Page 57 of A Burning Rage

Beth makes a sound of protest. “Shane—”

Tyler shakes his head. “You took a bullet for her—you did the hard part. I got the easy job. You saved my sister.” Tyler reaches out, and we clasp hands. “I’d say that makes us even.”

I glance at Beth. “Does he know our good news?”

Smiling, she shakes her head. “I didn’t want to tell anyone until after you knew.”

“Can I tell him?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me what?” Tyler asks, his brow furrowing. “I could use some good news after the past couple of days.”

“Beth’s expecting,” I tell him. “You didn’t just save her, you saved our child, too.”

“Well, damn,” he says. “Congratulations.”

* * *

For the next two days, I work my ass off. My first achievement is getting that damn catheter out now that I’m able to walk to the bathroom on my own two legs.

Oscar visits me a couple times a day, and it’s not long before he has me walking up and down the hallway, from the nurse’s station all the way to the waiting room.

I’m in the process of walking down the hall, taking slow, shuffling steps with Beth at my side, when I encounter Dr. Markowski.

“I was just on my way to see you,” she says. “I’m glad to see you up and about.”

“I’m highly motivated. I want to go home.”

“That’s what I hear. Well, I think it’s time. Your sutures are healing nicely, and there’s still no sign of infection. I’ll write up your release orders, as well as orders to receive physical therapy at home. You need to keep building up your strength and stamina.”

“Whatever it takes,” I say.

Later that day, I’m officially released. Beth wheels me down to the exit, where Cooper is waiting with the Escalade. With their help, I’m able to climb up into the back passenger seat. Beth joins me, and Cooper drives us home.

When I walk into the house, I’m greeted by two very excited children. Luke races up to me, wraps his arms around my knees, and holds on for dear life. Ingrid is holding Ava, who bursts into tears as soon as she sees me.

“Dada!” she cries, her arms outstretched as she practically throws herself at me.

I feel like shit because I’m not strong enough to hold her yet. Instead, I reach out and cup her cheek. “Hey, baby girl. I missed you.”

“Dada,” she cries, still reaching for me. She doesn’t understand why I’m not taking her into my arms.

“Do you want to lie down?” Beth asks me.

“Not right now. I want to sit on the sofa and hold my kids.”

I slowly make my way through the kitchen to the family room and sit down carefully on the sofa, trying hard not to jar my abdomen. Luke comes to sit beside me, and Ingrid brings Ava over to see me. Ingrid sits Ava next to me, on my other side.

As soon as Ingrid releases her, Ava climbs onto my lap, leans back against me, and peers up at me. “Dada,” she says, smiling contentedly.

“It’s okay,” I say when Ingrid moves to pick Ava up. “She’s fine.”

Beth fawns over me, offering me food and drink.

Cooper and Sam join us in the family room, and suddenly, everything is right in our world.

Beth comes to sit beside me. “Mom, we have some big news for you.”