He looked at her and tilted his head. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, Jane.”
She smiled as only Jane could, a smile of pure joy. “That’s okay. I’m glad you stayed, Charles. Thank you,” she said in a low voice that carried so much more than gratitude. “I’m very happy to be stuck with you.”
They looked at each other for a long time, simply smiling and pleased with what they had shared. “So,” Charles continued, after a suitable time, “do you want to go back to sleep, or do you want to get up?”
“I’ll get up now,” Jane answered pleasantly, yet not showing any inclination to move from her spot cuddled up against him.
“Good. Maybe after breakfast we could go outside.” He looked at her caringly, gently touching her face. “You could use a little sun, sunshine.”
Jane smiled back, then her face fell and her hand grazed the bandage on her forehead. “I, I don’t want to go out, Charles,” she said hesitatingly.
“I was just thinking we could sit by the hotel pool. I know you can’t—”
“No!” she snapped. “I don’t want to go out!” she said violently. She looked away from him and Charles could feel her trembling. “I don’t want anyone to see me like this.”
“Jane? What’s wrong?” he asked cautiously.
“It’s just,” she hesitated, emotions flying across her face. “I was always the pretty one,” she said brokenly. “Everyone always said, ‘Look at that pretty girl.’ And my parents and everyone always loved me because I was beautiful,” her voice was thick with anguish. “I know it sounds stupid and conceited, but that’s who I was. That was the way I stood out from my sisters. And now I feel like I’m ruined, Charles. I’m not beautiful anymore. I’m afraid to go out there. I know that everyone is going to look at me like I’m a freak and say, ‘Oh, hey, there’s that girl who fell down at a concert. Look, she’s got a scar just like Harry Potter!’” She began weeping softly.
Charles pulled her close, partially to comfort her and partially to hide the grin he couldn’t repress. When the tide of Jane’s tears subsided, he knew what he needed to say.
“Jane, look at me.” He loosened his embrace only enough so that she could see his face. “Jane, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Without question,
Jane’s eyes brimmed with tears again, and she smiled with heartbreaking happiness. “Charles?” she sobbed as she retreated back into the warmth of his arms. He held her close, relishing the feel of her soft body against his and the scent of her hair. Tilting her chin up with his hand, Charles kissed her with a slow passion. She responded with everything she had, trying to give to him the words she couldn’t yet say.
He broke off, and Jane sighed in pleasure. Charles looked at the white piece of gauze taped to her head, considering. His fingers gently traced the edge of it as he told her softly, “I know this is scary, Jane. But I’m going to be here with you, and it’s going to be okay. We are going to get through this together.”
“You will be with me, as long as I need you?”
“Sunshine, I will be with you as long as I need you, and that will be a very, very long time.”
She smiled again, and Charles wished he could freeze the moment; her joy was so beautiful and perfect. He was able to rein in the desire he felt easily, knowing it wasn’t time yet. He wanted her, but he wanted her whole, in both her body and her spirit; he wanted her to be able to give herself to him. Waiting was not a problem at all. Reluctantly, he released her and stood.
“I’m going to throw some clean clothes on before the meeting.” He looked at the clock. “I’ve got ten minutes. Think I can make it?”
Jane laughed. “No.”
He smiled back before kissing her soundly. “Love you,” he told her and he was away.
Jane looked at the door he had just closed and sighed happily.
When Elizabeth came out of her room, Darcy was sitting on the couch. The shower had helped her calm down, and she walked easily to the coffee machine to refill her cup. “How’s Jane doing?” he asked in his low voice.
Elizabeth smiled politely. “She’s sleeping, last I heard.”
Darcy nodded. Caroline, Alex, Richard, and Rachel entered the room from the hall in quick succession, relieving them from the burden of trying to make conversation. “Where’s Char?” Alex asked.
Involuntarily, Elizabeth looked at Richard before answering. “I think she’s still in her room.”
Alex sighed and banged on her door, calling her name. Darcy stared at Richard, an uncomfortable suspicion growing in his gut.
A minute later, Charlotte emerged from her room and, with a friendly smile, sat down next to Richard on the sofa. Elizabeth looked at Darcy watching the pair, and she saw his expression turn stony.
“Okay, I think we can begin,” Caroline said. Before she could say another word, Jane opened the door of her room, and dressed in shorts and a fresh T-shirt, she joined the group.
“Good morning,” she smiled to everyone.
“How are you feeling, Jane?” Caroline asked.
“Better, thanks.”
“You look better,” Alex said, and the group agreed.
Jane took a seat next to Elizabeth. “Charles isn’t here yet?”
Caroline smiled and shook her head. “He’ll be late to his own funeral. Let’s continue; the show for tonight is cancelled, but we’re performing tomorrow.” Caroline reviewed the next week’s schedule while Elizabeth studied her sister. Jane was still plainly injured, but Elizabeth could see a change in her eyes. Jane was glowing, and Elizabeth was filled with a curiosity to know exactly what had happened.
“Jane’s doctor has said that she is not to perform for a week. So the question is: What are we going to do for the warm-up act?”
Elizabeth spoke up. “I can do the show.”
Caroline looked doubtful. “Are you sure, Elizabeth?” While she was talking, Charles quietly entered the room and sat down next to Jane, taking her hand. “We all know you can play, but can you get a set together in a day?”
Elizabeth considered. “It’s only three more songs. I have that many on the CD. I’ll need time to rehearse, but yes, I think I can do it.”
“She can do it,” Alex said confidently.
“What about bass?” Darcy asked. “You’ll need someone to play with you.”
Elizabeth nodded, conceding his point but not having a ready answer.
“What about one of the guitar techs? I think Simon can play bass,” Caroline said.
“I can play,” Charles volunteered.
“Are you sure?” Caroline asked in a tone that was much more appropriate for a sibling than a manager.
“I don’t like it,” Darcy said darkly. “Playing the warm-up set and then our show. I think that’ll be too much.”
Charles looked at Jane, who squeezed his hand, then turned to the others. “It’s not too much. It’s just for one set and it’s only for a week.”
“I don’t know, Charles,” Caroline frowned. “Maybe we should find someone else.”
“We don’t have time,” Charles insisted. “I can do it. I know half the songs already.”
“Excuse me,” Rachel spoke up loudly. “That was Anne,” she announced, as she closed her phone. “She’s on her way with Collins.”
A mass of groans and rolled eyes accompanied this statement. “Did you tell her not to come?” Darcy asked impatiently.
“I didn’t get a chance. Her plane just landed.”
Darcy swore softly.
