All Cried Out (All Falls Down Book 2)

by Ayden K. Morgen

  "Jared!" She laughs loudly, batting my hands away from her. Before I can catch her, she rolls out of the bed, smiling at me. "You're crazy," she says before leaning down to kiss me.

  I grunt against her lips, instantly lost in how sweet her mouth is. She kisses me deeply, one hand clutched in my hair to hold me to her. Her fingers barely graze the edge of the bruise where McKee pistol-whipped me. It doesn't hurt though. With her mouth on mine, nothing hurts. My hands roam across her body, over her stomach and then up to her breasts. Within seconds, I'm hard as a rock.

  She doesn't give me the chance to go any further, instead pulling away. "I have to do something," she says, running her fingers gently through my hair. "You should try to sleep."

  "Don't want to sleep," I grumble, trying to pull her back onto the bed with me. Now that she's got me going, I'm not ready to admit defeat. I want her naked and crying out for me.

  "Sleep," she says again, sliding away from me.

  I huff and give in as gracefully as possible. There's no way in hell she's letting me get her naked here. And to be honest, I don't want our first time together in almost two weeks to be in a hard bed in the middle of the hospital any more than she does. But, Jesus Christ, if they don't let me go home soon, things are going to get ugly.

  "Where are you going?" I ask, settling back against the pillows when she starts gathering up her purse and slipping her shoes on.

  "Um, not far." She smiles at me in assurance. "I'll see you soon. Sleep." With that, she's out of the room.

  What the hell is she up to?

  I'm still contemplating it when I fall sleep.

  I'm jolted awake by a hand on my arm, shaking me. My eyes pop open to find Lexi leaning over me, grinning. Glancing around, I realize it's almost dark and Savannah isn't here. Instantly, my heart clenches, anxiety shooting through me.

  "Where's Savannah?"

  "You'll see," Lexi says, still grinning at me. "You need to get up."

  She's safe. McKee is gone, I remind myself. Wherever she is, she's not in danger.

  I still have to force myself to relax. She hasn't left my sight for more than a few minutes at a time since I woke up. Judging by the lack of light in the room, she's been gone for hours already. I'm not sure what that means, but I don't like it.

  "Jared, get up," Lexi laughs, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

  "Why?"

  "You need to shower. We have somewhere to be," she says.

  "I need clothes," I mutter, scowling at her when it becomes clear that she's not going to tell me anything else. I'm in a hospital gown and nothing else. I love Lex like a sister, but I don't think Savannah would appreciate her seeing my naked ass. She doesn't even like my nurses seeing my ass. Who knew my girl could be so territorial? She has absolutely nothing to worry about, but I love knowing she's so possessive of me.

  Lexi reaches behind her and grabs a clothing bag. "I'll put it in the bathroom for you. You have twenty minutes, so hurry." With that, she hurries across the room, her heels clicking loudly against the tile floor. After hanging the bag in the bathroom, she turns and grins at me again, and then walks out.

  Chris strolls in as soon as she's gone. He's changed from the jeans he was in earlier to a three-piece suit and tie. And he's grinning at me like a crazy person. "I'm not sure how I got drafted for shower duty, but you better hurry up," he says, taking off his suit jacket and setting it aside. "I refuse to look at your pasty ass any longer than necessary."

  "What the fuck is going on?" I demand, refusing to budge until someone gives me some answers. Savannah's not here and Lexi and Chris are acting like they've lost their damn minds. They're up to something, and I want to know what.

  "Jesus Christ, you're slow. Are you sure he doesn't have brain damage? What's in the pain meds you're giving him?" he calls to a nurse passing in the hallway.

  The nurse just laughs and keeps walking, used to his antics by now.

  Chris turns back to me, smirking. "Do you know what day it is, bro?"

  "Yeah, Sunday."

  Chris rolls his eyes. "The date, dude."

  I know I haven't missed Thanksgiving. It's next Thursday, which would make today… I furrow my brow, thinking.

  "It's my birthday," I mutter, surprised when the answer suddenly occurs to me.

  "He does still have a brain," Chris teases. "Now get your scrawny ass up and showered."

  "What's– why–?"

  Chris stares at me, waiting for me to catch up.

  When I do, my heart rolls in my chest and my hands shake. I don't know what to say.

  Please, don't let this be a dream, I pray.

  "She's waiting for you," Chris says, all teasing wiped from his tone. "She told me to tell you she's been waiting for you her entire life, and not to keep her waiting any longer." He holds out a piece of paper to me.

  I unfold it with shaking hands to find Savannah's neat writing.

  Jared,

  When you compared me to the Muses of Greek mythology, you told me that you were born to love me. If that's true, I'm absolutely certain God knew how much I would need you. He sent you to me, and I'll spend the rest of my life proving to you that I was made for you to love. You're my happy ever after, Jared. You always have been. And I need you to claim what's yours. Marry me, today.

  I love you,

  Savannah Elise Martin

  By the time I reach the end, there's a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I fold her note carefully and hold it out to Chris. He eyes me like he's not quite sure why I'm handing it back to him.

  "I need you to keep that safe for me," I say softly, my voice unsteady. "And I need you to drag my ass to the shower so I can get to my girl. She's waiting for me."

  Chris grins widely and slips the note into his pocket before helping to haul me out of the bed. My muscles protest and I'm unsteady, but every time I stand up, I feel a little stronger. And this time, I'm walking toward my future. That's all the motivation I need.

  "Wait," I say, putting my hands on the wheels of my chair to stop it right outside the door to the chapel. My heart is in my throat at the thought of the future waiting for me on the other side of the door. Every part of me is ready to marry my girl, but not like this.

  "What's up, bro?" Chris asks, circling around the chair to look at me, one brow cocked.

  I set the brakes on the chair. "I'm not marrying her like this."

  "Jared, I don't think–"

  "Get me out of this chair," I interrupt Lexi with a grin. "There's no fucking way I'm sitting in a wheelchair for this." I may be injured, but when Savannah walks down that aisle to me, I'm meeting her on my feet.

  Lexi looks at Chris and then shrugs. "I guess he's walking in."

  "Right," Chris chuckles and then shakes his head. He holds a hand out to me, pulling me easily from the chair.

  It takes a minute to steady myself, and then Lexi fusses over my tuxedo, making sure it's just right. When she's satisfied she grins at me.

  "You ready to do this, man?" Chris asks me.

  "Fuck yes, I'm ready," I say, the exact same thing he said to me when I asked him that question before he married Demetri.

  Lexi laughs and pushes the chapel door open for us. I take a deep breath and step through, only to stop as soon as I'm over the threshold. Wildflowers bloom everywhere, the bright colors lighting up the dim space. A wooden arbor made out of branches has been brought in from somewhere and covered with flowers and ivy. There's an intricate knot carved into the top, mine and Savannah's names engraved around it.

  "She said she wanted to marry you beneath that oak tree," Chris says quietly. "Since we couldn't take you there, we brought part of the tree here."

  I turn to look at him, stunned speechless.

  He just grins at me and shrugs. "Just say thank you, dude."

  "Thank you," I murmur, my throat tight at how much effort they've put into making this special for Savannah. We may be getting married in a hospital, but they've worked magic within. E
verything she wanted is here. I'm overwhelmed.

  I'm even more so when my parents, Alicia, Demetri, Grayson, Evans, Lewis and his wife, Ivy, all descend on us, dressed for a wedding. They all smile brightly as they clap me on the shoulder or pull me into hugs and whisper their congratulations.

  "I'm proud of you, son," my father says. "You're not only gaining a bride today, we're gaining a daughter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate your birthday."

  "Me either," I whisper, clearing my throat.

  Tears well in my mom's eyes as she hugs me gently, fussing over me. "This isn't what I imagined when you told me you were marrying that lovely girl," she whispers, dabbing at my cheek to wipe away her lipstick. "This is even better."

  "You're not upset it's not the big wedding you were hoping for?" I ask her.

  She smiles, sniffling. "After everything you've been through? Absolutely not," she says. "This is what Savannah wants. She may not have ever dreamed that she'd be marrying you in a hospital, but she's so happy, sweetie. She's absolutely radiant."

  "Where is she?" I glance around the chapel again, but she's nowhere to be found. "I want to see her." I need to see her. This won't be real to me until I do.

  "Ha!" Alicia laughs, smirking at me. "No way."

  I frown at her.

  "Dude, don't even try," Chris advises me with a laugh before I can open my mouth to argue. "They're holding her hostage until it's time for her to walk down the aisle. It's tradition or some shit."

  "Christopher Allen Corbit," my mom hisses, glaring at him. "We're in a chapel, for God's sake!"

  "Sorry, sorry." He holds up his hands and backs away.

  Lewis approaches next, his wife on his arm. She's petite and beautiful, with long jet-black hair and bright green eyes. The way he hovers over her makes it clear she owns his ass just like Savannah owns me.

  I hold my hand out to him, surprised to see him here, but not disappointed.

  "Nice to see you up and moving, man," he says, shaking my hand.

  "Thanks." I grin at him before turning to his wife.

  "Jared Corbit, meet my wife, Ivy Lewis. Ivy, this is Corbit," he murmurs, wrapping an arm around her waist.

  "Cam has told me a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet you," she says, her voice soft. She gives me a sympathetic smile. "I'm so sorry about everything that happened."

  "Nice to meet you, sweetheart," I murmur, caught off guard when she reaches out and hugs me before pulling back.

  Lewis tucks her against him again. "You ready for this?" he asks me.

  "Hell yes. I've been ready."

  Lewis laughs. "Congrats, man."

  "Thanks for being here."

  "Your girl asked us to come."

  Of course she did. He's stopped by every day since I've been in the hospital, checking on me and Savannah. He's pretty fucking decent.

  "I'm glad you're here," I tell him honestly.

  He nods and then steps to the side with Ivy, allowing the rest of the group to approach me.

  "I'm going to go check on Savannah." Lexi reaches up on her toes to kiss me on the cheek. "Congratulations, Jared. I can't think of anyone else more deserving of her. Keep her safe," she whispers, her expression fierce, "and treat her right or I'll kill you."

  A wide grin spreads across my face. "It'll be my goal in life," I promise before Evans drags her away, their hands entwined. Looking at Chris, I grin again. "You feel like being a Best Man today?"

  "Hel- I mean, heck yeah!" he says exuberantly, like he didn't already know he was doing the honors. I asked him weeks ago.

  My dad chuckles under his breath when mom shoots Chris another death glare. "Let's get on with it, shall we? Your girl is waiting for you."

  Everyone parts, giving me room to shuffle up the aisle between the pews. I stop midway with a loud groan. "I don't have our rings," I mutter, beginning to panic. I can't marry her without her ring.

  Chris reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box, the same one I gave my mother to hold onto, terrified Savannah would find it, the day after I asked her to marry me. I wanted our rings to be a surprise for her.

  I pluck the box from his hands and flip it open, relieved to see both of our rings nestled inside. Savannah's has a Grecian feel to it with intricate swirls of diamonds surrounding a stunning emerald, the stone of hope and love. Our names are etched in Greek inside. It's a perfect complement to the engagement ring on her finger, and suits her perfectly. She's my Mousai, my lover, my purpose. She always has been. It was only fitting to adorn her in jewels that represent the same. My wedding band is simpler, but the style has that same Grecian feel. Like hers, our names are engraved in Greek inside.

  "Hand it over," Chris says, holding his hand out once I've seen for myself that our rings are here, safe and sound. "Best Man keeps the rings."

  "Actually, the Maid of Honor keeps his ring," Alicia says, pointing at me. "Hand it over so I can take it to Katrina."

  Chris gives it to her reluctantly.

  "Tell her not to let Savannah see it until it's time to exchange them," I murmur to my sister, who nods and then hurries off to do as instructed. Feeling calmer now that I know everything is in place, I make my way to the front of the chapel.

  "Congratulations, son," the Justice of the Peace who married Chris and Demetri says, coming out of a little alcove off to the right.

  "Thank you for being here for this," I tell him, shaking his hand as my family hurries to their seats. "I appreciate it more than you know."

  The J.P smiles at me kindly. "It's my pleasure."

  Evans pokes his head into the room from the hallway and then ducks back out again. A few seconds later, he and Lexi enter the room and take seats beside my family, Grayson, and Lewis and Ivy. Lexi shoots me a thumbs up.

  "You ready?" Chris asks, stepping up beside me as music filters into the room.

  "God yes," I mutter, my heart pounding all over again. My hands sweat, and I have my eyes glued to the doorway as Madeline enters and begins to walk down the aisle, dropping flower petals along the way. She's lovely in an iris colored dress with a sash around her waist. When she's halfway up the aisle, Kit makes her entrance, wearing a more mature version of the gown Maddi's in, a wide smile stretched across her face. She clutches a lovely bouquet of wildflowers in her hands.

  My lungs stop functioning when the first strains of John Legend's You and I come through the speakers and Savannah steps into view. She's absolutely radiant with her hair cascading down her back in curls. Her dress is a soft white with a full skirt and a halter-style top. The wildflowers in her bouquet mix with roses, sprigs of lavender, and baby's breath in a striking riot of color against the white of her dress. It's beautiful.

  She is beautiful as she comes down the aisle toward me, her eyes locked on my face. Her expression makes my heart roll, it's so full of love and happiness. I thought she looked perfect at Chris and Demetri's reception but I was wrong. This is perfection.

  I hold my hand out to her, tears in my eyes, when she reaches me.

  "You're absolutely ravishing," I whisper in her ear, inhaling deeply. Her scent works its way into my lungs, vanilla, sex, and wildflowers easing the burn. Everything falls away—the tears and terror of the last few weeks, the hurt and the pain—everything but her disappears, obliterated by the heated, tender look in her eyes.

  As we turn to the Justice of the Peace and our future, I feel no pain. All I feel is love, peace… and Savannah's small hand in mine.

  Epilogue

  I Could Not Ask for More

  Four Months Later

  "Jared," Savannah whispers, strands of her hair tickling my chest.

  "Hmm?" I murmur, listening to the sound of rain pattering on the roof. I'm half asleep, her naked body warm and soft against mine. My eyes are closed, and I'm just reveling in this quiet moment with her, too content to move.

  "Jared," she whispers again. This time her hand slides across my chest. Her fingers stall on my scar, and then run gently over it. I
feel her hair slide across me and then her lips press softly to the jagged flesh.

  "Yeah, love?" I open one eye, watching as her head comes up, a smile lifting her lips when she sees me looking at her.

  "Your daughter is kicking again," she says, rolling onto her back and grabbing my hand. She places it over her rounded stomach.

  The little flutters against my palm make my heart swell. I splay my fingers wide, a smile tugging the corners of my lips. We've only recently been able to feel her moving, and I can't get enough of those little kicks. Every time she does it, it takes my breath away. Savannah knows it. She makes sure my hands are on her belly any time she feels them start. It's like she understands my need to feel both of my girls, and gives me that whenever possible.

  "Hello, sweet girl," I whisper, leaning down to kiss Savannah's stomach. Her hands wind through my hair as I rest my head on her, feeling our daughter's movements against my cheek. "You're keeping your mommy awake again."

  A quiet laugh floats from Savannah. She loves when I talk to our girl, so I do it often, telling her how much we love her, or what we did during the day, or how spoiled she's going to be. And she is definitely going to be spoiled. Between the two of us and our families, she already has a nursery full of toys and clothes in our new home.

  Moving after I was released from the hospital was inevitable. With a baby on the way, we needed more room than our apartment offered. And Savannah didn't want to live in her house on the Talbot property after everything that happened inside. So two months ago, we bought a house we both love. It's safe for my girls, and Savannah's been able to make it a home. It's a fresh start for both of us, somewhere not marred by shadows of the past, but where we can create new memories and start our family.

  We're midway between the college and the Northern Precinct office where I'm officially employed as an investigator for San Francisco. Instead of waiting around for Richardson to fire me, I handed in my resignation the day I was released from the hospital. It was a weight off my shoulders. Jacoby retired from the force not long after I started, making me Lewis's new partner. He's become like a brother to me over the last few months, and Ivy and Savannah have become fast friends.