The Unexpected

Chapter 1

The sound of her shrilling phone woke Amy from her peaceful sleep. Her digital clock showed it was 7 am, Amy stretched, yawned, and jarred her way out of a dead sleep.

"Damn it! Oh when am I gonna learn to shut that thing off at night!", she grumbled as she rolled over in her queen sized bed and fumbled for her cell phone on her nightstand. "Hello, who is it?" she mumbled into the receiver.

"Hi Amy, it's Felicia, your cousin"

"Felicia?! My God it's been what, ten years since I've heard from you? What's happened that you would call me after so many years?"

"Well, there are two reasons actually, the first and most important is that my boxer, Lily, is sick and the veterinarians up here have no idea what is wrong with her and secondly the feud between our families has nothing to do with me or you."

" So you're telling me that you want me to figure out what is wrong with Lily?"

"Yes, I trust you, and you're one of the best Veterinarians."

She was correct about that. I only got my degree four years ago and have already been interviewed by newscasters and have been in a couple magazines about her job. "Where do you live now Felicia?"

Silence on the other end.

"In Maine," Felicia finally mumbled.

"Maine?! Felicia I live in North Carolina! How do you expect me to help Lily?" she cried furiously.

"I am going to pay for your flight ticket and get you up here."

"What are we going to do if it is very serious and I don’t have a place to operate if needed?

"I have already got that planned out. My local veterinarian said he would let you use his vet hospital"

Sighing resignedly Amy complained, "It snows up there in January and what about my job?"

"Please try Amy to get time off to help Lily I...I don’t know what I'd do without her," Felicia said as she started to sob violently.

Amy closed her eyes in shame. She felt heartless for complaining and not agreeing right off to help Lily since it was indeed her job to help save animals and she loved her job very much. "All right I'll talk to my boss, but in the mean time tell me about your life."

"I have my own place and I have been married for five years. I'm also pregnant."

"Congratulations, you and your husband must be very happy."

"What about you Amy, I didn’t read anything about you having a family."

Sadness hit Amy deep in her stomach and heart. It was true she didn't have a husband or children. Frankly she hadn't found anyone worthwhile and she was just too busy and that is exactly what she told her cousin. Sensing that their loving owner needed comfort her two dogs, one young purebred German Shepherd and one German Shepherd/ Greyhound mix rubbed against her legs. Smiling softly she scratched each one. "How are your sisters?"

Amy cruelly laughed. "Nikki never went to college and ran off and married some guy and I haven’t seen her since. Jessica is an elementary school teacher and got pregnant by her ex-boyfriend. Now my parents are just waiting for me to screw up."

"Honestly Amy, I always knew you would be the one to succeed in your dreams and not flounder around."

"Thank you for saying that"

"You deserve it. I have to go but give me a call when you know when you can get the time off."

"Goodbye Felicia, it was wonderful to hear from you and I will get there as soon as possible."

"I know you will, see you soon." Click and dial tone.

Knowing she had things to do she walked into her room and went into the bathroom to shower. Once she was throughly clean she stepped out and wrapped her body into a soft large towel and blow-dried her waist long dark brown hair, leaving it down. She slipped into a tight pair of blue jeans and a tight black shirt. She gave herself a once over in the mirror after she brushed her straight teeth. "I don't see why I don't have a husband", she muttered to herself as she left her house and got into her silver S-10.

Chapter 2

On Tuesday at five am in the morning Amy gave her dogs to her parents to watch and said goodbye before heading to the airport where she boarded a plane to Maine.

Felicia was waiting anxiously for her cousin at the airport knowing only what she looked like because of her photos in the magazines. As soon as Amy stepped into the busy crowded terminal and Felicia spotted her, Felicia gasped in shock at the woman who was her cousin. Her cousin was beautiful, she was at least 5’5” and looked to weigh only 140 lbs at the most but she still had the same large breasts. She also still had the same unique green eyes that had flecks of gold.

“My God you look fantastic!”, Felicia said in awe.

“Thank you, I had to lose some weight because I had constant back aches and headaches.”

“Jeez, that’s not good at all. Lets go get your luggage and proceed to my place where there are less people.”

Once at Felicia’s house Amy met and greeted Felicia’s husband before examining Lily. After many hours of constant examining and tests Amy finally came to a conclusion. Lily had a brain tumor and was bleeding internally.

“Can you fix her?” Felicia asked worriedly after Amy explained what was wrong with Lily.

“Yes I can but it is a very delicate and expensive surgery. There is a high chance that she could die on the table.”

“I don’t care about the cost and I have faith in your abilities.”

It took Amy about eight hours to perform the surgery. Once she had finished she went to her waiting cousin. “I removed the tumor and stopped the bleeding. Lily will wake up after the anesthesia wears off but I am going to watch over her to make sure she is alright and doesn’t have any complications.” After two weeks of carefully monitoring Lily Amy did one final examination to make sure the dog was perfectly fine. It was a Friday when Amy hugged Felicia tightly and fought tears as she said goodbye.

“I’m sorry I cant drive you to the airport,” Felicia said.

“It’s fine. I wanted to make a few stops before I get to the airport, Amy said as she slid into the tiny rental car.

The roads were icy and the sides of the roads were piled with snow. It was two hours to the airport but after one hour it started to snow heavily. Amy unaccustomed to snow found it extremely difficult to drive but refused to miss her flight. It started to snow at an even faster rate and completely blinded by the white glittery snow she slammed right into a snow bank. The impact made her seat belt lock which caused her to get a whiplash. The airbag hit her face and it was the last thing she remembered before the world turned blissfully black.

Chapter 3

Derek was walking in his woods when he saw the car hit the snow bank from far away. He swore colorfully as he ran to the car and looked inside to discover the driver was unconscious. Worried he quickly shoveled the snow away from the drivers door and tried to open the door but found it locked. “Shit!” Irritated he walked to the passenger door and used his elbow to bust the window. He opened the door and leaned in to check her pulse which was steady. Sighing with relief he contemplated his next move. He knew he could not leave her in the car but he also knew it was dangerous to move someone after a serious accident. Knowing he had no choice he carefully picked her up in his strong arms. He grabbed her purse and kicked the door shut before walking slowly in the direction of his house which was two miles away.

By the time he got her inside both of their clothes were soaked and freezing. After he carefully set her down on his couch he went to rummage through his clothes to find something that would be warm enough for them both. After putting on his he started to slowly and carefully took her clothes off. Derek inhaled sharply when he glanced down at her nude body. With as much detachment as he could he dried her off gently before putting a pair of boxers, long black cotton pants, and a long sleeved red cotton shirt that was extremely soft and thick. He then started a huge fire in the fireplace to keep them warm. Derek being curious about who this beautiful stranger was, opened her purse and pulled out her drivers license. As he read her name his tan face turned deathly pale and he flicked his eyes to her unconscious form on his couch then back to the ID. “It is impossible,” he whispered for surely the gods could not be that cruel to him.

When Amy regained consciousness she tried to sit up as severe pain seared through her head and body. She laid back onto her back and groaned. She opened her eyes quickly and jerked upright ignoring the intense pain as she realized she was in an unfamiliar house. She tried to stand but she swayed precariously almost falling over before someone’s strong hands steadied her. The person gently sat her down again. Amy looked at the person her eyes locking onto his face. Startled she took in his strong jaw, full soft looking lips, and entrancing blue-green eyes. A distant fleeting thought flitted in her mind but she was too startled to pay attention. “Who are you ?”, she demanded.

He flashed her a smile and said in a smooth silky voice “I’m Derek Michael.”

She paled as she narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

Sighing and wordlessly handed her a picture. Amy gasped as paled even more. The picture had been taken twelve years ago and she, her sisters, Cody, and the Derek she knew was in it. Derek’s mother had taken the picture. Amy looked fully at the present Derek taking in his very tall, lean form. She started laughing rudely and shook her head. “I don’t believe it. Of all the people to rescue me it just had to be you. The fates must really love to play jokes on me to make me cross paths with you after eleven years”. He gave her a glare that could have melted the glaciers in Antarctica. “Oh don’t you dare glare at me, she growled, I am the one who has every right to be upset since eleven years ago you decided to stop talking to me for no reason at all.” He winced and glanced away quickly. “I thought so,” she muttered.

Suddenly she noticed that she was not wearing her clothes. “You undressed me?”

“Well yeah I had to since you were soaked by the time I got you inside my house.”

Quickly changing the subject she asked, “Why don’t you have any lights on?”

“The blizzard knocked the power out,” he said tersely.

“Blizzard?! Great! Now I missed my flight and I am stuck with you!”

“It could be worse, I could have let you die out in that blizzard,” he snapped. After many long tense silent minutes he asked softly, “Are you alright?”

Chapter 4

“Yes I am fine. Nothing feels broken, I just feel very sore.”

“Are you hungry or thirsty?”

“Yes both.”

“I’ll find you something to eat. What do you want?”

Standing slowly, she said, “Anything.”

He left the room and she slowly followed him to a kitchen larger than hers. “Wow this is really nice.”

“Thank you”, he said as he opened a door that revealed a pantry stocked full of food lighted by a flashlight as she noticed Oreos and peanut butter as she quickly grabbed them both. He then opened the fridge and she saw the milk and took that as well. Finding it very cold without the fire she scrambled back to the living room grabbing a cup as she went. She all but dove under the blanket he gave her.

“Comfort food”, she said when she saw his stunned reaction.

“I am surprised to see you still eat peanut butter like I do,” he commented.

“One of the things we have in common,” she said with a smile.

He grinned at her before saying, “We probably have more in common than we think.”

She looked down at his hands and laughed while saying, “We’re both not married.”

He looked sharply at her. “Why aren’t you?”

“I could ask you the same.”

“I am not married because all my former girlfriends were after my money.”

Quizzically she looked at him. “Why, what do you do for a living?”

He smiled faintly before saying, “I design clothes. That shirt you are wearing is my design.”

She looked at the shirt and ran a hand down it feeling how incredibly soft it was. Looking at him she said “I love this shirt. I wondered who made it.”

“Well now you know.”

“I’m sorry your ex-girlfriends were like that. I am not married yet because my former boyfriends didn’t meet my criteria,” she said only telling half the truth.

“Wow you must be looking for prince charming.”

She shrugged and changed the subject swiftly, “Why did you leave North Carolina?”

“I got sick of all the crowded cities and retired people.”

“So you live here all by yourself?”

He smiled and said, “What makes you think that?”

Taken off guard she stuttered, “Oh…I…uh…assumed.”

“Come with me and see,” he said standing.

Chapter 5

He led her down a long hallway and opened a door only to be greeted by barks. Relieved Amy walked in to be pounced on by three big dogs. One was a Doberman, a Great Dane, and a German Shepherd. Carefully she let them smell her hands then petted them when they didn’t try to bite her. Turning her head she smiled at Derek and said, “They are beautiful. What are their names?”

Derek was glad that his dogs liked her and that she liked them. His former girlfriends had hated and feared them so the dogs in turn didn’t like them. “The Doberman’s name is Talon. The Great Dane’s name is Zarek. The German Shepherd’s name is Wulf.”

Amy then gave each one a full examination.

Derek watched her with an eyebrow raised. “What are you doing?”

“I am merely making sure that they are in good health, which they are.”

Stunned to his core he said, “You’re a Veterinarian?”

“Yes I am. A very good one at that.”

Derek smiled and said, “I remember you said you wanted to be one thirteen years ago.”

Amy got a far away look in her eyes as she said “I remember you said you wanted to be a clothes designer back then. We were sitting in my living room playing monopoly and you were whooping my ass at it too.”

Derek chuckled. “Yeah and you said that you wanted to live on a farm and I told you that Cody wouldn’t like that lifestyle.”

“That’s right! God how different life was back then. Sometimes I think of them old times when we use to hang out everyday rain or shine, Amy said as raw pain flickered in her eyes for a quick second. Had Derek not been looking at her he would have missed it.

“Amy I think we should go back to the living room where it is warm,” Derek said watching his dogs lick her face.

“Can they come with us?”

“Yes they can come with us now that I know that they will not harm you.” He walked over to her and wrapped his hand around her arm and helped her up.

Surprisingly his dogs walked around her like guards leaving him no choice but to walk in front.

Chapter 6

Three hours later Derek said, “I am starved but I have no way of making anything good to eat.”

“Well if you could eat anything right now regardless if it could be made or not what would it be?”

“Spaghetti sounds really good right now.”

Jumping up suddenly Amy marched into his kitchen and dragged everything she would need to make spaghetti into the living room next to the fireplace. She then propped his safety gate up inside the fireplace to be used as a makeshift stovetop to hold the pans.

“What are you doing?!” He cried mortified.

“Hush.” She said as she then placed the pans on top of the gate. One had sauce and the other was half-filled with water to be boiled before placing the spaghetti in to be cooked. After she was done she leaned back and viewed her creation. Turning she flashed him a brilliant smile.

Shocked he said, “How did you learn to do that?”

She smiled as she said, “When I moved thirteen years ago, my dad use to cook barbecue on an open fire with a grate.

He chuckled and said, “I would have never thought to do that.”

“Then it’s a good thing that you found me or otherwise you would starve to death. Oh and I will pay for a new grate if you want.”

“I don’t care as long as I get to eat a warm meal.”

After they had both eaten until their belly’s were so full that they felt like they were gonna pop Derek said, “Your cooking is still delicious. Thank you for the excellent meal.”

“Thank you and you’re welcome,” she said as she cuddled underneath a blanket.

Derek looked at her and smiled. “You uh have a little bit of spaghetti sauce in the corner of your mouth.”

“Oh.” Using her tongue she tried to clean it off but was unsuccessful.

“Here let me,” Derek said while leaning closer to her and used his thumb to rub it off while staring into her gorgeous green eyes. Unable to stop himself he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her softly while watching the surprise flare into her eyes. Suddenly memories he would rather forget surged in his brain and he pulled away not looking at her. She stared at him in confusion. "It has been a long day for both of us. We should get some sleep."

"Okay. I'll sleep on the couch."

No you wont. I refuse to let you sleep uncomfortably", he snarled as his eyes turned stormy blue-green.

Too stunned to move Amy just sat there. He walked back into the room carrying a full sized bed and set it down close enough to the fire so she could feel it but far enough away so she wouldnt get burned. He then walked out only to return two minutes later with bedding. Amy got up and tried to take it from him but he ignored her completely and made the bed himself.

"Goodnight", he said gruffly before turning to walk into his room.

"Derek wait", Amy said as she placed a hand on his arm to stop him.

"What", He asked still not looking at her.

Please just look at me so I know you're not angry at me."

He yanked his arm out of her grasp and slammed his door behind him.

Shocked and upset Amy crawled into the bed and laid down. His dogs sensing her emotions came and laid on the bed with her as her crystalline tears fell from her eyes. That night she cried herself to sleep.

Chapter 7

Upon waking Amy sensed someone watching her. She sat up and faced him staring directly in his eyes.

“Good morning,” she mumbled in her husky morning voice.

No answer.

Growing angry she snapped, “What the hell is your problem Derek?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why the fuck are you ignoring me and not talking? Hell you wont even look at me.”

“It’s none of your business,” he grumbled shortly.

“Was it none of my business last night too? What the hell was all that about?” , she demanded.

“Yes and never mind.”

“Never mind?! How the fuck can I do that when it came out of nowhere?!”, Amy shrieked at him.

“Can’t you just forget it happened?”

“Not likely to happen. That would be like asking me to forget what you did to me so many years ago. Impossible to do,” she snarled her eyes blazing emerald fire.

He looked at her wearily. Her unpredictable temper still terrified him after so many years. She was the only female that had the ability to intimidate him.

She vaulted to her feet and stalked into the kitchen to snatch the instant coffee, sugar, creamer, a pan, a coffee mug, and a jug of water before walking briskly to the fire and pouring water into the pan to let it boil. She sat and watched the fire as the logs snapped and crackled while waiting for her water to boil. Once it was done boiling she made her coffee and let it cool. When it was cool enough she sipped it carefully and sighed her pleasure. Gods how she loved coffee. She had to have it twice a day. Especially in the morning because she was not a morning person and she couldn’t function without a cup of coffee.

“Is there enough hot water for me to have a coffee?” Derek asked, startling Amy out of her thoughts.

“Yes, there is plenty,” Amy admitted.

Derek went into his kitchen to get a coffee cup before kneeling down to make a coffee. “You can sit closer to the fire so you wont be cold,” Amy invited.

Derek sat next to her and sipped his coffee. Suddenly Amy hesitantly asked, “Do you have any lined paper and a pen?”

Derek raised his eyebrow and looked at her. “Yes…why do you want it?”

Amy turned a soft shade of pink. “I’m in the mood to write and there isn’t anything else to do.”

Derek’s eyebrows rose impossibly higher. “You write? What do you write about?”

Amy shrugged. “Anything that I feel or think of at the time. Normally poems and romance stories”

Derek got up and retrieved what she asked for. When she reached for it he flicked it out of her reach. “If I give you this then I get to read what you write.”

She sighed and muttered, “fine.”


Chapter 8

Derek took the stack of papers she held out. He read the first few pages and became enthralled. He didn't move at all until her completely finished the whole thing. Upon finishing he slowly put down the papers and in a blur of motion leapt to his feet and fled the house his face haunted...the story had been about her life and the impact of his actions had done to her.

Amy blinked, too stunned to react. She hurriedly put her boots on and ran through the heavy white snow, following his tracks. The snow was still falling in sheets and she could hardly see let alone run. Like a bad horror film she saw him disappear. She heard someone scream but didn't realize it had been her...Derek had fallen through a patch of ice.

Amy stumbled to the area he fell through as her breathing hitched in her throat along with her wildly beating heart. He didn't surface. Without another thought she yanked off her boots and dove into the icy cold water. She swam to the bottom and found his unmoving body. Amy wrapped her arms around him and swam to the surface. It felt like forever before she reached it. She struggled to lift his heavy body onto the ground. She quickly scrambled out after he was on the ground. Amy started to perform CPR on him. "Breathe damn it!" After several heart rendering seconds he choked up water.

She hurriedly wrapped her arm around his waist and helped him inside in front of the blazing fire. She quickly rid him of his soaking ice cold clothes off before doing the same to herself. When they were both naked she gently helped him lay down in front of the fire and covered his blue-tinged body with her own, giving him her body heat. He breathed against her neck as he trembled. She rubbed her hands up and down his cold wet sides. She continued until he stopped trembling and started to regain body heat. She glanced up and stared into his gorgeous blue-green eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"Mmm...fine." he murmured as he nuzzled her neck. She flinched at the unexpected contact and as she also felt the extreme pain of him clutching her back in a death grip. His body reacted to the feel of her soft warm naked flesh against his. She gasped as her eyes widened at the feel of his hard arousal. He smirked and growled "This is what you've always been capable of doing to me and I resent you for it. I don't want you!" With that said he gripped her hips and plunged into her. She gripped his shoulders and cried out as extreme pain engulfed her. "Oh fuck!" Derek cursed at himself...Amy had been a virgin.

After he orgasmed inside her, she quietly crawled off him and hid in her bed pulling the covers over her head. She flinched when he touched her covered side gently. "Did I hurt you?" She shook her head in denial, grateful that the blankets hid her ravaged tear stricken face.

"I'm so sorry Amy...I didn't know. I would have never done that had I known." He quietly walked into his room and closed the door. He laid in his bed and tried to close his eyes but every time he tried he saw her shocked face when he entered her. He felt like a complete asshole that he had used her and gave her no pleasure in return after she had just saved his life. His face turned deathly pale when he remembered neither of them had used protection and he highly doubted she was on birth control.

*CAST*
Amy: Myself
Felicia: Cousin
Nikki & Jessica: My sisters
Derek: Ex-best friend
Animals in story don't have any particular cast.