A wave of truth (Ashley's Perspective)
"K, now turn the wheel to the right…that's it, cut it….now to the left…it's gonna hit!" Nick yelled as a wave crashed against our boat, almost tipping us over.
The beautiful sunset was deceiving. The clear night sky had quickly changed to stormy over-cast. It was really late, but Nick and I had to pilot the boat well or else we had no hope of making it out of the storm. Nick was trying patiently and calmly to instruct me in steering the boat into and out of waves, while he was securing the sails.
"I'm sorry!" I yelled up to him at the front of the boat.
"It's ok honey, not your fault. Concentrate now. Here comes another. Hold her steady…steady.."
We weren't so lucky when the next wave hit. It knocked both of us over. Nick was able to grab the line of the sail. However, I wasn't so fortunate. The wave not only knocked me down, but threw me into the guardrail. Then, all I saw was blackness.
******
"Ashley honey! I really need you to wake up for me now ok? Oh, God, please help her wake up! Ashley, wake up! Please." I could hear Nick from distance, but my head hurt too much to move. I'm just gonna go back to sleep now, ok Nick? Don't worry! I'm ok…I could feel him take my hand in one of his, his other one caressing my face.
"Ashley, please. I need you to wake up." I can't my head hurts too much. It really hurts…"If you don't wake up….if you're…." He voice began to break with tears. "Honey, I need you with me." Please don't cry Nick. I'll wake up…it's just my head hurts…maybe if I try to move…ow! "I love you! Please please wake up!" He loves me? C'mon Ash, force yourself…open your eyes! Slowly, and painfully, I opened my eyes.
"Baby?!? You didn't…oh, you're ok!" He started crying again, as he reached out, carefully, to hug me.
"Nick…" He snapped to attention when I finally forced myself to talk. The blackness was beginning to clear. I realized I was lying below deck on the small couch. I shifted my gaze to the porthole, and noticed the storm seemed to have ended. How long have I been out? I wondered. I looked back at Nick, who, as I realized, was waiting patiently for me to finish my sentence. His tears kept flowing as he gathered me up into his embrace, kissing me passionately, not waiting to hear what I had to say. I kissed him back, with equal emotion. But I had to know…
"Honey? What happened?" I asked, lifting my arm to rub my throbbing head.
"I'll tell you in the morning." He answered, noticing how tired I was. He brought my arm down, exchanging it for his own which softly rubbed my aching head. I moved over on the couch so that there was room for two. I laid my head down on his shoulder, hugging him around the waist. I looked up at him, mouthed 'thank you,' and kissed him lightly on the nose before settling back down. He reached behind us, grabbed a blanket (which George had thankfully stored onboard in case of emergencies) and spread it on top of us. He brushed the wet hair off of my forehead, kissed me gently, and held me tightly as I drifted off to sleep. The last thing I heard was, "I don't need any 'thanks'…I'd do anything for you. I love you…"
***Later that night***
I woke up in the middle of the night, my head throbbing in pain. However, all thoughts of my injury were erased from my mind when I remembered where I was. I opened my eyes, and looked at his sleeping face. I rested my head back on his shoulder, watching him sleep, hearing his steady breathing. Although it was peaceful, I still couldn't fall back to sleep. I couldn't help but think of Brian. I didn't want to betray him. Although we weren't that serious, I did like him a lot. But then there was Nick. I hadn't known him for that long, but I knew that what we had was special. He told me he loved me. I remembered how sincere he had sounded when he said those three little words. Suddenly, it was all clear to me. The calm rocking of the boat and the unwavering beating of his heart lulled me back to sleep, but not before I whispered, 'I love you too.'