Reed's Reckoning
“Baby, she did this on purpose. She knew you would be on a plane. It’s over, she’s dead.”
“You will never know the panic I felt. I was helpless and terrified. If something happened to you—” His voice cracks and he shakes against me.
I let him cry for a few minutes allowing my own tears to fall. We hold each other not saying what could have happened. I know neither of us would have survived if Davis was shot.
“I talked to the pediatrician and we are starting counseling tomorrow with a child psychologist. They think it’s better to do it immediately. They also suggested we do our best to encourage him to talk but be careful what we say in his presence. Any type of fear could trigger something in him. We’ll know more after the first few sessions.”
“Okay.”
“And I want you to have counseling. Katy too when she is well.”
I press deeper into him and raise my face to his. Our lips are so close I can feel his breath on mine. I bite gently on his lower lip and he opens to give me access. The kiss is slow and gentle at first but turns passionate and possessive. I grip him tightly, soaking in the comfort of his taste, scent, and warmth.
“Jesus Christ! Some things never change!” Sophie walks in with Amy and Cara in tow.
I slide back embarrassed but Reed holds me in place.
“I talked to the charge nurse and she said I could help you shower and change into some new pajamas. But then you have to get back in bed for the night.”
“Thanks.” I move to get up and he helps me to the bathroom. Sophie joins me and washes my hair gently. I feel my heart start racing when I see some dried blood on my chest from when I reached for Davis this morning. Images flash in my head and anxiety starts to rise. Sophie notices and finishes quickly wrapping me in a warm towel. She holds me until my heartbeat returns to normal. I dress in my favorite pajamas appropriate for a hospital full of people.
Reed is on the phone when I crawl into bed and comb thru my hair. Davis and Luke return with the soup. The smell actually makes my stomach growl.
“I’ve made an official statement through the team which will air soon. National news coverage has picked up the story and the police are watching the entrances and exits to the hospital. Grange and Darius are going to be outside the room until we know what happens with Katy. Mr. Moore is expected to release a statement as well tonight.” He tells us.
“So what now?”
“Now, you rest. We see what happens tomorrow and decide our next steps.”
Everyone in the room agrees and we try to lighten the mood for Davis’s sake. I still have so many questions, but don’t want to rehash any of it. Everyone fields calls from our closest friends, assuring them I am okay and we are waiting on news about Katy.
The nurse finally lets Reed and I visit Katy when she’s moved. I try to control my sobs when I see her limp body hooked up to all the machines. Holding her hand tightly, I tell her over and over how much we all love her. The nursing staff has to pry me away from her when my time is up. We pass Sophie and Luke in the hallway and she is leaning into his chest crying. She is just as upset as I am. Amy and Cara are reading Davis a book. He is almost asleep so I sneak back into bed and Reed goes to change.
“Arianna, I am so sorry. I never in my wildest dreams thought Alex was psychotic.” Cara apologizes.
“Ari.”
“What?”
“Ari. My friends call me Ari. That’s what I want you to call me.”
Reed slides in behind me in bed and squeezes my shoulder. This means a lot to him. Cara’s eyes fill with tears but she wipes them away as she nods. Luke and Sophie come back to say goodnight and promise to be here in the morning. Grange follows Cara and Amy for the night, leaving us with Darius on watch. I fall into a restless sleep but Reed holds me tight. Sometime during the night, Davis crawls in bed with us and curls up in my arms. I finally fall into a deep sleep praying for Katy’s recovery.
Reed
Sweat breaks out on my forehead as I hear her screams through the phone and the gunshots ring out. My heart beats double time and threatens to stop altogether. Ari and Davis’s faces flash through my mind as I open my mouth to scream. I jolt awake and look around to make sure it was just a nightmare. Ari and Davis are snuggled into me and their warmth seeps into my skin.