Twelve

Rose

So there we were, walking down a path in the frosty outside. The fading of the sunlight had also meant the fading of the heat. Wintry air swirled around us, taking every bit of warmth it could.

I exhaled, my breath then visible in the chilly air, disappearing into the darkness. It was a cold and moonless night. The sky was dark and low, so dark that the stars billions of miles away were barely visible in the charcoal sky.

Peace

"Are you okay?" Gage asked, breaking our calming silence as we walked slowly. I nodded, my head turning to face him as I snuggled into my large, thick coat, my hands buried deep into my pockets.

"Yeah," I answered, puffs of breath visible as it left my mouth. "You?" He nodded, giving me a small smile. Thinking alike, we both noticed a bench and sat down together, our eyes watching the empty park in front of us.

Gage sighed, slouching a little on the bench as he looked up at the sky, smiling a little at the stars before meeting my eyes.

"I think. . ." He began, hesitating a little as he looked at me. "We should talk about what keeps happening in that boxing ring. ."

I nodded slowly, licking my lips as I sat up, attentive. "I think so too," I awkwardly responded, giving him my full attention.

He licked his lips too, his eyes glimmering in the darkness as they gazed at me. "What do you think of me? Honestly?"

"I think you're kind hearted," I honestly replied, giving him a small smile. "Sweet, humble, reliable - there are so many positive ways to describe you, Gage. I'm surprised you don't have a girlfriend."

He chuckled gently, shaking his head. "That's the thing," he told me, his eyes filled with seriousness as he responded, "I do have a girlfriend."

My eyes expanded as I looked at him, my jaw dropping. "Wait, what? So, you cheated-"

"Come with me," Gage said, standing and holding out his hand to me, an indecipherable smile on his handsome face. I hesitated before taking his hand and letting him pull me off the bench.

Then we let go and my hand went back into my pocket as we walked in silence whilst I wondered what he was about to show me.

"Are we almost there?" I asked in boredom, after at least thirty minutes of us walking. Gage chuckled, glancing over at me with his captivating eyes. "Yeah, actually. You know, walking is really good for you?"

I groaned, shaking my head. "Yeah, but now I'm tired."

"Well, that means when we get back, as soon as you hit the pillow, you'll sleep."

"I like the sound of that," I grinned, honest. I really did want to sleep.

My eyebrows creased as I noticed where we were approaching, a familiar red plus sign catching my attention.

The automatic doors opened for us and immediately the air was stuffy and the atmosphere had a strong whiff of bleach. The pictures on the walls were cheap benign prints of uplifting scenes and above the double doors are large red plastic signs.

Walking up to the reception, Gage moved there closer, his elbows on the desk as he greeted the receptionist. "Hey, back again," Gage playfully said with a smile, though it seemed slightly sad. He signed us both in.

"Well, you know your way, Gage," The older woman smiled, her eyes glancing over at me. She handed him two passes. Gage smiled back, nodding. "Thanks."

Giving me one, he put his around his neck and I did the same. Then we turned, about to go to the stairs but I took his arm, dragging him to the elevator. He chuckled once more, shaking his head as he pressed the button and we waited for the elevator.

"Gage," I quietly asked, "what are we doing here?" His eyes flickered over to me as he smiled though he seemed slightly nervous. "You'll see, Rose."

I looked away, waiting for the doors to open. When they finally did, we stepped out and Gage led me down what seemed to be the private ward.

On the private ward the atmosphere was completely different. The air had a perfumed scent and every surface was dustless. The nurses were unhurried and they moved with elegance from room to room on their rounds.

There were vases of flowers and beautiful framed pieces of art on the perfectly painted walls. In the corridor was a water dispenser and in most rooms could be heard the noise of a television or talking.

My eyes continued to stare about but Gage took my arm, pulling me out of my thoughts as he led me away, walking down the corridor with me.

Then we stood outside the door and his mesmerising grey eyes. "You ready?"

I nodded, curious to know what - who was inside the room. He twisted the doorknob and opened the door, letting me go in first.

I stepped in and only saw a television and some other items before I turned, blinking in surprise as I saw who was laying on the hospital bed.

There was a girl - a woman who looked my age.

She looked as though she was once beautiful. But the woman had tubes and wires attached everywhere; her nose, my mouth, her fingers, her arms, her neck, her chest and probably in other places I couldn't see.

Her body was covered with a large hospital gown and her collar bone was defined, showing just above her dress. Laying on her back, her head was propped up a little by the bed, to keep her elevated.

Her eyes were shut and her eyelids had faint bags under her eyes. Her face was pale and in a way she looked. . .dead. I could barely see any blush on her.

Her arms and hands were under her blanket, keeping her warm, and what seemed to be quite long hair was in a loose bun at the top of her head.

She was stunning though; her face had small freckles scattered on and her lips seemed perfect, not too big and not too small. She had naturally precise eyebrows and her cheekbones were amazing. She could be a model with her looks.

My eyes glimpsed at Gage who looked at her with such emotion that I couldn't describe. It seemed to be hopeful, wistful and hurt. I wondered who she was.

"Gage?" I gently asked, glancing over at her.

"Rose, meet Genevieve. .my girlfriend."

My lips parted as I glanced at him before looking back at her, my eyes filled with surprise.

Gage closed the door, moving to her side and kissing her forehead, his lips lingering there before he caresses her cheek, smiling a little at her as he took a seat, running his hand through his hair.

I licked my lips, sitting down at the opposite side, my eyes glimpsing over at Genevieve before meeting Gage's again.

"What happened?"

Gage

"It was just me and her," I softly began, my eyes gazing at the love of my life. I held her hand, bringing it to my lips as I kissed it softly, her faint, intoxicating perfume filling my nostrils. "In a car, driving on a snowy night. . ."

Flashback:

"I've had enough, Gen!" I snapped, slamming the car door shut behind me as I sat down harshly on the seat, running my hand through my hair as I huffed, scoffing in annoyance as I looked over at the damn house.

"I have tried, Genevieve! I have tried my best to be polite and respectful to him but that was the last straw. I'm not gonna let him disrespect me," I fumed, sighing in frustration.

Her kind eyes looked at me in sadness. She sighed softly, nodding as she looked away, slouching on her chair a little. "I know, babe, I'm sorry."

"I'm just gonna be honest, Gen, I can't stand him. There's no way I'm going back for New Years. He humiliated me in front of everyone! You know what happened was a mistake but he made it seem like I was some kind of criminal!" I ranted, groaning in annoyance and throwing my wallet in the back carelessly, shaking my head angrily.

She rubbed her eyes, nodding, and sighing tiredly. "I know," she agreed gently, her angelic voice so sweet and caring. "I'm sorry. I wish I could do something about his behaviour but he just doesn't listen to me, babe. He's just. . ." She groaned, pulling a strand of her long hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry that my ex came - I had no idea he was invited."

I huffed loudly, sucking my teeth in anger. "Of course, he was seen as the angel. Gen, you literally let him touch you. What, did you want him to kiss your cheek? Put his arm around you? Dance with you? Fucking let his hand just so innocently touch your butt? 'Whoops, my hand slipped'!" I glared hard at her as I mocked him, and she looked away, licking her lips as her hair once again covered her face.

"You can go back for all the 'amazing family dinners' and galas but I'm not. I'm done. Take back your ex while you're at it."

I rolled my eyes, scoffing once more as I turned on the engine, beginning to drive. Silence was between us, the only sound heard was the music quietly playing in the background.

That was all until she interrupted our tense silence by snapping, "Do you not think I'm annoyed too?"

"Oh, here we go," I muttered, my eyes fixed on the road as my hand tightly held the steering wheel, my knuckles going white.

"Gage, all my life I've been expected to like him. Every single damn play date and dinner, it was just me and him for a business deal. My dad is a dick - a selfish one that only thinks of himself. My mother is too scared to even stand up to him so she never stands up for me. But I didn't care. I chose you - why? Because I love you so much and I have never felt this way for anyone before. Can you just stop being so jealous for a minute and remember why you're my boyfriend?"

"I can't change what happened tonight and I'm sorry for not being there for you but I promise, I'll change from that. We don't have to go see them anymore, I certainly don't. Just me and you against the world, Gage. Remember that because that was the first thing you told me when we started dating. I know you're upset, and you have a right to be, but just stop being so angry and remember that."

She huffed and turned away, her head resting against the cold window as she looked out from it, annoyed too.

I glanced over at her, sighing softly as I realised how right she was. "But it's not just us, Genevieve," I softly said, my voice so quiet.

"I know there's going to be people not wanting us together, Gage, but-"

"It's not other people," I told her, gently, my eyes flickering over at her. She turned her head, her eyebrows creasing in confusion. "What. . .the dogs?"

I chuckled, making her smile a little though she was still slightly puzzled.

"No. . .you and me. .and hopefully, that little bean in that tiny belly of yours." Her smile widened automatically, her hand going down to her stomach as she grinned from ear to ear at me, ecstatically.

"That's hopefully," she reminded me, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "But very soon," she reassured me, her beautiful eyes captivating me. "You and me, and our little baby."

"Gonna have your eyes," I said, smiling as I looked at the road. She did the same, unable to contain her happiness.

"Your hair," she added, chuckling a little.

"Okay. . .your looks. ."

She giggled a little, smiling brightly. "Your sporty qualities."

"Your stubbornness."

She gasped, slapping my arm lightly. "I'm not stubborn, Mr 'I like to hold a grudge'!"

I rolled my eyes, laughing a little as I shook my head at her. She smiled, leaning over and placing a kiss on my cheek.

"Hey, Gage?"

"Yes, my Queen?"

She chuckled once more though her voice seemed quite serious.

"Maybe we should double try."

"Double try?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion as I glanced over at her.

She licked her kissable lips, taking off her seatbelt slowly.

"You know. . ." She steadily said, her eyes twinkling. "Just in case I'm not pregnant. . ."

My eyebrows both raised as my eyes widened in realisation. "Oh. . ."

"Yeah," Genevieve replied, sitting up a little as she gazed at me.

"Well. . .just know that since we did the bed last time, how about the tub? Bubbles and candles sound nice."

"Mmm. . ." Genevieve thought for a moment, pausing. "This is a new car. . .let's celebrate."

"Celebrate?" I repeated, my eyes flickering to her before going back on the road. "S-S-So you mean like. . .in the car?"

She groaned, rolling her eyes. "Yes, you ding dong, in the car. I thought you passed high school with the highest grades?"

I chuckled a little. "Yes I did. But. . .how? Gen, I'd have to park and find somewhere secret - let's just wait till we get home."

Genevieve groaned once more. "Baby, don't you want to do something rebellious? It'd be experience."

"Mm. . ."

I hesitated and she noticed. She leaned over, her hand resting on my crotch as she moved closer, whispering seductively into my ear, "I don't think I can wait till we get home, handsome."

Then, she managed to straddle me, her head in my neck as she kissed it softly, sucking and kissing.

"Gen, baby, I can't drive like this."

"Then maybe you should pull over so I can take you on a drive," she alluringly replied, nibbling my earlobe gently as she softly grinned against me, her hips doing magical wonders to me.

I softly moaned, the woman making all my weaknesses come out by her touch.

"Genevieve. . ."

"Gage. . .pull over," she moaned, her fingers sliding through my tousled hair.

I couldn't hold back anymore.

I managed to find an empty parking lot and pulled over.

As soon as the engine stopped, our clothes were being ripped off by each other. Kissing and moaning, we were desperate to have each other, the thought of sex making our minds go overdrive.

Then she was on my lap, my hands about to pull off her underwear, hers about to unzip my pants so we could have each other but we were interrupted.

The sound of loud beeping rose and quickly grew louder.

She pulled away from my lips and we looked out the steamy windows in confusion. Wiping it with her hand. She looked out, her eyes expanding.

"Gage, this isn't a parking lot!"

Bright lights blocked our view of our surroundings.

Our eyes locked, panic running through our minds.

In that moment I knew; it's gonna hurt.

When the collision finally hit, the pain didn't matter, the car didn't matter, the fear of death didn't matter.

It was her.

The screams that haunted me.

"Gage!"

End of flashback

Rose

Love.

That was what I saw in Gage's eyes as he spoke of her.

Pain was what he had written across his face as he looked at her.

Hope was what I heard in his words, desperate to see her again.

But doubt clouded over him. In his mind he was thinking 'will she ever wake up?'

"I'm lucky her parents aren't here today," Gage quietly said as his eyes stared hopelessly at his sweetheart. My eyes flickered over to him as I noiselessly responded, "why?"

"To them, I'm the reason why she's here. They claim that I stole her away from the party, got angry and tried to take advantage of her - that's why she was only in her bra and underwear. Then they think that I wasn't driving responsibly and I purposely crashed."

My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at Gage, shaking my head seriously. "Are they stupid?" I quietly, yet strongly asked, scoffing a little. "They do realise how preposterous they sound?"

Gage sighed, shrugging as he shook his head, his eyes dull. "I should've stayed put - waited till we got home. Or I should've looked properly. I really did think it was a parking lot - there was no one there. But it was the side of the road."

"Gage, it's not your fault," I softly said, my eyes gazing honestly at him, sympathy in my words. "Don't ever think that. It was a car accident. It was the other driver's fault. He was drunk and he could've swerved if he wasn't." He sighed, folding his arms and leaning back, his eyes glancing over at me.

"That was a year ago," Gage murmured, his eyes gazing at her. "A year in a coma."

A year?

"I don't think she wants to wake up."

"Gage," I said, shaking my head as I glanced over to him. "Genevieve can hear you."

"How am I supposed to know that?" Gage retorted sharply, surprising me. He sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry. . .I didn't mean to snap."

"It's okay," I quietly responded, giving him a small, reassuring smile.

"It's just. . .everyone keeps saying that and I'm . . . I'm over it. She hasn't moved at all; no twitches, no eye movement, no sounds. She may as well be dead."

"But she's breathing," I gently reminded him, my eyes gazing at him kindly. "You've got to remember that. She's breathing which means that she's still holding on, Gage. And there must be a reason why she's still holding on because it's been a year. You just need to give her time."

He licked his lips, rubbing them together slowly. His eyes moved to her, watching her for a moment before they stared back to the ground, sighing. "I miss her. . .but how long do I have to keep waiting?"

"As long as she needs," I responded gently, my heart hurting for him. I couldn't imagine how he felt. "And best believe, before you know it, you'll be at home, barely keeping your hands off each other," I joked, smiling at him. He gave me a small one in return as he sighed, scratching the back of his neck.

"Is it bad that I think in a way, it was a good thing she wasn't pregnant?"

I shook my head, "no. It's fine. I completely understand why."

He chuckled lightly, his eyes going back to her. He leaned over, his elbow resting on the bed as he took her hand, kissing it again.

"I miss you, Genevieve. Please don't let the doctors take you away."

__________

Sorry, not Tori and Gage. . .

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