“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 101

***Kai’s POV:***

The family ended up staying for a few more hours after deciding to have dinner together at Gracie’s request.

*“See!! My big sister don’t want to get rid of us!”*

Kayla joked as she pouted and pinched my cheeks. Rolling my eyes, I smiled at Gracie, in truth…whatever she wanted I would have happily obliged.

*“Well, what do you all say we order some hibachi and have it delivered.”*

Grandpa stood up with his phone in his hand about to make a call to his assistant.

*“Oh! Make sure you get some miso soup too grandad!”*

Kayla yelled as he began to place the order to his assistant.

The time was just after 6pm, finally…they were all about to leave so I could have Gracie to myself! I didn’t want to be greedy, but they’d had her for over two weeks before I woke up and I knew once we returned home things would be hectic. I just wanted this night between the two of us.

*“I’m so excited you’ll both be home tomorrow!!!”*

Kayla squealed as she hugged me and Gracie.

*“Yes! Our family is finally whole again!”*

Grandmother hugged me tightly, her eyes starting to swell.

*“I love you too grandmother.”*

After releasing me, she turned to Gracie.

*“Oh, my dear. You’re our angel. Never forget that.”*

She hugged Gracie with a loving expression. I could see Gracie’s eyes begin to water as she hugged grandmother back.

*“Ditto.”*

She whispered as mom made her way over to her. Mother stared at her with a warm smile.

*“I love you Gracie. Thank you for choosing us.”*

She hugged Gracie tightly as the tears rolled down both of their faces causing everyone to get emotional.

*“I know I’ve been saying take care of my son, but I want you to get some rest tonight.”*

Gracie wiped the tears from her eyes as she nodded in agreement with my mother.

*“Yes ma’am.”*

Satisfied with her response, mom turned to me. Her expression said it all. I felt a surge of guilt, for me…it’d only felt like I was sleep for a short time while they all had to endure this for over six months.

We hugged each other for a long moment before dad came over and embraced us both. After saying our final goodbyes, Gracie walked over to her travel bag.

*“Do you mind if I take a shower and get comfortable?”*

Her question broke me out of my trance.

*“Absolutely…um…let me show you around really quick.”*

After Gracie left, I decided to straighten up the room and check if that couch really did turn into a bed.

*Shit.*

It didn’t. Well, there was no way I was about to let her sleep in a chair. About 20 minutes later, Gracie came out looking refreshed. She plopped down in the chair with a grin on her face.

*“Your bathroom in this hospital is better than some hotel bathrooms.”*

She giggled as she curled her legs into the chair. Her hair was mostly down with just some of it up in a messy bun. She was wearing pajama shorts with a matching long sleeve shirt and knee socks. So simple and yet she looked so radiant.

*Smiling. “Yeah the VIP floor of this hospital is amazing. I mean, overall, it’s a great hospital, but there was a lot of detail put into the VIP.”*

*“Does your family own this hospital?”*

*“We do.”*

Gracie’s eyes widen, before settling on a warm smile. I’m sure she was aware of House Christiansen and the business and power we held. Still, I’m sure it was shocking to hear. She scanned the television trying to find something to watch. Settling on some true crime show, she frowned as the narrator spoke about a person that committed a murder.

*“Dummy. Now you’re going to spend the rest of your life in prison.”*

I laughed to myself thinking about how she’d called me a dummy the first time we met. She truly hadn’t changed one bit. Gracie looked at me as if she were about to ask a question when she paused with a puzzled expression. Suddenly, slight panic seeped into her eyes.

*“What’s wrong?!”*

I chuckled lightly realizing my staring must’ve alarmed her.

*“Nothing. I promise. I was just thinking…you haven’t changed much since we were children.”*

Gracie’s eyes fell as if she had been guilty of something. Lifting her head slowly against the head rest of her chair, I could tell something was troubling her. In a low voice, she began to speak.

*“That’s not true. I have changed…a lot.”*

*“How?”*

*“Hm. I used to be pathetic for one.”*

I frowned, how could she say such a thing about herself!

*“Gracie! That’s not tru-”*

*“I used to be humbled, weak, desperate for love from people who never once showed me an ounce of love and care. I willing to degrade myself for them, tire myself, make myself sick if it meant helping them.”*

Her eyes began to water as she continued.

*“I was willing to sacrifice everything about myself and all that my mother taught me just to appease them. I was even willing to marry a man that I didn’t love and KNEW didn’t love me just to make them happy.”*

I could feel my eyes darken at the thought of her marrying someone else, much less that Jonathan fool.

*“And for what…all for a family that di-…wouldn’t care if I were even caught in a fire.”*

She spoke with resolute and conviction as if she knew for a fact what she stated was true. I hadn’t got the full story on the Rochesters and Brooks yet. I had Tyler investigating in full detail for me, but based on what I’d learn from Gracie, I knew that family hurt her. They would surely pay for that!!!

*“But you’re not that way anymore…right?”*

Gracie snapped her head in my direction, her face instantly beamed as a warm smile spread across her face.

*“Nope! Because now I have an amazing family…not to mention…*

She leaned in closer as if to whisper.

*“I’m marrying this really great guy…kinda cute too.”*

My face instantly turned red. It’s not like I wasn’t aware that women found me attractive, but Gracie saying it made me feel a way I had never felt. I instantly felt shy as she chuckled lightly.

*“Well, it’s a good thing your fiancé is so amazing.”*

*“Hmm.”*

I laughed out loud at her nonchalant response. We spent the next two hours getting to know the basics of each other. I learned her favorite color was candy apple red. Her favorite music was classical. Favorite foods consisted of what she was in the mood for. She loved sweets and romance novels. She had an appreciation for science and geography. She was perfect. Learning we had so much in common made my heart feel like it would explode. Suddenly, I began to feel impatient, our wedding couldn’t get here soon enough.

As the evening grew later, I could tell she was getting tired but for some reason, she wouldn’t allow her body to relax. I decided to ask her if she would sleep in the bed with me.

*“What!”*

*“I don’t mean anything inappropriate! It’s just, I don’t want you to sleep on that chair.”*

Gracie’s eyes widen but then relaxed with hints of compassion.

*“I’m okay. I swear, this chair really is comf-”*

*“Gracie…I won’t be able to sleep well knowing you’re not sleeping well. Please…can you get in the bed? And look, this bed is larger than the average hospital bed and more comfortable too. You’ll have plenty of space.”*

Gracie looked at me and then the bed as if she were pondering what to do. Finally, she let out a light sigh.

*“You really won’t be able to sleep unless I get in the bed?”*

I smiled brightly at my triumph.

*“Not a wink.”*

Gracie raised her eyebrow in a laughed with skepticism. Still, she stood up and made her way to the bed. Smiling, I scooted over so she could have room. I place one of my pillows on her side and widen the blanket. Sliding in the bed, she grinned.

*“You were right! This is definitely more comfortable than your average hospital bed. Is this memory foam?”*

I laughed as she pushed her fingers into the mattress. After getting comfortable, she laid back.

*“You know, I’m not even sleepy. I’ll probably be up for a while.”*

Those were her final words for the evening because not even 30 minutes later, Gracie was curled on her right side. Her head had found it’s way to my chest and she was snoring lightly. I smiled in triumph, glad that she would finally get some rest. I waited for about an hour before I texted my mother, I needed to find out a few things.

***\[Mom…are you sleep?\]***

***………***

***\[Nope, you’re father is getting some work done in his study. Is everything okay?\]***

***…………***

***\[Yeah…everything is fine. I know it’s late but…could you come back to the hospital for a moment…I need to talk to you.\]***

***…………..***

***\[On the way.\]***

I closed my phone and leaned back making sure Gracie was still comfortable as I waited for my mother.