It took John considerable effort to open his eyes.The pain that caught him off guard just now stopped short of knocking him out, and he had to use every bit of strength to retain his consciousness.After all, what would happen to Cordy if he blacked out? Gritting his teeth, he used all his strength to pick up the wet fabric Cordy dropped on the floor, holding it against her nose. Cordy's heart skipped a beat—he was hurt, but the first thing he did once he reimagined consciousness was to protect her.She had been so scared that she forgot to pick up the wet fabric after she dropped it, along with the fact that she could die from inhaling too much smoke as well.Her eyes were red. Then, she heard John rasping, "You have to always take care of yourself…"And yet, he didn’t do the same when danger struck just now.In fact, she clearly felt him pushing her out of harm's way so that the chandelier only struck his back and not her.Cordy bit her lip, awash with a mess of emotions.
"Let me down…" Cordy tried to reason with John. "We don't have to die together.""No one's dying," John told her in no uncertain terms. "I saved you once before. I can do it again."Cordy had more to say, but he snapped, "Don't say anything. Save your strength—we’ll survive this."And with those words, she could clearly feel his footsteps picking up pace.She closed her eyes, and stayed silent.She had already troubled him far too much—she really shouldn’t keep dragging him down.And with that, John carried her on piggyback as he charged towards the entrance.Cordy felt her body aching all over, but clenched her teeth to stop herself from crying out loud. She leaned over John's back, hearing his rushed breathing.There were a few times when he seemed to stumble, but he picked himself up again right after.He never wasted a single second.Cordy was almost fainting amidst the fire and smoke, but he still carried her and hurried forward.Just as she was about to lose consciousn
"I've already sent my people in to save Cordy."Patrick turned towards Sean, noticing the repressed panic in the latter’s voice."You're just going to kill yourself if you go in," Sean added firmly.Patrick clenched his teeth, but there was no doubt that he was always messing up when Sean was around.That, and Sean would definitely care about Cordy since they were cousins who were more akin siblings.But while Sean was always calm and composed in the face of trouble, Patrick only ever seemed to cause trouble."Calm down," Sean assured him. "Cordy is going to be safe."Patrick glanced at Sean, feeling a tinge of comfort for some reason—as if he knew Sean meant it and would save Cordy.He had no idea when, but he seemed to have gained a sense of trust toward Sean even though he couldn’t stand the man. After all, Sean was too cunning and kept everything close to his chest; as such, one shouldn’t get too close to him.Nonetheless, they both waited anxiously outside for the rescu
To be honest, Patrick was just so paranoid that he feared the worst would befall Cordy.Seemingly reading his mind, Sean said, "I think I'll wait until Cordy comes out."Patrick nodded in silence—Cordy was just as important to Sean, and Sean would be worried about leaving too…Silence ensued in the walkway, and there was no telling how long had passed.Waiting was like being in hell—every passing second was grilling.Nonetheless, the door to the emergency soon opened, and the doctor stepped out.Patrick and Sean hurried towards him, and he said, "There's no cause for worry—the patient isn’t in mortal danger, and was only comatose due to lowered blood oxygen saturation levels caused by excessive smoke inhalation. We have since treated her for that, and she’s once again conscious. However, her respiratory system suffered serious damage and she has burns all over her body, so she has to be admitted for further therapy and recovery. If you're her family, you should get the paperwork
That tone of his… Why did Patrick sound like a pouting lover?Still, Cordy didn’t dwell on it and simply assumed that there was less hostility between Patrick and Sean just then.Nonetheless, Sean seemed to not care about Patrick's outburst. In fact, he was calm, as if used to the latter’s petty temper and almost tolerating it. "I was checking in on John," he replied casually.Patirck's face dropped, as if he only remembered at that instant that John and Cordy were rescued together from the fire.John had left the banquet hall early on, but ultimately ended up being found with Cordy.That could only mean John returned later to save Cordy.Patrick certainly felt a little upset that John got to be the hero who saved the damsel in distress. However, neither Cordy nor Sean paid Patrick any attention as various expressions alternated obviously over his face, with various thoughts crossing his mind.Cordy was staring at Sean, clearly eager to know more.In fact, she already wante
There was no doubt about what happened back in the banquet hall. With that, Sean continued, "That's why I didn’t stop to gather more proof, and instead called in our people who had been working in the banquet hall undercover to get us out right away. We moved so quickly we were already safely outside before the Lynds could stop us. They had to give up, or they'd be exposed. I then arranged for 'Grandfather' to be taken home, though I soon noticed that you were not around and quickly sent help."Cordy's eyes flashed with anger—there was no question about it now. She wasn’t in the list of people that the Lynds wanted dead, and one could even say that they only wanted Jesse Cranston dead. However, while they wouldn’t go out of their way to target any other individuals, they would welcome the prospect of killing any other Cranston along with Jesse.It was only Nana who wanted Cordy dead. "Just rest," Sean told Cordy. "There's still much to discuss after this. For one, I don't get why
Both Patrick and Sean were in the ward with Cordy, with Patrick peeling an apple for Cordy and proving too inexperienced, and ended up making a huge mess.Sean mocked Patrick for it, but he appeared unconcerned despite retorting, "This is my labor of love, performed with my very own hands. No matter how bad it looks, it’d still taste sweet. Right, Cordy?"Cordy never answered, for she was staring at John, who stood at the doorway.Sean told her before that his injuries were far worse than hers, so why was he walking around freely when she was still bedridden?Patrick appeared upset the instant he saw John, however, and demanded, "What are you doing here?""I came to visit Cordy.""That's unnecessary. Just worry about getting better yourself. Why bother about what others are doing?" Patrick retorted, looking utterly possessive.John glanced at Cordy, but she didn’t respond.Meanwhile, Patrick was done peeling the apple and sliced it into little pieces, and fed her with little fo
John pursed his lips and said slowly, "I just wanted to check on you, see how you're recovering.""I'm doing well," Cordy replied. "I can be discharged tomorrow, if nothing else happens."Silence ensued after she answered, until Cordy asked again, "How are you doing?""I'm fine.""Nana isn't around today?""No.""I thought she's with you 24/7.""She went home. There seemed to be something back home.""So why are you here?" Cordy asked again.Her patience was almost used up, and she had kept trying to make John talk just to make him open up.However, he ultimately lost."I'm starting to regret it now…" John finally said, his voice exceedingly quiet.Cordy stared at him, unable to understand what he meant."Regret pushing you away," he added.Cordy laughed despite herself. She really was infuriated—what did John take her for, a door to open and close as he liked?"I'm sorry," John apologized. "I thought I could persevere until I resolved everything and return to your sid
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a