Tear Down These Walls (56 page)

“Kellen,” he replies. “And I feel like hell.”

“I’m going to give you some pain meds,” the nurse says as she walks over
to check his IV bag and machine.

“Wait!” Kellen exclaims. “Before you do that, do you know where my
clothes are?”

Teagan giggles a bit and says, “Probably in the garbage. There was blood
all over them.”

“Shit,” Kellen groans, closing his eyes.

“Why?” Teagan inquires. “Are you worried about your wallet?”

“Among other things,” Kellen sighs. He looks at the nurse. “Can you
please ask if they have anything? It’s important.”

The nurse nods, “I’m going to give you the medicine now. It might make
you a little tired.”

“I’m a pretty big guy,” Kellen chuckles. With a smile, the nurse ejects
some liquid into his IV. Teagan squeezes his hand, and Kellen turns to her. He
stares at her for a minute, smiling, before suddenly saying, “Holy craaa…..”
And a second later, his eyes glaze over, and he passes out.

“That’s some strong stuff,” Teagan giggles.

“Morphine,” the nurse responds with a nod. “It will get them every time.”

Teagan grabs the chair and pulls it to the bed. Exhaling, she sits down
and stares at Kellen. “You made it,” Teagan breathes out. “You’re alive. Oh my
god - you’re alive.” The tears come, and Teagan bends over, placing her head on
the bed. “Don’t ever leave me again.” She grips his hand and closes her eyes.

When a hand starts to rub her back, it startles Teagan and she sits up.
“Hey,” Jane whispers. “He’s going to be okay. You can go home and get changed.”
   

Rubbing her eyes, Teagan says, “Did I fall asleep?”

“Yeah,” Jane replies. “You have been through a lot today. The police want
to talk to you, too. They need to know what happened. The detective is waiting
down in the ICU waiting area.”

“I don’t want to leave him,” Teagan states, gripping Kellen’s hand.

“You need to get cleaned up and change,” Jane replies. “It will make you
feel better.  I promise.”

Shaking her head, Teagan says, “What if something happens to him?”

“He is going to make it. He is fine,” Jane reassures her. “You’ll feel
better if you get into some regular clothes.”

“I packed everything up,” Teagan whispers, looking at Kellen. “I didn’t
want to hurt the family anymore.”

Jane winces at the memory of her words and turns her wide eyes to Teagan.
“Teagan, I was so upset,” she reaches for Teagan’s hand, holding it between
hers. I lashed out, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Teagan replies. She looks at Kellen. “It really is my
fault.”

“No, it’s not!” Jane assures her, squeezing Teagan’s hand. “Stop! It was
that guy’s fault, and I am sorry, but he paid for his crime.”

She blinks away another round of tears. “I
killed
someone.”

“I know, Sweetie.” Picking her hand up, Jane says, “I think you should
see a therapist in a few days. It will help you to talk to someone about this
that isn’t involved.” Teagan nods.  “I’ll call you every fifteen minutes
while you are gone, so that you know he is okay.”

“All right,” Teagan sighs. “I still have blood on me. I need to shower.”

“It will make you feel better.”

Teagan nods and stands up. “Promise to call me.”

“I promise,” Jane states. Reaching over, Teagan gives her a hug. “See you
in a bit.”

“Okay,” Teagan whispers. She turns to Kellen. Bending over, Teagan gives
him a small kiss on the forehead. “See you soon.” With that, she turns to
leave.

After a very lengthy conversation with two detectives, they set up an
appointment for the next day to get an official statement. With a sigh, Teagan
stands up and starts to walk out of the hospital. Halfway down the hallway, she
runs into Victoria and Kyle. Victoria rushes over and grabs her into a death
grip hug. “He’s alive!” she yells.

“I know,” Teagan starts to sob. “I thought he was dead. Everything hurt.
I couldn’t even think straight.”

“He’s okay,” Victoria breathes out. “He’s going to be just fine.”

Letting go of her, Teagan looks at Kyle. He has a very awkward look on
his face.  Laughing, Teagan asks, “Why do you look so nervous?”

Kyle chuckles and says, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

She looks at him curiously. Kyle is holding his arms behind his back.
“Why are you standing so strangely?”

Victoria and Kyle glance at each other. Victoria looks at her and says,
“The ER gave us Kellen’s stuff. His clothes were trashed, but we have
everything else.”

“Oh good!” Teagan exclaims. “He was looking for it.” She sticks out her
hand. “Give it to me, and I will keep it safe.”

Still holding his arms behind is back, Kyle whispers, “I don’t know if
that’s such a good idea.”

A little apprehensively, Teagan says, “Kyle….give it to me.”

“He’s going to kick my ass,” Kyle exhales. He brings his hands around and
places three objects in Teagan’s outstretched hand.

There is a very long silence as all three of them stare down. Sitting in
her hand is Kellen’s wallet, keys, and a ring box. “Holy shit,” Teagan
whispers, her eyes wide.

“Yeah,” Kyle replies, running his fingers through his hair.

“Do you think….?” Victoria starts.

“I don’t know!” Teagan hisses. “What in the hell am I supposed to do with
it!?”

Raising her eyebrows, Victoria answers, “Open it.”

“No!” Teagan snaps. “What if…what if…I don’t know! I’m not opening it!”

“You can’t hide that you saw it,” Kyle assures her with a shoulder nudge.
“What are you going to do?”

“Are you going to freak if it…if it’s…?” Victoria inquires.

Teagan picks up the ring box and wraps her fingers around it. “I’m not
going to presume anything. It very well may not be anything.”

“Yeah, okay,” Kyle sarcastically retorts.

“Shut up Kyle!” Teagan yells. “How do I even give this back to him?”

“I would do it while you are alone,” Victoria replies.

“Here,” Teagan says, shoving it back to Kyle. “You give it to him, and I
will act like I have no clue.”

Kyle shakes his head. “You can’t hide this, Teagan. You need to give it
back to him.”

She stares down at the little box. “You’re right. I have to be honest. We
promised not to hide things from each other anymore.”

“Make sure you do it alone,” Victoria suggests. “Just in case it is
something special.”  Teagan nods. “Do you know what a good idea is?”
Victoria starts. “Let me look at it, and I can tell you what to do.”

“No!” Teagan laughs. “I should be the one who opens it, but I want
Kellen’s permission first.”

“That’s a good idea,” Kyle agrees.

“Not today though, not today,” Teagan whispers. She shakes her head. “I
need to go and get cleaned up. I want to be back here when he wakes up.”

“Why don’t I drive you to get his truck?” Kyle says. “Your apartment is a
crime scene right now. I doubt you could get anything out of it.”

Teagan nods her head. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

*            
*            
*            
*             *

“It’s been a week,” Kellen says. “You need to go back to school.”

“But I don’t want to leave you,” Teagan exhales. “Your sister has Kya
right now. The guys are working double time. You’ll be alone.”

“There’s an entire nursing staff here,” Kellen chuckles. “I will be fine.
I’m out of the ICU.”

Teagan bends over and kisses his hand. “I know.”

“You can still make class if you go now,” Kellen says. “Go on. Get out of
here.”

Grinning, Teagan replies, “But you’re such a good reason to play hookie.”

“Baby, I will get angry with you if your grades slip because of this,”
Kellen sternly states.  Go, get to class.”

“Fffffiiiinnnnnnneeeee,” Teagan draws out playfully. She bends over and
grabs her purse. When she reaches in for her keys, she feels the ring box.
Teagan pauses and then says, “Ummm, there is something I need to talk to you
about.”

“Get to class!” Kellen yells playfully.

“No, this will only take a second,” Teagan replies. She wraps her hand
around the box. “Ummmm…..I have the stuff from the ER.”

“What stuff?” Kellen asks hesitantly. The look on his face tells Teagan
he is hiding something, yet hopeful that she has what he was missing.

Teagan looks up at him. “The things from your pockets.” She pulls out the
ring box and hands it to him. “I have your wallet, too.”

“I didn’t care about the wallet,” Kellen says softly. He fiddles with the
box for a few moments. “Did you look at it?”

She shakes her head and quietly says, “No, it wasn’t my place.”

“Really?” Kellen laughs. “This whole time…you didn’t look?” Teagan smirks
and shakes her head again. “Do you want to see it?”

There is a pause, and then Teagan smiles. “Kind of. “ She looks at him
and bursts out laughing, “YES! Oh my god, it’s been torture holding onto that!”

“Why didn’t you just look!?” Kellen laughs back. “Seriously, I wouldn’t
have been able to stop myself if I were you.”

“I didn’t know what it was,” Teagan replies. “I still don’t.”

“Well, I didn’t think I would be giving it to you while wearing a
hospital gown with a hole in my chest,” Kellen chuckles. The smile fades, and
he hands the box to her. “It’s up to you if you want to open it.” Teagan takes
it from him. “You need to know one thing, though.”

“What’s that?” Teagan inquires sweetly.

A serious look passes over his face. “If you decide to open that box,
things will change.” His voice deepens. “Either one way or another, they will
change.”

Dropping her hands, Teagan says, “I see.”

“If you want,” Kellen starts. “You can give it back to me.”

There is a moment of silence, and then Teagan says, “Hell no, it’s mine!”
With that, she opens the ring box. A gasp escapes her throat. “Kellen!”

“This is the thing,” he sighs. “I know I am
technically
still
married. I know it’s really soon. I know this may make you run, but Teagan, I love
you. I want to make us being a family official. I know it’s a lot to ask. Kya
is a big responsibility, and you would be taking that on.”

With a look of shock, Teagan exclaims, “You think she would be the
hindrance!? You don’t know me very well then!”

He smiles broadly. “Baby, do you know how you consider me your real first
time?”

“Yeah, of course,” Teagan replies.

“I want you to be my first time,” Kellen states.

Laughing, Teagan says, “I hate to break it to you, but you are the
farthest thing from a virgin.”

“Not sex, Baby,” Kellen responds, sitting up more. “My first marriage was
nothing more than a farce. There was absolutely no emotion or feeling. It was
solely for Kya’s sake.”  He pauses, reaches over and takes her hand. “I
want you to be my first time. The first time I’m truly married because a
loveless marriage is nothing more than a legal contract. I want to go in a
church and declare my love before God, our families, and friends. I want to
spend the rest of my life with you. I see such a bright future ahead of
us.”  Kellen looks at her and smiles. “Pretend for a second that I am down
on my knee.”

Tears start to fall down Teagan’s face and she laughs, “Okay.”

“Teagan Murphy,” he murmurs. “Today, I am asking you to be my wife. I
never knew I could feel this way about anyone. I didn’t think I would find
someone who completes me as much as you do. You make me laugh and smile more
than I ever have in my whole life. I want to take care of you, and I don’t say
that because I don’t think you could do it on your own. I want to take care of
you and provide you with the life that you deserve because I have the means,
and I wouldn’t want to spend it on anyone else.”

“Kellen,” Teagan sighs. “It’s not about the money.”

“I know,” Kellen says. “That’s even more reason for me to want to do it.”
He grips her hand tightly. “Teagan, I love you. I want you, Kya, and me to be a
family. She loves you just as much as I do. You give her the stability that her
mother doesn’t. I want the three of us to be together as we should be.”

Shaking her head, Teagan replies, “It can’t be us, not the three of us.
I’m sorry.”  Kellen takes in a deep breath and nods his head. Teagan grips
his hand back and smiles. “I expect at
least
three more kids. I mean, if
we are going to talk money. I honestly think we need to buy a bigger house
because if we have a total of four kids, one playroom will obviously not do.
Kya needs one to herself, since she’ll be the big sister and all.”

A huge smile crosses Kellen’s face. “So, if that’s the case, Teagan
Murphy, will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she exclaims. Jumping up, Teagan kisses him hard. When she pulls
away, she hands Kellen the ring box. “You have to do the honors.” Laughing,
Kellen takes out the ring and slides it on her finger. “I have to call Victoria!”

“Let’s tell our families first,” Kellen says softly. “If we are engaged,
then I expect some things.”

“What’s that?” Teagan asks, gleefully.

“One, we get you a better car because you will be driving
our
daughter around, and I want you both safe. I also owe you a BMW if I remember
correctly.” He gives her a suggestive look.

“Deal.”

Sighing, Kellen states, “I don’t want you going back to your apartment.
I’ll have someone fix it and pack up all your stuff.”

“Oh, DEAL,” Teagan emphasizes. “I don’t want to go back there.”

“Three, you quit your ridiculous job,” Kellen snorts. “If you want to
work, you can do stuff at the office.”

With a smile, Teagan sarcastically replies, “Gosh, make me quit my boring
job…whatever will I do with my free time?”

“Spend time with your friends,” Kellen says. “I don’t want you to lose
that.”

“Can they come over?” Teagan inquires.

“Of course.”

“Then that’s no problem,” Teagan giggles. She grins broadly. “And
absolutely no hiding anything!”