As my body was resting, my mind was running wild trying to piece together what happened; could this be real? Were we really rescued?
Once the helicopter landed, I remember the men hooting and hollering, and medics bringing out a stretcher for Wes and I. I remember Jake talking to them with urgency about my condition, and Derek explaining to them what he thought was the case medically. Then, everything went dark.
My fingers twitched against rough fabric. Was this a blanket? It certainly didn't feel like the sweatshirt material I'd been used to. Come to think of it, it felt like I had a cushion or pillow beneath my head and that I was laying on something soft. Am I in a bed?
I blinked one eye open and then the other, letting them adjust to the light streaming in from the window. I looked around my small room and discovered I was clearly in a hospital room; a stark contrast from the cave walls I had become accustomed to. I then followed the IV drip with my eyes, stopping when I saw the tube going into my arm.
I turned my head towards the other side of the room to find Jake asleep in the armchair beside my bed, and my heart jumped with excitement. He looked so handsome and peaceful in his sleep. He was wearing a green T-shirt, similar to the shade I had told him I liked, along with a pair of blue jeans. I could see the fabric of his shirt and even his jeans strain over his large muscles; even after being relatively underfed for over a month, he was still a force to be reckoned with. He looked very tan, with a clean shave and his hair detangled and brushed away from his face. I took a moment to admire him before deciding to wake him up.
I didn't remember anything after getting onto the helicopter and I wanted some answers.
"Jake?" I croaked out. Damn my throat was dry.
Jake's eyes opened immediately. "Cassie! You're awake!" He exclaimed while getting up and making his way over to my bedside. "How are you? Can I get you anything?"
I swallowed hard, feeling the scratchiness of my throat. "Water?"
"Oh of course. I have some right here actually," Jake said as he grabbed a cup off the table beside him. "Here ya go."
I raised the cup to my lips and let the cool water run down my throat, soothing the dryness. I took a few more sips before attempting to speak again. "So, what happened?"
Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair before sitting down on the edge of my bed. "You were out for almost 2 days. You had a really bad infection from your bullet wound, but the doctors were able to get it under control and took the bullet out. We got lucky that they found us when they did."
"Oh wow..." I said, trying to take it all in. I didn't realize it had been such a close call. Then I remembered my gunshot wound and took a glance at my leg. To my surprise, I had a full leg cast on.
Jake noticed where I was looking because he continued explaining. "Yeah... the doctors checked you for other injuries too and we mentioned how your ankle was injured from the crash and how it keeps clicking. They gave you an x-ray and the clicking was because the bones never set right. They had to re-brake it and you have to wear the cast so that the bones heal correctly this time."
"Terrific," I responded dryly; that was kind of a bummer. "How is Wes? His leg?"
"He's okay; also in a cast," Jake replied.
"Okay that's not too bad, how about everyone else? You?"
"We all just needed food, rest, and a looooot of fluids, but everyone is fine. They've actually all been coming in and out to see you, hoping you'd wake up."
That would explain all of the flowers in my room. I couldn't help but smile a little at this fact.
"Good... I'm glad you all are okay, and thank you for being here when I woke up. You're the first person I wanted to see," I said honestly.
Jake smiled and placed a kiss on top of my head. "I'm glad you're okay too. You had me really scared for a while there."
I sighed as I locked onto his emerald green eyes. "I'm sorry," I said, but I didn't look away. He was just so handsome I wanted to soak in every ounce of his features like I wouldn't have another chance today.
Jake cocked an eyebrow at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?" He chuckled.
"You look handsome," I blurted.
Jake let out another laugh and took my hand in his. "And you look beautiful."
"And you're lying," I chuckled. I knew I probably looked horrible. After all, I'd been asleep for 2 days.
"Am not!" Jake said. "Oh and Cassie, you should know, the news got ahold of our story, and the police contacted all of our families. Everyone is here. They just left to go to their hotel and change; I told them I'd stay with you."
"My family is here!?" I asked, "You met them already?"
"Yes. Your mom, sister, and brother were here first, and then your dad got here late last night. I told them a lot about what happened and they met most of the guys too, but I'm sure they'll have a lot of questions for you," Jake explained.
"Oh wow. Okay, thank you for the heads up." I was really excited to see my sister and brother and was relieved that my dad was here. However, I was nervous to see my mom. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled that she was here, but we didn't leave things on good terms when I left, and I hoped she wouldn't turn this into a big "I told you so" moment. On the other hand, I felt different now. I wasn't some insecure, scared girl anymore. The guys helped me to see my own worth, and going through what we did has taught me just how strong I really am; I didn't need my mother's validation anymore to prove that.
"You look nervous," Jake said, pulling me from my thoughts.
"No... not nervous; I'm happy they're here. I just hope things go well with my mother, that's all."
Jake gave my hand a squeeze. "I'm sure it will. And if it doesn't, I'll be here for you."
I smiled up at him through my lashes. "Thank you. So, what about your family? Are they here?"
"Yeah. They're back at the hotel. They really want to meet you; especially after I told them you saved my life and all," he smiled.
"I'd love to meet them," I replied, "then I can be sure to tell them that you saved me more times than I can count on my fingers."
Jake smiled and was about to reply, but we were interrupted when there was a knock at my door. I turned to see Caralyn and Carter, standing there looking hesitant, concerned, and excited all in one. My heart flipped at seeing their friendly familiar faces and my face split into a huge grin.
"I'll give you some family time, and I'll come back when you're being discharged if you want. I know you don't have a phone right now until we get ours back, so Carter has my number. I'm using my aunt's phone." Jake smiled and leaned in, placing a short, sweet kiss on my lips. "See you later."
"Bye Jake. Thank you," I said.
As Jake stood up to leave, Caralyn and Carter immediately scrambled into the room. Caralyn rushed past Jake to sit down on the bed, giving him a wide-eyed glance as she did so. Poor thing probably wasn't used to seeing someone quite so tall, muscular, and handsome. I know I still was shocked by his beauty sometimes. Carter however, gave him a small smile and nod before making his way over to hover on the other side of my bed.
"Oh my god Cassie! We're so happy you're okay! When we first got news that your airplane never made it... I..." Caralyn said, her lower lip quivering.
"Hey it's okay. I'm okay," I said, reaching out a hand to her and pulling her into a hug. I could only imagine how hard this was for them. I don't know what I would do if I found out one of my siblings was missing after a plane crash.
"Move over! I want a hug," Carter stated. Caralyn backed up and Carter immediately took her place, pulling me to his chest.
"I'm so glad you're safe," he said.
"Me too. I missed you guys," I replied, almost letting a tear fall from my eyes.
"We missed you too! Tell us everything," Carter said, releasing me and sitting down in the armchair.
"I know you've been through a lot, and I don't want to downplay that, but I have to say this just once. Bitch... you look so toned and tan I'm almost jealous. And to be stranded with all of those hunks!? And can we talk about the man you've landed!? Holy shit now THAT is a man," Caralyn gushed.
I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. Besides, she wasn't wrong about the hunks... or Jake.
"Kind of missing the point there Caralyn," Carter scoffed, "Jake filled us in a little bit, but we wanna hear from you."
I was about to launch into my story when there was another knock at the door. There stood my mother, an expression etched onto her face that I didn't recognize. She also looked kind of disheveled, which was completely new for her— if you recall, she never usually had a hair out of place.
I offered her a smile, "Hi mom."
She smiled back as she entered the room. "Hi sweetie. Caralyn, Carter, can you please give Cassie and I a moment alone?"
They gave me a look but I nodded at them, ensuring they could go. The two of them scurried out of my room as my mom approached, sitting down on Caralyn's spot on the bed. Seeing her now, I wasn't sure why she ever made me so nervous. It was like the power she's had over me in the past just didn't really exist anymore.
Then, wordlessly, she pulled me into a tight hug. I don't remember the last time my mom gave me a hug like this, and I gratefully melted into it. Despite our differences, she was my mother and I did miss her. "I'm so happy you're okay Cassie, and I'm sorry. I'm just so sorry," she said.
I pulled away from the hug so that I could look at her as she spoke. "You're sorry? Why?"
"I just... even before we found out about the plane crash, I couldn't stop thinking about our last conversation together. Cassie, it killed me to know that's how we left things. That's not the kind of mother I want to be. You deserve better."
Oh wow... I was almost speechless at her words and I didn't know quite how to respond to that. I knew I deserved better, but looking at her now I couldn't bring myself to make her feel worse. She was clearly sorry, and that was enough for me. "You know mom... I thought a lot about how we left things too and it means a lot that you said that, so thank you," I encouraged.
My mom's face looked immediately relieved at my forgiveness as she continued to speak. "I um... I got the chance to speak to most of the men you were stranded with. They all spoke very highly of you. I just wanted to say also, that I'm very proud of you Cassie."
That did it. My eyes began to fill with tears at her words; I've wanted to hear that from her for so long. "Thank you mom... it wasn't always easy but we made it through."
She tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "You know, Jake did tell me that you jumped in front of a bullet to save his life. I just can't believe what a strong woman you've become. I can tell now just looking at you that you have all of this new confidence that you didn't have before—and I know it's no thanks to me."
I wasn't really sure where she was going with this, but I wanted to put her mind at ease. "Being away and going through everything we have... it has changed me a little; I've thought about what I would say to you when I got home, and what I realized is that life is just too short to hold grudges. I think we both know that you and I haven't had a great relationship the past few years, but I would really like to start over if you would," I said, giving her hand a squeeze.
This time I swear I saw her eyes well up with tears, but she blinked them back and nodded her head. "I would like that very much."
This was one of the best conversations I've had with my mom in years. I was so grateful that I survived, and was allowed the chance to have it. We were about to call Caralyn and Carter back into the room when my dad appeared in the doorway.
I couldn't hide my smile as he immediately entered the room. My mom stood up, giving my dad a pleasant smile and nod before moving away from the bed to allow him access. He returned her smile but wasted no time collecting me in his arms. I think this was the hug that I have been thinking about a lot. Especially the past week, I just couldn't wait to see my dad again; one of my best friends.
"Hey pumpkin," he said, continuing to hug me.
"Hi dad. I missed you," I admitted as I let more tears flow freely.
"I missed you too. I was so worried when I got the news that the plane went down, but I also knew that you'd be okay. I knew you had it in you to survive. I told you before you left that you would do great and you have; Cassie you've done more than great, and I am so so proud of you."
"Thank you dad. I have so much to tell you guys," I said, wiping my face and pulling back away from his hug.
I looked around to notice my entire family was together in my room and it felt nostalgic; we haven't all been together in years.
"Tell us everything," my dad said, "Start at the beginning."
Everyone got settled in my room. Caralyn sat on the bed with me, and my dad and Carter sat perched on the large window sill, while my mom sat close to me in the arm chair.
I hadn't yet told anyone my story, so I wasn't sure how I would feel disclosing everything. Nonetheless, I started from the very beginning. I told them about meeting Jake on the plane, how he came back to rescue me, how Nathan and Derek also risked their lives to pull me out, and how we patched up everyone's injuries. I explained to them the injuries of my own, and how Jake carried me to our camp where we found water and the cave. I explained the day we shot our first deer and the SOS sign was built, and then told them about the following days; how time dragged on but living there wasn't all too horrible.
My family was completely captivated with everything I was saying. They were mostly silent unless they had a question or comment. My dad expressed that he was impressed that I was so good with an arrow, and my mom and Caralyn were mostly concerned about how the guys were treating me. I knew that the first part of the story, aside from the plane crash, was going to be easy to talk about. The second half, however, was where it got a little sticky.
I breezed though the part with the quicksand, the mountain lion, and the trap, and didn't mention my debacle with the tree at all, and I just skipped right to the well. After all, that's kind of where things changed. Explaining this experience still made me shudder and brought tears to my eyes. Caralyn placed a comforting hand over mine as I continued.
I told them how Jake calmed me down, and how the 3 of them got me back to camp. I told them about he fights this caused and how I almost drowned in the rapids until Jake saved me. I went on to explain that I knew I loved him here, and what Cam ended up saying to me a few days later. I was going to leave out anything about feelings, but this was the part of my story Caralyn was most interested in, so I just disclosed it all. I could trust my family.
I glossed over the bear, and briefly explained Jake's confession of his love behind the waterfall, although I left out the intense make out part of the story (for my dad and brother's sake... but I would fill Caralyn in later). Lastly, I had to explain everything that went on with Garret and Wayde.
By the time I finished my story, my family and I all had tears in our eyes. I couldn't talk about what happened with Garret and Wayde without getting emotional... they just really did a number on us all.
"Wow..." my mom said.
"Yeah..." Carter agreed, "Jake and the rest of the guys filled us in on bits and pieces but gosh that is quite the story."
Just then, my doctor knocked on my door. Everyone stayed in the room as he did one final check, saying he would get the papers for discharge.
"Cass, I don't know if Jake told you, but all of us are being put up at a hotel right now because of what happened. They want everyone to stay here for a bit so that you guys can talk with the police to give a statement about what happened and your descriptions of Garret and Wayde, along with anything else you need to disclose," my dad explained.
I nodded my head. I was eager to get out of this hospital, and I was excited to talk with the police so that, hopefully, Wayde and Garret get what they deserve.
"I'll text Jake and let him know you're good to go,"Carter said.
"Thank you," I replied.
It wouldn't be long now until I was at the hotel with the rest of the guys. I couldn't have been more excited to see everyone together again, but this time, we were all safe and sound.
______________________________________________
Hello, it's me!
This chapter took a little bit for me to finish but it was actually kind of fun to write! I started this story honestly about 2 years ago now, which seems CRAZY! So I had to go back and reread how I was portraying Cassie's parents and siblings. I had a general idea but still, they haven't been in the story in a very long time lol
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and reading Cassie's reunion with her family. If all goes as planned and I don't get too wordy, there should only be 2-3 chapters left and then an Epilogue.
See ya in the next one for Cassie's reunion with the guys!
-Haley