That some achieve great success,
is proof to all that
others can achieve it as well
-
Abraham Lincoln

____________________

I turned away from her but Annabelle hit me hard - a shoulder in the sternum, with momentum behind it. It took me down, stole my breath, but I rolled, threw out a hand, managed to snag her by the ankle.

Got a vicious kick in the head that had my head vibrating. I heard shouting through the glare, the smoke, through my earbud. Pounding feet. There was someone else with her whom I couldn't see but he was going towards the kitchen. Archer!

I tossed up my legs, scissored them, connected hard enough to send Annabelle stumbling.

Adrenaline dried my mouth, squeaked with fear.

My heart kicking against my ribs. Archer may be calling for 911 but might be too late.

Oh, bad. The knot in my belly tightened.

My baby. I started to cover my stomach, then forced my arms to hang loose. Never draw attention to a vulnerability. I'm not pregnant. No, not me. Fear dried her mouth.

"I lost the case because of you." She tried to push me but I didn't move. Jesus! She still has the knife near.

"Stop." Shoving down fury, I made my voice waver. It wasn't difficult with the waves of fear chilling her blood. "P-please, don't hurt me."

"Isn't it us now?" Annabelle glared down at me. The sickening sweet smell of chewing tobacco couldn't overwhelm the fear. "You're fucking pregnant."

My jaw clenched.

I shifted, using my weight to increase pressure. Later I'd definitely think that slight change in angle had caused the point of the combat knife Annabelle had in her hand to slice along my hand rather than my throat.

But the pain, the smell of my own blood brought out the anger.

"Fuck this." On that sentiment, I gave Annabelle a sharp head butt. I heard the knife clatter, felt her grip convulse, then give. Still working half-blind, I shifted again, shoved Annabelle over, yanked her arms behind her back. Few punches and the model is down.

Archer!

A little light-headed and queasy from it, I heard movement from the kitchen. A small smile touches my lips when Max ran towards me. Tears filled my vision as I wrapped myself around.

Pain exploded in her cheek but I didn't care. Archer. He might be hurt.

"What the fuck was that?" My whole body relaxes when I hear Alex's voice. He's here!

"Al-Al," I mutter when I feel a sudden pain in my belly. My head started rolling as I lost my consciousness.

The next thing I knew was that I'm flat out on a hospital bed and a couple of people whom I assume are doctors were hulking over me.

"I said no."

One ran a sensor wand over her face. "Didn't break the jaw or cheekbone. Lucky. Looks like she was hit in the face with a bricks."

"Get away from me."

They both ignored her, which concerned her a great deal. When she tried to sit up, she was held down easily.

"Shoulder's sprained, ribs bruised. No cracks. Damn lucky. Lost a lot of skin, too. Good solid brain rattle here. What's your name?"

"Hell with the name. How is my baby?"

The face of the short doctor softens for a second before nodding at me. "Perfectly fine. We did a scan and everything looks okay with the baby other than the fact that it's mother is injured."

"I hate hospitals."

Tall doctor smiled cheerfully. "An irony considering how you always end up in hospital every week. I bet you love doctors."

"Shut up, you moron," I snarl, trying to get up again. Why do I feel so uneasy?

"What's your name, darling?"

I rolled my head and regretted it the second I felt dizzy. "Allison Avery and if you touch me, I'll kill you."

"Quiet a violent woman, no doubt why you're here," the short doctor muttered, glaring down at me.

"How's the vision, Allison?"

"I see you well enough, asshole."

"And she's maintained her young, girlish charm. Follow the light. Just your eyes, don't move your head."

"Ally." Hope eased down. "You're really hurt. You've got to let them work on you."

"I'm damn fine. I don't want them using their tools on me."

"I don't think you'd say that if you could see what you look like."

"Think again."

"The light, Ally." The tall doctor took her jaw to keep her head still. "Follow the light."

She cursed him first, then followed the light. "Now let me go."

"I let you go, you're going to fall down again. You've got a concussion, a jammed shoulder, bruised ribs, gashed hip, assorted contusions and lacerations in addition to a face that looks like a new version of devil."

"I'm not going to let you touch me."

Hope glanced up, let out a relieved breath. "I wouldn't bet on that," she commented and shifted aside as Daniel knelt down.

"What is this?" Annoyance made way for panic. "Why is he here? I told you not to tell anyone until I'm back home."

"Quiet," Daniel ordered with such casual confidence both doctors goggled at him as if he were a god. "How bad is she?" he demanded.

The run-through of injuries was a great deal more coherent and professional, ending with the recommendation that the victim which I assume is none other me should be admitted for two days. Are they kidding?

I don't think so.

"I'm not staying."

"You are." He feathered his fingers over my battered face, and anger filled her face. "She needs something for the pain."

"Daniel!"

"Do you think I can't see it?" he snapped out, then drew himself back and shifted tactics. "Be a brave little soldier, baby, and let the nice doctors do what they must. If you're very good, I'll buy you some ice cream."

"Is Archer okay? Where in the world is that bloody bitch? Tell me you locked her up in a cage."

Daniel smiled and she felt her heart float. "Archer is okay, he needs to stay here for another day and Annabelle, though not by my hands is locked in the cage along with her partner."

I struggled, catching the glint of a pressure syringe. "Listen, Mister, the baby is fine so let's go home. I want to jump all over yo-damn it, damn it!" She bucked once when she felt the faint nip of the syringe.

"Relax and enjoy it," he suggested. He felt the tension spill out of the hand he held. "It's going to be fine, baby."

One hour later, Daniel carried me to my room. What a tiring day! Thank God, they agreed to let me go after the promise of daily checkup which I agreed happily. I wouldn't risk my baby's life. Anaconda and her so called partner is arrested. They planned it together. I thought she was done with her games but she wasn't. She tricked him and tried to attack me, that woman has really gone nuts. One abuse case could end her career. Just what she wanted above all her gambling issues. People turn dumb at times.

Adam and Ryan settled all the formalities with the cops while Daniel took me home. He punched the guys so hard that they looked almost dead. My husband is hot when he fights but I was unconscious when he did that.

Marriage, fight, confrontation, love, challenge, allergic reaction, cases, baby and now another attack.

Life is getting more interesting and dangerous everyday.

He nodded, but I could see and feel his continuing distress as he took me into the house and straight upstairs to the master bathroom, where he drew a bath for me. Then he helped me out of her dress and held her hand while she stepped into the warm water.

Kneeling on the floor next to the tub, Daniel winced at the sight of my bruised body. "That's must hurt."

"I'll be fine. All that matters is that the baby is okay."

"That's not all that matters. You matter, too, and I'm so sorry you had to face that because of me."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't even start with this-is-all-your-mistake, I don't want to hear it."

He chuckled. "Jesus! I love you."

"You mean Jesus or me?"

He shook his head.

"Your parents' divorce was confirmed yesterday."

I freeze.

"Oh?"

Daniel gave me a sad smile. "Yeah! It was a quiet one. Your mom got the mansion and few other properties. You expected that this wouldn't happen?"

I shake my head. "I don't know. Feels surreal. I thought they might not really go through it, I didn't believe them when they informed me about the divorce four months ago. But I get it. They look miserable now. The love between them is gone. It's only responsibility and decency left between them so I understand." I look at Daniel. "Will that happen to us? Ending miserable and wanting an escape."

"No." It wasn't an immediate and panicked answer but a calm and confident one.

I cupped his cheek, running my thumb over the light stubble on his jaw.

He turned his face into my hand, kissing my palm. "Everything about this is different. I've never told a woman I love her before you. I've never been in love, truly in love, the way I am with you."

"That wasn't supposed to happen."

"So you keep telling me."

"Daniel.."

"What, baby?"

"I'm afraid. I don't want to loose you. I was so scared today when she lunged at me. It wouldn't have mattered before but now it does. You and our baby matters. I need you both." My eyes filled and she closed them, trying to keep from crying. "Do you want someone better who is quiet and less annoying? Someone who doesn't end up in fights. You deserve someone who won't complicate your life."

"I heard hormones does make people stupid but I didn't think that would work on you."

I frown at him. "I'm stupid?"

"Allison, baby, I know you, I want you and you want me too. I can see it in the way you look at me, in the way you touch me, the way you make love with me. I see it. I feel it. I don't need anyone. I loved you for who you are and that includes the fights too. Moreover, this one isn't your fault."

"Will you stop loving me?"

"No."

"What if ..."

"Whatever it is, just say it so I can tell you how foolish you're being."

"What if you meet someone else-"

"I know where this is coming from," he muttered, blew out some air. "Allison, your parents loved each other and I think they still love each other in some way. Your mother made a mistake by cheating on your father, ignoring you and missing a part of your life, letting herself drown in her guilt and not taking care of Ashley. Your father choose your mother over you though that's not what he wanted. It took him years to realize that he was killing a part of himself by respecting your mother's wishes rather than being with you. They had choices and if they'd taken the right one then this wouldn't have happened. It was all about choices and my choice is you. I don't think that's going to change until my death but still if it did, I would let you know about it instead of dumping you or cheating on you. Frankly speaking, I don't think I would ever face a situation where I would stop loving you. I'm so blinded by love for you I can't see anyone else."

Smiling, I shook my head at his silliness even as my eyes filled again. "I told you it wasn't a good idea to fall for me. I tried to warn you."

His face lifted into a crazy sexy half grin. "Yeah, you did, and I decided you were worth the risk. So relax and go with it. I've never been happier than I am with you."

"I will. These hormones are making me emotional."

He smiled and then he was leaning over the tub kissing me passionately and making me forget all about the many ways I was flawed. He didn't seem to care about any of that. Neither did I. It just didn't matter anymore. We have now with us and we're going to enjoy each and every second of it.

I love him! I always have and always will continue to love him and cherish him. Even after death do us apart.

THE END

Hey!!

Finally it's over. I hope you all enjoyed the story of Allison and Daniel. It has it's flaws and it's own beauty. Thanks a lot for all the support I'd received from all of you.

I'll be back soon with the new book - TENACIOUS which I'm sure you all will love.

Goodbye guys!

Allison