Best Defense

Everything's Fine.

I've felt what it's like to be so close to death. But still everything that happens in the process still feels very scary. When everything in you seems to overflow, then everything you've experienced in your entire life, will come back in one short flash in your mind, before you completely lose consciousness.

But there is one moment I remember more than any other. One face. Someone I love the most. Even if all my memories meld into one, I will never forget that face. Forever.

"What are you doing?"

I turned my head and saw her step into the treatment room I was in. He took off his jacket and hung it on the standhanger on the side of the door. Granules of rainwater dripped from his black hair. She smiled so sweetly at me, and spontaneously my lips curled upwards without my control.

Some people say a smile is contagious, but I think in this case I'm just happy.

"He kept reading the news of the shooting." I heard my mother's voice commenting from her chair across the room.

"really? You need to get plenty of rest, as the doctor says."

I chuckle softly. "Is it raining? Your hair's wet, your jacket's too." I put the newspaper in my hand on the nightstand, tried to shift and turn my body to face it, but the instant the piercing pain quickly spread across my back, leaving me closed and grimacing.

"You can talk, baby. I'll help you." I felt his strong hand holding my arm. He swiftly sucked one of his hands behind my knee, then lifted my body, and laid me carefully facing towards him.

I smiled at him. "Thank you."

"You know? You should rest, Franda." Sean shook his head, yet a smile still appeared at the corner of his lips. "You're really stubborn." He rubbed the side of my face, inserting a pinch of hair that dangled behind my ears.

"Yes, I hope you can tell him. Very stubborn." My mother grumbled again. Slowly there was the sound of the chair shifting and his steps walked out. "Mommy will have lunch with Ed."

Sean nodded. "Yes, mom." he muttered as he looked at my mother and disappeared behind the door before turning to look at me again. "What did I tell you about a complete break, Franda?"

I smiled and faintly laughed out of my mouth. "I'm fine, Warner." I grabbed her hand from my face and carried her into my arms. "You know? I guess I could be the female version of James Bond, wouldn't that be cool?" I played my eyebrows at him.

He frowned. "Stop joking. That's not funny at all. You and my son are almost dead, Franda." Sean shook his head. "I can't see anything cool from there."

I shifted a little so he could get on the bed and sit next to me. "Hey, relax, we're fine now. There's nothing to worry about." I pointed her hand at my flat stomach. "He's a strong boy, just like you." I said in a carefree tone.

He snorted softly, leaning on the headbed while wrapping his arms around my waist, trying not to touch my injured back. Then he carefully pulled me closer, leaning my body on him. "I really don't want to argue with you, Franda."

"Then you should calm down." I murmured as I stuck the tip of my finger on the edge of his shirt arm. I didn't hear anything for a while until his voice broke the silence again.

"You know, these last few days have felt like hell to me, seeing your condition and everything." her words suddenly came to a halt. "I can't face that reality, Franda. Please don't do anything like that to me again. Whatever happens to you will hurt me too, have you ever thought that far? How would I live my life if something happened to you?"

"I don't think I can refute it," I murmured softly as I hugged her tighter. "Because in this case we have the same mind."

I felt him nod when his chin touched my head. "Good, then after getting out of the hospital, you're not going anywhere. Stay home, and take care of my kids."

I let go and looked up at him. "What's? No. gabe. You can't keep me home while I have a job."

He looked at me for a moment, his eyes saying he was considering something. Then her lips revealed a slanted smile that I liked very much. He looked down, kissed my forehead. "Well, we'll see."

I smiled and hugged him again. It feels so comfortable and calm. I'm grateful we've made it through a very painful day. What's happened lately is really crazy and exhausting, but I'm glad it's all over, and I hope our next days are calmer.

"Hey, what about Dave?" I asked Sean.

He exhaled heavily, I know Sean was also uncomfortable with this state of affairs. After all Dave was his family, and he shouldn't have acted stupidly by tricking Sean like that.

"Every action has consequences, he has to take responsibility" he said slowly. "I've called my uncle and Julie, told them what's going on, and they'll be here any time soon."

"I can't imagine his father's reaction to the news." I put my shoulders down, horrified. "He must have been very surprised."

"of course. I didn't think Dave would be in such a business, and the regrettable thing is, I didn't know it at all when we met every day. I mean, he works well, the money he makes from the company is not small, he shouldn't have to go into a black business like that."

I was just about to respond to Sean, but my phone suddenly rang on the nightstand. Sean grabbed it and we found Mia's name calling.

"Yes" I said after activating the loudspeaker, then put the phone on Sean's lap.

"How are you doing?" he said from across the street, his voice sounding like he just woke up.

"Hm, I'm good. By the way, how does it feel to be famous in an instant? Know it? The kids here are hysterical when I say you've been shot."

I smiled at her, remembering our pleasant friends while there. I miss them and that place. "It's not so bad, because my story is not about the affair scandal" I said, insinuating him.

He swore. "I'm not in touch with him anymore. After all.." his voice was cut off, and I vaguely heard a man's voice talking to him.

"Who is that?"

"Jason, I'm with him." he said. "Jason, stop it! I'm calling my sister."

"You with him? Does that mean exactly what I thought? With her?"

"Yes, it's exactly like that."

"Well, you guys are..." I stopped when I heard his voice as if it was a sigh. Instantly my eyes rounded, barely leaping out of place. "Mia, don't tell me you're..."

"I'll call you back later, bye!"

I stared at my phone lying on Sean's lap. Then turn to look towards him. He seemed to be holding back a laugh.

"Why is your face like that?"

I blinked, trying to calm myself down. This is really the most shocking thing I've ever heard in my entire life.

"Oh my God, the boy really..." I didn't get to finish my sentence when the door of the room opened.

I turned my head. "Ben!" My son ran up to the bed, followed by Nino who walked slowly behind him.

I opened my arms, ready to welcome him. But as soon as he hugged me, my breath seemed to be cut off as I felt the pain running all over my back, and I groaned. Sean, who was sitting next to me, immediately realized that and immediately grabbed Ben's tiny body into his arms, then he checked my back.

"You okay?" tanyanya.

I took a few breaths, before finally nodding. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Am I just hurt you, mom?" ben's soft voice distracts me.

I looked at him, he looked guilty. "No, baby." I muttered softly while smiling at him, then reached out. "Come here," Sean let Ben go and carefully placed it on my lap.

I kissed the entire surface of her adorable face, amused her and pushed my face away. "Mom, please," she protested.

"Mommy misses you, Ben." Ignoring her protest, I kissed her again several times.

"I'm sorry I brought her here." Nino's voice distracts me from Ben's.

I looked away at him, he was standing on the edge of the bed, opposite Sean. His voice looked worried. "It's okay. You two are?"

Nino nodded, taking a quick glance at Sean before looking at me again. "Yes" he said briefly. He put the totebag he carried on the nightstand. "Mom take a bite of food for you" she explained, glancing at Sean again.

"No need to bother. But, tell her my thanks." I said slowly.

I slowly reached out to grab Sean's clenched hand on his lap, and gently grasped it. I could feel him holding back angrily when he saw his hardened jaw, the incident when Nino came to me at the office must still have disturbed his mind.

Then suddenly he stood up. "Can we talk for a minute?" He asked Nino in a flat tone.

"Sean," She looked at me and I shook my head.

Sean smiled faintly, then his gaze became softer. "Just talk, baby." he snored as he stuck out his hand rubbed my cheek before looking back at Nino.

Nino nodded, then turned around and stepped out first. I turned to Sean, pulled him closer, then kissed his lips at a glance. "I don't want you to fight with him." I said slowly.

His mouth curled high, then he nodded his head. "Just talk." He kissed me once before galloping across the room following Nino.