Page 98 of Loved By You

The wetness on my fingers triggers something… a flashback of being shot back in Afghanistan, Scotty covered in blood, but I can't let myself go there, not now. I shake my head, a wave of dizziness taking over. I inhale a deep breath. Silently pleading for the operator to answer.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“My girlfriend, she’s hit her head. I don't know if she fell or got hurt, but you need to send an ambulance, now,” I say, fear clawing at my throat as I fight back tears. I need to keep it together. I can’t let my fear take over. I need to save Ria.

I hang up from the operator once I know an ambulance is on the way, and that’s when I hear crying from upstairs.

The girls.

“It’s okay girls, I’m coming,” I shout up the stairs.

Ria stirs and groans, trying to move her head as if she can hear them too.

“Sweetheart, don't move, okay? Help is coming. You’re going to be okay, I got you.”

“Alex… The girls,” she mumbles.

“Alex?” I say, confused. “Did he do this? Where is he?” I ask, anger coursing through my body. “Ri, did Alex do this?” but she doesn't respond.

“Fuck,” I roar with a guttural moan; one I hope I never make again. If he did this, if he takes her from me, from the girls, I’ll—my thoughts are interrupted by loud cries again coming from upstairs. I’m so torn. I don't want to leave Ria, but I need to check the girls are safe.

I kiss Ria’s forehead. “I'm coming back, baby. I’m getting our girls. I’m coming back, I’m not leaving you.”

I stand on shaky legs and race up the stairs and head for the girl’s room. I burst open the door to find Lexi crying in the corner of her room, curled in a ball, tiny hands over her ears, and Elle wailing in her crib.

“Lexi,” I whisper, utter relief flooding my body at seeing the girls here, and safe. Lexi stands and runs to me. I open up my arms and scoop her up. Her little body trembles in my big arms and I feel the tears I’ve been fighting back free fall.

“Daddy hurt Mommy,” she sobs.

“Daddy was here?” I check. She nods. “Mommy screamed and there was lots of banging and Daddy shouted.”

“Okay, princess, you did good. Now I need you to sit here with Elle whilst I go help Mommy. Do not leave this room, okay?”

“Okay.” She nods. I lift Elle and soothe her, giving her the pacifier and then I place Lexi in the crib with her. I turn on Elle’s projector and music to hopefully drown out any noises that may come up here from downstairs. I don't want them to see Ria the way she is. I need to protect them.

“I'll be back in two minutes,” I say, holding up two fingers. I edge out of the bedroom, my heart hammering in my chest.

Is he in the house?I feel myself go back to Afghanistan when we enter compounds to clear them, anticipating the enemy to jump out at us at any time. I check the bathroom.Clear.I then check Ria’s bedroom—clear—and I am thankful the house is small.

As I reach the bottom of the stairs, the entryway is flooded with flashing lights as the ambulance pulls up in front of the house. Relief washes over me at the sight.

“They're here, baby. You're gonna be okay. Stay with me.” I reach for her hand that is flopped lifelessly across her stomach and squeeze it. It feels cold and clammy, and I squeeze a little harder, willing the life back into her.

Paramedics charge inside with bags and equipment. and it’s as if time slows and everything goes in slow motion.

“Sir, I'm gonna need you to stand back please so we can assess the patient.” the paramedic says, bending over Ria. I nod, knowing I need to give them the space to work on her.

“We haven't had enough time. Please don't leave me,” I beg, but all I can do is stand there and watch, feeling helpless as they try to save the love of my life.

Chapter Forty-Five

Ria

I have always considered myself to be a dreamer. I spent my childhood dreaming of having a happy home and a mom who chose her kids instead of men. I spent my late teens dreaming of finding the type of love you read in romance novels and secretly wishing it would be Jack. I spent my marriage to Alex dreaming of the day he would change and that he would choose me instead of random women, or a bottle of bourbon, and I’m someone who dreams every night of the life I want for my girls.

But right now, I sense I’m waking, but my mind is blank. Did I dream? I flutter my eyes open, but bright lights burn.

I begin to panic as a pain like no other shoots through my head. I swallow, my tongue feeling dry and stuck to the roof of my mouth. I blink and take in my surroundings. I'm hit with a sterile smell of chlorine and hand sanitizer. Everything is white,the faint beeping of a machine is in the distance. I look down to see a hospital band on my right wrist and a blue blanket covering me.

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