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James’ calm and deep voice eventually brings me back to reality. His huge naked body blocks the doorway as he instructs me to tell him what’s happening. I figure I owe him some sort of explanation, at least. He’s quick to remind me of something when I give him the quick version of events—filling him in on not just where Iris is, but how much she means to me and why.
“How are you going to get to the hospital?” he asks, creasing his brow and looking annoyed. Not because I’m leaving, but because I’m trying to do it without his help.
“I’ll catch a cab,” I reason, feeling all my adrenalin fade and my knees feel weak. The pleasant ache between my legs, courtesy of James, as well as the need to have him hold me, lay with me, and talk about nothing instead of dealing with this right now, hits me like a nine-pound hammer.
“I’ll take you there myself,” he says matter-of-factly.
I feel relieved because he doesn’t think I’m abandoning him and actually makes me smile when he reaches for his key, holding open the door.
“Uhhh… you forgetting something?” I ask, cocking my brow and scanning his nakedness.
“Hmmm… suppose I could make myself decent,” he murmurs, shooting me an apologetic look, promising he’ll only be a minute after ordering me to relax.
“Everything’ll be fine,” he assures me, moving swiftly to dress, amazing me as I automatically follow him.
I watch in awe as he transforms from a naked beefcake into a sharply dressed professional in what feels like seconds. It’s kind of like watching a superhero transform but in reverse.
In moments, we’re in his car again. He drives assertively but safely, weaving in and out of traffic, fully aware of how anxious I am. He’s doing everything he can in his power to get me to Iris quickly and safely. I think he gets how important Iris is to me.
“Thank you,” I hear myself shiver, almost crying when his huge hand reaches out for mine—squeezing it without a word but telling me everything with a single touch.
The same hands give me so much pleasure and know how to comfort me when I need it, making me realize how special James really is. All with the same powerful, in-control presence that he carries so naturally. I’ve always doubted that “a real man” existed, but I was wrong.
It’s getting dark by the time we reach the hospital. The same one we left earlier today looks foreboding in the light drizzle. James parks near the entrance. I know by now to wait for him to open the door for me.
Forever the gentleman, he lifts me out of the car by my hand and gives me another reassuring squeeze. His huge arm is around my shoulders as he guides me inside. Making his way to the glassed-off reception area, I feel like Iris is in safe hands already when he explains the situation to a nurse, who’s quick to buzz us through.
A doctor appears, and recognizing James, he gives him an update once James tells him why he’s here.
“Iris’ condition is stable,” the doctor reassures him, turning his gaze to me. “Is she your grandma?” he asks in a soothing tone.
I feel my head shake. “She’s more than that…,” I stammer, feeling that wave of emotions rising up to crash over me again. James’ hand on my back is holding it at bay as if he can absorb bad stuff just by being present.
I want to hug him for being here, for understanding. Most of all, I’m relieved Iris is okay.
“What happened?” I ask the doctor, who crimps a smile, glancing at his watch.
“You can go through,” he says, moving his eyes to an open doorway. “But no excitement,” he cautions us both, making me blush for some reason.
I think if I told Iris what I’ve been doing with my day, I might be pushing it. But I’ll see how she’s feeling. She’s the one person I don’t have any issue talking to about James, and it’s going to shock her enough to see him here with me.
“I’ll wait out here,” James says.
I want James with me, but like the doc said, no excitement.
James is the kind of guy to raise a woman’s blood pressure, so I reluctantly go without him. Phil is coming out of another doorway, his ashen face lifting a little when he spots me.
“Jasmine, you came!” he sighs, and for the first time since I’ve known him, I give him a hug, comforting him as he shakes with emotion. He tells me how scared he’s been.
“How is she?” I ask him, making the man catch himself before he shows too much. He eases himself away from me and casually wipes his eyes.
He puffs some air out of his cheeks before smiling. “Go see for yourself,” he says, sounding brighter already. “She’ll be okay. Just her heart,” Phil says. The words were catching in his throat. “I got to get some air,” he murmurs, and I follow the sounds of beeping machines once he’s gone.
Iris is propped up in a bed that looks enormous because she is so tiny and frail.
“Hey, kiddo,” she croaks, holding up both arms with an effort, flapping her hands to signal me over to her, giving me just what I need to feel from her when she hugs me. All my reserves falling away, I end up blubbering like I’m already at her funeral.
I know what the doctor just told me, but I’m having all the “excitement” once my emotions finally spill over.
