Sunny's Love (25 page)

“You thought you’d killed her
. You thought you’d have a chance with me.”

“Exactly, and when I learned she survived, I became desperate, like an animal, I had to have my prey.”

“You hired Kyle and when he failed, you knew you had to do the job yourself, so you brought the poison candy to the hospital.”

“Chase, I can only say again that
I’m sorry. I’ll pay for my crimes. You can enjoy the justice in that. And for what it’s worth, I hope you and Sunny can move on and have a happy life together. She’s the one you love…I only want you to be happy.”

“Lindy, I should be angry as hell with you, but I know you need help
. Sunny knows it too. I’ll make a petition to the court, on your behalf, to see that you get the psychiatric help you need.”

“Why would you do that?”

“It’s the right thing to do, Lindy.”

“You
’re a good man, Chase. I’ve always known that. I never stood a chance with you…you’re too good for me.”

“Goodbye, Lindy
. I trust we’ll never see, or hear, from you, again.”

“You won’t. Thank you, Chase.”

He got up and walked out of the room. Detective Carson was waiting for him.

“Can we go to your office?”

“Come on.”

When they were seated in the office,
Chase said, “I want her to get the help she needs. Can that be arranged?”

“I’ll see what I can do. We may be able to get her into a women’s psychiatric prison, given the circumstances and your recommendation.”

“Thank you. What about her father and Kyle?”

“Kyle was offered a lenient sentence for coming forward with the information. He
’ll serve five years in the state penitentiary.”

“Thomlin…what will happen to him?”

“The District Attorney’s office is working on a plea bargain. If he’ll admit he knew what his daughter was up to, and did nothing to stop her, knowing her mental condition, he may get a lesser sentence, as well.”

“How soon will all this take place?”

“Hopefully in the next few days, I’ll be in touch, as soon as I know anything.”

“Thank you
. By the way, Sunny is being released from the hospital tonight.”

“That’s good news. Good luck to the both of you. I know this has been difficult
. I hope the two of you can put this behind you and begin to rebuild your lives.”

“We certainly intend to try.”

Chase returned to the hospital. He told Sunny about his visit to Lindy in jail.

“Chase…oh…how sad.”

“Sad?”

“That she loved you that much…that she could be that mentally unstable
, to do the things she did. I’m so glad she’ll be getting the help she needs.”

“Do you know how sweet you are to be thinking of that woman’s needs after what she
’s done?”

“I’m not sweet
. I understand what it’s like to want someone that much. Granted I would never be able to do the things she did…but she was right. I would never have given you up without a fight.”

“I’m glad to hear that…you
’ll never give me up.”

“You told me this arrangement was for life and I agreed
to that. And after living with you, as your wife, all these months…no…I would never give you up…it’s for life.”

“You bet
it is.” He kissed her, making her pulse race just a little faster…the monitor proving it.

“I’d better stop or the nurses will be running in here thinking something is wrong.”

“Tonight, you can kiss me as many times as you want.”

“I can…but that might get us into trouble
. You’re under doctor’s orders to rest, for at least two weeks. I don’t think nighttime antics would be considered rest.”

“Can you hold out for two more weeks?”

“Can you?” He flashed the sexy grin she’d grown to love so much.

“We’ll see.” She smiled up at him with a seductive grin of her own.
“Now, I need to get ready to get out of here.

Chase made some phone calls while Sunny was
showering.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, it is. I’ll be picking John up at the airport in about an hour,” George replied.

“Good, I was afraid he wouldn’t get in before I got her home.”

“The women have been cooking up a storm and the children are very excited. They’ve made a ‘Welcome Home’ banner.”

“Wonderful, it sounds like everything is set. I’ll let you know when we
’re leaving the hospital.”

Next, he called Lisa.

“How is everything on your end, Lisa?”

“I’ll be there, so will the Board members
, Russell, and the accountant.”

“Great, she
’ll be so surprised.”

“Mr. Dupont, we
’re all so very happy Sunny is on the mend. We’ve missed both of you here at the office.”

“I appreciate everything you and the others have done in our absence, Lisa. I believe some bonus checks might be in order for all of you
, when I can get back to work, and back in the swing of things.”

“That’s not necessary
, but would be greatly appreciated, I’m sure. I’ll see you later, my other phone is ringing.”

“Bye, Lisa.”

Pleased with himself, he was all smiles when Sunny walked out of the bathroom.

“You look like the cat
that swallowed the canary. What’s up?” she teased.

“I’m just happy my lady is coming home where she belongs.”

“Well, if you want ‘your lady’ to go home, you’re going to have to help me dress. I’m still having a little trouble maneuvering with my left arm.”

“I’d be happy to assist you with that.”
He chuckled.

The nurse came into the room with the discharge papers. “I just need to go over all these instructions with the two of you and get a signature
. After that, you’re free to get dressed and get out here, Sunny.”

“Music to my ears,” Sunny answered laughing.
Happily signing the paperwork, she looked at Chase. “Will you help me now?”

“Of course, I will.” He helped her out of bed and gingerly dressed her, taking care not to hurt her arm.

Driving home, he reached over and took her hand. “Glad to be going home?”

“Yes,
honey, I’m so glad to be able to be in the fresh air again. Hello world…I’m back!”

When they reached the house, they were met by George.

“Sunny, it’s so good to have you home.” The man hugged her and said, “I’ll get your things out of the car.”

“
Let’s go in the den,” Chase suggested.

“Okay, where are my babies?”

“They’ll be along soon, I told Alma to not let them rush you the minute you got here.”

George had returned with the bags, balloons and flowers
. He had also given the signal to the others.

A parade of family, co-workers, and friends walked into the den. Laura was leading the way, carrying a cake.

“Oh my…what’s all this?” Sunny asked as her eyes welled up with tears.

“It’s your welcome
-home party, planned by your loving husband,” Chase told her proudly.

My loving husband…did he just say loving?

Turning to the group of well-wishers, she smiled. “Thank you all for being here to welcome me home.”

To
her husband, she said, “Come here, you.” He obliged and bent down so she could kiss him.

Ali and Brice could be contained no longer.
They rushed to her, bestowing hugs and kisses of their own.

As each person came to her and said a few words, she was amazed at the number of people
who had come to welcome her home. Brenda and Jay, people from work, John had come from Florida, even Dr. and Mrs. Rose. She spoke with each one of them.

The food was delicious and when the party was nearing its end, she thanked them all again.

“I hate to cut this short, you all can stay as long as you like, but I need to get my wife settled in her own bed. She needs her rest.” Chase helped her to her feet and she waved goodbye to the group gathered in her honor.

When they’d reached their bedroom,
a nightgown had been laid out for her and he helped her into it, before she lay down and he pulled the covers over her.

“You didn’t complain about the nightgown
,” she observed, watching his face for a reaction.

“And I won’t for the next two weeks, after that….watch out,” he teased. “You take a nap if you can
, after all that excitement. I’ll keep the kids out as long as I can, but they won’t stand for it much longer.”

“Okay.”

“You’re so agreeable,” he teased.

“Get out of here unless you’re going to join me for a nap.”

“Well, maybe just until you fall asleep.” He lay down with her, holding her until she fell into a light sleep. He kissed her forehead and whispered, “It’s so good to have you home, my love.”

After leaving her to rest and going downstairs for a bit, he returned
to their room to find she was awake.

“Hi, I thought you had abandoned me already.”

“Not a chance, but I think I’m going to have to let Princess Ali and Master Brice come in for a while. Are you up to it?”

“Of course
I am. Bring them on up.”

He returned a few minutes later with her two babies.

“Come sit with Mama on the bed,” she invited.

“Is it okay?” Ali asked.

“As long as you’re careful with Mama’s arm it’s okay,” Chase told her.

“Come on, Brice.” Ali held her hand out to her baby brother and led him to the bed.

“It’s okay, Brice, don’t be afraid,” Sunny told him.

He carefully climbed up on the bed
. Sunny pulled him to her, hugging him tightly. “I’ve missed you so much, my little man. And you too, Princess Ali.”

Chase joined them on the bed
, where the four of them talked and played for a while. Chase read to them and finally he told them it was time for them to think about dinner and baths.

“Mama needs to rest. You can see her tomorrow
when she’s up and around.”

“Goodnight, little ones. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mama,” Ali replied.

“Me too,” Brice said, waving goodbye.

Sunny sank back on the pillow, exhausted from the excitement of the day. A few hours later when Chase came to bed he found her in a deep sleep.

He quietly slipped into bed beside her and kissed her. He turned over and also fell into an exhausted
, but relieved sleep.

***
*

“I’m so tired of lying around. I can’t wait to see Dr. Jessup,” she told him one night at dinner.

“I’m sure you are. But you’re getting your strength back, I’m sure it won’t be long before you’re back to one-hundred percent,” he tried to reassure her, knowing she was about to go stir crazy. He too was ready for the day when she was back to being his normal, fun-loving Sunny.

Finally the day of her appointment with Dr. Jessup arrived. She dressed carefully for the appointment. Her arm was still a little sore but she could use it now. As they were preparing to leave the house, Chase received a call from Detective Carson.

“Okay, I’ll be there.” Chase hung up and looking at her sadly said, “Baby, I’m sorry, but is it okay if George drives you to your appointment?”

“Of course
it is. What’s going on?”

“Carson wants to see me. He says it’s over. I really need to hear what he has to say, so I’ll see him while you see Dr. Jessup
. By the time we’re both finished, hopefully, we can begin our lives again.”

“That sounds like heaven to me. You go ahead. I’ll be fine.” She leaned up to kiss him and went in search of George.

Sunny arrived at Dr. Jessup’s office and instructed George to wait for her. She signed in at the desk and was quickly taken to a room where she was told the doctor would be in shortly. She sat in the examination room waiting nervously for the doctor to come in with her test results, hoping he’d release her from his care. She would be glad to finally put this whole ugly incident behind her.

Dr. Jessup came into the room wearing a friendly smile. “Hello, Sunny. How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling well, thank you. I’ve been walking, eating, resting… “

“Good to hear. I have your test results. Is your husband going to be joining us?”’

“No, he received a call from Detective Carson right before we left the house and had to meet with him, but it’s all right. You can tell me whatever you need to tell me.”

The doctor smiled and said, “Sunny,
I’m pleased to tell you the test results have all come back normal. I believe you can resume a normal routine now. Do you have any questions or concerns?”