Erica's POV

I've been caged in this stupid hospital for 19 weeks. That is 133 days. Don't even ask me how I have been able to manage it because the truth is I haven't.

But today, I'll be free. I'm getting discharged.

Finally!

My scars are healed except the one on my back, it will take longer to heal, but, at least, I will be able to go home. Xavier was happier than me, he literally couldn't sleep the whole night and he didn't let me go asleep too no matter how much I wanted to. He was talking to me about all the little adventures he's planned for us *ahm*for*ahm*our honeymoon*ahm*

He's like the best person on earth. All this time I was in the hospital, he never let me feel alone. We watched all the latest movies together. He did all his office work in the hospital whilst sitting beside me, he forced me to buy clothes online so that I didn't fall behind on anything important related to fashion. He installed Skype and literally bought iPhones for all my friends as well as my mother so that I could FaceTime with them if I got bored. He got food for me from my favourite restaurant and fed me when no member of the hospital was there. They didn't allow me to eat food other than what they said I could eat in the fear that my health would deteriorate. Or in plain words, I would die. So when I refused to eat anything boiled or 'good' Xavier had to go out and bring some tasty yet healthy food for me, which I ate happily. Xavier joined another hospital bed with mine and we slept together every night, I know he was uncomfortable on the hospital bed because he was used to the king sized bed, but for me, he didn't utter a word. I was really grateful to him. He didn't have to do all that, but he did.

I never thought Xavier could be so caring and loving. My heart tells me he loves me and so does my brain. I'm so lucky to have him in my life.

"Babe? Whatcha thinking?" Xavier asked, putting the last pair of my jeans in the bag.

"Oh, nothing. I just want to get out of here as soon as possible." I smiled at him "You sure that's it?" He didn't seem to buy it, but I don't want to talk about it so I nodded and flashed a million dollar smile at him.

"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it now, we'll talk about it later. But don't think you're off the hook"

"But-"

"Erica, that's final"

"Xavier there's not-"

"Erica." Xavier raised his voice a little.

"Fine." I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Good girl." He smiled and walked towards me. He suddenly took me in his arms, bridal style.

"XAVIER! PUT ME DOWN!" I yelled.

"I'm going to fall!"

"Can't do that babe" He started spinning me around making me clutch his shirt tightly. "Oh my God! Xavier Manhattan! Stop! Stop stop stop!" I yelled, and only got  laughter in return. "Xavvvvviiiierrrr!" I closed my eyes, I was going to vomit any second now.

"What's the chaos all about?" The door flew open with a raging Mr. Manhattan and four security guards following, fear and panic was written all over his face. But as soon as he saw me in his son's arms, his face lightened and a small smile made its way to his lips. "Oh." was all he said.

"Dad! Tell him to put me down!" I looked at him with pleading eyes, but he just shook his head in return

"No can do Erica" I pouted my lips. Like father like son.

Mr. Manhattan, or should I say dad and I have grown really close from the past few weeks. He was there with me when Xavier had to go somewhere for some time even though that was rare, we played games, watched Taken 1 and 2 together and we even shared our life experiences, his being more adventurous and fun. He listened to me carefully and talked to me like a father would talk to her daughter. He told me stories about Xavier's childhood, his adventures and all about his annoying girlfriends and their mothers who threw themselves at Mr. Manhattan. It was really funny. He took care of me like I was his real daughter, and I'm glad he accepted me, he even asked me to call him dad which I accepted happily since I had already gotten into the habit. Years of not being able to call someone dad had taken its toll on me. But now I was able to call someone that name and I felt elated, things were finally going right for once.

"See? He's my dad" Xavier smirked like a five-year-old kid. Jerk!

"Okay okay! Let's keep the teasing for the day after tomorrow." Dad smirked looking at Xavier in return, also smirked. I was completely oblivious to what they were smiling about and I intended on finding out.

I looked at dad "Dad..." then I looked at Xavier "Xavier. What's going on? What's so special about the day after tomorrow?" I asked. My heart was beating faster for some unknown reason.

Xavier looked at me lovingly and smiled "Our marriage." and then he leaned in and kissed me to which I kissed him back happily.

Finally, we were going to get married.

*Next day*

"Aahhhhhh!!!" I yelled in frustration. It's 7 in the morning and Alisha and mom are here helping me out.

"Calm down Erica Dixon!" Mom crossed her arms over her chest in anger, "Don't act like a child!"

"Mom! How can I calm down! I can't find it anywhere!" I yelled and threw another pair of shoes in the opposite direction of my drawer. "Come on Erica! We will find it! Just calm down, sheesh you're giving me a headache!" Alisha sat on the bed and sighed.

How can I freaking chill? I can't find my wedding shoes. They were a white coloured 5-inch pencil heel and I loved them. They matched perfectly with my wedding dress, and now I can't find them!

"It's not here!" I cried in irritation as I checked the last shoe rack of my room. "Mom! Alisha! Help me!" I sat down on the floor with my head in my hands, defeated.

"Erica," Mom came up and sat beside me, "Baby, I know the toll of organizing your wedding is getting to you, but instead of yelling and cursing, think, where did you keep them? " I looked at mom, she smiled at me which did help me calm down a bit. "Mom I don't remember..." I held my head low, ashamed. I don't remember where I've kept them. I didn't realize I was crying until mom pulled me into a side hug telling me to stop crying. "Mom what will I wear tomorrow! Those shoes were perfect..." I sobbed. I don't know but I've become really sensitive, maybe because tomorrow's my wedding and I want everything perfect.

Mom looked at me with saddened eyes, "Oh honey, we'll find them, now go wash your face, you look like a mess." I nodded and stood up. What will I wear tomorrow, they were perfect! They matched perfectly with my dress, and because of my carelessness I've lost them. I went to the bathroom and washed my face, again and again. My eyes weren't that red because I wasn't crying for long, but I continued washing them. I needed something to do.

Suddenly the phone that Xavier gave me started ringing in my pocket. I saw the caller I.D and a small smile made its way to my lips. I picked up the phone and spoke, "Hello?"

"Hello, princess Manhattan" Xavier's morning voice sent a chill down my spine, but in a good way.

I giggled, "Good morning Xavier."

"What's my baby doing?" He asked and I heard shuffling from the other side. Should I tell him I lost my wedding shoes? What will he think of me? He'll think I'm the most careless person on earth. What if he refuses to marry me because of my negligence? Oh God! What if he really breaks up the marriage! What will I do then?

"Hello? Baby? You okay?" I heard Xavier's voice and I snapped out of my trance.

"Ye-yeah!" I breathed. "I'm fine." I forced a smiled over the phone. As if he can watch you, my inner voice mocked me.

"Baby, what's wrong?" He sounded worried. Way to go Erica Dixon! Now he knows your sad!

"Nothing Xavi." I tried to sound perfectly fine. "Fine, either you tell me what's going on, or I'm coming there right now." And I know he was serious. Very serious.

"No! Don't come here!" I yelled, a little panicked. It was a stupid thing to be sad over.

"Then tell me, baby, what's wrong?"

"I-I lost my wedding shoes." I waited for him to laugh but instead I was met with silence. I knew it! He will think of me like I'm a careless little girl who can't even handle her wedding shoes! I should've never told him anything!

"Xavier look I'm so-"

"Get ready baby, we're going shopping" He cut me before I could speak any further.

"What?" I asked, shocked.

"Nothing, and I repeat nothing will make my princess unhappy. If anything does, I'll make sure it goes away as soon as possible" My heart melted at his words.

"Xavier..." I had tears of happiness in my eyes. "Thank you." I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn't deserve this man.

"Erica!" I heard a knock on my door. "Who are you talking to?" I heard mom's voice on the other side. I quickly opened the door and walked out.

"Who were you talking to?" Mom asked again. I mouthed Xavier and she smiled. "What is he saying?" She asked.

"He's taking me for shopping," My face flushed red when I told her.

"Shopping? What for?"

"My shoes, I told him I lost them so he volunteered to come shopping with me"

"Oh, there's no need for that! "Mom smiled widely at me "I found them!" She beamed at me.

"What!' I yelled, "Where?"'

"They were placed underneath the dining table. Luckily I saw them when I went to the kitchen to make you something to eat so it could cheer you up."

"Oh my God! Thank you, thank you thank you thank you!" I was literally jumping up and down with happiness. I hugged her hard before remembering that Xavier was still on the phone.

I placed the phone on my ear and spoke, "Xavier mom-"

"Yeah baby, I heard it, congrats!" He laughed.

"I'm so happy!"

"So am I."

"I think you should get ready Erica, I'm going to make breakfast now." Mom smiled at me and walked off.

"Yeah mom, bye Xavier I love you," I smiled, happy that everything was back to how it was.

"Bye Mrs. Manhattan, love you too" And he hung up, leaving me shocked and red like a tomato.

_______________________________________

so here's an update! just 2-3 chapters more and then the end :(

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PS. Thanks for 1 million reads! I love you alllll

tc buttercups!