Love Me ~ Through the Storm (25 page)

We finish up dinner, making small talk about my brother and his sister, Dani, who happens to be my best friend. Plans are made for spending Easter at Jeff’s parent’s house in Austin next month. They recently moved from Carmichael, which is just a few towns over from where I grew up. In college, Jeff always said he was thrilled to get away from the small town mentality. When I first moved away from my own small town, I had the same feelings, but recently I’ve found myself missing the familiarity. Jeff pays the check and we put on our coats to walk outside. Jeff gives the valet the ticket for his car. While we wait, Jeff pulls me in his arms.

“I love you so much, honey. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I can’t wait to grow old with you,” he whispers in my ear.

“I love…”

“Give me all your money,” I hear behind me. Jeff jerks me behind him quickly, creating a barrier between me and the man making threatening demands. I peak around to see a man in a mask pointing a gun at us.

“Listen man, I’ll give you my wallet and watch. Reaching in my back pocket for it,” Jeff responds calmly.

“The broad’s purse and jewelry, too!”

I take my earrings and necklace off. I look at my engagement and wedding rings and sigh. I’m handing them to Jeff as the valet pulls up in our car and jumps out with a smile on his face, unaware of the scene he is coming upon. I hear gun shots go off. Jeff pushes me to the ground and covers my body with his. Everything happens so quickly I don’t even realize Jeff isn’t talking. Someone pushes him off me and suddenly I’m kicked in my stomach and ribs. I curl myself in a ball to protect the baby. My head gets hit a couple times. My body screams in pain. Sirens in the distance hit my ears and everything stops.

“Jeff?”

My gaze moves to the last spot I saw Jeff. He’s reaching out for me with pain written all over his face. There is a dark red spot on his chest getting bigger as he lays there. I try to crawl to him, but things are fuzzy. Bright, flashing lights appear. An EMT runs to Jeff. They check his vitals. Jeff eyes meet mine and mouths “I’m sorry.” Then he closes his eyes.

“Jeff? Jeff? Wake up! Open your eyes!” I’m screaming still trying to crawl to him while another EMT tries to hold me back. That’s when I notice his chest isn’t moving.

“NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!”

Everything goes black.

“How is she?”

“…shock…broken ribs…. concussion…. couldn’t save the baby.