by K E Osborn
“Really?” Hudson asks and his dad smiles.
“Yes, really, and Vee seeing as you’re a great bookkeeper, would you like to come join the family business? Seeing as Hudson seems to want to marry you?” Bill asks and I look at Hudson.
He nods and smiles and I bite at my bottom lip and wipe the tears from my face.
“Okay,” I say and everyone smiles widely.
“Awesome, it’s going to be great finally having all us guys back together working on the machines. We haven’t done it since… I dunno, since Brige was like… well, not even born I don’t think?” Flynn says and I smile knowing how happy they must all be to have their brother back. And I’m extremely happy they have included me in their family like this. Not to mention I now have a ferocious flurry of butterflies in my stomach at the thought that Hudson wants to marry me one day. Not now, but one day he wants us to say our vows and commit to each other, and that thought, through the unbearable pain searing through my leg, is making everything seem a hell of a lot brighter right now. I suddenly stand up and Hudson looks over at me warily. I take hold of my crutches and hobble over to his bedside.
“I love you, you know that, right?” I ask as he takes my hand in his.
He nods and smiles. “I love you too, baby. Sorry about Cassie, and sorry she spilled the beans. I was trying to keep it from them, not because I was ashamed, but because I knew you wouldn’t want them to know,” he explains and I nod as Holden and Flynn move either side and wrap their arms around me.
“Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone, but you will have to give me tips on how to, you know… satisfy Lucy better—”
“Jesus Holden,” Bill says and we all shake our heads at him.
“No, in all seriousness, we don’t care, Vee. We still love you and Hudson definitely loves you… that’s all we need. Just take good care of him,” Flynn says and I nod.
“Always,” I reply and lean down gently kissing Hudson on the lips. That familiar surge flowing through me as my lips mould to his. And knowing he wants to spend forever with me makes me think that maybe in some weird, fucked up twisted way, that everything we have been through was worth it to get to this point. Without the Dogs finding us and doing what they did, maybe we wouldn’t have realised just how desperately we need each other.
We’ve been in this hospital for just over three months. Hudson is doing much better although he’s still not one hundred percent and I guess he never will be again. But at least he can walk on his own now and he doesn’t have an oxygen tube anymore. Today is a good day because we are finally going home. I’m going to not only be able to actually sleep in a bed, but Hudson will be right next to me. He will still have a nurse coming by to check on him, kind of like in home care. I guess getting shot in the lung is a big deal and takes a long time to recover from. I pack up the last of our stuff as I start to feel nauseous again. It seems like for the past month I’ve been feeling under the weather, but I keep it from Hudson because he doesn’t need to know how sick I feel. I’m sure it’s just from stress anyway.
We haven’t seen or heard from Cassie since she assaulted me in Hudson’s room, and I’m thankful for that. If I never see her again, I will be one happy woman! The Stone’s have closed up shop for the day and they’re helping us move back into Hudson’s house. We discussed it and I definitely don’t want to be apart from him while he’s still recovering so I’m moving back in until we have time to think about what we’re going to do permanently.
“You nearly ready, baby?” Hudson asks pulling me from the thought that I might actually vomit.
“Yeah, just packing the last of it now. I’m so glad I can finally walk without the crutches. Makes life so much easier,” I say as I turn toward him while he pulls a shirt over his head.
“How’s the leg feeling? You look a little pale? Is it hurting?” he asks walking over to me slowly and taking my hands in his.
“It’s a little sore but it’s bearable. Just feeling tired is all, three months sleeping in a chair is not good for anyone,” I joke and he frowns.
“You should’ve gone home, even if it was for one day a week then you could have had a decent nights rest—”
“I was never going to leave you, Hudson. Even going and having a shower was torture to be away from you. I hope you like me ‘cause there’s no way you’re getting rid of me now, you know?”
He leans in close to me his lips barely touching mine. “I think I do like you, just a little bit.”
I giggle and he leans in kissing me softly. That surge flows through me that’s always there, he never fails to arouse me. Even though the kiss doesn’t last long, mainly because he can’t breathe properly, I don’t mind. Even a light kiss from him is heaven in my eyes.
“Right miss, let’s get you home so I can finally snuggle you in bed. I’ve missed just holding you,” he says kissing my forehead and letting go of my hands. He walks over to the bags and goes to pick them up.
“Uh-uh, no way. No load-bearing for you, Mr. Stone,” I say and walk over picking up the bags.
“I’m not an invalid, Vee.”
I roll my eyes. “I know that, but don’t think for a minute that now you’re getting out of hospital that you can just go back to your domineering ways and control freak behavior. You are still recovering, Hudson, and I won’t let you hurt yourself. You got it?”
He smirks and nods his head. “Yes ma’am,” he says saluting me.
“Good man, now get over here and kiss me again. I miss your lips.”
He smirks stepping up to me and kissing me gently. A gentle applause starts forcing us to part lips as Holden and Flynn stand there smirking at us.
“Oh, fuck off you two,” Hudson says as Flynn comes to take the bags from me.
“Thanks Flynn,” I say.
“No worries. Any woman who talks to Hudson like that deserves respect,” he says.
I roll my eyes and take Hudson’s hand in mine, entwining our fingers tightly.
“You guys ready?” Holden asks as he checks around the hospital room for anything we’ve missed.
“Yep, all good. Let’s get out of here,” Hudson exclaims.
We walk toward the door and notice a stack of people all lined up down the hallway. It’s almost like a guard of honor. I look at Hudson and he looks back at me with an eyebrow raised. We step into the hallway to see nurses, doctors and some of Hudson’s workmates all lining the hallways waiting and smiling at him.
“Three cheers for Detective Stone,” a male voice says from behind us.
We both turn to see Denzel and his wife Vicki smiling at us as the crowd all cheers for Hudson. I smile brightly and lean in and hug Vicki. She’s been such a wonderful, supportive woman while we’ve been in here, and I would now go as far to call her a friend. We will definitely be spending time with her and Denzel outside of here, I’ll make sure of that.
“It’s so good that you’re going home. It will be nice to sleep in a bed, I bet?” Vicki states and I nod emphatically.
“Yep, I’m so sick of that bloody chair,” I reply and she smiles hugging me tightly.
“Look after yourself and your man here. It was a pleasure looking after you Hudson and no offense, but I hope I don’t ever see you in here again.”
“Thanks Vicki, you’ve been amazing! And thank you so much for letting Vee stay. I don’t think I could’ve done this without her here supporting me, and that’s all because of you. I can never repay you for what you’ve done for us,” Hudson says as she lets me go and embraces him.
“Oh honey, just seeing you and Violet recover is all the repayment I need.”
Macca walks up to Hudson and they stare at each other and smile. “Well, Stone’s back in the land of the living. Watch the fuck out people, he’s a mad man.”
“You’re a dick,” Hudson says and they both laugh.
“All right this is a one-time thing, okay?” Macca asks and we both look at him raising our eyebrows.
“What? Me being shot?” H
udson asks.
Macca shakes his head and opens his arms up. “No, this is,” he says and leans in hugging Hudson. Hudson tenses and looks at his friend like he’s lost his marbles, then he looks at me and I tilt my head with a smirk as Hudson smiles wrapping his arms around his best friend.
“Thanks mate. Thanks for checking in on me all the time and for looking after Vee. And for keeping us informed about everything that was happening. You’re a good mate,” Hudson says and Macca lets him go.
“Well, you would do it for me, so…” he pauses and takes a deep breath looking like he’s holding back tears. “I’m just glad you’re okay, mate. You too, Violet. I’m glad you both made it out,” he says and slaps him on the shoulder then steps back letting another friendly face in the crowd have access to Hudson.
Hilda steps forward and hugs me tightly. Beautiful nurse Hilda, who put up with my bad moods and even worse behaviour, and made sure I was able to see Hudson. I can never repay the kindness she has shown me.
I start to cry as I hold on to her. “Thank you. Thank you so much for everything, Hilda. I couldn’t have gotten through this without you. I swear you’re an angel.”
“No honey, not an angel, just a nurse who could see your pain, physically and emotionally. It was my pleasure helping you both.” I remember all the times she went above and beyond her duty as a nurse, and I’m happy to also call her a friend.
“Thanks Hilda, you kept Violet sane when I couldn’t and I really appreciate it,” Hudson says.
“You’re welcome, Hudson. Now just make sure you don’t end up back in here again, okay?”
“Yeah, don’t end up back in here… ever,” I say and Hudson wraps his arm around me and kisses my temple.
“Never baby, don’t worry about that.”
I notice a cop walk up to Denzel and take him from the group. I find it a bit odd, but I’m soon distracted by a gorgeous flaming redhead.
“Boss?” I hear her say as my eyes widen and then water.
“Angel? What are you doing here?” I ask as she looks at Hudson and winks.
He smiles at her and I instantly know this is his doing. She runs up to me and wraps her arms around me tightly. I hug her back just as tight and she starts to cry along with me.
“It’s so good to see you up and about, Rock,” Angel says to Hudson who chuckles and smiles patting her on the shoulder.
“Thanks for coming, Angel. It means so much!”
“How are you doing? I know we talk every day, but you look good, a little pale but good,” she says and I nod.
“Much better now Hudson is coming home,” I reply and she smiles wrapping her arm around my shoulder.
“Everyone says hi. They wanted to come too, but I know you wouldn’t want the whole business shut down just so they could come and see you. They all miss you though, especially Rosie, she’s been asking about you every five minutes.”
“Rosie is such a caring little thing. I miss her, and Star and Papi, even Sheila and Thor,” I say and she laughs.
“We’ve had guards on the doors ever since all this happened. The business is doing quite well, the books are a bit of a mess though, but I’ve been doing my best to keep them in some semblance of order. But I’m not quite as good as you,” she says and I smile at her.
“I’ll come in soon and see how everything is going. I need to talk to you all anyway, some changes need to be made.”
“I get it. Come in when you’re ready. Although the sooner the better, the staff miss you like crazy.”
Hudson knows all about my plan to sell, and he knows that Angel will take the news the hardest, but it’s what I need to do to stay with Hudson and to keep my sanity.
“Anyway sorry, I’m keeping you from getting home. I’ll see you at work?” she asks and I nod.
“Hey, why don’t you come back to the house and have afternoon tea with us? Hudson’s family are all coming, I’m sure they won’t mind if you’re there too?”
Hudson nods and smiles. “Yeah Angel, we’d love to have you over,” he says and she bites her bottom lip like she’s trying to stop the biggest smile from crossing her face.
“Sure Boss, I’d love to,” she replies as Denzel walks over to us.
“Stone, I have some news for you.” I instantly tense up.
“What is it Chief?” Hudson asks looking as concerned as I feel.
“Mad Dog was murdered in jail this morning.”
I gasp and my hand shoots to my mouth in shock as Hudson’s eyes widen.
“What happened?” he asks and I listen intently.
“Word is all the other Dogs ordered the hit in retaliation for him ratting on them. And because he was the Rebel Dogs President, none of them want anything to do with that MC. It has been dispersed and all the prior debts and issues involving the Dogs have been wiped clean, so they say. So you never have to worry about a Dog coming after you again because the gang doesn’t actually exist anymore. I’ve never seen something like this happen, the whole MC has virtually vanished.”
My eyes fill with tears again as I look at Hudson. He smiles brightly and I lean in and cuddle into his side.
“We’re safe now, baby,” he says and I smile and nod.
“Was his death quick?” I ask feeling a little bit sorry that Mad Dog lost his life. Even after everything he’s done to me and my friends, I saw a side to him – remorse. He was a product of his environment and even though he was a brutal killer and a little bit crazy, he was still a human underneath it all, and I’m sad he’s dead.
“You probably don’t want to know the details, Violet,” is all he says and I bite my bottom lip knowing that means it was a horrible and probably torturous death.
Hudson holds me a little bit tighter as he nods taking in the information.
“Thanks for letting us know, Chief, I’ll sleep easier at night knowing that Vee is safe,” Hudson says kissing my temple. I hate how he excludes himself from being safe. I know I’m his only priority, but he should be happy that he’s safe as well. Oh well, I’ll be happy for him instead.
“Well, Miss Dyson should we get out of here?” Hudson asks and I wipe the tear from my cheek and nod.
“Let’s get you home my rock,” I reply and he smiles as we turn back to face his guard of honour. Everyone is in place either side of the hall and they all look down toward Hudson and me. We say our final thank yous to the staff of the hospital and everyone here, and as we walk down the guard of honour the policeman come to attention and salute, one by one as we walk past them. I look up at Hudson and he has a glimmer in his eyes. I know this show of respect for him is making him feel as loved as he is.
“I love you,” I whisper into his ear as we walk through the people.
“I love you too, Vee. Always.”
When we reach the end of the guard of honour, we turn back and they all crowd around and give three loud cheers for Hudson.
“C’mon let’s not make your ego any bigger than it is, it’s already filling this entire ward. Let’s get out of here,” Holden says making me laugh as Hudson rolls his eyes.
We turn and walk out the front of the hospital and toward a waiting van. We have to walk slowly, not only because of my leg, but because Hudson still needs to take it easy. Bill gets out of the van and slides open the door for us to get in. Hudson glides in, making his way to the back of the van while Holden and Flynn follow in closely behind. Fran is in the van at the front and I turn to see Angel smiling at me.
“Follow us back to Hudson’s, okay?” I ask and she nods walks off to the car park to get her car.
“See you there,” she says and I wave at the people who followed us out and get in the back of the van and sit next to Hudson.
He looks tired and I still feel sick, but we’re going home and that’s all that matters.
“We took Midas back to your place bro, so he’ll be there when we get home,” Flynn says and Hudson closes his eyes tight like he’s trying to stop himself from crying.
I
hold his hand tightly and he opens his eyes with a sniff.
“I can’t wait to see him.”
“Me either.”
The drive back to Hudson’s is long and takes just over an hour with all the stupid road works going on. But when we arrive the house looks just the same as it always does. Bright and inviting.
“We’re here,” I say as Hudson opens his eyes. I think he’s had a little too much excitement for one day.
“Great, I can’t wait to just sit on my sofa again, or use my own bathroom, or lay in my own bed,” he says as the back door slides open and Fran and Bill wait for us to get out. The brothers move out first, taking our bags and things with them while I help Hudson out of the van.
Angel pulls up behind the van and gets out making her way over to us as we slide the van door shut.
“Hey, how was the trip?” Angel says and I shrug.
“Hudson slept for most of it,” I tease and he rolls his eyes.
“Recovering from being shot… remember honey?”
I wrap my arm around his waist for support. “I know, I’m only teasing. Ready to see Midas, Lizzy, Rock, and Spider?” I ask and he smiles brightly. It’s so refreshing to see a man so deeply in love with his animals, it’s how I know that he truly has a beautiful soul.
“I’ve been waiting three months.”
I smile at Angel and she follows us as we all walk toward the front door. I hear Midas barking while Fran opens the door and he comes rushing out and jumps straight up, placing his paws right on Hudson’s chest.
“Midas, down boy,” Fran says and Hudson smiles so brightly as he cuddles into his dog.
“I missed you, boy,” he says, hugging him tightly.
“Midas, get down,” Fran says again as I watch Hudson and Midas.
“Oh, let him go, Fran, he hasn’t seen Hudson in three months. Let them get acquainted again, they are excited to see each other,” Bill says and I couldn’t have said it any better myself.
I hear Hudson sniff and I look down and notice a tear run down his face. Which only makes one run down mine. I love seeing him so happy.