44. CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
M ICAH
I hold Carly close, pressing her into my body as the breath struggles to push out of me. The pressure builds in my chest even with my ragged exhales. I haven’t been able to take a full breath since she’s been gone and now it’s like all of it tries to enter and exit at the same time.
The terror still floods my mind, the image of watching her run and get shot at.
When I heard the first gunshot, my blood ran cold.
I almost bolted out to get her but Hal and an FBI agent dragged me back. The agent, Silas, reminded me that this is why they didn’t want me on the operation in the first place. But there was no way I was going to stay back agonizing while my Carly was in danger.
“You being here puts her in even more danger,” the agent hissed at me. “And if you run out there and jeopardize our plan, then she’s as good as dead.”
The harsh words got through to me, shocking me back into reality. He was right and as painful as it was, I stayed hidden, knowing that the rest of the agents were stationed around different parts of the forest and at least one of them might see her and save her.
We were able to narrow down what forest Carly was being held in, thanks to Amelia and her investigative online friend. Turned out that they managed to find the man who had seen the thieves and through his demented ramblings, he’d given them a clue that one of the thieves had stayed in a trailer in a forest near Sterling. It took some time to convince the police of our theory and to organize this operation. But I let them know I was going after her with or without them.
By two in the morning, the FBI and Declan’s security team began staking out this hill to find her. We’ve been searching for the past two hours and were communicating via walkie-talkies about how to approach the situation, when we heard the gunshots. That threw everything, especially me, into disarray.
Was it Carly who got shot? Was she dead?
Just the thought of it made terror grip my heart and for the first time in a long time, I prayed. I didn’t care about anything that happened to me but nothing could happen to her.
Just as I uttered the prayer, I saw her screaming, breaking out of the clearing. Hal got to her first but the bastard found them. When I saw Hal go down for her, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I had to save my Carly.
And thank God, I did.
I squeeze her tight now, the ringing in my ears finally diminishing enough to note that we’re surrounded by people. Somewhere, officers are barking out orders and apprehending the suspect. Somewhere else someone is asking me if I’m okay. But the only sound that matters to me right now is Carly. She’s crying while she grips me. Her body is shaking. Her soft rosy scent floods my nostrils.
She’s mumbling and telling me how scared she was, how she thought she would never see me again. Oh, God, me too. As much as I tried to shepherd my thoughts away from that direction, and as much as I tried to stay positive, there was a big part of me that was terrified that I would never see her again either.
“Micah,” she sobs against my chest.
“It’s okay,” I whisper, kissing her on her hair, all over her face, tasting her tears and savoring them because it means that she’s alive. “You’re okay.”
“Yeah, but you’re not.” Someone’s voice rudely intrudes and I almost tell them to go away but that would mean me stopping the whispering in her hair.
“Micah.” The voice is firmer this time. “You were shot.”
This breaks Carly out of her stupor and she leans away from me, but I move forward capturing her lips with mine. She groans into the kiss and so do I until she puts a hand on my chest and pushes me away.
“Wait, Micah,” she says. “You’re bleeding.”
“It’s a flesh wound,” I say even though I have no idea if it is or isn’t. It doesn’t hurt that bad but maybe it’s because I’m focused on other things.
But since Carly won’t let it go, I glance down and finally notice the searing pain in my bloodied shoulder. I snort when I see it.
“I guess Declan and I will finally have matching gunshot scars now,” I say, and Carly offers me a trembling smile. One that makes me kiss her again.
It’s only when Silas threatens to brain me and warns me about the possibility of death by blood loss that I finally let her go and allow them to treat me with the first aid kit they brought along for this mission.
After the ambulance arrives and they stitch up my shoulder, I still keep a grip on Carly’s hand. We each give our statements to the officers, and she tells us everything that transpired. We match up her information with ours. It’s just as we suspected, but those men sound more insane than I imagined. Jesus. I understand the concept of wanting revenge (I was contemplating it myself if anything happened to Carly), but I can’t believe they would go to such lengths and involve innocent people in that. One of them killed Emma’s parents. The other one attempted to kill Carly.
And I would kill them for it, except the Burned Man is already dead and Hal’s father is in police custody. Luckily, Hal is alive and being held in the ambulance. He didn’t watch his father’s arrest.
Once we’re done, we’re asked to visit a hospital, but frankly, I just want to get back home. And I’m shocked to find that home to me is now Laketown. I want to go back there and feel the gentle breeze on my face, and pass by stretches of lake. I want to remember all the great memories Carly and I had there and not the fear that has plagued me for the past twelve or so hours.
Nevertheless, I need Carly to get checked up at least, so I have Declan’s security team drive us to the hospital. The four of them will probably be our new bodyguards and I’ll get to know them once I have the mental fortitude for it.
After about an hour at the hospital, during which it’s confirmed that none of us are gravely injured, we head to my grandfather’s townhouse. It’s currently teeming with security and it’s the only place I’ll feel safe.
Carly lies against my chest during the trip. Her hands squeeze mine as we arrive, entering the home.
My father is still there. He and my grandfather are at the dining room table and both look like they haven’t slept all night.
They stand as we walk in.
“Micah,” my father says.
“I’m fine, Dad,” I tell him before he can ask. I wrap my arm around Carly’s waist. “We’re fine.”
A part of me can’t believe she’s here with me and it feels like this might all be a dream. It’s why I haven’t been able to let her go. I don’t think I’ll be able to let her go ever again.
“You were shot,” my father says, looking at my shoulder. I’m still wearing my bloody shirt but the shoulder’s bandaged underneath.
“It’s just a flesh wound. The paramedic and the doctor said that the bullet missed any major ligaments or arteries.”
My father doesn’t respond. He simply walks to me and draws me into a tight hug, carefully so as not to jostle the shoulder.
And then his other arm wraps around Carly too drawing her in too.
I’m surprised. I’m not used to my father showing such affection. I pat his back awkwardly as he breathes heavily.
“I’m just glad you’re both okay,” he says shakily.
I smile. “Thank you, Dad. And thank you for all your help too.”
“Of course. You’re my son.”
As my dad hugs me, my grandfather walks closer with a serious look on his face. When his eyes travel to Carly, I stiffen. His grim faces makes me expect his bullshit again, but
“I think I owe you both an apology,” he says. “But I can give it to you once you’re both rested up. I’m glad you’re safe, Micah. Carly.”
As my father pulls away, Carly graciously smiles at him. “Thank you, sir.”
Soon, they let us go to my room and there, I pull Carly close again, scenting her hair.
“Thank God, you’re okay,” I tell her.
She nods.
“Was it horrible?” I ask, then add. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.”
“It was,” she says with a weak smile. “But I knew I would survive. I had to because of you. And because of…” She lays her hand on her belly. “Micah, I have to tell you something. Something I should have probably told you earlier, but I didn’t know how to break it to you then.”
“What is it, my love?” I ask the question, while I’m kissing her all over her face, powerful emotions rumbling through me.
“I’m pregnant.”
It takes a while for the words to sink in because I’m too focused on the kissing.
And then when it does, I freeze and look down at her. Did she just say what I think she said?
She nods and her eyes are once again filled with tears.
“I’m pregnant,” she whispers. I found out a few days ago. When you ‘cooked’ me that dinner. That’s why I was so out of it.”
“Not because of your test?” A choked sound emits from my throat. “I thought you failed it.”
She laughs. “No, I passed my test. Aced it, actually. But the baby… I didn’t know if I wanted it back then. But I know now that I do want to keep it. And I know a baby wasn’t part of the plan and we haven’t even talked about having a family or if we want kids and–”
I cut her off, kissing her so deeply, swallowing the rest of her frantic words. Passion and love and wonder meld together, and I can’t believe for a second she thinks I might not want this baby. Of course I do. I mean sure I didn’t know it even existed five seconds ago, but I love this baby. Because it’s part of her.
I imagine a little boy or girl that looks like her.
“I love you,” I whisper against her lips, kissing the tears that have rolled down her cheeks. “And I love this baby too.”
She smiles. “I’m glad to hear you say that because I love you, Micah. So much.”
The next morning, I wake up to a surprise. Literally.
I open my eyes to see a figure in black standing at the foot of my bed.
“Jesus.” I throw my body over Carly’s to protect her from the grim reaper, only for my vision to clear enough to recognize the familiar form in a long black gown. “Mom?”
My mother smiles as she says, “Hello, Micah.”
I run my hand through my hair, my heart galloping away. “Why the heck are you in my room dressed like that? I thought my time on the earthly plane was up.”
She cocks her head, and comes to my side. Her eyes still hold the sadness in them that has been there since my brother’s death, but she puts a gentle hand on my forehead. “Your father called me. He told me everything that happened. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?
“I didn’t want to bother you,” I say. “Because I know you’re still grieving Tristan.”
“Yes, but losing another son isn’t going to make me feel any better.” She sighs. “My God, Micah, if anything had happened to you, I don’t know what I would do.”
“Good thing I’m not going anywhere,” I grin. “How was the sabbatical?”
“Dull,” she says. “Which is kind of the point.”
I chuckle, and at that point Carly stirs and her eyes flutter open.
Carly takes one look at my mother and screams too loud and long.
When she catches herself, I say, “Carly, meet my mom.”
She gapes for a full minute as though waiting for the punchline that isn’t coming.
“It’s nice to meet you, Carly,” my mother says. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Sorry!” Mortification takes over her expression as she stares at her. “I didn’t mean to scream like that.”
“It’s okay.” My mother smiles wanly. “I get that reaction a lot.”
Once my mother leaves the room and we get dressed, we go down for a nice breakfast, during which my mother asks Carly a hundred and one questions, my father dotes on her, and my grandfather quietly apologizes to both of us. It’s our first family meal in a while and it’s quite pleasant and not as awkward as I thought it would be.
But that’s nothing compared to the welcome we get back in Laketown that afternoon.
It isn’t just Declan, Emma, and Amelia who show up at the airport for our arrival. It’s Grandpa Crane, Poppy and Tate Moon, Mrs. Peach, and Yule. Heck, even my nudist buddies show up, clothed this time.
As we greet them all, I realize Declan was right. This town has truly trapped me, giving me all the things I could never find in New York or Paris, or any of the other cities I’ve flown to. It gave me Carly. And I’m glad I get to be with my family and raise my child in a town like this.
I stare at Carly loving her eyes, the way they glow. And with her, I find my way home, to a place full of endless adventure.