“You should eat too.” Jade stopped Jake’s hand from bringing another spoon of food into her mouth. He had been spoon feeding her the food which had mother had left behind.
“I’ll eat later. You eat first.” He said as he brought the spoon closer to her mouth again but Jade shook her head.
“Babe, you look so thin. Have you not been looking after yourself?” Jade asked, her fingers running through Jake’s clavicle which had become so pronounced.
“I’m not thin, and even if I am I’ll get back to normal soon. Just don’t think about it and eat. I want you in full health, so eat okay?”
Jade sighed as she looked at him sadly, she already knew why he was looking the way he did. No one told her but she could tell. The stubble on his face, his frail look, coupled with how lean he was, she could tell this man had been worried about her. He must have lacked some sleep and deprived himself some food.
She stared at the spoon which was closely placed by her mouth and she opened up her mouth for him to feed.
“Good girl.” He smiled lovingly at her. After a few more spoons Jade took the spoon from him as well as the food.
“Your turn.” She said, not giving him a chance to protest.
“Babe–”
“Jake open up.” She said in a stern tone. Jake sighed deflatedly before opening his mouth while she fed him. She smiled at him as she fed him. Jake didn’t know if it was her smile or if it was the fact that she was back and was currently feeding him that made him feel happy and satisfied.
Jake took care of the dishes after she was done feeding him. They stared at each other silently but that was enough to make them happy. Having each other was more than enough for them.
After few seconds of silence elapsed, Jade broke the silence, “Jake, what happened to Cale?” She asked him.
“He’s undergoing trial. He’ll be sentenced soon.” He bluntly replied. He didn’t want her to talk about that monster who had almost killed her, it wasn’t good for her health. But he frowned when he noticed the sad look that suddenly appeared on her face.
“Are you feeling bad for him?” He didn’t expect her to be sad for someone like that. He felt slightly relieved when she shook her head.
Grabbing her hand he asked, “Then what’s wrong? Why has your countenance changed so quickly?”
“I feel sad for Helen. She must be feeling distraught by now.” Helen was going to feel the impact more. She had tried her best to raise Cale to be a good person but it was just unfortunate that he shamed her upbringing and brought that kind woman nothing but pain and disgrace.
Jake could understand that, it was normal for Jade to feel attached to the woman especially if they were close while she dated her son.
“It’s okay, but don’t think about that for now. You have to rest, you need it.” He said.
“But I just woke up.” Jade tried to protest.
“But you need to get your energy back.” He stated in a firm tone letting her know there was no room for negotiation. Jade pouted her lips before lying back on the bed relunctantly while Jake kissed her forehead as he tucked her in. Jake was about to sit back on his seat when Jade held his hand.
“Lie down with me.” She said. Without much thought Jake took off his shoes and joined her on the bed. Jade made space for him to lie down and snuggled closer to his chest. She smiled when he wrapped his hand around her, it felt like it had just been this yesterday when she woke up in his arms, but to Jake it felt like eternity, thus this moment felt special.
He tightened his hand around her waist and pressed her hard against his chest, if only he could infuse their bodies together.
“Alright, sleep.” Jake tried to coax her to sleep but rather he coaxed himself to sleep. It was as if he had wanted to sleep all these while but he had just been waiting for this opportunity. Jade raked her hand through his hair as she watched him sleep, his breath was calm and even.
She gently trailed her hand down his face, she frowned noticing his frail face, and lean jaw. He didn’t look like the man she knew. Stress was written in bold letters over him, even his hair was outgrown. Jade spent some time examining his face before she fell asleep in his arms. It felt peaceful.
Not knowing how much she had slept for, Jade stirred up from sleep but she woke up to see Jake staring at her with loving eyes. She was surprised to see him staring at her intently but before she could say anything, Jake brought out a small red velvet box from his pocket, he opened it and Jade’s eyes flew wide when she realized what was happening at the moment or rather what was about to happen.
“Jake what are you doing?” She asked in shock and surprise, her voice in a whisper. She was too shocked her voice barely made it out of her vocal cords.
“Marry me.” Jake said.
“Jake.” She was still whispering. She was astonished. Her eyes were fixated on the beautiful diamond ring sitting on the box.
“I know I promised you a beautiful engagement party, but right now I can’t wait for one more second. One month without you felt like ten decades and I don’t want to waste one more second without making deliberate efforts to make you mine. I can’t assure you an eternity together but I can assure that I want to be with you now and till my dying day. Jade marry me and make me a fulfilled man, and I promise to love you selflessly till I know no other way of loving you. Marry me Jade Peterson.” He pulled the ring from the box and held it in his hand.
Jade already widened eyes widened even more as she sprang up to sit upright. She continued to stare at him in stupefaction. She couldn’t believe this. Her heart was racing erratically.
He had taken her unaware. What’s with this man? Where did he even get a ring? Had they not slept a while ago?
“Wh…. where did you get a ring from?” Was all she could ask, her brain was still mushed up with what was going on. Her voice was still so small it would suffice for a whisper.
Jake wasn’t expecting a question at a moment like this because he was super nervous to hear her answer. Though she had agreed to marry him before that unfortunate incident happened, but he was still nervous to hear her response now.
Noticing how he wasn’t responding to her question, she softly called his name, “Jake?”
“I got it after I left your place that day. I was so excited you said yes I couldn’t wait to get it.” He told her.
Jade couldn’t believe it, “So… you’ve had it all this while?” She asked in disbelief. When Jake nodded his head, her eyes welled up with tears.
“Oh Jake.” She didn’t know what to say. How could there be a man like him in her life? How did she get such an angel? She couldn’t imagine how he’d had felt all this while carrying something like this with him while she was in a coma. What if she had never woken up?
Jake panicked when he saw her cry.
“Hey, why are you crying?” He anxiously asked, but Jade shook her head as she sniffled.
“I’m just happy Jake. I feel so fortunate to have you in my life.” She said.
Wiping her tears away with the back of his hands, he said, “No honey, it’s me who’s fortunate to have you. You’re my life and lucky charm, and I can’t spend a day without you. So will you–”
“Yes” Jade vigorously bobbed her head as more tears streamed down her face. Jake’s eyes lit up when he heard those magical words.
He didn’t wait another second as he immediately sat up, held her hand and slipped the ring into her ring finger. They both looked at the ring which suited her finger perfectly and more tears rolled down from her eyes.
“It’s so beautiful.” Jade said amidst her tears.
“No, you’re more beautiful.” Jake said as he leaned in and kissed her lips so sweetly.
“I love you Jade Peterson. I love now and forever.”
“And I love you Mr Beau, now until my last breath.” She confessed before kissing him passionately.
_____
Jade had the brightest smile as she showed her ring to Amy. It was beautiful single, pink diamond cut ring which had a few diamond studded pattern by the side.
Jade chuckled when Amy squealed excitedly. She was so loud that everyone out the door rushed back into the room.
“What happened?”
“Is Jade okay?” They asked simultaneously, even Blake and grandfather Beau were not left out.
Phil and co. also came running in when they heard her loud voice. They had come over as soon as Jake informed them that Jade was awake.
“Babe why did you scream?” Blake asked, making Jade cock her brow. ‘Babe?’
“Look, your brother proposed.” Amy chirped excitedly making everyone turn to look at Jade who was grinning happily. She waved her ring finger at them and everyone gasped.
They turned to Jake who was equally grinning by her side. Jade was sitting by the edge of the bed while he laid behind her with his hand wrapped around her waist. He was being clingy with her again, but Jade didn’t mind.
Phil walked closer and smacked his leg, “So quick huh? You couldn’t wait to have her back you cheeky bastard.”
“Hey you don’t call my grandson that.” Grandfather Beau mockingly warned making Phil chuckle. The old man would always defend his grandson. Helpless old man. Him and his grandchildren are sworn lovers.
Jake smiled and shrugged, “What’s there to wait for?”
“Exactly why should he wait? You and these hooligans should do the same thing.” Grandfather Beau said pointing his hand at Rick and Mike who immediately hid behind Phil’s back.
Grace was so surprised to hear this piece of goodnews. Her eyes glistened with tears as she walked closer to Jade and Jake.
“Mom?” Jade called out with a happy smile.
“I’m so happy honey.” Grace said with tears in her eyes.
“Me too.”
Grace brushed her hand through Jade’s hair and kissed the top of her head before lovely rubbing Jake’s cheek. “I’m so proud of the both of you. May you always be happy.” She blessed them.
“Thank you Mom.” Jake and Jade chorused.
Kevin walked up to Jake with a cheeky smile, “So bro In-law, I’m going to be your best man right?” He asked with an excited glint in his eye.
“What did you just say?” Blake asked Incredulously. “Take that back. That’s my job, you can’t take it away from me.” He snapped with a serious look making Kevin glance at him.
“Bro Blake are you going to be petty and fight with a teenager?” Kelvin tried to guilt trip him.
“Yes I’m petty and thank God you know you’re a teenager. I’m the best man so go get another role.” Blake said in a serious tone. He wasn’t going to joke about it. There was no way he’d miss out on the chance of being his brother’s best man. Never!! It was a born job.
Kelvin frowned and humphed at him while the others chuckle.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be his best man when they both get married.” Jake said pointing at Amy and Blake whose face suddenly turned the red.
Jade smiled when she heard that. Her suspicion was right. She looked at Amy and her smile broadened.
“It seems alot happened while I slept.” She said to Amy.
“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about it.” Amy chirped. She knew what Jade was referring to.
They spent more time with Jade before leaving her to rest but Jake stayed behind. He wasn’t going to leave, he just got his life back. He told Jade all about what had happened in the last month except the struggles he had endured, he didn’t want to bother her.
He introduced Kyle to Jade when called via video call. He was on a business trip so he couldn’t see Jade. Jade was happy to hear all about Jake and Kyle’s friendship and she was happy they were now together as a family.
“I’m so happy Jake.” Jade said as she laid in his arms.
“I know.”
“How?” She cocked a brow at him.
“Because you have a handsome man beside you.” He kissed her forehead while Jade rolled her eyes.
“You’re still as conceited as ever.” She hissed while Jake chuckled amusedly.
“Honey let’s get married in a month’s time.” Jake suddenly said making Jade to abruptly sit up and look at him.
“One month?” Jade asked in surprise.
“Yes.”
“That’s too sudden.” She told him.
“Nothing is too sudden with you. I already feel like one month’s too long but I don’t want to rush you.”
Rush? Wasn’t he doing that already.
Jake sighed when he saw the way she was looking at him. “Look, I just can’t wait anymore. I want you by my side everyday and everynight, so let’s just–”
“Okay, I agree.” She understood that things had been difficult for him. He must have been looking forward to this while she was in a coma. She didn’t have the heart to make him wait anymore. If he wanted them to get married in a month then so be it.
…
Jade finally got discharged from the hospital after spending one more week. Jake wanted her to stay a few more days atleast till another round of test was carried out but she didn’t want to spend one more minute there. It wasn’t entirely because of her, but mostly because of Jake. Amy and Blake had told her how Jake had almost joined her in her comatose state, and also about the issues he had to handle and she felt really sad for him. She didn’t want him to live in the hospital anymore. He needed rest.
Sara, Simon and Julius came to visit her at home. Mrs Lin called as well and a few of her colleagues also called to check up on her. She was happy to know alot of people cared about her and that she still had her job waiting for her.
Of all the people who had come to visit her, she was more happy to see Helen. Though she felt sad for her she was still happy to see her. She had always seen her as a mother so she was elated to know Helen didn’t blame her for what happened to Cale, and she felt relieved when she didn’t make a request for her to let go of Cale because even if she had done that, Jade wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it because Jake was in charge of the case. And it didn’t seem like he was going to let Cale go.
“Jade I’m so sorry for what Cale did to you. I failed in bringing him up in the right way. I’m so sorry.” Helen had apologized.
“Mom, it’s okay. You don’t have been to apologise because it’s not your fault. Cale behaving like that has nothing to do with you. It was his conscious choice, not yours.”
“But–”
“There’s no but Mother. Cale failed you as a son, you didn’t fail him. If he refused to be corrected by the love, then let the law correct him. We can only pray for him to change and see how he could have done better. So don’t cry.” Jade comforted her as she wrapped her hand around her.
“Everything will be fine mom, I assure you.”
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 56
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