Page 41 of Nick

“When are you guys finishing up?”

“We are on our way to the airport. Why; is something wrong?” That’s when Asher’s phone went off, and a photo of Opal lying on a hospital bed popped up. “What the fuck happened to Opal?”

“She was shot. She’s going to be okay. She’ll go home tomorrow if the baby’s heartbeat has gone down.”

“What the fuck? I have to call her.” I hung up on him and pushed Opal’s number.

“Hello…”

“Opal, sweetheart.”

“I’m alright. I didn’t want you to freak out that’s why I didn’t call you. I was shot in the shoulder. The bullet went all the way through. My baby’s heartbeat went up, and that scared me so much. They love their brother, Axel. He was here when Ashley did an ultrasound; it was like they wanted to touch him. It was beautiful. I believe they are fine.”

“I’m going to be back this evening. I’ll come to the hospital when I get there.”

“No, go home to Julia; I’m going home tomorrow.”

“I’ll see you tonight. How did you get shot?”

“I went to buy some clothes that would fit me because everything is so tight, and this guy came in. I knew right away he was high on drugs. He shot me in the shoulder. He said he would shoot my baby, so I punched him in the throat. I wished he had died, but he didn’t. When he woke up, a policeman had to kill him. He was freaking out about me punching him.”

“I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you. I’ll see you later.”

“Yes, you will.”

I couldn’t believe how close I was to losing Opal and the babies. I needed to breathe and remind myself that they were alright. It was a close call, but they were okay. I looked down, and my hands were shaking; that’s when I realized my entire body was shaking. “I need to get out of the vehicle for a moment. I think I’m going to be sick.”

Asher pulled over to the side of the road, and I got out. I took deep breaths until I felt my body calm down. Then I got back in the vehicle.

I have never had that kind of reaction before. I loved Opal so much it would destroy me if she died.

The plane landed, and we walked to Asher’s vehicle, which was parked at the airport. “Do you want to be dropped off at the hospital?”

“Yes, I’m staying with Opal the rest of the night.” When I walked into the room, Opal was awake. I walked over and gathered her in my arms. “I love you. I would die if anything happened to you.”

“I love you too. Take your shoes off and crawl into bed with me.” I didn’t hesitate for a moment. My boots came off, and I was holding her in my arms. I felt little feet kicking.

“Do they keep you awake at night?”

“No, I was waiting for you to get here.”

“I’m going to be with you every night from now on. I’m moving in with you. We are getting married this weekend.”

“Okay.”

I was surprised she agreed so quickly. “Do you want to call your father and Jade?”

“Jade is already here. I already told my dad and my uncle. I have cousins who want to be at the wedding. I’ll let them know we are getting married on Saturday. I’ll have Axel walk me down the aisle, so I don’t have to choose between Samuel and my father.” She yawned and cuddled into my side. She was asleep in under a minute. I closed my eyes and slept, holding her in my arms.

“I’m surprised he can fit in that bed as large as he is,” I heard Opal giggle. The room was filled with family members and Angel when I opened my eyes. There were people there who I didn’t know. I assumed that it must have been other family members from Wyoming and later found out that I was right.

“When you get around to waking up, Opal can go home.” I kissed Opal on the top of her head and got up.

“You can leave the room, and I’ll help her dress.” I was kissing her wound when the baby kicked.

“These two are hungry. I have to feed them,” Opal said, kissing me.

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