Joey's POV

I don't know how, but I manage to get to Smith Falls in record time. I came alone, but I had to turn my cell phone on silent because it kept ringing so much. We are all worried. I'm not sure what I will find... what happened to Susanna or anything. But I have to know soon.

I see the family vehicle pull in just as I'm getting ready to turn off. I follow close behind. I feel like I'm watching a movie as they help her out of the car and into the house. My girl. All bandaged up and aching. It doesn't feel real.

I numbly find myself following, helping, but I don't feel like I'm really here. I feel like any minute now I'm going to wake up from this nightmare. Does God have a purpose for this?

Susanna's POV

"Joey ... why would you come after me?" I say trying not to sob. "You shouldn't see me like this!" I wished I could turn over on my side that way he couldn't see my face. My bruised, ugly face. Stupid eye.

"Babe, of course I came." He reached out and stroked my hair and face, with a gentle feather light touch. "Your just as beautiful as always, Sus."

"I wanna cry, but it hurts." I admit in a whisper. "Do... do you wish you had never dated me? I mean you have had to put up with a lot." I dread his answer, but it's better to get it out now.

"Susanna Stephens, what would make you say that." He is on his knees in the floor, so he is face to face with me from where I'm laying on my side on the couch. His eyes are wide and searching. "I think the doctors gave you something that made you delusional. My life only got better when I met you. You make me stronger, follow God more, and just be a better man. Sus, we have had wacky and awesome sauce adventures, and even when things seemed like no way out, everything worked out to the good in the end." He tapped me on the tip of my nose, with a feather light touch again. "Girl, whether you like it or not... I'm not going anywhere."

Joey's Pov

I sat with Susanna until she went to sleep then I slipped out. Her parents where sitting in the living room and I sat with them for a while. There wasn't a whole lot of talking, but what there was was quiet and light. I looked out and noticed the darkening sky. "I better go find a hotel to stay the night in."

"Wait!" Susanna's dad and the faint sound of Susanna's voice echoed one another, even though they were in separate rooms. She had said the two of them did that a lot. And totally unintentionally too.

"Huh?" I blinked.

Her dad disappeared to her room and came back a few minutes later. "We have a little hunting cabin at the end of the property. Stay there." He laid out the invitation, with a smile.

"I couldn't." I started.

"Yes, you can and should." Her mom added.

"You have no choice really." Susanna's dad, covered his mouth but the laugh slipped out.

"What's funny?" I asked confused.

"Car keys?" He asked and I began fishing around for them. I hear laughter from the other room.

"Sus." I'm laughing too. We all are. It feels good, lightens the mood.

"She told me we weren't to let you have them back, unless you agreed to stay." Her parents explained, grinning.

"Fine." I smile and we move my things from the trunk of my car into the little cabin. It's cozy and after I'm settled in, I just lay on the bed and think and pray. This wasn't what I expected when I thought about my future wife. I wouldn't change any of it though.

My phone buzzes, it's Susanna. "Hey, sweet dove. Everything okay? You should be sleeping."

"It hurts. I can't sleep. I wanted to hear your voice." Her voice comes through weakly, but the smile is still in there.

"What do you want to talk about?" I ask.

"Anything." Susanna murmurs, I can tell she's tired, but restless.

"Okay..." A distant memory of my childhood floats back. Man, I hadn't thought of that in ages. "I've got something. Want to hear about the first girl I was going to marry?" An uncertain silence meets my ears. "Not like you think. Don't worry. It was long, long ago."

"Go for it, I guess." Susanna sounds weak, maybe a light mooded story will make her sleepy.

"I was just a little kid, my parents went to a park in Tennessee. It was some family reunion thing, but most of the kids were older than me. Donald and Kenny were being... well Donald and Kenny." I laugh and it's as if I'm there again.

"Well I went to play on this playground set thing. There was a huge slide. Swings. Pretty much everything a kid would want. There was a little girl up on one of the big pieces, looking really alone. I think it's safe to say I had my first crush then and there." I chuckle, picturing the girl again.

The story is practically telling itself and I'm there again.

(Flashback)

"Dumb old brothers." I murmured under my breath. Just cause they were nearly preteens they thought knew it all. Mom sent them to the playground with me, but they ditched me for the boats and canoes with our older cousins. I notice some other kids up ahead and jog forward.

A bunch of boys about my age and a bit older are there and laughing and stuff. My eyes drift up to the top of one of the play sets. A little girl with sad eyes is sitting all alone.

I scramble up the rock wall and get to her. "Hi. Wanna play?"

She looks at me with big curious eyes, "Are you a stranger? I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."

"I'm not a strange person if we become friends," I do a silly grin and win a giggle from her. She's so pretty. Woah! I've never thought that about anyone but Mom.

"That is true. Sure." She grins at me. "You wanna play pirate spies?" She is bouncing up an down on the kid size swinging bridge, waiting.

"I love pirate spies!" I race after. We play for ages.

As we take a seat on a picnic table nearby, she sighs. "I had fun, Matey."

"Me too, Captian." I watch her. "Will you marry me?"

She laughs, tossing her head back. "Not right now. I have school. 'Sides we are just kids."

"Well someday, maybe?" I look at her, but frown as I spot Mom coming this way.

"Maybe, Matey. Maybe." She looks the other direction to some adults. "I gotta go. Bye!" I watch as she runs off, her long ponytail slapping her back, until Mom comes and asks about my adventures. Aww, man. I didn't get her name.

(Flashback done)

"So she was the first girl I wanted to marry." I end the story and await her response. At first I think she's asleep, but then I hear quiet gasps of laughter. "I was a kid, Sus."

"No. No, you don't get it." Her voice sounds stronger now. "Did the little girl have long brown hair, glasses, and blue eyes?"

"Yeah, why?" How'd she know? I didn't tell that part ... wait?

"You were wearing a dinosaur shirt, the little girl was wearing a Pocahontas shirt and 101 Dalmatian style pants. You played till your mom came and then left. You didn't know her name but called her Captian, cause she told you that her older boy cousins never let her be it whenever they would actually take time to play with her." Her voice waivers and she sniffs, "It's me, matey."

I can't find my voice. Finally, I smile and, hear my voice say, "I knew I'd marry you someday, Captain."