“It’s okay,” I whisper repeatedly. And I don’t know who I’m trying to convince, the mother or me.
The sounds of a scuffle make me want to look up, but I don’t want to risk myself or the child in my arms. I know it’s Reed and the robber. He wouldn’t allow someone like that to get away, even if he’s risking his own life.
Another shot is fired, and silence follows until sirens are heard. “Reed?” I scream his name. Terror has stricken me in place. Too afraid to find out if he’s hurt. Confidence in his abilities is what keeps me still.
“Police! Drop the weapon!” can be heard as officers enter the store.
“Sergeant Reed Burkhart. I’m off duty. This is the perp's weapon. He’s detained, but my pregnant wife is back there, I need to get to her.” I’ve never felt such whiplash in my emotions before.
The mother opens her arms to take the child I'm holding and mouths a sincere thank you as Reed rounds the corner of the aisle so fast he nearly slides to the floor.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt? What about peanut?” His own face is a mask of fright as he reaches a hand down to help me up.
Wrenching me into his arms so hard I bounce off his chest, I cry silently at the commotion we walked into. Knowing this day could have turned out much differently if he weren’t here to tackle the gunman when he had.
“I love you,” I sigh as his arms tighten around my back.
Breathing into my neck, I think he’s trying to inhale me. “I don’t know what I would have done if he hurt you.”
“We’re fine,” I comfort.
“Fuck,” he hisses as if he’s replaying the entire scenario in his head. “I love you, Hope. So fucking much, and I know I said I would wait, but this is twice in as many weeks that you’ve been in danger, and I fucking need you to tell me you’re mine.”
Sliding my hands up his chest, I cup his cheeks and pull him down until our foreheads touch. “I love you, Reed Burkhart, and I would like it very much if we could be yours forever.”
Without a word, his lips are covering mine, and we’re locked in our passion as the world moves along around us. It’s not until someone clears their throat that we pull apart.
The cashier and the mom with her boys are standing nearby as an officer waits for us to look at him. “Sergeant, if I could take your statement?” The officer seems young.
“Of course.” Reed nods, giving him the same respect as we follow the man outside to where there are more cruisers and cops.
Feeling lightheaded, I sit on a bench with a female officer and give my statement, recalling the events as they unfolded.
As soon as I’m finished, the little boy runs over and wraps his arms around
my neck, whispering, “Thank you,” before letting go and running back to his worried mother, who is joined by her husband.
Fresh tears roll down my cheeks as everything catches up with me at once.
Reed
I’m quick to give my statement to the patrolmen before the investigating detectives show up to ask me the same questions. Because I told everyone to drop, I was the only one who saw everything and could deliver the most details.
I don’t take my eyes off Hope while she speaks to another officer, and then the little boy runs up and gives her a hug. But after a moment alone, I can see she’s being bombarded by every emotion she understands and even more she doesn’t.
“I’m sorry, detective, I have to see to my wife. Can I come by the station in about an hour; after I get her home and her brother can come to look after her?” He appears reluctant but concedes to my request. Likely because I’m on the job too.
“Hope?” I call her name, and when her head pops up, I can see she’s dizzy. “Get a medic!” I call out, rushing to her as her body goes limp, falling forward. I catch her just before she can hit the ground. “Come on, pretty girl, wake up for me,” I coax her, and after a minute, her eyes begin to flutter open.
A paramedic is at her feet before she’s caught her breath. “Ma’am? Can you give me your name?”
Licking her lips, she tells him and answers all of his questions before requesting water and insisting she’s fine. He looks hesitant, but after listening to the baby’s heart rate through his stethoscope, he makes her promise to go back to the doctor as soon as she can and leaves.
“Come on, I’ve texted Luca to meet us at the house, then I have to get to the station and finish giving my statement. Then I’ll be home in time to make you those nachos you wanted for dinner.”
“Okay, Reed.”
Tucking my girl under my arm, I lead her back to my truck and head home. Luca is waiting for us as we pull up. His friend is with him. I really need to learn this guy’s name.