“You make me happy, Jo,” Christina’s lips were no longer moving, but her voice was strong in Jolene’s mind, “You’re the only thing in my life that makes me truly happy. You can’t leave me like this.”

  Jolene gasped, her vision beginning to dim as the pain struck again. She reached out, cupping Christina’s cheek in her hand as her body began to tingle uncomfortably.

  “I won’t leave you, Christie,” she choked, the coppery taste of blood bold on her tongue, “I’ll make you happy again, baby. Whatever it takes, I won’t let you down.”

  She gently pulled Christina toward her, needing to feel her wife’s lips against her own. Just as their mouths met, a searing pain coursed through her body, obliterating all remnants of coherent thought as she plunged into total darkness.

  ***

  “Oh, God,” Christina muttered under her breath as Marcy tried to pull the car in front of the Dallas Hospital’s Emergency Room entrance.

  “This is going to be a shit-show,” Joseph agreed, his eyes roaming over the crowded street, “How did they all get here so fast?”

  Marcy kept her eyes peeled, looking for a place to park. “Some of them were at the scene,” she said, “it was all over the news by the time I got the call.”

  Christina slid her hand across the seat, locking her fingers with Joseph’s. A car pulled out of a spot across from the ER, and Marcy hustled to claim it. As the trio stepped out of the car, they stopped and stared at the crowd.

  Reporters, cameramen, and news vans surrounded the entrance to the hospital. The police had set up a perimeter, preventing the news crews from fully blocking the doors, but that didn’t stop the reporters from trying to get past.

  “How are we going to get through to the door?” Christina asked as she eyed the several burly officers standing guard.

  “Just follow me,” Marcy said. She stepped forward, leading the way toward the closest officer on the perimeter.

  Joseph and Christina continued to hold hands as they followed their friend. Each was doing their best to offer comfort to the other, while trying not to let their own anxiety and fear overwhelm them.

  “Excuse me, Sir,” Marcy said as they reached the officer, “These two are here to see their siblings. They were brought in after the bombing.”

  “Who are your siblings?” The officer asked politely. He pulled out a notepad and pen, and looked expectantly at Christina and Joseph.

  “Officers Christian and Jolene Preston,” Joseph supplied quickly.

  “You’re here for the officer that was killed?” asked a loud male voice from behind them.

  Christina’s heart dropped into her feet as she, Marcy, and Joseph whirled around. “What?” she squeaked.

  “Gary Franco,” the man introduced himself as he turned his back to them to face his cameraman, “I’m here with the family of Officer Jolene Preston. Tell me,” he said as he pivoted to face Christina and Joseph, sticking a microphone in front of them, “How does it make you feel that your sister has become the latest victim of the cop car bomber?”

  Christina looked at Joseph as the color drained from her face. Marcy, who was standing behind the pair, moved quickly and managed to catch her as she fell. The officer behind them moved forward and pushed the reporter back, commanding him to stop talking.

  “Officer Preston was on loan from the Marilynn PD,” the reporter continued, not wanting to lose his chance for an exclusive, “Why would Marilynn send a lesbian officer to a place where they are being targeted?”

  “Hey!” Joseph barked, catching the attention of other reporters who were scrambling to record the scene, “How dare you make assumptions about my sister!”

  In the blink of an eye, Joseph curled his fist and planted it right in the middle of Gary Franco’s perfectly straight nose. Gasps and shouts of surprise rippled through the gathered crowd, and Joseph distinctly heard the officer snort in amusement.

  “He assaulted me!” Gary cried, cupping his hand over his nose as blood poured through his fingers, “I want to press charges.”

  Another officer rushed over to help with Christina, and ushered Marcy and Joseph toward the door. “File a report,” the first officer said, reclaiming his spot and crossing his arms over his chest.

  Inside the ER waiting room, the officer helped Christina ease into a chair. “I’m Officer Tristan Jennings,” he introduced, “I work with Chris and Jo in Marilynn. Don’t listen to Gary Franco. He’s an asshole, and was just trying to rile you up. Last I heard, Jo was still alive.”

  “What happened?” Christina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Officer Jennings cast his eyes around the room to be certain they wouldn’t be overheard. With the chaos around them, he was certain no one would be paying them any attention. Marcy excused herself to the triage desk to inform them of Christina and Joseph’s presence.

  “From what I know, Donna and Jo were getting into their car when Jo said she heard a noise. She looked under the car, trying to figure out what it was, and saw the bomb. She made Donna get back, but didn’t manage to get out of the way before the bomb went off.”

  Tristan grimaced as Christina dissolved into tears.

  “How was Chris involved?” Joseph asked, his eyes narrowed in confusion, “I thought he was partnered with someone else.”

  “He was,” Tristan nodded, “He had just pulled up and called out to Jo when the bomb went off.”

  “Where is he?” Joseph asked, his voice tight as he fought back the tears, “Is he alright?”

  Tristan ran a hand through his hair and offered Joseph and encouraging smile. “I think so,” he said, “I don’t think his injuries were all that severe. He was bleeding from the head when I got on scene, but he was also refusing to be looked at. He kept fighting with the medics to let him go so he could find Jo.”

  Joseph smiled and wiped the tears from his eyes. “That sounds like Chris,” he said, “He loves her. How bad is she?” he added, his face darkening.

  He wrapped his arm around Christina’s shoulders and pulled her close. He knew she was scared, and wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone.

  “That’s a hard question to answer,” Tristan said sadly. “We think the blast slammed her into the car next to theirs. She went over the trunk, and landed on the other side. The skybridge between the department and the jail collapsed, and a lot of it landed on top of her. Haliburton tried to keep her talking while the fire crew got her out, but something happened and some of the rubble collapsed.”

  Tristan paused and sucked in a breath as he fought back his own tears. He’d been friends with Jolene and Christian for several years, and having to recount what he’d seen of his friend was causing him physical pain. Christina’s eyes widened, and her hand flew to her mouth.

  “When they finally got her out, she was in bad shape. There was blood everywhere, and she was unconscious. They had to put her on the gurney on her stomach, because there was a piece of steel sticking out of the back of her thigh. One of the medics said she didn’t have a pulse, but then she sucked in a breath and screamed. She was out again before she stopped screaming, and the medics rushed her here.”

  Joseph drew Christina into his arms and held her as they sobbed. Tristan bowed his head, not wanting to intrude on their pain. For several moments, Joseph and Christina cried in each other’s arms, until a thought occurred to Joseph.

  “Officer Jennings,” he hiccupped, “has anyone notified our parents?”

  “Yes,” Tristan said, meeting Joseph’s swollen, red eyes, “Tony called both sets. Your parents were in Portland, and are on their way. Chris’ parents should be here anytime.”

  As if summoned by the mere mention, Robert and Shirley Hess strolled through the doors of the Emergency Room.

  “Christina!” Shirley cried, rushing to her daughter’s side, “They told us Christian was hurt. How bad is he hurt?”

  Tristan stood and stepped aside to allow the family some privacy. Robert took Joseph’s hand and pulled him into an embrace. “What do you know, so far?” he asked, his voice shaking.

  “Nothing yet,” Joseph sniffed, “Marcy is letting them know we’re here, but we haven’t spoken to anyone. Officer Jennings said that Chris isn’t severely injured.”

  “Oh,” Shirley said, a smile of relief washing over her, “that’s wonderful news! If he’s alright, why do you look so devastated?”

  Christina and Joseph dissolved into tears, just as Marcy reached their group. “I let them know you’re here,” she said softly, “Someone will be out to take you back to see Chris, but the lady said she didn’t have any information about Jo. I have to go,” she added, placing a comforting hand on Christina’s shoulder, “Please call me when you know something.”

  Joseph and Christina moved to hug their friend. With a sad wave, Marcy excused herself and left the hospital.

  “What did she mean about Jo?” Robert asked, turning to look at his daughter with inquisitive apprehension.

  Christina sucked in a deep breath and fought against the tears that wanted to fall. “It,” she started, swallowing back the bile that began to rise, “It was Jo’s car that blew up.”

  Shirley gasped and reached for her husband. Robert gathered his wife into his arms and cursed under his breath. He and Shirley adored their daughter-in-law. They’d fallen in love with the redhead from the first day they met her.

  It wasn’t hard for the older couple to see the love Jo had for Christina, and it had come as no surprise to them when the young officer got down on one knee at Easter dinner and asked for Christina’s hand in marriage.

  “Has anyone called Beth and Frank?” Robert asked thickly.

  Joseph nodded. “Tony called them. They’re on their way from Portland now.”

  “For Christian Preston?” a woman’s voice called into the waiting room.

  “You guys go,” Joseph said, motioning for Christina and her parents to join the nurse, “I’ll wait for Mom and Dad.”

  “No,” Christina said, shaking her head as she swiped away the tears still leaking down her cheeks, “I’ll stay and wait for them.”

  Joseph hugged his sister-in-law tightly. “No, Christie. He’s your brother. I’ll come see him once my parents get here.”

  Christina glowered and pushed out of Joseph’s arms. “He’s your husband, dammit,” she said angrily, “He’ll be happier to see you. I love my brother, Joe, but I’m not leaving this waiting room until I know what’s going on with my wife.”

  ***

  “Hi, Baby,” Joseph bent and brushed his lips over Christian’s, “How are you feeling?”

  Christian groaned and tilted his head from side to side, trying to work out the persistent kink in his neck. “Like I’ve been blown up,” he grumbled.

  Despite the seriousness of the situation, Robert, Shirley, and Joseph chuckled. The elder couple had already greeted their oldest son, and were now sitting in the two plastic chairs beside the bed. Joseph eyed his husband, taking stock of the man’s visible injuries.

  A thick white bandage covered most of Christian’s forehead above his left eye. His right arm was securely wrapped in a heavy splint and strapped to his chest with an immobilizer. The unflattering hospital gown he wore was open in the back, revealing multiple white bandages.

  “It’s not nearly as bad as it looks, Honey,” Christian said, noticing the scrutiny, “A broken wrist, a cut on my head, some road rash on my back and ass, and a concussion. Other than that, I am fine.”

  Joseph smiled and sighed with relief. Seeing that the love of his life was really okay soothed some of the anxiety threatening to cripple him.

  “Any news on Jo?” Christian asked, reaching for Joseph with his good hand.

  Joseph shook his head sadly. “Christie is waiting to find out. I tried to get her to come see you first, but she is adamant that she isn’t leaving the waiting room.”

  “I would have done the same,” Christian said, smiling fondly at the thought of his little sister’s determination.

  “I tried to get to her,” he said, his eyes filling as his mind replayed the scene, “After the blast, I tried to find her. The skybridge was crumbling and falling everywhere. I yelled for her, but she didn’t answer.”

  “I made sure Donna was okay, and asked if she saw where Jo went. She was screaming so loud. Then the sirens were wailing, and there were people everywhere, and someone grabbed me by the shoulders and put me in an ambulance. I’m so sorry, Joe.” Christian dropped his head as the tears flowed.

  “Baby,” Joseph said, lifting his husband’s chin, “You have nothing to be sorry for. None of this is your fault, Chris. Jo’s a redhead; she’s too stubborn to die. She’ll fight through it,” he added optimistically.

  Please fight through it, Jo. I can’t lose my twin like this. Come back to us, please.

  ***

  “She’s crashing!”

  Jolene looked around for the voice. She’d heard it a few times already, but she couldn’t find the man it belonged to.

  “Come on, Jolene. Let’s fly!”

  Jolene’s head whipped around, and she stared curiously at the young red haired little boy in front of her. The boy reached out and grabbed her left hand, tugging her through the lush grass toward a tall tree with a tire hanging from it.

  Jolene looked at her hand, and was surprised to see that it was not her own. Instead of seeing a grown woman’s hand, the hand the boy held belonged to a little girl. Had it not been for the wedding ring still on the ring finger, she wouldn’t have recognized the appendage.

  “I wanna go first, this time,” the little boy said, whipping his black cape behind him as he let go of her hand.

  “No, Joseph,” she heard herself say, “I’m the girl. I get to go first. Daddy always says, ‘Ladies first’.”

  “You’re not a lady,” Joseph replied with a snort, “you’re a girl. You gotta have boobies before you get to be a lady.”

  Jolene felt her little mouth drop open. Of their own accord, her little hands fisted on her hips and she stomped her foot. “I’m telling Mommy you said boobies.”

  Joseph looked at her in disgust. “Fine,” he pouted, crossing his arms over his chest, “you can go first.”

  Jolene’s face split into a triumphant grin as she swished her own black cape. She took several steps backward, before sprinting forward and leaping off the ground. She held her arms out in front of her as her little body went through the hole in the tire, and cried out with glee as her hips stopped her from going clean through the tire.

  “I’m Batman!” she yelled happily as the tire swing moved back and forth.

  Joseph grumbled under his breath and plopped down on the grass to await his turn. Jolene always hogged the tire swing. “More like Batbrat,” he muttered.

  Jolene giggled and laughed, enjoying the rush of air as the swing pulled her back and pushed her forward. “I wanna fly airplanes when I grow up,” she declared.

  She closed her eyes and envisioned herself flying through the air, looking down at the miniscule cityscapes below her. She was so caught up in her daydream, that she didn’t feel the small lurch as the swing pushed her forward.

  “Jolene!”

  Jolene opened her eyes at the sound of her brother’s frightened cry, just in time to see the ground rushing toward her. Without time to react, Jolene’s arms took the brunt of the fall, and she felt the sharp jolt of pain as her right arm fractured.

  “Mommy! Jolene’s hurt!” Joseph screamed as he rushed to his sister’s side.

  “Joseph, my arm hurts,” Jolene sobbed, clutching her arm to her chest.

  “Mommy’s coming, Sissy.” Joseph tried to comfort his twin, stroking her hair as their mother came running across the yard with her phone to her ear.

  “I’m gonna have to go to the hospital, Joseph,” Jolene looked up into her brother’s face with fear filled eyes, “I’m scared of the hospital.”

  “Don’t worry, Jolene,” Joseph soothed, “The doctor will make your arm better. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

  “Will you come with me?” Jolene asked as their mother dropped to her knees and spoke to the 9-1-1 operator.

  Please fight through it, Jo. I can’t lose my twin like this. Come back to us, please.

  Jolene frowned at stared intently into her brother’s eyes. She recognized the deep, masculine voice, but she hadn’t seen little Joseph’s lips move.

  “Dammit, we’re losing her!”

  This time, the disembodied voice sounded frantic. Before her mind could register what was going on, a searing, blinding pain tore through Jolene. She tried to scream, tried to reach for Joseph, but her whole body stiffened as a second wave of pain blasted through her.

  “Joseph!” her mind screamed, “Joseph, I need you. It hurts so much! Make them stop!”

  ***

  “For Jolene Preston?”

  “Right here,” Christina said, bolting from her chair. She was followed quickly by her family and several of Jolene’s fellow officers.

  The past twenty-one hours had brought waves of Jolene’s brothers and sisters in blue, each hoping against hope that they wouldn’t be attending another funeral. Lieutenants Tony Monroe and Leonard Dale were present, as were every available member of Dallas and Marilynn PD.

  The officers had spent their time fending off the persistent reporters still camped outside the ER, rotating every couple of hours.

  “I’m sorry,” the doctor said apologetically to the crowd, “but I need to speak privately with Officer Preston’s immediate family.”

  “Is she alive?” several of the officer’s called out.

  “I’m sorry,” the doctor repeated, “I really can’t give out any information, without the patient’s consent.”

  Groans and grunts of disapproval filled the waiting room, but the officers relented and gave the family their space.

  “Are you all family members?” the doctor asked, eyeing the seven people who remained.

  “Yes,” Christina confirmed. “Please,” she pleaded, nearly choking on the lump in her throat, “Is my wife alive?”

  “Come with me, please,” the doctor said, swiping his badge across the restricted access plate that led deeper into the bowels of the Emergency Department.