Chapter 75 Part 75
Asher
When the beeping machines woke him, he groaned in pain. His eyes adjusted to the bright lights, and he tried to clear his throat. Feeling his one hand was being held tightly, he turned his head.
“Hey,” Thomas said, with a relieved look on his face.
“Did anyone get hurt?” His voice was scratchy, and his father held a straw to his lips. He sipped the water gratefully.
“No. Everyone’s fine,” Thomas said.
“That’s good.”
“That dog did a damn fine job of ripping that man’s throat out,” Thomas said, as Asher smiled.
“He was trained to do that,” Asher said. He turned his head again, and saw Maggie sleeping, clutching his hand in hers.
The door opened, and Asher smiled again. The boys, Eden, Blair, Colt, and Dylan, stepped into the room. They were all smiling at him, and Oscar wiped his eyes.
“Don’t cry, Oscar, I’m fine,” Asher said.
“I know. I’m just happy you’re awake,” he said.
“I was just telling Asher about Dakota,” Thomas said.
Blair chuckled, as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You yelled, ‘stump,’ and Dakota went flying through the air. I never even noticed he had circled him. It was horribly fascinating to see that dog in action.”
“We use ‘stump’ because they like to play cricket. It’s when you eliminate a batsman from behind. It seemed fitting.”
Maggie opened her eyes when the brothers laughed at Asher’s words, and she started crying again when she saw he was awake. He grunted as she flung herself into his arms and sobbed.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“Let’s give them a minute,” Thomas said.
Asher had tears in his eyes as well, and by the time Maggie shifted to look at him, his cheeks were wet, too. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I knew he was going to come for you. I just didn’t know when. It wasn’t your fault.”
“He shot you, Asher, because of me,” she said.
“No, he made that choice, not you. Please stop crying,” he said.
“I love you so much, Asher.”
“I love you, too, and I’m sorry I spent our wedding night in the hospital.”
Maggie laughed, wiping her tears away. “I had an ultrasound. I’m 12 weeks pregnant already.”
“Everything looks good?” Asher couldn’t contain his smile when Maggie nodded, and he hugged her again. “Four kids under one roof. What were we thinking?”
“I take offense to that,” Joel said, and they both looked toward the door. He had Melody on his hip. “I’m very well-behaved these days.”
Asher grinned. “Come here. You’re right; you are well-behaved these days. It makes me proud.”
“Dada!” As Melody clambered all over him, he winced once or twice.
The door opened again, and Dr. Carmichael walked in. “Good, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”
“Not too bad, if I don’t move too quickly,” Asher said.
“You were lucky, Asher. Both bullets lodged in your ribs, missing all your vital organs, but the ribs are broken. You’ll have some pain for a few weeks, and I’d suggest letting the others handle the chores on the ranch. And no riding for at least four weeks,” he said.
“I think I’ve earned a little break. When can I get out of here?”
“Tomorrow, at the earliest, we’ll monitor your vitals overnight, but everything looks good,” he said, as he checked Asher’s vitals, and adjusted the IV settings.
Maggie stayed with him that night, and Asher didn’t mind the cramped space. She was there, and he knew she would never leave him. His hand had stayed on her stomach the whole night. The darkness seemed so far away; he felt untouchable.
The next morning, Asher was discharged, and Maggie drove him home. Eden had looked after Melody, having slept in the guest room to watch the boys. Asher felt a sense of calm settle in him the moment the ranch came into view.
“It’s over now, Maggie. There are no more people from your past coming to haunt you. We’re free, and we have a beautiful life to live together.”
“Asher Fitzgerald, you are quite the man. I’m so glad I fell in love with you, and that you chose to love me back,” Maggie said.
A few nights later, after dinner, which had been a laugh and a half, as the whole family came to his house, Asher stood on the porch, looking out into the darkness. When the screened door opened and closed, Asher glanced at Oscar.
“You okay?”
“I want to ask you something, but don’t feel that you have to say yes,” Oscar said.
“If it’s in my power to give you something, or do something for you, know that I’ll always do it or give it,” Asher said.
Oscar smiled and shifted his feet. “I wanted to ask you if I could call you Dad.”
“Oscar…”
“I know I’m not your son, and I’m not your family. I just—”
“I’d be honored if you called me Dad. You are my family, you and Joel. You were my family the moment I loaded you into my truck that day.”
“Really?”
“Would I lie to you?” Asher gave him a look, and Oscar laughed.
“No, Sir, you’re not a liar.”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, then. Night, Dad.”
Oscar stepped away, but Asher pulled him back, and hugged him. “Goodnight, son.”
Oscar smiled broadly, and walked back into the house. Asher looked up at the moon, and he closed his eyes. How could one man be so lucky? He had a magnificent wife, a beautiful daughter, two healthy sons who were turning out to be a blessing in disguise, and a baby on the way. He had a family that was always there for him. It didn’t always feel fair, but Asher knew that he’d never give them up either, fair or not.
“You look like you’re deep in thought,” Maggie said, as the screened door closed behind her, and she came to stand next to him.
“I was just thinking how blessed we are.”
“Yeah?”
“Oscar asked if he could call me Dad.”
Maggie turned her head to look at him. “We are blessed. We have three amazing kids, and a year ago, I wished for a family that I could love and take care of. Look how far we’ve come, Asher.”
“I thank God for you every single day.”