Abby had never felt so relieved, as when she heard the sirens of approaching police cars, and then people stomping through the underbrush. Soon, Gary was peering in her window, concern clear in his face. “We’re going to get you out of here, Abby, as fast as we can.” Gary assured her, before moving to let the police do their job. Paramedics rushed in, and began checking Abby over, making sure she didn’t have injuries, which would make moving her dangerous. “I’m ok, really!” Abby kept trying to tell them, but Gary insisted she be taken to the hospital, just to make sure. She finally agreed to appease him.
Abby watched from a squad car, as her car was towed away. In her heart, she knew her car was totaled. “If you’re ready, we’ll head on to the hospital, then we can go home.” Gary jolted Abby out of her daze. Thinking about the hospital made her stomach tighten. What if Jay was waiting at the hospital for her? He would have known you could have been hurt in the eventual crash, and would want to be taken to a hospital, which was familiar, and she where was comfortable. “I’m fine, really, I don’t need to go to the hospital. Suddenly Abby was terrified. She could be walking right into a trap by Jay.
Gary couldn’t understand Abby’s sudden change. What was she so of afraid of at the hospital? She worked there every day, knew the procedure in the ER. Could her fear have some to do with Jay? “Everything will be fine.” Gary tried to reassure Abby. “I’ll be right beside you the whole time. Jay won’t even be able to get near you.” The need to protect Abby was strong in Gary, and he knew the only way to do this best was to marry her, so they would never be apart. He resolved to talk to her as soon as possible about this. Gary knew she would resist, but he had to convince her. Reluctantly, Abby agreed to get checked out, only if Gary stayed with her the whole time.
In the small cubicle at Forrest Central Hospital Abby was examined by a doctor she knew well, and blood drawn by a nurse who had often assisted her. Gary was by her side the whole time; alert for anything Jay might try to do. When she was released, Gary drove her home, and followed her into the apartment. As soon as Abby stepped inside, alarms started going off in her head. Was this her imagination, or had Jay found her again? Sensing her fear, Gary put his hand on her arm. “What’s wrong Abby?” He said gently. “He’s been here, Jay has been in this apartment. I can feel it.” Abby said, feeling herself starting to shake. “Stay here, Gary said, moving past her. He searched each room, his gun drawn and ready. Abby relaxed a little when he returned, reporting Jay was gone, if he had been there in the first place. When Abby went to put her purse on the counter, she spotted the evidence of what he had sensed. A single sheet of white paper lay on the counter. The message was short, but effective. “Did you enjoy your ride?” was etched across the page in large letters. Abby found herself frozen in place. She listened as Gary called the police, but was unable to even think straight enough to give him her address. He had to flip through her mail until he found something with her apartment number. As they waited for the police to arrive, Gary coaxed Abby to the sofa, and stayed beside her until he heard the approaching sirens. Abby watched him talking to the officers, both of which were close friends of his. Gary recounted the happening of that day, ending with Abby finding the note on arrival home. When the report was complete, the officers left, saying they would tighten security around the complex. Gary was reluctant to leave, fearing for Abby’s safety. “Abby, I think it would be safer if I slept here, on your couch tonight.” Gary stated, knowing Abby was going to fight him. “Gary, I don’t think it would be a good idea, since we aren’t married.” Abby said halfheartedly, knowing it would be safer to have him around. “If I don’t sleep here, I am not going to sleep at all. There is nothing wrong with me spending the night, under the circumstances.” Gary retorted frustrated. “Circumstances or not, it wouldn’t be right in God’s eyes.” Abby said, starting to get angry. Although, she wasn’t really angry with Gary, it had been a long day, and all she wanted now was a shower and to get in bed early. “Well,” Gary said starting to get angry too. “I don’t think God’s eyes are on you, if he allows Jay to keep finding you, so I don’t think he would notice!” “How dare you say that? If it were not for the grace of God, I would be dead. He is always watching and protecting me.” Both of them stood there, not sure what to say next. Gary finally decided to try a more gentle approach. “Abby, I just want to protect you. Please let me do this, if not for your sake then for mine. I won’t have a moments peace away from you.” Gary pleaded. He watched her contemplate, and finally resign herself to his staying. “I guess it would be ok for tonight. I would sleep better knowing you were protecting me.” Abby said defeated. “I’ll get you a blanket and pillow. The couch pulls out to a bed, if you want to bother with it.”
As Abby climbed into bed, her heart was heavy with guilt, and she tried to push the feeling aside. She needed Gary here; there was nothing more to it. Abby stared at the ceiling, and listened to Gary snoring in the next room. She did feel safer knowing he was there to protect her, even if what they were doing wasn’t morally right. Abby turned on her side, and tried to fall asleep. Outside she could hear something crunching through the leaves, and all her nerves stood on end. Was Jay outside her window? Forcing her self to stay calm Abby reached for the gun in her nightstand drawer. Wrapping her hands around it, Abby listened closely. Silence surrounded her. Slowly, Abby relaxed again.
The next morning, Abby awoke to bright sunlight streaming across her face. She could hear someone moving around in the kitchen, and for a moment thought someone had broken in on her, until she remembered Gary had slept on the couch last night. After she dressed, Abby headed toward the noises. From the sounds she heard, Abby guessed Gary was making breakfast. The smell of bacon frying met her when she opened the bedroom door. “Hey Baby, sleep good last night?” Gary asked after he kissed her good morning.
“I slept better than I have in a while, but kept hearing noises out my window.” Abby said, grabbing some toast as it popped up. “Why didn’t you call me, I would have checked it out for you.” Gary said, worry lines creasing his forehead. “Because, you know I worry too much, I’m sure it was nothing, just my nerves.” Abby said smoothing out his forehead with her fingers. “I have to run,” Abby said, breaking the embrace. “I’m going to be late for work.” “But you haven’t eaten anything.” Gary said while smearing butter on the toast she had dropped on the counter. “At least take this with you.” “Okay, I’m on my way,” Abby said, as she grabbed her purse, and headed for the door. “I’ll see you tonight!” As Abby drove to work, she thought about how much she enjoyed waking up to Gary, and suddenly she wanted to be married to him more than ever before. Rummaging in her purse, Abby retrieved the cell phone, and dialed Gary’s cell phone. “Gary, I want to get married as soon as possible! I don’t want to live another moment not being your wife.” She listened as he dropped the cell phone, and finally had to pull off the road to recover it. “Honey, are you sure? I don’t want you to think I am trying to pressure you into a mistake. I want to be married, too, but I want to be really sure you are comfortable with this.” Gary sounded like he was ready to explode from excitement. “I want this, I’m sure of it.” Abby said her excitement building too. “Okay, we’ll talk about it when you get home then. See just how soon we can arrange a wedding.” Gary said, trying to regain himself. “If planning a wedding mean we have to wait longer, I don’t want a church wedding. I’ll call Kim and you call Nick, we will find a minister who can marry us tonight or tomorrow.” Abby said, her mind going in a million different directions. It surprised her she remembered Gary’s best friend’s name was Nick, since she had only heard Gary mention him a couple of times, and had never met him. Abby was just hanging up the phone as she pulled into a parking space at the hospital. Plans were well under way for a wedding that night, or the next. For the first time in months, Abby’s mind was too occupied to even think about Jay.
Abby waited anxiously for Gary to return from having his blood work. They would be going to get their marriage license next. The wedding had been delayed a few days, by all the formalities, and this irritated Abby. While all the necessary paperwork was processed, Gary had slept on Abby’s couch, and it was starting to show, he had dark circles under his eyes. Abby had been very disappointed when she found out getting married took longer than one day. When Gary rejoined Abby, she was pulled from the daze she had fallen into. “It’s your turn, want me to go with you? After leaving the hospital, Gary and Abby went for a walk in the park, to look at the stars.
Nick turned out to be a red haired and blue-eyed hunk. If Abby had not been so captivated by Gary, Nick would have even caught her eye. Gary welcomed Nick inside, then settled on the couch, his arm draped over Abby’s shoulder. Kim arrived a few minutes later, and Abby excused herself to answer the door. Gary rose, and took the bakery box Kim held in her hands. As Gary headed to the kitchen with the box, Kim’s hands remained as if they held the box. From the moment Kim spotted Nick, everyone could tell she was taken. For the first time since Abby had met her, Kim was speechless. She just nodded her head when Nick shook her hand and introduced himself. While they waited for the minister to arrive, the two couples talked. When Abby excused herself to get dressed, Kim followed her to the bedroom. Kim was about to bust, trying to contain a million questions. “So, tell me, is he available?” Kim nearly shouted as soon as the door was shut. “ I don’t know, I just met him tonight, so I know just as much as you do about Nick, but even I have to admit he is cute.” Abby took her time getting dressed, and was just emerging from her bedroom when she heard Gary open the door for the minister. Abby was barely able to contain her excitement when she took Gary’s hand, at the beginning of the ceremony. The minister began speaking, and Abby forced her attention away from the man standing beside her. It seemed forever before Abby heard the words she had been waiting for. “You may now kiss you bride.” Abby wrapped both her arms around Gary’s neck, and savored the moment. Gary’s embrace was strong, yet gentle, and Abby knew from the moment their lips met, this was the man meant for her.
Abby fumbled through the darkness, seeking to quite the phone ringing in her ear. Still half asleep she brought the receiver to her ear, and sat up in bed. She thought she told the hospital not to call her tonight, no matter what happened. The voice on the other end jolted her awake. “Did you think you were rid of me Abby?” Jay’s sinister tone, took on an even more menacing manner. He was intent on making Abby’s life miserable at all costs. “Who was on the phone?” Gary asked, turning over. Abby found it hard to speak Fear greater than she had ever felt welled up in Abby, and she couldn’t control the trembling which overtook her body. She felt Gary’s strong arms come around her. Part of her wanted to resist the embrace, and part wanted to just melt into it. “What happened?” Gary held Abby for the rest of the night. Eventually, the trembling subsided, and Abby feel into a restless sleep. She awoke to the sun shining on her face and the sounds of Gary moving about in the kitchen. She could smell bacon frying, and knew Gary was making breakfast. After a quick shower, Abby ambled to the kitchen, and sat down at the table. “Everything smells great. I can’t believe you are cooking breakfast for me, you should be letting me do the cooking.” Abby commented, “Get used to it, because breakfast is my specialty.” Abby sat down on a stool at the bar, and fished a piece of bacon out of the nearest plate.
As Abby was finishing up with a patient late in the morning there was a knock at the door. A nurse stuck her head in the room and told Abby she had an important phone call. As Abby walked to her office a sinking feeling emerged deep in her stomach. Her fears were soon confirmed. The caller informed Abby Gary had been injured, and she needed to come to the Emergency Room right away. When she arrived, Abby was directed to a waiting room, and told she would be informed as soon as information became available about Gary. After several hours of waiting, a doctor wearing dark blue scrubs approached Abby. After he was seated across from her, he began gently telling her of Gary’s injuries. “Your husband was shot in his left side. His lung was punctured, which required surgery. He is not out of the woods yet, but he is well on his way. He will be staying in ICU for a while, so we can keep a close eye on him. As soon as he is out of recovery, you can see him for a few minutes.” Hearing Gary was going to be ok helped Abby to relax a little, but seeing him would help much more. As she waited, Abby’s mind drifted back to the events of the morning. She never would have believed her day would end in a near tragedy. Abby had known Gary had a very dangerous when she met him, it never crossed her mind he would end up injured.
An hour later, a nurse informed Abby Gary was in ICU, and she could go and see him. Abby made her way down the hall apprehensively, not sure if she was prepared for the condition she might find her husband in. Pushing the swinging doors away, Abby entered the ICU, and was directed to a cubicle halfway down the corridor. Gary lay in a bed, surrounded by machines. Abby approached cautiously, not sure if she could touch him. A nurse quietly entered, and put her arm around Abby’s shoulders. “Talk to him, he can hear you, even if he does not respond, and it is okay to touch him, he isn’t going to break in your hand.” After Abby was alone with Gary, she worked up the courage to put her hand over Gary’s. His eyes fluttered open, and Abby fought the desire to call for a nurse. He tried to speak, but his throat was dry, and no sound came out. Regaining herself, Abby fumbled for the glass of water nearby, and helped Gary to get the straw in his mouth. Gary smiled at her before falling back asleep. Abby stayed at his side until a nurse announced visiting time was over, and all family members needed to return to the waiting room. Abby returned to the waiting room where she found Kim anxiously waiting for her. “I just found out, how is he?” She asked putting her hand on Abby’s shoulder. “The doctor said he is not out of the woods yet, the bullet punctured his lung, but he did wake up while I was in there, which is a good sign.” Abby said, letting her own words soothe her, as well as Kim.
Time passed slowly as Abby and Kim waited for the next visiting hour. Having Kim at her side was a huge relief. “I don’t know who I would turn to, if not for having you here with me.” Abby told Kim after returning from visiting Gary. After the last visiting hour of the night, pillows and blankets were distributed to everyone in the waiting room, and lights turned down, to allow everyone to rest. “You should go home for the night, there isn’t anything else you can do tonight, and you need rest as bad as I do” Abby told Kim. “I want to stay with you, I’ll feel better staying here than if I go home” Kim tried to convince Abby, but she was not easily persuaded. “What about work tomorrow? If you don’t sleep, you can’t work.” She tried. “I took the rest of the week off so I can stay here with you. I’m not going home, I am staying right here with you, get use to it.” Kim said, ending the discussion.
