Chapter 109-My Everything

Two weeks later, Marcus was still mad at me, even going so far as to sleep in the boys’ old room and I needed him with me. I couldn’t sleep; I would have nightmares about Florence. I was trapped in a door-less room and I just heard her laughter or I was choking, unable to fight or scream for help. I would wake up in a panic and alone. During the day, I tried not to focus on it too much, choosing instead to take care of Finley. She was very upset with me being gone and once I returned home she hardly wanted to leave my side. Just once I wanted to not have my children negatively impacted by outside forces.

I tried to be understanding of Marcus’ frustration, but I was starting to get annoyed with it the longer it carried on. When I tried to talk to him, he didn’t want to listen to me, the only thing he was willing to discuss was our marriage plans. The fact that I didn't want to even consider getting married right now only added fuel to his fire. He was so angry over Mulo, that he forgot about what I went through. I could have died, our babies could have died, but that fact didn’t seem to register with him. We were at a stalemate sadly. When Finely was at school, I spent time painting to keep my mind off the tension in the house. When that didn't work, I took the dogs on short walks.

“Where are you going?” Marcus asked as he stepped into the foyer. "You don't look like you are taking the dogs walking."

“I'm not, I'm just going out. I need some fresh air.” I replied taking another step towards the door.

“Out to where Amari?” He asked moving to block my path.

“I don’t know Marcus.” I snapped. “I wasn’t aware I had to ask for approval before leaving the house now.”

“Well you are a bit of a flight risk.”

Hearing his tone was like nails on a chalkboard, he didn't want to talk to me, but I was expected to remain on some sort of house arrest at the same time. I may have been on limited bed rest, but the stress of staying in the house was far worse than sitting at the park.

 “Why don’t you just say what’s really on your mind and get it over with!” I yelled.

 “Because I’m tired of you walking around with this chip on your shoulder.”

“You went to him Amari, how do you not expect me to be pissed about that?" Marcus yelled back. The anger he'd been harboring was finally coming out. "Him! Of all people! Then I show up to take you home only to find you half dressed in his clothes coming from where? His bedroom? His bed?”

I took a step back picking up on his hidden accusation. It never failed; it was always the ones that meant the most to me that could hurt me the worst. For him to even imply I would do something like that made me want to rethink more than just being married to him.

“Seriously Marcus? Are you forgetting that your psycho ex kidnapped and tried to kill us? I didn’t go to him Marcus; it wasn’t like I ran off with cold feet. He saved me. I am so sorry I didn’t come home right away, I am, but cut me some damn slack! I had just had an attempt made on my life, and then watched a woman be brutally murdered in front of me! It was a lot Marcus, that coupled with the previous fears about us getting married…” I stopped and rubbed my side. I needed to calm down because they were not happy.

“I can’t sleep Marcus. I have nightmares about her, about that day and when I wake up terrified the only person I want is you. But you aren’t there because you are too damn busy being mad at me!” I screamed before storming past him.

I didn’t get far because I got an intense cramp that caused me to double over in pain. Marcus was at my side instantly, all traces of anger dissipated.

“Baby what’s wrong.” I couldn’t answer; all I could do was breathe through the pain which felt strangely like really intense contractions. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“No.” I managed to groan. “Finley. I-have-to-be-here.”

“I’ll make sure someone is here, but you need the hospital.”

Marcus carried me to the couch and called 911. Then he made a phone call to Ceula since she was the closest. She spread the word to her siblings and would make sure that she was at the house for when Finley got home from school. Marcus kept telling me how sorry he was during the ambulance ride. I saw the worry in his eyes, I was just as worried.

Once at the hospital it was determined I was indeed in early labor. The stress, plus the fact I was carrying multiples set it off. They gave me medication to stop it, and a light sedative to help calm me. I tried to protest the sedative, but the doctor said that it would help the medication work quicker because they wouldn’t survive being born now.

Marcus POV

I felt like an ass as I sat and watched her sleep. The kids and her friend Carter had trickled in and out trying to give me comfort and just to check on her. The bleeping of the heartbeats was reassuring while I waited for her to wake up. I let my damn pride get in the way. I hated that man for what he’s done, but I hated even more that he has something with her I can’t. If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t be here. They wouldn’t be here and I didn’t want to be grateful to him for anything. I let my feelings of failure eat at me and I lashed out at her. I couldn’t save her. I didn’t even know she was in danger so all she had was him.

And then she didn’t even want to come home to me when it was all over. That hurt the most. When she was in trouble, he was there for her and she was grateful to him for that. She asked him not to take her home; she wanted to be in his company instead. I felt even worse hearing she was having nightmares and needed me, but I wasn’t there to even comfort her. I walked over to the bed and looked down at Amari. She was so beautiful, and I had loved her for so long, the thought of losing her brought me unbelievable pain. I only had a few hours of worry, not knowing where she was and I was going crazy. I don’t know how she managed dealing with that while being pregnant when I was taken. I placed my hand on the soft swell of her stomach and I just lost it.

I couldn’t recall the last time something brought me to tears, but seeing her like this, knowing what all could have been lost, and knowing that my fool pride put her here, I cried. I felt Amari’s hand run through my hair. I looked up at her and when she saw me the look of sadness was instant.

“They…” Her words were cut off when I kissed her. I just needed her to know I was sorry and I was so grateful to have her.

“I love you Amari.” I said softly.

“And I love you Marcus. Always.”

I took her hand and placed it on her stomach. “They are fine. The contractions stopped about an hour ago.” I said answering her earlier question. I saw the relief in her face when I told her our babies were still there.

“I’m sorry.” She said with tears now rolling down her cheek. “I didn’t mean to worry you, I was just so upset and…”

“I know, and it's not you. It’s him and what you have with him. I couldn’t protect you Amari. I didn't even know you were in danger. Do you know how that makes me feel? When you needed me I wasn’t there. I couldn’t protect you. I couldn’t protect them.” Admitting that out loud to her sounded worse than when I thought it.

“Come here.” She said scooting over a bit and patting the space next to her on the small bed.

“Amari, no. I don’t want to crowd you.”

“Marcus get your ass in this bed!” She commanded kicking off the blanket.

I couldn’t help but to laugh at her attempts to be bossy while hooked up to all those machines. Not wanting to upset her again, I eased into the bed being careful to make sure she was comfortable. Amari snuggled up against me and I let out a sigh of relief to hold her in my arms like this. We'd already lost so much time and I shouldn't have wasted anymore being angry at her and overlooking the ordeal she went through.

“There is no place I’d rather be than with you. No matter what. Never doubt yourself when it comes to that or me.” Amari said stretching up to kiss me.

We laid in bed like that until the nurse came in and gave me a very disapproving look. I quickly got out of her way so that she could check Amari’s vitals.

“Can you go get me something to eat?”

“Sure, what do you want?”

“Um, chicken noodle soup from Gracie’s diner.”

Amari POV

Marcus gave me a quick kiss on the top of my head. “I’ll be back in a bit.” He said softly before exiting the room.

I had never seen Marcus look as fearful as he did today. I hated fighting with him and I hated knowing I worried him. Then and today. My fears were causing him to have doubts about us, but more importantly about himself. I needed this connection severed with Mulo, although I was grateful for it that day. Until I could get him to agree to turn me, I had to figure out another way to let Marcus know he was the only man for me and that I had no doubts about his ability to protect our family. The nurse sent in my doctor and I was given the all clear for my plan as long as I wasn't on my feet long. After the they left, I made quick phone calls to the kids. To ensure they would get here before he did, I sent Marcus to the bakery across town to get me croissants to go with my soup.

“Hey mom.” Bynni and Ceula said as they walked into my room.

“Hey girls. Thanks for coming.”

“Of course, everyone is here and already waiting. How are you feeling?” Bynni asked.

“I’m good. CeCe how is Finley?”

“She’s doing ok. I explained that the babies were being impatient and you had to come to the hospital. She was happy to know where you were.”

“Good. Ok let’s get this done before he gets back.”

Bynni hit the call button for the nurse to come unhook me from all the machines then they got me out of that ugly hospital gown and into something more appropriate. Marcus walked in just as they were adding the finishing touches to my make-up.

“What’s going on?” He asked sitting the food down on the counter.

I eased off the bed with the help of the girls then walked over to him and gave him a loving kiss.

“I’m getting married.”

He looked at me confused then Ceula walked over and handed him a duffel bag.

“So are you.” She said with a smile.

A huge smile spread across his face, Marcus gave me another quick kiss before running into the bathroom to change clothes. The girls kicked him out of the room after that, he was sent down to the chapel to wait. Once word got out what was happening, some of the staff got flowers and streamers from the gift shop to help decorate the small hospital chapel. Apparently we were the first wedding held there. 

The nurse wheeled me down to the chapel where the rest of the kids were waiting. I saw Carter and Vicki and they both waved at me. Aric met me at the door and I was allowed to walk down the aisle to where Marcus stood looking as handsome as ever.

The hospital chaplain started the ceremony and there in front of our children, friends, and a few hospital staff, Marcus and I got married.

***A/N***

Ok so I left them off the last two chapters, but the triplets are all grown up now. Also I got really lazy when thinking about doing their wedding. I really didn't want to manage a huge house, so no shots of those in attendance. Sorry.

Elphie

Elton

Edson

Also the hospital used is made by Jamee and is up for download on her blog. The only real change I made was to add the chapel.