Chapter 10. Attack

"Baby where are you"? Daniel called Jack when he didn’t find him at home. He was at his mother since morning. When he came back he couldn’t find Jack.

"Ohhh Hon. Sorry I forgot to mention. I am here at the mall". Jack said. Daniel heard a faint buzzing sound at the background.

"Baby. What’s the sound"?

"What sound? Ohh this buzzing? Well how about you come here on the 2nd floor in an hour. We can have lunch together. What say"? Jack said in an excited tone. Daniel was excited too at some surprise.

"Okay baby. See you in an hour". He went to take bath and get ready.

/*after 45 minutes*/

"Baby, I am here. Where are you"? Daniel called Jack again.

"Turn around". He heard Jack and turned around to find Jack standing at the other corner on the opposite side. "Wait. I am coming". Daniel ended the call with a smile and waited for Jack to approach him. He could see Jack was so excited to meet him as he was almost running ignoring everyone.

Daniel chuckled as Jack approached him. He hugged Daniel tight and spun around.

"Ahhhh. Haaaaaaa". Daniel couldnt understand what happened in a minute. He saw someone in mask running from behind Jack and even in mask Daniel recognized it was Wyatt. But the most shocking thing was Jack who was breathing hard in his embrace.

Daniel moved his hands at his back to support him to stand as Jack was falling down like lifeless. And there. His hands touched the handle of a knife. His eyes were open wide as he slipped down too. Carefully placing Jack in his lap he turned him to see a mid-arm length knife stuck in his waist.

He was horrified to see the light falling out of his beautiful crescent eyes.

"Dan... Daniel.  I....." And Jack closed his beautiful eyes. Only that brought Daniel to his senses.

"Ambulance. Please someone call ambulance. Jackkkkk. Open your eyes baby. Talk to me baby please. Jack... Oh my goddd". Daniel panicked as Jack fell unconscious. He was patting his cheeks with blooded hands. Suddenly he was asked to step aside as the medical team approached them. They quickly shifted Jack on the stretcher taking care of the stabbed knife.

Daniel wanted to pull it off but they strictly forbade them. He could be accused of murder. He was listening things with dazed mind. For now he was focused on how to save Jack. He was running with them to the Ambulance and followed them in his car.

Jack was taken to the operation theater when the nurse stopped him.

"Please let me go". He pleaded with teary eyes.

"Sir only family allowed". The nurse politely said.

"Oh, I am his fiancé. Now please let me go". He almost ran when the nurse nodded.

"Doctor"????

"We are examining him. You are required to wait outside please. Since it’s the police case. You will be required to share the details okay". The doctor said. Daniel went out of the emergency. He was in deep thoughts. He wanted Wyatt to get arrested but he knew that would open lot many things. And for now. He couldn’t add up the load.

The police arrived and he explained to them with a slight amendment that he didn’t know the person. They sum up quickly taking in the notes to check the CCTV of the mall.

"Doctor. How's my fiancè"? Daniel stood up from his thoughts when he saw the doctor coming out of the emergency room.

"Dont worry Mr..."

"Daniel Stephen".

"Ohkay. Dont worry Mr. Daniel Stephen. He is fine. The wound wasn’t much deep to hurt any vital organ. Missed his kidney by inches. But we have stitched up. He will be under medicines for the night. And will be shifted in the room soon. You can meet him after a while. Okay"? The doctor patted his shoulder and left him in thoughts.

He turned around to leave the premises. He could meet Jack but for now he had to settle with Wyatt.

Jack opened his eyes and groaned in pain. He looked around to find he was alone in the room. Daniel was not there.

"Dan.... Daniel". He called him but no return. He checked for his mobile but he couldnt find it either. Just when he was about to hit the button for nurse, he saw the doctor coming inside.

"Oh. You are awake. How you feeling"? The doctor came and held his hand. He was checking the vitals and the nurse was taking notes foe his medicines and all.

"Wh... Where is my. ...". Jack asked for Daniel.

"Well. He took you here. And then went somewhere. He will be back soon. Dont worry". The nurse said. Jack closed his eyes in disappointment. Some things can never change and as always Jack had expected lot from Daniel.

He sighed.

"Uhm well Mr. Jack. Do you know something about yourself"? The doctor asked carefully. Jack opened his eyes in surprise.

"As in what"?

"Uhmm well. Did you know you are hermaphrodite"? The doctor asked clearly.

"Ahh. Ye... Yes i know. What is it doctor"? He was getting nervous now.

"Good. Well. Just to say. You are pregnant. 3 weeks". The doctor told him smiling.

"Wh... What"???? Jack was surprised? No shocked.

"Yes. It’s true. We will run few tests and ultrasound once you recover. For now take rest okay"? The doctor patted his hand and was about to leave when Jack held his hand...

"I... Ca.. Can you not tell my fiancè. I. Want to tell him myself". He said and the doctor nodded with a smile and left the room.

"Ohh Daniel where are you". He let few tears slip away. He was scared. Nervous. What if Daniel didn’t accept him? What if he felt disgusted? He wanted to talk to Em before telling Daniel. But the thing his mobile was not with him. May be Daniel had it.

His mind was wandering in what ifs. What if he had not seen the man behind Daniel to attack? What if Daniel was injured? He knew he had business rivals since his brother and father was murdered. But why would anyone want to hurt Daniel? May be to weaken him.

These were the questions killing him inside. But for now he couldn’t do anything except to wait for Daniel. He closed his eyes to calm himself.

"Let’s hope baby, your Dad accepts us". He softly rubbed his tummy before falling asleep due to the impact of medicines...

*********

Jack woke up as he felt fingers moving in his hair untangling them gently. He opened his eyes and gasped to see Daniel sitting by his side.

"Hey sleepy prince". Daniel bent down to kiss his forehead letting the tears fall on the beautiful face of Jack.

"I... I thought you left me". Jack was in tears too. Daniel just lie down beside him hiding his face in the crook of his neck.

"I was scared Jack. I was so scared when I saw you falling down in my arms. Who does this stupid? What if some serious injury occurred huh? Doctor said your kidney spared by just inches. Stupid. Silly". Daniel was crying out and so was Jack.

"I was scared too Daniel. The moment I saw the person with knife behind you. Only if I was seconds less. I wouldn’t be able to bear it Daniel". They lay in each other's embrace to calm themself. They were assuring themself that nothing happened to their love.

"I met the doctor. He said you have to stay the night. And we can go home tomorrow. Do you want to talk to your family"? Daniel said but Jack shook his head.

"No.  Em would be worried. She can’t handle mom and my younger siblings. We will talk to her once I am healed". Jack forbade him and he nodded too.

"Hungry"? He asked Jack who nodded his head.

"Let me ask doctor about your diet okay"? He stood up but the door opened as the doctor came inside to check Jack again.

"Doctor. About his diet"? Daniel asked once he was free.

"Oh he can eat light diet. No spices. Soup. Porridge. Fruits. He needs energy okay"? The doctor was about to say but Jack subtly shook his head. Daniel was too engrossed in the instructions anyway.

"Okay Jack. You wait here. I will get porridge for us okay". Daniel bent down to kiss his forehead and went to the cafeteria. 

He made sure to feed Jack properly before giving him medicines. It was good that he brought the change of clothes. He sponge bathed Jack taking care of his bandage before changing him into fresh clothes.

Jack was feeling tired. Daniel slipped in the bed behind him, spooning him to put him to sleep. Good thing the bed was spacious enough for both of them.

Jack fell asleep quickly with Daniel's fingers doing magic in his hair. But Daniel was still in thoughts. He had searched all places, all friends but he couldn’t find Wyatt. He was thinking about everything that happened in the mall. The way Jack ran to him, the way he hugged him. He felt a pang in his heart. All he saw was happiness on Jack's face and he assumed it as the pleasure of meeting together. But his life turned all topsy turvy when he held an almost lifeless Jack in his arms.

Only then he realized he cannot live without Jack. Not even a single moment. He has become a very important part of his life. He promised himself to cherish this happiness forever. He softly kissed Jack's temples before closing his eyes too. 

**********

Jack was home after 3 days. Though the doctor allowed him to go home the next day, Daniel insisted for him to stay another day. He wanted Jack to have some more rest.

He could walk now, to go to the bathroom but with help ofcourse since his waist still hurt a bit while moving. It was almost lunch time when Daniel put Jack in the bed. He had bought lunch from take away. They both had eaten and now laying side by side talking about just random stuff.

"Hmmm it feels good". Jack scooted close to Daniel who wrapped his arms around him.

"What feels good"?

"This. Being close to you. With you". Jack said playing with his fingers. He was planning to tell Daniel on this weekend. He had prepared himself for every reaction from Daniel. But yes even if he doesn’t want, Jack had no plans of aborting the child. He had planned to talk to Em this evening.

"What are you thinking baby"? Daniel turned to Jack.

"Umm Daniel. Can I go home on Saturday"? Jack looked at him with expected eyes. Daniel was surprised for a while. Jack never asked for his permission.

"Baby. What’s with asking?  You can always go where you want baby". Daniel thought for a while. His mind was working on plans. Saturday was two days away. If Jack went to his family, he could plan for him what he had thought.

"I know Hon. I just want you to know about my whereabouts". Jack said playing with the buttons of his shirt.

"It’s okay baby. I will drop you home. And then I will pick you. Okay"? Daniel said but Jack shook his head.

"No Hon. You can only take me home and i will come by myself". Jack said. Daniel nodded his head.

"Hmmm okay Baby. As you say. Now sleep for a while". Daniel tucked his head under his chin. The doctor said that Jack needs rest to heal quickly...

**********

"Jack. Are you sure"?  Em hugged him tight when he broke the news of his pregnancy. She was happy. So much happy but his expressions scared her.

"What happened buddy"?

"What if... What if he felt disgusted"? Jack was worried.

"What? You haven’t told him"?

"No. Actually...."

"Actually what Jack"?

Jack inhaled a deep breath before asking her to calm down. He told her everything that happened in the past weeks. He edited the details how Daniel mistreated him. But molded it like they had rough time with few BDSM kinks. He told how he took care of Jack when he had cramps. He told her about the attacks. And then how the doctor broke the news of his pregnancy.

 Em was shocked. She wanted to scold him of being careless but ended up sobbing pulling him in his embrace.

"Oh my god Jack. How are you now"?

"I am fine. I will be talking to Daniel tonight about the baby".

"Just remember. If that douche bag said anything or hurt you, I won’t let him see you ever okay"?  Em said and Jack simply hugged her tight. She was a big source of strength for him. And he was so thankful to her. Talking to her always made him light headed. Like all burdens fell off his shoulders. He knew, even if Daniel disapproves, Em would be there to support him. So yes, he was ready to call the stakes.

Daniel on the other hand was waiting anxiously for Jack. Jack bid goodbye to Em who dropped him at his apartment. It was heavily raining.

"Daniel"? He called Daniel but he wasn’t inside. He checked the rooms and he wasn’t there either. He didn’t think Daniel would be outside because it was heavily pouring but still he went out to check and he was so surprised shocked to find Daniel in the pool.

Rose petals were scattered in the water. On the pool sides. On the deck chairs. And there was Daniel standing in the pool. Drenched in water. From the pool and the rain. He moved on his own like his legs had a brain of their own. He was in a trance. Walking toward Daniel who was waiting in the pool with both arms open.

Just when he reached the pool side to dive in, he realized he was injured and he was pregnant. He was about to trip in the water but Daniel quickly held him in his arms. He winced slightly as he came in contact with the water and the way Daniel held him. It was cold but the heat radiating from their bodies was enough to make them warm.

Daniel pecked his lips softly to divert and distract him of the slight pain he was feeling.

He was murmuring Thank you at his lips. He kissed his eyes "My Sunshine" he kissed his cheeks "Do you trust me that I will not hurt you". He pecked his nose fully understanding the fact that Jack had not recovered fully. He was taking care to handle him as gentle as he could.  Jack nodded grinning ear to ear with teary eyes. He trusted Daniel. He wanted to hear those words of care and concern from Daniel. And now he was so happy when Daniel confessed it.

"Can I make love to you baby"? Daniel asked and Jack closed the gap between their lips pulling him up.

In this moment. He could even die of happiness he was feeling.

-----

Tabby