Page 25 of Juno

Juno opened her eyes to find Banshee and Saint standing over her bed. Monitors were beeping and tubes were everywhere. She tried to sit up a little bit and cried out in pain. “Just lay back,” Banshee said. “I’ll go fetch the doctor.” Saint thanked her and Juno watched as she left the room.

“How are you feeling?” Saint asked.

“Like I got run over by a truck,” she whispered, her throat feeling dry. “Can I get some water?” Saint handed her a glass of water and told her to sip it. She did as ordered and handed it back to him.

“How long have I been out?” Juno asked.

“Since yesterday,” Saint said. “They got the bullet out and stopped the bleeding, but you lost your spleen.”

“Did I need my spleen?” she asked.

“Apparently not, but you are going to be stuck here for the better part of a week,” Saint said. Juno groaned and he laughed. She never thought that she’d hear his laugh again, and she didn’t plan on ever taking it for granted in the future.

“I love you too,” Juno breathed. Saint looked at her as though she had lost her mind and she remembered that he had said that to her yesterday, as she was falling asleep. “Just before I fell asleep, you told me that you love me. I wanted to say it back, but I didn’t get the chance, so I’m saying it now.”

“Marry me,” he whispered, taking her completely off guard.

“What?” Juno asked. “We haven’t discussed the future,” she reminded, “and now, you’re asking me to marry you?”

“I am,” he said. “Almost losing you made me realize how much I love you. I don’t want to live another day without you being my wife,” he said. “So, when you get out of here, how about if you marry me?”

She didn’t have to think about his proposal. Juno wanted to be his wife more than anything. “I’d marry you right now if we could figure out how to swing it.” When Saint smiled down at her, Juno knew that he was planning something already. “What are you thinking?” Juno hesitantly asked.

“Well, I’m thinking that Savage can legally marry people, and I have a good friend who works down at the courthouse and can get us a marriage certificate and notarize it himself. We can get married right here in this room. Did you really mean it when you said that you’d marry me today, honey?” Saint asked.

“Yep,” Juno said. “I don’t have a dress, and I’m sure that I look a mess, but I’d marry you anyway,” she said.

“You don’t look a mess,” he insisted, “you look beautiful.”

“You have to say that, Saint. I’m about to be your wife and can make your life miserable if not,” she teased.

“Well, I wouldn’t want that.” He kissed her forehead, “You get some sleep, and I’ll get everything together. Does about six tonight work for you?” Saint asked.

“I’ve always wanted an evening wedding,” she joked. “How romantic.”

He chuckled and gently kissed her lips. “You’re going to be a handful, aren’t you?” Saint asked.

“I never claimed that I wouldn’t be,” Juno teased. She watched as Saint left, and she already missed him. Juno couldn’t believe that he was going to be all hers in just a few short hours. Resting wasn’t an option, because she needed to get ready, and she knew just the girls to help her do it.

* * *

Vixen, Phoenix, and Sprit brought everything that she requested and were working on her makeup and hair when a nurse came into the room. “What are you all doing in here?” she asked.

“We’re getting Juno ready to get hitched tonight at six,” Vixen said.

“She can’t get married,” the nurse insisted. “She just had surgery.”

“I’m aware,” Juno said, “but it’s all set up. I’m going to be married right here, in this bed,” she said. She stared at the nurse as if daring her to say that she couldn’t.

“Has this been approved by the head nurse?” she asked.

“Actually, it has been approved by Joan and she’s even coming to the ceremony,” Juno said. “There is always room for one more. Would you like to join us?” The nurse’s sour expression seemed to instantly change as she smiled and nodded.

“I’d love to,” she said. “I just need to get your vitals, and then, I’ll get out of your hair. If you need anything just push the red button to call the nurse’s station.”

“Thank you,” Juno said. “Can I also ask you one more favor?”

“Of course,” the nurse agreed.

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