“You found more than that,” a tear spilled over before he could catch it. “But we can’t all live in that house, hiding from the world.”
“There’s plenty of room,” she beamed for an instant, “If you ever change your mind.”
“You know I can’t do that,” he shook his head slightly, “Your time is over, and you get to rest.” He forced himself to smile, “I still have a job to do.”
“I know,” she blinked up at him, aware that his hand held hers, she gave it a small squeeze.
Standing up straight, he exhaled a large, cleansing breath, wiping at his face. “It’s time for us to go, so the others can come in and visit you. They’ve been on pins and needles since you were brought in, and we shouldn’t keep them waiting any longer.”
“I need to speak to Danny first, please,” she called softly. Looking over at Godfry, she could see him hesitate. “You have something to add, sir?”
“Yes,” he placed his hand on the rail, “I wanted to thank you, for what you’ve done.”
“For what I’ve done?” she stared at him, her eyes growing dark. “It would appear I haven’t done anything… except get the shit kicked out of me.”
“You’ve done far more than that, lady. We owe you a debt we can never repay.” He smiled, “And we are truly grateful. Your story is still classified… but certain parts have already been leaked, especially what happened with the group, and how you saved everyone during the attack by the Spiders. You are… heroes,” he laughed. “Don’t be afraid. Tell whatever you are comfortable with, and be proud.” Looking over at the man across the bed, he nodded, and the pair made their way to the door.
Closing her eyes, Tori lay quietly, listening to the hiss of her hose and beep of the machines. Focused on breathing, she waited calmly for her brother to join her.
The two federal agents exited the large double doors of the ward, making their way over to the crowd of people gathered around, sitting, standing and worrying. “She’s awake,” Eli announced. “She wants to see you,” he indicated her brother with a nod.
Michael shifted his stance, unsure if he should be upset that she chose her brother first; he is after all, her family. Looking over at Enrique, their eyes met, and he could tell he had been thinking the same thing. “Relax,” he spoke softly to the other man in their mutual tongue, “We’ll get our turn.”
“Yeah, we will,” his friend agreed, “And I’ll take whatever I can get.”
Michael grinned broadly, “I know that’s right. We both will.”
A man in a blue lab coat joined them, holding out his hand, “Mr. Anderson? I’m Dr. Hubbard, Tori’s attending physician. If you would like to step over this way, we have much to discuss.”
“Oh, no,” he shook his sandy curls, flicking his brown orbs at the other man, “Whatever it is, please share. I don’t think I love her any more than everyone else here does. She’s pretty special.”
The doctor cast his eyes around the group, mouth open slightly, “Well, alright.” He nodded faintly, still addressing the man he had intended to confer with, “Your wife is in pretty rough shape. She has a few fractures and has sustained numerous internal injuries.”
Michael nodded uncontrollably, “Yeah, she was pregnant, too.”
The doctor inhaled through his wide nostrils, “Well, she still is pregnant.”
The group gasped in unison, their mumblings of joy and relief overlapping into a wave, rising to a small peak, and then falling away. “That’s not all,” Michael supplied. “She has some complications and will have to see her regular doctor when we get her home.”
“You mean Dr. Lazenby,” Dr. Hubbard supplied. “Yes, I’ve already conferred with him, and we did a few tests while she was unconscious. She does not have Asherman’s Syndrome that we could detect. Her pregnancy risk is somewhat elevated due to her recent encounter, but no more than any other woman’s would be.”
“You means she’s gonna have the baby?” Enrique moved forward, standing closer to Michael.
“Yes,” he nodded confirmation. “I mean, with every pregnancy, there is always risk, but she has the same chance as anyone else. If she takes care of herself, there isn’t any reason why she can’t carry the child to term.”
The two men flung their arms around one another, smacking each other on the back. “You hear that?” Michael beamed, “We get to finish that nursery after all.”
“Yeah we do,” his counterpart agreed, slapping his friend’s shoulders before dropping his hands back to his sides. “Anything else we needs to know?”
“Only that she should remain here for a few days. And after that, she’s going to need some time to heal, but she will probably make a full recovery.”
“So, she could rejoin the band, if she wanted,” Cody interceded.
“Theoretically, she can do whatever she wants to do; all she has to do is choose,” the physician supplied. “Now, I do have other rounds to make, if you will excuse me,” he nodded at the group and took his leave.
As soon as he was gone, Enrique pushed on his friend’s arm and they moved away to put their heads together, “Listens, uh; are you guys sures about me… and you… an’ her?”
Michael laughed, “Ricky, don’t make me whoop your ass.” Cutting his eyes over at him, he continued to grin, “You’re free to go, but you and I both know she wants you here,” he nodded. “And I want you here. There isn’t any reason any of us has to suffer, anymore.”
“Ricky?” his dark brown eyes shone brightly.
“Yeah,” Michael pursed his lips, suppressing his grin for a moment, “That’s your new nick name.”
“I has a nick name; Tori calls me baby,” he grinned.
“Yeah, well, I’m not calling you baby,” he reached over to give his counterpart a friendly punch in the bicep.
Taking a moment to think, Enrique toyed with his lips then professed, “I guess we’re set.”
“We’re set; she needs us both, brother,” Michael offered him his hand again, ending with a half hug and heartfelt slap on the back.
Watching the door to the hallway that led to her room, the pair waited eagerly until Brian exited the wide portal, making his way across to the group. “She wants to see you,” he pointed at his brother-in-law, holding a straight face and not giving anything away.
Looking over at his roommate, Michael grinned, “You ready?”
“I don’t think she meant both of you,” Brian’s voice held an edge.
Enrique nodded, ignoring the jab, “Yeah, I’m ready,” following his friend.
Michael entered the tiny room, his breath hanging in his chest, “Hi.” He hung back, taking in the sight of her half reclined position, and the myriad of wires and machines, while Enrique stepped in beside him.
“Hi,” she breathed back at him, scratching at the tube in her nose, the bruises on her face hiding her features in the dim light. Noticing the second man, a slow smile curled her lips, “I hear the pair of you worked together… to save me.”
Michael crept forward, taking the near side of the bed while Enrique took the far, placing her between them.
“Yeah, we were quite a team,” her husband beamed across her body. Reaching down, he used gentle fingers to situate her connections and locate her hand. Dropping to his knees next to her, his head lay over onto the metal, and he pressed his free thumb into his eye.
“Are you crying?” she stared at his sandy curls.
“Yeah, well, you know, men have tears, too,” he sighed loudly, wrapping her digits between his two palms.
“Are you going to cry?” she whispered, reaching for the dark haired man to her right.
“Naw,” he gave her a slight shrug, entwining his fingers with hers, “I’m good,” followed by a slight grin. “Not gonna asks how you feels, though.”
“Thanks,” she managed a weak grimace, “I must look pretty awful.”
“No, love,” Michael smiled as well, “You look pretty good, considering you’ve just cheated death fo
r the second time.”
The three grew quiet for a moment, listening to the sounds of the machines, an inner warmth encircling the trio in the cool air of the room.
“So, what’s the plan, baby girl?” Enrique reached to smooth her hair, leaning over her to get closer.
“There is no plan, baby.” Her movements were small, obviously in pain, “And I’m not in charge. This isn’t a crew. This is a family, and we decide things together.”
Instantly, he could feel the burn in the back of his throat, and the tickle in his own eyes and nose. “Shit,” he caught the droplet as it reached his stubble, and she giggled slightly before she winced in pain.
“I win,” she professed.
“Oh, is this a game?” Michael lifted his hand, sliding it over onto her belly. “Momma don’t play fair,” he said in a soft voice.
“Momma?” her blue eyes grew misty, “You mean…?”
Enrique beamed, “Yeah, everything’s fine. The Doctor said you should haves the baby without any problems.”
“Oh my God!” she pulled both her hands free to cover her face, her own droplets stinging her cheeks. The two men shared a knowing glance as she inhaled deeply, “Does Danny know?”
“Your brother? No,” Enrique looked confused, “Well, he might knows now, he was in here when they told us.”
The girl pulled her hands down slowly, “He’s pretty upset with me at the moment, I think.”
“And why’s that?” Michael continued to run his hand over the blankets.
“Because I’m going back to Texas,” she replied in a low tone, “Forever.”
“You quits the band?” Enrique held a dazed expression.
“Yeah, I did,” she tried to sit up a little more, then sank back into the mattress, “I don’t like being famous. I love to play my guitar, don’t get me wrong, and I may write songs for them, or who knows… But like I told him… I miss our quiet lives in that little town.” Her smile grew wide again as she reached towards the dark haired man, “I really hope you’re going home with us, too.”
“Of course I am,” he swallowed noticeably. “What else am I gonna dos, go hang out with Brett?”
“No, baby,” she giggled, lifting her other hand to brush Michael’s curls. “Wow. All in all, I guess this is the perfect ending then, isn’t it.” She heaved a loud sigh, “We all get to be happy.”
“Oh, no, baby girl,” Michael shook his sandy hair, “This isn’t the end.” He laughed aloud, looking boldly over at the man across from him, recalling how much his world had changed in the year that he had really known her. “Whatever life lies beyond these walls, is ours for the taking, because this,” he paused, shifting his gaze to her, “This has only been… the beginning.”
About the Author
Anyone who knows me could tell you, I am a friendly kind of person, never met a stranger and take up conversations anywhere at any time. I work hard, and my mind never seems to shut down, as I wake up often in the middle of the night with ideas pouring out and demanding to be dealt with. Of course that means much of my books were written in the middle of the night.
I grew up and still live in the great state of Texas where everything is bigger, where we have warm weather and a central location. I love my state, my town, and my family, which includes my four sons, my significant other, and many friends as well.
I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this story and hope that you will love reading it just as much. And of course, there will be many more adventures to come.
You can follow Samantha Jacobey at:
Website: www.SamJacobey.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamJacobey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamJacobey
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/samanthajacobey/
Acknowledgements
Well, you have reached the end of my story, such as it is, and I hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have loved sharing it. I would like to take a moment to thank a few people. These are my dearest friends and greatest supporters, and they have helped me more than words can express as I have traveled along my fantastic journey; but I would like to try.
Don – the significant other who has never read a single page of my work, but has supported me in a magnitude beyond expression. Thank you for listening, sharing, and providing for me so that I am free to follow this dream. You truly are the love of my life.
Derek – thank you for being the first to read and give feedback on my books. Your insight was helpful, but I was encouraged more by the fact you wanted to read about my characters than anything else. You will always be my chief editor and dearest friend across the pond.
Lori – the PA I could never afford if I paid you what you are worth. You truly are the glue that binds my team, and keeps me on track with all the deadlines, dates, and engagements. I have come a long way since we met, and I know that I owe a great deal of that success… to you.
Kim – I could not have chosen a better assistant and no day goes by I don’t thank God for you. Always willing and able, your creativity and devotion have moved me deeply. Your visuals draw people in, and we are growing because of your efforts; thank you for your support.
Jamie and Brenda – you are fantastic pimpers, and I appreciate you taking over the street team and helping to make it so successful. Your creativity takes my breath away, and I thank each of you for all the time you put in, supporting my work and getting my name in front of readers.
Melissa and Alice (and the rest of my power pimpers) – your dedication is phenomenal! You put me out there every day, and you make such a difference. Thank you for your time and energy.
Nicolene, Heather, Michelle and Joely (and any others who have chipped in along the way) – you are very talented ladies, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the wonderful visuals you have so graciously created for me.
The Crazy Lady Authors (Stalkers) – you are the best friends a girl could have. Thank you for your love and support, and some day we are going to hold a signing that is for all of us - together, strong, and proud. To my sisters, I wish you all the very best.
Sam’s Sassy Bitches – you guys are the best street team and fan club I could ever hope to have. Your love and support mean worlds to me, and if I could call you out individually by name, I would. You do a fantastic job of sharing and supporting. I appreciate each and every one of you very much.
And finally, to the rest of my followers, fans and reviewers – thank you so much for your time, love, and response. Your words are greatly appreciated, your opinions always noted, and your time never wasted. I hope you have genuinely enjoyed my work, and I look forward to sharing more stories and adventures with you in the days and years to come.
Other works by Samantha Jacobey
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00GEB5LX0
Summer Spirit Novella Series - no one EVER had a summer romance like this… Charlie visits another plane, parallel to our own, where Summer Angels and Dark Angels battle over the fate of man. A unique twist on an old idea that will keep you guessing; will Charlie and Clarisse ever find their HEA? (New adult)
Irrevocable Series – from affluent beginnings, BAILEY DEWITT's life has become a broken mess... after her parents died unexpectedly, she didn't think it could get any worse. But when the arrogance of man catches up and puts the entire world into a dooms-day spiral, there will be only ONE PLACE she can run to... the ONE PLACE she wanted desperately to escape.... (New Adult)
Teach Me to Prey – in this standalone thriller, JASON TRUITT and his friends have gotten their way for years. Deceit, sex, and foul play aren’t normally covered in the curriculum, but they’re doing whatever it takes to get under BECKY STEWART’s skin. When one of the boys turns up dead, it’s a race against time to save the others; a STUNNING STORY that will get your heart racing and leave you breathless by the end… (New Adult)
The Wicked Awakened – a Halloween novel, a five hundred year old witch wants to turn SARAH MATTHEWS’ body int
o her new home… A twisted tale involving a coven hell bent on seeing that she succeeds. Who will come out on top in this epic battle of wills? (Mature read, 18+ for sexual content and violence)
A New Life Series - Finisher Set Page 68
