CHAPTER thirty - FOUR

The day went well and of course Tai was the hit of the company. I had a yearn conversation with Jennifer and Jim Thomas about Tai and how I had explained to Lexie that she was my priority at the moment. I also explained what Lexie and I had resolved between us and what we expected moving forward.

The residuum of the day I spent with Maw Maw and Pops who to be true I considered them as my grandparents. It was good to be in their company again even though Maw Maw's ability to be mobile had dwindled some. But it was Nice to feel like component of a class again.

For the next few months things went along smoothly. Lexie had moved in with us and had become like a female parent to Tai. They got along extremely well but Tessa seemed anxious around Lexie. I was not sure why, but it seemed like that to me. Maybe she felt that Lexie was replacing her and saw the relationship Lexie and Tai had.

Lexie had been true to her Good Book and our family relationship was better than ever. Tai was still training but there were no challenger that would swallow her to push except for the annual one here which I had her already enrolled in. Lexie was training with me on a daily basis and had regained her rock-hard body. She was even getting hit on at the precinct on a daily basis.

William F. Cody had served his six months in jail and had been let out recently. He was on house arrest for six months and then would be on probation. I found out from Jennifer, Lexie's mom because Lexie never talked about Cody. Jennifer and Cody's female parent had resumed talking but the relationship was still strained to say the least. A few week later I found out what had been bothering Tessa. She called me at the gym during one of her gap.

She had broken up with Jason Patrick after catching him cheating on her multiple multiplication. But she completely caught me off guard when she asked if there was any way that we could get back together again. She admitted she made a huge misapprehension, and she was aware of Lexie's history with Cody. I explained that there was no way I would leave Lexie at this time. Tai and Lexie were very unspoiled together and I would never intentionally want to give Tai any Sir Thomas More grief.

That night in bed I told Lexie about my conversation with Tessa. I explained that I wanted to be completely honest with Lexie. I did not want Lexie to ever distrust me. She appreciated the fact that I told her and said she understood Tessa's situation. Lexie stated that she had made the same mistake but was able to right it.

I dropped Tai off at school and went to the gym and knocked out my workout for the day. I was in the officer doing paperwork when my sound rang on the desk. I picked it up and noticed it was Jennifer, Lexie's mom. The instant I heard her vocalism I knew something was incorrect.

"Chris… ... I have to secern you something. Oh God……… Lexie's been shot. We're on the way to the hospital now. I don't know anything else…… please hurry. ”, she sobbed.

I told the employees what had happened and ran out of the door jumping I to my car. I drove to the hospital as quickly as I could. I went into the emergency way and explained to the nurse at the desk who I was. She told me three police officers had been brought in, but she had no news program about them. She told me someone would be with me soon.

I was there for about ten minutes before a police police officer came over to me. He explained that three officers had been shot and two were in operation now. He suggested I follow him to the waiting room where the families of the officer were. On the far sofa I saw Jennifer St. Thomas sitting alone. I walked over and she stood up and hugged me still sobbing.

"Do you eff anything ? ”, I asked.

"No, other than she is still alert. She is in surgical operation right now. ”, she explained.

"No one knows anything ? ”, I asked.

After about 30 transactions, a police maitre d'hotel came over to us and explained the situation. Lexie and two other police officer were executing a stock warrant on individual for domestic violence. Apparently, another soul was in the sign of the zodiac that was wanted for attempted murder. When he saw the police policeman, the suspect he thought they were there for him. He walked to the front room access, opened it, and started firing on the three officer.

Ken Curtis was shot in the berm and cervix. Lexie was shot twice as well. Once in the thigh and once on her lead side. The third base military officer, Lewis Lyndon Johnson was shot twice in the psyche and was pronounced dead on arrival. ship's officer Curtis and Lexie were still in surgery. Shortly after that conversation, Jim Thomas showed up in the waiting elbow room. Jennifer filled him in in what was going on and that Lexie was still in surgical procedure.

The postponement was agonizing and close to an hour and a half before the sawbones who operated on Lexie came out to update us. She looked tire but did birth a slight smile on her face.

"I'm doctor Alvarez and I just finished with Ms. Thomas. She is in recovery right now, but you should be capable to see her in a lilliputian while. She has several event going on, but I am optimistic that she will have a replete recovery. She was shot twice in the position and once in the upper left wing thigh. ”, she started.

"The leg is fine and will heal quickly. Both her spleen and liver were damaged but not severely. We had to work and animate both, but I think she will be fine. We may hold to go back in and remove her quick temper if it doesn't heal the way we think. We will supervise her closely. ”, she ended.

"Thank you doctor. ”, Jennifer said.

She promised that the nurse would let us live as soon as she was moved into a room in ICU. We all sat back down and waited with little to no conversation being had. It was getting late, and I had to run over to Tai's school day and cream her up but I promised to be back as quickly as possible.

I picked up Tai about forty-five minutes later and explained to her what had happened as we rode back to the hospital. We were in the hall and about to enter the elevator when we ran into Tessa. I quickly explained what had happened and Tessa got on the elevators with us. We rode to the fifth floor and got out and headed to ICU. Tessa got us in correctly away and she ushered us in Lexie's room. I was not prepared to see Lexie laying in that bed with tubes and hoses attached to her.

Tessa went over to the bed and checked a few matter then went back out. She looked at Lexie's chart and came back and told me that everything was looking good at this prison term. She told me that she would look at Lexie several time a day and keep me updated.

Tai and I sat on one of the diminished couch in the room to waitress and be there when Lexie woke up. Tai had her book bag with her and we started doing her prep. After thirty minutes or so, Tessa came back into the room and offered to take Tai house and let her sleep over. Then Tessa could strike her to school the following day and I could detain here with Lexie. Tai was very well with that, so I kissed her good day and Tessa left with her.

About an hour or a bit later, Jennifer and Jim went down to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Jennifer told me that she would fetch me something back with a washing soda. I moved over to the chair next to Lexie's bed and took her hand in mine. She appeared so lowly and frail laying in that bed. It was probably thirty minutes later when I felt her hired hand move in mine. Lexie's hand moved several clock time, but she had not regained consciousness yet. Jim and Jennifer came back about an hour later and I told them what had happened.

I went down to the cafeteria my self to get something to eat. I bought a sandwich and a drinking and ate quickly. I took the elevator back up to ICU and found Jennifer and Jim standing outside the room. I looked in and saw several people working on Lexie. We were quickly ushered back to the waiting with very little information.

We waited for close to an hour before a doctor walked through the door. I carefully looked at his fount and I did not like what I saw. Jim and Jennifer stood up immediately to see him. I could not tell a thing from his case as he stopped in front of Jim and Jennifer.

"Everything is fine for the minute. She had a slight spike in blood pressure, but it happens after that much operating room. She is resting comfortably now. We are going to hold back her sedated for the time being. ”, he advised.

I pretty much lived at the hospital for the next few days with Jennifer and Jim doubting Thomas helping me with Tai. My employees stepped up at the gym and basically took precaution of everything. I promised them all a bonus for the extra work as soon as I came back. Jennifer and Jim were there casual but Jim had to work out, and Jennifer had Tai.

I had left the hospital and went place where I took a shower and change. I stopped on the way back and got Tai some chicken nuggets which she loved. I went back up and that allowed Jennifer to go nursing home and clean up. She mentioned that the doctor had told her that they were cutting back on the sedation. Possibly late tonight or in the break of day Lexie would ignite up. Jennifer told me she would take a nap and then rejoin with Jim later that evening. Tai decided to ride out with me and play on her IPAD.

Jennifer and Jim returned a short after six in the evening, but Lexie was still benumbed. They stayed until nine o'clock and then took Tai and went back to their house. Jennifer would bring in Tai to schooltime in the morning and meet me back at the hospital.

I was sitting in a chair next to Lexie's bed holding her left hand in mine. I must consume dozed off because something started me causing me to heat up. It took a second to focus and I looked around the room, but I was alone. I looked over at Lexie, but she was still deceased. I leaned back into the chair and closed my eyes once more. various seconds later, Lexie's hand moved in mine. I sat up immediately and looked over at her.

I got up and leaned over the bed kissing her impertinence softly. I was still bent over the bed when the nurse walked into the room.

"Everything alright ? ”, she asked.

"Yes, she just moved her bridge player a bit. ”, I reported.

"Good, the drugging is wearing off. She should be awake soon. ”, she replied.

The nurse made her regular check of all the monitors and recorded a few results. She then promised to be back in about a half an hour. I had just sat back down in the chair when I noticed that Lexie had slightly moved her head. I stood back up again just as she slowly opened her center. She looked around the room and finally into my nerve. She closed her eyes for a mo then reopened them with a smile on her grimace.

"Chris……… what happened. ”, she said weakly.

"You're ok Lexie……. This is ICU. ”, I replied.

"Am I going to be ok ? ”, she asked.

"Yes, you're going to be fine. ”, I answered.

"Did we get the guy…… ”, she asked.

"Not yet baby, but they are looking for him. ”, I promised.

"My partner ? ”, she inquired.

"Curtis is still here in recovery, but John L. Lewis Lyndon Baines Johnson died on the scene. ”, I answered.

She closed her eye and split ran down her cheeks. Thankfully just about that time the nursemaid came back in. She walked around to the other side of the bed and checked several reminder. She then leaned over Lexie with a grin on her expression.

"Ms. Norman Mattoon Thomas, it's skillful to see you awake. I'm Tonya and I have been taking precaution of you. How do you feel ? ”, she asked.

"I don't know yet…. ”, Lexie replied.

"Well, if you need anything for painfulness, please let me know. ”, Tonya stated.

She moved around Lexie checking her heartbeat and stock insistence. She recorded all the monitor recitation on her chart then put it back at the end of the bed. She poured Lexie a drinking glass of piddle, put a top and straw on it then slid the bed table as last to her as she could. She informed us that she would notify the doctor that Lexie was up, and he would be in as soon as he could.

I sent a textbook message to Lexie's mom Jennifer informing her that Lexie had come out of drugging. Although it was still very early in the dayspring, I think she would need to know. I set my phone back down and moved closer to Lexie.

"How long have I been here ? ”, Lexie asked.

"Almost three weeks…… ”, I replied.

"How many times was I hit ? ”, she inquired.

"Twice baby, one in the leg and once in your side. The doctor will explain it all to you. Just please residue baby. You have been through a lot. ”, I assured her.

Several minutes later Lexie was asleep again, so I went across the way and sat on the low lounge. Around eight XXX that morning both Jim and Jennifer Thomas the doubting Apostle showed up to see their girl. Thankfully, Lexie was awake and they spent some time together. I went home and showered then changed and went back to the hospital a few hour later.

It took ten more days before Lexie was discharged to my house. I would run into the gym for a few minute in the morning while Lexie's mom would arrive over. I would come back home a little after twelve and spent the rest of the day with her.

It took three month and a passel of doctor's appointment and test before Lexie was fully released from the Dr.'s care. She went back to work region time until the shooting was fully investigated. She also came back to the gym and started to workout again although on a much easygoing routine.

Two month later we were back to our formula life. I was leery of Lexie going back to work but I did not say anything. I almost lost her to some senseless act of violence and one officer had been killed. We did not ask the money, but I couldn't expect Lexie to cave in up her career. Lexie and Tai had really bonded and for all practical function had become her arcsecond mother. We were laying in bed one nighttime when Lexie brought up her job.

"Do you worry about me being out there ? ”, she asked.

"I don't think we should peach about that. ”, I responded.

"Why not ? ”, she asked.

"Lexie, you know me as well as anyone ever has. You know I'm not scared of anything or anyone. But every sentence you walk out that door, I'm scared you will never occur back through it. I'm not trusted I could deal losing you. Even though I tried to fool myself…… ... I have loved you this entire time. That's why no one could ever take your place. It's been you all the time. ”, I admitted.

"After everything that happened between us … ... you still were in erotic love with me ? ”, Lexie asked.

"Afraid so…… I guess that why nothing ever worked out. ”, I replied.

Lexie was true to her Word of God, and we lived together for many old age although we never married. I had asked her a few meter, but she always said we'll do it soon. Soon never came but it did not lessen our relationship. Lexie and I were best friends, lovers and patronage partners. After fifteen years on the military unit Lexie retired and became my business partner at the gym. We did everything together and rarely ever dissent about anything.

Tai had grown into a beautiful youth charwoman who had excelled at everything she did. She maintained a perfect GPA through grammar school and secret high school. She graduated at the top of her category both times with a plus staring GPA.

She received a fond scholarship to Columbia University and we paid the rest. The acceptance rate at Columbia was only six percent. Out of every one hundred applicant only six were accepted. Tai entered the Postbac Premed Program which was one of the most tight in the country. She also received a Bachelor of Science degree in BSPS in the pharmaceutical Sciences Division.

Tai was recruited right out of shoal by a John R. Major pharmaceutical company with an amazing earnings and welfare package. She worked in Maryland so we did not see her as lots as we hoped but after all she was a big woman. Later she met a swell guy and got married and moved to CA where they both had amazing jobs.

They blessed Lexie and I with two beautiful grandchildren which were named Sara and Skylar. Lexie and I flew to California respective times a year expenditure as often time as possible with Tai and the girls. I sent up two huge trust investment firm for the young lady so that when they reached twenty five they would have every opportunity that life had to bid.

Lexie died at fifty-eight days of age from complications due to breast cancer. Thankfully she died peacefully in our bed with me lying side by side to her. Our net few calendar month together were most gratifying and we were together constantly. After I buried Lexie, I sold everything I owned and moved across the street from Tai and her family. The last years of my life story were wonderful and I was even able to see my granddaughter giving nascency to my great grandson.

My body failed me a few old age later but all in all I had a wonderful aliveness surrounded by loving people. Tai was a great daughter, mother and wife and she made me so lofty. Tai held my manus, and I passed peacefully having absolutely no regrets .