Page 25 of Kian's Devotio
He had though, and Trace had almost died. If it weren’t for Reid, he probably would have.
Emery had been hit by the outward blast and had gotten some burns and a concussion but was otherwise fine.
Reid on the other hand, not so much. He had been hit hard on his back, shoulders, and the tops of his thighs.
He had dislocated and torn the rotator cuff in his shoulder and had already had the first surgery to repair it and give him the first skin grafts.
Trace had told her all of this and she hated hearing it.
It was difficult. She always thought of Reid as her big brother, and now he was in critical condition in the ICU of the hospital.
When Trace pulled up to the hospital, he led her to Emery’s room and Emery was still asleep on the bed.
She had some bandages around her arms and her hands but was otherwise okay.
Karalee was engulfed in hugs from Ailith and Gran.
She told Ailith about the things she had gone through but dialed down the things Carlos had done.
She didn’t want anyone to be angry.
There was a small gasp from the bed and Karalee hurried to Emery’s side.
“You silly. You got so hurt! I was terrified.”
She put her hands on her hips and Emery laughed, “It wasn’t my fault. And Trace saved me. I was just so worried about him; I was caught in the blast.”
Trace walked to Emery’s side, “I agree with Karalee. I was terrified too.”
Then he kissed Emery, and after a few moments, he dropped to one knee making her gasp.
As he proposed to Emery, she felt tears gather and fall down her face.
She wished that one day that would be her.
After he stood and kissed Emery, she hugged her best friend, “I like him. He picked me up from your grandma’s house and I know he loves you.”
Emery nodded, “He sure does. I can’t wait for you to find one for you.”
Karalee hesitated, “I don’t know.”
Emery smiled, her eyes twinkling with some unknown emotion. “Just wait girl.”
Karalee just gave her another hug and then walked to Trace’s side and hugged him.
“Take care of my best friend.”
He nodded down at her, “Always. She’s my everything.”
She let them have their moment and Ailith pulled her in for a tight hug.
“Did ye get settled at Viv’s?”
She nodded, and Ailith kissed her cheek, “Ye have no idea how happy I am that ye moved here to be with Em. I struggled with leaving ye there and knowing just how crazy life was. I know ye wanted to try to start a life for yerself away from yer ma.”
Karalee put her head on Ailith’s shoulder. “I did. She still hates me. Still blames me for her problems, even though you and I both know that she brought them on herself.”
Ailith nodded, “I know. I'm just glad ye got out of there and away from her. She doesn’t deserve to call ye daughter. Ye are mine. Have been since I saw ye the first time. A scrawny, dirty girl. That longed for someone to show her love. And I hope that ye know how much Ken and I do love ye.”
