I woke up, hearing voices from around me. I still don't know what's going on but I was sure I wasn't at home. And that's when it hit me, I had just given birth. I opened my eyes and my hands immediately went to my tummy, it was flat. I sat up and was in shock with what I saw. Mom, dad, and Gavin's parents were all huddled at my bedside, cooing and using baby talk to talk to my sleeping baby boy. "Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling, sweetheart?" My mom asked as she was the first to notice my movements. "I'm fine, mom. Still a bit tired, but I'm fine." I said to her as I looked around the room looking for my husband and I saw him curled up in a ball as he slept soundly in the corner of the room. The couch was really not big enough for him. "Here, Zoe. We brought food. We all came here as soon as your sisters called us. I think they stayed the night at your apartment." Dad said as he pulled out the bed table and placed my food on it. "Did Gav eat already?" I couldn't help but ask
I was shocked when she suddenly appeared out of thin air. I didn't really expect to see her out so quickly. I've almost forgotten about her, and everything she did just slipped out of my mind, until now. Those suppressed memories just came flooding back in my mind as I looked at the person that almost took away my and my husband's life just a year ago. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I looked at her, a familiar but yet not as menacing feeling that before. "Hi." Nancy said as she smiled at us shyly. She tucked her stray hair strands on the back of her ear as she looked down on her feet. "This is Trent, my boyfriend." She said as she introduced the man standing beside her. "Trent was my nurse while I was in the hospital. He really helped me a lot, overcoming my demons and all. We became friends and that's how we fell in love." I was so speechless with what I was hearing that I failed to respond to her. I just stared at her in disbelief and I guess she noticed this and smiled bit
I didn't tell anyone about what I noticed with Cam. Maybe it's just me because no one said anything about it too, so I just tried to let it go. The wedding went great, the ceremony was flawless and everything was just so beautiful. It kinda took me back to my wedding. My jaw dropped when we got into the venue. It was straight out of a princess movie. The lights, the decor, the flowers, just everything was perfect. The host that they hired was the host of my wedding, so it was really entertaining and everyone is having a good time. I cried when it comes to their first dance, I don't know what it is but it felt so romantic to me. The way that they looked into each other's eyes, I felt like I was watching a movie, and then a hand appeared in front of me. I looked up and saw my husband's face as he smiled at me. I took his hand and he swept me to the dance floor where I saw our son already dancing with Alexa. The two of them looked so adorable that I couldn't help but gush over them. "L
"I decided not to press charges." Cam said as she sat down opposite me. "What?" I asked in shock. "I just didn't want to make it a big deal. I mean, they still took me in when I was young. She still is the woman who carried me in her womb." She explained and I just really couldn't see eye to eye with her with this one. "Cam. They kidnapped you before you were even born. They abandoned you at an orphanage then came back to your life just to take advantage of you, just like they are doing now." I said to her, trying to make her see reason but she just bit back her lower lip and I knew that I wasn't getting through to her. "Does mom and dad know about this?" I asked her and she slowly nodded at me. "I talked to them about this before I made a decision." She said to me, then held my hand. "Cath, I know you're worried about me but I'm fine. I can take care of myself. I just don't want any more conflict in my life." She said to me and I just held her hand tighter. "I know you're strong
I was left dumbfounded by what he just told me, and my jaw just dropped to the floor. I was left speechless by his sudden confession. “What are you talking about?” I asked him, my voice raised a little in shock. “I know it sounds weird and that I shouldn’t think that way.” He said to me as he cupped his face into his palms. “Wait. Wait. Wait. Just what gave you that idea?” I said to him. He then took a deep breath before answering me. “She’s been so distant lately. I keep catching her lying about where she is going. Sometimes she would abruptly end the call she was having when I enter the room. I honestly don’t know what to think.” He said and I was again, lost for words. “Come on, Gray. There has to be some sort of explanation for this.” I said to him as he was about to break down. “We both know Cam, and you know her the best. Do you really think that she would do that to you?” I said to him and he just remained quiet. “Zoe, then what’s the explanation?” He asked me back a
"Why didn't you tell me?" Grayson asked as soon as Cam finished explaining to him everything that has happened to Mary and Fred. "I just didn't want you to be worried, hon." Cam said to him. "I didn't know that you would think that I'm cheating on you." Grayson's eyes opened widely before turning to me. "You told her?" He exclaimed at me and I kinda felt guilty. "Well, I have to say something to her." I said to him as I slowly backed away from him. "I'm really sorry to worry you, hon." Cam said to him as she held his hand with a puppy dog look on his face. "Fine. Fine, but please no more secrets?" He asked my sister and Cam just smiled at him. "Promise." She said enveloping her husband in a tight hug, which he gladly returned. "So, are we cool?" I asked awkwardly as I stood behind them. Grayson turned to me and he was still glaring at me. "What?" I asked him. "You knew about this since the wedding and you didn't tell me?" He asked angrily and I just slowly backed away from him
I was so surprised by the sudden news. I didn't even know how I should react to what Caleb just said. I looked at Gavin and saw the excitement in his eyes. Well, we have been talking about wanting another child, it was just that this was a bit unexpected. "Are you serious, Caleb?" Gavin asked and the doctor just smiled at us and nodded. "I am very serious, Gav. Congratulations to both of you." He said and I was still just speechless. My head still couldn't register what was happening. My heart was beating so fast in excitement and happiness, that I was just in shock. "Love, we're gonna have a baby again." Gavin said turning to me and that was my limit. My sight became blurry and I felt hot tears fall down my cheeks. "Oh no. No, love. Crying is gonna be bad for you and the baby." He said as he pulled me into a hug. "We're gonna have another baby." I said through my sobs as I melted into his arm. I could hear him chuckle as he started laying on our bed with his arms still wrapped aro
"How was your day, love?" Gavin immediately asked as soon as I came over to the couch after washing up. I sat down beside him and tucked myself under the blanket covering him and cuddled into his waiting arms. "A bit tiring, but it was really fun." I said as I nuzzled my head in his chest. "Looks like Z is all tuckered out." "He was running around the house all day. Dad was exhausted before lunch." He said with a bit of amusement in his voice. "Looks like you two had fun terrorizing Mom and Dad." I said to him with an amused laugh as I tried focusing myself on the television. "Well, they did say that they wanted to take care of Z for the day." He said matter-of-factly and I couldn't argue with him on that. Both of our parents do adore their grandson very much and I'm very grateful for that. My only problem is that they are all spoiling him rotten. "Did you tell them about our baby?" I asked him and I could feel his head shake. His calm and steady breathing and heartbeat also calm
Soon the party settled down and a two-tier birthday cake was pushed into the center of the garden. The people in attendance were just my family, friends, and co-workers, so I looked at my husband and he immediately understood what I was thinking. My kids led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday. Both of them were jumping up and down, clapping their tiny hands. I gestured for them to come over as the song came to an end and they joined me in blowing out my candles as everyone cheered. "Let's hear from the birthday girl!" Cam suddenly said, handing me the microphone. Gavin picked up Zia as I held ZG's hand while I addressed the rest of the crowd. "First and foremost, thanks to all of you for spending your time to celebrate my birthday with me. It has been a rough couple of weeks for me and my family, but standing here in front of you makes me realize just how much love we receive from lots of people around us, and for that, I want to show my gratitude to everyone who gave us strengt
The days in the hospital were still so agonizing. I could still feel the pain in my abdomen, just where the bullet hit me. The doctor told me that I might be experiencing the "phantom effect", you know? The feeling you get when you remove something but it still feels like it's there. They kept reassuring me that everything was fine, but I had my doubts that's why we decided to take a few more tests just to be sure. And just like any other day, Zia and ZG visited me right after school. They would always tell me everything about their day and these past few weeks, their stories have been the highlight of my days inside my dull hospital room. "When are you going home, mommy?" ZG asked as he got ready to go home for the night. "We're still not sure, baby. But I'm fine. The doctors just want to do some more tests to be sure." I answered him, patting his head before giving it a light kiss. "Don't worry, bud. Mommy will be home in no time." Gavin said as he lifted our youngest from t
His lips on mine were pure ecstasy. Honestly, I was left hanging and unsatisfied with his kiss earlier but this erases those longing feelings that were lingering in my chest as my doctor was checking on me earlier. His hand made its way to the back of my neck, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss. We were kissing each other as if our lives depended on it, and frankly, I think it does. It felt like an eternity since our lips met, but when we pulled away, out of breath it still didn't feel enough. Our eyes met and a smile was lingering on his lips. "Welcome back, love. I missed you." He whispered to me before planting a kiss on my forehead. "I missed you too, love." I whispered back, returning his smile before he pulled away and sat on the side of my bed. He started fidgeting with his phone which made my eyebrows furrowed. I just woke up from a two-week-long coma, as per what the doctor said to me, and here is my husband sitting beside me but is preoccupied with whatever inter
"Officer, can you watch over my kids for me? I just need to know what's happening to Cathy." I asked Officer Philipps and he nodded. "ZG, Zia, Officer Philipps will stay with you for a while, okay? He we keep you safe. Daddy is just going to see Mommy." I said to them, and they both nodded at me. "Come back soon, Daddy." ZG said and I nodded at him, giving them each a kiss on the forehead before heading out of their hospital room and making my way to the Emergency Room. "I'm looking for Catherine Mitchel, she got shot." I said as calmly as I could to the person at the desk. She nodded and started tapping on her computer. "The patient has been transferred to the operating room." She said and I dashed off before she could finish talking. The lights in the operating room were already on when I got there, so there was only one thing to do, wait. Minutes passed, then hours, and a couple of minutes after the three-hour mark, the doors opened. "How is she?" I immediately asked the
I got out of the house, I need fresh air. I had to clear my mind or our conversation would not get anywhere. I was in the middle of the park when I decided to call someone I really trusted. "Good afternoon, sir. Can I speak with Officer Philipps?" I asked the person in the other line. "May I ask who this is?" He asked. "This is Gavin Mitchel." I answered shortly. "Okay, sir. I'll patch you in." He replied and a lively tune started playing before I was greeted by a familiar voice. "It's been a long time. How are you, Gavin?" Asked Officer Philipps through the phone. "Not so good, sir. I need your help." I then gave him a quick rundown of everything that went down. After I finished I heard him sigh. "Why do both of you attract these types of people?" He asked curiously, but even I couldn't give him an answer. "For now, be with Cath. I'll look into it and call you as soon as I get something." "Okay, Officer. Thanks... for everything." "Now, go home. And make sure Cath doesn't d
This is probably the longest ten-minute shower I ever had. I'm still waiting for Nathan's instructions and I got into a huge fight with Gavin because of it. “You want me to be okay with him taking my wife in exchange for my kids?” He asked. “No way I’m letting him take any of you.” “Love, we can guarantee that he wouldn’t hurt me but we can’t say that it's the same for our kids. We don’t know what’s going inside his head.” I said, trying to reason with him. “No. No. Sorry, love. That is not an option.” He said walking out of our bedroom. It was a hard decision for me too, but I can't let my kids get hurt. I can't let any of them get hurt because of me again. This time, it's my turn to save them. I got out of the shower and Gavin was still not back in our room. I grabbed my phone and there it was. A message from Nathan. It didn't have any time or date, just the address, making me think that he probably wanted me there as soon as possible. That works for me because I want to see my k
"Where are my kids, Nathan?" I began, trying my best to remain calm in the situation. Gavin tried to snatch my phone from me but I avoided it. I don't think it's a good idea to let the two of them talk. they both might explode. "They're safe. I have them with me. We had a little bonding session today. I was hoping you could join us?" He asked trying to sound sweet, but I couldn't help but feel a shiver down my spine as listened to him talk. "I'm still at work, Nate. Maybe another day? Do you mind dropping them off at the office?" I asked, acting oblivious to his motives. "Oh come on Cath. It's already seven in the evening, you should be home by now, right? Both you and your husband?" He asked and Gavin quickly took the phone from me. "Where are our kids, Nathan? I'm not playing with you!" Gavin angrily said through the phone. "You are going to talk to me! Just what do you want from us!" Then Gavin went silent. He looked at me, his eyes trembling. I could see fear in them. "Fine!
Being with Gavin again made me realize that I have never stopped loving him. No matter how much I wanted to forget about him, my heart remained with him throughout the years. I guess it is true, that no matter how far you walk away from each other, people who are meant to be together will always gravitate back to each other. "Mommy?" I heard Zia's voice as she was tugging on my dress. "Are you okay?" She asked me. "Why? What happened?" Gavin suddenly asked as he and ZG walked towards us. "Mommy was staring at you with a silly smile." Zia said that made my eyes bulge out of their sockets. "No, I wasn't." I said to her, looking right at her. Asking her to shut up with my eyes but it looks like I need to work on my silent communication with my daughter. "Yes. You were." She said before hopping away from us. "Just hold it in, love. Our kids are still awake." Gavin whispered to me, taking the picnic basket from my hand before following our daughter, leaving me dumbfounded. "I wasn't
The weeks went by in such a bliss and now, we’re moving back in with their dad in our old apartment. It took a lot of convincing on my side but eventually, Gavin was able to make me agree with him. “Are we there yet?” Zia asked for the nth time as we were driving to the apartment. She has been very excited since we told them about the move, and couldn’t wait to see the room her big brother was talking about. “No yet baby. We’ll have to stop to get some groceries, remember?” Gavin answered her sweetly. “Aww. Are we going to stay there long?” She asked again with a pout on her face. “Come on, Zia. It’s going to be fun. And you can pick out some decorations for our room.” ZG said, calming her sister in the back seat. “Yey!” Zia screamed as she started humming the theme song of her favorite show. Thank goodness, ZG knows precisely what to say to his sister in every situation. When we got to the groceries, the two of them walked in front of me and Gavin and started getting things that