I Won't Give Up

by Sophie Monroe

  “What can you tell us about Mr. York?”

  “Um, not much really, we met about a month ago. It was purely coincidental. We met at a convenience store out by Lake Winona where my family has a lake house. I overheard them say they had no idea who I was at the time but when the figured it out they planned on kidnapping me for ransom.”

  “They who?” Detective Rey inquired further. She was slender, blonde and small statured, she had a narrow face and sharp features.

  “Garrett and Eli but I don’t know his last name. That’s what they said earlier.”

  “Anything else you can add?” My mind was in a haze. I hadn’t even been able to process the events myself yet.

  “Fiona they really need to know what happened in there?” I took a deep breath.

  “All I remember is we were at the lake house, Garrett was making dinner and next thing I knew he was smothering me with a rag. When I woke up I was at Eli’s house. “Garrett and Eli were holing me up like some prisoner. Garrett was going to try to rape me but Cooper saved me. Cooper knew them; he said Eli’s dad was ex-mafia though I think ex is a bit of an understatement.” I shivered. “We tried to get out of the house but on the way out we ran into Giovanni, that’s Eli’s dad. They wanted to separate us but Cooper refused. He made Cooper fight. It was awful, he forced him to. If he refused they were going to hurt me. He only agreed if Carl would be allowed to stay with me during the fight. Then this morning they said they were coming to move us. That’s when Garrett shot him. Please don’t let them take him from me Daddy, please.” I didn’t even realize I’d called him daddy until after the fact. I saw how fragile life could be at that moment. I needed to find forgiveness. I knew when my dad left my mom that he didn’t do it to hurt me, I don’t think he really meant to hurt my mom either but I know what it’s like to feel like part of you is missing. I was feeling that right now.

  “Mr. Kinley isn’t in trouble ma’am it’s clearly a case of self defense. Can you think of anything else that might be of importance.”

  “I’m not really thinking clearly right now, I’m exhausted, worried, scared, frustrated. Do you have a card you can leave and I’ll call to set something up later today.” Detective Rey reached in her pocket and produced a card handing it to me.

  “Mr. Prescott can we talk to you outside.” They asked my dad.

  “I’ll be right out.” He said holding up his hand. The walked out closing the door behind them.

  He left to talk to the detectives.

  Kurt came in through the doors. He looked haggard and disheveled not put together like he normally was. His eyes were red and puffy from crying, Cooper was all he had left.

  “Fiona, are you okay? Any news?” He sat in the chair next to me and took my hand.

  “I’m hanging on by a thread and we haven’t heard anything yet, he’s still in surgery.”

  “What happened?” I started briefing over everything that happened over the past twenty-four hours. Kurt seemed really angry when he heard Giovanni’s name but when I got to the part about the fight he was furious. I didn’t even get to the point where he was shot before he started swearing.

  “That lying bastard. I paid him $100,000 to leave us alone and to never contact Cooper again. He was black and blue for months because of him, months! He used him like some kind of pawn. He was going to get him killed.”

  “I’m sorry Kurt. I didn’t know any of this, I swear. He didn’t want to fight, they didn’t leave him any choice but that’s not when he got shot. They were trying to move us to another location this morning and Garrett was waiting for us. One of the guys he knew from there was trying to help us get away, we were almost gone when someone fired a shot it hit him in the side. They took him in for surgery as soon as we got here, he was semi-conscious. I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault.” I couldn’t shake the blame that was eating at me.

  “Fiona it’s not your fault you don’t even know the half of what happened before we moved and I don’t really want to get into any details right now but I can tell you it was not good.”

  Moments later the doctor from the emergency room walked into the waiting room.

  “Kinley family?”

  “Yes.” Kurt said giving my hand a squeeze.

  “I’m Dr. Glatt. Cooper is out of surgery. The bullet penetrated the kidneys and some of his intestine, we were able to repair most of the damage but he lost a lot of blood and went into cardiac arrest on the table. We were able to stabilize him but he’s not out of the woods just yet. They are moving him to ICU as we speak and you should be able to visit him in about 45 minutes but no more than one or two at a time and not for a prolonged period of time. He needs to rest. We’re keeping him sedated right now. We’ll take him off slowly starting tomorrow depending on his progress. Do you have any questions?”

  “Is he expected to make a full recovery?” Kurt asked.

  “We believe so.” I took a deep breath.

  “Miss Prescott we’d like to do some quick blood work on you to make sure what ever was used to render you unconscious is no longer in your system. I can have a nurse come here and do it if you’d prefer.”

  “That’s fine. Thank you.” I said giving him a tight smile. I squeezed Kurt’s hand.

  Ten minutes later nurse Shelly came in and took three vacutainer’s of blood to send off to the lab. Then we waited in silence to be called to ICU. My dad walked in with my mom, she was noticeably very upset. She pulled me into her arms for a hug. It was awkward seeing Luke was still holding me and I never let go of Kurt’s hand.

  “Kurt this is my mom Gabby Prescott.” They shook hands.

  “I’m so sorry to hear about Cooper. He’s a strong boy. He’ll be up and at it before any of us know it, I’m sure of it. Please if there is anything we can do for either of you do not hesitate to ask. Consider it done.”

  “Thank you.”

  I relieved to notice that there wasn’t overwhelming friction between my parents.

  Carl came in. He and Luke shook hands.

  “Fiona I just wanted pop in to say I’m glad you’re okay. Glad Cooper’s going to be okay.”

  “Thank you Carl, for everything. The clothes, keeping me safe, calling Luke, just everything.”

  “No need to thank me. Listen I gotta go they’re waiting for me outside the door.”

  “Who’s they?”

  “They Fed’s.” He said grimly. He saved us there was no way I’d let him go down without a fight. Maybe they could put him in some sort of witness protection or something.

  “Dad.” He walked over. “I need you to call in some favors.”

  “For him?” He looked at Carl with disgust.

  “Dad chances are we wouldn’t be alive without Carl. He kept us safe while we were there plus he’s the one that arranged everything with Luke so we could get out of there.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” He seemed reluctant at first but pulled his phone from his pocket and walked out the door. He was well connected plus money could erase a lot of things. I owed Carl big time.

  “Fiona you don’t have to do that. What I’ve been doing for Giovanni it wasn’t exactly on the up and up.” He said ashamed.

  “I don’t think you were given much of a say until now. I’ve given my statement but I need to talk to them again after I see Cooper. I’ll make sure they know you were a hero through this.” He nodded and left the room. Shelly came back and said that we could go see Cooper, she pulled me to the side and said the doctor wanted to discuss my blood test when we were done visiting making me nervous.

  Kurt and I took the elevator up to the ICU on the fourth floor where we were escorted to a corner room. Kurt pushed back the curtain and what I saw broke my heart. Cooper was lying in the bed with a breathing tube in his nose attached to his face by what looked like something you would use to tie an oven-stuffers legs together. He had an oversized gauze bandage covering his surgical wound. Chimes were going off and the heart monitor was beeping steadily, I found the soun
d surprisingly comforting. I walked up to him and took his hand in mine. Kurt stood next to me putting his hand on my shoulder.

  “Cooper I’m here. So is your dad. You’re going to be fine. I love you so much.” I felt silent tears streaming down my face. I wanted nothing more than to climb into bed with him and stay there but I knew it would hurt him and they would probably throw me out. We stayed until Dr. Glatt said visiting hours were over.

  “I need to talk Dr. Glatt about my blood work. I’ll be down in a couple minutes.” He hit the elevator button and I followed the doctor to the nurse’s station.

  “Well it looks like your blood work showed a couple things. First it looks like whatever was used to knock you out is not in your system and doesn’t have seemed to have caused harm anything else. Secondly I know this is a really stressful time for you but your levels of hCG are high.”

  “hCG levels?”

  “hCG is the pregnancy hormone, the blood results say you’re pregnant.” Wait. What?

  “Pregnant? I’m on the pill.” Figures Cooper and I have been together for all of five minutes and now they tell me I’m pregnant.

  “Only abstinence is one-hundred percent effective. We can do an ultrasound but I would guess you’re no more than 6-8 weeks.” I just nodded too shocked to say anything else. “Very well we can schedule one for tomorrow if you’d like. You should probably try and get some rest. I’m going to write you a prescription for prenatal vitamins but you should check with your regular OB/GYN within the next couple weeks.”

  “Thanks.” I walked and hit the elevator button. I already decided I wouldn’t say anything to anyone. Cooper deserved to be the first to know, if he even wanted it. The thought filled me with dread. I was totally pro-choice but in this case I already loved this baby so much because it was part of both of us, we made it on our magical night, the best night of my life.

  When I arrived back to the waiting room my mom informed me that she’d arranged a hotel room across the street for the night and she’d sent my dad out to get me shower supplies and clothes. I looked down and realized that I was still wearing Cooper’s clothes. She’d also gotten Kurt a room.

  We walked across the street and I headed up to my room and ordered room service. Buffalo wings and a piece of apple pie. I needed to make sure that I took care of myself now, for the baby.

  My dad brought me a bunch of bags. One with all my shower supplies, a pre-paid phone, a comfy pair of sweats, a pair of yoga pants, a couple t-shirts, some matching bra and panty sets (awkward), and socks and sneakers, another with all my favorite snacks, gummy worms, white cheddar cheese doodles, Kit-Kat bars, Diet Coke and Vitamin Water. He also stopped at Chevy’s and got me a cheeseburger, waffle fries and a chocolate shake. This was the dad that I knew.

  “Thanks Daddy.” He smiled at me with tears in his eyes.

  “You know I’d walk through hell and back for you sweet-pea.” He said earnestly.

  “I know. I also want you to know I forgive you for leaving. I think you should have done it differently and I wished you hadn’t done it at all but you deserve to be happy too.”

  “I’m sorry too. I was selfish and what I did was wrong.”

  “I still don’t want to see Gigi.” I said firmly.

  “Deal but I don’t think she’s going to be around much longer anyways.”

  “Regardless I don’t want to see her.” He nodded.

  “I love you sweet-pea.”

  “Love you too. I’m going to shower quick so I can get to bed. I want to be there for first visiting hours tomorrow.”

  “Goodnight. Oh, I’m working on helping your friend I think they might be able to cut him a deal.”

  “Thanks.”

  I ate my cheeseburger and fries from Chevy’s, then my buffalo wings and washed it down with my chocolate shake. I showered quickly, got dressed and climbed into bed setting the alarm. I placed my hand over my stomach, our little bean. I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

  When I woke I was feeling much more optimistic. I’d made up with my dad, he was trying to help Carl and hopefully Cooper had a good night. I grabbed a bagel from the lobby and headed over to the hospital. I got there at 7:55 and visiting hours started at 8:00. I hit the elevator button and made my way up to the fourth floor. I checked in at the nurse’s station before going to Cooper’s room. They said he did really well last night, he was breathing on his own and they were already in the process of lowering the sedative. They said he could be up within a few hours! They said Dr. Glatt arranged my appointment for 8:15. I walked in and took his hand.

  “Hey baby, I’m here. I don’t know if you can hear me or not but you’re lucky you’re in here right now because when you wake up I have some news to tell you. I hope you think it’s happy news, I’m really happy about but if you weren’t already shot I think my dad might be tempted to shoot you himself.” I giggled. I felt his fingers try to move, my heart swelled. “I have to go downstairs quick. I’ll be back in a few minutes. I love you.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek before going down to my ultra sound appointment. I was a ball of emotions. I filled out the paperwork and waited to be called.

  “Hi I’m Ivy. I’ll be your ultrasound tech today. Have you ever had one done before?”

  “No.” I was excited and scared as hell.

  “Well since you’re just pregnant we have to do the internal one so if you could take your bottoms off and drape the sheet over you I’ll be back in a minute and we’ll get started.” I quickly did as she asked and when she came back she prepared the wand. She pushed it up until we saw a little bean on the screen. I felt tears prick my eyes, it was amazing.

  “Looks like you’re about 6 weeks and 4 days. That puts your due-date in June.”

  “Well looks like he or she will come right after graduation.” I laughed. If I was the pariah before this was going to be a gossip shit storm. She printed out a couple pictures and I put them in my back pocket. I got dressed and headed back to Cooper’s room.

  When I got there Kurt was there sitting in a chair next to the bed.

  “He moved his hand before.” I smiled brightly at him. “They said he had a good night and he should be up within a couple hours.” We sat in peaceful silence until Cooper started making some groaning noises. I tightened my grip on his hand.

  “Cooper. It’s okay. You’re okay.” I cooed. As soon as his vision adjusted to his surroundings he smiled his dazzling, panty-busting smile. It was the best sight I’d ever seen.

  “Knock knock.” He mumbled. Leave it to him to try and make me laugh when he’s the one in pain.

  “Who’s there?” I teased.

  “Mary.”

  “Mary who?”

  “Marry me.”

  “What?” I asked confused. Was he proposing?

  “Marry me Fiona. Be my wife. I know we’re still in high school, I know we’re young, I know you’ve only been my girlfriend for less than twenty-four hours but there will never be anyone else.”

  “Okay tough guy we’ll talk about it when you’re off the juice.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Well that wasn’t the most romantic proposal and you’ve also just been shot but I can’t see myself ever loving anyone but you so if you’re serious then yes I will marry you.”

  Kurt was laughing like a schoolgirl. Like father, like son.

  “Kurt can you go tell the nurse he’s awake. I need to talk to him for a minute.”

  He nodded and closed the curtain behind him.

  “You scared me.”

  “Sorry baby but it’s going to take a lot more than a bullet to keep me from you.”

  “That’s what Luke said and that’s also a good thing because I have some news that might make you have to take another one.”

  “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “You’re gonna be my baby daddy.” I said pulling out the sonogram out of my back pocket and handing it to him.

 

  CHAPTE
R TEN

  Ask The Magic 8 Ball

  Cooper

  “Cooper. It’s okay. You’re okay.” The voice called. I’d do anything for that voice.

  I remember when I was a little kid all questions could be answered with the shake of a magic eight ball. Like does Jenny like me, will I be rich when I grow up, am I cool, it was the answer to all of the hard questions in life. As soon as I heard her voice saying my name I fought to climb of out the darkness, I needed to get to that voice, it was my magic eight ball, the answer to everything.

  I felt her hand in mine. I was just relieved that she was okay, I’d take a bullet for her any day of the week to make sure she never had to feel pain but I guess me being in here is causing her pain of some sort too. When I finally opened my eyes I made sure to give her my best smile knowing it would make her laugh. I needed her forever. I didn’t want to waste another minute.

  “Knock knock.” I said.

  “Who’s there?”

  “Mary.”

  “Mary who?”

  “Marry me.”

  “What?” She stammered.

  “Marry me Fiona. Be my wife. I know we’re still in high school, I know we’re young, I know you’ve only been my girlfriend for less than twenty-four hours but there will never be anyone else.” Why wasn’t she taking me serious, I just asked her to marry me.

  “Okay tough guy we’ll talk about it when you’re off the juice.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Well that wasn’t the most romantic proposal and you’ve also just been shot but I can’t see myself ever loving anyone else so if you’re serious then yes I will marry you.” SCORE!!!

  My dad looked like he was about to piss himself he was laughing so hard. I think he knew from the moment I started talking about Fiona that she was the one for me.

  “Kurt can you go tell the nurse he’s awake. I need to talk to him for a minute.”