Broken

Chapter sixteen

Elliott 

I just got in front of Jessie in time as three shots were fired. After she left to get ready, I got this gut feeling something was going to happen. I tell Sarah and she said she'd wear a gun hidden in her suit while we both wear bulletproof vests. 

A forth shot goes off as Sarah takes out the shooter and I collapse in front of Jessie. I hear her screaming in fear as she kneels behind me, rolling me on my back. I hear her relieved breath when she realizes there's no blood. "Elliott," she chokes quietly tapping my cheeks. 

I take in a gasping breath and groan in pain. "I'm okay," I say out of breath and take her hand from my face. "Are you okay?"

"My heart is racing and the twins are kicking like crazy, I'll be okay," she chokes in a breathy whisper as I push myself to sit up. Tears roll down her cheeks and asks, "How did you know to wear a vest?"

"I had a gut feeling after you left this morning," I grunt as I pick each bullet from my vest.

"You get these gut feelings often," she asks in a choked whisper as tears roll down her cheeks. 

"The last gut feeling I had was the day Miranda had her car accident," I choke quietly. 

Sarah comes over as backup and paramedics storm in. "You two okay," she asks with concern. 

"Just shaken up," Jessie chokes quietly. 

"Get the DJ to play some music to lighten the mood," I say catching my breath. "Have the caterers bring out the cake."

She nods as I get to my feet and help Jessie to her feet. Her eyes flick to the three different holes in my chest and stomach and I lift her chin to meet my eyes. She pulls me down in a kiss as her tears slip between our pressed lips. I bring my hands to her stomach and she lets out a relieved breath as the twins kicking calmed down to my touch.

"I guess they really are looking after them," she chokes against my lips. "I was right to choose their names for our girls."

"I'm sure they'd be honored," I choke with a smile.

Our parents and the girls take us in a group hug. "Thank God you're both okay," my mother chokes with relief. 

"We are, but dad's tuxedo isn't," I try to joke but it earns me a slap from both my mother and Jessie. 

"Not funny Elliott," Jessie chokes in a wavering whisper. 

"You're right, I'm sorry," I say apologetically and kiss her forehead. "I'll make it up to you by surprising you with a special nursery."

She laughs through her sobs and says in a choked whisper, "I'd like that."

It was a couple hours after the shooting and everyone was thankfully calmed down. No one mentions it and its because Sarah and I kept the party going. I was making my rounds around the reception hall when I look around for Jessie. 

Panic sets in until I see her curled up with Macy in a large lounge chair, holding each other as they slept. I walk over to them and I remove my holy tuxedo jacket. I cover them with the jacket and they both snuggle closer under it. I watch Jessie's face relax from whatever she was dreaming about.

I tuck hair from her face and she lets out a content sigh. I continue my rounds and come across Mollie, sitting by herself. She looks upset and I sit next to her. "What's bothering you and don't say nothing, because the glum look on your face says different," I say in a soothing tone. 

She gives me a faint smile and nods her head towards her husband, Detective Ryan Wyatt. I see him flirting with a cousin of Jessie's. I shake my head and sigh at what I was witnessing. "I'm pregnant," she chokes in a distant whisper and I look at her. "We went to a party before your accident. It was the last time he touched me and since has been distant."