Page 14 of Summer Kisses (Kissing Junction, TX #8)

Verity

“N o!” I scream sitting up so fast that I feel dizzy. My stomach turns. My breathing becomes labored and sweat starts running down my chest. Where the fuck am I? More importantly where the fuck is George? I look wildly around the room.

“Shh, Sunshine it’s okay. I'm right here.”

I look over and see Donnie standing beside me. I burst into tears.

“Are you really here?” Oh God, am I finally out of that hellhole?

He leans towards me and lightly runs his thumb over my split bottom lip. “Yeah, kitten I'm right here.”

I hold my arms out to him and he picks me up.

He then sits on the bed with me on his lap.

I finally take a deep breath for the first time in what feels like forever.

He holds me a little closer and I rest my head on his shoulder not even caring where we are or how he got me here.

I'm just happy I am finally back in his arms. After a few minutes, he kisses my head and sighs.

“There is someone that needs to see you before we talk to the doctors and Sheriff Lawrence. They can wait. This can’t.” He whispers into my hair. I wipe away my tears, knowing exactly who is coming. He sets me back on the bed and tucks me in before walking to the door.

My little angel comes in looking so sad, but when she sees me awake her face lights up.

“Mommy!” She jumps on the bed and squeezes me tight. “I thought… I thought. Th... that you didn't want me anymore and that you left me.” She sobs against my chest and I pull her close taking in a deep breath.

“Oh, love bug there is no way I could ever leave you. You are my sweet girl and I am never going anywhere.” I say trying not to cry.

I can't even imagine how she is feeling right now being abandoned by her mother years ago, then the day after she asked me to be her mom I disappear. My poor baby’s heart has to be broken.

“Baby look at me.” She looks up at me with her tear stained cheeks, her little lip trembling.

I wipe away her tears with the thumbs. “Victoria, I am never going to leave you, I promise.

I love you too much to leave. You are the most precious gift I could have ever gotten.

I don't want you to think for one minute that I would ever leave. I love you more than all the sand on all the beaches.” I kiss her cheek and wrap her in a tight hug.

“I love you too Mommy. I love my new baby sister or brother too. I hope it’s a boy. Do you think it will be a boy? I mean, I guess I would be okay with a girl, but I don't want to have to share my stuff.”

She is oblivious to the shocked look on my face. I look at Donnie who has a huge smile on his face. He reaches over and picks Vick up then putting her on the ground.

“Hey, let mommy rest for a minute. The doctors need to come check on her. How about you have Uncle Gage take you to the cafeteria and you can have whatever you what.” Her eyes get big.

“Whatever I want?” He grins .

“Yep. Whatever you want.” She looks excited like she can't wait to go, but nervous that I might not be here when she gets back.

“I’ll be right here baby when you get back, can you get me something too?” She still looks unsure but nods her head.

“Okay but stay right here.” she says pointing to the bed

“Okay, baby I will.” I give her my best smile. Donnie talks quietly with her as he walks her out. After a few seconds he comes back with Suzy.

“Hey, Verity. How are you feeling?” Suzy asks trying to be professional, but I can see the worry in her eyes.

“I’m okay. My wrists hurt and so does my shoulder but mostly I'm confused as to why our daughter thinks that I am having a baby...” I look over at Donnie, who is smiling like a loon.

“Well, that would be because you are pregnant, Sunshine.” Oh my God. I knew I had missed my period but that's not unusual.

“Are you sure?” I turn looking at Suzy she chuckles and nods her head.

“Yep looks like you are about four weeks along.” she says patting my hand. Donnie puffs out his chest like a proud peacock

“First time's the charm.” He states matter-of-factly.

I can't help but laugh. “I can’t believe we are having a baby.” I say in shock. My hand automatically going to my stomach. Suzy finishes checking me over and gives me a hug.

“I love you girl, but don't you scare me like that again, now I have held off your brother for as long as I can.

I am pretty sure he is going to bust the door down if I don't let him come see you soon.” She walks out the door.

Not even a minute later Ryder is storming in looking all brooding.

His face softens when he looks at me. He comes to the side of the bed.

“Do you know how worried I have been? Don’t you ever do that to me again. I have already lost mom and dad I can’t lose you too.” he says hugging me.

“I am so sorry deartháir .” I say as another round of tears come.

“I am so sorry.” He grabs me in a big brother hug.

“You have nothing to be sorry about deirfiúr beag.” He says pulling away from our hug. “I am just glad you are okay and the fucker that did this is dead, otherwise I would have to go after him myself.”

“What? He’s dead? How did he die?” Donnie growls and I look over to him. He has revenge in his eyes. He looks like he wants to rip something apart just thinking about it.

“He died in the fire.” Donnie says quietly.

“Good. I hope it hurt.” Ryder says on a growl as he stands from the bed.

I gasp. He may have been a crazy fucker, but he didn't deserve to die.

Maybe that makes me sound naive but with so much bad in the world, I would prefer to think of the good things like maybe he could have gotten help. Gotten better or something.

Even as I think it, I know I could never say that out loud the guys would freak out on me. Ryder kisses my forehead and walks to the door.

“Zane is waiting to talk to you. I am going to send him in.” When he leaves, Donnie walks back over to me.

“I love you so much, Sunshine.” He leans down and kisses me softly. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and kiss him back.

“Not nearly as much as I love you D.” He shakes his head, growls, and then kisses me roughly. When we pull apart, I am breathing heavy and his eyes are full of passion and love.

“I don't think so, Kitten.” I am about to retort when there is a knock on the door. Donnie pulls away.

“Come in.” I say, softly.

The door opens and Sheriff Lawrence walks in. He asks me a bunch of questions and asks me to tell him what happened. I do down to the very last detail, not wanting to leave anything out.

By the time he leaves, I am exhausted, and I so badly want to go home.

I ask the doctor when I can while he checks the bandage on my wrist. I try not to grimace, but those are going to leave scars.

They will always be a reminder that I am a survivor.

He tells me that I have to be here for another twelve hours.

I groan but nod my head. I would prefer to be safe than sorry.

My little love bug comes back into the room with a teddy bear and a sugar cookie, which is my absolute favorite sweet.

She looks at me tentatively like she wants to get back on the bed but is afraid she might hurt me.

“Come here munchkin. I need snuggles. You always give the best ones.” I say opening my arms. She comes up to the bed hands me my stuffed bear then plops down next to me. After I eat my cookie, I lay on my side. Victoria curls up next to me.

“Scoot over ladies. I want in on these snuggles.” We giggle as Donnie crawls into the bed behind me, pulling me close. I have no idea how we all fit but I am not going to complain.

I am surrounded by my two-favorite people. It might have taken a while to get here, but it was so worth the wait.