Slowly she entered the small room, careful not to wake him. Her eyes looked over all the scars on his body. Tears welled up in her eyes when she saw the bandage on his head. Seeing Jonathon laying there, with the IV attached to his arm, all of it reminded her of her dad.
"Hey stranger." Jonathon stated softly, reaching for her hand.
"Hey yourself. How are you feeling?" Melissa asked placing her hand in his.
"Like someone beat me up." He said with a smile, trying to lighten the moment.
"Jonathon."
"I'm sore, but I'm okay, thanks to you."
"Jonathon, I didn't do anything."
"Yes, you did."
"Jonathon, please, I'm no hero."
"Mel, you saved my life."
"Jonathon, I didn't save your life, since I'm the one who put it endanger."
"What are you talking about?"
Melissa sat down on the bed, still holding Jonathon's hand. "Did you see anyone before you got attacked?"
"No, where are you going with this?"
"I'm just wanted to know what happened. I don't understand why someone would beat you up."
"Mel, I have known you all my life and I know when you are lying. And you're lying right now, so what's going on?"
She sighed and looked up at him. "I think Adam had something to do with you getting hurt."
"I wouldn't put it pass him, but how can you be sure it was him?"
"Who else would do it, Jonathon? Look at all that has happened since we came to Florida. Adam showing up at my engagement party, the photos of me, the video tape following the girls and me throughout the mall, the windows being destroyed at the beach house, and now you getting beat up. Its Adam, I know it."
"Okay, it is possible that Adam beat me up, but do you have any proof to back it?"
"No, I don't, but I know it was him." Jonathon enclosed her hand in his two.
"Honey, I'm glad that you are being cautious, but why put yourself through all of this?"
She repositioned herself on the bed and squeezed his hand. "The last time this happened, I just stood by and let Adam destroyed my family. All because I couldn't sum up enough courage to go to the police and tell them what he did to me. I welcomed Adam to go after my family."
"Mel, you know that isn't true."
She shook her head. "I can't let this happen again, Jonathon. I can't stand by and watch someone I love get hurt or..." She couldn't finish her sentence.
"Mel, why do I get the feeling you are up to something?"
"You know me too well." She said standing up, looking out the window in the door. She watched Nick lean back in the chair, then run a hand through his hair.
"Mel, please don't do anything stupid. You will be giving Adam his chance to hurt you. Please promise me that you won't do anything stupid."
"Jonathon, I'm not..." She started as she walked by his bed, but Jonathon interrupted her and grabbed her hand.
"Promise me Mel! Promise you will stay away from Adam!" He stated in a serious tone.
Melissa sat back down on the bed. "I promise, cross my heart." She replied making an invisible 'x' on her chest.
Jonathon relaxed when she promised to stay away from Adam. "It has been so long time since we have done that." When Melissa and Jonathon were younger, they would always make an 'x' over their hearts. It was their way of saying that they would keep their promises to one another.
"Do you remember our secret handshake?" Melissa asked grinning at him.
"I think I do." They did their secret handshake like they never forgot it. When they were done, they started laughing. Sudden reality hit Melissa, reminding her why she was in a hospital.
"I'm sorry Jonathon."
"Mel, listen to me! You aren't to blame for any of this, absolutely not a single thing!" Melissa simply sighed, not looking at him. "Mel, look out the window."
"Why?"
"Just do it." Melissa stood up and walked over to the window in the door.
"What do you see?"
"I see our friends. What's the point of this?"
"Those people care about you and want what is best for you. Not one person out there blames you for anything that has happened." Tears welled up in her eyes, just watching her friends. "You have found someone who loves you unconditionally, who wants to make a life with you. Every single person out there has been affected by you. By that amazing heart of yours, focus on that, not on the negative."
Melissa watched as Nick stood and stretched his long legs. As tears fell, a smile appeared on her face. "Thank you Jonathon."
"For what?"
"For showing me what really matters."
"Come here." Melissa once again sat down on the bed. "Go home and get some rest. I'm sure you are exhausted." He quickly tried to stifle a yawn.
"It appears I'm not the only one who is tired." Melissa smiled at him.
"Yeah, it was those painkillers that they gave me. I don't feel any pain, but I can barely keep my eyes open." He replied as his eyelids started to close.
"Rest, I'll be back tomorrow." She stated kissing his cheek and then she stood up. "I'll send Jules back in, I'm sure she staying here tonight."
"Oh yeah, we had that conservation already."
"Let me guess, she won?"
"Doesn't she always?" Melissa laughed. "Bye."
"Bye." Melissa exited his room and was greeted by Julie.
"How is he?"
"He's Jonathon." Julie smiled, completely understand Melissa's comment. "Do you want us to bring you anything?"
"No, I'll be okay. The nurses are bringing in a bed for me."
Melissa and Julie hugged. "We'll be back in the morning."
"Okay and Mel?"
"Yeah?"
"This isn't your fault." Julie said before entering Jonathon's room.
"I'm finally getting that." She replied to herself and then joined the others.
Melissa entered the waiting room, causing everyone to stand up.
"How is he?" Howie asked with Alyssa standing by him.
"He's okay, sore, but okay."
"Thank God." AJ stated giving her a hug.
"How are you doing?" Nick asked as he walked up to her.
"I could use a hug." He quickly enveloped her in a hug.
"So what now?" Jeni asked.
"Now, we go back to the beach house. I have strict orders from Jonathon to get some rest. Jules is going to stay here; the nurses are bringing in a bed for her."
"That's a good idea; I think all of us need to get some rest." Nick said grabbing Melissa's hand and holding it in his.
Once they arrived home, Melissa went upstairs to take a shower. She dried herself off and changed into her drawstring pajama pants and tank top. She combed out her hair and put some lotion on her arms.
"Hey." Nick said as she exited the bathroom.
"Hey, what is all of this?" She asked seeing him sitting on their bed with a tray of food.
"Well, you didn't eat anything at the club, so I figured you would be hungry."
"Actually, I'm starving." She joined him on the bed. "So what do we have?"
"We have some fresh fruit, crackers, cheese."
"Strawberries, my favorite..."
"Your favorite fruit, that's why there is more of them then any other fruit." Nick stated with a grin.
"I love you." She said caressing his cheek with her hand. Nick leaned into her touch and placed his hand over hers.
"I love you." He softly kissed her. "Are you okay?" He asked brushing her hair from her face.
"I'm okay, but I need to tell you something and I don't think you're going to like it. But you need to hear it and I need to say it."
"Mel, if you are going to tell me that you are leaving to protect everyone, I won't let you go." He reached for her hand. "I asked you to marry me and you said yes. I placed this ring on your finger and we made a commitment. You aren't going anywhere without me!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way." She responded, causing him to stop.
"What?"
"Nick, I'm not going anywhere. My destiny is to be with you, to be your wife, now and forever." Nick couldn't stop smiling after hearing that.
"What is with that grin, Carter?"
"You just made me happy, that's all."
"I'm glad I could make you smile."
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"I want you to make a promise to me."
"Anything Angel."
"I want you to promise me that you will find love after me."
