***
Kara entered the apartment and immediately went to the phone. The answering machine flashed one message and when she played it, she found she had missed a call from her husband. She picked the phone up and dialed his hotel room, hoping that it was late enough for him to be in for the night. She fairly melted when she heard his honeyed, masculine voice answer. "Oh Farron...I'm so glad you answered."
"Shel, you sound upset. What is it, baby?"
"No, not upset. I..." Oh, hell. How did she tell him without telling him? "I...Farron, I just really need you to come home," she pleaded softly. Damn, this was difficult. Think of an excuse, idiot!
"Okay, baby. Now you're just scaring me," he admitted.
Kara could hear the worry in his deep voice and wanted to smack herself silly. "Damn, I'm sorry. It's just..." Loralei. "Loralei. With Frank gone from the house, and these murders..."
"Yes, and you know it freaks me out that you're staying at the house."
"I know, but things have been very quiet there. I'm not sure that I'm doing her any good anyway..."
"You are," he insisted. "Is that why you want me home?"
"Yes and no," she admitted. He probably didn't even realize it, but his voice had dropped to a whisper and it sent chills over her entire body. "I miss you and I need you," she spoke softly trying to fight back the tears that threatened. Where the hell is that coming from? It was as though a flash flood was rushing through her body and her eyes were the floodgates threatening to give way.
"Me, too, love." He heard the tremor in her voice and wished she'd open up to him. He understood, or so he thought. What she needed couldn't be gained by a telephone conversation. "I'm out of here, Shel. I'll be home as soon as I can get a flight."
She couldn't fight it any longer and the tears burst forth in agonizing sobs. She listened to his soothing voice begging her not to cry. He'd once told her he would rather take a beating than hear her crying, that it was like a knife in his heart. But she couldn't stop; the tears just wouldn't stop.
"Oh, God, Shel...please," he whispered. "Tell me what's wrong!"
A few minutes more of his soothing voice finally settled her raging emotions. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, and the receiver, she sniffled softly before trying to speak. "It's not one thing, baby. If I could explain it, I would. Best you just come home."
Farron nodded absently. "As soon as I hang up, I'll get a flight home."
"Thank you," she sighed. "I...I just love you so much, Farron Donovan."
He chuckled softly. "It's a damn good thing, too, Kara Donovan...because I love you. Goodnight, love."
"Goodnight, baby," she whispered quietly and then cradled the phone.
--
As soon as he had disconnected from the call with his wife, Farron was on the line with the DEA Director who had requested his presence in the first place. Director Kirshell more than understood about Farron's family emergency and even went so far as to call the airlines and get him a seat on a plane that was leaving within the hour. Farron threw his belongings uncaringly into his suitcase and met the two agents in the lobby who were driving him to the airport. He had never been as appreciative of police sirens in his life. They whisked him to the airport in plenty of time to make his flight.
He never even bothered to feel the least bit guilty for stretching the truth a little when he spoke to the Director. There was no real emergency, just a frantic need to reach his wife and family. Of course, the situation was a possible threat to his family, so in actuality, he hadn't told that big of a lie.
He pulled into his brother's driveway and parked the car. He glanced at his watch when he pushed open the car door. 3 a.m. He worried that he would most likely scare the living shit out of Kara and Loralei when he entered the house, but he was not willing to wait another minute to see his wife. Leaving his belongings in the car, he went to the front door and used the key Donovan had given him. He entered quietly, surprising himself that he made very little noise as he made his way up the stairs and slipped into the guest room he was sure Kara was occupying.
As he inched closer to the bed, he began removing his clothing. He was completely naked by the time he reached the edge and saw his wife's sleeping face. He lifted the blankets, hoping he could slide in beside her without disturbing her. No such luck. No sooner than his butt hit the mattress then her eyes fluttered open. He smiled down at her as he laid back, opening his arms to her as she moved into his embrace. She amazed him. She wasn't even surprised that he showed up in her bed just hours after their phone call. It was as though she had been expecting him. Their lips sought each other's, demanding, at the same time, comforting. He broke away when he heard her softly crying, her body shaking from the effort.
"Aw, baby...please, don't cry," he begged softly, stroking her soft hair.
"I can't help it...and I can't seem to stop," she confessed, burying her face against his chest.
He lifted her face and kissed her tenderly. "Let's see if I can't do something about that."
She smiled knowingly through her tears. "Yes, Farron. Love me..." She moaned softly within his passionate kiss as his fingers danced over her to rest gently against her abdomen.
***
Several days passed after Farron's return and he had yet to figure out what was bothering his suddenly emotional wife. Whenever he would approach her about it, she would either break down and bawl like a baby or pitch a fit and tell him he was imagining things. Maybe he was just going slowly out of his mind? Although he was a bit on the apprehensive side about what mood she might be in, he decided to check on her at the apartment. By the sound of her voice when she answered the phone, she had been asleep. "Hey, love."
"Farron," she yawned sleepily. "Oh hell...I fell asleep on the couch."
He chuckled softly. "Not a crime, love."
"I know," she groused. "I was supposed to meet 'Tonia at the gallery."
Farron's brow furrowed. "She'll get over it, Kara. You've been so tired lately. I want you to go to see your doctor."
Kara almost choked on her own saliva. Oh, honey. You have no idea. "Okay, Farron. I will," she lied. She kicked herself mentally; lying was becoming a little too easy for her comfort. She had to have a moment alone with Farron soon and tell him. Things were just so out of sorts, and sooner than later she would start showing to the extent that she wouldn't be able to hide the truth. She was afraid to guess what he might think her reasons for not telling him would be. In no way did she want him to believe she was hiding it from him or unhappy about it. Hell, she wanted to shout it to the world, but first she wanted to tell him, in her way, on her terms. Maybe that was selfish of her, but she wasn't giving in. She was carrying Farron's children, a phenomenon she wanted to share with him in an intimate, loving setting. Was that too much to ask?
The clicking of call waiting sounded in her ear and she glanced at the monitor. She recognized the number as Frank's cell phone and thought she should take the call. "Hang on, baby, there's a call from Frank coming in." She clicked the phone and answered the incoming call. "Hello?"
"Kara?"
She frowned. It was neither Frank nor Loralei on the line. "This is she. Who is this?"
"Jake."
"What....why are you calling here?" Kara demanded, irritated. Things had not changed much between Farron and Jake. Thankfully, they rarely saw each other and when they did, they stayed in their respective corners.
"I know I'm the last person you would want to hear from, but this is important. Frank was seriously injured and Loralei's at the hospital with him. How soon can you and Farron get here?"
"Oh, Jesus! I'm on the other line with Farron now. We'll be there as soon as we can."
"Good enough. Would you please bring a change of clothing for Loralei? Thank you, Mrs. Donovan."
Kara clicked the phone and was back on the line with Farron. "Baby...."
"Kara! What is it?" The sound of desperation in her voice frightened him beyond reason. Her recent behavior had been nagging at him for some time now. He had been having a bad feeling all day that something was wrong and that feeling was increasing rapidly. "Kara, is something wrong? Are you all right?"
"Not me, baby. It's Frank," she informed him frantically. "That was Jake on the other line. Frank's been seriously injured."
"I'll come get you."
"No," Kara insisted. "Jake asked for a change of clothing for Loralei. I'll check on the kids and then swing by and pick up something for her. I'll meet you at the hospital."
"All right," he conceded. He had already made it to his car. He'd give anything to have her with him at that very moment. He needed her strength to sustain him and he knew how completely selfish that was. But just as much as she was his strength, he was hers. He had no idea what shape Frank was in; he just had this overwhelming feeling of emptiness. A vortex that had been spinning around him all day and had manifested itself and conveyed its presence through one damned phone call. Frank's been seriously injured. His twin. His other half. A part of himself that he had denied for so many years and that he had only recently rediscovered. He couldn't bear to lose that now.
Kara clutched the phone, at the same time held her other hand to her abdomen. "Farron...drive safe."
"I will, baby. See you soon."
"I love you," Kara said softly through the tears that threatened.
"Te amo, querida."
***
She was losing track of time. She wasn't sure how many days it had been since Frank's tragic accident. He was suffering through the ordeal of paralysis with no real idea if it was temporary or permanent. She and Farron spent most of their time at the hospital or at Donovan's house with their niece and nephew. She was extremely tired both emotionally and physically, but she hid it as best she could so as not to burden Farron or his family.
Her mind was clouded with so many thoughts and the unexplainable emotions that ran through her were driving her crazy. Earlier that day she had a conversation with Dr. Berger who told her it was more than likely the added hormones raging through her system due to the pregnancy. Still, sometimes they were so intense she wanted to escape from reality. She took in the sight of Rachel who played quietly on the carpeted waiting room floor. She was oblivious to what was actually going on, but inherently she knew something was wrong. As did her baby brother, who never squalled or fussed in any way. Kara was dumbfounded by it and her heart went out to them as never before.
Hearing movement in the hallway, she looked up to see Farron leaving Frank's room. Her heart leaped into her throat at the sight of him. He looked devastated, crushed. As he took a step away from the door his knees buckled just the slightest and he clutched the doorjamb for support. She needed to go to him.
Jake sat with Cody in the waiting area along with Kara and the children. He, too, spotted Farron as he exited Donovan's hospital room and heard the soft gasp his wife emitted at his near collapse. He nudged Cody and gestured toward her. Cody had commented earlier how tired she looked and Jake was actually feeling sorry for the wife of Farron Donovan, even Farron himself, for that matter. As much as he disliked the man, it was more than apparent how much he loved his twin brother. He had to give him credit for that. "Kara...we'll watch the kids," Jake offered, nodding his head toward Farron when she cast her eyes in his direction.
"Thank you," she accepted gratefully. After a quick kiss for each of the babies, she hurried down the hall to Farron's side.
Sensing Kara's presence beside him, he blindly reached out for her, holding on to her for dear life. A vacant room had been offered to them just doors down from Frank for any of the family who needed to have time alone or just try to rest. They hadn't used it up to this point, but he gladly slipped into the quiet room, still clinging to his precious wife.
He sat in the first chair he came to and brought her down with him atop his lap. As she cradled him gently in her arms, he buried his face into her neck and hair, wishing so desperately that he could run away.
Kara felt more than heard his quiet sobs and her heart broke with each one. She stroked his hair tenderly. "It's going to be okay, Farron. I just know it is."
He nodded against her shoulder, not having the strength to lift his head. "He's so lost, Shel...he wants to give up."
"He won't, baby...he needs time to wrestle through his emotions. It's too soon."
"I see him lying there, and yet, I see the younger Frank who nearly died taking a bullet for me. I ran then, and I want to run now," he admitted ashamedly.
Kara felt his grip on her tighten and she tightened hers as well. "But you haven't run and you won't run," she insisted, gently forcing his head away from her shoulder so she could see his eyes. She dried his tears with a tender hand, kissing each closed eyelid as she did.
"I'll never run again," he whispered. His first impulse was to run, but that urge died quickly. He had only to think of her and his family. He could take the easy way out, leave, and let others handle the aftermath. It was the way he had always been, so why not now? He didn't need to think hard for answers to that question. The most important reason was sitting on his lap, offering him every ounce of strength and support she had in her. The second reason, and just as important, was his brother. He had no idea what he could do to help, but he would be there for him, to do anything that was asked of him. It was an odd revelation for someone formerly so selfish. "Te amo, my sweet wife."
"Te amo, my darling."
***
To be continued...