~~~~Two Lives, One Heart~~~~

Chapter Thirty~Six


Elisha decided to keep the news about her "phantom pains" to herself. She knew Nick would just get over-excited, convinced that she was on the road to walking again, and she didn't want to build his hopes up. Hell, she knew herself that the doctor would probably tell her they were nothing. She knew she would never walk again.

One weekend Nick and Elisha invited the guys, their girlfriends and his family over for a backyard beach barbeque. Christine and Linda crowded around Elisha before dinner.

"So, have you and Nick set a date yet?" Christine asked her.

Elisha glanced over at Nick, who was chasing Aaron around the yard like a madman. "No, not yet. I haven't really given it much thought, to be honest."

"Girl, what is wrong with you?" Linda teased. "A fine guy like that? Talk to him tonight after everyone leaves, we need a date to shoot for!"

As the gang settled in for dinner, Jane came over and sat beside Elisha. "I know I've been a little distant and I'd like to say that I'm sorry. I see how happy Nick is and I can't deny him that. It's just hard to trust peoples motives sometimes."

"I understand." Elisha said quietly.

"You're very good for him, you'll be a wonderful wife to him."

Small tears of joy ran down Elishas face. "Thank you Jane. That really means a lot to me."

"I'd like to help you with the wedding, if you don't mind."

Elisha grasped Jane's hand. "I'd love that! I don't have the faintest idea where to start."

Jane stood up and wheeled Elisha over to the table, still chatting about wedding plans. Nick looked up from the barbeque and a smile spread across his face when he saw his mother and his fiancee, laughing together.

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"Okay, Miss Williford, your bail has finally been posted. You are free to go but remember that you must remain in the state and any infraction on your part will result in your being returned to jail immmediately. Also, your court date will be set soon and you must appear there to stand for the charges stemming from the accident."

Mandy gathered her things and looked at the officer impatiently. "Is that all?"

"That's it, you're free to go."

"Thank God!" she yelled and stormed out of the station.

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Elisha was already in bed when Nick finished cleaning up from dinner. "Hey sleepyhead!" He tossed a pillow at her. "Wait for me!"

"Oh, Nick, I'm exhausted, it was such a busy day!"

Nick pulled his shirt off and tossed it in the corner, his pants soon followed. Elisha held the covers up for him, he climbed in and snuggled up next to her.

"I was so happy to see you and mom getting along today."

"I was thrilled when she opened up to me, I was beginning to think that she hated me." Elisha admitted. "She wants to help with the wedding - the wedding we don't have a date for, by the way." she hinted.

"What are you thinking?" Nick laughed.

"Well, I don't know about a date, but I was thinking that a small wedding would be nice. You know, just the guys, family..."

"You know where I'd like to get married?" Nick asked, sitting up on his elbow, resting his head on his hand. "Out there on the beach, just as the sun is setting. It would be so beautiful. I can just see it now." Nick embraced her. "Let's do it soon, as soon as we can. I can't wait for you to become my wife."

Elisha kissed his nose. "And I can't wait for you to be my husband."

"How quickly can we bring this all together?"

"It shouldn't be too much trouble, get me a calendar, will you?"

Nick rummaged through the bedside table and finally found his datebook under a pile of papers.

"Let's see." she said, turning the pages. "It's May now, how about sometime near the end of June or beginning of July?"

Nick glanced at the book. "What about June 29th, it's a Sunday."

"Perfect, June 29th it is, our wedding day."

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Elisha and Nick informed everyone of their date and assigned everyone jobs. Christine and Linda took Elisha out looking for a dress, Nick's sisters were searching for the perfect cake and Jane wanted to arrange everything else with Elisha and Nick's input.

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Elisha continued her workouts with Kathy all this time and worked diligently on her own too, in the pool and the exercise room. Special braces Kathy brought in even allowed Elisha to "stand" on the treadmill and "walk". Nick had just finished helping her into the braces and stood back admiring her.

"Are you thinking how goofy I look?" she asked.

"No, I'm thinking what a strong person you are. Pretty soon you're not going to need anything to hold you up!"

She laughed him off. "Oh Nick, nothing's changed, well, except for my arms getting very buffed!"

"We'll see! Okay, I'm gonna be in the music room, beep me on the cell when you're ready to get out of that contraption." He waved and blew her a kiss as he left the room.

Once in the music room, Nick pulled out a pile of song lyrics and tapes. He was working on a song for Elisha. The guys had already promised to sing it at the wedding for them. He was working on a four part harmony arrangement for it, and it just wasn't coming together right. He popped the tape in the machine and let the music wash over him. "She'll love this!" he thought. He drifted off into a light sleep and was suprised to be awoken by light kisses on his face. "Elisha, why didn't you call me?" Nick rubbed his eyes and sat up surprised.

"Mandy? What the hell are you doing here?"

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