Sweet Carolina Girls Part 20

"And is there anything else I've forgotten?" Lauren asked.

"There are your wills, and life insurance and the sale of your half of the property to Shelby. That was already in the works before the accident. Shelby came to see me," she added, as a way of explaining.

"This can't come back to me can it? I mean Leah's family can't come after me. The Zachary money is very attractive. Do I need to get the Mother's lawyers involved?" Lauren paused, "I know this may sound selfish right now, but I need to sever all ties with Shelby, do you understand?"

"Of course I understand. Look, gay unions aren't recognized in this state. I don't think you have anything to worry about, but I'll go through your files and sever all ties. You'll have to come in and sign the doc.u.ments, once I've made the changes. Who will be your beneficiary?" Alicia was making notes on a pad.

"Harper," Lauren said, like Alicia should have known.

Alicia looked up surprised, "It's none of my business, but isn't it a little soon to make this big a step?"

Lauren smiled at Alicia, "It might be soon, but I know I'm spending the rest of my life with Harper, isn't that right honey." Lauren pulled the pillow from in front of Harper's face.

Harper grinned at her, "Yep, that's right."

Alicia laughed at them, "Well, I guess you two know what you're doing."

They arrived home to find J.R. and Jasper on the couch eating popcorn and watching baseball. They chatted with Jay for a few minutes, had a snack and excused themselves for the evening. It was after they were upstairs that Harper asked Lauren about what she said to Alicia.

"Did you mean that about spending the rest of your life with me?"

Lauren was pulling off her clothes, "I haven't scared you off have I? I know you have commitment issues."

Harper, who was also getting undressed, offered, "I don't have commitment issues, I haven't found anyone I wanted to commit to...until now."

"If that pause had taken any longer I would have had to cut you off," Lauren said, now standing naked in front of Harper, grinning.

Harper rushed her and gathered her up in her arms, "Oh, please don't cut me off. It's only been two days and I'm already starving."

"Oh, well we can't have you starve. You up for a shower with me," Lauren laughed and wiggled out of Harper's arms.

Lauren led the way this time. She moved in behind Harper rubbing her wet body on Harper's back. Her hands slid up and down Harper's torso driving Harper insane. She moved around to face Harper while Harper still had her hands braced against the gla.s.s wall of the shower. Lauren's tongue danced around Harper's nipples and then slid down between her legs. Harper wasn't sure she would be able to stand up much longer, when Lauren slid back up her body. Harper could contain herself no more. She wrapped Lauren in her arms and kissed her from her soul.

She pressed Lauren up against the gla.s.s and lifted her into her arms. Lauren wrapped her legs around Harper while Harper slid her fingers inside her. When they o.r.g.a.s.med together Lauren's head was leaning back and she let out a moan from deep inside. Harper's own moan slipped from her mouth as she buried her head between Lauren's b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Lauren caught her breath, "If you're going to do that to me every time we don't have s.e.x for two days, then maybe I should put you on a schedule."

"I'm of the thought that repet.i.tion makes a skill second nature. The more you do it the better you get at it," Harper smiled, moving her hand that was still between Lauren's legs.

Lauren shivered. "Let's go to bed," she said looking deep into Harper's eyes.

"I need to wash my hair," Harper answered.

"It can wait." Lauren said, with her hand already on the shower door.

Harper followed obediently. Their stress of the last few days melted away in each other's arms. Two hours later, Harper left Lauren asleep in the bed and crept downstairs. Jasper had been waiting outside her bedroom door. She fed him a treat, as he followed her through the kitchen. Harper took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and leaned on the counter as she drank it.

"Jasper, would it be okay with you if Lauren moved in here with us? I know it hasn't been that long, but I'm sure about this. I'm going to ask her to marry me, you good with that?"

Jasper rotated his head from side to side as she spoke to him.

"Yeah, I know we have this Shelby mess to deal with, but we'll get through it... She loves me you know. Yes, she loves you too." Harper petted the big dog, ruffling his hair along his back.

She took another bottle of water with her as she and Jasper climbed the stairs and joined their new love in the bed. The three of them slept soundly until the alarm rang at six. They went for a run with J.R. tagging along. By eight o'clock Harper was dropping Lauren off at the main entrance to the hospital.

"I'll be back in a few hours. Call me if you need me sooner." Harper said, letting go of Lauren's hand reluctantly, "I love you."

Lauren pecked her on the cheek, "I think you know after last night how I feel about you."

Harper grinned at Lauren, "Don't remind me, I won't be able to concentrate at the lab."

Lauren laughed when she exited the vehicle and said over her shoulder, "I'm still considering that two day schedule." She shut the door and went inside.

Harper laughed then stopped abruptly, "G.o.d, I hope she's not serious."

On the run and on the way in to the hospital they talked about what Shelby was going to need when she got out of the hospital. Lauren said she would talk to the nurses on the floor. Maybe they could help her find home care nurses and help with what Shelby would need at home. Harper said she would call around and find out about renting a hospital bed. Lauren needed to find out about Shelby's insurance and if she had long-term care benefits. She would have to call the personnel office or maybe Alicia would have to do it. Lauren was not Shelby's family, under North Carolina law. If they were a man and a woman couple, things would be so much easier.

Harper needed to call her own lawyer. She had a lot of loose ends to tie up from the move and the house purchase. Shelby's accident had also made her think about what would happen to her if suddenly she was unable to make decisions for herself. Harper decided to get Lauren a.s.signed her medical power of attorney and make Lauren her beneficiary. She also wanted Lauren to have power of attorney to make financial decisions, in case Harper was unable to. The only way for a gay woman to get married in this state was to a.s.sign your partner rights that the law would have to recognize, rights automatically bestowed to married spouses.

Lauren called to say that she had seen Shelby, who was still foggy, but more alert than yesterday. She still faded in and out, because of the pain medication. Ellen was back to stay with Lauren. She told Harper to stay at the lab, as long as she needed to. Shelby's pelvic surgery with the orthopedist was scheduled for two in the afternoon.

Harper was glad for the time in the lab. Harper could see from the data she needed to make an adjustment to the measurements. She worked with the lab a.s.sistants on the changes all morning and left at lunch feeling good about the work they were getting done. She stopped to pick up lunch for them, because the hospital food was good, but had gotten old. She found Lauren alone reading another book, this one a Nicholas Sparks and she was crying.

"Oh, G.o.d, I had to stop reading his books. He kept breaking my heart. That's the one where the dog dies isn't it?" Harper said when she sat down beside Lauren.

Through tears Lauren said, "Yes, I can't believe he let the dog die. I don't even want to read the rest." She threw the book down on the table, wiped her eyes with the Kleenex she had balled up in her hand and blew her nose. "What's for lunch?"

"Grilled chicken Cobb salads. Sound good?" Harper looked around, "Where's Ellen?"

Lauren dug into the bag for the salads. "She had to go. Jordan's coming at six and Shy Lynn is relieving her at midnight. We're back on at eight." She shoved a mouthful of salad in her mouth.

"d.a.m.n, Ellen should get a job organizing things. She's amazing." Harper started on her salad.

They ate silently, neither aware of how hungry they had been. Harper thought it must be all the calories she was burning from the s.e.x. Maybe she ought to start eating a snack between meals before she started dropping weight. She was about as trim as she wanted to be. She knew that was a blessing, because she had seen friends struggle with weight, but Harper worked hard to have this hard body, it was a source of pride for her. She told Lauren what she was thinking between bites.

Lauren giggled, "I like that hard body, too." She winked.

The Orthopedist came to talk to them about the upcoming surgery. The biggest concern was bleeding, but the break was manageable and Shelby had a good chance of recovering full mobility with few long-term problems. Of course, it would require months of physical therapy and she would be under his care for at least six months. They asked about her other injuries. The break in her arm was clean and would heal fairly quickly. Her leg break was near the top of her tibia, but was not very serious and they would reset it while she was under for the pelvic surgery. Shelby also had a few broken ribs that were healing already.

The neuro surgeon came by a few minutes before they took Shelby back for surgery. He told Lauren the swelling was receding in Shelby's brain. He expected a full recovery. He reminded Lauren that Shelby's recuperation would be a slow process. Sometimes it took days or months for patients to regain consciousness fully. He agreed they should not tell her the details of the accident and about Leah's death. He would prevent the police from speaking with her until he felt she could process the information and it not be detrimental to her healing. He suggested Lauren have Shelby's lawyer communicate this to the police.

Two hospital employees wheeled Shelby pa.s.sed Lauren and Harper, on the way to surgery. Shelby was awake, well kind of awake. She saw Lauren and lifted her one good arm a few inches off the bed.

"Baby, where are they taking me?" Shelby said weakly.

Lauren asked the orderlies to stop, "Honey, you're going to surgery. I'll be here when you get back. It's okay, just relax."

Shelby closed her eyes, "I love you."

Lauren kissed her on the cheek, "I love you, too."

The staff moved off down the hall with Shelby, leaving Harper and Lauren alone in the hall. Lauren turned back to Harper. Harper's face must have shown what she was feeling. She knew Lauren was just helping Shelby get through this, but it hurt just the same.

Lauren put her hands on Harper's waist. She looked up at Harper, "She doesn't seem to remember we're not together. Or maybe she does, I don't know. I'm just playing this by ear, but don't you doubt for one minute how in love with you I am."

Harper looked down into Lauren's eyes, looking for the rea.s.surance she suddenly needed. It was there. She would have to keep her jealousy, which was a new feeling since she had never loved anybody like Lauren, in check. "Sorry, just got a little jealous there for a second."

Lauren got playful, "Jealous, ooh I think I like that."

"If you keep looking at me like that, we're going to end up in a broom closet." Harper grinned.

"I like the sound of that, too," Lauren winked.

"Jesus," slipped out of Harper's mouth as Lauren rubbed up against her then walked past her leaving Harper standing alone in the hall.

She followed Lauren like a puppy. Harper was literally in heat. Lauren was an addiction and she could not quell her desire for her. She could drink from that bottle and never have enough. Harper had tunnel vision and right now she was focused on Lauren's a.s.s, as they walked into the waiting room.

Later that afternoon the doctor stopped by to say the surgery went well. Shelby was in recovery and would be back in her room, any minute. They did crossword puzzles together until Shelby was brought back down the hall. Lauren went out to greet her. Harper followed, but hung back so Shelby couldn't see her.

"Hey Shel, how are you feeling," Lauren asked softly.

"I want to go home." Shelby said, her eyes filling with tears.

"I know, baby. We'll go home soon." Lauren's eyes filled with tears, too.

A nurse came out of the critical care unit, hitting a square silver b.u.t.ton on the wall, which opened both doors for the orderlies. Shelby disappeared behind the doors, as they closed. Lauren needed Harper to hug her while she cried. Shelby was a strikingly beautiful woman in Harper's memory. It was difficult now for Harper to see Shelby with her face so swollen, black and blue. Shelby needed Lauren now. She was helpless. It was heartbreaking. Harper understood this and held Lauren as long as she needed. This was going to be a long recuperation. There would be many moments like this.

Jordan showed up at six, so they could leave. Lauren saw Shelby one more time before leaving. She told Shelby that Jordan was going to be there, but Lauren didn't think it registered with her what she said. Harper drove them home, stopping on the way to pick up dinner, at the Tarr Barr. Neither of them felt like cooking. J.R. was there when they got home. All three ate dinner together then retired to the couch and chair to watch a baseball game, Jasper not far away. Harper checked her email, sending replies to her grandmother and one of the lab a.s.sistants. Then Lauren laid her head in her lap and fell asleep.

The next thing Harper knew, J.R. was shaking her shoulder.

"Wake up, Harper. Why don't you two go to bed?"

Harper woke Lauren and they crawled sleepily up the stairs and into bed. There would be no s.e.x tonight. They desperately needed sleep. Jasper a.s.sumed his position at the end of the bed and Harper cradled Lauren in her arms. She fell peacefully asleep.

They were awakened at three in the morning by Lauren's cell phone. It was Shy Lynn. Shelby was awake and agitated. She kept asking for Lauren. Lauren told her she would be right there. Since Harper drove them home, Lauren's Tahoe was at the hospital. Harper had to drive her. They dressed quickly and rushed out the door. Harper stopped just long enough to tell J.R., who was now also awake from the noise they were making, what was going on.

Lauren went in to see Shelby immediately when they arrived. Shy Lynn came out and talked to Harper in the hall.

"What's going on in there," Harper asked.

"Shelby really wanted to see Lauren for some reason. I mean, she really wanted to see Lauren."

They waited there in the hall until Lauren came out. Lauren looked really upset, but she managed to smile at Harper, "She's started remembering things. She remembers our last fight, the one when I left her for good. It frightened her."

Harper thought, of all the things Shelby could have remembered. She asked Lauren, "What did you say to her?"

"I told her the truth, but I told her I would stand by her while she healed. They sedated her to calm her down." Lauren was understandably upset. "I didn't know what else to do. I wasn't going to lie to her."

Shy Lynn hugged Lauren, "You did the right thing."

Lauren moved over to Harper letting Harper enfold her in her arms. "She'll be alright, baby. Shelby's strong. She'll make it through this. You can't feel guilty. It's not your fault."

"I know, but she's so hurt. You didn't see her face," Lauren said into Harper's chest.

"Don't go back to her out of pity, she'd hate that when she realized what you were doing," Shy Lynn said, surprising them both.

"I am not going back to Shelby. Trust me that's the last thing on my mind," Lauren a.s.sured her.

They moved back into the waiting room. They were too keyed up to sleep, so they sat and talked quietly while other people slept or paced around the room.

Shy Lynn was not so shy in a small group. She was actually quite insightful. "Maybe you shouldn't be the one taking care of Shelby. It might be easier for her not to see you."

Lauren thought about it a second then said, "She'll feel more comfortable with me at first. Shelby's really a private person."

Lynn continued, "You should distance yourself from her, as soon as you can. Make her stand on her own two feet, no pun intended. She needs to heal her body and her heart."

Harper had been quiet for most of the conversation. Lauren looked at her, "What do you think, Harper?"

"I don't know, really. I've been sitting here trying to decide what's best for all three of us and I can't make a decision. Maybe we should talk to a professional, get advice from the doctors or something." Harper couldn't make a decision because she wanted Lauren to herself. It was an honest feeling. What was best for all of them was completely out of her grasp.

Harper left the hospital before sunlight. Even though she was tired, she ran with Jasper anyway. It actually made her feel better. She looked out the windows overlooking the deck while she drank a cup of coffee. In the back yard, J.R. was throwing the ball to Jasper. Harper longed for the days when she and Lauren could relax again. For now she was heading back to campus on the roller coaster that had become her life.

Chapter Twenty-Three.

Thursday went pretty much like the day before. Harper stopped by the hospital that morning to bring Lauren some breakfast. Shelby had been asleep for nearly four hours, so Lauren had not had to deal with any more drama. Harper spent the morning at the lab and the afternoon with Lauren in the waiting room. Shelby was moved to a room where Lauren was able to sit with her, around three, so Harper went home to hang out with Jasper. She didn't feel comfortable being in Shelby's room, even though she was asleep most of the time. Sooner or later she was going to remember Harper, too.

She called Lauren at six and begged her to come to the game. She didn't have to play, but Harper thought she at least needed to get out and do something, besides sit at the hospital or home. Lauren was finally persuaded by B.J. who came to relieve her, so she joined Harper and her teammates at the field. She actually came dressed to play and appeared happy to be out and among friends. Again they lost by only two runs. The other team walked Harper every time she came up to bat. Her reputation had preceded her. Harper hated to lose, but somehow Shelby's accident had put it all in perspective for the team. They took the loss in stride and met again at the hospital.

Everyone was allowed in to see Shelby a few at a time. She recognized them and stayed awake longer than she had before. Tonight would be Julie's night to stay with Shelby. She brought several books to read out loud to her, hoping she would like one of them. They settled on Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by f.a.n.n.y Flagg. Lauren said that was one of Shelby's favorites. Harper hung back outside the open door. She could hear, but not see what was happening in the room.

"Shelby, I'm going home now, Julie is going to stay with you," Lauren said.

Shelby replied weakly, "Don't leave me."

Lauren answered calmly, "I'll be back in the morning, and Julie will be here with you tonight."

Harper could barely hear Shelby, "You know what I mean, don't leave me. What am I going to do without you?" She was crying openly now.

Lauren's voice became different, like she was talking to a child, "We'll worry about that later. Right now you have to get well. You'll see. It will all be alright... Goodnight Shelby."