Chapter Sixteen

In the hours following the incident at the hotel, the FBI and local authorities continued to investigate. The Hardys, on the other hand, went on to the hospital to get checked out for their various injuries including Fenton whose hand swelled moments after he punched Waylon a little too hard in the face. The emergency room doctor believed it was broken and sure enough the moment he was discharged, his hand was in a cast with orders for him to take it easy for at least six weeks.

Laura was admitted to the hospital after being stitched up though it was only overnight for observation. Luckily she had shifted just enough that when Waylon stabbed her, the knife missed any major arteries and organs. She would be uncomfortable for a little while but she was thankful to be alive.

Joe's wound required stitches and a lot of patience from the nurses handling him. If it hadn't been for Vanessa, the nurses would have killed him for all the complaining he was doing. They were thankful the moment he left, breathing a sigh of relief that peace had returned somewhat to their world.

With Fenton staying with Laura for the time being, Frank, Joe, and Vanessa decided to visit Nancy and were not surprised to see Bess and George in the room when they arrived. The three girls were eager to hear about everything that had happened especially Nancy who looked ready to leave to help with the investigation. They all sat listening to what occurred at the hotel and didn't ask questions until the Hardys were finished talking.

"So, this guy Waylon…or Jasper or whoever he is…was, was the Bridal Killer?" George asked munching on a potato chip. She sat on the window sill next to Bess who was eating a salad. "Did he give any indication that he was the killer?"

"We only met Jasper once," Nancy replied. "He seemed like a nice guy so, no."

"Yeah, we were shopping before the rehearsal dinner on Friday," Bess nodded. "That awful Whitney showed up then introduced us to him as her boyfriend though I got the feeling he wanted nothing to do with her. He was really charming too. Too bad Whitney fell hard for him."

"How is she doing anyway?"

"I ran into Charlie downstairs after we got back," Frank explained. "He said that she took it pretty hard about their parents' deaths. He looked okay but I think he was holding back a lot. The last words he said to his parents were in anger and I don't think he's going to get over that easily."

"Poor Charlie," Vanessa shook her head. "I've known the Stantons for a while and even though they weren't the nicest people out there, they didn't deserve what happened to them. I feel bad for both Charlie and Whitney."

"Do you think Whitney will have a change of heart?" George asked naively.

"I don't know if I'd go that far," Joe quipped.

"Although I agree with you, Joe," Nancy replied, "I still feel bad for her. Whitney may be a bitch but no one should ever find their parents brutally murdered."

"Nancy!" Bess cried in shock.

"What?" she looked at her friend innocently. "It's not like any of you haven't thought of her that way."

The others laughed and shook their heads.

"Charlie changed though," Bess pointed out. "Maybe she will too. You never know."

"So, how are you doing, Nan?" Joe asked changing the subject. "When are you going to be able to kick butt again? I saw that nice shiner you gave Waylon though it probably wasn't nearly as great as Dad breaking his hand on the dude's face."

"He really did that?"

"Oh, yeah," Frank chuckled. "We could hear Mom yelling at him about it from down the hall."

"Why was she yelling at him?" George piped in. "He stopped the bad guy, didn't he?"

"Yeah, but it was a stupid thing to do," he shook his head.

"No, I think it's more that Mom just doesn't want Aunt Trudy to help out," Joe pointed out. "She was counting on Dad to be the one to do all the work. Aunt Trudy has a tendency to do a little too much and she always changes things around in the house while Mom is gone."

"And I'm sure you'll be soaking up all of Aunt Trudy's hospitality yourself," Frank laughed slapping his brother's back playfully.

"Ow! Hey, I'm injured here!" he growled holding his arm where a bandage was carefully wrapped around his forearm. "It's not my fault that little prick sliced my arm. I had to get 12 stitches because of it so yeah, I am going to milk it!"

"Is that why you never do anything when you come to my house though?" Vanessa raised her voice and folded her arms. She gave her boyfriend a dirty look and he tried to look cool about it.

"Uh…" Joe looked to his brother. "A little bit of help here."

"Oh, that's all on you, Joe," Frank smirked.

"What about you, Frank?" Nancy looked at him impishly. "Are you going to be helping out around the house while your family is recovering."

"Uh, yeah," he nodded nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "When we're not on a case or I'm not with you, of course."

"Nice save," she smirked.

"I try."

"So, what did the doctors tell you, Nancy?" Bess asked. "About your leg."

"I have to come back in a few weeks for another surgery to remove the pins," Nancy answered sadly. "Not really something I'm looking forward to but I'd rather not have those things in my leg for any longer than necessary. Dr. Plumb said that he wants me in a wheelchair until I start physical therapy next week then I can use crutches. I don't know how I'm going to do that though. I really don't want to impose on anyone in order to deal with a damn wheelchair."

"But if that's what he wants you to do," Frank pointed out, "then you should do it."

"It's not really something I'd like be in at the moment!" she protested. "I want to get started on physical therapy as soon as possible. You know me. I can't lie down like this for long periods of time. I like to be moving, running, doing something."

"I know that but it's to make sure that your leg can handle it," he argued. "At the moment, you're not going to be able to do much with those pins in your leg."

"Nancy, listen to him," Bess pleaded. "You don't want to do too much or you'll end up worse than before."

Nancy looked at her friends, each one of them staring at her expectantly. She sighed and looked away angrily. She hated being an invalid and confined to a bed or wheelchair but she understood what her friends were saying. They were just looking out for her well-being.

"We understand your frustration, Nancy," Frank said soothingly, putting his hand on hers. "We're just grateful that you're alive and able to talk to us. You'll have all of us to help you out while you recover."

"Yeah," Bess piped in cheerfully. "It'll be good for you to have someone else take care of everything for you anyway. You do so much for us we need to repay that debt."

Nancy's eyes watered when she heard the words. "Thanks, guys," she sniffled. "I guess you're right. I…I just don't want anything to happen when I can't take care of myself, that's all."

Frank took her hand and brought it to his lips. "We are here for you," he smiled. "All of us."

The group continued their conversation and laughed at jokes until the nurse came in. She asked the Hardys and their friends to leave in order to let Nancy rest. Reluctantly, they all left though Frank stayed behind for just a few minutes. He waited patiently for the nurse to get done with taking Nancy's vitals and giving her some medications before he sat down next to her. The nurse eyed him intently as she walked past him and he promised he wouldn't stay long. When the room was finally empty, Frank leaned over and kissed Nancy tenderly on the lips.

"I've been waiting for that all day," she whispered. Frank smiled at her. Her eyes were getting heavy as the medication began kicking in and he knew he didn't have much time before she fell asleep.

"I'm just so glad that you're okay," he huffed.

"I know," Nancy nodded. "I was scared too. When I saw Waylon at that house, I realized what he was capable of and needed to get away from him. Leaving Candace behind was the hardest thing I ever had to do."

"But if you hadn't, Dad wouldn't have been able to find her," Frank stated. "They went out to where you were hit and were able to figure out where Candace was. You saved her life even if you didn't think you did."

Though she nodded slowly, Nancy's eyes were closed so Frank decided to leave. As he rose from the side of the bed, she held on to his hand, pulling him back toward her. When he turned around, Nancy's eyes were staring at him, the blue hue glassy and tired.

"Please don't go," she said softly. "At least not until I fall asleep. I don't want to be alone."

"Nancy," he sighed, gazing into her eyes, "they want me to go to let you rest. You'll be fine. He's gone."

"That's not why…I want you to stay," Nancy whispered though her words were coming out slower. Her head drifted and Frank soon heard her breathing deeply as sleep finally took hold of her. He kissed her forehead then let go of her hand, placing it gently on her chest.

Frank walked to the door but turned just before he left. Nancy looked peaceful from a distance, her hair falling on both sides of her head. He smiled knowing she was okay then left the room. There was one thing that bothered him though. If the killer was gone, what was making Nancy so adamant about him staying?

Early the next morning, Nancy flipped the channels, not knowing what to watch. What she did know was that she didn't want to hear about the Bridal Killer since it was all over the news. She was alone but there was not much she could do other than watch TV or read a book which unfortunately she didn't have at the moment.

Sighing in frustration, Nancy shut the TV off and put the remote back on her bed. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes wondering where everyone was. Frank had already been by but he left to get something to eat while her father took a redeye back to Chicago. For the moment she was alone though she wished someone was around for her to talk to.

Nancy looked down at her leg. She was nervous about the recovery and surgery that she was going to have to go through in the near future. It would be a perfect time for anyone to take advantage of her situation…especially Martin Davenport. Even though Waylon Jones was horrible, Davenport was worse. The man terrified her and it put her on edge that no one knew where the man was. With him being on the loose, Nancy wanted to recover as quickly as she could and she was bound and determined to do so.

A soft knock came at the door interrupting her thoughts and she turned her head to see who it was. Nancy's face lit up the moment she saw her visitors.

"Candace!" she cried relieved. "Oh, I'm so glad you're okay!"

"It's us who should be saying that, Nancy," Candace smiled. She walked over to the bed and hugged her friend whispering her gratitude to her. "It's good to see you."

"What brings you two by?"

"Well, we were told to come see you this morning," Parker explained looking around the room.

"You were?" Nancy looked confused. "Who told you that?"

"Mr. Hardy called earlier," he answered. "Told us it was important that we meet everyone here this morning. He didn't say what for but I'd imagine that it has something to do with the case. Where is everyone?"

"Well, Dad had to head back to Chicago early this morning," she stated. "He had a trial that was starting today so he didn't have a choice but to leave. Hannah stayed behind though. And Frank went to get breakfast but he'll be back soon. As for everyone else, I'm not sure where they are."

"So, how are you doing?" Parker asked.

"Meh," Nancy shrugged. "I've been better. I wouldn't mind going for a walk but the nurses won't let me."

"How long are they keeping you here?"

"A couple more days until they can get me into a rehab center. I guess I'm sticking around for a little while longer than I expected."

"But you'll be around us," Candace smiled. "And I'm sure Frank is happy that you're going to be around."

"Yeah, but it's not the same as being at home." Nancy looked down at her hands. Sensing that something was up, Candace asked Parker if he would get her something to eat and drink.

"Go find Frank if you can," she said softly. Parker nodded then left the room. Candace turned back to Nancy. "Okay, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"I understand that you're frustrated about what happened," Candace replied sitting down on the bed next to her. "I would be too but you're acting like something is seriously wrong. What's bothering you?"

Nancy bit her lower lip as she thought about what to say. Sighing, she shook her head. "I'm…I'm just scared, that's all," she finally said.

"That doesn't sound like you. What are you scared of?"

"Everything, I guess." Nancy looked out the window. The sun was shining bright with not a cloud in the sky and she wished she were outside instead of sitting in bed. "The surgery...the recovery. And...what if…he comes back?"

"Who?" Candace cocked her head and thought for a moment. When she realized what Nancy was saying, her mouth looked like an "O." "Ah, him. I understand that. Parker is worried too especially now that he knows I'm pregnant."

"How did he take it?" she smirked happy to get off the other subject.

"He's excited. I'm nervous though. I'm not sure if I'm ready to be a mom just yet."

"Understandable. So I guess we're both in the same boat, aren't we? Anxious, that is." The two women looked at one another and burst into fits of giggles.

"Seriously though, Nancy," Candace replied, her face losing its gleefulness. "You should talk to Frank. He needs to know what you're feeling and although he can't take the anxiety away, he'll be there when you need him the most."

"Thanks, Candace," Nancy nodded. "I just wish we knew where Davenport was. It would save so much."

"Let's not think of that at the moment," her friend patted her arm. "We still have a wedding to get ready for!"

"Really?"

"Yep," Candace smiled. "We've rescheduled it for three weeks from now. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. I'm just surprised that you would want to move forward so quickly after everything that's happened."

"I know but we want to get it done now and we still want you in the wedding, Nancy."

"But I'd just be a hindrance now," Nancy said looking away. "Just make Vanessa your maid-of-honor. I wouldn't be very good at it anyway."

"Oh, please," Candace scoffed. "You saved my life in more ways than one. You are the closest thing I have to a best friend and I want you there even if I have to carry you down the aisle to get to the altar."

Nancy looked at her, her eyes welling with tears. She didn't think it was possible for someone to make her cry over a wedding but she did. Wrapping her arms around Candace's shoulders, Nancy hugged her tight. "Thank you. I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it."

"You better be there. We're also going to tell everyone about the baby. It's going to be great!"

"I know it will be."

"Hey, did we miss anything?" Parker replied walking into the room a few minutes later. Frank was right behind him. Each one of them was carrying a bag and drink holders with two cups.

"Nothing much," Nancy shrugged exchanging a knowing glance with Candace. "Just girl talk."

Author's Note:

Happy New Year! I hope that your holidays were festive and fun. We went to a candlelight service at our church Christmas Eve which is always nice. My oldest sang in the children's choir while my little one held on to a candle for the first time. It was so precious. Plus she turned three on Christmas Eve so that made the evening all the better even though we celebrate her birthday in January. I know 2020 was not the best of years but I'm sure we are in for some goodness in 2021…I hope. Anyway, we are down to the final chapters. There is one more after this and then, of course, the epilogue. I did make a boo-boo when I announced the title of the next story. You'll see when the next story is released which I am looking forward to writing. Ideas are swirling already making it hard to get this last few chapters out. Hopefully, I will have this one done by the end of next week. That is if my brain decides to work. It's been a weird week. Thank you to everyone who read the previous chapter and to those who left a review. I appreciate the support! I hope that you enjoyed the latest chapter and, if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think! Have a wonderful holiday and God bless!