They made their way to the front doors, receiving more than a few strange looks on their way. Although the number of reporters outside the doors had thinned over the past couple of days they’d somehow found out when Anna was being released and were back with a vengeance. They were all poised in position, ready to pounce. James squatted down in front of her, reaching a trembling hand out to touch the ring on her left hand before he asked, “Ready?”
“Let’s do this. I want to get out of here and I really don’t care what they have to say. Just take me home, James,” Anna forced out as bravely as she could.
James swiftly pushed her wheelchair through the heavy glass doors. Justin had driven the car right up to the end of the path as close as he could so they could get in and leave as quickly as possible. They made it five metres before the overwhelming camera flashes temporarily blinded them.
“How are you feeling, Miss White?” one small snotty nose reporter asked as she shoved her microphone into Anna’s face.
“Anna is doing much better,” James started, quickly taking control of the situation. “We’re heading home so she can make a full recovery. The next time Anna appears on the front cover of your newspapers and magazines, I can only hope that she’ll be looking absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress.”
“So the wedding is still on? Have you set a date?” So many questions from so many different directions were being fired at them as James manoeuvred the wheelchair towards the waiting car. James wouldn’t even satisfy them with a reply. He just flashed them a disappointed scowl.
Justin was there, waiting for them like he was a chauffeur. He bent down and gave Anna a quick kiss on the cheek. A sea of camera flashes caught the moment. “Hey baby girl,” he whispered into her ear as he lifted her into the back seat before closing the door. James put the wheelchair in the boot and climbed in the back seat. Soon enough they had made their escape.
They went back to their hotel room. They were supposed to have returned to Sydney almost a week ago but with Anna’s accident, James had made the decision to stay on. After spending one night in the hotel they would return to Sydney and get their lives back on track. James hadn’t been in the pool since the accident, yet he kept telling Anna about training and how he was progressing. He didn’t tell her that he was spending all his time sitting beside her instead of lapping up and down the pool. Once they got back to Sydney, he would get back in the water.
***
Anna
Anna quickly realised that having James play nurse and attempting to look after her was far more painful than lying in a hospital bed. He wouldn’t let her move. James had placed her wheelchair on the other side of the suite and carried her straight into bed. He knew if the chair was close enough Anna would try and get out of bed and move about, but by putting her chair far enough away she couldn’t escape.
“Relax! I’m fine. Please stop worrying and sit down,” Anna instructed him, her tone leaving no room for argument.
“Are you sure that there’s nothing I can get you?” James’s constant fussing was already driving Anna crazy and she had only been home an hour.
“Actually, there is something you can do for me.”
“Yeah, what’s that?” James jumped to his feet, ready to do whatever Anna wanted. She had no idea of the extent of the power she possessed over him in that moment.
“Come lie down next to me and get some sleep. You know I love you, but you really do look like shit.” She grinned as she patted the bed next to her.
“Actually, I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in about six days.” James laughed, reaching his hands behind his head. He pulled his shirt off in one smooth motion. Anna felt her breath catch as she glimpsed his perfect body. Not even bothering to hide her attraction, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, attempting to wipe away the drool. But as James’s jeans hit the floor, Anna’s mouth fell open and she forgot to pretend to hide her lust. James stood before her wearing nothing but his boxers and a smirk. “See something you like?” He snickered, lowering himself onto the bed beside her.
“I’ve seen better,” Anna taunted with a wide smile.
“Really?”
“Really.” Anna smiled as she wiggled over, placing her head on his chest. She listened to the steady rhythm of his heart beat. She breathed a sigh of relief that at least he was getting some rest before she too began to relax and drifted into a deep sleep.
The trip back to Sydney was a slow and painful one. As they drove past the spot where Anna had her crash, neither of them could bring themselves to speak. Instead James reached out and wrapped his hand around Anna’s. Seeing the spot made Anna quiver. James watched her closely and gave her hand a quick squeeze just to let her know she was safe.
James still lived at home with his parents. They had a large four-bedroom brick house. It had a beautiful big backyard with an old mulberry tree in the back corner. Its long branches reached over the fence and provided some shade over the pool. James had a little yappy dog which drove anyone it didn’t recognise absolutely crazy. Anna, on the other hand, lived in a small peach coloured flat by herself. It didn’t have much furniture, but it was comfortable and cosy all the same. She moved out of her parents’ house and moved into the Sydney flat not long after her eighteenth birthday. James always said that it was easier for him to live with his parents because he was never home anyway. He was in and out of the country or flying around Australia all the time. And eventually when he was home he would stay at Anna’s. That would have to change now the press knew who Anna was. It was only a matter of time before they found her sanctuary.
So the dilemma they were now facing was where they would stay once they returned to Sydney. Anna’s flat wasn’t equipped for her wheelchair. She had at least another two weeks before she would be strong enough to get crutches. And there was no way in hell James was going to let her live by herself while she was wheelchair-bound. So unbeknownst to Anna, James had arranged with his parents that she would stay with them until she was up and about again.
Knowing he had to tell her eventually, James decided to tell Anna of the arrangements he had made while they were driving along.
“I’m fine, James. Look at me. I am okay. I can’t stay at your parents’ place. I don’t need a babysitter.” At least Anna’s outburst was the reaction that James had been expecting.
“Look, it’s just until you’re out of the chair. Besides, that way I can see you before and after training.” James flashed her a cheeky grin. “Don’t tell me you just don’t want to live with me, because if that’s the case we have bigger issues than your leg.”
Sighing heavily, Anna conceded, “No, it’s not that at all. I just don’t want to intrude on your parents. They have lives to live and so do you. No one needs to be worrying about me,” Anna explained.
“Anna, sorry, sweetheart, but you’re part of the family now. Whether you like it or not, we worry about you, whether you’re at Mum and Dad’s or not. So get used to it. That’s what families do. You are staying at my place; you being there will make it easier on everyone. Please.” James tried convincing Anna.
“Okay! Fine! You win. I’ll stay at your place but only until I’m out of this damn chair. But no fussing by anyone or I go home. Deal?” Anna surrendered.
“Deal.” James smiled back at her, bringing her hand to his lips and leaving a light kiss on her palm.
James turned the car into the driveway late on the sunny winter afternoon. James’s parents, Diana and Michael, saw them coming up the driveway and raced out to meet them. Diana was a short woman with brown curly hair. She was a marvellous cook and it was obvious to anyone that when James and his mother were together that he was definitely ‘Mummy’s baby boy.’ James’s dad, Michael, was a relatively short man compared to his son, who towered above him, but everyone was short compared to James. Michael was a complete contrast to his wife. He was almost bald and wore his old battered runners everywhere he went. He told everyone that they had character. They had something all right. They were filled with holes and could be smelt a mile away.