Chapter 81 - Promises

Present

SHADRACH'S POV

My heart seemed like it would stop any second, as we rushed Alizabeth to the hospital. This was the second time in my life that I had felt so afraid, so fucking frightened. All of us forgot about our grudges against each other, focusing on saving Aliza's life. I was sitting with her in the back of the ambulance, holding onto her hand, while Ash and Elijah followed behind in a car.

As soon as we reached the hospital, she was rushed into an ER, and we were all told to wait outside. I tried hard to accompany her, but they wouldn't let me. I called Simon and told him to come over, after begging the nurses and doctors to save her life. To save my life.

Tears were rolling down my cheeks freely, and I sat down on one of the hospital benches, my head in my hands. Soon her family showed up, and I looked up at their worried faces. They all began crying as Ash described to them what exactly had happened, and hearing the incident again, I felt my blood boil. I stood up and pushed past Ash and her father, straight to where Elijah and Rachael were. They seemed to be arguing, but I didn't care about not interrupting them.

"You son of a bitch!" I yelled, grabbing Elijah by his collar. "You did this!"

He didn't fight back, probably too guilty to do so, but Rachael instantly caught hold of my arm, trying to pull me away from him. Ash did the same, and managed to pull me off of Elijah.

"You fucker! I'm gonna kill you! You shot her! She's in there because of you, you asshole!" I yelled at him, and tried to lunge at him once again, but Rachael came in the middle making me stop.

"Stop it, Maxon!" Rachael shouted. "This is a hospital. Behave yourself."

"You're asking me to behave? Your sister is in there because of him!" I yelled.

"She's not in there because of him, she's in there for you!" She retorted, emphasizing the word 'for'. I stopped, frowning.

"You're blaming me for this?" I asked in disbelief.

"No," she said softly, shaking her head. "I'm not blaming you. I'm just trying to tell you that... She loves you, Maxon. She took that bullet to protect you, because your life is much more important to her than her own. She isn't in there because Elijah shot her, she's in there because Elijah shot you, and she'd rather hurt herself than watching you get hurt."

A few tears escaped my eyes, as well as hers. She stepped forward and pulled me into a hug, and I stood stiff for a moment, before breaking down. I hugged Rachael back, sobbing louder than I had ever before.

"She's gonna be fine," Rachael whispered, rubbing my back.

"She has to," I replied, pulling away from her. "She doesn't have any other option, because if she dies, her sacrifice will go to waste. I'll-I'll kill myself Rachael," I said, wiping my tears away. "I'm telling you. I'm gonna- I'm gonna take that same gun, and shoot myself in the head. I can't... I can't live without her. Never again," I said, before breaking into sobs again. "She can't leave me alone like this. I... I was changing. I was changing my ways for her. I was... Trying. Rachael I was trying to become a better person. I swear on her name I was trying, and she just... She has to wake up!" I whispered, my entire body shaking.

"Hey, hey," Rachael cupped my cheeks. "Maxon. Calm down. You'll be fine. And she'll be fine. Okay? No one can take her away from you, right? That's the promise you made to her. She'll be fine," she tried to reassure me.

"Rachael," I said softly. "If anything happens to her I'm gonna kill Elijah." A tear escaped my eye as I looked at him, staring at us from a distance.

"You won't have to. She'll be fine."

- - - -

RACHAEL'S POV

"I'm sorry, Rach," Elijah said, walking beside me.

"You better pray she's fine," I said softly. "Because if anything happens to her, you're never going to see me again, Elijah."

"Don't say that," he shook his head, now standing in front of me, making me stop walking. "Nothing will happen to her."

"I know," I nodded. "But really? You tried to shoot him?"

"I thought he'd hurt her, Rach! I'm sorry but the past encounters I've had with him, he wasn't exactly friendly with any of us," Elijah argued.

"But I told you she loves him! What were you thinking?"

"About you!" He replied, making my eyes widen.

"What?" I frowned.

"Yes. I was thinking about you, and her family. You guys were miserable without her, and especially you, you wouldn't eat properly, you'd be so down at all times, I couldn't see you like that anymore!" He explained. "At that moment I thought he'd hurt her, take her away, do something bad! So I acted out impulsively and shot him. I'm sorry. And Rachael the truth is," he sighed, taking my hands into his, "even if I brought Alizabeth back, you guys would have left the city against to flee from Maxon. I... I wanted to end the threat. I wanted you to stay back."

"What? Me?" I asked, shocked. "Why me?"

"Because I fell for you, Rachael," he sighed. "I know that I asked Aliza out, but at that very moment, when she turned me down, I knew that I didn't actually care. Sure I love her, but only as a friend. You, on the other hand, we've been friends since forever, Rach. I've known you for such a long time, and there isn't a single thing I don't like about you. These past few months, when we have really been together for long hours, it made me realize what I really feel. And I know that you previously consider me a little brother, and that you're older than I am and all, but I really, really love you, Rach. And not like I'd love an elder sister."

I felt like the ground had just shifted from beneath my feet. Elijah had just confessed his feelings for me, and I did not know how to react.

"I.. Uh..." I muttered, trying to find words.

"It's okay, don't answer now. Don't answer at all if you want. I know this was really shitty timing, but I just needed you to know, Rach. I love you. I love the way you care for people. The way you put other's needs before yours everytime. You're not appreciated enough, and yet you never complain. Once you decide something, you stay determined. I love how independent you are. I love how you smile, how you talk, the way you walk, laugh, party, everything. I can't help but feel that you were created for me, because trust me, Rach, you're exactly what I look for in a girl. Plus I feel that we share a connection. So yeah, I thought I should tell you," he explained, and I bit my lip, feeling my heart skip a beat. I looked into his crystal grey eyes, so soft and welcoming. His plump, kissable lips, and his dark, messy hair. I felt my heart flutter once again, as he took a careful step towards me.

I blinked, not in control of my body, and the way my breath was hitching. He slowly placed his hand on my waist, and leaned down, his face inches away from mine.

"May I?" He whispered huskily, his warm breath fanning my lips.

"I... Yeah," I closed my eyes, allowing him to kiss me. His lips brushed against mine, but before the kiss could become any deeper, someone called out to me.

"Rachael!" A voice shouted, and I jumped, stepping away from Elijah instantly. I turned around to find Maxon staring at us, in pure shock.

"Uh..." He seemed awkward. "Congratulations," he frowned, and I felt heat creep to my cheeks. I looked down in embarrassment, realizing how shameful it must have looked. I, kissing my sister's ex fiance, while she's being treated for a bullet wound at a hospital.

"Anyway, Aliza's safe," he smiled, and I felt a sudden energy course through me.

"Really?" I smiled, tears of relief escaping my eyes.

"Yeah," Shadrach smiled, "so your boyfriend is safe too." He winked at me, before turning around and leaving.

I turned to Elijah, blushing.

"Boyfriend?" Elijah smirked, biting his lip. He looked extremely relieved as well. "I could get used to that, you know."

"Same here," I replied, barely being able to suppress my smile.

He stepped towards me and pulled me into a hug, picking me up into the air. I laughed and hugged him back, as another tear escaped my eye. He slightly pulled away, but didn't put me down, and pressed his lips against mine. I smiled against the kiss, before knitting his hair around my fingers and kissing him back.

- - - -

ALIZABETH'S POV

I slowly opened my eyes, the bright light blinding me for a few seconds. I blinked multiple times, wondering where I was. My body felt numb, and I realized I was in a hospital when I saw the IVs attached to my hand. I felt too drained, too tired to move. A nurse instantly walked up to me when she realized I was awake.

"Hello, Miss Alizabeth Saunders. How are you feeling?" She asked me politely, as she began to check my vitals.

"Water," I whispered, hating how dry my throat was.

"Here," she said, filling a glass of water for me, and helping me drink it.

At first I couldn't remember what exactly happened. I knew I was with Shadrach, we were arguing. Then he cried. The noise. Elijah. Oh God, I was shot. And the bullet was meant for Shadrach.

"Shadrach," I squeaked out, trying to sit up again.

"Hey, hey, you're not supposed to get up. Lie back down," the nurse told me.

"Shadrach," I repeated, making the nurse frown.

"Sorry, what?"

"Get Shadrach please," I begged.

"I will, but first the authorities want to speak to you, Hon. You think you can answer a few questions for them?" She asked.

I sighed and nodded, wanting to get it over with. A minute later two cops entered the room.

"Hello Miss Saunders. How are you feeling?" One of them smiled.

"Great," I replied.

"Miss Saunders, could you please tell me how you got shot?" He asked.

"I'm sorry, I can't really remember much right now," I lied. I needed time to think of a story.

"Well, let's see if we can remind you of what happened. We'll tell you what your parents told us, alright?"

"Oh yeah?" I frowned. "What did they say?"

"They said you were kidnapped by the man outside, Mr. Maxon Shadrach Bradley, and that whilst trying to save you from him, you accidently got shot," he explained.

"Oh no, that's not what happened. The man who they said kidnapped me, is actually my boyfriend. He's going to be my fiance very soon. My parents didn't approve of him, due to his political background, you know, they were unwilling to make ties with such a powerful family. So they wouldn't let me marry him, and tried to get me married to someone else. I agreed at first, for their happiness, but then I ran away with Maxon, realizing I would never be happy without him. My parents probably believed that he kidnapped me, and are probably just in denial," I lied through my teeth, internally thanking Klara for teaching me how to maintain a poker face while lying. "They thought they were trying to save me, and started to tell Maxon to get away from me, and stuff like that. He slightly resisted, and so one of them fired at him, but I blocked Maxon so he wouldn't get hurt. Hence the bullet hit me instead."

The police officer looked at me suspiciously.

"Are you sure of that Miss Saunders? I hope you're not giving that statement under any kind of pressure. We will not let anything happen to you, you're absolutely safe," he said.

"There's no pressure on me," I said confidently.

"Are you sure you do not have any sort of Stockholm Syndrome, or something? You do not have to protect him, Miss Saunders," he tried.

"Thank you, Officer, but no. I am a hundred percent sure that I am in love with Mr. Maxon Shadrach Bradley, and all the time I spent with him was willingly. May I please see him now?" I requested.

"Sure thing, Miss Saunders," he smiled. "We just need your signatures."

After completing the formalities, they left the room, and seconds later, Shadrach entered, rushing to me.

"You little dumbass!" He scolded, taking my hand in his. "Who the fuck told you to take that bullet for me? Are you crazy? You could have died!"

"I never thought I'd quote Hercules, but here it goes, 'People do crazy things when they're in love,'" I replied, smiling at him. He smiled back, before I noticed how his lip was trembling, and within seconds he broke into sobs. "Shadrach?" I asked, my eyes wide. He was holding onto my hand using both of his, jamming it to his face, as he wept.

"I thought I lost you," he cried, and I couldn't help but smile at the way he was reacting.

"Shadrach," I said softly, "you're never going to lose me, my Love. I told you. I promised you, didn't I?"

"Yeah," he nodded, calming down, and he looked at me. He looked so adorable with his nose completely red, and his glassy eyes, that I wanted to kiss him at once.

"I love you," I said, and he smiled, cupping my cheek.

"I love you too, Butterfly," he replied. "The nurse told me you asked for me as soon as you woke up."

"I did," I nodded, smiling. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Of course I was! You took that damned bullet for me!" He replied.

"Hmm," I smiled. "Send my parents in, please. And Rachael too," I asked him, and he instantly did as he was told. He didn't come back, but waited outside while I met my family. Mom was a sobbing mess, while Dad looked relieved to see me okay. Ash and Elijah looked guilty, and Rachael looked like she was on the top of the world. She came forward and hugged me, kissing my cheek.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Liza," she smiled. She then leaned in to my ear, before whispering to me, "Elijah confessed to me. We kissed."

"What?" I squealed in excitement, before the pain kicked in, making me grunt. "Ow," I cried, frowning, before a smile replaced it. "I'm so... I'm so fucking happy for you," I grinned.

After each of them had asked me how I was, and how much they missed me, Dad moved onto a more serious topic.

"So, Aliza. The authorities told us your statement. Is that true?" He asked.

"I didn't run away with him, obviously," I chuckled. "But yes, Dad. I love him. I love him more than I've ever loved anyone, and I will never be happy without him. You can see how perfectly fine I am, well except for the gunshot wound, of course. He's never hurt me, Dad. And he never will. He'll protect me always, no matter what happens. Please, please give him a chance. I know things haven't exactly been ideal between us. There have been a thousand problems, but at the end of the day, he loves me more than anyone else ever will. So I'm asking you to consider giving him a chance. Please Dad, for me," I begged.

"It's true, Uncle," Rachael nodded. "I've seen the way he cares for her. I think he deserves a chance, especially now that Liza loves him back. Please say yes."

Dad thought for a short moment, before sighing.

"Alright. Call him in, Ash," Dad instructed.

Shadrach and Simon entered the room with Ash, both of them extremely awkward. Simon was even carrying a bouquet of white roses.

"How are you?" Simon smiled at me, and for once I could see approval in his eyes for me.

"I'm good Simon, thank you for coming," I smiled.

"I brought these for you," he said, placing the bouquet beside me.

"Thank you," I grinned.

"Now, Maxon," Dad said, and all of us turned our attention towards him. "Alizabeth says you love her. So do you think you will be able to keep her safe from all the problems that come with your connections to the Underworld? Do you think your powerful family will accept a simple girl like her? Do you think you could become a better person for her, so that her children would grow up in a happy home?"

"I do, Sir. I love her more than I have ever loved anyone in this world, and I promise you, I'll protect her the best I can. I would rather die myself, than even letting a single scratch appear on her body. As for my parents, I do not care what they think. They have never been too big a part of my life, that I would let them decide who I spend my life with. They will have to accept her, they do not have any other option. And I have already started to change myself for her, I promise you. I'll keep your daughter happy no matter what happens. I swear on her name, Mr. Saunders," Shadrach replied, making my heart skip a beat. "And our children will look up to our married life. That's how happy we will be together."

"Alright," Dad nodded. "But if you ever-"

"I will hand over my gun to you myself, and you can shoot me in the head. That's my promise to you."

Dad looked satisfied with his reply, and so did Mom.

"I saw the way you were crying," Mom said, smiling at him. "I know you truly love my daughter. But listen to me, Son. I'll only let you marry her if you promise you won't take her away from us. We have already been away from her for too long because of you. Promise me you'll let her visit us, and let us visit her whenever we feel like."

"Your wish is my command, your Majesty," Shadrach grinned at her. "I promise you, I'll never be a hurdle between you and your daughter ever again. And I'm sorry for all the things I've done until now, I just did not know the correct way to love a person. But your daughter has taught me this now, and never again will there be any such problem."

"Okay then, I approve as well," Mom smiled.

Shadrach turned to Ash.

"Ash, I'm really sorry for everything man. I hope you can accept me for your sister," he said, looking hopeful.

"I'd never accept any man to be good enough for my sister," he shrugged. "But Rachael just now told me about how you have saved Aliza's life so many times. In times that I could not be there to help her out. So I guess you do deserve a chance. I'm sorry for the way I've treated you as well, even though you mostly deserved it."

"I certainly did," Shadrach chuckled. He then turned to Rachael.

"Do I have to..." He trailed off, before he and Rachael both started laughing. She stepped forward and hugged him.

"Congratulations," she smiled at him.

"Thank you," he smiled back.

"Well, on that note," Shadrach said, now looking at me. "Will you marry me, Butterfly?" He asked, getting down on one knee, picking up the roses Simon had brought for me. I laughed, and a tear escaped my eye.

"Yes," I nodded, grinning. "I will marry you, Shadrach, but I have one condition."

"Anything, my Queen," Shadrach smiled.

"I want Rachael and Elijah's wedding to take place at the same time, same place, same day."

"Wait, what?" Everyone said in unison, making Shadrach and I burst out laughing, while Elijah and Rachael blushed, their faces red in embarrassment.

- - - - - -

A/N: 1 more chapter to go! ;)