Coming Home

Chapter 30

The first thing that registered in my brain was pain, excruciating pain. It was hard to tell where the pain from one area stopped and the pain from another area started. The pain was intense in my head, my ribs, my back, and my legs. It was kind of dull everywhere else, but the pain was still there.  I knew I was in the hospital; it was the only place I’d be after what had happened. My eyes were still closed so I slowly opened them, flinching as the bright light of the room filled them. I blinked my eyes rapidly as they adjusted to the light.

Turning my head to the left, I felt a smile spread across my lips. The entire left side of the hospital room was covered in piles of pillows and blankets. Everyone I love was sleeping on the blankets. Tegan was spread out across the couch, her swollen stomach protruding above her body as she lay on her back. Liam was sleeping right beside the couch, one hand reaching up to intertwine with Tegan’s resting on her baby bump. I smiled, knowing they were going to be great parents. Lying parallel to the wall was Tristan with Rox using his stomach as a pillow. Asher was cuddled up next to Roxy, one of her arms wrapped around his little body. Talon, Easton, Cannon, with Cain wrapped in his arms, Kasper, James, Nikki, Jayson, Mom, Emily, Trent, Daddy, Malachi, who was still in his police uniform, as well as half the police squad were spread out across the blanket. I let out a short laugh as I realized that the press would have a field day if they could see Daddy and Trent, the owners of one of the biggest companies in America, laid out on the floor of a hospital room.

I lay back on the bed, my mind reeling with the events of the night. I wasn’t sure how long I had been asleep for but it felt like a while. The corners of my eyes were crusty and I had the overall feeling of too much sleep. All I could think about was the look on Dylan’s face as he held the gun to my face. Even though I knew the ordeal was over, I couldn’t stop the fear from rising up inside me, making me gasp for air and tears to gather in my eyes.

“Shhh, baby girl. It’s okay. You’re okay now,” Cayden said from beside me, his arms wrapping around me tightly.

I clutched onto him tightly, ignoring the pain that it caused in my ribs. I needed Cayden at the moment and I wasn’t going to let pain get in the way. After a few moments, once my breathing had calmed down and I didn’t feel like I was about to cry at any second, Cayden pulled back, keeping his arms on my shoulders.

“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” he asked, suddenly worried, his eyes darting down to my abdomen before meeting my eyes.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I answered, raising my hand to cup his face.

“I don’t care if you can handle it or not, baby girl. I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, his eyes scrunched up in anguish.

I gave him a soft smile as I reached up to smooth the creases out.

“I know you don’t baby,” I answered, leaning forward to kiss his cheek, ignoring the pain that coursed through my body.

“Oh thank god, you’re awake,” Mom said from my other side, grabbing my hand that wasn’t on Cayden’s face in both of hers.

“Hey Momma,” I said, turning away from Cayden to talk to my Mom.

“Marc! Marc, wake up! Kenzi’s awake!” Mom said, reaching her foot out to lightly kick Daddy in the ribs.

Daddy shot up, making me laugh, which caused pain to sear in my ribs.

“Baby, you’re awake. How are you?” Daddy said, appearing next to Mom at my side.

“I hurt but I’m okay,” I answered truthfully, giving them a small smile.

“I was so worried baby,” Daddy said, taking Mom’s place when she started to walk around the room, waking everyone up.