Page 21 of Midnight
After a few hours in the ER, they transfer us to a room upstairs stating that she has a serious concussion, but she's stable.Until she wakes up, I prop a chair next to her bed and hold her hand in mine.At one point I'm drifting off when James walks in still in uniform.
"We have the father in custody and the men that he was talking to are known sex traffickers in the area.Between the kidnapping charges and the footage, we have enough that we were able to get them charged on kidnapping and attempted sex trafficking.They’ve been sent to jail and it will be up to the jury to convict them," he tells me.
I'm relieved that they're behind bars.But I'm even happier that her dad won't be able to bother her anymore and is out of the picture.Yet it will all mean nothing until she wakes up.
Looking at Harper lying there lifeless in the bed, I think the time that he'll get in jail seems like he's getting off easy for what he did to her.
"Tell the guy that her dad set him up," I tell James without even looking at him.
"You know what that will do to him in jail, don't you?"he asks, his voice completely serious.
"Yes," I say again, without taking my eyes off Harper.
"It's been a rough few days.Are you sure you don't want to wait and decide on this later?"
"I'm absolutely sure I don't want Harper ever looking over her shoulder and worrying about him again."
"Okay," James says and I know he wouldn't do it for anyone else.But we are family.
The sex traffickers might be in jail, but they are powerful people and will remain powerful even from behind bars.Telling them that Harper's father set them up is basically signing his death warrant.
Harper
I'm finally heading home from the hospital.According to Nate I was unconscious and then in and out for about forty-eight hours before I truly came out of it.There's been a pit in my stomach all day about going home, but I haven't said anything to Nate.
Even though I know my dad's locked away behind bars, I think it's going to take me a while to realize I don't have to constantly look over my shoulder for him.
But when I walk into the house, I freeze.All I can see is that day where my father broke in and kidnapped me.Standing in the living room, the scene plays over and over again in my head.
"Harper!"Nate yells.I look over at him.
"What's wrong?I called your name almost ten times," he asks, panicked.
"I can't stay here.All I see is my dad bursting through the door.Nate, I just don’t think I can stay here."
He looks around and I can tell there are a million thoughts racing through his head.
"Pack a bag.We'll go to our house on Hummingbird Island and we'll get everything moved as soon as possible.You won't have to step foot in this place again."
True to his word, as soon as our bags are packed we're on the road yet again and crossing over the bridge onto the Island.It is the most peaceful feeling in the world.
"We're home," I tell him.
"We are definitely home."Our smiles are so huge as we pull in to our driveway.
It's been a long day, and it's almost midnight, but I'm finally home.I'm finally safe, and I couldn't ask for anything more.
Epilogue
Nate
1 year later
We'recelebratingourone-yearanniversary.Between Lin, Brynn and Mrs.Adams, I think they went way overboard in planning our anniversary party.This party is bigger than our actual wedding was, but Harper has the biggest smile on her face, so that makes it all worth it.
There's a professional photographer taking pictures of us with friends and family.Right now, the photographer is getting a picture of one of the biggest dessert tables I've ever seen.I think that was more Brynn's doing with her being pregnant and craving all sweets.
Everyone from my old job with James is here, all the people that were there to rescue Harper that day, along with my sister and her husband and her husband's family.
