THE NEXT MORNING
Xalia laughed lightly at Allison’s joke as she ate. Allison and Henry were up early so they kept her company while the nurses cleaned her wound and gave her breakfast.
Draven was still asleep next to her and she decided not to wake him up.
“Did Draven sleep that late? It’s past 9:00 a. m, I have never seen him sleep that long before.” Henry said, glancing at the time on his phone.
“I didn’t fall asleep early so he was awake.” Xalia replied and Henry nodded.
“Mr. Wade seems to be caring.” Allison teased and Xalia blushed.
Draven suddenly opened his eyes and he slowly sat up, Xalia turned to him with a smile and he ran his hands through his hair.
“Finally.” Henry said.
“Hey.” Xalia called and Draven nodded at her as he felt a sharp pain in his head.
“Are you okay?” She asked and he nodded in response.
“The doctor said Xalia will be discharged today by evening.” Henry told Draven and he looked at her.
“Are you okay?” He asked.
“Yeah.” She replied.
“Draven, we really have to go now.” Henry said giving him a look and he sighed.
“Hey, I will be back soon okay? There will be guards outside your ward so nothing can go wrong again.”
“There were guards at the hotel too.” Allison said and looked away. Draven rolled his eyes and paid attention to Xalia.
“I will be back soon.”
She nodded in response and he squeezed her hand lightly before standing up, he walked out of the ward with Henry and Xalia sighed.
“So you love Draven.” Allison teased.
“What? No.”
“Yeah, you do. Your smile lights up around him and you are always happy to see him. You didn’t smile that much when you were dating Kyle.” She said and Xalia shrugged.
“I can’t deny the fact that I like him, but love seems extreme. We haven’t even been married for a month yet.”
“It could be love at first sight.”
“Shut up Allison.” She laughed and Allison sighed.
“Hey, Xalia.”
“Yeah?”
“Please don’t do this again. Don’t step in the way if someone tries to hurt me, I am stronger than you. I can take it.” She said and Xalia laughed.
“I will try.”
*******
HOURS LATER
AT NIGHT
“Did they forget about us?” Allison asked Xalia as she called Henry repeatedly and he wasn’t picking up.
“They can’t.”
“Well, where are they? They were supposed to be here like two hours ago.”
“They will be here soon.” Xalia replied and the door opened revealing Henry and Draven holding bags. Allison groaned and rolled her eyes while Xalia smiled.
“What took you guys so long?” Allison asked.
“We branched at the mall to get you guys clothes.” Henry replied, handing her a bag.
“Oh.” She muttered and slowly smiled.
“Hey.” Draven called and Xalia smiled, he leaned closer to her and kissed her forehead.
“Come on.” Henry whispered to Allison and pulled her outside giving them privacy.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“We didn’t mean to be late, we… ”
“Draven, it’s okay.” She cut him off and he nodded.
“Hmm, I figured you wouldn’t be comfortable in fitted clothes so I just bought you something comfortable.” He said as he brought out clothes from the bag. It was a hoodie and black joggers.
He helped her take off the hospital gown and she was naked before him, shutting down every lustful thought, he helped her put on the clothes and packed her hair into a loose bun.
“Thank you.” She told him and he nodded.
The doctor came in to check if she was okay before getting discharged, after a few minutes of check-up, she was finally discharged.
They walked out of the hospital with Henry and Allison.
“You are going with me.” Henry said holding Allison’s hand as they got to the parking lot and she frowned. They both walked into his car while Draven and Xalia walked into Draven’s car.
They both drove out of the parking lot and into the streets, Draven turned away from the direction of the hotel and Allison turned to Henry.
“Where is he taking her to?” She asked Henry.
“He is her husband, anywhere he pleases.”
“Draven, that is the way to the hotel, where are we going?” Xalia asked as she watched Henry’s car pass by.
“A place.”
“What place?” She asked and Draven didn’t give her a response, she sighed and decided to anticipate. She was familiar with Atlanta so she knew every street they were in.
“You know I grew up here, right? And I know everywhere.”
“Not everywhere.” He replied.
After a few minutes, Draven turned to a street Xalia wasn’t familiar with, she looked around and Draven turned to her.
“Seems you don’t know this place after all.” He said and she shrugged.
The street was getting quiet as they moved further and Draven pulled over out of the blue. Xalia looked around and noticed they stopped close to the woods. Before she could ask questions, Draven stepped out of the car and walked to her side. He opened the car door for her and helped her out.
“What are we doing in the woods?” She questioned.
“It’s not the woods, come on.” He said and held her hand, he pulled her gently and they walked ahead. Xalia noticed a huge mountain. They climbed on it and she stopped when she was getting exhausted.
Draven carried her in a bridal style and she smiled, he walked for a few minutes and finally placed her on her feet.
“Oh my God.” Xalia gasped and giggled happily.
“It’s the Stone Mountain. You can see the whole of Atlanta from here.” She yelled happily.
“Well, it was one of the things on your list.”
“Yeah, my mum never let me come here and I have always wanted to see the city. It’s so beautiful.”
“Yeah, I figured it would be better at night. It’s mostly crowded during the day.”
“It’s so pretty.” She giggled and clapped her hands lightly, he watched her childish act and found it amusing.
“It’s just a rock and lights.”
“It’s not just that. It’s really fun to be here, it’s like a park where people have fun and see the city.”
“I still don’t see anything big about it.” He muttered and shrugged.
“Thank you, Draven.” She said and hugged him tightly.
“Be careful, your wound might open up.” He warned but she held onto him tightly, he sighed and wrapped his arms around her carefully.
He suddenly heard her sniff and he pulled away.
“Why are you crying? Are you feeling any pain?” He asked, cupping her cheeks and she shook her head.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“I feel so happy.” She sniffed and held him again.
“What? Is that why you are crying?” He asked and she nodded.
“Damn, Mrs. Wade is such a baby.” He muttered and Xalia laughed. She slowly pulled away from the hug and Draven stared at her.
He placed his hand on her cheeks and wiped her tears, he slowly leaned closer and Xalia closed her eyes as she felt his lips on hers.