Chapter Twenty Three

TAYLOR*

"You shouldn't have kissed me like you did; your parents were right there and saw the whole thing," Connor said as he winced in pain. "And they didn't look too happy about it. Of course, it could also be the fact that I might have very well killed Aaron. He was breathing when they took him," Connor said with a grimace.

I couldn't quite place if it was because he was actually in pain or he felt terrible about Aaron that held a permanent scowl to his face. As far as my parents go, they would have figured it out eventually, so why not get everything out in the open now.

I don't know how I feel about Aaron at this point. I've been his only family besides the bureau for the last ten years and the last five years; he has treated me like gum you find stuck to the bottom of your shoe. Aaron's whole family, his parent's and four younger siblings died from carbon monoxide poisoning in their home when Aaron was 25 and away at college. He has no surviving family to this day. I suppose I'll be the one the hospital will call soon since I am most likely still his emergency contact.

"Connor, everyone would have found out eventually, and I don't want to keep hiding our relationship. It just isn't right. Besides, one of these days, you and I will have a baby together, and by God, everyone is going to know it's yours. I don't give a shot what anyone thinks anymore. It's me, you, and Wade; we are all in this together, do you understand. Now can you please tell me what happened with Aaron, because I know jack shit about anything, just that you practically killed him," I said as I smoothed his bloodied hair from his forehead?

"When is a nurse going to come in here and clean you up, my God? What is wrong with people? This is not sanitary," I said as I walked out of the door to scan the area for a nurse.

I was getting livid; we had been in that room for thirty minutes and had barely gotten so much as a hello for anyone. What if Connor were the one dying right now? Another fifteen minutes passed, and Wade walked in with a nurse. I ran up and hugged and kissed Wade and then grabbed the nurse's arm as she turned to walk away.

"Hey, is someone going to evaluate Connor or what? We've been here for almost an hour. He needs stitches and an MRI; how much longer will we have to wait. Look, he has blood running down his face; he's in pain; where's the Doctor," I gritted out harshly.

Man, I hate hospitals with a passion; I spent three weeks in a hospital when I was twelve because my appendix had ruptured, and I had ended up getting sepsis, I almost died. I wouldn't say I like hospitals. I had gotten a dula and had Mark at home. That's how much I hate hospitals.

"Taylor, the babe, come lay down with me and chill out; I'll be fine; I'm sure there are patients more worse off than me. It's a Saturday," Connor said as he moved over on the bed so that I could lay down beside him.

I did my best not to touch the side where he could possibly have broken ribs. Wade pulled up a chair and sat behind me, rubbed my back, and held Connor's hand.

"So I don't want to be an asshole right now because I know your in a lot of pain, and you look like a bit man, but what happened. Mom and dad are outside in the waiting room, I asked them, but they wouldn't tell me anything. Taylor, your parents, have also shown up. They keep on asking me what the deal was with you kissing Connor right in front of God and everyone. I didn't tell them anything; of course, that is something we will all need to do together," Wade said as he continued to rub my back. I didn't say anything back; I hoped that Connor would talk first and tell us what happened with Aaron.

"Aaron must have found some way to get out of rehab; he must have been watching from afar. Just after you guys turned from the road, the kids began to scream. I looked over and saw Aaron running away with Mark. I caught up with him and convinced him to let Mark go. While I was distracted, making sure Mark was getting to safety, Aaron punched me in the temple. I'm surprised he didn't knock me out. I got up and started beating his ass. Well, to be honest, he was winning at; first, I think. I can't remember much now, but he was barely breathing when Tanner came to pull me off of him. I'm probably going to go to jail for this. I wasn't even going to touch him, not until he hit me first and then something snapped in me; I couldn't help myself," Connor said, and a lone tear fell from his eye.

"Have the police been in here to talk to you, Connor," Wade asked as he got up and walked to the door.

"Well, no, there were more than enough witnesses who saw the whole thing and even recorded it as well. No one would let them come near me and held them up long enough until you guys arrived, and then we left so...,"

"You know the drill don't talk to anyone unless dad is in here with you,"

"Mom was one of the witnesses that caught the whole thing on tape. She ran up to the officers after Kaysen; I'm sure dad has already done some damage control or one of the five lawyers that were there who witnessed it. But still, if I killed him, I should be punished for that. I could have stopped when I realized he had stopped moving. If they take me in, I'll serve my time,"

"My brother is not going to jail for attempted murder, or murder whatever it ends up being. You were protecting Mark and yourself. He threw the first punch, and when you weren't even looking at him. Damn coward, he got the upper hand at first, and you still whooped his ass. I'm proud of you. I wish I could have done it myself," Wade said as he sat back down and began massaging my back again.

"You did what you had to, Connor; if you hadn't of fought back, he would have beat you to a pulp, I'm sure of it. He has had nothing but hate in his bones for years now. However, that's what made him such a good cop. Aaron used to be a good man, but he hasn't been in years. I guess that's what drugs and alcohol can do to a man. This way, he can't go out and treat another woman as he has treated me. I'm sure he'll be fine; he was most likely high when he attacked you," I said, which was most likely the truth; that's most likely why he passed out as well. I wouldn't know until the hospital called me to tell me what was happening.

"You're going to be ok Connor, I know it. As far as our families and us, I think it's time we all tell the truth. I don't want to hide what we have any longer," I said as I nuzzled my nose into Connor's neck.

"If that's what you want," Wade and Connor said in unison.

"Yes, that's what I want,"

"Ok then,"

It was then that my phone finally decided to ring, the hospital's number showing up on the screen. I answered and had a quick chat with the person. It seems they would be sending me a nurse to take me to the ICU. The doctor was there with Aaron and needed to talk to me.

I said my goodbyes to Wade and Connor and went down a few hallways with the nurse until we reached Aaron's room.

"Miss. Mason, I am Dr. Henderson. I will be Aaron's doctor for the time being. Aaron has had a mild stroke due to a cocaine overdose on top of being intoxicated. He is on his way to having a heart attack. We are doing all we can to clear his system, but he may not make it. For the time being, he is in a coma. Him being attacked had nothing to do with what's going on with him now. His body couldn't handle any more drug and alcohol abuse. Is there anyone else that we could contact? You are the only one listed as an emergency contact and next of kin?" Dr. Henderson asked me as he looked back over Aaron's file.

"Pardon, but I got married today; as you can see, I'm still in my wedding dress. It is now Mrs. Cunningham, so you can change that on that form. I'm the only one Aaron has; he tried to steal our son today and then attacked the man I love. Do all you can to save him so justice can be made? He is not a good man. He has assaulted me and raped me amongst other women. I'm sure you know about it; it's been all over the news. He was the Mayor after all,"

"Yes, ma'am, we will do all we can. I'll keep you informed,"

"Thank you," I said as I shook his hand and walked back to Connor's room. Connor could now breathe easier, knowing it wasn't anything he had done that had made Aaron pass out. Now, all we had to get out in the open was our relationship. One hurdle at a time, we are meant to be, and things would work out just fine.