Chapter Ten

I woke up in a hospital bed with Luna, Mykel, and my parents around me. I felt loopy as I pulled the breathing tube from around my nose. My fingers seemed fuzzy when they touched my face. My throat and mouth were dry and it made it hard to talk.

"Ca... c...."I blinked slowly.

"Honey?" Mom stood and everyone looked to me.

"Water." I turned my head. I could see Mykel pick up a Styrofoam cup with a straw, carefully slipping it between my lips. When I drank it all, he placed it on a small table. I frowned when I saw his arm in a sling. "Your arm...." I pointed sluggishly. There was an IV in it which caused me to gasp.

"I'm okay." He smiled slightly.

"Are you in any pain?" Mom rubbed her hands together nervously. I blinked, touching my leg. I could feel the bandaging through the blanket.

"I was shot." I gaped. "His dad shot me." Everyone seemed concerned and I started laughing.

"Was he mad because he couldn't rape me again?" I giggled.

"Sweetheart...." Dad touched my foot.

"I'm fine! I'm fine." I exhaled deeply. "I think I'm high." I gazed around the room as the door opened. The Doctor smiled at me.

"You're awake! I have some good news." He told us.

"What's good about being shot?" I smirked. Mom touched my arm and shushed me. I couldn't understand why.

"Well, that's what I was going to tell you. You'll heal perfectly and-!" He handed me a little picture. It was dark with a white edge. Inside the dark picture, I could see a little circle. I looked at the words. 'Ultrasound. Three Weeks.'

"Is this mine?" I looked from the picture to him. When he nodded, I burst into tears. "I'm going to be a mom?" I turned my head to Mykel who covered his mouth with his hand. Mom squealed, making me jump. My heart ached and I felt afraid. I had been shot and if the bullet had hit higher, I would no longer be pregnant. I didn't know how to feel or what to think.

"First grandbaby!" She clapped her hands together. My arms grew numb and my heart monitor beeped. "Wait, that means you to HAVE had sex. You told me that you didn't."

"Jasper." Mykel took my hand. "It's going to be okay." I nodded, tears still in my eyes.

"I'm gonna...." My vision blackened before I could finish.

*~~*~~*~~*

Mykel laid in the bed with me until I was discharged from the hospital. I found out that he had been shot in the arm after he shot his father. The school and the Mayor wanted to reward him, but he stayed with me as well as Luna. I was given a wheelchair until I was able to walk again, but Mykel carried me even though his arm was injured. We were all in my house, calming down after everything.

"Is anyone hungry?" Mom called into the living room where Mykel, Luna, and I watched TV. I had my leg up on my wheelchair as I sat on the couch.

"Always!" Luna jumped up.

"What do you want?"

"Chinese food!" Luna cheered then looked to us. "Is that okay?"

"Always." I looked back to her. I leaned against Mykel. "You know our usual."

"YES!" She ran to mom. "Chinese food!"

"Okay, okay. Let me call and place an order." Mom laughed from the kitchen. I looked to Mykel, careful to not shift too much. It was strange to see how happy my mom seemed. We had to explain when we had sex to her and that we thought the condom was safe. She eventually came to terms with it and has been happy since.

"You never told me what your tattoo was." I stated. He smirked, lifting his shirt. I covered my mouth from surprise. It was him kneeling down to my pregnant belly, kissing it. Emotions swarmed in me as I smiled. "You knew?" He dropped his shirt.

"Not necessarily. This could've meant any point in time." He looked down to my propped up leg. "I'm sorry."

"No one died because of what you did. I will heal. You don't need to be sorry." I touched his face. He was starting to grow a beard. I knew he would shave soon, even if I didn't want him to.

"What if he had shot you in the stomach? Or a more fatal area?" His eyebrows furrowed as he thought out loud.

"He didn't. Maybe if you weren't there, but you were. Give yourself more credit." I kissed him. "Because of you, no one died and no one got hurt besides me. That's something I can handle." His expression relaxed slightly.

"I'll never let it happen again. From now on I am protecting you on the double." He put his arms around me. He was warm and I could feel his heart beat. I felt safe in his arms. Safe and wanted. Now that I was pregnant, there were three of us. My brain whirled with thoughts of it was a girl or a boy, how they would look, if we could keep them happy. I didn't want this moment to end.

"I love you."

"I love you more." He kissed my forehead.

"Don't ever leave." I whispered.

"I will always come back to you. Nothing will ever keep me away." He promised. He shifted slightly, placing a hand on my belly. "You both are my world." My heart fluttered as I gazed into his hazel eyes. I kissed him passionately, wishing that I could just absorb him and keep him safe forever.

"Hey! Get a room!" Luna called into the living room where we sat. I pulled away, looking to her.

"We are in a room." I smirked. She threw a pillow at me.

"A different room! You're ruining the show!" She snapped playfully. I laughed, enjoying this calm moment. "Oh, this is the best part!" Luna jumped over the back of the couch, falling onto the cushion. She stared up at the TV as two people on the show kissed. I rolled my eyes, but still went back to watching. It was a good show, but I would never tell her that.