~ Zoie's POV ~
- - - - - Two Weeks Later - - - - -
Zoie sat in Dr. Singh's office with her mom and dad by her side. Dr. Singh, a middle-aged man who was known to be one of the best surgeons in the state, was handling Zoie's case personally.
"There are plenty of options," he said as he adjusted his glasses. "We can look into surrogacy or even adoption-"
"And normal birth is...?" Violet interjected, sounding rather nervous.
"Not a possibility as far as I know," Dr. Singh said with a heavy sigh. Zoie glanced down to avoid eye contact. "I'm really sorry, but the wounds were... extensive,"
Zoie shuffled uncomfortably in her seat. She had spent the past two weeks in the hospital doing all sorts of tests. Damon and Violet were pretty persistent. They wouldn't bring Zoie home unless they knew for sure that she was alright. In terms of her physical health, she was fine, except for the fact that she sustained injuries that caused her to be infertile.
"That's good to know that we have options, but it's not something that we need to worry about right now," Damon said rather firmly. He probably noticed how uncomfortable Zoie was. "Zoie is going back to school in a few weeks and we'll take it from there,"
"But thank you, doctor, for letting us know," Violet added, sounding warmer than Damon's cold tone.
"Alright, I understand," Dr. Singh stretched out his hand, shaking Damon's and Violet's hands. "You're welcome to call or ask me any questions anytime,"
"Thanks, Doctor..." Zoie said as the doctor stretched his hand out to her. She shook it and smiled half-heartedly.
It was hard to smile after you just heard such difficult news. Zoie stood up followed by her mom and dad. They walked out of Dr. Singh's office and back to Zoie's room. That walk back was the longest three and a half minutes of her life. Her mom and dad didn't say a word, but they didn't have to. Zoie saw it all over their faces. The hurt on her mom's face and the anger in her dad's eyes.
"So..." Zoie trailed. "I'm just gonna get my bags. I'm already packed. We can go straight home-"
As Zoie opened the door to her room, Asher was the first thing she saw. He beamed and stood up from the bed as soon as he saw her.
"Good morning!" he grinned excitedly.
"Oh, hey," Zoie wasn't expecting to see Ash so early in the morning. He had a cast around his arm and leg and he was walking with a crutch.
"Good morning to you too, Ash," Violet interjected. "You seem very excited this morning,"
"Of course, we're going home today!" he grinned wider. "I can't take any more of this hospital food,"
"Do you need help with your bags," Damon asked Zoie.
"I got it, dad," Zoie replied.
"I'll help her," Ash added.
Damon and Violet exchanged a knowing look.
"Alright, we'll be waiting downstairs," Damon said.
With that, Damon and Violet left the room. With the parents gone, Asher leaned closer as he wanted to kiss Zoie, but Zoie already turned around. She grabbed her purse from the bedside table and pulled her roller suitcase out.
"So..." Asher trailed, watching her move around the room. "How are you feeling today? Excited to go home?"
"Uh-huh," Zoie replied rather curtly. She went to the en-suite bathroom to make sure she didn't leave anything behind.
Asher let out a sigh and he followed her into the bathroom.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, blocking the door so she couldn't escape him.
Zoie paused for a beat before answering, "I just saw Dr. Singh... It wasn't good news,"
Zoie's voice was cracking. She wanted to look strong in front of her parents, but with Asher, she couldn't lie. Although it wasn't something that she needed to worry about right now, like her dad continuously said, Zoie was heartbroken with the thought that she might never have kids on her own. Sure, there were other options, but it wasn't the same. She wanted to be a mom someday. Be pregnant and have a kid. And it was so ruthlessly taken away.
"Hey, sweet girl, it's gonna be okay," Asher cooed as he pulled her into his arms.
Zoie broke down and buried her face in his chest.
"What if I can't ever have kids...?" she croaked. "What if... we can't ever be a family...?"
"We're always a family no matter what," Asher said as he tilted her chin up. "I promise,"
Zoie steadied her breathing and wiped the tears from her eyes. Asher stared deep into her eyes and his gaze was so comforting. He was her rock when she felt weak. He was the light at the end of the tunnel. He was everything.
"Are you... still gonna love me?" she asked cautiously. "Even if I can't have kids...?"
Asher let out a scoff and shook his head.
"That is the dumbest question you've ever asked,"
With that, he closed the distance between their bodies and planted a long, tender kiss on her lips. Zoie's body melted into his arms and he held her tighter. If her life was a fairytale, this would be the moment when Prince Charming kisses the Princess and they all live happily ever after. But Zoie knew this wasn't a fairytale. She knew the problems weren't going away. She knew that there was still so much to figure out. There will be dark days and there will be brighter days. But one thing she knew for sure, with Asher by her side, be it mountains or valleys, she knew she'll be alright.
"Hey, Ash," she asked as she pulled away slowly.
"Hm?"
"Now that everyone knows about us, does this mean that we don't have to sneak around in the house anymore?"
Asher's lips curved into a smile.
"I guess not,"
Zoie's lips curved into a smile too.
"Let's go home then!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Zoie walked up the stairs to her home with Asher by her side. Her mom and dad were walking in front of them. Zoie couldn't help but look up at the house as she walked closer to the front door. So many things had happened since the last time they were here.
The last time they were here, she and Asher were sneaking around to use the playroom in her dad's office. She had to memorize the guards' schedule so Asher could sneak into her room in the middle of the night. Those were some great memories, she thought. She couldn't wait to relive those days again, but she had to take small steps. Ever since she got taken away and everything that followed that, it wasn't easy for Zoie to open up again. Hugs and kisses were the only things she could handle. For the other stuff... It was still hard to go there. There was a lot of trauma and pain involved. Asher had been very patient with her and his love was the only thing that gave her hope that someday she can be her old self again. She'll be that Zoie who was fearless and brave in that playroom in her dad's office again.
Someday, she said to herself. Someday...
"Welcome home, Zoie and Asher!!!"
As soon as Damon and Violet opened the front door, Zoie saw the whole family standing together with balloons and banners and there was confetti flying everywhere.
"Welcome back, 'lil sis," Zane jumped up.
"And soon-to-be brother-in-law," Zander followed, nudging Asher's elbow.
"Shut up," Asher rolled his eyes in response, but his cheeks were turning red.
"Welcome back, boss," one of Asher's friends walked up. This was one of the three men that came with Asher to save her.
"What? You guys are still here?"
"Yeah, your uncle told us to stick around,"
Asher shook everyone's hands with their signature handshakes. He then brought his friends closer to Zoie.
"Zoie, I'd like you to meet my friends," he said, introducing each one of them. "This is Malcolm, Hayden, and Mikey,"
"Howdy, miss," the last guy wearing an oversized Hawaiian shirt tipped his hat. "I'm Mikey, pleased to meet you,"
"Oh, hey, I've heard so much about you," Zoie shook his hand.
This was Mikey, Asher's best friend. The hacker, the engineer, and the person who bought the unicorn doll for her.
"Thanks for getting me that doll," Zoie said again.
"My pleasure," Mikey grinned, winking at Ash.
"Zee, hey,"
Suddenly, another voice was heard. Zoie turned around to see Landon standing behind her. "Welcome back," he smiled.
"Landon, hey..."
"Big brother," Landon turned to Ash and stretched out his hand. "Good to have you back also,"
Asher stared at Landon's hand for a moment and then decided to hug his brother instead.
"Good to be back," he said.
"You don't mind if I talk to Zoie for a minute, right?" Landon said as the two men pulled away.
Asher glanced at Zoie and back at Landon.
"Just so you know, she's my girlfriend now. So don't try anything funny," he warned playfully.
Zoie rolled her eyes as Asher kissed her cheek and walked away.
"He's so crazy," she muttered.
"I know, right?" Landon agreed.
Landon and Zoie exchanged a look. They were quiet for a moment.
"Land, I'm sorry-"
"Zee, I'm sorry-"
They both spoke in unison.
"Wait, why are you sorry?" Landon asked.
"I don't know, I feel like you're mad at me," she shrugged.
"Mad at you?"
"Yeah, you didn't even visit me in the hospital,"
"Well, that's because... I thought you'd be mad at me,"
"Why would I be mad at you?"
"Because I left you there. I shouldn't have done that no matter how upset I was. Protecting you was my job..." Landon let out a long sigh and glanced down. "I'm really sorry,"
Zoie shook her head and put her hand on his arm.
"That wasn't your fault at all," she said reassuringly. "And I'm also sorry for using you to get over my heartbreak. You were right. You deserve so much better,"
Landon couldn't speak. He only let out a half-smile.
"Thank you for coming to save me," Zoie said again, squeezing his arm gently. "Bodyguard,"
Landon stifled a laugh and shook his head.
"All I did was hide in the trunk and drive the car when it was time to escape," Landon said, turning his eyes to Asher who was now talking to his mom. "He did most of the work,"
Zoie followed his glance and saw Asher. He was laughing and talking to his mom. It was such a wonderful sight. She couldn't help but smile.
"So, I heard you're officially his girlfriend now?" Landon said again, pulling her attention.
Zoie blushed bright pink and shrugged sheepishly.
"You two make a great couple," he continued. "I'm glad he finally got it together and told you the truth,"
"The truth?"
"That he's been in love with you since we were kids,"
"What?"
"Yeah, it wasn't just me, he was just too damn proud to admit it,"
"Asher definitely wasn't in love with me when we were kids," Zoie laughed.
"Zee, why do you think he burned your unicorn doll?"
"Because he was a big bully,"
"Because he wanted your attention but you kept ignoring him,"
Zoie's mouth fell open. She never heard this part of the story before. Was it true? Asher was doing all these mean things to her when they were kids because he wanted her attention?
"Still, that's no reason to burn Mr. Unicorn..."
"He felt really bad after that,"
"How do you know?"
"He was the one who told me to go comfort you 'cause he saw you were crying,"
Zoie was taken back to that day again. She was probably six or seven. Asher was twelve. He kept trying to get her attention, but she was too busy playing with Mr. Unicorn. The next thing she knew, Mr. Unicorn was set on fire. She got so upset, she cried for days. And finally, Landon came to her rescue. She stayed with her, got her ice cream, and ever since then, he became her best friend.
"Land..." Zoie started to speak, but she couldn't continue. She could only stare at him with sorry eyes.
"Ah, don't be sorry for me," he shook his head and smiled. "One day, I'll find my own unicorn,"
That made Zoie smile. More than that, she started laughing. Landon was laughing too. And just like that, she got her best friend back.
After talking to Landon for a few more minutes, Zoie went to find Asher. He was talking to his friends in the corner of the room. She surprised him, coming from behind and putting her hands to cover his eyes. His friends got the clue and scurried away.
"Who's this?" Asher asked.
Zoie simply turned him around and before he could speak, she stood on her tippy toes and kissed his soft lips. Asher smiled and returned the kiss. They were smiling as they kissed each other.
"Okay, what was that for?" Asher asked when they pulled away.
"Nothing," she shrugged. "I just wanna do that in front of everyone,"
Asher looked around. Their whole family was there. They kissed in public for the first time, and guess what? The world was okay with that.
"I love you, sweet girl," he said as he put a hand on her stomach. "Always,"
Zoie's heart was overflowing with warmth and love. She linked her arms around his neck and pulled him for another kiss.
And I'm so in love with you, Mr. Unicorn. You have absolutely no idea.
*
*
*
- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -