Her Love Lost (Love Shattered Series Book 1) Read online

  I was currently waiting for Rob to arrive so we could head to North Carolina for the next two weeks. We were off from filming and I desperately needed to see my girl. Rob was running late and he better hurry along so we didn’t miss our plane. If he caused me to have to take a later flight and made me late to see my girl he was getting decked. Best friend or not.

  We would be staying with my family in Swansboro so we wouldn’t be too far from Courtney. We decided that we didn’t want me staying at her place because of the kids. Things were going good with Courtney and I, but neither one of us was ready to take that step just yet. That was something we would have to ease the kids into. I am a patient man and I was willing to wait until we both felt ready for that.

  Rob finally showed up 10 minutes late and I rushed to get to the airport on time. When we finally arrive we were both bummed to find out that our flight would be delayed several hours due to severe weather in North Carolina. Just great, if it isn’t Rob almost making us miss the plane it’s going to be bad weather holding us up.

  I sent Courtney a text letting her know.

  Me: Our flight was delayed due to severe weather. I don’t think it’s in your area but please be safe. I will see you as soon as I can baby. Love you X

  Courtney: It’s been sunny all day here just starting to get cloudy and rainy. No severe weather here for now. Lillian and I are out shopping with the kids. Text me when you arrive. Safe travels. Love you XO

  The airlines couldn’t tell us when our flight would be able to take off, so Rob and I settled in for a long wait. I checked the weather for New Bern where Courtney was and I saw that the storms looked to be moving that way. I hope she paid attention to the weather and stayed smart out there today.

  Chapter EIGHTEEN

  Courtney

  LILLIAN AND I were out shopping with all the kids in tow. We were looking for a couple new outfits to wear while the guys were in town. We had just left target when I got a text from Dexter saying that there was severe weather holding him up. No telling when he would get here at this rate. That really sucks. I miss him so much and can’t wait to be in his arms again.

  We were just getting ready to pull into the mall parking lot when the tornado alarms started to ring through the town. Huh that is odd it was just sunny as could be a few minutes ago. It had just started to get cloudy and rainy when we were walking out of target. I looked into my rear view mirror and was terrified by what I saw. It was a huge funnel cloud that was touching down to the ground then going back into the sky.

  Without another thought I sped up the car and practically pulled into the mall parking lot on two wheels. I didn’t even check to see if we were actually in a parking space or not. I told Jason to go ahead and start unbuckling Miley from her car seat so we could all get out of the car as quickly as we could and get inside the mall to safety. I looked over at Lillian and she was frozen in fear. I yelled at her to snap out of it and we got out of the car grabbing for the kids as we went.

  It was now pouring down rain and windy as hell. The doors to the car kept slamming shut onto us while we tried to get the kids out the back. Lillian had gotten Caleb and I was still trying to get Miley out. I could still see the funnel cloud a little ways away and knew we didn’t have much time, especially if that cloud decided to stay down instead of continuing its bob and weave pattern. I got Miley out and Jason just had to climb from the back to get out and we could all head inside. Jason tripped trying to crawl over Miley’s car seat he came tumbling out of the car head first but somehow manage to do some crazy tuck a roll maneuver, I had never seen anything like it before. He ended up landing in a huge puddle of water. Once he was able to stand we made a break for the doors of the mall.

  By the time we got inside we were drenched from head to toe. Miley had lost her favorite blanket when the wind whipped and carried it sailing away. Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy. Apparently they didn’t get the memo that a tornado was headed right this way. How could they not hear the damn sirens? They were loud as shit.

  “There is a funnel cloud out there that is trying to form. It’s headed right this way. Where is a good place to take cover?” I asked a lady who worked there she directed us to the bathroom where we all crouched down under the sink. Oddly the lady didn’t join us. I guess she really thought we were crazy and didn’t think a tornado was actually just outside.

  I couldn’t think straight I just kept telling the kids I love them over and over again and that everything would be okay. We could hear the mayhem outside as more and more people finally realized the extent of the danger that they were in.

  I took my phone out and sent a text to mom and Dexter so they would both know where we were just in case the worst happened. No one knew exactly where we had planned to shop today so if a tornado ripped through this mall with us inside no one would have a clue where to start looking for us.

  Me: Mom we are inside the mall bathroom under the sink taking cover from the tornado that is just outside. We are in the east wing bathroom. Love you guys be safe out there.

  Me: Dex… Lillian and I are at the mall with the kids there is a tornado coming and we are taking cover in the east wing bathroom. I wanted to let you know incase anything was to happen. I love you Dexter Sonners. XO

  Okay maybe that sounded a little dramatic but you just never know what will happen. I am realizing this now. If we make it out of here I am going to start living every single day to the fullest. You never know when something will come along a steal it all away so you have to enjoy it while you can. I should have already known this considering what happened with my husband, but then I was too caught up in my own grief to think clearly.

  Miley had somehow fallen asleep and Caleb and Jason looked terrified. I tried to reassure them that we would be okay. I sent up a silent prayer for protection over my family. We could hear that the tornado had hit the building and you could hear people screaming. It was all a very traumatic. Something I was sure to have nightmares about for many nights to come.

  Lillian was covering her ears and she was very pale. She was shaking and I prayed this would all stop soon because I had a feeling she needed to be taken to the hospital. I was afraid she was going to go into shock. My baby sister was one of the bravest people I knew but even the strongest people can’t always hold it together through something like this. I honestly didn’t even know how I was holding it all together right now. I guess I was just trying to stay strong for everyone else.

  The building rumbled under us and soon the power went out. I was using my cell phone for light now. I checked to see if I had any texts but I had no service and I assumed that the tornado had taken down the cell tower nearby. The noises continued for several more minutes and then it was over as quickly as it had come upon us. It was eerily quiet and we stayed put for several more minutes until I thought it was safe to come out. By some small miracle we were able to walk right out of that bathroom without a single scratch. The part of the mall we had entered through was untouched so we made our way outside through the glass doors and took in the devastation all around us. The only part of the mall that was left standing was the small section that we had hidden away in. Someone above had definitely been looking out for us today.

  My car was gone. So we waited for help to arrive. We could see help coming and soon this would all be over. We had survived and we would all get through this together. Once the ambulance came over to where we stood I sent Lillian in one to head to the hospital to get the baby and herself checked out. I also wanted to get Jason checked out from when he fell out of the car when we were trying to get into the mall.

  Luckily they let us all ride together in one ambulance. I don’t think you could have separated us at that point. We were only a couple minutes behind Lillian’s ambulance so we should all arrive to the hospital around the same time.

  When we arrived I learned that Lillian was indeed in shock, and that her water had also broken on the way over and she had started to have contractio
ns. She was being whisked away to the maternity floor. I told her I would be up there as soon as Jason was checked out. I don’t think she heard me at all she was just looking past me with a look of dread on her face.

  Once Jason had been checked and cleared of any injuries probably do to his quick thinking on the tuck and roll we all headed upstairs to see Lillian.

  When we got up there we learned that the doctors were trying to stop the contractions even though her water had already broken. They wanted to try and keep the baby in as long as possible. She was only thirty one week’s along. Lil looked a little better now. She had some color back into her cheeks and I knew she was going to be okay. She had to be strong for her baby now and keep her inside as long as possible.

  It seems like we were in for a few rough weeks ahead. Thank God Dexter would be here. I don’t think I could get through this without him.

  I needed to try and get a hold of Mom, Dad, and our sisters.

  I used Lillian’s landline phone from beside her bed to call Mom, she promised to let the others know and that they would be here as soon as they could. Seems like the tornado was localized to just that one area we happened to be in. The rest of the town was completely fine.

  I tried to call Dexter as well but it kept going to voicemail right away or either getting a busy tone. I guess everyone was trying to get a hold of loved ones and that had the cell air waves all jammed. I left Dex a voice mail telling him where he could find me when he arrived.

  Mom, Dad, Sarah and Becky all showed up an hour later with a change of clothes for me. Sarah and Becky decided to take the kids home for the night after visiting Lillian so they could get some rest. I didn’t want to leave Lillian’s side. I fell asleep on the couch in her room a little while later while Mom and Dad visited with her. Hoping Dexter would make it here soon.

  Chapter NINETEEN

  Dexter

  ROB AND I sat in the airport lounge waiting news of when we could be ready for takeoff when Courtney’s text came through. I felt the blood drain from my face when I read it.

  Courtney: Dex.. Lillian and I are at the mall with the kids there is a tornado coming and we are taking cover in the east wing bathroom. I wanted to let you know incase anything was to happen. I love you Dexter Sonners. XO

  I read it over and over making sure I was reading it correctly. Then I tried to respond back but the text wouldn’t go through. I called her phone over and over frantically but got a busy tone every single time. My chest hurt. My head was pounding and my heart was racing. I was starting to sweat.

  I showed the text to Rob and I could see the color of his cheeks pale once he read what it said.

  “Dude, they gotta be okay.” Rob cries out, “I was going to tell Lillian how I really felt this week she has to be okay. Oh god I hope I haven’t waited too long to tell her how I feel and now she is going to be gone from my life forever.” Rob had tears streaming down his face.

  “Rob man you gotta have faith. You have to hold on to that and pray that they will all be okay. That’s all we can do buddy.” I grabbed his shoulder tightly reassuring him that it was all going to be okay. I wasn’t going to lie I was scared to death of something happening to them.

  We turned on the news so we could see the coverage of the storm and when we did what we saw brought us both to our knees. People stared at us but we didn’t care. We held on to each other for strength. I am sure seeing two grown men fall to their knees in the middle of a crowded airport clinging to each other and crying had people questioning what was going on but all I could think about was Courtney, Lillian, and the kids. I could care less about their questioning looks.

  The mall was complete destruction. There was only a small maybe ten by ten section that remained standing. The rest of the area was leveled, debris everywhere. I prayed to God that the little bit still standing was the east wing bathroom Courtney had mentioned in the text.

  Come on baby please be okay. You have to be. I have just found you. We have the rest of our lives to spend together.

  Rob and I hung on to every word the news reporter had to say about the storm. Hoping for some semblance of hope that they were all okay, I prayed they were okay and then I prayed that the storms were over.

  The camera zoomed in on some ambulances that had started to arrive on scene, and just then a small group of people emerged from within the rubble surrounding the little ten by ten area.

  The news reporter said, “Looks like we have some survivors here, coming out of what used to be the east wing of mall. Everyone looks to be okay down there.” I had my eyes glued to the screen hoping to get a better glimpse of who had just come out of the building. She said the east wing that’s where they were. They had to be okay.

  The camera zoomed in again and we had a clear image of Lillian being loaded into the back of one of the ambulances. She didn’t look good but she was alive. Then the camera shot over to the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. There stood Courtney looking as perfect as ever. She looked worried and her hair was all crazy flying every which way but she was alive and it was the most perfect sight I have ever seen. Beside her stood her children, they stood with their heads held high. You would never know they just survived a tornado. I fell in love with all three of the kids in that moment. This family has been through so much but they always manage to come out on the other side as strong as ever.

  An hour later we were able to board the plan. Just before they closed the doors and asked for everyone to turn off all cellular devices I noticed a voicemail come through. It was Courtney letting me know that she was safe and that they were in the hospital, and that Lillian was okay but she was in labor. They were trying to stop it because she wasn’t far enough along yet to deliver.

  She sounded exhausted and I couldn’t wait to get to her and hold her and let her know I was there for her.

  I told Rob what news I had just gotten and he just sat there silently trying to hold it together. His Adams apple bobbed and I know he was trying not to cry. Poor guy he had no idea what we were headed into. I just hope he could keep it together the rest of the flight.

  That was the longest flight of my life. I tried to rest because I knew once we arrived to town it would get crazy. I couldn’t sleep though, I had too much running through my mind.

  Once our plane touched down in North Carolina we grabbed a taxi and headed straight for the hospital. We arrived in no time and we headed up to the maternity ward. They wouldn’t let us back to see Lillian, so Rob told the nurse he was her husband and we got let right back.

  We reached Lillian’s door and it was slightly ajar so I knocked softly. When no one answered, I peeked my head in and saw Courtney curled up on the couch and Lillian lying asleep in the hospital bed.

  Rob headed straight for Lillian and I headed over to Courtney and sat beside her on the couch and pulled her head into my lap. She snuggled in deep into my lap and I ran my hands softly through her hair while she slept.

  I didn’t care how long Lillian was expected to be in the hospital, I knew we would not be heading back to Alabama any time soon. Not even in two weeks when we were due back.

  I looked up to Rob, and he must have read my mind because he whispered, “I am not leaving her man. I don’t care what they say about filming I am not leaving her side.”

  I nodded my head in agreement. They could cancel my contract with the show for all I cared I wasn’t leaving either.

  Courtney woke up some time later and was surprised to see me here. I think the excited squeal and her straddling my lap on the hospital couch gave her excitement away. She kissed me long and hard until we were both breathless.

  “I am so glad you are here Dexter. Everything feels so much better now that you are here.” She kissed me again. I really liked this side of her.

  “I am so glad you are all okay. I was so worried when I got your text and then Rob and I saw you all on the news from the airport. I couldn’t believe my eyes when they zoomed in and it was you all coming out of the wrec
kage like warriors who had just won a long hard battle. You amaze me Courtney. I envy your strength and courage.” She had tears in her eyes and I wiped them away as they fell. I continued to just hold her in my arms where I knew she was safe.

  Lillian’s contractions had stopped by the next morning, and the doctors had high hopes for her and the baby. As long as they could keep the baby in for 2 more weeks then they would deliver by C-section. She had to stay in the hospital on bed rest until then.

  Rob and I decided we would head to my parents’ house to drop off our luggage and get cleaned up from our flight. Courtney shared a taxi with us since her car was destroyed in the storm. We dropped her off at home then headed home ourselves. We would pick Courtney up to take her back to the hospital on our way back through.

  It was going to be a long couple of weeks but I looked forward to spending as much time with Courtney as possible. I am glad Rob and I have decided to stay. I never wanted to leave her again.

  Chapter TWENTY

  Courtney

  Dexter and I spent every second together over the next several weeks. Since Lillian was still in the hospital the guys decided to stay until the foreseeable future. They had put filming on hold for now. The producer seemed to be okay with that so far. It’s not like they had much choice. The main vampires were here in North Carolina determined to stay and they couldn’t exactly film anything without them. I think they were filming every possible seen that they could that didn’t include the guys, so all they had to do was fly out a few days at a time and do a few scenes, but they always came right back when they were done.

  That made me fall even more in love with Dex. He wanted to be with me and I couldn’t be happier. I had given it a lot of thought and I think I am ready to take this to the next level with him. In more ways than one.