Wallace Henedy was going to live. He’d stand trial and would confess all his sins. There would be damage, but the bullet had slid beneath his jaw and out his cheek.
Izzie’s uncle had tackled him at the very last second, knocking his hand enough to deflect the bullet.
Allen had stabilized him and then passed him off the already-waiting surgical team, headed by Dr. Macomber.
Now, it was time for him to find Izzie.
He didn’t hesitate.
Jake had taken her down to the ER to be checked out again.
The bullet had passed through Henedy’s jaw and grazed Izzie’s shoulder to lodge in the wall directly behind her.
It had come so close. Allen’s distraction had allowed Jake to come in right as Henedy was aiming.
He found her in the ER, being fussed over by Wanda and Nikkie Jean.
Stockton stood back apart, watching, with a pale expression on a face very similar to Izzie’s.
She saw Allen and stood.
She swayed a little. Shock was going to take hold soon.
She’d already had nightmares about being trapped by Wallace Henedy. Now, she’d had to experience it all over again.
Allen pushed his way through the crowd, his eyes on hers.
She called his name, a breathless gasp at the end.
People got out of his way.
A good thing as Allen had no intention of stopping.
Then he was right in front of her. Where he wanted to be.
“I get it now,” Allen said scooping her into his arms. He didn’t give a damn who saw them now. He’d almost lost his world today. He wasn’t ever letting her go again.
“What?” Her arms slid around his neck. Like they had so many times before. Perfect. Right. He kissed her. Hard. Then pulled back so Izzie could breathe.
“What my fate is.”
She looked at him, a question on her pretty face. “And?”
“I finally figured things out. In another life…you and I were fated to be together, Izadora MacNamara. I don’t know what happened then, but maybe this is our chance to do it right. Maybe we messed it up and this is our second chance. Or maybe we’re destined for each other, and this is how it’s going to work in this lifetime.”
Izzie looked at him. “You’re not making much sense.”
“I’m making perfect sense,” he whispered next to her ear. Just because he wanted to, in spite of everyone around them, he brushed his lips over the sensitive spot beneath her left ear. “I’m fated to be with you. That’s exactly what I want to be.”
She pressed even closer. She looked up at him, her eyes wet with tears. “I want a family. A big one.”
He thought her whispered words were perfect. “I’m ready to start right now.”
She laughed, the tiny bit of a wheeze in the sound. Stress was causing it to flare. He’d get her taken care of, then he’d take her back to his place. Where they’d decide their future, together.
Allen would take care of her. Forever.
Nothing sounded more perfect to her. She’d realized exactly how she felt about him the instant he’d been shot alongside a Brownsville highway. Today had cemented everything for her. “I’m ready and willing. As soon as we check on Shelby and get out of here.”
“Come home with me. Move in with me. We’ll find a house together.”
“Already making plans?” She loved his take charge attitude now. His way of wanting to protect those he loved by making things happen for them.
“Wishes. I don’t ever want to be apart from you again.”
He lifted her. She knew what he wanted.
Izzie kissed him again, as she heard the sounds of the ER erupting around them.
Nikkie Jean let out a whoop, there was clapping and laughing.
Annie was there somehow. When Izzie pulled back to breathe again, Nikkie Jean, Annie and Fin were right there, all dressed in FCGH scrubs, arms linked, and watching her and Allen like they were the main attraction.
Which she supposed they were.
It had never felt more perfect.
She tightened her arms around his neck.
Izzie wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him. Right where they stood.
Until her uncle tapped her on the shoulder and she looked into eyes as dark as her own.
“Come up for air, you two. The TSP has questions.” He was scowling. He’d heard every word Allen had said.
Izzie suspected the entire ER had heard what Allen had said.
She didn’t care at all. Allen was hers. Time everyone knew that.
Allen shot her a wicked grin, then turned to her uncle. “Sorry, Uncle Jake. We have a future to plan.”
Izzie laughed again at the look on Jake’s face, as her arms tightened around Allen. She couldn’t wait.
She never had to be alone again.