Finding no pulse, I consider CPR, then change my mind.Ding, dong, the evil bitch is dead.
While Gwen pockets her weapon, I race to the wardrobe, lift Abbie into her mom’s open arms, then put pressure on Bear’s wound.
His eyes focus on mine with so much trust, my throat tightens. “Hang in there, pal.”
From what I can tell, the bullet didn’t hit any vital organs, but I need to get him to a vet, stat.
When the first paramedic on the scene offers to bring Bear to the closest animal hospital, my eyes water at the kindness. “Thank you.”
“I have a dog, so I get it.” After he leaves, me and my family wait in the living room.
Minutes later, my team arrives as I’m giving my statement to the local cops. “I swear to God, as she was about to shoot us, she clutched her chest and fell to the floor.”
Rhonda, behind me, shakes her head and says with a straight face. “Been a lot of that going around lately.”
Hiding her own grin, my wife nods. “Weird. Go figure, right?”
That night, because our apartment has been declared a crime scene, we crash at Callie’s and Lucky’s. In the living room, we all eat popcorn. While the adults discuss the day’s events, the kids and my stitched-up dog watch Monsters, Inc.
After the movie ends, Abbie stands, puts her hands on her hips and announces, “My mommy is a badass.”
A horrified Gwen sends an apologetic glance at Callie before kneeling in front of our daughter. “Where did you hear such language, young lady?”
“Uncle Lucky and Daddy.” The innocent tattle is funny as hell, but neither of the two adult males in the room dare laugh.
“Oi, busted mate.” The Patten man can’t hold back his chuckle, and when his spouse joins in, mine relaxes.
Somehow, she manages to hide her smile so she can admonish our cheeky kid. “Well, make sure you don’t say that bad word at school.”
“Which one?” The grade schooler smirks which earns her the dreaded don’t-be-a-smartass-look and a long talk in the kitchen.
Once the drama ends, I pull my wife into my arms, amazed at how gifted she is at everything. “I love you, Dr. Wulf.”
“Right backatcha, Mr. Big Bad, but no more potty-mouth.” Smirking, she grabs a handful of popcorn, stuffs some between my lips, and snuggles into my side.
No longer a lone wolf, I squeeze her close, and picture howling at the moon. Because of her, I have found my pack.
The End
