23. Reaper

23

Reaper

They kept Sarra and the baby overnight. We wouldn't let them take the baby out of Sarra's room, and they couldn't get Bub to leave either. So, all of us stayed in that room. Sarra finally slept, and I held Glory while Bub slept at my feet.

This little group is my family. I didn't plan on having a forever woman, but I would never want anyone else. I love Sarra more than anything in this world. I looked at the beautiful baby in my arms, and she watched me. "Your grandma would have loved to meet her namesake. I love you, Glory, and I will guard you with my life."

I turned when I heard a noise and saw Spartan and Rebel standing there. I stood and walked to them. Suddenly, Bub stood between us, growling. "Bub, sit," I said, showing my brothers my daughter. "Her name is Glory Anne Bellmont."

"She's beautiful, Knox," Spartan said. "Mom would be proud that you named her granddaughter after her."

"Sarra and Glory have to stay the night here, and I won't leave the hospital until they can go home."

"Matthew caught the other uncle. He told them what happened to Sarra's parents, and then he killed himself."

"Good, I hope there are no other killers out there. I won't be going back to the mountain. This is my family. As soon as I can, I'll get my animals. I hope Alpo gets along with Bub."

"You can leave them with us for now. I know Sarra and the baby are your priorities. We're going to head out. Knox, we understand if you have to live here. This is where your family is, and I'm sure Grandpa would understand. Just because he wanted us all to stay together doesn't mean it's always realistic."

"Yes, I will never leave my family. It scares me just thinking about it. I said I would never settle down, but I was wrong. I love Sarra so much. Don't worry, Rebel. Nothing will happen to us just because we don't live on the mountain."

"I'm no longer that guy who was always worrying if one of our family members went on a trip. Haven't you noticed how good I've been doing?"

"What are you talking about? You have Steel keeping an eye on Evie and the kids. Ghost called me and told me you've called him three times today," Spartan said.

"Yes, but I haven't called Evie three times, so she thinks I only called her once," Rebel said. We chuckled.

"I'm going to miss you guys. Take care of yourselves," I said as I hugged them goodbye. My brothers kissed my baby, and then they were gone. I turned around, and Sarra watched me.

"You have great brothers. They love you so much. I used to wish I had a brother who would keep me safe. I'm so happy that Glory will have your big family to love her."

"Yes, and tons of cousins. One day, we'll visit all of them," I said, laying the baby beside her.

"Tell me about Rebel. Why does he worry about all of his family?"

"Rebel used to drive us crazy; even when we were little, he didn't want us to go anywhere in a car with someone. He was always scared something would happen to us because our parents, our cousin's parents, and our grandma were all killed coming home from a concert."

"He was the same with Evie. He didn't want her taking the kids anywhere, not even shopping. She finally told him if she wanted to take her kids shopping, she was going to take them shopping."

"That's so sweet. He's a worrier. He loves his family very much."

"Yes, he does."

"Glory is lucky to have your family as her family."

"Sarra, I love you so much. Will you please marry me? I swear I will love you forever and guard you and our daughter with my life."

"I love you too. I want to marry you, but I think we need to live together for a while. I mean, we haven't been together in months. And now we're together because I was kidnapped. I've been waiting for you to come to me."

"I thought you wanted me to wait for six months. That's what you said. I've been counting the days. I've never asked anyone to marry me before, but if I had imagined asking someone, they would have said yes."

"I'm sorry. I've never been asked to marry anyone either, but I would still want to make sure the man loved me as much as I loved him."

"I love you so much. I'm sure I love you as much, if not more, than you love me. Please, at least set a date, even if it's months from now," I said, kissing her.

"Okay, we'll get married six months from now, and we'll get married on your mountain where all the family can be with us."

"That's perfect. Six months, I can wait, but no longer than that."

"Lie down with Glory and me. I want you to hold us in your arms where I know we are safe," Sarra said as her eyes started to close. I got into bed with her and held them in my arms. I slept, and when I opened my eyes, Sarra smiled.

"Put these on," she said, handing me my sunglasses. Then the light came on, and two nurses stood there smiling. Sarra was feeding Glory, who had her little fingers wrapped around my finger. I bent my head and kissed that tiny hand, and she opened her eyes and looked at me.

"We get to go home as soon as Glory is finished eating. Shane is picking us up. Matthew has already returned to your mountain, and Beau has returned to Southern California. Shane is picking us up."

"I better get up before he shows up." I tried to move my finger from Glory, but she wouldn't let it go. She only held on tighter. I looked at Sarra, and she smiled.

"She doesn't want to let go of her daddy. That's so sweet," Sarra said, with a tear falling down her cheek.

"Why are you crying, sweetheart?"

"We are so blessed and came so close to that woman taking Glory from us. I'm surprised she didn't kill me. Do you think maybe she felt she had to keep me alive because she killed my parents?"

"No, I don't think she had any conscience. She kept you because it would be too noticeable for you to go missing like the old lady did. They didn't involve the law with the elderly lady because they were scared of Amanda. It wouldn't matter if they were scared if you went missing. She would have been investigated and thrown in jail for all the people she murdered."