DISCLAIMER: Mark VII owns all. I just own Julianna!
Johnny led Mike upstairs to the guest room and shut the door. He knew Mike wouldn't sleep tonight, but he hoped he find some peace.
Johnny went to the bedroom and found Julianna curled up on the bed, still in her scrubs, fast asleep. The bottle of pills on the table. Johnny was worried and gently called to his wife.
"Leelee," he said.
"I'm fine. I took one and now I'm going to sleep. I just want to sleep for a few hours and pretend that didn't happen. Will you stay with me," she asked.
"Of course," Johnny said. He quickly changed his clothes and Julianna immediately crawled into his arms and he held her tight. He knew he'd give his life to protect her and she knew that.
As Julianna went to sleep she knew she couldn't allow him to give his life for her because she couldn't live without him.
The next morning, Mike woke and found Johnny in the kitchen fixing breakfast.
Johnny handed Mike a cup of coffee and put a plate of eggs in front of him.
"Juli's taught me a few things," Johnny said.
Julianna came down a few minutes later and saw the men sitting at the table.
"Morning," she said.
"Morning, sweetheart," Johnny said, kissing her and giving her some coffee.
"Morning, Juli," Mike said.
"I can't believe everything that happened yesterday," Julianna said.
"Neither can I. Detective Larimore is supposed to pick me up and take me to Tracy's family. They've all been at the hotel since Wednesday. They all came in for the wedding. Now they are going to be told they get to bury their daughter on our wedding day," Mike said, tears inching down his face.
Julianna reached out and took her brother's hand. She knew he was hurting. She couldn't imagine the pain he was feeling and hoped she never had to experience anything remotely like this again.
Mike went upstairs to shower and Detective Larimore and his partner, Detective Moore, arrived just before he came down.
"Detectives," Julianna said.
"Where's your husband," Det. Moore asked.
"Right here. Brought Sisco in for you, Leelee," Johnny said.
"We think we might have a lead on Hastings. He's been staying at some fleabag motel just off the highway outside the county. We're watching it to see if he's inside and waiting to see if he turns up. Don't get your hopes up, but we're getting closer," Larimore said.
Mike came down and the detectives excused themselves and took Mike to see Tracy's family. Another police car sat at the top of their driveway, watching the area for Hastings.
Julianna looked at Johnny. "This isn't fair," she said.
"No, but we're together and I'll do whatever I have to to keep you safe," Johnny said.
"This is so not how I pictured marriage," Julianna said.
"Me, either, but, then again, I never thought I'd get lucky enough to get you," Johnny said, kissing Julianna.
"I got a call today from Mr. Thomason. He's the guy that's been boarding his horse in the last stall. He's been getting his barn ready and he said he's ready to pick him up this morning. I'll let the officer know that I'm going to the barn and get the horse ready for travel. He'll be borrowing the trailer for a day to get the horse to his barn. He'll return it tomorrow," Johnny said.
"OK. I'll go upstairs and shower and do a little housework," she said.
"OK. I'll let you know when I'm back. Lock the door behind me," he said. They shared a quick kiss before he headed out the kitchen door to the deck. She saw him head to the police car and she assumed he was telling him he was going to the barn. Julianna locked the door behind him and went off upstairs, not bothering to watch Johnny walk toward the barn.