Chapter 22

I stand in my tuxedo in front of the archway that's carefully strung with flowers. Cami strategically placed each one and then moved it ten more times until she thought it was right. I think she spent an entire day decorating the thing.

I look around. This isn't where I remember us choosing to have the wedding, but it's beautiful. And if she likes it, I'm happy.

"Hey, stranger."

I hear Cami's sweet voice, and I turn to see her walking toward me. I want to run toward her, but I keep my feet planted right where I'm supposed to be. This is our wedding day after all.

She grins at me every step she takes, doing a small spin to show off her dress. The grass beneath her feet is so green, and the flowers in the field behind her dance in the breeze.

She continues to move toward me until, finally, she reaches where I stand. "Looking good, Mr. Hale. Looking good."

Putting my hands on hers, I pull her toward me and kiss her lips. "I've missed you," I say, gazing down into her eyes.

"I've been right here." She smiles up at me. "I'll always be here, Hudson."

"I hope so." I press my lips to hers again and move one hand to her cheek. She's always had the softest skin. "Where is everyone?" I nod my head toward where people should be sitting.

Her eyes dance with something, narrowing slightly as she gives me a crooked grin. "I just wanted to see you, baby. That's all."

I frown, confused by her answer but happy nonetheless because it was me who just wanted to elope and not have an actual wedding. I don't need anything fancy as long as I have her.

Suddenly, there's a tiny giggle, and our heads move to look where it came from. Out from behind a huge apple blossom tree peeks a little girl. She can't be more than five or six years old. She wears a light-blue dress, and her curly brown hair is pulled into a ponytail.

"She's been waiting for you." Cami's eyes stay on the little girl as she runs toward us. "We both have."

"Who is she?" I ask, watching the little girl as she gets closer. When she's close enough for me to get a better look at her face, I can't believe how much she looks like Cami.

"She's ours," Cami whispers, placing her hand on my biceps and giving it a slight squeeze. "Yours and mine. All wrapped up in one perfect little angel."

My eyes fly to hers, and everything comes back to me.

The wedding.

The pregnancy.

The accident.

"Am I—" I start to say, but the little girl tugs at my hand.

"Hi, Daddy," she whispers.

I gaze from her to my wife, my heart racing and my lips trembling.

Kneeling, I put my hand on her face to see if she's real. If I really could have made something so perfect.

"Hi," I say, tears filling my eyes as I take in the world's most beautiful little girl. "I can't believe I finally get to meet you."

"Don't cry, Daddy." She takes her tiny hand and brushes it against my face. "Mama was right. You are handsome."

A butterfly floats by, catching her attention, and a smile spreads across her face before she takes off to chase it. When I push myself to my feet, Cami stands beside me, looping her arm around mine.

"She's … amazing," I say, staring at her as she runs into the field after the butterfly.

"She is," she answers before releasing my arm and coming to stand in front of me. "You can't stay, Hudson. Even if I wish that you could."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. My eyes narrow, and I shake my head. "What do you mean, I can't stay? I'm dead, aren't I?" I grab her hands. "I want to stay here. I need to stay here."

Her eyes are sad, and her smile begins to fade. "We're okay, Hudson, I promise." Her eyes gloss over, and a tear streams down her soft cheek. "You need to go back. Your story isn't over yet."

My fingers brush the wetness under her eyes, and my eyes dance between hers. "My story is here. With you. And our daughter."

Bringing my hand to her lips, she presses a small kiss to it. "We are just a part of your story, Hudson Hale. But there's so much more to it back there."

"No," I say angrily. "I won't go back."

Her head tilts to the side. "Oh, baby. Don't you understand? She needs you."

"Neveah?" I say quickly. "I know. That's why I'm staying. I need her too."

Her head shakes quickly, and her lips quiver. "No, Hudson. Neveah has me." She pauses, swallowing. "She needs you. She has no one else." Tears fill her beautiful eyes again, and she blinks them away. "She loves you the way you love me. Do you remember that pain?" She places her hand on my chest. "The pain right here when I was taken from you?" She pulls in a shaky breath. "Don't do that to her. She's been through enough already."

Briar. She never says her name, but I know that's who she's talking about.

"There was never supposed to be a her, Cami." I fight back a sob. "It was supposed to be me, you, and our daughter."

"I know." Her lips turn up a tiny bit, and she gives me a faint nod. "But sometimes, life doesn't work out the way we plan. And you know what? That's okay."

I open my mouth to answer when, suddenly, Neveah is back by my side. Scooping her up quickly, I throw my other arm around my wife and bury my head in her neck.

"It's okay, Daddy." She hugs my neck harder before I feel one hand let go. "Look, Daddy. A dove."

Turning slowly, I watch a dove fly toward the sunlight until I can no longer see it anymore.

Peeking up at me, Cami pushes to her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine. "We love you. It's okay, Hudson. You can let go."

"I'll never let go," I utter. "Never."

Everything grows brighter, and I hold on tight to the two of them, not wanting to let them go.

But then it all goes white, and I can't see or feel them anymore.

Where am I?

I keep my head rested on one hand, holding his with the other. I stare up at him, just like I have for the past forty-eight hours, minus the few times I got up to pee, dozed off, or was forced to eat or drink something by Rossi.

My brother wanted to fly over here, but I told him absolutely not. Not until Hudson wakes up because, honestly, the thought of dealing with anyone isn't something I can handle. With Rossi, it's different he's feeling the same way. This isn't just his coworker; it's his friend.

Somehow, Rossi, Hudson, and I made it out of that burning house. Though I don't know how because I lost consciousness, and so did Rossi. But someone was looking out for us because when the firefighters and paramedics arrived, we were on the lawn. They told us Hudson was barely hanging on because he had lost so much blood.

After some breathing treatments, Rossi and I are both much better. But Hudson was in rough shape. And even though they had to go in surgically to remove the bullet, he hasn't woken up yet. The doctors told us the forty-eight hours after the surgery were crucial to his survival, so each hour that his body is still fighting to stay alive, I feel like I get a little closer to being able to breathe again.

"Oh, my baby boy," a woman says, rushing into the room, covering her mouth with her hands. "Oh, Hudson."

Pushing myself away from the bedside, I stand up. "You must be Mrs. Hale?" I wave toward the chair. "You can have this seat, ma'am. I'll go outside."

"Thank you." She sobs, but just as I start to walk around her, her hand touches my arm. "What's your name, dear?"

"B-Briar," I say nervously. "I'm Briar."

"Hi, Briar." She sniffles. "Do you work with my son?"

Looking from her to Hudson, I feel another ball of emotion inside my chest as I take in his lifeless body lying in the bed. His face is a shade paler than it normally is.

"Your son saved my life," I tell her honestly. "He's saved a lot of people's lives."

Wiping my eyes, I pat her shoulder. "I'll give the two of you some time alone, okay?"

"Briar?" she says as I start to walk out. "There's another chair right there. Why don't you stay?"

I nod quickly as tears flow from my eyes like a river. "I'd like that. Thank you."