Page 98 of Fighting for Family

“Says the one who nearly gave me a heart attack,” Leo chided her softly. “You can at least let me recover a few days before you create havoc.”

“Now you know how I feel,” she teased. “I missed you.”

“Oh, Kit Kat,” he sighed. “I’ve missed the hell out of you. We’ll have our whole lives to talk about what happened. Right now, I’m grateful we’re both alive and we have a healthy son.”

“Where is he?” she asked groggily.

“Kassie’s feeding him a bottle. He’s perfect,” Leo assured her.

“What happened?”

“You suffered a blood clot,” he informed her. “Doc says we got you here in time. They gave you medicine to dissolve it, and they took the baby by C-section. Kassie already set up nursing and baby care for both of us. We’ll go home and enjoy our family when you’re feeling better.”

“What about you? Your voice…” she said softly.

“Doc will drag me to run tests and make a care plan before tomorrow, I’m sure. I got shot in the throat and leg. My voice may always carry a rasp.”

“It sounds sexy,” she teased.

“I’ve practiced it for you,” he bantered. “I love you, Catherine.”

She smiled sleepily. “Don’t go away,” she said as the drugs took her back under. “I love you, Leo.”

“I’ll always be here,” he vowed. Feeling relieved he got to say those words to her, he lay back in the cushioned chair Doc insisted he sit in and closed his eyes. This time, he didn’t feel the heavy weight of hopelessness, wondering if he’d ever see his family again. He held his wife’s hand to anchor him to this world. Leo didn’t plan on ever letting go of her again.

CHAPTER 32

The following day, Chase opened the door, holding Melody’s hand. Leo rose to his feet as she cried out, “Daddy.” She ran toward him, nearly knocking him over. He held her tightly as she cried.

“It’s all right. I’m home,” he soothed as Kit Kat watched from the bed.

“They said you died,” she told him.

“I’m here,” he said, not wanting to scare her.

“How? They said they couldn’t find you,” she sniffled. “They promised not to give up.”

Leo sat down and placed his daughter in front of him. Kassie and Chase watched from the doorway as Kit Kat held the baby.

“I fought my way back because of this,” he said, pulling out the picture she drew him and left on the fridge. He showed her Derrick’s pacifier and Gracie’s rattle. “This represented everything I hold dear to me,” he told her. Lastly, he pulled out the lock of Kit Kat’s hair and pressed it in her hand. “I fought for all of you.”

Melody wrapped her arms around his neck and climbed in his lap. He didn’t care if she was too big to hold. His little girl needed him. He rubbed her back and said, “I heard you were the greatest helper. Mom says you’re the best.”

“She needed me,” Melody said. “We cuddled and planned to watch videos of you to help Grace, Derrick, and the baby remember you.”

“How would you feel if I hung around the house more often?” he asked.

Her eyes lit up. She asked cautiously, “Do you mean it?”

“Yeah,” he said softly, glancing over at Kit Kat. He saw the doubt in her eyes, too. It appeared his actions needed to speak louder than words.

“I heard Emma asked you to stay over while Mom and I recover. Do you think you might tear yourself away if Uncle Chase and Aunt Kassie bring you over? Doc has to fix my leg and my throat. It’s the perfect time to spend coloring.”

“I have some new coloring books and glitter crayons,” she exclaimed.

“Since we’ll be here for a while, I have a new friend who needs taken care of. Can you help me?” he asked.

“Sure,” she said as Leo pointed to the door. Cole came around the corner, holding a German Sheppard puppy.