Nala.The round lights in the ceiling as they rolled me into the OR barely registered. The only thing in my mind was the brutality of my contractions. Waves of paincoursed through my body and my fingers dug into my palms to help relieve some of the pressure.I had never in my life been in so much pain.But then I remembered his promise. Everything will be fine. I believed him, and that more than anything gave me thestrength to hope for a time beyond this pain that seemed as though it would never end.The Anesthesiologist put a mask over my face. “Count backwards from ten, ” she said kindly.10, 9, 8, 7… 6… then everything went dark.I woke up slowly. My whole body felt heavy. Even moving my fingers was an effort. I knew I was in a hospital. I felt fear.My lips moved.“My baby,” I called weakly. “Where is my baby?”It was only then I realized I was not alone. There was an arm and a head on my thighs. The arm lifted and he straightened.I stared at him in shock.He looked haggard. Mo

Jordan. One moment, we were dancing, I was holding her, monitoring her breaths, smelling her rose vanilla hair, the next she was lying on the floor in a pool of blood. This was not happening to me. It could not be happening. I felt as if I was losing my mind. I could not believe what I was seeing. It could not be. It just could not be. I dropped to my knees next to her. My hands were shaking. Jesus, God, no. Not her. Not her. Not my miracle.She was looking up at me, with a strange expression on her face, as if she was surprised to see me, as if it was me that was hurt, as blood was oozing out of her wound and spreading into her stomach area of her lavender dress. The assassin had been aiming for me, but he had hit her instead. This was all my fault and I knew it was Salvatore. I had taken his son away from him, he wanted his revenge. One more shot rang out and I heard the shrill announcement.“It’s clear! We have him!”“Hey you,” she said softly. Then she frowned, her hands were