faked pouting. “Haven wouldn't let me bring one. Right, Señor Killjoy?”
I laughed. My family... Huh? I turned to catch Harry watching me. Do I look weird or something? Oh, gosh, I bet I'm still covered in bruises. I haven't even thought to look in a mirror since I got here. I'm probably completely black and blue...and purple and green and yellow... Oh, man, I wish I had some makeup!
“Are you okay?”
“Huh?”
Harry sat down next to me. “You just seemed...far away, is all. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“Ah, never. But thanks anyway,” I smiled.
“Bet you didn't think you'd be spending your birthday in here.”
“To be honest, I wasn't even thinking about my birthday. Lorne remembers for me every year.”
Harry nodded. “He's a good lad.”
“I sure think so.”
“Present time!” Arela shouted, which resulted in a loud shushing from Haven. Lorne and I laughed, whereas Harry didn't get the significance.
I leaned in to Harry and whispered, “You'll catch on eventually.”
Next thing you know, I was surrounded. “Guys, I don't need so many gifts.”
“Oh, shush up! Let us spoil you! Besides, who else do I have to buy pretty things for? Not like Lorne's gonna let me dress him.”
Lorne started. “Oh, DEFINITELY not. Keep your scarves and nail polish and eye-glitter and all that crap to yourself, thank you.”
Arela harrumphed while the rest of us cracked up in amusement. She shoved a present at me, a large gift bag with multicolored tissue. “Just start opening.”
I saluted. “Yes, ma'am!” I tossed the paper and reached far into the bag, pulling out a large quilt. I fingered the vivid jewel tones. “Oh, my gosh, Arela, did you make this?”
“Mmm-hmm! It's for your room! I was wondering if you'd maybe like to come and live with me.”
I glanced at Lorne. So I did hear them talking it over. Man, what all have they been plotting? Lorne gave me a look and motioned toward Arela. “Oh, I'd love to!”
“Yay!”
Lorne smiled and nodded. I hope I did the right thing...

Several gifts later, I came to a wide, thin box wrapped in light blue paper. Too simple. Definitely not Arela's. “Oo, that one's Harry's!” she piped, excited as always.
I looked from the box to Harry. He grinned encouragingly. “Well, open it, then.”
I nodded and began tearing at the paper. The bright blue slipped to the floor. “It's Guess Who?.”
Harry grinned. “I found it rather appropriate. I still don't even know your name.”
“He still doesn't know your name?” Haven asked.
Arela shook her head. “Nope.”
“And he still bought you a gift. That was rather kind.”
Harry scratched his head. “Uh, hi, I'm still here, guys. And it was no big deal.” He looked embarrassed and boyish. It was so adorable.
One of the nurses, a curvy redhead with an abundance of freckles, rapped on the door. “Hey, guys, visiting hours are over. Sorry, but you're going to have to clean all this up real quick and head out.”
“Yes, ma'am.”

We cleared all the trash real quick and moved the unopened gifts to one side of the room. “Y'all just come back and visit me tomorrow, and I'll finish opening these, okay?”
Arela clapped her hands excitedly. “Definitely! See you tomorrow, Darling!” She hugged me goodbye and left the room. Haven mussed with my hair and followed suit. Lorne kissed my cheek and exited, Haven patting his shoulder on the way out.
Harry stood from his seat next to me. “Time for me to leave, then.”
“Adira.”
“Excuse me?”
I stood. “My name is Adira.”
“That's beautiful.”
“My mother chose it. It means strong or powerful.”
“You are.” Harry touched my face, causing me to wince. I must be bruised there... He bent down and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Would you like me to visit tomorrow.”
“Yeah.”
He smiled. “Then I'll be here. Goodnight, Adira.”
“Goodnight, Harry. Sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams.” And he left, taking my breath with him.
Wow.

Notes

So...I told y'all the good stuff was coming! HARRY KISSED HER! Forehead, but, still, they've only known each other a few days. I mean, seriously. I'd be so nervous and freaked out by his gorgeousness, I probably wouldn't even get close enough to let him touch me! ...Anywho, better stuff to come, so stick around! Like I said in the last chapter, the real story begins now, and there's lots of excitement on the way.
On another note, my friend icedragon456 has a story called Face Down that is action-packed (I promise. I mean, all kinds of crap happens all the time in her story.) and sometimes quite steamy. It's one to check out for sure! SO GO CHECK IT OUT!
Don't forget to tell me what you think by rating/liking/commenting/subscribing. Have a great day, Lovies!

--Lalagirl1995 <3