***Author's Note***

Happy Fourth of July everybody! 🎉 I hope everybody has a great day celebrating our independence with friends and family, while I spend the day to work on writing and completing more chapters for this book. 😁

BTW, the stunning chapter banners were made by the talented pankunchi. If you're interested, go check out her graphic shop "BRUJERÍA ✧ GFX SHOP."

Don't forget to comment & like!

Peace out peeps! ✌🏻

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Laura's POV

The instant doctor in the room quickly removed the tube from within my throat and the neck brace from around my neck, I was able to breathe normally once again. Before coughing abruptly to clear out my throat and stabilize my breathing for a brief moment, provoking my chest to twinge in utter pain. I glanced up, immediately recognizing Dr. Rodriquez. The very physician who was responsible for my treatment the last time I was here.

"Laura, you're awake!" Emile exclaimed using a cheerful tone of voice, as she briskly leaned over and wrapped her arms around my injured torso. Everybody else in the room swiftly surrounded my hospital bed, as I grimaced and groaned in pain due to the fact that none of my wounds aren't fully healed yet.

"Uh Emile? You're hurting me..." I breathed out, while her grip around me tightened slightly.

"Alright there Em, that's enough," Tyler said, as he pulled Emile off of me. "Welcome back to the world of the living, Lari." I smiled up at him, taking in his unblemished appearance.

I steadily sat up in my bed—wincing in pain. "Thanks Tyler," I chuckled as I glanced around, not spotting Mom among them.

'Right, she tumbled out of a twelve-story building with Dad. I don't even know if she's alive or not.' I remembered, as the corners of my mouth quirked down. Prompting my smile to recede from view.

"Laura what's wrong?" Emile inquired—noticing my sudden change of mood.

I shifted my gaze up at my best friend. "Em, I'm fine. I'm just tired, that's all," I lied—chewing on my bottom lip and rubbing my eyes to wipe away the tears that were forming. I glanced over at the end table beside me. Spotting the balloons, some Get Well cards, and a vase holding a variety of flowers. I redirected my gaze back at the teddy bear in my hands. 'What the? Why am I holding a stuffed teddy bear in my hands?'

"They're gifts from Rebecca, Moira, and Lily," Uncle Chris spoke up, right as I directed my gaze up at him.

"Then where's Moira and Lily?"

"Moira had to leave to take of some recent issues that came up at her work back at home. Ada came by a couple hours ago to pick her up then left," Rebecca explained to me, as Uncle Chris's features evidently hardened when the pixie-haired brunette mentioned the raven-haired woman. He voluntarily clenched his fists, causing his knuckles to turn white momentarily. "Anyway, it's good to see that you're okay." She took a sip from her caramel macchiato, savoring the sweetened taste of her drink.

"Thanks Rebecca. How are you feeling though?"

"Besides getting shot yesterday and running on only four hours of sleep, I'm fine," She answered, before taking another sip of her macchiato.

"Hey Laura." I glanced over, shifting my gaze back at Uncle Chris. "How you feeling, kiddo?"

"Like I've been flung at a brick wall and clawed over and over again by a Hunter," I answered—making his eyes widen. "But other than that, I'm fine. Really." Then I hissed again in pain, clutching my bandaged stomach.

"Laura, take it easy," Dr. Rodriquez advised to me, while I laid back down on my bed. "You shouldn't be moving too much. You just got out of surgery yesterday; we don't want your stitches to rip and your wounds to reopen." She dug out an empty syringe and a bottle of liquid medication out of her coat pocket.

"Wait," I shifted my gaze over at Uncle Chris. "How long was I out for?" Dr. Rodriquez inserted the tip of the syringe into the bottle—extracting some of the fluid medication from the container and filling the syringe with it.

"As shocking as it sounds, you were only out for a day. We thought that we would have wait longer than that for you wake up," He responded, looking down at me.

"You shouldn't even be awake right now Laura." I gazed over at Dr. Rodriquez. "For whatever reason, you are, but we're still glad you're okay. Knowing that you're gonna pull through this and make a full recovery." Dr. Rodriquez stopped the flow of the liquid nutrients momentarily—administering the medication into my IV through one of the sanitized ports. Within a matter of seconds, I began to feel delirious and happy all of a sudden. As I involuntarily giggled randomly to myself.

"What did you just give her?" Uncle Chris questioned Dr. Rodriquez, briefly looking over at the doctor.

"Just some pain medication, it'll help alleviate the pain from her injuries, but it'll make her loopy for the next couple of hours. I might've given her a bit too much, but it's nothing to worry about though," She replied, placing the bottle back in her coat pocket then threw away the syringe in the designated trash can.

"Laura, you're finally awake." I glanced over at the doorway—seeing Leon and Piers standing by it. Their eyes widened concurrently straightaway, flickering with both shock and relief at the same time. While Piers was holding his cup of coffee, Leon accidentally dropped his onto the floor. Spilling the freshly brewed drink all over the tile floor.

"Oh, hi Leon. I didn't see there for a sec," I acknowledged him, as I smiled for no damn reason. My stepfather picked up the paper cup off the ground—throwing it away in a nearby trash can. "Smooth as usual I see. Get a grip, man," I remarked—covered my mouth with my hands. Beginning to snicker quietly and mischievously. Quickly turning from fanatical giggling to compulsive laughter within a matter of seconds, just as I was now laughing my ass off. Leon took out some paper napkins from his pocket, using them to clean up the slippery mess he just made.

"Seriously, Laura? After getting shot multiple times, almost dying twice within the last twenty four hours, the first thing you do when you wake up is start making puns?" Piers questioned me, walking over towards me up.

"Yup," I giggled, wondering why the hell I'm acting so high all of a sudden.

"Ha ha, very funny Laura." Leon finished cleaning up the coffee spill on the floor—throwing away the used napkins into the trash can.

"I'll go get Jake," Dr. Rodriquez spoke up, as she left the room. 'Who the hell is Jake?' I thought to myself, as I yawned and snuggled up underneath the bed covers. Steadily slipping out of consciousness.

Jake's POV

"How you feeling, Jake?" Sherry inquired, as she glanced over at me from her seat beside me.

I rolled my head—groaning and glancing over at my girlfriend. "I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me," I replied. I closed my eyes and groaned lightly, feeling a headache coming on. "What's taking the damn doctor so long? She should've been back by now."

"I'm sure she'll be back here soon babe—" Sherry was cut off by the sound of the door opening. Revealing the very doctor herself.

"Well speak of the devil, you're finally back," I uttered. "What the hell took you so long?"

"My apologies for taking so long, Laura just woke up and I had to—"

"Laura's awake?" I abruptly cut off her, as Sherry swiftly stood up from her seat while I hopped off the examination table.

"Yeah, she woke up a couple minutes ago."

"Can we see her right now?" Sherry asked her.

"Of course, follow me then," The doctor told us, as she lead the two of us out of the exam room and back to my sister's hospital room.

***

When the three of us arrived back in her room, Leon held his finger over his mouth. Motioning us to be quiet. We glanced over—seeing that Laura had actually fallen asleep. No longer wearing a neck brace or any kind of life support. Laura was laying down on her side, with her back facing the wall. The blanket was tucked up to her chest, while she was holding a small teddy bear close to her chest.

Even though it didn't seem like it, but deep down, I was kinda disappointed that Laura fell back asleep. I wanted to talk to her, to get to know her better, but I knew better than that. There would be plenty of time in the future to do that, that can be well assured, but now Laura needs to rest.

She needs to take it easy for a while, and I'm not in any way going to impede her recovery, that's for sure. So the introductions were gonna have to be put on hold for now. Even though I don't know the whole story about what happened to Laura, I already know for a fact that she's damn warrior. A strong, spirited, independent young woman. Just like her mother, Claire. Despite the fact of having the pleasure of meeting the red-head once, about a year ago.

"We'll be right back," Chris spoke up, as he and Leon simultaneously sat up from their seat. Leaving the room for a moment.

"So, you're Laura's older brother?" The raven-haired teenager spoke up, eyeing me from her seat.

I glanced over at her, taking in her emo-like appearance. "Yeah, and who might you be, short stack?"

"The name's Emile, dickhead. Laura's friend and BFF. And the miniature version of Piers sitting beside me is Tyler." She pointed her thumb at the young man sitting right next to her. "AKA, Laura's boyfriend and Piers's little brother." Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Piers's eyes widen for a brief moment. Looking convinced that I might get up in his little brother's face here soon.

"It's nice to meet you the two of you, I'm Sherry," My girlfriend introduced herself to Laura's friends.

I tensed up right away; a tick forming in my jaw as I clenched my right hand. Digging my nails into the skin of my palm. 'You gotta be fucking kidding me...' I thought to myself—starting to feel a bit pissed off. 'I already don't like the BSAA sniper as it is, but now I find out the Puppy's gotta a younger brother. Literally, a miniature version of himself, and he's dating my little sister... Not on my fucking watch—' My thought were cut short when I felt Sherry place her hand on my shoulder. Giving it a light squeeze. I let out a short huff, unclenching my fist.

I glanced down at her, as Sherry shook her head. Tyler sat up from the bench, strolling on over and approaching my girlfriend and I. "Nice to meet you too, Jake." He serenely held out his hand to me, while his brother was eyeing us the entire time.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever Puppy Jr." I grasped his hand—shaking it as sincerely as I can without breaking the guy's hand. "To make things clear to you, just because I'm not very fond of your brother, isn't doesn't mean I like you either. If you do anything at all to hurt my baby sister or make her shed even a tear, I'll break your fucking face boy," I hissed at him, using a threatening tone of voice. Narrowing my cerulean eyes at him.

"I'm not planning on that Jake, that I can guarantee for sure," Tyler stated, giving me full eye contact. 'Gotta admit, the kid does have the guts to formally introduce himself to me. In spite of that, it doesn't mean he hasn't earned my trust yet. It's gonna take a hell a lot more than shaking my hand to earn reliance.' I thought to myself, while towering over the young man.

Emile giggled to herself—glancing up at us from her seat. "I think Tyler will be the least of your worries, Jake. Laura and I have known him for a long time, ever since we were six, and we know by now that he would never do anything to hurt me or your sister. Besides, he already has three people hounding on his ass about it, so it would be pretty stupid to even do so. "

"Who's the third?" Sherry inquired, glancing over at the ravenette.

"You're looking right at her, missy," She replied, momentarily pointing her thumb at herself. "Just because I'm her BFF, it doesn't mean I don't have the right to worry about her. We care a hell lot more about Laura than you think, buddy boy. Do you even know how many times over the years I've gotten in trouble at school, just for Laura's sake?" I shook my head at Emile. "More than thirty fucking times, just in the last six years. Even Tyler has as well." Emile motioned over towards Puppy Jr. "It still happens practically all the time."

"How so Emile?" I questioned her, growing more curious and concerned by the second.

"Ever since Laura was a little girl, she was always bullied and picked on. By other kids, some juveniles, even by a couple of teachers. All because of the fact that Laura's different. In other words, we thought that she's a gorgeous and gifted genius; stuck in the body of a six-year old girl. When Tyler and I first met her, we were jealously of both her intellect and her appearance, just like everyone else. However, unlike everyone else, we realized something they didn't. No matter how perfect she seemed to everyone, Laura was in fact the most lonely girl we ever met. That's something the three of us had in common. Something that we all happened to share. And ever since the three of us hit it all off, we've stuck through thick and thin for the past ten years. Hanging out with each other almost all the time: shopping mall on the weekends, partying out at my place, and eating out at various restaurants across Seattle. That's how close we three of us are."

"You got that right, Emile," Tyler added.

From behind me, I heard Sherry's stomach growl clamorously for a second. "Jake, I'll be right back," She informed, before leaving the room.

Sherry's POV

After I left Laura's hospital room and was out of their sight, I tilted my back against the wall. Tenderly pressing my hand against my stomach. I closed my eyes; a stressed sigh escaping through my lips. 'It already been two weeks since I found out. I still haven't told Jake yet, if I keep waiting I'll eventually start showing. I've been having to deal morning sickness every single morning so far, I've been craving nothing but fruit, pickles, and chocolate, and I've been more moody than I usually am.' I thought to myself.

'But now's not the right time to tell him, no matter how much I want to right now. When the time is right, I will then.' I sat up and let my hand fall to my side. I was about to go to the cafeteria to get some lunch, until I heard the sounds of familiar voices arguing from far end of the corridor.

Feeling determined to find out what the guys quarreling about this time, I turned around and began walking down the hallway. Taking slow, deliberate steps towards them. The moment I reached the corner of the hallway, I steadily peeked over to the right. Peering down into the bisecting corridor and listening to them while they were bickering like selfish brats.

"Leon, I just think it would be best that when Laura is discharged from here, that she stays with me for a bit," Chris asserted, glaring at his brother-in-law.

"I understand that you care about her since she's your niece Chris, but have you thoroughly thought this decision through though? How this would affect her life, your life, or even your family's as well back home?" Leon questioned him, resting his hands on his hips.

Chris remained silent; his eyes going round for a moment. A dead giveaway that he hasn't thought about it thoroughly. "That's what I thought. You haven't given it enough thought, or even considered what Jill's, or even Claire's opinion would be about this. Even if Laura would live with you, how do you even plan on accommodating Laura? You're already busy, preoccupied with your job at the B.S.A.A. most of the damn time! Usually leaving Jill at home to take care of your son Nathan. Not only are you generally away from home working Chris, you also have another baby on the way! How the hell are you supposed to take care of Laura and support her needs when you're practically working all the damn time!?"

"I could say the exact same thing about you too, blondie. You're usually away from home; on mission after another all the fucking time for your damn organization! Gone for days to weeks to even months at a time! While Claire has to spend time off work from time to time, in order to look after your son. Putting a lot more stress and strain on my sister than she needs! Even if you were to care for Laura, how the hell are you even gonna look after her and your child at the same time when you're not usually there for Levi!?" Chris angrily pushed Leon against the wall, becoming more choleric and apoplectic by the second.

'Alright, now I need to intervene before this gets out of hand.' I thought to myself, as I turned down the hallway and rushed over to them.

"Stop it right now! That's enough out of the two of you!" I yelled at him, getting in between then and breaking them up. Their eyes widened in shock at my sudden presence—acting like they got caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

"Sherry, how long have you—?"

"Long enough, that's for sure," I cut Leon off, as I stood in between the two of them. Not caring about the fact they were practically towering over me. "I can't believe the two of you would fight at a time like this. What is wrong with the both of you, seriously!? If Claire were here right now, she would be very disappointed and ashamed of you, both of you. Seeing the two of you fighting like this when there are more important things to be worried about than this. I understand that you two care about Laura's well-being, but it's not something you two shouldn't have to quarrel over. You two are grown fucking men for crying out loud!"

"Sherry—"

"I'm not done yet Chris, so listen up!" I abruptly cut him off, raising my voice. "Out of all my years of knowing you two, this is by far the most immature and reckless I've seen you two act, you're better than this and I know that. But right now, you two should be ashamed of yourselves. You're acting like a bunch of spoiled brats that are fighting over their favorite superhero figurine. If you don't stop and settle this little dispute like the grown men you are, then I'll do it for you," I ridiculed them. "Do I make myself clear, gentlemen?"

"Yes Sherry," Leon answered, with a remorseful tone.

I glanced over at Chris, placing my hand on my hips. "Chris, do I make myself clear?" I repeated to him.

Christopher looked down at me; penitence and and shame overtaking his features. "Yes Sherry, you do."

"Good."

"Hey Sherry," I shifted me gaze over at Leon. "Since when have you become such a disciplinarian?" Leon inquired, still surprised by my sudden outburst.

"Well, having a pig headed and stiff-necked guy as a boyfriend does have its perks," I smirked.