Chloe
My eyes flutter open as the annoying sound of my alarm goes off. I hit snooze and flop back down and rub the sleep from my eyes. Last night comes back to me, and I quickly grab my phone and pull up my text messages and don’t see one from Joe, and from the looks of it, he read it.
Sadness washes over me, because what if I blew it? Both cats jump up on the bed and give me good morning “Meows.” I give them both morning scratches and snuggles before climbing out of bed and starting the coffee pot. While it’s brewing, I pop some bread in the toaster and pour food in the cats’ bowls.
I slather my piece of toast with almond butter and pour myself a cup of coffee. Leaning against the counter, I eat my toast and drink my coffee. Why didn’t Joe respond to my text? Is something wrong with his phone? Did he get called into work early? Hell, maybe he’s just mad at me and didn’t want to answer me.
If he doesn’t get back to me by tonight, I’ll text him again. A thought dawns on me. Maybe this is a test to see if I’m serious, but Joe wouldn’t play games like that, would he?
I push those thoughts away, because I have to get ready so I can get to work.
An hour later, I’m walking into Harmon’s. I find Mr. Harmon polishing the cases per usual. “Good morning, Chloe.”
“Good morning, Mr. Harmon. The cases are sparkling.”
He chuckles and goes back to wiping them down. In the back, I set up my work station. Checking my calendar, I see that in a half hour I have a couple coming in to have wedding bands designed. In the consultation room, I set up the binders with different styles in it and some bands that they can try on.
In the break room, I grab a bottle of water and take a sip as I head out into the front. I begin to straighten up the jewelry in the cases. During the week, we’re never super busy. We do most of our business on the weekends.
Throughout the day, I’ve kept checking my phone, but there have been no texts or calls from Joe. I’m hopeful that there’s a good reason for it. I clean up my workstation and can’t wait to get home, take a bubble bath, and drink a glass of wine. Then I’ll call Joe, and hopefully he’ll answer.
***
The sun illuminates my bathroom as I lie back in my bathtub. The scent of honeysuckle tickles my senses as I soak up the warmth of the sun through the window and warmth of the water. We had been very slow earlier, so Mr. Harmon had sent me home after he took his lunch break.
I grab my glass of Riesling and take a sip. The taste explodes on my tongue, and I let out a sigh. I set the glass back down and lie back in the water. In my bedroom, my cellphone is charging, and I can hear it ring. I close my eyes when it stops, but it starts ringing again. Sitting up, I pull the stopper out of the tub and stand up, grab my robe off the hook, and slip it on. I open the door and step into the hall when I hear pounding on my front door.
My heart starts racing as I move to the living room and to the front door. I see it’s Dad and Pops. I throw the door open. “What’s wrong?”
I step back as they enter the living room. They both get close to me, and I start to freak out. “Baby girl, you need to get dressed and pack a bag.”
“Why? What’s going on? Please, you’re scaring me.”
Dad puts both hands on my shoulders. “Joe’s been shot. We need to get you to the hospital.”
A weird buzzing sound fills my ears, my hands tremble, and my legs feel like they’re going to give out on me. My dad wraps his arms around me. “Be strong, baby girl. Let’s get you dressed.” They lead me back into my room. I watch them pack me a bag and then lay out some clothes for me. “We’ll be out in the hall. Hurry, okay?”
On autopilot, I get dressed. I don’t even know what I’m wearing right now, and I don’t even care. In the hall, my pops waits for me and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Eli’s going to take care of the cats for you, and we’ve already called Mr. Harmon.”
I nod my head, hearing him but not. Outside, my brother is leaning against our dad’s Highlander. I step right into his arms, and he hugs me tight. “He’s going to be okay, Chloe.”
He helps me inside, and I get into the third row and wrap my arms around my knees. Dad gets in the back with me, and Carter rides up front with Pops. Dad grabs my hand in his. “How did you find out? What happened?” I croak.
“Stacy called me. She didn’t want you to find out over the phone. It was a routine traffic stop. The guy pulled his gun and shot Joe twice.”
The buzzing intensifies, and I feel the blood drain from my face. “I…Is he d…dead?”
“No, he’s not, honey, but he’s in surgery. He’s lost a lot of blood, and it’s not looking really good right now.” He brings my hand up to his lips and gives it a kiss. “Stacy said she’d call and keep us posted, okay?”
I nod my head and then stare out the window, watching the passing scenery. My parents and Carter all talk quietly, but I don’t listen to what they’re saying. I just think about every moment I’ve spent with Joe, every phone call, every text, and every video chat. I think about the child we lost. I think about all the times we made love.
No tears fall, because I feel numb. I wrap my arms around myself because I’m so cold I’m shivering. Pops’ phone rings, and Dad turns down the radio.
“Hey, Stacy.” Silence. “Okay, we’re two hours out.” A pause. “Yeah, she’s right here.” He turns to me. “Stacy wants to talk to you.”
With a trembling hand, I take the phone from him and hold it to my ear. “Tay Tay,” I whisper.
“Hey, honey. He’s still in surgery, and we haven’t heard anything yet, but they told us his surgery could take a while. Just send good vibes and prayers his way, and we’ll see you when you get here. I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too, Tay Tay.” I disconnect the call and hand the phone back to my dad. My gaze turns back out the window.
It seems like it takes forever before we’re finally pulling into the parking lot of the hospital. I see Tay Tay and Dustin standing outside. I’d heard my dad say that they would be. The SUV is barely in park before I’m busting out through the door and running across the parking lot. I run right into Tay Tay’s arms as the tears begin to fall. “Shh…honey. He’s strong. If there is anyone who can pull through this, it’s Joe.”
Tay Tay and Dustin lead me inside with my family following close behind. When we reach the waiting room, I see that there are people everywhere—some wearing uniforms, most wearing street clothes. I spot Joe’s parents and siblings sitting in the corner. Journey sees me and gets up.
I step into her embrace as a fresh wave of tears hits me. “Come sit, sweetheart.” I sit next to Journey, and she holds my hand tightly in hers. Silence surrounds us as we wait for word. Dad and Pops go grab coffee for everyone and an herbal tea for Abby.
The sliding doors open, and a man in scrubs comes walking toward us. “Officer Carmichael’s family?” We all stand up, my dad wrapping his arms around me. “I’m Dr. Petri, and I’m the one who treated your son. I have good news for you. Both entry wounds had exit wounds, and no bullet fragments were left behind. He’s got three broken ribs, and we had to put in a chest tube to drain the blood from his lungs.
“He’s intubated right now to get more oxygen into his body, but they’ll remove it as soon as he’s awake. The bullet in his shoulder nicked the subclavian artery, but we were able to clamp it off. His clavicle is broken as well. We’ve got him in recovery right now, but as soon as we get him into the ICU, you can go visit him. Just know that he’s heavily medicated, and we’ll keep him like that overnight.”
“How did this happen? He was wearing his vest, wasn’t he?” Dylan says as he looks between the doctor and Ben, his son-in-law.
“He was, but they used armor-piercing bullets. Forensics examined the scene, and as soon as we get the report, we’ll know more.”
Dylan starts cussing and storms out of the waiting room. I watch as Dustin and Parker go after him. Abby and Haddie flank their mom as she begins to cry. I don’t think—I just go to them and wrap my arms around all three of them.
It takes a half hour before Dylan, Dustin, and Parker come back. I don’t miss the fact that Dylan’s clearly been crying. He goes right to Journey and pulls her into his arms.
It’s ten at night, and Journey sent Abby and Haddie home over an hour ago. Abby was dead on her feet, and Journey was worried about her and the baby. Haddie went with her to help with the kids because Journey would need to rest.
Parker’s asleep in a chair in the corner, and my parents and brother left to go to sleep at the hotel. They tried to get me to leave, but I’m not going anywhere until I see that Joe is okay.
“Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael?” We stand up as the doctor comes out. “He’s been moved to the ICU. He’s still critical, and the next twenty-four hours are crucial, but I think we’re going to see him make a full recovery.”
We all tell him thank you and wait for the nurse to get us. Tears leak down my face, and I feel arms wrap around me. Looking up, I give Parker a watery smile.
A half hour later, they bring us down to the ICU waiting room. His parents and brother go first, and I sit on the sofa staring blankly at the wall. I just want him to be okay. I want to be able to tell him that I love him and that I want us to live together, and if he’ll have me, I want to be the mother of his children.
Some might say it’s too soon or we’re not going to work, but I will fight for us until the day I die. He was meant for me, and I was meant for him.
“Chloe?” With a start, I turn and find Joe’s dad standing in the doorway. “You can come see him, but they want us quiet, and we can only visit for a few more minutes.”
I slowly make my way toward him. With a hand at the small of my back, he leads me to Joe’s room. I pause in the doorway. He’s hooked up to machines that fill the room with a steady beep.
“Come on, honey. It’s okay.” Journey holds her hand out.
Moving farther into the room, I take Journey’s hand as she pulls me toward the bed. When I’m right next to her, she wraps her arm around my waist. “Talk to him; hold his hand. We’re going to give you a few minutes alone, okay?”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to take away your time visiting with him.”
She squeezes my waist. “We’ll have plenty of time to visit him. We’re going to wait out in the waiting room.” They give me a smile and disappear out of the room.
Moving toward the bed, I pick up Joe’s hand in mine. “Hey, baby. I don’t think you can hear me, but I’m so sorry this happened to you. I just want you to open your eyes and give me the naughty smirk of yours, but I know you need to heal. So you sleep…sleep until you’re strong enough, and I’ll be here waiting for you to wake up.”
I bring his hand up to my lips, kissing it softly. Still holding his hand, I bend down and kiss his forehead. “I’ll be right outside, baby.” Walking backward, I can’t and won’t take my eyes off of him until I’m out the door.
On my way out to the waiting room, I say a little prayer for healing and for him to wake up.