"What about you? Where are you going to be?" she asks, glaring over at me.
"I have to go do some movie promotion interviews in L.A, and then I'm taking time off so I can come home, too. We have a home in Nevada. I know it's not home to you yet, but I'm going to let you decorate to your heart’s content.” I smile reassuringly at her before kissing her forehead. "We're going to have top of the line security around at all times. I don't want to risk Alexia coming back around to finish what she started."
"What about Krista? When she wakes up and is healing, where is she going to be? I need to be there for my best friend...it's the least I could do after getting her involved in this and getting Luke killed! I couldn't be there for him...but I can for her.”
She starts crying again before I can even say anything and tell her just how wrong that statement is, that none of this is her fault. Mrs. Parker and I both move at the same time to try and comfort her, but she holds her hands up to stop us.
"Please...I just...I need to be alone right now, ok?"
"Katelyn, I don't think it's best for you to be alone when you’re feeling like this. You need to get it all out,” Stella says, and starts fidgeting with Katy's hair.
Katy just covers her face to block out the world and continues crying. Mrs. Parker looks about to break herself and leaves the room, so I take the time we have alone to climb into the bed with her and hold her against my chest.
"This wasn't your fault, do you hear me? You didn't kill him; you didn't put your best friend in a coma and almost kill yourself. That's all on Alexia, do you hear me?" I tilt her head up towards me and wipe her tears away. "You are so strong Katy, but you can't put the problems of the world on your shoulders. You have to step back and let the other people of the world take over sometimes."
Chapter 18
Over the next week we develop a routine. When Katy wakes up in the morning, her physical therapist comes in and does some little exercises with her that help her muscles remember how to move. There are a lot of times it causes her pain, and I usually want it all to stop right then and there. It took a few times of getting kicked out of the room before I learned to just step back and let them do what's best for her, even if it does hurt.
Now she can at least sit up for an extended period of time, and she's not as tired all the time. She has regained enough energy to barter with me, wanting me to take her outside for some fresh air.
"Please, Liam, I'm sick of staring at the same four walls." She looks around the room. "I've been cooped up in here long enough."
"I think your best bet is to stay in that bed, babe."
"I've been in this bed long enough. I can't achieve anything lying down and staring at the ceiling or pointless TV. I can't go see my best friend yet, and I haven't gotten to find out much from Lucas' parents other than where he's been buried. I just need to feel real air and the sun and not have to think about anything that's happened in the last 2 or 3 weeks!” she says, throwing her hands in the air.
Everything? Including me? I walk over and scoot in next to her on the bed as I take her hand in mine. "Do you regret crossing paths with me again, Katy? Do you blame me for this?"
"No. Alexia's insane. Something made her just snap. I don't get it.” She sighs and pulls back to look at me. "Is this going to affect your movie? I mean, the two of you are the big stars of it, right?"
"Since we're done filming, I'm not sure what's going to happen. If she stays on the run-hell, even if she gets caught and put in jail-I think they're going to want to recast and re-shoot."
For just a moment a scared look crosses Katy's face, but just as quickly it's gone. "What's going to happen if she isn't found? Will we have to be scared of her forever?”
I shake my head and squeeze her hand tightly. "I have the highest confidence that she will be found. She's an actress; a lot of people know her face. There's going to be a press conference later to talk about the situation."
"You mean the media hasn't eaten this up?" she asks, snuggling in closer to me.
"They've tried. But thankfully, HIPAA keeps them from getting any of your medical info and I've made all the people who work for me sign a Confidentiality agreement to keep them from breathing a word on yours or Krista's conditions."
"This whole thing is a nightmare. I want to just be able to close and lock a jail cell on Alexia Dalton and never have to think of her again."
"Soon, baby. I pray we're able to do just that really soon."
The sound of feet pounding on the ground just outside of the door makes me sit up. When I see Scott there, out of breath, my heart drops, thinking the worst. Please, no more bad news, I silently pray. I don't think Katy can take much more. I stand up and watch him lean over to catch his breath.
"Krista...is she...” Katy chokes out and I quickly go to stand by her side just in case.
Scott shakes his head and a big grin appears. "She's awake! She's awake and she doesn't remember the accident...but she's alive and she's talking.” He looks at us and I see how watery his eyes are. This whole situation has really taken a lot out of him.
"Oh, thank God! Can I see her?” Katy asks hopefully.
"She's asked for you, but the doctors have a bunch of tests to run on her to make sure everything's functioning the way it’s supposed to."
"Right, tell her I love her, and I'll be there the second I'm allowed to, please."
"Of course, you two are strong, Katy. I bet she's gonna try to jump out of that bed as soon as she sees you in one piece again."
"I'm gonna want to get out of the wheelchair I'll be stuck in, too. Tell her as soon as we're both up and going again, we have 2 weeks of girl time to make up for."
Scott smiles and nods at her "Will do."
"And Scott?"
"Yeah?"
"Get some rest, and eat, ok? She loves you, but if I know her she's going to feel really guilty if you’re not looking like the Hollywood movie star you are,” Katy teases him, and I smirk.
Scott laughs and goes to check himself in the little mirror above the sink. "Yeah, I guess I'm not up to 'Scott Adams Standards' am I?” he asks, rubbing at the stubble on his cheeks.
I walk up behind him and clap his back, shaking my head at the reflection in the mirror. "Not exactly, buddy.”
“I'll get to work on that. Don't want my girl to think I've turned grungy while she's been...sleeping.” He looks down with a ghost of a smile. "Time to get back into the land of the living, I guess."
Katy nods at him. "It is."
Scott crosses the room and hugs Katy and she gets a confused look on her face. "What was that for?"
"For bringing Krista into my life, I might have lost about 10 years off my life, and probably my career, while I sat by her bed every day. But she's secured herself a place in my heart forever, and I've realized that I can't and don't want to live without her."
"You take care of her, ok? She's my best friend. I'll have to hurt you if she gets hurt, you know."
"I definitely don't plan on it."
"Good." She smiles at him and waves as he goes out the door.
"He's going to ask her to marry him, isn't he?" she asks once we can't hear his feet clicking down the hall anymore.
I nod. "I think so, and I bet he's just going to need to buy a ring to make that thought official."
"So um...do you think they would mind a combined wedding celebration?"
My eyes widen and my head snaps towards her. "What are you talking about, baby?"
She bites her lip and twists her hands nervously. "I was just thinking we’ve been through the wringer now, Liam. I don’t want to waste any more time apart. Would you want to renew our vows, or get re-married-whatever it’s considered to be?”
I laugh and pull her into my arms before kissing her face all over. "I think that is a perfect idea," I tell her, grinning from ear to ear.
"Yeah?" she asks, smiling herself.
"Yeah," I pull her to me and kiss her deeply. "You deserve to go all out this
time. Once you’re healed up and everything, I'll talk to Scott and see about sending you girls dress shopping."
She hugs me as tight as she can right now before pulling back. "There's still something I need to do before I can go on into the future though," she says, running her hands through my hair, and I sigh softly.
"Lay Lucas to rest," I say.
She nods and looks down sadly. "I need that final goodbye, Liam."
"I know, baby. And you'll get it. I'll tell you what, I'll see if I can get permission to take you out today, with a wheelchair of course, and maybe a nurse can come just in case, and we'll go to the cemetery."
"Really?"
I squeeze her hand and nod. "Yes, really, I think you need it."
"Thank you," she whispers, and I slip out of the room to make some phone calls. The first is to Mitchell to find out about the press conference.
"Hello," he answers after just one ring.
"It's Liam. What do I need to do for the press conference?"
"We're getting the last details set up, but it should be set to go in about 2 hours. It will be in front of the hospital. Just do like we talked about, make a plea to Alexia to come out of hiding. That you just want to put this behind you and be done with it."
I sigh. "Yeah, I know. I'll be there, but Katy and I have some things to deal with after. Can you set up some medical personnel to come with us to the cemetery where Luke was buried after the press conference...as well as some extra security?"
"Yes. Tyrell Security is Excite's new security lead. They have some highly trained workers, former military and all that. I'll get it set up."
"Thanks." I hang up and lean my head back against the wall. Time to put on my movie star smile and try to lure out the one woman I don't want around me or my family ever again. I know Katy isn't going to like this any more than I am, but if it brings Alexia Dalton out of hiding and into police custody, then maybe it'll end up worth it and not even more of a disaster.
Chapter 19
An hour and a half later, there's a make-up person getting me camera ready and a hair person styling my hair. I didn't think I needed all this just to make a quick statement, but maybe Mitchell was right the other day and I really just look that bad.
"Ok Mr. Warren, you're all set," the make-up artist tells me with a small smile.
"Thanks," I sigh and look in the mirror. The exhausted, worried, frustrated husband doesn't stare back at me. Instead the styled, decked out actor does. You wouldn't even know what I looked like a couple hours ago. I shake my head and walk out to where Mitchell is waiting for me.
"Everything is set up. The media is getting ready. They've been instructed to not ask questions. If they try to, ignore them or just do the whole 'No Comment' thing."
I nod. "I think I'm ready."
He guides me out to a little platform that's been set up and I take a deep breath before addressing the growing crowd. "Hello everyone, I think you know who I am." I flash a smile at them. "But today, I'm not here to talk about my movie or even about myself. Today I'm here to make a plea to a woman who has caused a lot of people a lot of pain, including myself. Alexia, please turn yourself in. I know you're probably confused, and lost right now but the best thing to do is come back and make this right. If you care about me as much as you say, then do this for me. Turn yourself in and close this whole case, for your own safety as well as for mine and my family."
Everyone starts speaking at once and camera flashes go off left and right. I don't say anything back, just smile and wave and step down off the platform as bodyguards surround me helping to usher me back inside, while the media members swarm towards the doors.
"Good job, Mr. Warren. Well done." Mr. Fallon reaches out and shakes my hand. "All your arrangements have been made, but you will need to sign some paperwork about leaving the facility against medical advice."
"Ok, I can do that. Thanks again."
I walk back towards Katy's room and stop at the nurse's station. "Hi, I was told I need to sign some paperwork to take my wife out of the hospital."
"Oh yes sir, you'll have to sign her out AMA."
I nod. "Whatever needs to be done."
She hands me over a small stack of papers and I quickly fill them out before returning to Katy. "Ok baby, everything's all set. There's going to be a car waiting for us in about 20 minutes. Did you get a hold of Luke's parents?"
She nods and tucks some hair behind her ear. "Yeah, they were really nice despite everything." She looks down. "They confirmed where he's buried at and told me that they are going to have a formal service in about a month when more family is available to be there, his mom said I could come."
I walk to her side and kiss her forehead. "I'll make sure you get there, I promise."
She smiles up at me as a nurse rolls a wheelchair in. "Ready to go, Mrs. Warren?"
"Yes." Katy tells her and I help to scoop her up and into the chair.
A short time later, we arrive at the cemetery and I reach over to squeeze Katy's hand. "Are you going to be ok?”
She nods as she looks out the window. "I will be. I just need to say my goodbyes."
The nurse and I lift her again from the backseat to the wheelchair and I start pushing her towards the freshly dug grave marker. There's no headstone yet, just a little white sign on a stick that says, "Lucas James Austin". I hear Katy's intake of breath and as I look down on her and see tears already falling, I silently take her hand and let her have her moment.
"I'm so sorry, Luke. If I could have any way to turn back the clock and have you still be here with us, I would. I love you, Lucas. I know it’s not in the way you wanted." She smiles sadly looking at the name marker. But I do love you, and I swear I won't ever forget you or stop looking for the person who caused this. She will be caught and I hope your face haunts her as much it'll haunt me." She closes her eyes as more tears fall freely before blowing a kiss towards the ground. "Goodbye Luke, I hope you are at peace.”
I bend down beside her and watch as she composes herself. "Ok. I'm ready to go."
"Are you sure?" I ask wiping a trail of tears off her cheek.
She nods looking beyond me at our new security team. "Are these guys from Raden Security too, like Nate and Eric were?"
I shake my head looking over at the 6 guys. They might be a bit of overkill. But until Alexia is in custody I won't feel comfortable being with anything less. "No, Raden was thoroughly chewed out and put on Excite's black list after...the incident. These guys are with Tyrell Security Teams. They are the best of the best and are highly recommended."
Katy stays quiet and I frown. "You ok, baby?"
"Yeah, I’m just tired. Do you think I might be able to see Krista when we get back to the hospital?"
"I'll check. Scott said she keeps asking where you are. She can't remember the accident though. The last she remembers was the three of you coming to the set."
"Does she know about Luke?" Katy asks looking over her shoulder at the freshly dug grave before we help her back into the car.
"She does. She feels guilty because she was the one driving the car...but don't worry, Scott's trying to help her through this."
Katy nods and leans her head back on the headrest and closes her eyes. As we drive she falls asleep and I just stare at her. At least when she's sleeping there isn't a million things running through her head to worry about. I just hope a life like this doesn't turn into a nightmare.
Chapter 20
As we drive back to the hospital I text Scott back and forth, asking if Katy can see Krista. After he gets the run-around from nurses to one doctor to another, he finally says its all ok.
Once we arrive at the hospital's back entryway I gently nudge Katy awake. "I fell asleep?” she asks as she rubs her eyes.
I nod and tuck some of her hair behind her ears. "Yep, we're going to move you into the wheelchair and try to get in before any photographers get nosy."
We once again transition her from the car into the wheelchair and ro
ll inside the building. As we maneuver down different hallways, Katy stays quiet until we see Scott leaning against a wall waiting for us.
"Hey there, everything ok?" he asks, looking down at Katy.
"Yeah, I said my goodbyes." She nods at him and we roll just a little ways down the hall before I pull her to a stop in front of a closed door.
"Um...wrong room." Katy raises an eyebrow at me and I just smirk.
"You wanted to see Krista, right?" I ask, raising my eyebrow back at her.
Her eyes widen as she nods. "Oh!"
I smile down at her and watch Scott open the door to Krista's room. When we enter, Krista looks over and her own eyes widen as she realizes who is in the wheelchair.
"Kate!" she yells out, "Oh my God! You're ok? You're really ok?”
I push Katy up to Krista's bedside and step back by Scott, watching the girls grab onto each others hands.
"I am, but I'm more concerned about you!" Katy tells her, shaking her head.
"Oh, sweetie, don't you worry about me. I'm a tough cookie." She sighs softly. "I'm really sorry about Lucas, Kate. I might not have been a great friend to him or anything, but I know he made you happy, and in one way or another he was my friend too."
"I went and said my goodbyes to him. They’re having an actual service for him in about a month, and I’m hoping I’m up and going by then so I can go.”
"I'm bound and determined to get up and going myself. I'll go with you, ok?"
Katy hugs her and I smile. These girls have been through a lot together; I'm glad their friendship has even made it through all this craziness.
When they pull apart both of them are crying. "I'm so sorry, Kate. I don't remember the accident, but Scott told me I was driving..." Krista says through her tears, and Katy quickly shakes her head at her.
"Stop, this wasn't your fault. It doesn't matter who was driving the car, Alexia did all of this."
Krista nods, looking down as she wipes her eyes. She takes a breath to calm herself down before turning to Scott. "You really still love me even after seeing me all...yuck?” she asks, effectively changing the subject.
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