Page 160 of Always Be an Us

He hasn't told us everything that happened in Rick's cabin, only that there was a shootout and that a lot of people are dead. I'm not sure I even want the whole story because I'm still reeling from how close to death he came.

But he continues anyway, "When I had a gun to my head, one of my biggest regrets was that I didn't tell you I loved you early enough."

I sigh and swallow. "Yeah, I love you too. But you need to rest. You almost died."

"But I didn't," he says smiling. "And now I get to live with you for the rest of my life.

The door opens and Amelia comes in along with Eddie, Jensen's partner, who was taking Amelia’s statement. According to Eddie, Jensen is still at the station with my Grandpa dealing with the aftermath of everything that happens.

"I'll need to take your statement next," Eddie tells Declan who nods.

"In a minute," Declan says. Eddie nods and retreats behind the door, shutting it.

Amelia takes one look at her father and hugs him tentatively. "Are you going to be okay Daddy?"

"Yes of course. It was just a flesh wound."

Amelia's eyes are misty but she smiles. "I can't believe you came to save me."

He caresses her cheek. "You didn't think I would?"

She shakes her head. "I thought you would send the cops, or maybe you would be too busy and wouldn't answer your phone when they called."

"Nonsense," Declan declares. "I will never be too busy for you. Believe me. I love you."

Amelia tears up in earnest and I feel emotion choking my throat too when she says, "I love you too, Daddy. I love you."

Later after Declan is done giving his statement,with Amelia asleep beside him on his hospital bed, there's a knock on the door.

"Come in," Declan says, probably expecting it to be a doctor.

But instead of a white-coat, Eddie of all people walks in again with a handcuffed Rick.

"Guess who showed up to turn himself in," Eddie says, seeming very proud of himself.

Seeing Rick again jerks me into standing. He looks like he's been through hell and back, his hair tangled with dirt, soaked in rain, and weary-eyed.

Still, I’m on alert and I step in front of Declan shielding him.

"What do you want?" I ask in the coldest voice I can manage. I don't yet know why Rick did what he did, but I can't forget that he kidnapped Declan's daughter and caused him so much trouble.

Heck, he's probably been doing stuff from the time he first sent Declan up to that cabin.

Now I can't help but think that that wasn't a prank after all, but an intentional murder attempt.

The pain ripples across Rick's expression but I don't let it affect me, steeling my emotions against him.

"I understand how you feel Em," Rick says, cracking my heart shield because he still sounds so much like himself. "But I'm not going to hurt him. I just came to turn myself in."

"Why?" Declan asks, sounding more curious than angry.

"There’s nowhere else for me to go. Plus..." He looks at Declan and swallows thickly. "You saved my life. You didn’t have to. After everything I've done, you risked yourself to save me anyway. Thank you."

Declan nods. I glance at him incredulously. He saved Rick? Why? Why would he do that after everything Rick did?

"I didn't do it for you," Declan tells Rick. "I did it for Emma."

Rick nods. "I thought as much."

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