"How's Troy?" he rasped.
Ian sat beside him. "He's holding on. Elizabeth operated again."
"Jenner in custody?
"No, he's dead. You got him."
"Where's Elizabeth?" He took a moment to scan the room.
"Eric and Julian are with her." Ian held Martin down as he struggled to sit up. "Clear the cobwebs in your head. Elizabeth is fine. She was exhausted from the day's events and needed a nap. Eric and Julian are bringing her up to rest with you. Austin and Lola are fine—Kieran moved them to the farm. Joyce, Ruth, and our med staff are caring for them. We also moved Lissa. You need to listen to the doctors."
"Oh, God, Keys."
"We know. He's in custody." Ian continued to hold him down.
"What about Hillinger?"
"In custody. Martin, you need to heal. Tomorrow we can talk some more."
"Choudhury and Krump?" Martin pushed for information.
"We're looking for them." Ian shook his head.
Seth returned with the meds. "Eight milligrams of Ondansetron for nausea and two milligrams of Dilaudid for pain. Give it a minute to work. Try to go back to sleep."
The door to the room opened, and Julian helped Elizabeth from the wheelchair. Her composure broke as she burst into wet, sloppy sobs. "Marty." She took cautious steps toward him, and Martin opened his free arm. "I was so afraid." His arm locked around her waist.
Martin tasted her salty tears as she kissed him. “I'm so sorry for scaring you, Sunshine." Ian let go of him and escorted everyone out the door.
"So much happened, Marty. You could have died. Troy, he's still so sick. I don't know if I did enough. Steve was taking money to turn a blind eye. Lola’s with Joyce at the farm.” Her tears increased, and she started to shake.
“I’m here. Don’t cry,” he begged.
She swiped at her face before she placed a hand against his bruised cheek. “God, I don't know how to tell you this.” She wrapped her hands around herself and rocked on her feet. “I don't want you to be trapped. I...we...I'm pregnant." The words came out in an anguished gasp.
Martin's lips lifted into a satisfied smile. "I thought... I'm not trapped. I love you." He pulled her onto his bed and laced his fingers with hers.
Her breaths were coming in hiccups. "Wait, you don't understand. My body, I may not be able to carry the baby." She paled with fright.
"I don't want you in any danger. What does Lois say?"
Elizabeth swiped at her watery eyes. "I haven’t told her yet. I made Pete and Patrick keep it a secret, and then I told Julian, and then Trask figured it out."
His lips turned up; she was talking at Joyce's speed. "Don't cry." He would rather handle a firefight than her tears. "Sunshine? Shh. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together."
She lifted their interlocked fingers to her lips. "You're supposed to rest. I'm supposed to be strong." The tears dripped down her cheeks again.
Martin let go and rubbed her back. "You are, Sunshine." Together, they fell asleep.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Sunday, August 30th
Zach escorted Ragan and Martin's attorneys, documents in hand, to Martin's room. Elizabeth had left a few minutes earlier to shower and check on Troy. Ian, who hadn't left Martin's side, let them in.
"Mr. Bailey, I'm District Attorney Ragan. I want to apologize to you in person for what happened to you while in Silverton custody." Ian cleared his throat. "I need to apologize for the rush to charge both you and Dr. Reed."
Cordelia and Terrence waited for Ragan to grovel some more and leave. "How are you feeling?" Terrance asked.
