Reconnected (9 page)

"What?! I'm not just going to pack up and move back in with my parents. I...I'll make things work, I'll learn to work around whatever leg issues I have.", I sputter out and look over at Liam.

"I'm sorry Katy, but on this, I'm putting my foot down. As your husband. I've made this decision for your safety and comfort until you’re medically ok again."

I glare at him and shake my head, "So what about you? Where are you going to be?"

"I have to go do some movie promotion interviews in L.A, and then I'm taking my time off and coming home too. We have a home there. I know it's not home to you yet, but I'm going to let you decorate to your heart’s content.", he smiles softly and comes up to kiss my forehead. "We're going to have top of the line security around at all times. I don't want to risk Alexia coming back around to finish what she started."

I close my eyes to that thought and take a deep breath, "What about Krista? When she wakes up and is healing, where is she going to be? I need to be there for my best friend...it's the least I could do after getting her involved in this and getting Luke killed! I couldn't be there for him...but I can for her.", I say through tears as they make their way through me. Once they've started, I can't stop them.

My mom tries to hug me and then Liam moves to pull me to him but I push them both away, "Please...I just...I need to be alone right now, ok?"

"Katelyn, I don't think it's best for you to be alone when you’re feeling like this. You need to get it all out", my mom tells me soothingly as she pushes my hair back.

All I can do is cover my face as the sadness overtakes me. At some point Liam climbs into the bed with me and turns me towards him.

"This wasn't your fault, do you hear me? You didn't kill him, you didn't put your best friend in a coma and almost kill yourself. That's all on Alexia, do you hear me?", he turns my head to look directly into his eyes, "You are so strong Katy, but you can't put the problems of the world on your shoulders. You have to step back and let the other people of the world take over sometimes."

Chapter 14

The next week went by slowly, and things became routine. By the end of the week, I could at least sit up without feeling like all my muscles were breaking. I was determined to find a way out of the bed. My legs may be broken in places, but a wheelchair could at least get me some fresh air or something.

One day when I asked Liam to take me outside he gave me a look, "I think your best bet is to stay in that bed, babe."

I frowned at him, "I've been in this bed long enough. I can't achieve anything lying down and staring at the ceiling or pointless TV. I can't go see my best friend yet, I still don't know when Luke's service will be or if  his family will even let me come to it...I just need to feel real air and the sun and not have to think about anything that's happened in the last 2 or 3 weeks!", I tell him exasperated.

He sits next to me and takes my hand, "Do you regret crossing paths with me again, Katy?", he asks softly and looks down at where our hands are linked, "Do you blame me for this?"

I shake my head and bite my lip, "No...No that's not what I meant about forgetting. I don't blame you, ok? I blame her. If I ever see Alexia Dalton, so help me...", I trail off and take a deep breath, "I pray every day that they find that insane woman. And I hope she gets to spend the rest of her life behind bars, instead of in front of a camera fooling the rest of the world."

He pulls me to him and I lay my head on his chest, "I've been worried that once you get out of here, that you’re going to kick me out of your life again, because I brought Alexia into your life, and she was so blind to her jealousy that she didn't see all of this madness as wrong."

I shake my head, "She's insane. Something made her just snap. ...I don't get it.", I sigh and pull back to look into his eyes, "Is this going to affect your movie? I mean, the two of you are like the big stars of it, right?"

"Since we're done filming, I'm not sure what's going to happen. If she stays on the run, hell, if she gets caught and put in jail...I think they're going to want to recast and reshoot."

"What's going to happen if she isn't found? Will we have to be scared of her forever?", I ask softly and look down at the floor.

Liam sighs and shakes his head, "I have the highest confidence that she will be found. She's an actress; a lot of people know her face. There's going to be a press conference later to talk about the situation."

"You mean the media hasn't eaten this up?"

"They've tried...but thankfully, HIPAA keeps them from getting any of your medical info and I've made all the people who work for me sign a Confidentiality agreement to keep them from breathing a word on yours or Krista's conditions."

"This whole thing is a nightmare", I say shaking my head, "I want to just be able to close and lock a jail cell on Alexia Dalton and never have to think of her again."

"Soon baby....I pray we're able to do just that really soon."

I lean into him as I hear feet pounding down the hall and see Scott in my doorway trying to catch his breath and my heart starts pounding.

"Krista...is she...", I can't even get the words out.

He shakes his head and actually gets smile on his face, "She's awake! She's awake and she doesn't remember the accident...but she's alive and she's talking.", he stops to take a breath and I notice tears in his eyes. Happy tears. I think my eyes mirror his.

"Oh thank God!", I cry softly and cover my face as I allow the news to soak in. “Can I see her?”

"She's asked for you...but the doctors have a bunch of tests to run on her to make sure everything's functioning the way it’s supposed to."

"Right...tell her I love her, and I'll be there the second I'm allowed to, please."

"Of course...you two are strong, Katy. I bet she's gonna try to jump out of that bed as soon as she sees you in one piece again."

I smile softly, "I'm gonna want to get out of the wheelchair I'll be stuck in too. Tell her as soon as we're both up and going again, we have 2 weeks of girl time to make up for."

He smiles at that and nods "Will do."

"And Scott?"

"Yeah?"

"Get some rest, and eat, ok? She loves you...but if I know her she's gonna feel really guilty if you’re not looking like the Hollywood movie star you are.", I tell him with a smile.

He laughs at that and looks in the mirror by the door, "Yeah, I guess I'm not up to "Scott Adams’ standards am I?", he asks light heartedly and scrubs at the scruff on his cheeks.

"Not exactly buddy.", Liam smiles and claps him on the back.

“
I'll get to work on that....don't want my girl to think I've turned grungy while she's been...sleeping.", he says with a sad smile and take a deep breath, "Time to get back into the land of the living I guess."

I nod, "It is."

To my surprise, Scott walks over and hugs me.

"What's this for?", I ask him confused.

"For bringing Krista into my life. I might of lost about 10 years off my life, and probably my career, while I sat by her bed every day. But now, she's secured herself a place in my heart forever, and I've realized that I can't and don't want to live without her."

"You take care of her, ok? She's my best friend...I'll have to hurt you if you hurt her you know."

"I definantly don't plan on it."

"Good", I tell him with a wink and watch as he pats Liam's arm and walks out of the room.

"He's gonna ask her to marry him, isn't he?"

He nods, "I think so, I bet he's just gonna need to buy a ring to make that thought official."

"So um...do you think they would mind a double wedding?"

He snaps his head up to look at me, "What are you talking about baby?"

I bite my lip nervously, "I was just thinking...maybe we could get re-married, or renew our vows whatever its considered to be..."

Liam laughs and comes over and hugs me hard as he starts kissing all over my face, "I think that is a perfect idea.", he says with a smile and I smile back at him.

"Yeah?", I ask breathlessly.

"Yeah.", he replies and gives me a long kiss, "You deserve to go all out this time. Once your healed up and everything, I'll talk to Scott and see about sending you girls dress shopping."

I smile and hug him tight and sit back, "There's still something I need to do before I can go on into the future though.” I tell him as I brush his hair back.

"Lay Lucas to rest.", he answers.

I nod, "I need that final goodbye, Liam."

"I know, baby. And you'll get it. I'll  tell you what, I'll see if I can get permission to take you out today, with a wheelchair of course, and maybe a nurse can come just in case, and go to the cemetery."

"Really?", I asked hopefully.

He nods and squeezes my hand, "Yes, really. I think you need it."

"Thank you.", I whisper as he kisses my head and walks out to talk to some people.

I lean my head back and allow memories of my time with Lucas to flood my mind and although I feel tears threatening to fall again, I also feel a smile because I know that he had a happy life, and although the end of our relationship was rough, in the end we were friends again and before his life ended unnecessarily, I know I got to hold his hand for those last few seconds and he tried to comfort me and be there for me. The least I can do for him now is keep living.

Chapter 15

Later after signing a bunch of paperwork and Liam getting special authorization for a nurse to come along with us, we were finally able to leave the hospital and go to the cemetery. I had spoken with Luke's parents earlier and found out where he had been buried at and gave Liam the directions. I had to sit sideways in the backseat to be able to be comfortable.

"Are you going to be ok?", Liam asked me with worry in his eyes.

I nod, "I will be...I just, need to say my goodbyes."

The nurse helps to lift me into the wheelchair and Liam begins to push me towards the middle row. There I see it, the freshly marked grave that doesn't even have an official grave marker yet. Just a sign that says "Lucas James Austin". I take a deep breath and a tear rolls down my cheek but I gently wipe it away.

"I'm so sorry Luke. If I could have any way to turn back the clock and have you still be here with us, I would.", I bite down on my lip and wipe at another tear lingering by my eye.

"I love you, Lucas. I know it’s not in the way you wanted", I smile sadly looking at the freshly dug dirt, "But I do love you, and I swear I won't ever forget you or stop looking for the person who caused this. She will be caught and I hope your face haunts her as much it'll haunt me.", I sigh and kiss my fingers and motion them towards the ground. "Goodbye Luke, I hope you are at peace.", One final tear falls and I let it. It's time to close this wound, and move forward and hopefully be able to find happiness among the madness again.

"Ok.", I whisper when my emotions settle, "I'm ready to go."

"You sure?", Liam asks and frowns when he wipes away a streak my tears left behind.

I nod and look around at our new security team that has made a barricade around us and sigh. "Are these guys from Raden Security too, like Nate and Eric were?"

Liam shakes his head, "No, Raden was thoroughly chewed out and put on Excite's black list after...the incident. These guys are with Tyrell Security Teams. They are the best of the best and are highly recommended."

I just nod at that and sigh. I have a feeling these guys are going to be within eyesight at all times at the very least until Alexia is caught again.

"You ok, baby?"

"Yeah...just tired. Do you think  I might be able to see Krista when we get back to the hospital?"

"I'll check...Scott said she keeps asking where you are. She can't remember the accident though. The last she remembers was the three of you coming to set."

"Does she know about Luke?", I ask softly looking back at his grave as Liam helps to transfer me into the car again.

"She does. She feels guilty because she was the one driving the car...but don't worry, Scott's trying to help her through this."

I just nod and lean my head back against the seat.

"I fell asleep?", I ask tiredly and rub my eyes.

Liam nods, "Yep, we're gonna move you into the wheelchair and try to get in before any photographers get nosy."

After they move me over we roll in and I see Scott leaning against the wall, "Hey there...everything go ok?"

"Yeah...I said my goodbyes.", I tell him and we roll up to a room that's not my own.