Chapter Thirty-Three
NOAH
The gun goes off.
I feel the pain as I fall to the ground. Brittany's laughter rings in my ears as more gunshots ring through the air.
I stay still, not wanting to draw any attention toward me.
“Put the gun down,” Brittany says. She breathes heavily as her feet shuffle around me.
“Not happening,” Eric tells her, loading another round. Though my head is turned the other way, I know he's killed Nicolas. There's not a doubt in my mind.
“Put your fuckin' gun down!” Brittany screeches.
Eric chuckles, unfazed. “You first.”
“I'll shoot,” she says, and I open my eyes as she moves farther away from me. Eric’s using the car as a shield while Brittany steadies her shaking hand.
I hear Katie crying, and I want nothing more than to go to her, but I can't move.
“If you know what's good for you, you'll get in your SUV and drive the fuck away,” Eric warns. “You have no idea what you've done.”
“Fuck you,” she hisses. “I’ll finish what that bastard started. This has nothing to do with you,” she screams and pulls the trigger.
Based on Eric's laughter, she misses. “Shoulda probably gone to the range for some target practice before trying to act like a badass. Pathetic.”
Brittany points her gun again, and I hear a revving engine accompanied by tires squealing.
Then I watch as a silver Toyota slams into Brittany from behind at a high speed. Her body flies over the hood and crashes to the ground.
Seconds later, Eric comes into view. He walks past me and goes to Katie. I manage to roll over on my side, my chest burning, and she comes to me after she's free.
“Noah, Noah. Baby,” she says, moving my body around, frantically sobbing.
“Katie,” I say, grabbing her wrists and trying to sit up. “I'm fine, sweetheart.”
Eric comes over and gives me a hand, and I help Katie up, then pull her into my arms. I smell the scent of her hair, kiss the softness of her skin, and take her all in.
“How’re you alive?” she asks. “I watched her shoot you.”
I nod toward Eric. “It was his call on the bulletproof vest.”
Unbuttoning my shirt, I show her. Katie runs her hand across the entry point.
“Just gonna be sore for a few days.” I wince, knowing it’s already bruising.
Eric gives us a moment, and I hold Katie tight. Tears slide down her cheeks, and she squeezes me like she’s never going to let me go.
“I was so scared I lost you,” she says. “So fuckin’ scared.”
“I felt the same. I didn't think she’d pull the trigger,” I say. “I'm just happy you're okay.”
“She has a faint pulse!” Eric yells.
Katie's eyes widen. “Brittany's still alive,” she whispers.
I have no concept of time because the passing moments seem to rush by and slow down all at once. But when I see Loretta get out of the car, my mouth falls open.
“Loretta?” Katie asks with confusion in her tone because I've lost the ability to speak.
She walks swiftly toward us, wrapping her arms around us. “Oh thank God, you're okay.”
This is the closest I've stood next to my aunt in the past decade. She looks like she's been to hell and back.
“I've already called 911,” she tells us. “An ambulance is on their way.”
Eric kicks away Brittany’s gun, then goes to Nicolas. “He's dead.”
I don't have it in me to turn my head and look.
“What’re you doing here?” Katie finally asks Loretta.
“I knew Brittany was up to something, so I did some investigating.
When I saw Noah and this young man leave so quickly, I knew something was going on, so I followed them.
When I saw Brittany had a gun, I didn't know what else to do. I had to protect you,” Loretta explains, then meets my eyes. “I owe you both as much.”
“Thank you,” Katie says, then empties her stomach on the gravel.
“Are you okay?” I ask, noticing her cheeks are still red from where the duct tape was and see scratches on her cheeks.
“I think it's all too much. My body’s going into shock,” she says, and thankfully the ambulance arrives.
As she takes a step forward, Katie nearly passes out, so they decide to take her to the hospital to get her checked out. After Brittany is put on another ambulance, the police rope off the area and start asking questions.
Loretta and I have more than enough evidence, and I'm grateful as hell she doesn't hold back. After they've gotten everything they need and get our contact information for later, Eric and I walk to the car. Before we leave, I turn to Loretta and thank her. Something I never thought I'd be doing.
On the way to the hospital, I call my dad and Gemma. I also reach out to Katie's parents and let them know what happened. By the time I arrive, Katie’s already in a room being pumped full of fluids. Her parents arrive with Owen, who's upset to see his mom lying in a hospital bed.
“I'm fine,” she says softly, trying to calm him. “Mama's gonna be okay.”
Owen leans across the bed and lays his head on her stomach. The stress of it all has gotten to him, and it's written all over his face, but he keeps it tucked inside. A typical Reid reaction.
I move closer to him and place my hand on his shoulder. “I wasn't gonna let anything happen,” I admit. Owen turns around and gives me a hug. I squeeze him tight, wanting to protect him just as much.
Katie smiles as she watches us, and I see a twinkle in her eyes. Her mom fills the empty space with a rundown of how the rest of the celebration went. My old friend guilt visits again when I realize I've thrown another wrench in Gemma and Tyler's happiness.
Before I can say anything, my dad and Gemma rush through the door with panic written on their faces.
“Oh thank God,” Gemma says when she sees Katie and me. “I was worried sick.”
Dad greets the Walkers, then pulls me into a hug. “You had me worried, kid.”
“I know. Hopefully, this won’t be an issue anymore,” I admit.
“What the hell happened?” Gemma asks. “One minute, you're searching for Katie, and the next, she's in the hospital.”
“It's a long story,” Katie says, giving everyone a very brief summary of what happened, without all the detail because Owen's in the room. I can tell she's being careful with her words, but Gemma gets the gist of it.
“Loretta?” Gemma glances at Dad and me.
“Forgiveness heals the heart,” Katie's mother finally says. “She did the right thing.”
I nod, keeping my opinions to myself.
Eventually, we're told Katie will be kept a few more hours because she was so dehydrated. Everyone says their goodbyes. Her parents offer to take Owen with them, so I stay with her. Eric’s doing recon in the hospital, keeping tabs on Brittany, and texting me when he learns something new.
Apparently, a police officer has been stationed outside her door to keep guard.
As soon as she's released from medical care, she'll go straight into police custody.
I pull my chair next to the bed, wanting to be as close to Katie as I can.
“The thought of losing you nearly destroyed me,” I admit. “I wouldn't have been able to continue without you.”
Her soft eyes meet mine. “I felt the same. I thought…” She chokes up again. “I thought you were dead, and for those ten minutes, I didn't wanna be alive either.”
I stand and lean over the bed, needing to brush my lips against hers. Before the kiss can deepen, the door opens, and the doctor enters. He smiles and stands at the end of the bed.
“Katie Reid?”
“Yes,” she confirms.
“We've gone over all the test results, and once you get the rest of those fluids in you, we'll release you. Your vitals are stable.”
She lets out a relieved breath.
“Oh, and the ultrasound showed the babies are fine too.”
My heart rate increases, and I give the doctor a confused look.
“Babies?” she asks, sounding just as surprised as me.
With a grin, he confirms. “Yes, I’m positive it’s twins. And they’re doing just fine. I’ll just ask you to start seeing your doctor soon so they can keep watch. Other than that, do you have any questions for me?”
“No sir,” she says with a tremble in her voice, and he leaves.
I turn to her, waiting for an explanation. “Did I hear him correctly? Or am I dreaming?”
A blush hits her cheeks, and she tucks her bottom lip into her mouth and nods. “Yes,” she whispers. “Noah, you're gonna be a daddy.”
My emotions take control, and my eyes begin to water. “He said babies, twins, as in more than one.”
She laughs as a big smile fills my face. “I'd just taken a pregnancy test yesterday because I realized I was late. I didn't wanna say anything until I had blood work done because I don't trust those plastic sticks.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” I ask as a few tears of happiness roll down my cheeks. “You're pregnant with my babies. We're gonna have a family together.” I try to take in the moment and enjoy it. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I kiss Katie with so much passion, we nearly lose control.
“I'm so happy.”
“Me too,” she whispers. “Seems as if it's real and confirmed then. Apparently, I'm nine weeks. The estimated due date is in December.”
I grin. “Guess I better light a fire under my ass to get that house finished well before then.”
Katie chuckles. “That would be a dream come true.”
“All of this is.” I run my fingers through my hair and softly touch her cheek.
“I think I've experienced every emotion on the spectrum today,” she says when I tuck loose strands of hair behind her ear.
“Me too, sweetheart. But right now, I'm on cloud nine. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to be a dad, especially with you.”
She meets my eyes and hesitates. “I was scared to tell you too soon just in case I miscarried.”
Her admission has my heart cracking into a million pieces. “Katie,” I hum, forcing her to meet my gaze. “We'll take it one day at a time, and no matter what happens, I'll be right beside you the whole way, okay?”
“I don't wanna take this happiness away from you,” she admits. “I’m worried, especially now that I’ve learned it’s twins. I knew there was a possibility I was pregnant, but with two babies? It’s even riskier to carry multiples.”
I move as close to her as I can. “First of all, you've already given me so much, too much. Your love is enough, Katie, and there are days when I feel like I don’t deserve you.
I don't expect anything else. What's supposed to happen will happen, and we'll take precautions along the way to make sure you're safe, and the babies are too. And if something does happen, I wouldn’t be upset with you or think you’re taking anything from me. You’re the most important thing in my life. I love you with every ounce of my being, every inch of my heart, and I'll stand beside you through thick and thin. We’re doing this together.”
I interlock my fingers with hers and press my lips against her knuckles.
She leans back against the pillow and slightly relaxes. After placing her hand on her stomach, Katie grins. “They're gonna o have the best dad in the world.”
“And so will Owen,” I say, and don't have to explain myself any further. I plan to be in their lives permanently, and I’ll do whatever I can to provide for them both.
“I love you,” she tells me. “So damn much.”
“I love you too. You're my everything.” Leaning over, I lift her shirt and kiss her stomach. I don’t fully understand how our lives will change, but I’m welcoming it with my entire being.