She smiles and lifts her chin, motioning to Eli. “He came by the hospital and told me about today.”
I turn to him, eyes wide and full of tears. “You met Stephanie?”
“After our boat date,” he admits.
“You went and spent time with my sister?”
“She’s important to you, and she’s pretty cool.”
I move quickly, jumping into his arms and wrapping my legs around his torso. He catches me and laughs. I lean back and plant my mouth to his. He’ll never truly get that this means more to me than anything else he could’ve done. I don’t need fancy things. I need someone to care. I need to rely on someone, which isn’t something I’ve had since I was eighteen.
Here Eli stands, caring about me enough to take time to go on his own and meet Stephanie.
“Get a room,” Stephanie jokes.
I slide down his body and kiss him again. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
We all enter the park, and Mr. Shea radios to find out where Timothy is. As we make our way there, I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. My sister is with us, and we have the entire park to explore. Eli offers me a little bit more of his heart, and I give him a piece of mine.
As we all make our way to the first ride, I grip Eli’s arm and stop him. I feel like I wasn’t clear enough about how much I appreciate what he did. “I don’t think I thanked you properly.”
He smiles. “I think you leaping into my arms was clear.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t think you understand how much it means to me. For you not only to meet my sister but also to bring her here to something without me saying anything . . .”
Eli turns, cups my face, and presses his forehead to mine. When he pulls back, his eyes are filled with something that simmers on the edge of love. “She’s important to you, which means that if you and I have any chance at a future, she’s important to me, too. I wanted to meet her and let her see what I’m doing isn’t a game. I’m not a guy who fucks around with people. I’ve always been honest of my intentions when it comes to you. I want your heart and your trust.”
“I think you’re going to win it all.” The admission falls from my lips with ease.
He grins. “I sure plan on it.”
I don’t doubt he will, either. My heart races as I look in to his eyes, the determination stuns me. I’m not sure why this gorgeous man has decided he wants me. It baffles me, but I’m not questioning it anymore.
He’s sweet, thoughtful, considerate, and I know that my heart has no chance of resisting him.
“Eli! Come on! We need to get Heather on this ride!” Timothy yells, and Eli laughs, breaking away from me.
“We’re coming,” he informs Timothy and takes my hand.
We walk toward him, and then Eli stops, grabbing his leg and massaging his calf.
“You okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine, I’m just getting old.”
I laugh and pat his back. “Aww is the big sexy rock star not able to keep up?”
He pulls himself upright and smirks. “I’ll show you later.”
Heat pools in my core at the promises he’s made about tonight. But Timothy cuts off my response.
“Come on, guys! I bet Heather is going to cry when she sees this one!”
Eli chuckles and looks at the roller coaster in front of us. “I bet she will, buddy. Wonder if the big bad police officer is too much of a chicken,” Eli taunts me by using the words I just did.
I rise to the challenge. “Twenty bucks say you both scream like little girls!”
“Game on.”
The rest of the day, I ride more rollercoasters than I care to admit, most of them for Timothy’s amusement. He laughs each time my face pales at the peak of the incline and laughs hysterically each time I have to take a minute to settle my stomach. However, Timothy thinks that because I’m a cop, I have no fear. He eggs me on, and I agree because it’s pretty impossible to say no to this kid.
Our day is perfect. I sneak kisses in with Eli and laugh with Stephanie after she actually does puke after the Scrambler ride.
She and Timothy take long breaks together, talking about their stays at the hospital and how much they hate needles. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve gotten to see her through the eyes of a big sister. Just as any good little sister would, she coerces Timothy to ask Eli to sing for the group.
“Please, Eli,” Timothy whines. “I didn’t get to go to your concert last time because I was in the hospital.”
“Come on,” Stephanie pipes in. “Timothy really wants to see this. You wouldn’t want to disappoint him, would you?”
Eli lets out a nervous laugh and stands. “I don’t have my group or music, though.”
“Who cares!” Timothy says. “I have my phone!” He grabs the phone from his pocket and puts on the song Eli sang to me at the concert.
I smile at the memory of the night we met. It seems like so long ago, but it’s only been three weeks. It’s crazy how fast my feelings for him have changed. I giggle as he spins and does his best to entertain the crowd in a private concert.
Apparently, Eli isn’t content being the center of attention, and decides to embarrass the shit out of me by pulling me out of the group. Once again, Eli serenades me. Only this time, it’s much more intimate, and I’m not drinking. He gets on his knees in front of me, belting out the lyrics, and in true fashion, I turn bright red. My limbs are numb and each time I try to move away, he pulls me closer.
The song ends, and he bows as the group erupts with applause. Timothy claps the loudest and I bury my head in his chest, shielding myself from seeing anyone’s face.
Once it’s over, we go back to the rides for a while more. The sun begins to set, and I wish I could freeze time. If today could last forever, I’d be happy. It’s been a day of celebration. It isn’t focused on what the people who are suffering can’t do, but all the ways they still live.
Stephanie wheels herself over to Timothy, who looks so tired I think he may fall asleep right here. “So, did you have fun?” she asks him.
He opens his eyes with a smile. “Today was awesome.”
“I agree, kid.”
“The cancer makes me so tired, and it’s in my bones now.” He rubs his arm and winces.
Stephanie reaches her hand over, touching his. “I understand. I’ll need a lot of sleep tomorrow.”
“It was worth it.” He yawns. “It was the best day of my life.”
Stephanie smiles at me and Eli. “Anthony and I have to go. I’m exhausted and need to rest. My head hurts, and my muscles are tight.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” I ask.
“No!” She pretty much yells before dissolving into a giggle. “No, I’ll be fine, Heather. Stay with Eli and come see me tomorrow or the day after, okay?”
Eli kisses her cheek, and her hand covers it. “Thank you. I really hope you stick around.”
He grins. “I plan to.”
“I love you,” she says to me.
I kiss her forehead and smile. “I love you more.”
I watch as Anthony fusses over her as they exit, and then we move over to Timothy hand in hand.