|
Post by kaijafon on Apr 20, 2017 18:25:12 GMT -6
what a cliff!!!!!! Don't leave us here TOO long!!!! my fingernails are starting to break already!
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Apr 20, 2017 18:25:29 GMT -6
(and thanks so much! for the MOAR)
|
|
|
Post by ydderf on Apr 20, 2017 21:26:59 GMT -6
We have arrived at the cliff. F5 F5 F5 F5
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 20, 2017 21:44:52 GMT -6
...Push... Chapter 27 “Simpson County Sheriff’s Office, Doreen speaking.” “D, put out a priority call to all deputies! Send them to the Marshall farm right now! I don’t care what they’re doing, drop it and roll code 3! Call KSP and have them send backup and SWAT! One male, description unknown, intent to kill the Marshalls and kidnap Erin Baxter. He is armed and extremely dangerous. Capture or kill him, I don’t care.” “I’m sending priority all call now, Pete.” “I’m in route in a civilian vehicle, White Chevy single cab pickup, Kentucky plate Bravo, Victor, November 362. Request KSP escort best possible speed. ETA 40 Minutes. I want that place crawling with cops before I get there!” Pete, we’ll do our best.” “I know, D. I just hope it’s good enough this time. Call me with any new information.” “I will. Be careful, Pete.” (Marshall farm, 11:30) (Glass breaking) “Larry? Erin?” (Bang) “MORGAN!” (BANG BANG. BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG) “BRIAN, HELP! MORGAN’S HIT!” “Larry!?!” “Erin, call 911! We need an ambulance! Morgan’s been shot!” “”Morgan, where?” “Larry...you...shot...me...Why?” “No, Morgan, but I got the guy who did. Where did he hit you.” “Don’t...know...hurt...all...over...feel...sick...cold.” “I’m here, Morgan. You’re going to be alright. Larry, I’m going to need your help.” “I’m here.” “Erin, give Larry the phone.” “This is Larry Waters. The victim is female, 25, pregnant. She has one gunshot wound to the lower, center abdomen. Exit wound in the back below the right kidney right hand side of the spine...Yes, she is consious and responsive.” “Erin, go unlock the front and back doors and turn on every light in the house, inside and out.” “I’m on it!” “Larry...you...did...good. Saved...Brian...Erin. Take...care..of....Erin. Brian...I’m...sorry. I..screwed...up. Our...baby. I’m...sorry. Don’t...Don’t...mourn...me. Let...me...go. You...de...deserve...better. I...love...you. So...cold.” “Morgan, you stay with me! I’m never letting you go! You promised me a lifetime! Stay with me! Don’t you give up on me now!” “Ambulance is here!” Get ‘em in here NOW!! HURRY!” “Brian, let us in there. We have her. Head for the ambulance. We gotta’ move!” “But…” “Brian, what the hell are you thinking, GO NOW! Erin, get him to the ambulance!” “Come on, Brian. You’ve got to go. Morgan needs you.” “Larry, the ambulance is gone. There’s cops everywhere! They just showed up.” “They’re late.” (Larry falls to the floor) “LARRY!!! HELP, SOMEBODY!!!” (Deputy Jim Thornhill) ERIC, GET MY MEDIC BAG AND GET THE HELL IN HERE!” “He took 2 to the chest. I think he’ll make it, but we have to get him to the hospital now! Eric, get me 2 Thoroseals! We’re gonna’ put these on and put him in your cruiser. Get him to the hospital RFN! Take Erin with you. We’ll sort out what happened later.” (On the way with deputy Eric Preston) “Can’t you go any faster?” “I’m doing 140! The car won’t go any faster! How’s Larry?” “He’s still unconscious, but he’s breathing a little better. It’s fast, but I’m getting a strong pulse. Eric, I can’t lose him! We’re getting married!” “We’ll be at the hospital in 5 minutes. If he’s still breathing then, he’ll probably make it. It’s the best I can do. Larry’s been my best friend for 15 years. I can’t lose him either. I’m trying.” “I know, Eric. I’m just afraid.” “Not...leaving. Getting...married...Love.” “He’s fighting. Dammit, hurry up, Eric!” “We’re here! They’ve got the gurney waiting for us! Come on, people, Move!” “We’ve got him, Deputy. We’ll take care of him.” (Back at the Marshall farm) “Pete! I thought you were out of town.” “I was. What’ve you got?” “Morgan Marshall and Larry Waters are both on their way to the hospital with gunshot wounds. Her husband and Erin Baxter went with them. We have one very dead man. He has no ID. All we found on him are these weapons and this tape recorder.” “Give me a pair of gloves and let me see that.” (Plays tape) “Baxter” “Mr. Baxter, I’m in Franklin. Your daughter will be back home late tomorrow night.” “Don’t forget the rest. I want Brian and Morgan Marshall dead, do I make myself clear?” “I told you I’d kill them for you. They will be dead before morning.” “Make sure. I don’t want those two causing me any more problems. And Conlin, make Morgan’s death painful...and slow. I want her to suffer. Make sure she knows I am the one who wanted it that way.” (Cell phone) “Pete! Are they safe!?!” “Brian and Erin are safe. Morgan and my nephew, Larry, have both been shot. Mark, you get that bastard now. Not today, not tomorrow, NOW! You have 24 hours. If you don’t have Baxter by then, I am coming. I am coming and I will kill him and everybody who tries to stop me, including you.” (click) (New York) (Cell phone) “Tony, it’s Mark. Get me an arrest warrant for Charles Baxter right now...I don’t care what time it is. Get a judge out of bed if you have to. I’ll be at the office in 20 minutes. I want that warrant and a team together when I get there. Make it happen or heads will roll. Baxter will be in custody before Midnight or the Bureau is going to be looking to replace several agents...If Baxter is not in our hands tonight, I will be one of them, and so will you. Tony, it isn’t our jobs that are at stake here...it’s our lives. If we don’t get Baxter, someone else will. Nobody in the bureau can stop the man who will be hunting him and we won’t be able to prove he did it...any of it...Thank you, Tony. See you in 20 minutes.” (Franklin, KY ER) “Deputy, this is the address of Dr. Aaron Micheals. Go get him and bring him back here. I will call him so he’s ready when you get there. We don’t have time to be subtle. We only have one surgeon on duty tonight. We need him here now. Use your lights and siren all the way. I’ll deal with any fallout from the Sheriff. This is on my authority.” “I’m on my way.” (Phone) “Aaron Micheals.” Dr. Micheals, a deputy sheriff is on his way to your house. Be ready to go when he gets there. We need you for emergency surgery.” “I’ll be ready in 5 minutes. I put you on speaker. What do you have?” “One male, 19, two gunshot wounds to the right chest. Dr. Beale is working on him now. We also have one female, 25, pregnant with a single gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. She will be your patient.” “I’m ready to go and the deputy just got here. Round up a surgical team for me. Contact Pastor Greene and have him come to the hospital. If that female is who I think it is, the family is going to need him.” (Hospital) (crying) “Pop, get Mom and come up to the hospital right now. Hurry. Larry’s in surgery...I’ll tell you when you get here. Pop, I need you and Mom here with me!...I love you, Pop. Be safe but hurry!” (Takes Brian’s hand) “She’ll make it, Brian. She’s going to be ok. I’m sorry I brought all this misery to you and Morgan. I would never have come here if I had known any of this would happen.” “You didn’t do any of this, Erin. It is your fucking father that tried to kill our family tonight, I know it was him! The bastard didn’t even have the courage to do it himself. If he wants to try again, he best do it tonight. I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m sorry for your sake, Erin but I’m going to kill your father.” “I’ll come with you. You can’t do this alone, not in the shape you’re in.” “Erin, Larry is going to need you. Morgan will too if she lives. I can’t let you come with me. You have your whole life ahead of you. If Morgan dies, I have nothing left to lose.” “You’ll still have me. If Larry lives, you’ll have him too. They are both still alive and still fighting. I’m going to pray. You need to do the same.”
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Apr 21, 2017 16:17:49 GMT -6
And some of you thought the previous chapter was a cliffhanger...
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Apr 21, 2017 17:05:48 GMT -6
oh MAN!!! a even BIGGER CLIFF!!!! ugh! thank you for freaking me out and making my heart go way too fast and now I'm in a deep state of anxiety about how they will fair. So thank you for all that stress!!!! I'll send you my doctor bill! hehehehehe!
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Apr 21, 2017 20:13:15 GMT -6
More, please!
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 21, 2017 21:25:31 GMT -6
Chapter 28
(Stamford)
“Charles, I’m leaving.”
“Where the hell do you think you are going this time of night, Veronica?”
“You don’t understand, I’m leaving you.”
“What is this nonsense?”
“It’s not nonsense. It’s been coming for a long time. I pretended to ignore Tammy and Crystal and Beverly and all of your one night stands. I ignored your shady deals. I looked the other way when you sent out your thugs. I went along with it when you disowned Morgan because I didn’t want this life for her. She found a good man and I wanted her to be happy. I was already in too deep to get out, but she wasn’t. I played along when you paid off the Mathis boy who tried to rape Erin. I was secretly overjoyed when she left. I would have helped her if I had known what she was planning, but she kept her secret well. I just got off the phone with Beverly. She told me you have been under investigation for sending Childers after Erin. They have been listening in on our phones. She also told me the FBI is coming for you, tonight. Her husband will be on that detail and he knows about you two. She told him everything after you threw her away. You took both my daughters and the best years of my life away from me. I’m not living like this anymore and I’m not going down with you. Enjoy prison, if you live that long.” (Turns to go)
“If I’m going down, you’re going with me, bitch.” (BANG BANG BANG)
They’re coming! I can’t go to prison! They’ve got me on tape ordering the Marshall’s murders. No way out! I can’t let them take me! (Bang, thud)
(Stamford, 1 AM)
(cell phone) “Pete, sorry to call so late.”
“Mark, do you have that bastard?”
“Sit down, Pete.”
“I’m sitting. Do...you...have...Baxter!?!”
“Pete, we executed an arrest warrant an hour ago. I led the team. We found Baxter and his wife both dead. It looks to be a murder-suicide. Somebody must have tipped him off. Pete, I’m sorry. I wanted him to face trial too.”
“Don’t be. I never wanted him to face trial. I wanted him dead. Truthfully, this is the best way it could have gone down. The family is finally safe, justice was done, and you don’t have to hunt me or Bill’s son for killing Baxter. I know Brian. It would have been a coin toss as to which one of us got to Baxter first, but one of us would have killed him. Now, all I have to do is tell the girls that their parents are both dead. That’s if Morgan survives. I still don’t know what’s going on with her and Larry.”
“The system failed them. I hope they make it.”
“Yes, we did. I hope so too.” (click)
(Marshall farm)
“Sheriff, I don’t know which one of these people killed this guy, but they were serious. He’s got six holes in him. Four of those are dead center mass, not two inches apart. His heart must be shredded. The other two are both head shots. The whole back of his head is gone. From the casings, it looks like they used a .45, but I’m not sure we have the weapon.”
“Eric has it in his cruiser. This was the work of Larry Waters. I know that because I trained him...and Larry’s pistol is .45 and only had 2 rounds left when Erick checked it. Todd, I want this done right. I can’t be involved with this case anymore. Larry is my nephew and we can’t have any appearance of impropriety. From now on, Jim is leading this case. You are to tell me nothing else. Keep me out of the loop on this one. I’m going to the hospital to see what I can find out about Larry and Morgan. Have Jim call me when he leaves.”
“Will do, Sheriff. Don’t worry, we’ll get it right.”
(Hospital)
“Mom, Pop, the surgeons just talked to us. Larry and Morgan are both in recovery. Larry was shot twice. One bullet nicked an artery and went out his back. The other one bounced off a rib and went down into his intestines. She said they repaired everything, but Larry lost a lot of blood. She said his heart stopped twice while he was in surgery. She doesn’t know if he’s going to make it. Morgan was shot once in the stomach. She’s going to be ok, but the baby was killed.”
(Sue takes Erin into a hug) It’s in God’s hands, baby girl. All we can do is pray and be here for our Larry.”
“Who did this? Did they catch him?”
“Pop, Larry killed him. He was so brave. The man shot Morgan. Larry yelled and the guy shot him twice. Larry just stood his ground and shot the man six times. He kicked the guy’s gun away and went to Morgan. He killed a man and went straight to helping Morgan. We didn’t know he was shot until after the ambulance left with Morgan and Brian. He never said anything. I came back in the house to tell him the cops were there. He said, ‘They’re late” and collapsed. Eric brought us to the hospital in his cruiser. Pop, Mom, be proud of him. He saved our lives.”
“We’ve always been proud of him, baby girl. The best thing you can do for him is stay by his side. He’ll fight to live for you.”
“I wouldn’t do anything else. I’m going to marry that man or no one at all.”
“Brian, how are you a holdin’ up”
“Bert, I’m dreading having to tell Morgan the baby is...is...dead.”
“Sue, take Erin out of here for a bit.”
“C’mon, Erin, we don’t want to be here for this conversation.”
“But, Brian”
“Brian needs to talk with Bert alone. Ya’ can’t know what he’s a goin’ through right now, Bert does. C’mon, baby girl. Trust me.”
(The girls leave)
“Son, you ain’t the only father in this room what ever lost a child. I know what you’re a goin’ through and what ya’ will. You’ll want to live just so you can suffer some more for not a bein’ able to save your baby. You’ll want to die ‘cause it hurts so damn bad. You’ll keep goin’ because ya’ hafta for your loved ones, but all you’ll wanna’ do is lay down an’ die. You’ll wonder iffin it’ll ever get better, iffin it’ll ever stop hurtin’.
“Does it?”
“I’m a sorry, Brian, but it don’t never stop. After a while, you’ll get so ya’ can manage it better. It don’t seem to hurt quite as much then, but it does. Ya’ just learn how to hide it. Ya’ get sick n tired o’ people sayin’ they’s sorry and tellin’ ya’ how terrible it is. Ya’ know how terrible it is; ya lives with it ever’ day. The worst is them stupid people what ain’t never lived with it tellin’ ya’ they understand. Ya’ get sick o’ hearin’ it so ya’ learns to hide how ya’ really feelin’. Seems like it goes away mostly when ya’ start gettin’ good at hidin’ it, but it don’t. It just builds up inside and hits ya’ when ya’ ain’t ‘spectin’ it. Son, you’ll learn to cope, but it’ll never go away. You n Morgan may have more kids, but yer little’un what never got no chance to live’ll always be with ya’. Ya’ won’t never forget ‘im and you’ll never stop a lovin’ ‘im.”
“Bert, it feels like my heart’s ripped out. How do you stand it!?!”
“I had it easier n you. My Olivia got a chance at some livin’ afore she passed. I got to make some good memories with her afore I lost her. Them memories carried me through a many a sad night. You ain’t got that. I don’t envy you none, Brian. I lost my baby girl, but I ain’t been through all you’re a facin’. I can understand some of it, but not near all of it. Even so, I’m always here for ya’. Any time you a wanna’ talk, day or night, you come on over an’ see me or give me a call. That goes for Morgan too. When she finds out, she’s gonna’ be a hurtin’ just as bad as you are. The only comfort I can offer ya’ is that yer little’un is with God now. He’ll not ever be alone, or wantin’ for love, or a sufferin’. He’s safe from this ole’ world now. It can’t hurt him no more. He’s in the arms of the only One who can love him more than you. And Brian, he’ll be a waitin’ for you and Morgan. He’ll be a waitin’ there for ya’ when God calls y’all home. Just don’t get in no hurry to get there. He never got to live, so he’s dependin’ on you and Morgan to live for y’all and him too.”
“Bert, that actually helps a little, not much, but a little. I guess because I know he’s safe and it gives me something good to look forward to. I guess it gave me a little hope. What about you? What can I do to help you through this? You helped me, and Larry saved our lives.”
“Pray. Pray for Larry. Other n that, you just done all you can do, you showed me you cared. You showed me what Larry done matters to ya’. Dependin’ on what happens, I might need a shoulder later, but for now, I’m gettin’ by. Lessin’ you need to talk some more, we best go get the girls back with us. They’s both hurtin’ powerful bad too.”
“Mr. Marshall?”
“Yes, Ma’am?”
“Where’s Erin? Larry’s awake and asking for her.”
“This is Larry’s dad. Please take him back to see Larry and I’ll go find Erin and his mom.”
“OK. Come with me, Mr. Waters.”
(Outside the front doors of the hospital)
“I have looked all over for you two. Come on, we gotta’ go! Larry’s awake and asking for Erin. Both of you, let’s move. Erin, wipe those tears away. I know what you’re going through and I don’t blame you for crying, but Larry needs you strong.”
(Recovery)
“Go on Baby Girl, he’s askin’ for you.”
“No, Mom, we go together. If he wants to talk to me alone, we can, but first you need to see your son...and he may be grown, but he still needs his Momma.”
“Hi..Mom. Sorry I’m..such a mess.”
“Boy, you was always a mess. I don’t care, long as you stick around.”
“I’m not goin’..anywhere. I’m gettin’..married.”
(Sue kisses Larry on the forehead) “I love ya’, boy. Pop, what say we give ‘em a minute alone?”
“I love you too, Son. I’m proud of you. Yeah, let’s step out Momma.”
“You ok.. Love?”
“Thanks to you. That’s the second time you’ve saved me.”
“Second?”
“The first time was when you decided to keep me instead of letting me go.”
“Never letting you go. I told you I won’t sacrifice my loved ones to save my own ass.”
“And I believed you then. I still believe you. Try to avoid having to prove it again.”
“I promise to try. I’m tired. Kiss me before I doze off.”
(Tender, gentle kiss) “I’ll be here when you wake. They’ll come get me.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too. Now rest, Love.”
(Surgery waiting almost 2 AM)
“Brian, how are Morgan and Larry?”
“Both still in recovery. Larry woke up and talked to Bert, Sue, and Erin. They’re waiting for a room to move him to. Morgan hasn’t come out from under the anesthesia yet. They said she might take longer.”
“Brian, I need to talk to you alone. Will you walk with me?”
“Erin, I have my phone. Call me if Morgan wakes up. Let’s go, Pete.”
(Back out front of the hospital) (Pete lights a cigarette)
“Give me one of those.”
“You don’t smoke, except a cigar once in awhile.”
“Give me one anyway. I don’t have a cigar right now.”
“Here. Now what were you leaving out back there?”
“Sit down, Pete.” (Both sit) “Pete, Larry’s heart stopped twice while he was on the table. He woke up in recovery and talked like I told you, that’s a good sign. Pete, that bastard killed our baby. You have to get Baxter or I will.”
“I came to find out about Larry and Morgan, but I have news too. The FBI tried to execute an arrest warrant against Charles Baxter tonight. They found both Charles and Veronica Baxter dead of gunshot wounds. I served with the team leader in Desert Storm and after. I trust him to tell me the truth. It appears to be a murder-suicide. It looks like Baxter shot his wife in the back and then killed himself. We’re both off the hook to see that justice is done. I just wish I didn’t have to tell the girls that both their parents are dead.”
“Pete, you told me. Let me break the news to them. They might take it better from me.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
|
|
|
Post by freebirde on Apr 21, 2017 23:01:23 GMT -6
I get busy for a couple of days with LIFE, and come back for this! Baxter got off to easy, neonancer him so I can make him suffer.
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Apr 22, 2017 5:13:48 GMT -6
(bawling) thnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnks for mmmmmmmmmmoa rr rrr
|
|
|
Post by ydderf on Apr 22, 2017 11:28:57 GMT -6
I saw it coming but am still shocked thanks for the update.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 22, 2017 14:01:22 GMT -6
Which part did you see coming? I apparently didn't do my job right.
|
|
|
Post by ydderf on Apr 22, 2017 18:25:30 GMT -6
I didn't expect Morgan to lose her baby but did expect a gun battle at the ranch with assorted injuries. Because Brian is still recovering from his previous battle I thought Larry or Erin would be the next to be hurt.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 22, 2017 20:33:24 GMT -6
Yeah, I guess I couldn't hide everything. I knew Morgan was going to lose the baby. I've known that ever since she found out she was pregnant, I just didn't know how it was going to happen. I truthfully expected a miscarriage brought on by extrordinary stress and the associated problems that causes. I knew a second person was going to be injured. I didn't know for sure who. I knew if it was Brian, he wouldn't survive with his existing injuries.
|
|
|
Post by ydderf on Apr 23, 2017 8:15:00 GMT -6
I'm not sure you want to hide everything, it could lead to a boring read. Foreshadowing is the art needed to keep your audience coming back.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 25, 2017 7:22:03 GMT -6
Real life is getting in the way but I am working on another chapter, I promise.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Apr 25, 2017 10:51:23 GMT -6
Some of us have experience with real life - but but doesn't stop us from thinking about the "M" word after a week or so ;-)
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 27, 2017 21:41:02 GMT -6
Chapter 29
(Surgery Waiting)
“Any news?”
“They are moving Larry to a room now. Morgan is starting to come around but she isn’t awake yet. They said they expect her to take another 15 minutes or so.”
“Erin, I need to talk to you privately for a minute.”
“Mom, call me if they take you to Larry’s room before we get back. Let’s take a walk, Brian.”
(walking outside)
“Brian, Morgan is going to be ok. I don’t want you to go after Dad. Let the cops handle him. I don’t want us to lose you now. You won’t survive it if you go after him. You’ll end up dead or in prison. Please, Brian, stay with us.”
“There is no need to go after your father anymore. Your father and mother are dead; Pete just told me. I’m sorry, Erin.”
“Good. It’s a shame it didn’t happen a long time ago.”
“Erin, they are your parents! You just lost your Mom and Dad! I know what they were, believe me, but they are still your parents!”
“No, they WERE my parents. They WERE Morgan’s parents. They chose their path. It was the wrong one. Let God be their Judge. They best be glad I’m not. If they’d died before Toby tried to rape me, Morgan would have become my legal guardian as my only living kin. I wouldn’t have had to go through that, I would have finished high school the regular way, I would have met Larry sooner, we wouldn’t have had that miserable fight, and none of this would have happened. Larry and Morgan would never have been shot, you would have never been hurt the second time, and you and Morgan would still have your baby.
“Erin, it’s going to be ok. We got through all of that and we’ll get through this. I love you, Cuddles.”
“I know you do. I’ve never doubted that. I love you too. Let’s go back in and see how Morgan’s doing.” (Takes Brian’s hand as they walk)
(Surgery waiting)
“I was just calling you. Morgan’s awake.”
“Bro, I’ll go with you.”
“Cuddles, I have to do this alone, but thank you.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. All three of you, Morgan could use your prayers right now. Would you, please?”
(All three nod as they take each other’s hands and bow their heads)
(...)
“Love...are all of you...ok?”
“...Yes, Love, we’ll all be fine.”
“You were always such...a lousy liar. Who?”
“Love, Erin and I are ok. Larry was shot twice, but he came through surgery. He talked to Erin and his folks. They are moving him to a room now. He’s going to be alright.”
“Our...baby?”
“Rest, Love, we’ll talk later.”
“Nooo! I killed our baby!” (Nurse puts something in Morgan’s IV) “I killed our baby.” I killed..”(Morgan passes out)
“Mr. Marshall, that will keep her out for a few hours. We will be moving her into a room soon. Doctor told me that you are recovering from some serious injuries yourself, but you should be there when she wakes up if you can stand it.”
“Morgan’s my wife. We’ve been through alot together. I’ll stand anything to stay by her side.”
(Nurse touches Brian’s arm) “Brian, half this town stands with you two. You and Morgan are well known and well loved here. You two have helped so many, don’t think you have to go through this by yourselves. We’re with you, all of us, including me. Tabatha Micheals is my daughter.”
(Brian doesn’t have words, just lays his hand over hers)
“We’ll come get you when we move her to a room, and Brian, I can’t understand, but I am sorry.”
“I hope you never can understand. I wouldn’t even wish that on the man who killed my child.”
(Brian walks out)
(Surgery waiting, Bert, Sue, and Erin still in a prayer circle. Brian takes Erin’s and Bert’s hands and joins in)
“Lord, you have our son. Take care of him. Make sure he knows we will love him and cherish him always. Touch Morgan’s heart, take away her self blame. Give her to know that she did nothing to cause our son to be with you. Give her the peace that Bert gave me. Give her the wisdom...that our son is in the arms of the only One who can love him more than we do. Give her the hope that You have given me. Give her the peace that we will meet when the time is right. Give her the peace that our reunion will be even sweeter for being in Your presence.”
“For me, Lord, give me what I need to ease my wife’s suffering, to take the burden of sorrow off her heart. Stand in the midst of us, as You always have, that we will get through this, and be stronger for it. In Christ’s name, Amen.”
“That, I think, is the best prayer I have heard in many years.”
“Pastor Greene! Why are you here at this hour?”
“Brian, as you are so fond of saying, you needed me. Father Davis called me. He thought since I am your pastor and am closer to you, that I might be able to offer more comfort. How may I help, my friends?”
“It’s 3 o’clock in the mornin’, Pastor. I don’t rightly know what ya’ could do what ya’ ain’t already done. Ya’ left yer family to come be here fer us.”
“Pastor? This probably isn’t the right time, but there is something you can do for Larry and me, later. We would like you to marry us if you are willing.”
“Erin, I know you are upset. I know you care about Larry. I have to say that this is sudden. You two haven’t been dating that long at all. If you two marry, you are committing yourselves before God and Man to a lifetime together. Don’t make a hasty decision in a time of crisis.”
“Pastor, Larry has stood by me when I was at my worst. He has loved me through trouble that would have caused lesser men to run away. He came very close tonight to giving his life for me and my family. Doesn’t the Bible say, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’? We are his family, or soon will be, but doesn’t it still apply? Pastor, I could search the rest of my life and am not likely to ever find a man so totally devoted to me. He has earned my love and devotion repeatedly, even though he already had it. I will marry him. I’m asking you to preside over that wedding.”
“Somebody has been studying. I can see your mind is made up. I have indeed seen your love and devotion for each other. I can find no fault with your reasons. I just wish your relationship hadn’t been forged in the trials you two have faced in such a short time. Ordinarily, I would be hesitant to marry two people so young, but in this case, I think you two understand exactly what you are entering into. I’ll gladly marry you. You tell me when and where. I’ll be there.”
“Craig, Larry personally took a man’s life tonight. He did no wrong and committed no sin, but he is still going to have to come to terms with that. Erin, Morgan, and I all owe him our lives, but he’s going to need help with that. Morgan and I had our baby taken from us tonight. Morgan thinks she killed him, but it isn’t so. I want revenge, but the men who caused it are both dead. We are going to need help. Bert and Sue came very close to losing their only living child. I know how they feel now; I didn’t before. They need comforting too. As much as I want to, I know I am in no condition, mentally or spiritually, to help them right now. Erin and Larry got engaged less than two days ago. I can’t imagine what they are going through right now. I think you are going to be a very busy preacher.”
“In 20 years of ministry, I have never seen one family faced with so much in such a short period of time. That said, I’ll do all that I can for as long as it takes.”
“Mr. Marshall? We are moving Mrs. Marshall to a room now.”
“Thank you. Guys, I have to go. Erin, I’ll let you know when Morgan wakes up.”
“I’ll come sit with you.”
“No, Craig, I have to do this part by myself, but thank you.”
(Friday, April 7th, 7 AM, Hospital room 218)
(Phone) “Jake?”
“Hey Erin, what’s goin’ on with ya’?”
“Jake, Morgan and Larry are both in the hospital. Can you spare one of the twins to run parts?”
“I’ll send Ed in right now. What happened?”
“A man broke into the house last night. He shot Morgan and then shot Larry.”
“Did they catch the guy?”
“He’s dead, Jake. Please, Jake, don’t ask anything else about it. Reliving last night is more than any of us can bear right now.”
“Are they going to be alright?”
“Physically, I think so. Emotionally, not for a long time, if ever.”
“Erin, are you going to be alright?”
“Right now, I’m mostly holding it together. I think I’ll be better when Larry and Morgan are home.. Thanks for asking, Jake.”
“Hey, I’m not always a jerk. Larry’s a good man and I owe him on top of that.”
“Jake, Larry’s not keeping score and neither am I. Larry told me about it. He told me you both said some things you shouldn’t have. It’s past. Life’s too short to worry about one little disagreement.”
“Wait a minute, it just clicked with me. Are you trying to run the company and farm all by yourself?!?”
“Not much choice. Larry and Morgan are both in the hospital recovering from gunshot wounds. Brian is still a long way from healed and he’s tending to Morgan. Jake, between you and me, I’m scared to death that I’m going to screw up and ruin the company. I’ve been working on the farm enough that I at least know most of what to do there. I’m the only one not hurt that at least knows their way around the office, so I have to do what I can. Doesn’t Max do some estimating for the company occasionally?”
“Yeah, he helped Brian bid this job as a matter of fact.”
“Jake, I’d ask you but we need you running Novatec. You’re doing a good job and the money from that project may be all that keeps Ruby out of trouble, depending on how long Brian and Morgan are down. I hate to do it, but I need Max to bid a couple of projects we have in the office. Can you spare him too?”
“We might lose a little ground out here, but we are far enough ahead that we can afford to lose a little ground if we have to. Can those bids wait till Monday?”
“Sure. The one that’s due first doesn’t have to be in until the first of May.”
“If you like, I’ll talk to Max and tell him to report to the shop Monday morning. Seven o’clock ok?”
“Seven would be great. Jake, I owe you.”
“Tell you what, I owed Larry so what say we just call it even?”
“I’ll ask him when he wakes up but I think he’ll be ok with that.”
“Good enough. Erin, the guys need me now. When we get this transformer set, I’ll send Ed to the shop and I’ll talk to Max at lunch.”
“Works for me. Have Ed call me when he leaves the jobsite. I’ll meet him at the shop. Talk to you later.”
(Phone) “Pete?”
“Erin, is everything ok?”
“All things considered, things could be worse. Do you still have the truck?”
“No. I went back by y’all’s place last night and dropped it off. I put the keys on the kitchen table and locked up when I left. I had one of my deputies take me home.”
“Damn! Pete, none of us have our house keys with us.”
“That’s ok. Brian keeps a spare house key in a magnetic box stuck to the bottom of that wheelbarrow in the flowerbed behind the house.”
“Thanks, Pete. By the way, I’m in Larry’s room. He slept through the night as well as anyone can in the hospital. They gave him 3 pints of blood while he was in surgery. They said his heart most likely stopped from lack of blood. They gave him another pint last night and are giving him a second one now. He’s still asleep but his color is much better and his vitals are good. I think he’s going to be ok.”
“Thanks, Erin. I’ve been worried sick about him all night.”
“Pete, I’m still worried sick. He killed a man, Pete. What’s going to happen to him?”
“Well, I’m assuming he was there at your or Brian’s invitation and with y’all’s consent. If that is true, there is a slim chance he will be brought before a grand jury, probably on voluntary manslaughter.”
“What!?! That’s bullshit Pete and you know it! I’m not trying to be morbid, but that guy didn’t shoot him and Morgan AFTER Larry shot him! You know damn good and well that it was self defense!”
“Yes, I do and the prosecutor will too as soon as he gets the case file. The only reason he might be brought before a grand jury is so it can be established as a self defense shooting. Nobody in this county will vote to indict him. The result is that the guy’s family won’t be able to sue him in civil court. It’s just a formality, the prosecutor won’t try to get an indictment even if he does charge him.. That’s assuming the prosecutor is even willing to charge him. Larry cannot, cannot, cannot lose this case and the prosecutor will know it. Besides, he knows full well that if he actually tried to get Larry convicted under these circumstances, he wouldn’t keep his job as a prosecutor long. He’s my nephew and I’m not worried about the legal fallout here, just his health.”
“OK, I feel better about it now. I’m sorry I snapped at you. Tell you what, why don’t I have Larry call you when he wakes up if he feels up to it?”
“I think that’s a good idea, for more than one reason. I’ve done what he did. I understand what he’s going through. I can help him get through it.”
“Thanks, Pete. I’ll let you know if anything changes.”
(Phone) “Mom?
“Hi, Baby Girl. How’s Larry?”
“He’s still sleeping peacefully. They’re topping off his fluids while he’s sleeping. His vitals are all looking good.”
“Topping off his fluids?”
“I found out last night that they gave him 3 pints of blood during surgery. They gave him a pint last night and are giving him another pint now. They’ve got him on a saline drip with glucose, an antibiotic, and I’ve lost count of how many shots they have put into his IV. Dr. Beale told me last night that the blood loss was most likely the reason his heart stopped last night. His color is much better now. He slept through the night as well as anybody can with nurses poking and prodding every time you turn around.”
“That’s good. Would it be alright if we ate breakfast before we came up to spell you?”
“Spell me? What do you mean, spell me?”
“Before we come up and sit with Larry so you can leave for a while. I keep forgettin’ you growed up a city girl.”
“Oh, never heard that before. Sure, by all means, eat. No hurry, but about what time do you think you might get here?”
“Would 8:30 be too late?”
“Not at all. I’m going to have one of the evil twins running parts until we can figure out something better. I’m going to have him swing by the hospital and take me to the farm on his way in so I can pick up a vehicle. I just wanted to know what time to tell him.”
“We’ll see you at 8:30 then. Is there anything we can bring you?”
“Yeah, a hug from each of you and a strong cup of coffee, black with sugar.”
“Easy done. See you in a little while. We love you.”
“Love y’all too, Mom.”
(Phone) “Jake, it’s me again. Would you tell Ed to stop by the hospital to pick me up please, instead of going straight to the shop? Anytime after 9:00 would be fine.”
“I can break him loose now if you need him.”
“No, I can’t leave until at least 8:30, so there’s no rush. Nobody has called for parts this morning, I just want him to have a company truck if they do and Brian and I are stuck until I get back and pick up a vehicle. I can still have him coming out there to work and just pull him off if there’s a parts run.”
“Oh, well if that’s how it’s going to go, we may not lose any ground out here. I’ll send him your way about quarter after eight. He can wait for you if you’re not ready yet.”
“That works. Thanks, Jake.”
(Room 219) (Erin Knocks on door)
“Come in”
“Brian, step out here and talk to me a minute.”
(In the hall) “What’s up?”
“I thought I should tell you what I’ve been doing. I hope I didn’t screw up too bad.”
“I doubt it.”
“Here goes. I called Jake. He says he can spare Ed to run parts. Ed is going to be here around nine to pick me up and take me to the farm. I’m going to issue him a company truck to drive until you say different or Larry can go back to work so he has it if we need him to make a parts run. He’ll still be working at Novatek and will just pull off if we need him to make a run. Jake said that would work out good. I remembered you saying that Max has done some estimating for us occasionally. Jake said he could spare him, so I’m going to have him work on a few bids we have in the shop. Jake’s going to talk to him at lunch. I’ll drive Larry’s truck back up here when I get everything taken care of so you and I have some way to get around. I hope all of that is ok. Now, do you still doubt I screwed up?”
“You did terrible. I couldn’t have screwed things up any worse myself. You’ve got the jobs staffed, the parts runs covered, and new bids being taken care of so we will still have work. I’m impressed. I really am proud of you. I just wish I was more help. Erin, this isn’t going to go well with Morgan. Losing the baby, her getting shot, the deaths of your parents; any one of those things might have been enough to push her past the breaking point. With all three happening at once, it’s going to go badly with her, I just don’t know how badly.”
“I’m worried about that too. We both know Morgan’s tough, but there’s something there that I, at least, don’t know about. Whatever it is, It’s been haunting her ever since you got hurt the first time. No, that’s not right. I noticed it when y’all picked me up in Louisville, it got worse when you got hurt the first time. The last time I saw her like that was about two and a half years ago. I remember she was miserable for a week and then she just dropped off the face of the Earth for a weekend. When she showed up again, she was still really upset but it was a little less. She gradually got better, but it took a few months. She never told me what was bothering her.”
“I doubt she ever will. I do know, and she doesn’t talk to me about it either. I wish she would. It’s long past time for her to let it go. She won’t admit it, but she’s reliving those memories now and it’s hurting her. The damage to her body will heal, but I’m afraid she’ll never recover from this. Erin, I’m afraid I may lose my wife.”
“Me too. I’m afraid I’m going to lose my sister, the part of her that counts anyway. Go be with her, Brian. I’ll do my best to take care of things for you. I’ll ask for your help if I need to, but I’ll try to leave you to Morgan. Take care of our girl. I’ll help if I can. All you have to do is tell me what you need.”
“You’re doing it, Cuddles. You’re letting me concentrate on Morgan. I don’t have to worry about the company or the farm, or Larry. I know you’ve got those for me. How is Larry?”
Sleeping peacefully. They’re giving him another pint of blood and pumping who knows what into him through his IV. His color is better and his vitals are good, so I guess he’s doing good, all things considered. How’s Morgan?”
“Restless but sleeping. Her blood pressure and heart rate are both higher than they should be. I know she’s having nightmares, but there isn’t anything the doctors can do to stop that. I want her to wake up, but I’m dreading when she does. If she’s ever alright again, it’s going to be a long time. I’m going to get back in with her. Thanks for taking care of everything for me.”
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 29, 2017 23:34:03 GMT -6
I am so very proud of Erin. In the last chapter, she finally found her strength and became the woman I had hoped she would become. In the next chapter, she really comes into her own. She has learned the lessons from Brian and Morgan that she so desperately wanted to learn. Her heart, soul, and that strength shine like a beacon. She is definitely not the girl she was and so wanted to leave behind.
And now, without further ado, the next chapter.
Chapter 30
“Erin?”
“I’m here, Love. What can I do for you?”
“Can I have a cup of coffee?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll go ask.”
No, don’t go. Don’t leave me alone.”
“Love? Don’t be afraid. What’s troubling you?”
“If I move over, will you sit next to me?”
(Gets into bed next to Larry) “You’re trembling Love, talk to me.”
“I...I killed a man. I just stood there and shot...shot him to death. He was somebody’s son. He may have had a wife and kids. I took a mother’s son away from her. Somewhere out there is a kid that’s going to grow up without his dad because of me. It’s going to break Uncle Pete’s heart when he has to arrest me. And you...you can’t marry a murderer.”
(Erin raises up to face Larry, wipes his tears away) “My Love, you told me once that we can’t blame God for our mistakes. We can’t blame ourselves for other people’s mistakes either. You, Love, are many things, but you are no murderer. I know you better than anybody on this Earth, better than you know yourself because we have shared everything with each other. Morgan, Brian, and I are all still here because of you. You were forced to make a hellish choice. You didn’t just risk your life, you risked your immortal soul out of love for us. At least you believe you risked your soul. Jesus said, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’. He also told us to take up our swords, and if we didn’t have a sword, to sell our coat and buy one. God never meant for us to be defenseless or give up our lives to evil without a fight. You didn’t want to kill him; you wanted to save us. I talked to Pete. The man’s name was Gregory Conlin. The FBI has not been able to locate any living relatives. Even if they do, you didn’t take anybody’s son, husband, or father away from them. He chose to work for my father. He chose to break into our home last night. He chose to shoot you and Morgan. Just to be blunt, he chose to die, and chose to make you do it for him. In your place, I would have made the same choice you did. Love, how could I not marry you? You risked everything for me. The man doesn’t exist who could love me more than you do right now. I’ll tell you something else, we don’t know yet if I’m pregnant, but there is no other man I want to be my child’s Dad. No other man deserves that job. As far as marrying you, I talked to Pastor Greene last night. I’ll call him right now. Your folks are on the way here. We don’t have our rings here, but I’ll marry you without them, as soon as your folks and Pastor can get here if you want, right here in this bed in this room, right now! But first, you need to call Pete. You need to have him set you straight on a few things. He told me to have you call him when you woke up. He said he’s done what you did and can help you through it. He’s not broken hearted, he’s proud of you. He’s on your side too and so are your folks. Please Love, I know you’ll never be the same man you were yesterday, but fight this. Don’t lose who you are over something you didn’t choose and couldn’t control.”
“You’d really still marry me in spite of what I did?”
“No, I’ll still marry you because of what you did, plus a hundred other reasons. Larry, you don’t just love me, you cherish me; you protect me; you’ve made me the center of your whole world, and I love you for it. I’m never letting you go either.”
(After Larry gets himself under control again) “Here’s my phone, Love. Call Pete and I’ll go get your coffee. You two need to talk alone. You need me to not hear this conversation. I promise, I will be back.”
“You don’t have to go. No secrets, remember?”
“In this case, you need to have the option of keeping the secret...and I’m giving it to you. We’ll have time enough later if you ever want me to know what was said between you. I love you and I’ll be back.” (Leaves)
(Phone) “Hey Erin, what’s up?”
“It’s Larry, Uncle Pete. Erin handed me her phone and told me you wanted to talk to me.”
“That’s the first time you’ve called me Uncle Pete in years. How are you holdin’ up?”
“I don’t feel too bad, but my head’s a mess. At least Erin’s still on my side. I thought she’d have run away by now, but she told me she still wants to marry me.”
“Why wouldn’t she? You saved her life; you almost gave your life to save hers. Listen to me, Larry. I’ve been through this more than once, so I know what I’m talking about. The only person who thinks you did anything wrong is you. The rest of us know better. We know, and you need to understand, that you took the life of one person who was evil to save the lives of four people who are good. You made this world a better place today by keeping yourself, Erin, and the Marshalls in it last night. The only thing this world lost with the death of Gregory Conlin is a whole lot of misery. Larry, it’s going to take time and a lot of support, but you will get through this. You will come to see this differently than you do now and you very much have the support.”
“Uncle Pete, I’ll turn myself in when they release me. I don’t want you to have to arrest me.”
“I seriously doubt either of those are necessary. We are family so I can’t be involved with the investigation. Jim Thornhill is heading it up. He told me he would have the case file in front of the prosecutor before noon today. He’s going to hand deliver it personally. Larry, you aren’t the first person to be involved in a self defense shooting since I became Sheriff. You’re my nephew, but you know full damn well that if I thought you had committed a crime, you’d be handcuffed to that bed right now and under guard. I don’t see the prosecutor charging you. You had a lawful right to be in the Marshall’s home. You were there at their invitation and with their consent. Conlin entered their home without consent and by force for the purpose of committing multiple felonies, including at least two murders. Under Kentucky law and Supreme Court precedent, all four of you had the right to defend yourselves with all available force. You just happened to be the one who was in a position to use that force. I’ll say it again, the only one who thinks you did anything wrong is you. You get some rest and try to stop beating yourself up about this. You don’t deserve what you’re doing to yourself. I’ll come see you later today, okay?”
“Ok Uncle Pete. I’ll talk to you then.”
(Brian and Morgan)
“You’re awake! I was starting to worry.”
“I’ve been awake for hours.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“What’s to say? I killed our baby. I cheated on you and you overlooked it. You were almost murdered and Erin kidnapped because I showed up late when you needed me and you let it pass. Now, I’ve killed your child. It’s only a matter of time before you hate me too much to keep me. You told me never to hurt you again, and I have, not once, but twice. My life since I met you has been better than a fairy tale. I never deserved any of it. You should have let me die on the floor last night. It would have been better for everybody. It doesn’t matter. I owe too much to get off that easy. I’ll spend the rest of my life paying for what I have done to you, to Erin, to our baby; and it still won’t be enough. I’ll burn in hell for killing our baby and that’s still too good for me. You don’t need to stay here. Go on and go. Get started on building the life you should have had to begin with. Find a woman who deserves you, who will truly appreciate the great man you are. Don’t waste any more time on me. I’ll never be the woman or wife you think I am.”
“Morgan, that was a long time ago. We weren’t married. We weren’t engaged. We weren’t living together. Hell, we weren’t even sleeping together! You wanted to before that happened. Maybe if I’d have kept you satisfied in the first place, it wouldn’t have happened. I would have already forgotten about it if you weren’t still carrying all this damn guilt around. You fought to keep me until you won. It’s done; it’s over. You asked me to forgive you and I did. I’ve never regretted forgiving you. You’ve never done it again. Forgive yourself. Let’s leave it in the past where it belongs. You showed up late!?! You grabbed the shotgun and came running! You were on the phone with 911 while you were running! I was losing. Childers would have killed me and taken Erin, or killed her too, except for you. We’re both still here so you weren’t late. You didn’t kill Mason either. You…”
“What did you say!?!”
“I said you didn’t kill Mason either. I’m sick of calling him ‘the baby.’ He was murdered by a thug who wanted to kill all of us. He didn’t get to be born and grow up, but he is still our son. He deserves a name. We decided that if it was a boy, we would name him Mason. We never decided on a girl’s name. I used what I had to work with. Regardless, you did not do anything to kill him or to get him killed. We heard a glass break on the floor. We both were going to see if Larry and Erin were ok, you just got to the door first. If I had gotten there first, he would have shot me. None of us had any reason to believe that one of your father’s goons would be in our house last night. I talked to Erin, they never heard the glass break, it was that first gunshot that woke them up. Larry moved so fast and was armed because Pete has been training him since he was seven! Larry was going on training and instinct, and it still wasn’t enough to keep him from getting shot twice. You can be lost, crushed, devastated over Mason’s death, I know I am, but you have to let the rest of this go. It will drive you insane if you don’t. Mason’s had my heart in his hands since the moment you told me you were pregnant. You’ve had my heart in your hands since that day at the lake. I love you both more than any words I have to describe it. None of the three of us had any choice whether Mason stayed or left us. That choice was made for us. You do have a choice. You can choose me or not. I’m begging you Love, stay with me. I need you, but much more than that, I want you. I love you. I always have.”
“HOW CAN YOU STILL LOVE ME!?!”
“The same way I can.”
“Erin!”
“You were my mother long before you were ever my sister. You did a good job. Mom and Dad messed you up bad, they did both of us, but you taught me how to care, how to love. When I was hungry, you fed me. When I was wet, you changed me. When I was lonely or sick or scared or hurt, you held me. You rocked me to sleep. You slept in that rocking chair with me cradled in your arms more nights than either one of us can count. Did you know that you were the first person I called Mama? Mom told me. Oh, she hated that. When I got bigger, you took me everywhere with you. You had a really good friend, Ashley Crandell. You two were inseparable. When she wouldn’t stop complaining about you always bringing me along, you cut her loose. You chose me over your best friend. When you and Brian left Stamford to come here, you told me that you and I would be together again someday. I always believed that, and here we are. I know your secret now. I know you cheated on Brian two and a half years ago. I just heard you say it. I don’t care and neither does Brian. We’ve all made that one mistake we don’t think we can ever make right. You fought to keep Brian. You never gave up. You made it right. Brian thought he made a mistake by nearly killing the man who tried to take Tabatha. He was wrong. That was no mistake. Still, he thought so. Tabatha is alive today because of him. Even if it would have been wrong, that makes it right. You stood by him through it all. When you found out who she was, you brought them together so Brian could let it go. When Larry and I almost lost it all because of me, you broke your promise to him to stay out of it because we were worth more to you than your honor. You fought every bit as hard for us as I did. You were prepared to kill Childers to protect me and Brian. I heard what you said on that floor last night when you thought you were going to die. You didn’t care about yourself. Every word you said was out of love and concern for us. Every single word was meant to make it easier for us to let you go and heal. You have more than paid any debt you think you owe for anything you ever did, or even thought you did, wrong to either of us. You loved Mason when you were carrying him and you still love him more than life itself now that he is in God’s arms. Let it go, Sis. Let it all go and stay with us. We’re a family and we belong together, all of us. Let us make this right. Let us show you how much you’re really worth, how special you are to us. Give us a second chance.”
“I don’t know how, but I want to try. What are we going to do about Dad? He’ll try again.”
“Morgan,”
(Erin puts her hand on Brian’s arm) “Brian, it’s my turn. Morgan, Mom and Dad are dead. I’m sorry.”
“They’re really dead?”
“Yes, Sis. They died last night. Nobody has told me how yet, but they are both gone.”
“Then we’re safe, we’re free. Cuddles, we’re really, finally free. Our old life really can’t hurt us anymore now. Thank you both for not giving up on me. Erin, I can’t do it right now. Will you tell Larry I said thank you for saving my life?”
“As soon as you don’t need me here with you.”
“Go be with your husband. I’m ok for now.”
“He’s not my husband yet. Our rings are still at home and my Matron of Honor is laid up in the hospital right now.”
“Brian, give me the phone.”
(Dialing)
“Dr. Michaels.”
“Aaron, it’s Morgan.”
“Morgan! Is everything alright?”
“No, but I’m alive because of Larry Waters, Brian, Erin, and you. I’m sorry, but I have a favor to ask.”
“Name it. That’s what family’s for.”
“Is it possible for me to get in a wheelchair and go to the hospital room next door for about a half hour?”
“Yes, but why would you want to do that?”
“Larry is in the room next to mine. He and Erin are getting married and she needs her matron of honor to do that.”
“They are getting married in the hospital?”
“That isn’t what they planned, but they’ve waited long enough. I am the only one who needs permission from my doctor to be there and I want them to have the option.”
“I’ll call the nurse’s station and issue the orders. Give me 10 minutes and then just tell them when you’re ready.”
“Thank you, Aaron.”
(Morgan takes off her engagement ring and wedding band, then puts her engagement ring back on) “I want it back, but use this ring until you can put your own on. Aaron said it’s ok for me to be out of bed long enough for you two to get married.”
“Sis, are you sure you’re up to this?”
“I’m sure. Cuddles, let me make this right.”
“Erin, if he wants to, Larry can borrow my wedding band until you can get his for him.”
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Apr 30, 2017 0:08:45 GMT -6
I think Larry the Cable Guy has been here. I keep hearing "Get 'er done!"
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 30, 2017 0:14:57 GMT -6
Not quite the message I was going for, but it'll do.
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Apr 30, 2017 8:26:02 GMT -6
More, please!
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 30, 2017 18:42:44 GMT -6
I think Larry the Cable Guy has been here. I keep hearing "Get 'er done!" BTW, Larry already "Got 'er did" in chapter 23. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Apr 30, 2017 19:04:32 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Apr 30, 2017 19:34:12 GMT -6
I loved that song! Silly me though, I always thought the name was John. Smooth walkin' Jones. Smooth talkin' Jones. Along came lonely, lanky Jones.
|
|