Next to Forever (Never Letting Go) (26 page)

“Connor! Stop!” Erin wraps her arms around me and pulls me off Vander. “Please stop.” I look at Adam and Sophia. She’s scared and crying in his arms.

“Erin,” I hold her close and feel the tears rushing from my eyes. I never want to feel the agonizing pain of almost losing her.

Adam grabs a blanket from the couch and covers it over Doctor Burns’ body. I can’t believe this fucker. He’s still on the ground, coughing and trying to get up. Adam picks up the gun and points it to him.

“Stop moving! I swear to God, Vander, I will fucking kill you.”

I take out my phone and call 911 but then Sophia starts screaming and crying.

“Adam!” She holds her stomach and is lying on the floor. “I think I’m in labor.”

Erin tells me to go to Sophia and that she’s okay. I hold Sophia and tell her everything’s going to be okay and that help is on the way. She continues to scream and yell for help. Adam looks helpless but won’t leave Vander’s side.

“Pretty girl, be strong. Hold on for me, okay?” He cries out.

Everything starts coming to a blur. The cops rush in with EMT’s and arrest Vander. The EMT’s look at Sophia and get her together so they can rush her to the hospital. The cops are asking questions and we’re trying to answer the best we can. Erin’s keeping strong and holding it together. I squeeze her hand letting her know I’m here and
that this nightmare’s over.

“Adam
, go with Sophia, we’ll meet you there.” Adam follows the EMT out of the house and the other EMT’s and officers take care of Doctor Burns.

We rush to the hospital and all I can think about is Erin. “Baby, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I feel fine. Just can’t believe it, Connor. He said that he did all of this because his parents were the ones that killed yours.”

Vander is Ester and Paul’s son. My mind goes back to the day in court when they sentence Paul and we
saw a little boy staring at Adam and me. I never put two and two together, but it all makes sense. “I don’t want you to worry about him anymore. It’s over now.” I take her hand in mine and we drive in silence to the hospital.

When we pull into the hospital’s parking lot, I pull Erin to me and hold her close. The thought of almost losing her kills me. I don’t know what I’d do without her or what I’d do if Vander took her from me.

“I want you always, Erin. I never want to feel that way again.”

“I’m sorry
, Connor. I’m sorry for everything but now it’s over, and we just need to focus on us and our future.”

“I know it’s not always a fairy tale but I promise you,” I bring her hand up to my lips, “
that I’ll do everything I can to make sure we’re always strong. Our love won’t ever fall apart. Believe that.”

“Always will.”

Erin kisses my lips and says it’s time to go inside to find out how Sophia’s doing.

Adam

“Pretty girl, just breathe. Come on. I know you can do it.” I hold Sophia’s hand but she keeps crying and screaming. I can’t calm her down. They’re doing everything they can in the ambulance but she can’t be in labor. It’s too soon.

“Adam,” she cries out. “Please do something.
It’s too soon. This can’t be happening.” Sophia squeezes my hand and sobs uncontrollably. She keeps saying that it’s too early. This can’t be normal or good for her or the baby. I calm her down as best as I can but nothing’s working.

“Think about the baby, Sophia. I know it’s hard
, and I know that it’s scary, but you have to think about our baby. Easy breaths, pretty girl. In and out.” Sophia slowly calms down, but I know she’s just as nervous as I am.

Finally,
we get to the hospital, and the nurses and doctors rush Sophia back to the delivery room. I wish I could trade places with Sophia and take away her pain. Her contractions are close together and our biggest fear is coming true. Sophia’s giving birth tonight.

There’s so much commotion and people everywhere. The nurse asks me questions and I try to answer as many as I can
, but my mind is racing and praying that Sophia and our baby are okay.

We’re in a room and they prepare Sophia to deliver. She changes into her gown and I help her back into bed. Another contraction hits and Sophia keels over, holding my hand.

“Don’t let me go,” Sophia cries out.

“Never
, pretty girl. I’ll always be holding onto you.”

I stand by her side and hold her hand as she cries in pain
, and she keeps telling me it’s too early. I get a washcloth and run to the bathroom to get it wet with cold water. A shiver goes through my body as I hear Sophia’s cries. “Please God. Don’t take our baby away from us. Please watch over us and help Sophia through this.”

Running back to Sophia, I place the washcloth on her forehead and ease her back into the pillows. Nurse Brodie comes over to us and checks the monitors. She has a worried look in her eyes but I don’t say anything. I know this is bad.

“Sophia, honey, I need you to push okay?” She instructs her, rubbing her leg and trying to stay calm.

“But it’s too early.”
Sophia sobs uncontrollably, holding my hand and shaking her head. She’s only twenty-six weeks pregnant. This isn’t right!

“Isn’t there something you can do? Please!” I plead with the doctor and nurses.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Simpson but we need her to push. We need to get your baby out now.” Nurse Brodie tells us she’ll be back with Doctor Money. Soon, three nurses come in with Doctor Money.

“Alright
, Mrs. Simpson, it looks like you’re ready. Mr. Simpson, do you want to come by me or stay by your wife?”

Remembering high school health and picturing our baby coming out of Sophia
, I quickly say that I want to stand where I am. I’d love to watch our baby come out of Sophia but I know I’ll be scared for life.

“Ready?” Sophia nods her head and starts pushing. After a few pushes, the most beautiful sound fills the room.
Our baby.

“It’s a boy,” the nurse says, holding our son but soon the cries stop and they rush him over to the corner to help him.

“Adam? Adam! Where is he?” Sophia looks directly at the nurses and tries to make sense with what’s going on. She’s fourteen weeks early. Sophia screams for someone to bring him back. There’s so much commotion and people talking in the room. I’m standing by Sophia as we look to see what’s going on with our son. This isn’t how we imagined today would be.

“Adam,” Sophia cries
. “Please do something!”

“Baby, we gotta let them do their job.” It takes everything that I have not to break down and fall apart. I need to be strong for Sophia and our son.

A cart comes into the room and they place our son in the incubator where they rush him out. Seeing his tiny body in the incubator breaks my heart. I look over to Sophia. She’s crying, and there’s nothing I can do. Wrapping my arms around her, we sit and wait for any updates about the baby. Nurse Melia comes over to us and explains that since he’s so early, they need to bring him to the NICU and keep him there until he can breathe on his own. She walks out and let us know when we can go see him.

“He doesn’t even have a name, Adam.” Sophia cries, holding onto me. “Adam, make him better, please!”

“Baby, I’m trying.”

The minutes turn to hours
, and we still don’t know what’s going on. Erin and Connor come to the room with Sarah. The girls cry for Doctor Burns, and I try my best to find out what’s going on. Fucking can’t believe all of this shit is going on. Connor and I walk out of the room, and I pace the hallway, trying to calm down.

“Everything’s going to be alright, okay?” Connor says, trying to reassure me.

“He cried for a few seconds and then nothing. No one’s telling us fucking anything!” I punch the wall and place my head against it trying to keep it together but there’s no use.

Finally, Doctor Money comes over. “Mr. Simpson?”

“Yes?”

“Your son is doing better. He still can’t breathe on his own but his vitals are good. We need to keep him under
observation but you and your wife can come and see him.”

“Thanks, doctor.”

Connor and I go back to Sophia’s room, and a nurse is already in there helping her get ready. Once Sophia is settled in her wheelchair, we head down to the NICU. Sophia’s breathing is erratic, and I hate that this is happening. First, she loses her dad to fucking crazy Vander, and now our son is fighting for his life. When we get there, Sophia starts crying. She wheels Sophia closer to our son as she presses her face against the incubator.

“Baby, mommy’s here
, okay? I need you to fight, baby. I love you so much, do you know that?” She cries, looking at him with love and tenderness. I stroll over to her and place my hand on her shoulder. “You
have
to fight, baby. Please. See, look. Mommy and Daddy are here, and we’re never leaving your side.”

“Son, you can do it. You have your mommy
and me here. We love you.”

Sophia looks at me, “Nathan Adam Simpson.”

“I love that name, pretty girl.” I kiss the top of her head. “He’s beautiful. Happy birthday, Nathan.”

Erin

Four Months Later

Life is great again. It’s been a struggle for all of us but Connor and I are starting over and we have a new house to start new memories. We’ve been trying to live again but when I’m alone or sleeping, that’s when things get bad. Doctor Taylor prescribed me sleeping pills
, and it helps but it’s still hard. It’s taking me a while to trust again and feel normal. Connor is my rock and makes sure that I’m okay. Every day is a new day, and I have to be thankful that I’m alive and able to see tomorrow.

Vander was found guilty of
two counts of murder and attempted murder. He confessed to killing Olivia and stalking all of us. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole.

We buried Doctor Burns’ soon after. It was
hard to say goodbye and to see my best friend’s heart breaking over the loss of her dad. The community not only lost a great doctor but a great man.

After
being in the NICU for one hundred and ten days, Sophia and Adam finally brought home baby Nathan. He surprised us all with how strong he got in the hospital. Connor and I are his Godparents and we couldn’t be happier. We celebrated their homecoming, and it was heartfelt to see the three of them together.

“Erin, are you almost ready?” Sophia asks, walking over to me in her Tiffany blue Maid of Honor dress.

I turn around and smile. “I think so.”

“Well
, before you walk down that aisle to your Prince Charming, I have something for you.” Sophia hands me a piece of paper. “I’ll be out there waiting.” She kisses me on the cheek and leaves the room. I unfold the paper and read Connor’s letter to me.

My baby girl Erin,

We’re finally here. Our wedding day. I can’t tell you how excited I am to have you as my wife. You’re my world and I couldn’t do this without you. I know that I’m hard to love, and I know that there are times when you wonder why you’re with me, but I want to say thank you for loving me and being so patient with me. I know that it’s been a long and bumpy road, but baby girl, look at us now. We’re becoming one today and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I can’t wait to see you walk down to me as we stand before our family and friends and God and vow to love each other forever. You’re my everything, and I promise to love you forever.

Always,

Connor

My dad comes walking into the room and I hear his gasp. “Daddy, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, princess. You look  so beautiful. I can’t believe I’m letting you go.”

My dad and I hug
, and I wipe away my tears. “Oh my gosh. Stop making me cry!”

“I’m just not ready to let you go, Erin.”

“I’ll always be your princess, but now you have to walk me down the aisle or else Sophia’s gonna come in and kill you.”

We both laugh as he loops my arm through his and we get ready to walk to the rest of my life. When we walk down the stairs and out to the backyard of my future in-laws home,
‘Fall Into Me’ by Brantley Gilbert starts to play, and I clench my butt just so I don’t cry.

“Daddy, I’m scared.”

He squeezes my hand and smiles. “Don’t be. You’ll never fall when you have all of us in your life and by your side.” Slowly, we walk down to Connor. There are so many people on each side, but all I can see is Connor and his smile. My happily ever after is right in front of me as I walk down to my future. My heart is beating so fast, and I try to calm my breathing but my nerves are shot. When we reach the minister, my dad kisses me on the cheek and hands me off to Connor.

“Take care of her
, Connor.”

“I will, sir.”

Connor kisses my cheek. “Are you ready?”