Her Rancher, Her Protector

Chapter 17 - Angel

Slowly my eyes opened. The room was filled with a loud beeping sound and I looked around. I was in a hospital room. I allowed my eyes to adjust as it was so bright. The light beamed into the room as the memories flooded back to me. I remember Kurt and everything that happened. I remember Tyler being shot at and I pushed him out of the way to be shot. I then remembered Tyler beating the living hell out of Kurt. What I remembered the most was that my nightmare was over. I closed my as tears threatened to surface. They were tears of joy but I was tired of crying. Now I could be happy. I went to sit up and my stomach hurt. s**t, I forgot about the bullet passing through my stomach. I hissed as I moved more careful, now aware of my wound. Once I did, I looked down to see Tyler’s head on the bed as his body was slumped over in the chair. He must have stayed with me. I couldn’t help but smile. I reached over to him and ran my fingers through his hair. He jumped at this and was startled. I found it amusing as I smiled. He looked around than laid eyes on me. He looked to be in disbelief. I smiled at him. “Hey, cowboy. You look like hell.”

He smiled back at me, happily. Than jumped out of his chair as both of his hands were on both sides of my cheek and kissed me hard. I was taken aback and than the pain in my stomach hit me as I slightly moved back from the kiss. I broke the kiss as I winced at the pain and grabbed my stomach. Tyler looked at me concerned. “Oh, god, baby. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

I quickly cupped his cheek. “It’s okay, Tyler. Just reassure to know that I am still alive to feel pain. That I didn’t die and went to heaven.” Than as my hand still gripped my stomach, I remembered I was pregnant. “The baby? Is the baby okay?”

He smiled at me. “Yeah, they said as long as you pull through the baby should be fine. The bullet missed the baby. Thankfully.” I smiled at this as I was happy to hear this and gently moved my hand over my belly. I was so grateful to hear that our baby was okay. “Why didn’t you tell me, Angel? Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?”

I looked at him. I told him, truthfully, “I just found out the day before myself. Remember when I told you I needed to tell you something later.” He nodded. “That was what I was planning on telling you but than Kurt showed up.” Than my eyes widened. “And what about Kurt?”

He smiled at me. “In police custody. He is going away for a long time. I beat him up pretty bad. He was in the hospital last night but was released as he was okay and the police took him in. He won’t be bothering you or Cory ever again. I promise you.”

I smiled at this as I was happy. I quickly hugged him and held him tight. “I never thought I would see the day where I would really be free from him.”

We pulled away and Tyler looked nervously at me. “So, with him going away, will you stay? I mean I am worried now that he is going away for a long time that you will want to go home again or something.”

I took his hand. “There is nothing left for me in Tennessee. My home is where my heart belongs and it belongs to you. So, my home is here with you.” Than I cracked, “Plus, I sure as hell won’t be a single mom of two kids.” I smiled at him.

He laughed, lightly, as he nodded. “No worries, baby. That will never happen with me. I will be with you every step of the way. You will not have to do any of this alone again, I promise.”

I smiled at him as he smiled at me. He moved in and kissed me, softly. Yeah, my heart belonged to him and I didn’t have to run anymore. I was allowed to have a life now and I wanted that life with Tyler and my kids. The four of us, being a family and being together. I know Cory would be thrilled about staying and more thrilled to be a big brother. Our life was going to be perfect. I couldn’t wait for that.

A few hours passed and I was getting anxious. Tyler’s mom, Linda, was going to bring me my son. I needed to see him after what happened. I also would be meeting Tyler’s mom for the first time, I was nervous. I fidget with my fingers as I was nervous. Tyler took noticed. “Calm down, baby. They will be here shortly and my mom will love you. I know it. She saw you at the diner a few times and even admitted she thought you be perfect for me.”

I chuckled at this. “Yeah, and I put her only child in danger.”

“She knows I knew about it and was willing to go through it because I love you. She just wants me to be happy, Angel. She knows that you make me happy, she is happy for that. And she knows the danger is now gone, so don’t fret.”

I laughed at him using the word fret for some reason. Something I would figure his mother would say. Just then, the door opened and I saw an older woman with Cory. Cory laid eyes on me and they lit up. He rushed over to me as I held my arms out and almost jumped into my arms in happiness. I cringed as he hit my stomach. He quickly backed off. “I’m so sorry, mama. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Tyler moved his hands to Cory’s shoulder and said, “Take it easy on her, son. She will be sore for a while.”

“Stop that.” I told Tyler. I grabbed my son and held him tightly. “I don’t mind a little pain if I get to hug my boy.”

Cory wrapped his arms around me after hearing this. I think it made him feel better. He pulled away and looked at me, sadly. “Mama, I thought you were going to die. I thought you did die. I was so scared.”

“Shhh.” I quickly soothed my son and I cupped his cheek. “None of that. I am okay. Just need to heal and I will be fine. So, no more thinking about that, understand me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He said with a small smile.

I moved over on the bed and patted the area next to me. “Come on, baby. I want some cuddles.”

He smiled and climbed on the bed. He moved close to me as I moved my arms around him and held him closely. Just then, Tyler said as the older woman moved to me, “Angel, this is my mother, Linda. Mom, this is Angel.”

She gave me a sweet smile. “It is so good to meet you, Angel. Cory has been talking a lot about you. I would say my son has too but as I didn’t know about you till yesterday, I can’t say that. But what he did tell me, you sound wonderful. Especially with how much your son gushes about you. He sure does love his mama.”

I smiled back at her as I looked at my son. “I love this little boy too. He is my pride and joy.”

“It shows.” She smiled at me, sincerely. Than she asked, “So, how are you? I mean, the both of you?”

I widened my eyes and looked at Tyler in disbelief. “You told her?”

He shrugged as he looked guilty. “Sorry, I just kinda was in a bad place last night. I told you I told my mom everything and when I mean everything, I mean EVERYTHING.”

I sighed as I wasn’t pleased with him for telling his mom I was pregnant. But I guess I could understand it. He thought he would lose both of us. I looked over at Linda and gave her a small smile. “We are fine.” Than I looked at my son and said, “Well, guess since everyone else knows.” I looked over at Tyler. “We should tell Cory the big news.”

Cory looked at me, confused, than at Tyler. “What big news?”

Tyler smiled at him. “How would you like to be a big brother?”

He looked to be in disbelief. Than he looked up at me, than Tyler again. “You mean.” Then he looked at me. “You are going to have a baby?”

I nodded as I almost laughed. “Yes, baby. You are going to have a little brother or sister. How do you feel about that?”

“I think that would be awesome.” He smiled at me. Then he looked at me and Tyler both, back and forth. “Are we going to stay than? With Tyler?”

Tyler moved closer to him as he put a hand on Cory’s. “Yes, son. You both are going to stay with me. Nothing is going to split us up, I promise.”

He smiled happily. Than Linda asked, “Can we have a moment? Us girls?”

Tyler nodded and stood up. He held a hand out to Cory. “Come on, let’s go down to the cafeteria and find something to eat.”

Cory looked up at me as for permission. “Go on, baby.” I kissed the top of his head.

He jumped down and took Tyler’s hand as he walked out. I, now, looked over at Linda, nervously. I was expecting her to tell me how her son could do better. How I put him in danger so I was no good for him. She had every right. But her demeanor was warming. She moved over to the bed as she smiled. She sat next to me on the edge of the bed Cory once laid on. Without warning, she hugged me. I was thrown by it but I hugged her back. “Thank you.” She almost whispered. “You probably saved my son’s life. I am forever grateful for that.”

We pulled away and I looked at her confused. “But I put him in danger in the first place.”

She laughed, lightly, and she nodded. “That may be true, but one thing I learned about my son. He knows what he gets into and apparently he knew about your situation and was willing to stay with you. He knew what might happen. But he loves you so much, he was willing to outweigh the danger. You are a godsend, Angel.” She almost laughed. “Your name really does suit you.” I laughed at this as Tyler once said the same thing. “But after you did what you did, it shows me how much you love my son as well. You took a bullet for him. Not many women would do that for their man, but you did. That alone shows me what kind of woman you are. Yes, the danger may have followed you. But you didn’t deserve what you had to deal with as well. It wasn’t your fault that your ex husband was crazy. You were in a bad situation and got out of it. I am glad you did and my son wanted to protect you from it, that shows how much he loves you. But I wish you didn’t put your life at risk.” Than she put a gentle hand on my stomach. “Well your's and my grandchild’s life.”

“I didn't mean to. I just saw Kurt pointed that gun at Tyler and panicked. All I could think about was getting him out of the way. I didn’t necessarily mean to get shot. I just didn’t want him to get killed. I wouldn’t forgive myself if Tyler would have been hurt. I do love him. So much. I just wanted him to be okay after everything he has done for me and Cory.” I told her sincerely

“Well, everyone is okay now. That is what matters.” She smiled at me, sincerely. “I am glad my son has found you. I, honestly, thought no woman would catch my son’s eye and he would be alone for the rest of his life. But seeing him with you and Cory, I can tell he loves you both so much and I know he loves this little one already. He has what he has always deserved, a family. I am proud to have you in mine as well.”

I smiled at her as tears welled up as I was touched. “The only family I have had for so long is just Cory. I thought I would be okay with that. But now I have Tyler and this baby and now you. It’s all so much. But I'm glad to have a family now. People I can lean on.”

She hugged me again. “I am so happy that my son has found a woman like you, Angel. He deserves this. He deserves the life you are giving him and you seem like you deserve it too.”

I hugged her back as tears spilled. I had a family now and this, honestly, made me happy. I always dreamed of this. I thought I could have that with Kurt but he was cruel to me. Tyler wasn’t and he was giving me the life I always wanted. A man who loved me and my kid and our child that was growing inside me. I was truly happy as Tyler’s mother had accepted me too.