Redemption

Chapter Twenty-One

With one more glance at the clock, Danni was officially worried. It was after ten o'clock and Bobby still wasn't home. After much debate with herself, she finally conceded to calling his cell phone. She only got his voicemail, which meant his phone was turned off. With a result like that, she couldn't stop the horrible imaged from forming in her mind. He could be in any situation and still be in mortal danger.

She thought it was silly to worry so much. He'd proven to her how well he could handle himself and told her more times than anything not to worry. But, with him being who he was and the things he'd been through, she figured she had the right. She knew he would be lying if he said there hadn't been a time when he was worried about her. She'd been through quite a few operations after which he wrapped her up in his arms, not willing to let go. He worried about her all the time and her him. That was why they were so great together. They were soul mates and she just wouldn't be whole without him by her side.

Her parents still sat at the table as she told them a few stories about him and all of the good things he'd done. Nicholas found them all so fascinating, because he was forming quite a picture in his mind of what kind of man Bobby Manning really was. He wanted only the best for his little girl and he seemed better than that. But, while he relished in the stories, Charlene formed her own opinion in her mind. She wouldn't share it just yet, though. The emotional floodgates had opened between her and her daughter and voicing her opinion would only close them and probably look them for good.

Danni officially took up pacing as she waited for anything. She'd left a message on his phone, but knew he wouldn't get it. That was the reason why she was basically panicking. He always answered his phone or called her back. There couldn't have been a break in the case, not this late at night. Something was definitely wrong.

She continued to pace, reflexively rubbing the side of her cheek where she'd been hit. It didn't hurt; she just thought it might help her calm herself. It didn't help, though she had to admit that her mother would be able to pack quite a punch if the need ever arose.

"Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry that I hit you," Charlene apologized when she noticed Danni's nervous movement.

The girl shrugged off the apology and continued her pacing. "I'm sure I deserved it," was all she said as a reply. In truth, she had deserved it. It was her, after all, who'd been the stubborn one and had gone into hiding from her own family. They just wouldn't understand if she told them. They needed to hear the whole story and she wasn't ready for them to hear it. "I just wish he'd call me back."

The three of them jumped when her cell phone rang. As soon as she'd finished her statement, the familiar tone went off and startled all of them. She glanced at the caller ID to see who it was and cursed under her breath. It wasn't who she'd wanted it to be, and she wasn't really in the mood to talk to this person right now. Still, she knew she had to answer it, but made sure her heart was back in her chest before she did. "Talbot." She spoke with agitation. Why did he have to call her now?

"It's me," DeMarco's voice replied, but without its usual vigor and humor. It seemed strained as if he was pacing himself to tell her something. "I've got some bad news."

With an exasperated sigh and a silent prayer asking him not to say what she thought he was going to, she replied. "Jeff, those are five words I don't really want to hear from you, right now."

"Just turn on the news," he barked at her. He didn't want to dilly-dally. This wasn't so easy to voice and he suddenly wished that he wasn't the one who had to tell her. Telling Danni the bad news was the last think he wanted to do. But, he drew the short straw and he had to belly up to the bar.

She did as he told her and plopped down onto the couch as she watched the footage playing. The news chopper was flying around the scene, focusing on certain areas as the reporter gave her play-by-play. Danni gasped loudly as the camera focused on the wreckage of the vehicle. She knew that car. "Oh my God," she said, softly. Her hand flew to her mouth as she tried to cover it in awe. It wouldn't help; the shock was too great.

"We tried to keep the reporters at bay, but we couldn't stop the chopper," he explained, speaking softly.

"Jeff, is he okay? He could have survived that crash… right?" When he didn't answer right away, she knew the truth. She closed her eyes as she felt tears come to them. She wouldn't let them fall, though. "Oh, God."

"Danni, the crash isn't what did it…I don't want t explain over the phone. You should get down here."

She nodded, ignoring the perplexed looks she was receiving from her mom and dad. "I'll be there." Her voice crackled as she said it, which she knew would happen. She exhaled loudly as she closed her phone and tossed it onto the seat next to her. She covered her face with her hands and tried not to cry. Unfortunately, she couldn't stop the few stray tears that leaked out and she quickly wiped them away.

This shouldn't have happened.

She felt a surprisingly comforting hand rest upon her shoulder and looked up to see her mother staring down at her. Her expression was consoling, but also puzzled. "What is it, Baby?" she asked softly, using the nickname she'd called Danni when she was little. "Is everything all right?"

Danni shook her head. "No, mom, it's not." She exhaled loudly as she pushed the pain as far away as it would go. She wouldn't let this affect her so much. She had to be strong and handle this like she would any other case. She just didn't know how hard that was going to be.