Allie's Phone

Dean was rubbing Allie's belly and softly singing.

'I knew I loved you before I met you.

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you.

I have been waiting all my life.'

He needed some clean clothes and wanted Allie's phone to see if there were any calls he might have to return.

He called Natalie. "Hey Bug."

"Hi. What's wrong? Did something happen?" she asked, concerned.

"No, she's still out. I need you to do me a favor."

"Oh, course, what?"

"Go to Allie's apartment and get me her phone," he said.

"Her phone?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I will be there as soon as possible."

"Oh, and can you please go to the house and bring me some clothes, toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, and all that stuff? I want to be able to take a shower. I smell like sweat and coffee. I've drank so much coffee that I think that's what I am sweating coffee ut of my pores.," he said.

He put his head down like he was about to prepare for an emergency landing. His phone went off. It was Natalie. She was there with the clothes. He told Jenny that he was going to go downstairs to get his things from his sister so he could clean up.

"Sure. Remember, push the silver button to come back in," she said.

He took it to the first floor, where the main lobby was. He got off the elevator and turned the corner. Natalie saw him right away.

"Bean!" she screamed.

She dropped the bag and charged him. She jumped and hugged him around the neck.

"Oh, good God," he said. Catching her full weight.

She almost dragged him down to the ground. He wasn't expecting it. He should have known better. There was no way she was going to drop and go. By now, everyone in the lobby had turned to see the commotion.

"I couldn't just drop off your stuff and go. I'm sure that doesn't surprise you," she said.

He bent down, put her feet on the floor, and released her grasp from his neck. She then hugged him around the waist.

"Natalie. Natalie, release your brother, please."

"Sorry. I knew you needed a Natty Bug hug. I could feel it in the air," she said. How is Ally? Is there any change?"

"Unfortunately, no. She is still in a medically induced coma. She is still intubated. Natalie, you would not believe how she looks. I wouldn't have known it was her if I didn't know it was her."

He was starting to well up with tears again.

"Let's go sit down," she said.

He went and picked his bag up off the floor. She joined him at the row of benches against the wall.

"You know, you really shouldn't be going through this alone. You might be physically strong, but emotionally, you are a cupcake. It's very sweet but can fall apart easily."

"I know. It's just I feel guilty that I couldn't protect her."

"Do you know what she did to that guy?" she asked. "I think she did an excellent job all by herself. She literally ripped the man's arm off."

"Yeah, but at what cost?"

A tear ran down his cheek. He wiped it away with his sleeve. He sat back up against the wall and let out an exasperated sigh.

"She will get through this. She is too stubborn to die. We both know that."

"She is a badass," he said and smiled.

"Fuck yes, she is badass. Who can kick ass. And death can kiss her ass," she said.

"You always know just the right things to say."

"I know I should write for fucking Hallmark. Cards by Natalie. I would make a fortune."

"Why don't I walk you out," he said, standing up.

"Wow, here's your hat, what's your hurry."

They walked outside. There was a light breeze. The sun was warm on his face. He wished he could take a walk with Allie. They could be talking about their daughter. He needed to set things straight. Why didn't she speak with him or even confront him? He couldn't imagine who would do something so evil.

"Alright, Bean. I will text you later to see what's going on. Please don't turn your phone off. Makayla and I were scared to death," she said.

"How are you and Maykala?"

"We're good. Really good. I'm thankful I moved out here to take the job."

"I'm happy that you are happy. Makayla is a good girl. And I am a little tiny bit happy you moved here too." he said.

"Bruh, she's like one year younger than you. And I knew you loved having me here!"

"Okay, she's a good woman."

"Yeah, that sounds weird, too," she said. "I'll talk to you later. I love you."

She squeezed him in a hug as hard as she could.

"What am I, a tube of toothpaste? Easy."

She went to walk away.

"HEY BUG!" He called after her. "Do you want to see her?"

"I do. Should I?" she asked.

"Yeah, come on. I need to warn you it's a bit jarring."

"Okay."

"She's intubated, has three I.V.s, and is on a monitor for her heartbeat, her oxygen levels, and her blood pressure. Oh, and they shave some of her hair, which is matted with blood."

Natalie followed him into the room. She saw Allie and gasped. Her hand came up over her mouth, and her eyes got wide.

"Oh, Allie!" Her voice was trembling. "Look what he did to you. How have you been just sitting in here all alone? This is a lot to take in."

"I'm not alone. Want to see something beautiful?"

He went over to Allie and exposed the little lump in her belly. Natalie's eyes got dewy. She put her hand out.

"Can I?"

"I don't think she would mind."

Natalie put her hand on Allie's belly. "Hey there, little one. I am your crazy Auntie Bug." Natalie felt a little bump against her hand. "Oh my God! She kicked! I felt her kick. Oh, this is amazing," she said. "How are you keeping Mom and Dad away from this? Mom must be chomping at the bit."

"I know. I was going to tell them to come up. They haven't seen the house yet, and I could really use my mom," he said.

"Well, what's stopping you from having them come?"

"I don't know. Where will they sleep on an air mattress on my floor?"

"Give me your credit card. I'll go get some furniture and stuff. Call them soon, Bean. For your mental well-being... and mom's."

He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He handed her his Mastercard Black. She went to grab it, and he pulled it back.

"Try to keep it under control. Maybe don't go overboard."

"Like you can't afford it."

She snatched the card out from between his fingers.

"So can you. You did live with me rent-free. Perhaps you would like to buy it."

"No. No, I would not like to."

She hugged him. She was so small, and he was so large that when they hugged, he entombed her.

"I'm thankful for you, Natalie." He started to tear up. "How am I supposed to keep my faith? I look at her, and I keep thinking, why? Why her?"

"It's going to be okay. Just believe. She can feel your positive energy," she said.

Natalie left the room. Dean took her phone and turned it on, pin-protected. He thought about what it could possibly be. He tried her birthday, then her brother's birthday, and her badge number when she started. He had one more try until he was locked out. He sat down and stared at the phone.

"Allie, I need your password. What is your password?"

He looked at her. He picked up her hand and kissed it.

You have such beautiful hands. All it's missing is Gram's ring, he thought.

Then, another number came to his mind. He entered the date when she said yes to being his wife. The phone opened. He gave a small smile.

"I knew you still loved me, Buttercup."