Chapter 24
Winnie
“Let’s get home so we can see Daddy!” I place Tali on my hip and head out the door of the store.
I'm more than happy with the surprise we got him and I can't wait to see his face when he opens it. I think he’s going to love it.
It’s been almost three months since the season started. We’ve been handling the days Jamie’s away fairly well. He claims Tali was never this good for Martha, but I'm not sure if that’s true. Though, I hope I really am making things easier for Tali.
When Jamie’s home, we spend as much of our waking hours as we can with him. At night after Tali’s fast asleep, we make sure to spend some time together before I fall asleep in his arms.
When Jamie’s traveling, Tali and I sleep in his bed every night. We video chat with Jamie a few times a day and I do my best to keep Tali’s spirits up until he comes home. She’s a daddy’s girl through and through so she’s always excited when he walks through the door after being gone.
“Daddy!” Tali squeals and cuddles a little closer to me as a strong gust of wind blows down the street. Though it’s getting warmer, we still have some cold days lingering.
“Winnie!” A man calls my name when we’re halfway to the car.
I glance in his direction and a flash goes off as a camera clicks, momentarily blinding me. I instinctively put my hand over Tali’s face, trying to shield her from the light and from the photos being taken.
It takes me a few seconds to realize what’s going on. The paparazzi must’ve figured out who I am and that means they might know who Tali is.
“Go away!” I yell as I hurry towards my SUV.
Jamie’s going to kill me if this guy spreads photos of Tali across the gossip rags.
He told me to keep her out of the public and I normally do, but I wanted to surprise him with this when he gets home tonight.
I really didn’t think it would be that big of a deal.
We went to one store and I was planning on going straight home.
A hand wraps around my bicep and tugs hard.
I almost lose my footing, and tumble into a bench.
My side slams into the metal and pain radiates through my abdomen, but I ignore it.
I need to get us out of here, then I can worry about what sort of damage was done to me.
As long as Tali isn't hurt, I can deal with my own injuries.
“Don’t touch me!” I shriek as he snaps another photo, trying to get a better shot.
“Just let me get a picture of the girl,” he growls, trying to pull my hand away from Tali’s face so he can get a clear view of her.
“No! Leave us alone!”
He keeps tugging and when I don’t give him what he wants, he shoves me hard. I stumble and almost go down, but a man catches me and helps me back to my feet.
“Are you ok?” He asks softly, searching my gaze. “Is this guy bothering you?”
“He won't leave me alone,” I whisper as my bottom lip trembles. I can't let her get hurt. I swore I’d always protect Tali and I'm not willing to break that promise.
“Is your car over there?” He nods towards the line of cars where my SUV is parked. I nod my head as the first tear slips down my cheek.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this scared. I don’t know how to protect Tali any more than I already am. The camera has been clicking away the entire time and I can only imagine the stories that will be spun to go with them.
I'm standing in another man’s arms with tears streaming down my face. The only thing I have working in my favor is the man has been shielding us from the paparazzi the entire time he’s been talking to me.
He’s made sure to keep the paparazzi from getting any clear photos of us, but it’s making the photographer angry.
“Good. When I step away from you, I want you to run for it and get this little girl buckled in. I’ll hold him back until you drive away.”
As soon as the man steps away from me, the paparazzi tries to grab for me again. This time he can't reach me because he’s pulled back by his hood and falls to the ground.
I don’t wait to see what happens because I don’t care. I race towards the car and climb inside the back seat with Tali in my arms. I press lock on the key fob and try to calm down. I don’t trust he won't slip away from the man who helped me and keep coming after me.
My breaths are coming in short pants and my hands are shaking wildly, but the paparazzi can't get to me now. We’re locked in the car, but that won't stop him from trying to take more photos.
It takes me what feels like a lifetime to get Tali buckled into the car seat. Then, I climb over the center console and into the driver’s seat. There’s no way I’m opening the door again. I'm not giving anyone the opportunity to get close to us.
As soon as my seat belt is secure, I crank the engine and glance in my mirrors to make sure it’s safe to pull out of my spot. I’m not letting anything happen to Tali. I’ll protect her until I take my dying breath.
She might not be my blood, but I view her as my own daughter.
I breathe out a sigh of relief as we pull away from the stores and onto the main street. I glance in my rearview mirror and see the paparazzi shout at the man who saved us. He’s talking wildly with his hands and looks livid, but that’s not my issue.
I got Tali safely away from him and that’s all that matters.
I'm about to turn onto the highway when I hear an engine rev behind us and drivers honking their horns. I glance in my mirrors just in time to watch a car speed up and crash into the back of mine.
I shriek as my SUV veers off the road and into a ditch. Tali’s crying from the back seat and I don’t know what to do. If I get out of the car, the man could corner us and get a clear image of Tali.
Lifting my phone from the center console, I attempt to unlock the screen with shaky fingers. It takes me several tries before I can get in and dial 9-1-1.
“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”
“Someone just ran me off the road. I need help. I have a baby in the back seat and she’s crying, but I'm afraid to get out of the car. I don’t want the man to come near us.”
I choke on a sob and am barely able to give the woman my location. She helps me calm down and once she has all the information, she tells me there’s a police officer and ambulance on their way.
As soon as I know help is coming, I climb into the back seat and carefully take Tali out of her car seat. She seems to be fine, but she’s terrified. She curls up on my lap and buries her face in my neck. I don’t even bother to do anything other than cradle her to my chest.
I lift my phone to my ear one more time. I need someone to meet us at the hospital. My abdomen hurts and my heart is beating a mile a minute. I know it could be my adrenaline, but I think it’s more. I'm dizzy and nauseous. Something is wrong.
“Hello?”
“Can you meet me at the hospital?”
“Absolutely,” she mumbles as I hear her move around things on the other end of the line. “I'm on my way. Text me where to go.”