'Til Death - Chris Motionless Love Story

Chapter Twenty-One - Out of All Your Secrets, THIS One Was Small?

SALEM'S POV
Now it was my turn to anxiously wait in the waiting room of the hospital. The shot looked like it had missed all vital organs, but I wasn't sure. I also wasn't sure what the fuck was going on. The doctor walked out and straight to me, then knelt down.

"Ah, I see it's your turn to wait in the waiting room! I hope you two don't continue to switch off like this. Chris is doing great! He's awake and responsive, and demanded to see you," he stood up and started leading me to a room, "he's a grouchy one, but I would be, too, if I had just been shot in the back." The doctor opened the door to Chris arguing with a nurse over when he could leave, but stopped the moment he saw me.

"Oh my fucking god, Salem, I was so fucking worried about you. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" He was worried about me? He's the one in a hospital bed!

"No, they were gone by the time I got up there. Who were they, Chris?"

"It's a long story-"

"More secrets? Really? This seems like a pretty big one, like maybe you should have started with 'hi, I'm Chris, and I have people out to kill me', then tell me about your band and what other secrets you've kept from me."

"Please, Salem, I don't want to fight about this. I didn't even know it was a problem until last week, but you had so much going on. It's not exactly easy to tell your pregnant fiancé that you're getting death threats from guys who were involved in the killing of my dead wife." The doctor and nurse were both standing by, watching as if it were a soap opera. Hell, I felt like it was. "They're mad because we killed her ex, and it's a whole mess."

"Am I safe? Are we safe?" Chris' eyes went wide, and he gripped onto my hands tightly.

"Salem Alastair, I promise you I will do anything and everything in my power to keep you both safe. I would take ten thousand bullets before I let one hit you. That is my promise to you, and I will keep it." Something in his eyes and tone felt genuine, like I actually was safe.
After a few hours of monitoring his vitals, they released Chris to go home with me. The moment he got into the house he laid down on the couch, his dress shoes still on. The pain meds were still in his system, and he was a mix of loopy and tired.

"I'd be okay if I never have another day like that at the office." He sarcastically said. I let out a small chuckle, thinking I couldn't agree more. I sat down on the ottoman across from him, and he lightly caressed my leg. "Your legs are so soft, how do you do it?"

"And you are a little high from the meds. Why don't we take you to bed?"

"I'd let you take me to bed anytime. I think you're hot. I'd bang you."

"Well, you did and that's how you're going to be a father." I heard him gasp, and he placed his hand over his chest.

"I'm gonna be a dad? And you're the mom? Wait, are we married?" He had to be joking, right? I helped him off the couch, and we walked to the bedroom with him stumbling and leaning against me for support.

"Not yet, now come on, lover boy. Let's get you in bed." I pulled off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt, as he looked down at me. "What?" I asked, focusing on the buttons and trying not to get my hands in blood. My brow was furrowed in concentration.

"You're just the most magnificent creature on this planet, I never knew I'd be so lucky to call you mine." He spoke softly as he smiled. I blushed and laughed to myself.

"You're delusional, Chris. Now, lay down. I'm going to grab my laptop and I'll be right back up here." I watched carefully as he laid down, and the moment his head hit the pillow he fell asleep. I took a deep breath, relieved that I didn't have to deal with how insanely high he was from the medication. When I opened my laptop I had tons of emails, and then I got into Chris' to check his emails to ensure he wouldn't fall behind. It was filled with mainly spam emails, but then one caught my eye. One with the subject line, "Acquisition Schedule". I thought on it for a second, knowing I probably shouldn't snoop on that one, but decided against my better judgement.

"Christopher, we are so glad that you have decided to carry through with the sale! We know how much this business means to you, and how much it meant to Lilith. We wish you and your small family you're starting the best, and we will be in contact about the acquisition and final paperwork.
Much Love, Jim Ankor"

He was selling to Jim and Marlene? He was selling the funeral home period? I quickly marked it as unread, then scrolled down again. I found the conversation thread:

"Jim, it's been a tough decision, but I have decided that I need to sell the business. Salem and I are starting a family, and, honestly, I don't want to miss any of this. I'm fully willing to carry on with the sale."

"Chris, this is great news! Will Salem come with the sale? We'd love to keep her on board."

"I'd love to say yes, but I feel that Salem needs to take a step back with the pregnancy, and stay away from the stress. If she wishes to return back to work after giving birth, I'd be okay with that as long as everything goes smoothly."

I read on as they discussed the terms of everyone else, and the final sale amount. Was I the reason he was selling the funeral home? When was he going to tell me? Also, when did he decide that I needed to step back? My mind raced with many questions as I sat there in shock, Chris peacefully slumbering next me as I found out more things he was keeping from me. I mean, do I even know this man?