It turned out that the officer was speaking on his bluetooth to someone else. I had a whole mental breakdown at his words right there infront of everybody. One of the nurses tried to sedate me because I was in hysterics and needed treatment for my wounds as well. But I refused. I couldn't stay unconscious while Stefan was fighting for his life.

They treated my wounds once we reached at the hospital and now we are waiting for Stefan's operation to be over.

"He will be okay Jess", Leo holds my hand. "Don't worry. I know he will be okay."

"It was supposed to be me in there", I cry. "Not him. I want him to be okay Leo. I have to apologize so much to him. He was doing all these things to protect and I kept humiliating him."

"Hush now", he hugs me. "He will be fine. He loves you Jess and this is why you are not on the operating table right now."

I love him so much as well and to think that he is going through all that pain because of me hurts me badly. Once his operation is over, they shift him into a room but the doctor says that he is still too weak to wake up. He has a few wires on his body, linked to a few machines. There's a wide bandage just over the left side on his chest just where the bullet had hit him.

"The bullet had luckily nearly missed his heart", the doctor says as he checks Stefan's report card. "It will take time to heal but rest assure that he will be okay."

"Thank you so much doctor", Ciara says in a weak tone.

The doctor gives her a small nod with a gentle smile. "We just need him to wake up now so that depending on him we can assess how fast he will recover by the response to his treatment. Miss Cullen, tomorrow morning, do remember to change your dressing. You will have a nurse waiting for you at exactly eight."

"Thank you doctor", I utter, gratefully.

"Jess", Ciara calls out. "Will you like to change your clothes? I am going to see Liam. Mary had called. He is crying a lot."

"No Ciara", I look at Stefan. "I will stay with Stefan."

"You need to change Jess and you need some rest as well", Leo scolds me in a gentle tone. "Liam needs you as well. Just go with Ciara. I'll stay with Stef in the meantime."

"Jess, how about I bring your clothes here?", Ciara offers when she sees the reluctance on my face. "I'll make sure Liam sleeps before coming."

I don't think that I will be able to change here. Ever since the incidence at Stefan's place with Cara recording me, I have become extremely paranoid about my surrounding. I don't use any public places to change or even use any public restroom. Leo's and Ciara's place are my only comfort honestly.

"Just go home and change honey", Leo states, clearly understanding the turmoil going within me. "I promise to stay be his side and if anything happens, I'll call you immediately. It won't take too much time, I promise."

"No, it's okay", I say after taking a deep breathe. "It's okay Leo. I can change here. I don't want to leave him. You can bring my clothes here Ciara."

"Of course", she gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before leaving.

"I know you are paranoid about changing clothes in strange places Jess", Leo states. "Then why are you putting yourself through this?"

"Stefan took a bullet for me Leo", I cry and hold his hand while he breathes through the tubes. "The least I can do is stay by his side. And my paranoia is nothing compared to what he has done for me."

Leo wraps his arm around my shoulder and kisses my head. "He will be okay."

The doctor has said that it might take a few days for Stefan to open his eyes because he has lost too much blood and the injury is almost close to his heart. It's already been a while since Ciara has left and Leo is dozing on the spare sofa in the room. Poor man looks so tired and drained. Ana was right. I am indeed lucky to have Leo and Stefan.

I hear Liam's voice suddenly and turn to see him entering the room in Ciara's arms. He instantly starts crying as soon as he sees me.

"I missed you too baby", I take him into my arms, hugging his soft little body close to me for comfort.

"I had to bring him with me", Ciara states as she caresses his back while he clings to me. "He was crying too much."

"I'm glad you brought him", I thank her. "I needed him too. Thank you Ciara."

"Your clothes are in the bag and I brought food as well", she continues while looking around. "Leo must be hungry. Poor thing is already sleeping."

She walks towards him to wake him to eat while I keep hugging Liam. I have missed him so much. He literally has my whole heart and to think that I could have died without even holding him for a last time, has me crying silently.

"Dada", he cries while looking at his father.

"Dada is sleeping my love", I sniff and kiss his little head. "He is tired."

"Let me take him so that you can change your clothes", Ciara offers to take him but he starts crying again. He wraps his little arms more tightly around my neck.

"It's okay", I pat his back. "I'll keep him with me."

I take the bag of clothes and enter the washroom with Liam. Atleast, with him being with me, I can get a little comfort. My mind will remain distracted from the paranoia of being watched. I make him sit over the counter.

"Sit here for a while for me okay", I drop another kiss on his head to assure him that I am right here with him.

"Mama", he claps his little hand and my heart soars at his word.

"I love you", I kiss him again and he laughs.

I change my clothes quickly, trying not dwell on my fear and honestly with Liam speaking in his own language to me, I don't think much about anything else apart from the fact that he is speaking to me. When I'm done, I pick him up and return in the room to see Leo still sleeping.

"He is too tired to even eat", Ciara claims and looks at him with pity.

"He sure is", I murmur and take a seat besides Stefan's bed.

Liam lays quietly on my chest while looking at his father and just like that we all spend the night together, waiting for Stefan to open his eyes.

It's already been two days since Stefan's operation. The news of him being shot is all over the papers and news along with Ana and Cara being the main culprits. Esme was in hysterics when Ciara called her. She was ready to leave her cruise trip immediately when she heard the news but upon speaking with the doctor, she felt some relief and will be here in a few days.

While time is going by, I am just waiting for Stefan to wake up. I miss his blue eyes terribly. This has been the longest two days of my life. Ciara and Leo has taken Liam for a walk while I stay back. With the painkillers that the nurses has been giving me, I feel drowsy all the time. This time, I decide to just lay my head beside Stefan's hand and take a little nap.

A while later, my eyes flutter open when I feel a hand caressing my head. I lift my head gently from the bed, afraid that I am probably dreaming and look at the warmest blue gaze.

"Hey beautiful", he smiles weakly.

"Stefan", I hold his hand quickly. "You're up. How are you feeling? I'm going to call the doctor"

Before I can get up, he gives my hand a tug and tries to pull me closer to him.

"I love you", he confesses softly.

"I know", I murmur and lean my forehead against his.

"Isn't this the part where you tell you love me too?", he states with a little grin.

"I love you too Stefan", I declare and start crying again. "I was so scared when I saw...."

"Hey", he cups my cheek and urges me to look at him. "I'm okay. Please stop crying now. I can't see you like this. Everything is going to be okay. I'm not going to let you out of my sight now."

I press a gentle kiss on his lips and he almost sighs with delight. "I have missed this too much. How many days was I out?"

"Two days"

"It's been approximately ten thousand and eighty minutes since I have last kissed you", he states with a small frown. "I need more."

"You have been counting", I say, appalled.

"I have been counting every seconds you have been away from me", he claims while stroking my cheek softly. "All those days were like hell for me and now I am not letting go anywhere Jess."

"I won't go anywhere", I promise him with another kiss.

With reluctance, he lets me go to inform the doctor that he is already up. Once I informed him, we return back in the room, and his eyes literally light up like a little puppy when he sees me.

"How are you feeling Stefan?", the doctor asks him while checking his pulse.

"Perfectly fine", he states and turns his gaze towards me. "When can I go home?"

I blush for no reason when the doctor gives me a grin. He looks back at Stefan after checking his reports.

"Not yet, I'm afraid", he says in a serious tone. "Because it's your heart, we have to be really cautious in case the wound gets an infection but for now, we can remove the breathing tube. Do you feel like you are able to breathe properly?"

"Yes", comes his distant answer. He does not looks too happy about staying in the hospital.

"Great", the doctor smiles brightly. "I'll inform Esme about your health. She has been asking for a report almost every hour. It's time for your dressing as well."

The doctor proceeds to remove the breathing tube. Once he is done he inclines his bed and, he starts cleaning his wound. Stefan's eyes remain on me the whole time. Once the doctor is completely done, he signals me to come closer to him.

"Come here"

My feet on its own carry me closer to him and I sit beside him on the bed. He tugs me closer again and wraps his right arm around me. He can't move his left arm too much yet because of the injury.

"I have missed hugging you", he murmurs. "Missed feeling you by my side."

"I have missed you too Stefan", I say slowly. "I really thought you didn't loved me because I was not good enough...."

"I'm sorry Jess", he apologizes. "I'm really sorry. I was being the biggest jerk to you. I thought about telling you but couldn't risked it. If Cara would have had even got the inkling that you knew, she would have done something instantly to jeopardize everything."

"She still hurt you", I point out.

"As long as it's me lying on this hospital bed and not you, I don't care", he states firmly. "All I know is that I can't let anything happen to you. Because you are my whole world Jess and I can't live without you. To be honest, I am the one who is not good enough to be with you. I have always made you cry in some ways and for that I am extremely sorry."

"I love you", I murmur against his shoulder while crying silently. "I have always loved you."

He makes me look at him and wipes my tears away. "No more tears my love"

I cup his face into my hands and kiss him to which he reciprocates almost instantly. He weaves his fingers into my hair and pulls me even closer to him. I try to pour all the love and desperation I feel for him in our kiss and he returns it equally.

"Wasn't this man just dying?", I hear Leo's voice from the entrance.

"He just had to ruin our kiss", Stefan murmurs against my mouth.

"Hello to you too Black", he saunters in the room with Liam in his arms.

"Dada", Liam exclaims happily and lifts his arms towards his father.

"This little guy missed you", Leo adds as he approaches the bed for him to take Liam. He places him carefully besides Stefan on the bed.

"I miss you too baby", Stefan hugs his baby to his chest and smiles at me.

"Let me call Ciara to tell her that you are awake", Leo removes his mobile and goes outside after giving me a wink.

Leo might acts as if he can't stand Stefan but these past two days, he stayed by his side. When I would take a rest, he would sit by his side and I even heard him praying for him as well.

"How are the wounds?", Stefan questions and takes my hand to inspect the back of it where Ana had pressed her pointy heel.

"I'm totally okay Stefan", I assure him when he checks my neck. "You were the one who got shot."

"Stefan", Ciara bursts into the room and almost throws herself on her brother while crying.

"You scared me so much", she weeps in his arms.

"I'm perfectly okay C", Stefan consoles her affectionately by rubbing her back.

"You better be okay big brother", she sniffs. "I can't do shit without you by my side."

"I'm fine now", he chuckles. "I promise. Can you stop crying now? Please?"

"Dada", Liam shrills and holding his arm, he tries to stand on the bed but after few seconds, his podgy legs give up on him.

"Jess", Stefan gushes out in awe. "Did you see that? He is trying to stand up."

"He has been trying to stand up since yesterday", I pick Liam and stand up when he tries to pull his bandage from his chest. "I bet he will start walking soon, won't you baby?"

Liam laughs in responce when I kiss him. He lifts his arms towards his daddy again with trembling lips. Well, that's a first. This is the first he is trying to go to him while I'm holding him. Stefan gives me a look and extends his arm for his son.

"I think he just wants to comfort his daddy because he is hurt", Leo explains while sipping his coffee. "He saw him sleeping for two whole days. That will explains why he wants his father. Liam, an empath senses that he is in pain. He is just like me."

Aww poor little boy. He has missed his father a lot. No wonder he lays quietly in his arms. He looks at me and raises his left arm in my direction. His innocent baby blue eyes tugs at my heart instantly. He wants me to hold his little hand.

"Mama"

Stefan gives me a smile and his eyes twinkles when I take Liam's chubby hand and kiss it. His gaze holds a certain promise for me. For us.

"Well it's time for us to leave Ciara", Leo gets up and smirks. "The air is too thick. I can almost feel the tension."

"Leo!", I scold him while my face heats up.

"Should I take Liam with us so that the two of you can slowly catch up with your love declarations? Both of you need it anyways", Ciara laughs as she wiggles her brows at me and Stefan.

"Not you too Ciara", I murmur. "And no. Liam will stay with us. I'll let you know when he's ready to go."

"Okay darling", she picks her bag. "I'm going to call mom, Stef. She has been so worried about you. Her plane lands tomorrow."

"Did she canceled her trip?", Stefan questions.

"Yes. The moment, she got to know about Cara and you being shot, she booked her tickets. Can't blame her. She's our mother."

"She didn't need to return back", he sighs with guilt. "She was excited about this cruise trips with Rob."

"Just tell her to go back when you meet her tomorrow bro", Ciara utters.

"As if she will go back", he huffs. "She won't stop treating me like a baby now."

"That's our dearest mother for you", she smiles. "I'll return later with food. Take care."

"I'll feel so bad", Stefan sighs afterwards after they have left. I take a seat on the edge of the bed, facing him.

"Why?"

"I ruined their time together", he elaborates with a small frown. "She was so happy for this trip with Rob and now because of me, she left. I just want to see her happy."

"It's not your fault Stef", I hold his hand.  "She is your mom and Esme loves you to death. Of course she will leave everything for you. You are her only son and she cares immensely for you."

"You know after my father cheated on her, she got so depressed", he is still frowning a little bit. "She was so heartbroken and then when she met Rob, it was as if she got a second chance to live her life like she had always dreamed. And with you, I can now understand how she had always wanted a life full of love which my father couldn't gave her. It's such a shame that she had to leave her trip for me."

My heart jumps with happiness when he says a life full of love. Honestly, I can't even think about my future without him or Liam and I pray he feels the same for me. I am willing to stay forever with them if they are willing to have me.

"Everything's going to be okay", I give his hand a gentle squeeze. "Next time, Esme goes on a romantic trip with Rob, she won't have to rush back because I will always stay with you."

"I am not letting you leave this time Jess", he declares and links our hands together.

"I am not even going anywhere", I claim sweetly and kiss him. My heart could burst with joy at this moment.

"I can't wait to go back home with you two", his gaze drops on Liam, who has already fallen asleep on his arm. His face softens with affection for his son.

"I love it when he calls you mama", he claims slowly and looks at me with adorating shining in his eyes.

I remain silent while trying not to blush again but truth to be told, I still feel hesitant whenever Liam calls me mama because of what he had said last time. I never respond when he calls me mama.

What if, in the future he says that I am not this mother again? It already hurts that he is not mine and because of last time, I am actually scared of him, telling this on my face again.

"Are you okay?", he questions, with concern. "You look lost."

"Yeah. I'm fine", I smile weakly and get up. "Let me take Liam. You need to rest now. The doctor said not to exert yourself. I'll place him beside you."

He keeps his gaze on me intensely as if trying to figure out my thoughts while I place Liam next to him.

"I'll let the doctor know that it's time for your medication", I say and leave the room.

Once the doctor gives Stefan his medications and another shot, he falls asleep almost immediately. Feeling tired myself, I place my head above Liam's head and close my eyes for a little while.

"What do you mean that they are not getting a lifetime in prison?!", I heard Stefan's voice snapping which causes me to wake up.

I rub my eyes to wipe away the remaining sleep away and wince when I feel a slight pain in my neck.

"Listen Officer", Stefan says on his phone in a warning tone. "I am willing to drag this case until the three of them pays for their mistakes as long as they are alive. I want maximum jail time for them."

"My laywer will contact you for further information about that", he continues in a hard tone while I look around. Where is Liam? I start panicking.

"Ciara took him home", he says to me after cutting the call. "I called her yesterday night."

"I slept through the entire night!", I gasp while rubbing my neck. No wonder my neck hurts.

"I couldn't moved you on the bed", he elaborates in an apologetic tone. "I tried to move my arm but couldn't and you looked so tired, I couldn't wake you up."

"Stefan", I exclaim with wide eyes. "You shouldn't be moving your left arm in this state. What were you thinking? Does it hurts? Should I call the doctor for you?"

"Calm down Jess", he tries to make me sit down again. "I am fine. I just wanted you to sleep comfortably. Ciara mentioned that you have been staying with me every night since I got here. You need to go home and rest. You are wearing yourself out sweetheart. I don't want you getting sick."

"I won't", I assure him confidently. "I'm not leaving your side until you get better."

"Come here", he proceeds to give a hug which I return happily. "I love you."

"I love you too"

"Jess", he murmurs after a while in a low voice. "Ciara also told me that you are having trouble using washroom unless it's not Leo's place yet you are doing it here for