| Colby stirred. She opened her eyes and felt a hand stroking her hair. She looked up to see Brian staring at her. As she eased herself off his lap she stretched her arms above her head. “Did you sleep at all?” she asked as she stood and walked a bit rolling her shoulders to loosen the ache in her tight muscles. “A little,” Brian said yawning. “The rest of the time I watched you.” Concern etched across her face at his comment. He came and slipped his arms around her waist. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” His lips brushed against hers. A smile replaced her frown and she ran her hand along his cheek. That funny feeling gripped her, at the sound of his words. She loved him more than she ever dreamed possible. “This is not exactly what you had in mind for Christmas is it?” Colby laced her hands around his neck letting her fingers play with the curls there. She could see the fatigue on his face knowing full well that she probably looked the same. “No, but it doesn’t matter as long as I’m with you.” He kissed her again his eyes sparkling back at her. What he wouldn’t give to be home in bed with her right now. “Hmm, me too. It was so nice of your family to come here tonight and bring a little Christmas cheer.” Brian nodded and Colby rested her head on his shoulder enjoying the comfort of his arms around her. He held her tight. It had to be close to six in the morning. There was so sign of William and Colby knew he must still be in Catherine’s room. Jackie and Harold had stayed a couple of hours The dinner she prepared was delicious and the break was good for them. They wished each other Merry Christmas with sparkling cider and they did their best to take Colby’s mind off Catherine. Jackie even invited William to join them, but he refused. Colby fixed him a plate and took it to him. He seemed overwhelmed by the generosity and thanked Colby profusely. Colby could see he was greatly distressed over Catherine’s condition. This was a side of him that was new to Colby. She accepted his thanks and left him alone. She mentioned the change in him to Jackie and how she wasn’t sure about this complete turnaround in his behavior. A part of her wanted to comfort him but she was still wary. He just might be using poor Catherine and her illness to his advantage. Brian agreed with her. He didn’t trust him and had still not forgiven him for the circumstances surrounding the loss of Colby’s baby. Colby felt sorry for him. He didn’t even have the comfort of his son. Garrett was unmoved by the turn of events and it grated on Colby. How anyone could be that cold and unfeeling was beyond her. She could see the disgust and disappointment on William’s face in the way Garrett was conducting himself. He had arrived this evening around ten in formal clothes saying he had been to the club for dinner and partied with some of the members. He stayed briefly, looking in on Catherine for a few minutes and then left saying he had another stop to make. Colby wanted to scream at him but held her tongue. He wasn’t worth it. She wasn’t sure if he would ever change and if he did it might be too late. Brian went and got some breakfast for them, enough for three. Colby went down to Catherine’s room and found William just watching her. His eyes had dark circles under them and she could tell he had not slept at all. He looked up when she entered. “Good morning, William,” Colby said softly as she placed the tray on the bedside table. William looked at her with a dazed expression on his face. “How is she?” She sat across from him and took Catherine’s hand in hers. “No change. I think I dozed off for a bit but I’ve been talking to her most of the night. I’m afraid she may not make it.” The words came out like a sob, as tears rolled down his cheeks. This show of unabashed emotion shocked Colby. She reached across Catherine’s body and tentatively placed her hand over his. “You can’t give up William. Catherine is strong and we have to be strong for her too. It’s Christmas. Have some faith that God will work a miracle for us.” Colby said the words as much for herself as for William. She was worried too that Catherine wouldn’t fight to come back to them. After all that had happened this year, Colby could see how she had lost the will to confront William and Garrett on their scheming. The loss of Rob and the baby had devastated her. For selfish reasons Colby wanted her to come back though. She had grown to love her like a mother. “Faith?” William said laughingly. “I lost that a long time ago, Colby. I can’t even pray. I’ve been begging all night, making deals with God. If he’ll bring her back I’ll do whatever he asks of me.” He saw the surprise on her face as he spoke. “I know, this is quite out of character for me. Isn’t it?” Colby nodded. “And I know you don’t trust me either, Colby and that’s understandable considering our history. I’ve spent the last two nights doing a lot of soul searching. I’ve been a real bastard in the way I’ve treated you and I’m sorry.” Colby’s eyes got wide. “You never gave me any reason to do the things I’ve done. You had a good marriage with my son and now you seem to have found someone who loves you as much as Rob did. For whatever it is worth, I hope you are happy.” Colby didn’t know what to say. Her walls were still up when it came to William and even though he sounded sincere she wasn’t ready. Maybe in time, maybe when she really saw him change then she would be willing to accept his apology. “William, I,” she faulted. “It’s okay Colby. I understand. I would be very hesitant too. No one can change overnight, but believe me I have realized that I’ve been missing out on so much and I’m not going to any more.” “For your sake, William, I hope you really mean it. Life is much too short.” Colby kissed Catherine and stood up. “If you’ll excuse me.” William nodded and she left totally shaken by the exchange she had just witnessed. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It had been a strange Christmas day. It felt more like three different days than just one. After her unnerving conversation with William, Colby told Brian she needed to get away from the hospital for a while. She needed to put some distance between herself and William and think about what he had said. Brian took her home, losing the argument about going to his place. She needed some time alone. He tried to get her to tell him what was wrong, but she said she wasn’t ready yet to talk to him about it. She was fine, just needed to think. He asked if William had threatened her but Colby assured him that he hadn’t. The reverse was true and Colby wasn’t sure how to take it. Brian was barely down the driveway when Colby quickly changed her clothes and headed off to the cemetery. It seemed to be the one place where she could think clearly. She took a few sprigs of holly but found that a fully holly plant adorned with a red plaid ribbon rested at the base of the headstone. She sat on the bench lost in her thoughts for quite a while until finally snowflakes falling softly around her brought her out of her reverie. She hadn’t resolved anything. She knew it was going to take a long time for her to really trust William. And even if he did mean what he said what about Garrett? He was surely not in agreement with William. The animosity he felt for Colby oozed from his body. What guarantees did Colby have that even if William had laid the gauntlet down, Garrett wouldn’t pick it up? Her head hurt from weighing all the possibilities. After hours of sitting in the cold, she left not really any better off than when she arrived. She just needed more time. A warm shower and fresh clothes revived her and Colby called Brian. She was ready to go back to the hospital. He sounded groggy but told her to give him thirty minutes and he would be there. Right on time he picked her up and back they went. There was still no change in Catherine’s condition. Colby told William to go sleep for a while and she and Brian took up their places on either side of Catherine’s bed. Colby read from one of Catherine’s favorite books of poetry and at one point she noticed Brian dozing in the chair. Her heart swelled at the sight of him, his breath rising and falling steadily. This was definitely not the Christmas Brian had hoped for. But at six he dragged her away to have Christmas dinner with his family. She went to argue, but Brian said they had to eat any way. So they arrived to find a house of full people. The spread Jackie prepared was fit for royalty with all the family favorites. They welcomed her with open arms and during the course of the evening Colby caught Jackie watching her and Brian. There was a twinkle in her eye and an approving smile on her face. Brian was openly affectionate with her kissing and hugging her at every opportunity even at the expense of the ribbing he received from his brother and cousin. Colby blushed numerous times as they were caught in an amorous embrace or kiss. And for a few hours Colby forgot about the hospital and Catherine and William. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The streets were nearly deserted as Brian drove slowly back to the hospital. Snow flurries fell silently on the soft cushion that already blanketed the ground. They were in his jeep now; having decided it would provide better traction than the low-hung BMW. Colby closed her eyes listening to the crunch of the tires over the snow. She felt Brian’s hand on hers and looked at him. “I’m okay,” she told him when she saw the concern in his eyes. “You don’t have to stay, just drop me off and go home and get some sleep.” She smiled at him. “No. If you are staying so am I. You know I think you need a good night’s sleep.” He put both hands on the wheel as they turned down the street to the hospital. Even though he was moving slowly, the jeep fishtailed slightly as they rounded the corner. “I don’t want to go into that again,” she said a slight edge to her voice as she remembered the near argument they had back at his parents house. They had been cleaning up the remnants of dessert when Colby told him she wanted to go back to the hospital. He said she needed to go home and sleep. They went back and forth until finally Colby had raised her voice and told him he wasn’t her keeper. She was more than old enough to take care of herself. After the words left her mouth Colby realized their implication. The look of dejection on Brian’s face cut through her. She had lashed out yet again with the one weapon she had, her age. She was exhausted and Brian knew it. Her words hurt him deeply but he would have acted no differently to anyone else, young or old. He was only concerned about her and her well being. Upon hearing the outburst Jackie came in to see what was wrong. Brian grabbed Colby roughly and took her upstairs to his bedroom shutting the door behind them. Before he could say anything she apologized. “Why do you keep doing it?” Brian asked her. “I don’t know,” she shrugged as she looked around the room he had occupied as a child and young adult. The walls were still decorated with posters and banners of UK and the Wildcats. “What is it going to take for me to prove to you I don’t see age when I look at us? That I don’t say things or ask you to consider something because of your age?” He needed an explanation and she knew it. If she didn’t deal with her insecurities about their relationship she was going to destroy what they had. “If you think this kind of talk will scare me off, you are wrong. You give me reason to wake each morning. My love for you is so deep that even at times when I think I’ve reached its depths, I surprise myself that it runs even deeper.” Brian finally stood in front of her. Colby could feel tears begin to build and she blinked them back. How had she been so lucky to have two men love her so well? “No more, Colby, no more. We are no age at all. We love and that is enough.” She didn’t say anything and he raised he eyebrows waiting for an answer. She nodded. His kiss, gentle and tender, lingered on her mouth letting his tongue run along her bottom lip. He felt her shiver and continued to tease her. Colby felt her blood rush through her body as his pressed against her. He pushed her back and her knees hit the end of the bed and she fell back on it. Brian covered her body with his kissing her passionately. His hands roamed up her thigh to her waist and under her sweater. Soft moans came from her as she raked her nails up under his sweater massaging his warm skin. “Whoa, we better stop this or we will have some explaining to do.” He rolled off her and pulled her sweater down. She had almost forgotten where they were. Colby sat up and straightened out her clothing. Neither one said anything but the look on her face told Brian that they would be going to the hospital, for a little while at least. They left not long after. Colby thanked the Littrell’s for a wonderful dinner and apologized to them for her outburst. They rode in silence until he touched her. Brian pulled into the parking lot. “I can’t sit at home and wait I need to be here,” she told him as he guided the car into an empty space and turned off the ignition. He sat still staring straight ahead. He couldn’t help but understand her. He had refused to leave when Colby, herself, was unconscious after the accident. So why was this any different? “Okay, I’ll back off.” Colby opened the door, but Brian grabbed her arm. “But promise me, you will come home with me later and get some sleep.” “Right,” she laughed, “go home with you and sleep.” Brian however didn’t crack a grin. “I’m serious Colby. You need some rest or you won’t be of any help to Catherine when she finally does wake up.” He meant it. He didn’t have an ulterior motive not that it hadn’t crossed his mind. What he wanted and what she needed were two different things. And right now Colby needed rest. Colby didn’t let the seriousness of his tone escape her. She had to admit though that lying in his arms their bodies spent was an appealing thought. She knew he was right. She was exhausted, but for her own piece of mind she had to be here. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ When Colby and Brian arrived on Catherine’s floor she noticed that William and Garrett were sitting in the waiting room. When they approached William stood up. Brian squeezed her hand for assurance. Colby sensed something was not right. “William?” She questioned him. “The doctor is in with her. There is still no change,” he said in a monotone voice. The stress was beginning to take its toll on him. He had always been an active, vibrant man and prided himself that his physical appearance belied his age. But now as Colby looked at him he looked well beyond his 65 years. Dark circles under his eyes showed fatigue due to lack of sleep and even though his appearance was neat, the long sleeve polo shirt and cord pants were a far cry from the suit and tie he normally wore. The casual attire seemed to soften his demeanor. William reminded Colby of an aging golf pro rather than the CEO of a major manufacturing company. She could feel her guard begin to weaken even though she knew full well that clothes alone could not change the man. They took up their usual place in the waiting room, Colby resting her head on Brian’s shoulder. The minutes moved slowly and William grumbled that it had been nearly an hour. He was about to check with the nurses when they saw the doctor emerge from Catherine’s room. He gave the chart to the nurse and proceeded to give her detailed instructions. She made copious notes, nodding occasionally as she did. When they had finished the doctor placed a call at the desk. When he hung up he looked down towards the waiting room. He took a deep breath and walked towards them. They all watched the scene with bated breath and Colby’s heart began to sink as a team of doctor’s went into Catherine’s room. William ran to the doctor and grabbed his collar. “What’s happened?” He screamed at him. His body was shaking with fear. “Tell me,” he yelled again. The doctor gently took hold of William’s hand and removed it from his collar. “Calm down William. Come sit and relax.” He tried to guide him to the sofa. “NO! I want to know now!” He demanded again. “I will tell you everything, but please sit down, all of you.” The doctor urged them all. Colby was fighting back tears and Brian held her close as they resumed their place on the sofa. It was Christmas, a time for miracles, but somehow Colby felt that they weren’t going to be lucky this time either. |