30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Meghan

On the ride to the hospital, the paramedics begin asking Ryder questions about the fire and the gunshot wound he endured. A police officer is also riding with us, taking down notes, too.

From what I have heard, Nathan reached for his gun at the same time Ryder drew his. However, two of the trained guards who were staked outside the fences of the Port witnessed the entire thing. They were able to shoot Nathan, wounding him, but not before Nathan managed to fire a shot into Ryder's arm.

Listening to Ryder replay the events made me cringe. I hated that he had to go through that, but he told the events like he was replaying a moment from a sports game. His face stayed stoic and his voice never wavered.

When we arrived at the hospital, the officer informed us that Nathan was in custody and was being charged with drug trafficking on national waterways and were going to try and get him to share both who was shipping the illegal drugs and who he was selling them to. I knew the investigation would take time, but for now, Ryder had accomplished his mission. He was a hero and I was never more proud to call him mine.

At the hospital, I sat in the waiting room as they rolled Ryder down to emergency surgery to expel the bullet. I called Kirsten and Ashley and in no time, they were sitting with me.

"Wow, I can't believe that happened," Kirsten sighed, as I finished sharing with her and Ashely what had happened.

"It's like an action movie," Ashley agreed.

"I know. It feels so surreal, but at the same time, it has given me so much clarity," I say.

"What do you mean?" Kirsten asks.

"Well, I fought loving Ryder because I was afraid to love, but the thought of losing him tonight showed me that I need to take control of my life and love as much as I can," I say.

Kirsten and Ashley smile at me, before enveloping me in a massive hug.

When we part, I glance at the clock on the wall and realize it is six in the morning.

"Oh no, I need to call Melanie," I say, freaking out. "There is no way I can make it to work today."

Both Kirsten and Ashely nod in agreement and listen as once again, I replay the events of tonight with Melanie. She had seen the explosion and fire on the morning news, and was grateful we were all ok. She told me to take off as much time as I needed. I told her I would only need a few days, but more importantly, I would finish my article and get it to her ASAP. She tried to argue with me, but I refused to listen.

After seeing how brave all of these men were tonight, I needed to write that article. The world needed to know more about the first responders and the men and women who selflessly fight for all of us.

As Kirsten and Ashley head to the hospital cafeteria to get us some coffee, I take out my phone and pull up my Google Documents. I begin writing the rest of the article and include the events of tonight as well. I paint a horrific picture for readers as everything is still fresh in my mind. I don't mean to be morbid, but the dangers pretended by our heroes need to be known. I don't leave out any of the gritty details.

Kirsten and Ashely return and as I sip my coffee and type, they watch me with curious eyes. When I am finished, I allow them both to read it.

Before I can ask them what they think of the article, a nurse comes out to the waiting room.

"Miss, are you Meghan?" the plump lady asks.

"Yes," I say, jumping up out of my seat.

"Ryder is out of surgery and requesting to see you. He is very grumpy," she stifled a laugh.

"If he's grumpy, then that's normal," I say with a smile.

I follow her back as Kirsten and Ashley wait behind in the waiting room.

When I reach Ryder's room, I stand in the doorway for a moment, taking him in. He is laying on a cot, white sheets draped over his massive body. His arm where the wound was, is now bandaged and in a sling. His face has been cleaned up a bit, the heavy smoke long gone, but in its place, are cuts and bruises.

Tears fell down my cheeks as I saw how this brave man was so badly injured. I wish I could snap my fingers and make him better.

"Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to come in?" Ryder asks, opening one eye to see me.

I walk in, shaking my head with a smile. I grab his hand and he squeezes. "How did you know it was me?" I ask.

"I'm trained to know everything," he chuckles, but I see him wince, too.

"Let's not be so cocky right now," I say.

I pull up a chair and sit beside him. Ryder turns to me and smiles and I see the relief flooded in his eyes.

"I'm sorry this all happened. I'm sorry I made you worry," Ryder apologies.

"Please don't apologize," I say. "I knew when I started this relationship that you would face dangers and risks. Yes, it scared the hell out of me, but my heart wanted you. Ryder, almost losing you tonight has made me realize that I am madly in love with you. I never thought I would love anyone again after losing Wade, but with you, I just know that you were meant for me."

The words flew out of my mouth in a rush. A wave of excitement and worry come over me. I hope I hadn't just scared him by telling him I loved him.

Ryder sits there looking at me for a minute. His silence almost kills me before he finally speaks up. "Meghan, I have loved you since the first moment I saw you. I always knew you would be mine, I just knew it would take time. I didn't realize it would take a near-death experience to show you, but I'll take it," he says.

I gasp and throw myself onto him. I hear Ryder yelp from pain and I go to let go him, but he refuses to release me.

"I am never letting you go," he breathes against my ear, his warm breath tickling my skin.

"Am I hurting you?" I ask.

"It doesn't matter. I literally walked through fire tonight to be with you. There is no amount of pain that will keep me from holding you in my arms," he says, caressing my face.

I crush my lips to his and at this moment, everything is right. I have a man I love in my arms and the fear of the future is long gone. I am ready to live again and walk down life's path with this brave and stubborn man by my side.

"I wasn't going to leave the port tonight unless you were with me," I say, as our lips part.

Ryder looks deep into my eyes and I love the way he longingly looks at me. I can feel his love for me radiating from his face. "Marry me," he says.

Taken aback, my eyes go wide as I struggle to see if what I just heard was correct.

"What?" I ask, making him say it again.

"Meghan, I can't imagine spending another day without you as my wife. Meghan, will you marry me?" he asks again. "I found you and now I am blinded by your love. I can't let you go.

For the first time in my life, I don't hesitate. "Yes," I shout, before falling back into his arms. "You will never have to let me go," I cry.

As Ryder holds me close to his chest, I can hear his heartbeat and it is in tune with mine. When you find true love, it can be brutally honest and take you by surprise. Knowing that I can have love again after a loss makes me want to live for not just me, but for Wade, too.

With Ryder as mine, my life is now complete.