My Heart is Yours by Amanda Morey

of the way. I was only
shot in the arm. I was barely even hurt. I should have gotten hurt
worse.” She said quickly.
    “Well, I would never let that happen Sam.” Jason
said so matter-of-factly that it scared Sam.
    “I know that.” She said finally. “Thank you, Jason.”
She peered up at him through her long blonde lashes and snuggled
closer to him.
    “I’ll always protect you.” He tangled his hand in
her hair and softly brushed his lips against hers.
    “I know that too.” She smiled for a fraction of a
second. “I love you, Jason.” She kissed his tan cheek gently.
    “I love you too, Sam.” He pressed his lips to her
forehead and let them linger there. Sam breathed in the scent of
him and they just sat there holding each other.
    ***

 
    F or four weeks now,
Jason had been going to physical therapy three times a week. Sam
was with him at every appointment. Jason was used to taking care of
Sam so having her take care of him took some getting used to.
    Sam was doing better as well. Derek’s death still
affected her, there was no way it wouldn’t, but she felt better.
Especially when she was with Jason; which lately was all the
time.
    Jason had more or less moved in by now. It was
supposed to be temporary, but Sam was hoping they would just make
it permanent; she didn’t want Jason going back to his dad’s.
    “Hey.” Sam said as she plopped down on the couch
next to Jason. She hugged him tight and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’m so happy you’re walking again!” She planted a kiss on his
cheek again and fixed the collar of his jean jacket. He flushed a
light shade of red.
    “I think I may be happier than you are Jason.” She
grinned. Jason could swear that there were diamonds in her
eyes.
    He laughed. “I’m happy, too.” Then he gently placed
a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her right on the lips.
She kissed him back passionately. He put his arms around her waist
and she ran her fingers through his hair.
    John came around the corner. “Hey, older brother
walking in!” he called out as he turned his head. The plate of
chocolate cake he was holding almost tumbled onto the already
stained carpet.
    Sam and Jason pulled away from each other, both of
their faces a bright shade of cherry red. John sat down in their
big old brown recliner chair and started flipping through the
channels.
    “Thanks.” John said. His hair was a shade lighter
than usual; dyed from the summer sun.
    “You’re welcome.” Jason and Sam said in unison. They
laughed. Despite everything they’d been through, they were happy
together.

     
    A fter spending time with
Jason at physical therapy and seeing how the physical therapists
helped people get back to health, Sam decided she wanted to be a
physical therapist. Of course there was a problem with that, they
didn’t have money to send her to school. So Sam got a job at their
local library, planning to save up money to start classes.
    Juliana was back from Princeton for the summer.
Princeton. One of the best schools in the country. Where Juliana
could go and not worry one bit about money. Why was life so damned
unfair?
    “So you go back in a month?” Sam asked as she handed
Juliana a bottle of Coca Cola.
    “Yup. Second year. I can’t believe it.” Juliana
flipped the cap off of the bottle with a popping sound.
    Sam bit the inside of her mouth. Juliana in her
second year and I haven’t even started yet. Who knows when I
will?
    “Yeah, neither can I.” Sam said. “So, how is all
that pre-med stuff going?” She took a seat in the chair across from
Juliana.
    “It’s good. Haven’t really started the medical stuff
yet, but I’m liking it.”
    “Good.” Sam smiled.
    “So how are things going with you and Jason?”
Juliana asked. Sam instantly smiled.
    “It’s going really well. I love him so much.” Sam
said and then blushed a light peach.
    “Yeah, I know. I think I knew before you did.”
Juliana tilted her head to the left. Her dark red hair fell