The Hostage - Page 20/28

I shook my head and my hair fell in front of my face. He gently tucked it behind my ear and I couldn't help but smile. "That right now, right here, we are together. Nothing and no one else matters it's just you and me," he said softly.

"Right now, I couldn't be happier."

"Me either." He hugged me tightly and I gently kissed him.

"I'm sorry for bringing that up on our anniversary."

"Don't be sorry. You know you can tell me anything, it's good to get that off your chest, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it really is."

"Good." He kissed me softly.

He had been right. Nothing could tear us apart, and now we were here together.

I looked up to see Keith's eyes slowly open and I smiled.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said.

"Hey, babe." I said as fresh tears spilled over. Tears of relief. He was okay, he was safe.

"Mandy." He lifted his hand up and wiped the tears away with his thumb. "I'm okay."

I nodded. "It's just . . . I can't believe that . . . I almost lost you."

Tears brimmed up in his eyes. "I almost lost you too, but it's going to be all right. I love you, Mandy."

I kissed his palm. "I love you too, Keith, so much. "

He coughed. "Could you get me that water over there, baby?" He asked.

I got up, picked up the pitcher of ice water and poured a glass. I handed it to him and then helped him tilt up his head as he sipped it slowly.

"Thanks."

I set the water down on the table by the bed, and then I sat back down "Anytime, I'm just glad you're okay. Y'know you scared the hell out of me, I was so worried ... I've never been that scared. I fell apart, and I didn't know what to do, I was a wreck . . . I knew I couldn't go on without you and I kept hoping it would all be okay. Then I saw the tape--"

"You saw the tape?" I nodded. He stroked my cheek. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be, it just killed me to see you in so much pain. There was nothing I could do until I convinced James to let me go to get you and I promised that if it was the last thing I did, I'd get you out of there." I paused remembering the gun pointed at him. I looked down. "But, I was almost too late."