Authors: M.P. McDonald
Sam grinned. “Today’s my lucky day.” He allowed Molly to look at his wound and he was right. It wasn’t too bad. It was in an area that tended to bleed a lot, but wasn’t life-threatening.
“I think you’re getting delirious. Good thing the ambulance is here.” Molly smiled. “I’ll see you at the hospital.”
Their brief moment of privacy ended as the ambulance crew swarmed the tent, and Molly stepped aside. Police arrived next and took a brief statement from Sam before he was loaded into the ambulance and taken to the hospital.
Molly wanted to follow it, but she and Johnny had to give their accounts of what had happened, since they were involved, and by the time they were cleared to leave, an hour had passed. Leaving Sam’s bike and Molly’s car at the rally, Johnny drove Victoria’s car as they headed to the hospital. Tomorrow they’d have to do a few trips to take all the vehicles home, but it was the least of her worries Her first worry was about Sam but he was probably going to be just fine. Her next worry was her brother. His whole demeanor seemed to have changed. Gone was his sulky little boy attitude and he was quiet as they drove. Molly glanced at him. “I guess it was a pretty big shock to you.”
He shrugged. “Yeah it was. I never asked about Kelsie’s father because I figured you were embarrassed he didn’t come around, but I never thought something like that happened to you.”
“You’re right. I was embarrassed, and ashamed that I let myself get in that position, but over the last few years, I’ve come to realize it wasn’t my fault. I was a victim because of Ray’s actions, not my own. I was guilty of being young and trusting. That’s it.”
“I can’t believe Howard killed Sam’s son and here I was associating with the guy. It makes my skin crawl.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her brother rub his arms as if something was actually crawling up them.
“He’s a psychopath, but you aren’t You are a good guy, Johnny. No matter how hard you try to be bad.”
“No I’m not.”
“I heard you when Ray had a gun against you. You were going to let him kill you to protect Kelsie.”
Johnny cleared his throat but didn’t say anything
for a few moments, but then blurted out, “Sam’s the good guy. He saved all of us. You should marry him.”
Molly chuckled. “He hasn’t asked me to marry him.”
“He will.” Suddenly he stiffened. “Where’s Kelsie?”
“With Victoria. How else did you think I got her car?”
Relaxing, Johnny laughed. “I wasn’t thinking. It’s been a crazy night. I hope Victoria isn’t too mad at me for not taking her tonight. She really wanted to go.”
“I know, she came over and told me all about it. You know she really likes you.”
“You think so?”
“I do.” They made the res
t of the trip in a comfortable silence.
* * *
At the hospital, when it became apparent that they were going to keep Sam until morning, Johnny took Victoria’s car back home and promised to show up before noon to pick them up. He’d ride his bike to the rally site, get Molly’s car and come back for them. It was like musical vehicles, but it would work out eventually.
Sam was already in a room
sleeping, but when Molly explained the situation, the nurse allowed her to go in after checking Sam’s chart and seeing her listed as a next of kin. That bit of information surprised her, and warmth spread through Molly. Next of kin? The nurse even gave her a blanket so she could cuddle up on the recliner. With all of the excitement, Molly thought she’d be too keyed up to sleep, but the next thing she knew, it was morning. A different nurse from last night had entered and was checking Sam’s I.V. bag.
Molly glanced at
Sam’s sleeping form and asked the nurse, “How’s he doing? It didn’t look serious when it first happened.” Had she missed something?
“He received a dozen stitches, but his blood pressure was a little low from blood loss so we had to give him some fluids to top him up. With it being so late already, it just made sense to admit him.”
“Yes, I agree. Thanks.” The nurse left and Molly stood by the bed and reached out to feel Sam’s forehead. He still looked pale, but his skin was warm, not clammy as it had been in the tent. That was a good sign.
A moment later, the door opened again, and expecting the nurse, Molly turned to ask a question about antibiotics, but instead of
the nurse, Johnny, Victoria and Kelsie entered the room. Kelsie grinned at Molly and was half-way across the room, arms wide, when she skidded to a halt, her eyes wide and focused on Sam.
“Mommy…what’s wrong with Mr. Sam?” Even at her age, she realized that something was off.
“Shhh…hon. Sam has a owie, but he’s going to be fine. They gave him some medicine so it wouldn’t hurt anymore, but it made him sleepy.”
Eyes still saucer-like, Kelsie edged past the bed as if afraid to come into contact with it.
She wrapped her arms around Molly’s waist and held on tight.
Smoothing back the curls, Molly bent and kissed Kelsie’s forehead. “Don’t worry, Kels. I promise you that Sam is going to be just fine.”
Johnny glanced at Sam then to Molly. “So he’s okay?”
“Yes, thankfully. He should be released after the doctor comes in to see him.”
Victoria looped her arm in the crook of Johnny’s arm and leaned against it. Her expression more serious than Molly had ever seen it. “You both could have died last night.”
“We didn’t though, thanks to Sam.”
“Don’t let him fool you, Victoria. Johnny was as much a hero as Sam. Did he tell you what he did?”
Victoria shook her head.
“Well, I’ll tell you about it later. I think it might be too much for
someone
to hear.” Molly nodded down at Kelsie, and pulled her close.
Victoria winked. “
I look forward to hearing the story. Now, I think we should get going, Johnny. I’ll drop you off so you can pick up Molly’s car, then I suppose later, you’ll have to go back and get Sam’s motorcycle.”
“
Yeah. You want us to take Kelsie with us? She was upset when you weren’t at the cabin this morning so we came here first, but I’m sure she’ll be okay now, right Kelsie?”
Kelsie shook her head and clung to Mol
ly. “I don’t wanna go. I wanna stay with you and Mr. Sam.”
Molly gave her a squeeze and nodded.
“It’s okay. She can stay.” She looked at the bed as Sam stirred. “Sam will probably wake up soon.”
At the mention of his name
, his eyes fluttered open. “Hey.”
Johnny waved as he and Victoria left. Molly reached out and brushed the back of her hand against Sam’s cheek.
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel great! They gave me something.” He gave her a silly grin and she laughed.
“C’mere.” He reached for her but missed. “Hold still.”
“I haven’t moved.”
“Oh. I must have.”
Molly burst out laughing and Kelsie giggled.
“Hey! There’s my girl!” He grinned at Kelsie and tried to sit up, but winced. “Ouch.” He gave Kelsie a stern look. “Did you beat me up while I was sleeping?”
“No!” Kelsie’s eyes danced. “Mommy said you have an owie again.”
“I do, and I think your mommy should give it a kiss and make it all better, don’t you?”
Kelsie nodded and giggled again, one hand covering her mouth.
Molly rolled her eyes, but smiled and smoothed the hair on Sam’s forehead. “You need to go to sleep. The meds are making you goofy.”
“Yeah, okay, but first I have to tell you
somethin’.” He motioned again, urging her to bring her head down as though he had a secret to whisper in her ear. Chuckling, she played along with him and put her ear near his mouth. His breath tickled when he said, “I forgot to tell you something back at the rally.”
“What did you forget?”
“I forgot to tell you that I love you.”
Molly pull
ed back. “What?” It must be the pain meds talking.
All tra
ces of amusement had vanished from Sam’s face. “I mean it. I know I’m drugged to the gills, but I was about to tell you in the tent, but everyone came in. I love you.” He pointed at Kelsie. “And you, too!”
Molly and Kelsie exchanged a look and Molly melted at the joy on her daughter’s face.
Her own face felt like it was going to split, her smile was so wide.
Sam
grinned. “I’m going to wait until tonight to officially propose so you’ll believe me, but I want to marry you. We could live in the cabin. I’ve been thinking about it. I’ll see if I can take on some assignment up here. There are plenty of meth labs and illegal weapons even up here. No shortage of work. I know it’s asking a lot, but—“
Molly put her finger over his mouth. “
Shhh…I believe you and I’m going to say yes, when you ask me.” He tried to say something, but she bent to kiss him but pulled back, hesitant to kiss him with Kelsie right there. “Now go back to sleep so the meds will wear off, and you can get released.”
“Mommy, can I use the bathroom?”
“Yes, of course. It’s right there.” Molly pointed to the door.
Finally alone, Molly leaned over and kissed Sam.
Sam returned the kiss, his hand tangling in her hair at the nape of her neck as he pulled her closer. “Mmm…how soon until I get out of here? I’d like to finish this kiss somewhere a little more private.”
A thrill shot through her even as her cheeks warmed. “Soon. We have to wait for the doctor, but he should be in this morning.
”
Sam released her, settling back into the pillows. He blinked slowly, as if fighting sleep.
“Maybe this is the drugs, but I was thinking, it’s like, poetic justice or karma—something crazy like that.”
“What is?”
“That Howard took my son, but I get to raise his daughter.” His eyes brightened with moisture, but he smiled. “I think Sean would be happy about us. He would have loved Kelsie for a little sister.”
A lump came to
Molly’s throat and she tried to blink back the tears. “Yes, it is poetic justice.”
The End
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Mark Taylor: Genesis (Prequel)
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Mark Taylor's life changes forever when he finds an antique camera in an Afghan bazaar. Back home in Chicago, he discovers that the camera has a strange and unique ability--it produces photographs of tragedies yet to happen. Gifted with powers to change destiny, what drives him to risk his life for others? And when presented with photos of 9/11 a day before it happens, what else can he do but attempt to save lives and thwart catastrophe?
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