“They started when I lost my parents, but I’d gotten them under control until…” I trail off.
“Until someone started scaring the shit out of you. The same someone who said your work after you lost your parents was the best of your career.”
“Oh God,” I whisper. I was so confused as to why Nina had done this, but now it’s making more sense.
“She was also worried you were going to outgrow her. This would ingrain your loyalty to her. If you thought she was all you had, then you wouldn’t leave.”
“Is that what the cops told you?” I ask.
“No, I put that together myself. They needed the guns I used.”
My eyes widen. “Are you in trouble?!”
“No, it’s just protocol. It’s fine. Let’s get you dressed and home.” He grabs a bag off the chair Marly brought in with her. I let the hospital gown drop. “Dollface,” Jackson says when he comes to stand in front of me. “Don’t hide things from me. If you need the medicine, then you need it. If you don’t, then you don’t. Whatever makes you whole and feel safe is what I want for you. There is no shame in any of that.”
“Jackson.” Tears form in my eyes. How did I get so lucky for this man to come into my life?
“You’re not weak. Never think that. We all have strength in different ways.”
“Really? What’s mine?” I ask as he helps me get dressed.
“Loving me.” He smirks.
“I promise you that’s not hard, Jackson.”
“Are you sure about that? You’ve lost so much, and you haven’t let anyone else into your life. In fact, what friendships you did have beside Nina which were work-related, you slowly let go of. If you don’t love something, you can’t lose it. That fear isn’t there. You loving me is bigger for you than I think you realize.”
He’s right. I have isolated myself. I’ve kept the world at bay. “I love you more than I knew was even possible,” I tell him after he gets me dressed in an oversized sweater and yoga pants. I slip my feet into some boots.
“Same, Dollface. I’ve stared down the barrel of a gun and felt less fear than I did when I couldn’t find you.” I lean up and kiss him. He kisses me back as he slips something onto my finger. I gasp when I see the ring.
“Jackson!” Any tears I was trying to hold back break free. “You’re supposed to get on a knee and ask.”
“Oh, I’ll get on my knees when we get home, but I’m not asking. We’re getting married.” He cups my face and kisses my tears. “Now stop crying,” he orders, making me laugh.
I’m not sure what will happen to Nina, but at the end of the day she brought me Jackson. The best Christmas gift a girl could ever ask for.
EPILOGUE
JACKSON
“I’m pooped,”announces Marly as she throws herself into a lawn chair. “Hand me a drink.”
Bell slides a mojito into my sister’s hand. “It’s the last one.”
“Nooooo,” cries Ted. “I needed that.”
“Here.” David pops up with another drink to avert a disaster. “I saved you one.”
“My knight in brocade armor. Bless you.” He gives his partner a peck on the cheek and then takes the seat next to Marly. “I am glad we only have Fluffy,” he says between gulps of his drink. “No offense, Bell, but kids are exhausting.” He should be tired. He played tag with eight boys under the age of seven, two of them mine.
“They are tiring. Why do you think I’m holding this backyard barbecue? It’s to tire them out so I can rest.” My sweet wife grins.
I rub a hand across her shoulders. “Sounds like I’m not taking good enough care of you. Maybe you and Marly should take a weekend off for a spa trip.”
“I like that idea,” Marly says.
“I’d miss the boys too much,” Bell admits. “Remember when you took me to Hawaii for our anniversary?”