Soulmates

Chapter fourteen

A month has passed since I nearly died fighting with Katie to protect Kelly. I was released a few days later, but have been told to take it easy by Kelly. Scully gave me a week off and I've been wearing my bulletproof vest while working.

Grace was also released from the hospital, but has regular checkups to continue her treatment. Carrie moved in with Monica on behalf of Grace's wish. The two of them have bonded while I was recovering at home and has brought Carrie and Monica together. 

During the last week my mother, Kelly's parents, Carrie and Monica went to pick out her dress for our wedding next weekend. Grace stayed with me and we napped together. Kelly found us cuddled in our room when they got back and we weren't downstairs. 

I woke to Kelly stroking the scar from Katie this morning. She only does it when she has a nightmare about that day and I don't make it. I take her in my arms and she lays her ear over the beat of my chest. Relieved sobs escape her lips and I rub her stomach to help calm her down. 

"I wish these nightmares would stop," she chokes in broken sobs. 

"Shhh, I'm here. It wasn't real," I say in a soothing whisper and she shutters a calming breath. 

"Can you take the day off," she asks in a choked whisper.

"I'll ask Scully," I say softly and reach for my phone. He answers on the second ring and I ask softly, "Hey Scully, would it be possible if I took today off? Kelly woke up an emotional wreck."

"She had another nightmare about Katie," he asks in sympathy. 

"Yes sir," I say quietly as she continues to stroke the scar. "I woke to her stroking the scar."

"See you tomorrow and you can make up your shift after your wedding," Scully says with understanding. 

"Thank you Sir," I say softly and he ends the call. I kiss the top of Kelly's head and say softly, "Scully gave me the day off."

"I'll bake him a pie and we can bring it to him later," Kelly chokes quietly and shutters a calming sigh. "Can we do some baby shopping? I need to focus on something positive."

"Sure, we can get another crib for the nursery if you want," I say softly and she lets out a relieved breath  looking down at me. 

"Thank you," she says quietly and gives me a kiss. 

"You're welcome," I say softly and we head down for breakfast. 

We reach the bottom of the stairs as my mother lets herself and Kelly's parents in. The three of them engulf Kelly into a group hug and she lets out a content sigh. My mother notices that I was confused about what was going on and says in a soothing tone, "Kelly called in the middle of the night. She couldn't wake you and called me to calm her down. I called her parents this morning and we decided to come here knowing you have to work."

"Scully gave me today off, said I could pull a double after the wedding," I say softly and she nods lightly. "I was going to take her to do some baby shopping for a second crib in the nursery."

"Can we tag along," Valerie asks softly with a smile. 

"I'll let Kelly decide," I say softly and she nods with understanding. 

"I'd love if you guys came. We could get carseats, a double stroller and matching outfits for the girls," Kelly chokes with a smile.

"They really are both girls," I ask in a choked whisper as tears fill my eyes. 

"I'm sorry, I was busy with patients yesterday and I forgot to tell you," she chokes as tears roll down her cheeks. 

I take her in my arms as tears of joy roll down my cheeks. "You don't know what this means to me," I choke with a smile and she lets out a relieved breath. "Kennedy already said we could name one of them after her. I'd like to name the other after my sister, Caroline Rose."