....by Leslie
Chapter 5-"Rediscovery"
The sun began to set over the trees which faced the back of the Cory estate.Cameron and Amanda were there, on that one chair, for what seemed like forever.Amanda felt the scruff of his face on her cheek and laughed because it tickled her.Cameron could feel her soft skin under his fingers as he slowly stroked her face, then her neck.He gently took her chin in his hand and kissed her eyelids, her nose, her cheek and then her mouth with a tenderness she never knew before.
Amanda sat back suddenly and shivered.
"Amanda, what's wrong? Did I do something?"Cameron asked her.
"No.no..you didn't.I just felt this chill all of a sudden.Like something bad was going to happen."
"Princess,nothing is going to happen to you.I can promise you that.You are the most important person in my life.You always have been. I am going to prove that to you-if you let me."
"Cameron, I know you care about me. I care about you too. But let's not go too fast this time. Too much has happened between us now. Let's make everything work out for us this time, ok?"
"Sure thing"..He kisses the palms of her hand, then the tops;"anything for you Amanda."
"Then I think it's time for us to go to bed..I mean sleep now.We've both got a busy day ahead tomorrow.You have another therapy session with Dr.McDonald,and I have an early meeting at Cory Publishing with David."
Cameron's hair on the back of his neck stood on edge. Meeting with David?Something was not right with him.He wouldn't let anyone spoil what he and Amanda had now-ANYONE!
"Amanda,What is with David? He's hanging on you every chance he gets.And I don't like the way he looks at you. What's his story?"
"Cameron, are you jealous? You have no reason to worry about me."
"I know that. It's David I don't trust.I will not let another Scott Guthrie come between us for a minute!"
"I get the picture. I'll be careful. Trust me?"
"With my life Amanda.You know that."
"Alright then. Let's get some rest. I'll see you in the morning. Then tomorrow night I have a surprise for you."
"You do? What is it?"
"You have to wait until tomorrow.Be patient."
Cameron grabbed her quickly before she could get away. They stood in the hallway between their rooms. He gave her a hug and whispered in her ear."You better keep that door of yours locked. You never know what might come creeping in your room at night!"
Both of them grinned at what Cameron said. They walked into their rooms and closed the door. Remembering what he had told her, Amanda left her door unlocked!
The next morning, Amanda awoke to the sweet sound of birds chirping outside her window. She never liked getting up early before..before yesterday. Today,she didn't care what time it was. She quickly got dressed and went to knock on Cameron's door. Surprising her, he answered.
"Hey there…You're a cute chick. You available today?"
"Not right now. Meeting,remember? But later tonight…"
"Yes??"
"Cory is having a 50's costume party and mom wants us to go. You willing?"
"What do I have to wear?"Cameron cringed. Amanda knew that look. He didn't like dressing up.
"Just clothes from the 50's…. T-shirt, jeans, leather jackets.you know-the basics!"
"What about you?"
"You'll just have to be surprised about that. What do you think?"Amanda asked.
"Sounds like fun…"Cameron mumbled. He'd rather be somewhere alone with her, but this was a start Amanda wanted….
"Then", as she kissed him quick,"I'll see you later on tonight. After your therapy session, and my meeting. Let's say 7pm?"
"Later alligator!"
"Now you've got it. It's 7 then."Amanda left and Cameron went downstairs for breakfast and then his therapy session.
Cameron walked into the exercise room,wiping the syrup from the pancakes on a napkin.There,in the middle of the room, were Dr.McDonald and Rachel.
"Good morning, Cameron.Sleep well?"
"Like a baby,Mrs. Hutchins."
"Well then I'll leave you in Dr. McDonald's capable hands. She's been someone we all trust here. Don't give her any trouble."
"You got it."
"And Cameron? Take care of that daughter of mine. She's very precious to me.I don't like it when someone messes with one of my own."
"Mrs. Hutchins, there is no need to worry. Amanda and I are taking this slowly. She is too important to me.I will not let things come between us again."
"That's all I needed to hear.I'll leave you with the doctor."
Cameron and Dr.McDonald worked his leg for two hours. It felt stronger today, and he was happy about that. Exercise after exercise made him believe that it was getting better. Before she left, Dr.McDonald reminded Cameron to come in for the x-ray later, which would tell the extent of any damage and if surgery was needed.
Cameron walked the doctor to the door, said good-bye and went upstairs to rest. He wanted 7pm to come fast, and if resting would do that, he was all for it.
Cameron thought 7pm would never come. About 6:00,he jumped in the shower and let the hot water cover every square inch of his body. He got out, wrapped a blue towel around his waist, went in to fix his hair, and finish getting ready. Once he was done, he thought he lookedgood.But he could not wait to see Amanda.
He walked over to her door and knocked. When she opened it, he just stood there with a grin from ear to ear as he looked her over. If there was ever a picture of a dream walking, Amanda was it. She had her hair pulled back into a ponytail with a pastel blue ribbon that matched the color of her sweater. Her poodle skirt was a slightly darker blue but it complimented her eyes. This, on top of her saddle shoes and bobby socks made the outfit complete and made Amanda look like someone who just stepped out from one of his fantasies.
"Cat got your tongue,Sinclair?"
"Amanda..You look…. You're gorgeous."
Cameron, in his white T-shirt, tight jeans and leather jacket looked equally handsome too."You're not too bad yourself, sir. Are you ready to go?"
"Amanda, I've been ready for this for a lifetime."
Amanda had a 57 Chevy polished and washed and ready for their evening out. Cameron couldn't believe his luck. Here he was driving a totally cool car and with the most beautiful woman in the world. This evening he would make sure Amanda knew she was his-now and forever.
Once they got to the party, of course, Amanda wanted to dance. Cameron always told her he had two left feet, but tonight-he couldn't deny her this.He took her in his arms and twisted the night away to tunes from Chubby Checker and Frankie Avalon.When the slow songs came on, Cameron made sure he held Amanda close to his heart.He brushed his lips against her cheek, and down her neck.She in turn, did the same to him.Then they knew it was getting time to leave..
Cameron drove the Chevy slowly back to the Cory's.He and Amanda huddled close to each other and stayed in the car for hours, talking about everything and yet,nothing in particular. He had never felt this comfortable with a woman like he did with Amanda-from the time they met.
"Cameron, I think it's time for me to go in. After all, it is 5 minutes away from my curfew."
"What? All this costume and 50's stuff was fine before..But now? I want to stay here with you until the sun comes up…."
"I know. Me too. But you know how I want to take things with us. I don't want to mess things up this time.You are too important to me for that.Ok? You're not mad or anything,are you?"
"Nothing that a long, cold shower won't cure!"
"Then walk me back to my room and I'll thank you properly for the wonderful evening I had."
They held hands while they walked up the stairs,pausing only at Alli's door to make sure she was asleep. Stopping at Amanda's door, he took her face in his hands and kissed her once.
"Only one?"
"You'll have to wait until tomorrow for the rest of them.Remember, keep that door of yours locked."
"It was open all night last night. You knew that!"
"So I did!"
Both Cameron and Amanda walked into their rooms, closed the doors and thanked God for their perfect night. It was then that Cameron noticed the red light on his answering machine. The message sounded ominous. It was Dr.McDonald.
"Mr.Sinclair? Please call me first thing in the morning.The x-rays picked up a shadow on your knee. Let's check that out as soon as possible."
Cameron sat back, not knowing what to think. His evening with Amanda had been perfect. Now this.Not now….NOT NOW!!
Chapter 6-"Together"
Cameron had a hard time sleeping that night. All he could think about…all that was on his mind was the evening he had with Amanda…and the phone call from the doctor. How could things be going so perfectly, and then the next moment-your life can change? Nothing could happen now-he thought-not when he was so close to having everything he wanted and needed in this world be his again? He paced back and forth for what seemed the entire night. He stopped on occasion to glance up at the stars, and closed his eyes to picture Amanda's face…..when she smiled..when her lip curled up because she knew he was up to something…. and how her face glowed when he asked her to marry him. It was very early the next morning when Cameron left his room, went down the hall to Amanda's, and pushed the door open ever so slightly. He knew she'd leave it open for him. In spite of everything that happened, he knew Amanda sometimes better than she knew herself. She was sleeping.He didn't want to disturb her so he tiptoed over to her bed,and gently stroked the side of her face with his hand. She was beautiful even now, Cameron thought. He turned around to leave and felt her fingers tightened on his wrist. "And where do you think you're going?" "I'm sorry Amanda.I didn't mean to wake you." "Cameron,you look beat.Haven't you slept at all?" "Not much,no.I have a lot on my mind. But I don't want to disturb you. You know, you're beautiful when you sleep, Princess." He tried again to leave but Amanda managed to stop him. She led him back to her bed and they both sat down. "Cameron, don't you understand by now you can tell me anything? Haven't we been through enough? Don't you believe it when I tell you.." Cameron put his finger up to Amanda's lips to tell her to stop talking if only for a moment. He leaned over and brushed his lips across her cheek and then back to her lips, where he kissed her slowly, gently, lovingly. And not once, but twice. "What's wrong Cameron? Please tell me. You're worrying me." Cameron took a deep breath. "There was a message waiting for me when we got back yesterday. It was the doctor. Remember the x-ray I had on my knee? Well, she said they may have found something.She wants me to come back today for more tests.." Amanda let out this gasp and started to cry. "No..NO..It can't be!There isn't anything wrong with you.The doctors made a mistake. They had to!!" "Amanda don't worry about me..I'll be….."Amanda cuts him off this time. "Listen to me Cameron Sinclair.You are fine. You have to be…..I love you..do you hear that?I love you.In spite of everything, maybe even because of everything,I love you more today than I did when we first met. Anything you have to face..anything that comes up, we will face together..You hear me..we will face it TOGETHER!!" "Amanda?" "Yes?" "Have I told you today how lucky I am that you're in my life?" "As a matter of fact--no--not today!" "Well, consider yourself told then."….He grabbed onto Amanda and hugged her tightly, never wanting to let her go again.He never would,he told himself. She was everything to him….EVERYTHING!! Cameron and Amanda drove to the doctor's office. He had his hand on her knee and kept it there the whole time, almost afraid to take it away for fear of losing her. She put her hand on top of his, trying to reassure him everything would be all right. They got to the doctor's office and the nurse showed them into an examining room. Cameron couldn't stop pacing, no matter what Amanda said. Dr.McDonald came in,shook Amanda and Cameron's hands and sat down. "Mr.Sinclair,I had you come in this morning because a shadow showed up on your x-ray." She puts the x-ray film on the machine and turns it on."See that? We need to find out what it is.That's why I called you in here today. Miss Cory, it's always nice to see you again." "You too, doctor. Can you tell me..is this a common thing with knee injuries? I mean, having a second x-ray taken?" "Very common, Miss Cory.Sometimes the x-rays show up torn ligaments, a separation of the sac from the knee cap. This is being done as preventative medicine. Rest assured, we are taking good care of Mr.Sinclair." "I know that. He's in good hands, I'm sure."Amanda said. She looks over to Cameron and smiles, taking his hand in hers. "Well, then..Let's go get another set of x-rays ,Mr.Sinclair, and see what they tell us.Miss Cory,we'll be right back.Feel free to wait." "Ok doctor. I'll be right here when you get back Cameron.Oh, and. Cameron? He turns around and looks at her while she mouths,"I love you." He takes her hand, kisses it and leaves with the doctor. Amanda waits but is not patient. She tries to read magazines but cannot keep her mind on anything. No matter what she tried to do to occupy her mind, it keeps coming back to Cameron…when they first met on the hill…when she tried to seduce him…. when Scott kidnapped her and Cameron and Gary came to rescue her……his proposal….it all came flooding back. The door swung open and there stood Cameron with a big smile on his face. "Ok Princess.Let's go." "Well, what did the x-rays show?" "The doctor won't know until later this afternoon.You hungry? I'm starving.Can this hungry man take you to breakfast,or would it be brunch?" "That would be brunch.And you, hungry man, can take me anywhere!" "I just might take you up on that later. Right now,I need food." Cameron drove Amanda to a place close by. They had a nice, relaxing breakfast.Then he and Amanda took a walk to the park and stopped on hill-their hill. They just sat there for a long time,not needing to say anything.They both knew what was in their hearts and minds. "Cameron……what if the doctor says you need surgery or something.….I worry about you!" "Princess, I'll be fine as long as I know you'll be there when I wake up. All I've ever needed is you,you know that." "And you have me.You know that too." "Yes I do. But I don't deserve you,after all I've put you through." "Cameron, that's enough of that. We make each other happy. That much I know. And you make me the happiest I've ever been…and the angriest too…you are the most stubborn man I've ever known. And the most gentle. You love me like I am the only person in the world, and I will not give up on that..or on you." "Amanda?" "Yes?" "Have I ever told you you talk too much?" Cameron and Amanda make their way back to the doctor's office. Dr. McDonald is on the phone so they are told to wait. After a few minutes, they are shown into her office,and Dr.McDonald comes in rather quickly. She doesn't look too upset,Amanda thinks. "Mr,Sinclair.It's exactly what I thought.You have a severely torn ligament that will need to be repaired through arthroscopic surgery.We'll scheduled it for Monday if possible." Cameron and Amanda left the doctor's office and drove back to the Cory's.Neither of them said a word to each other. Both were worried but didn't want to upset the other. When they arrived at the Cory's, he got out of the car, opened the door for Amanda, took her hand,and walked slowly to the door.They walked into the house and up the stairs,still silent. Cameron stopped Amanda at her door.He grabbed her hand even tighter, looking into her eyes. "Amanda,…if..something happens to me…I want you to know…" Amanda stops him."Nothing is going to happen to you Sinclair.We've made it this far and I'm not going to let you get away again.You mean everything to me.Have a little faith is us,in me." "I do Amanda.It's just that.." "Cameron?" "Yes?" "Did I ever tell you you talk too much?" She takes her finger and runs it along the back of his neck, tickling him. She lifts her face to his and gives him a kiss to let him know that they will be all right. That he will be all right. Monday morning comes quickly, and Cameron is at the hospital by 6:00am.Amanda is right by his side, until they are ready to take him from his room to the operating room. She takes a hold of his hand, leans down and whispers in his ear."You come back to me Cameron.I have a lot of surprises for you at home when you do." By this time, the anesthetic had taken effect and Cameron had a wide grin on his face. When Amanda asked Dr McDonald why he'd be doing that, she said often patients think of something pleasant when they first go under and that image remains on their mind the entire time. Amanda looks at Cameron again, gets that same smile and thinks…."Key West!" The operation begins and everything is going well. Dr McDonald is repairing the tear when Dr Donovan, her assisting physician, notices a drop in blood pressure. "It's low.It's much too low!" Then both doctors turn, as if in slow motion.and look at the heat monitor…….it stopped!