I'm highly evil for leaving it at that cliffhanger! Here's the rest, so no fears!
Jesse's POV:
I watched as paramedics loaded my sweet querida into the ambulance, then climbed in and clutched her hand as best I could. She looked so pale, so innocent, so...Fragile. I have never seen Susannah look fragile, not in all the times she has gotten herself into trouble. The police had apprehended Lara Henlee and had taken her into custody. This did not soothe my fears for Susannah or the baby's lives.
Several hours later, Mrs. Ackerman, Mr. Ackerman, David, Jacob, Bradley, and I were gathered in the waiting room of the hospital. Mrs. Ackerman was in tears, her husband soothing her, and the rest of us in shock. I remember CeeCee coming with Adam at one point; they joined us in waiting for the doctor. Two bullets had been fired, but because the sound of the bullet had woken me, through the haziness of sleep, I knocked the gun out of Lara's hand, causing the second bullet to hit Susannah's desk. The first bullet had hit Susannah in her side.
The wait was beginning to grate on me, and I began to pace.
"Mr. De Silva? Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman?"
A doctor looking to be in his mid to late forties, with graying hair and gray eyes, appeared. Susannah's parents stood, the rest of our wait group standing as well. "I'm Mr. De Silva, these are the Ackermans'." I said. "How is she? And the baby?"
The doctor sighed. "I'm Doctor O'Harrah. Mrs. De Silva was inflicted with a minor wound to her side, which in no way affected the baby." We drew a collective breath of relief. "However, she had to have stitches, which will leave her bedridden for a few weeks until the stitches are ready to be removed."
"Doctor, will there be any lasting damage?" Mrs. Ackerman asked. "Other than a scar from the stitches, I mean?"
"Ma'am, it's our belief that Mrs. De Silva will make a complete recovery. No major organs were hit, there are no signs of internal bleeding, and I think other than a scar, she'll be just fine in a few weeks." Dr. O'Harrah said. "Now, she can start having visitors in about an hour. The receptionist can give you her room number. Only one at a time for tonight, tomorrow you can go in pairs. She'll probably be released tomorrow night or the morning after."
We thanked the doctor, and I sighed. "Mrs. Ackerman, Mr. Ackerman, would either of you like to see Susannah first?" I asked.
"Yes, please." Mrs. Ackerman said through tears. "She may be your wife, but she was my daughter first."
We laughed slightly as Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman went to Susannah's room. Everyone else left, to go home and get more sleep, and I waited outside Susannah's room to see her. Once her parents left, I walked in quietly and sat beside her bed.
Susannah was resting, peacefully, her pregnant form rising and falling gently. Steadily, but gently.
I kissed her lips lightly, and settled into my chair. She would be protected the rest of the night.