Author's Note: I'm so very sorry that it has taken me so long to update this fic. I just have been having a hard time in school and managing this fic just fell short and for that I'm sorry, I will be trying to update more regularly from now on though. Thank you all for the reviews love them. Tell me what you think of this chapter. It won't be long but I hope you like it anyway. Peace
Chapter 12:
Manny ran as fast as she could.
"Craig Manning", said Manny to the nurse.
She had received a phone call telling her that Craig had been shot by Mark. She almost fainted. If Emma wasn't there to drive her to the hospital she knew she would have never made it there in one piece. Why would Mark do this? That was one of the many thoughts that was running through her mind. The most important thought of course was if Craig was alive or not. Thank God Mark's secretary had head the whole thing and called the police even before the shots ran out. She knew something was odd about her boss and she did some investigating. She found out the Mark was embezzling money and basically stealing royalties from all his artists. He was a modern day thief. They police got there right as Mark shot Craig. Right now Mark was sitting in a jail cell. When the police would raid his apartment tonight they would find all the letters and pictures of Manny that he had taken in a shrine, they will also find the first woman he stalked locked up in his basement dead. Manny shivered at the thought.
"He is in surgery right now", said the nurse.
Manny broke down then. Emma, Sean, Ellie, Jimmy, Sean and Marco watched on as Manny broke down. Emma bent down and gathered her friend in her arms.
"Craig is a fighter Manny, he will make it through this, I know it", said Emma even though she had her doubts.
From what they had been told Craig was shot directly in the chest. She really didn't know if he would make it.
Two Hours Later……………
Joey came running in followed closely by Angie. They both looked like they were crying.
"Oh god, is he okay", said Joey looking at them with worried eyes.
Craig was part of his life, he was his son.
"He is still in surgery, we won't know anything until then", said Ellie with tears in her eyes.
Joey took a seat next to Emma that had Manny's head in her lap. Manny stared ahead blankly. Every once in a while you would see a tear slip from her eye. She would not even wipe them away. They all waited and waited for news about Craig. During this time they got coffee and made small talk everyone did this except for Manny that seemed to have withdrawn within herself. No one knew what to say to her. They were all feeling profound sadness but they couldn't imagine what Manny, Angie, and Joey were going through. Joey had gone to the bathroom but they all knew it was to cry out in outrage that his son was hurt by someone that they all had trusted. They had all trusted Mark. He was like a father figure to them and to find out that he was trying to hurt Manny and then he shot Craig was a blow to them.
"Breaking News, a producer has been accused or murder, attempted murder, and sexual harassment", said the tv above them.
Everyone's mouths dropped when they listed everything that Mark had done. What shocked them the most was the girl that they found in his basement. The girls shivered at the thought. Manny ran to the bathroom quickly dry heaving into the toilet. Emma and Ellie followed her and held her hair back. Manny shook and cried harder.
"It could have been me, it could have been me", cried Manny.
Emma shivered at the thought. Ellie looked like she was going to pass out. She sat back leaning against the bathroom wall. She watched Emma comfort Manny and closed her eyes. She didn't want to remember about all the times that they were alone in the room with Mark, she didn't want to think about Craig fighting for his live, she didn't want to think about that girl that was in Mark's basement, she didn't want to think about Marco almost dying, she just didn't. She just wanted to be safe in Jimmy's arms right now. Ellie got up and left the bathroom and walked over to Jimmy. She sat in his lap and hugged him tightly.
"Ellie?", asked Jimmy looking into her eyes.
"Just don't let go, just don't leave me", said Ellie hugging him tighter.
Jimmy nodded his head and ran his fingers through her hair over and over again trying to stop the tremors. Emma and Manny walked back to the waiting room and sat down. Sean took hold of Emma's hands. He kissed her forehead. Emma tried keeping her tears at bay. It was difficult though. Manny closed her eyes and tried to remember the good times with Craig. If she didn't she would break down and cry.
Flashback…………………….
"Baby stop", giggled Manny smiling as Craig through popcorn at her while watching her favorite chick flick as he called it.
"God how can you watch this garbage many, it's boring", complained Craig as Manny stared intently at the screen watching the movie "The Notebook".
He rolled his eyes at her. She was so into it.
"Shhhhhhhhh Craig, god this movie is so romantic", said Manny.
Craig rolled his eyes.
"I'm romantic", said Craig pouting.
"Aww baby you are romantic", said Manny kissing him softly on the lips.
"Don't you remember my birthday?", said Manny.
"Oh yeah that was a great night", said Craig smiling.
He closed his eyes and remembered.
"Craig where are you?", asked Manny coming in with shopping bags.
"In here", called out Craig.
Manny walked into their living room and gasped. There were candles and roses everywhere and Craig stood in the middle of it with his guitar in hand.
"Hey baby girl, Happy Birthday", said Craig before closing his eyes.
"This is for you", whispered Craig. He strummed the guitar and began to sing.
I was all alone,
I was feelin rather low,
I needed someone to, lift my spirits up
So I dropped in on a dance, just to take a glance
And there this lovely thing was, she was more than enough
I asked her for her hand
Said would you like to dance?
So pleased that I had asked, she quickly took my hand
And we danced and fell in love, on a slow jam...Ohhhhhh
He looked at her and smiled. Manny smiled and stepped closer to him. He pulled her closer and swayed her back and forth.
(Chorus)
Play another slow jam, this time make it sweet
On a slow jam, for my baby and, me yeah
Play another slow jam, this time make it sweet
On a slow jam, for my baby and for me yeah
Seems what you say is true, I feel the same way too
See I've waited all night long, just to dance with you
And when you touched my hand, I knew you were the man
To turn my world around, and make my, dreams come true
The magic in your eyes, made me realize
That everything I feel, has got to be real
And we danced and fell in love, on a slow jam
He tilted her head up and sang softly to her trying to convey everything that he felt for her. She was his soulmate and his muse. She was the reason why he loved music. She was his music.
(Chorus)
Play another slow jam, this time make it sweet
On a slow jam, for me and, my baby yeah
Play another slow jam, this time make it sweet
On a slow jam, for my baby and for me yeah
Ive been trying to find someone who
I could give my good lovin to
Never ever did I dream I'd find someone..yeah
I've been trying to find someone too
I prayed to heaven, and then I found you
I swear I fell in love the night you...danced into my heart
(Chorus)
Play another slow jam, this time make it sweet
On a slow jam, Can I get a get a slow jam
Do you want a slow jam?
She smiled. He had been working on this song in the studio for the past month and a half and he couldn't finish it for some reason. He said that he didn't his muse yet. She guess he found.
Play another slow jam, this time make it sweet
On a slow jam, Can I get a slow slow jam?
Play another slow jam
Are you gonna slow jam?
(Chorus til fade)
"You finished it", whispered Manny with tears in her eyes.
"I found my muse", said Craig before taking her lips in a fierce kiss.
"That was a great night", whispered Manny.
"And one of greatest hits as soon as we sang it together", said Craig smirking.
Manny laughed.
"Love me", whispered Manny.
"Always", whispered Craig.
End of Flashback……………….
"Craig Manning", said a young doctor walking towards them. Everyone stood up.
"Craig is", started the doctor.
Author's Note: The song is by Usher and Monica called "Slow Jam" from his My Way album. Hope you enjoyed it. Peace.