Two weeks later

"We had to induce her into a coma," he heard the doctor state as he stood by her bed.
Multiple wires were connected to her as the machines showed her breathing and heart rate. He sighed thinking over what he would do if he saw his brother. If he found him first he would surely kill the boy. He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder as he turned to face his sister.

"How is she today?"
"She still hasn't woken up," he whispered before turning to leave the room. Carefully taking one of the twins from his mother he held him close as they left the hospital.
He had to go home to change.

"Have they found him?" He asked.
"Yes sir. He is in police custody."
"I want to see him," he stated before hanging up looking down at the sleeping child in his arms.

————

"Brother please forgive me," were the first words he heard once their eyes met.
"You hurt my wife. Let's forget about me," Jake said showing his hands in his pockets.
"Listen I didn't mean to," he said in a panicked voice.
"Stop making excuses Josh. I have given you everything you ever needed. You had the audacity to go to my wife and ask her for money. How pathetic are you?" He said watching the young mans' posture change as his face hardened into a serious expression.

"Had it not been for your wife we wouldn't be in this situation brother. I asked you for a few dollars and you refused because of her. Does what she have between her legs no different from other women brother that she makes you a weakling?" He spat.
"Don't you dare talk about her like that," he said taking a step towards him.

"Like what. She is just a woman. Any woman can give birth to your sons. Hell she could give birth to my sons had she not refused my advances," he said. "That woman has you wrapped around her finger such that you don't even see when your own blood needs your help."

"What blood? You lost that right when you attacked us. What help? When all I have done is support you even though you squandered all the money I gave you, Lord knows doing what. You are going to be locked up. Maybe some time behind bars will help you get a clear picture on life and how to actually build your own for the betterment of every member of this family."

"Locked up?" He asked confused.
"Yes. Did you think I wouldn't make sure charges where pressed?"
"You can't do this brother," he said as Jake walked out of the room.
"I am sorry but even if I didn't you would still be getting locked up for attempted murder. You dared touch my wife."

——————

"I need you to wake up now. The boys miss you. I miss you," he said holding her hand in both his getting no response.
He sighed in defeat watching her lay still as he rested his head on the bed in exhaustion.

He woke up some time later in the evening feeling a gentle stroke on his head as he tilted a bit to face her. Without a word he slowly moved towards her before taking her lips in the most slowest of tender kisses he had ever given her as tears ran down his cheeks.
"Don't ever do that to me," he murmured as her hand went to the back of his neck pulling him down to her.
Climbing into the bed without parting she moved slightly to accommodate him as he pulled her into his arms holding her gently. He kissed her until she drifted off to sleep once more as she lay on his chest.

Morning came and when the doctor walked in he found them kissing once more before turning to the medical staff with smiles.
"Now when did you wake up young lady?" He asked as Jake made a move to get off the bed stopping when he felt a tight grip on him. She shook her head no in fear as he relaxed telling her he wouldn't leave her.
"It's alright Mr Sinclair, I can examine her," he said opening her gown to look at the chest wound.

His eyes darkened in anger seeing the bandages that covered up the bullet wound. His own was healing up nicely, so the doctor had said. Feeling her hand on his cheek as she caressed his stubble he relaxed realizing how tense he had become.

"Well I don't see any need of keeping you here. Your husband was hounding me before you woke up. Now that you are awake it will definitely get worse if I keep you here," he chuckled as she turned to look at him in disapproval.
"Is that why you haven't been eating?" She whispered as he looked away from her.
"He will take care of me doctor," she whispered. "But clearly he needs me to take care of him also," she said as the old man nodded his head going ahead to sign her discharge papers.

—————

"You can't carry me," she reprimanded as he easily scooped her up. "I can't hold onto you. Besides that your wound," she murmured as she saw Martha holding the twins.
"I'm fine love. Just let me hold you please," he said for her ears alone before walking towards the house.
Gently placing her on the bed he left the room returning with the boys who looked happy to see her judging by their delighted squalls.
"We missed you," he murmured resting his forehead against hers looking into her eyes.
Pulling him closer she kissed him gently biting his lip before pulling back telling him she missed him too.

"Your parents will be here later. Get some rest," he whispered turning to see that their sons had fallen asleep beside her.
She smiled nodding her head as he tucked her in.

Two hours later she woke to the sound of his voice. Sitting up she moved from the bed heading to the closet before he shook his head pulling out a shirt of his helping her out in on as she did the buttons up.
"Your Mother will not approve," she murmured looking worried.
"I don't care. Besides you know what you do to me when you have my clothes on," he murmured pulling her close.
"You have been very, very," She said running her hands up and down his shoulders in a soothing manner, "touchy-feely."
Looking up at him she tilted her head to the side in question. "Talk to me," she said.

He closed his eyes letting out a long sigh. "Let's go see our visitors we can talk later," he whispered taking her hand.

——

"I am glad to see you well my daughter," Jakes mother said following her to the kitchen.
"I'm glad to be back home mama," she said with a small smile.
"I know my son is happier. He only started eating once you woke up," she said as she nodded her head having seen the signs due to his weight loss. "He really loves you," she said looking at her.
"And I him," she whispered just as the said culprit walked into the kitchen going to the refrigerator as his mother took her hand pulling her closer.
"My dear I have never seen him that broken the way he was when you where in hospital. The day you got shot they had to sedate him as he refused to leave your side. His brother is still locked up as we speak," she said worriedly.

She nodded her head hearing her words before he came up to them.
"And what are you two ladies gossiping about? He murmured standing behind pulling her towards him just as they heard Esthers mother calling his mother.
Leaving the couple he heard her sigh as she felt his lips on her cheek as she smiled turning around to face him.
"Our parents could walk in at any time," she whispered against his lips.
Brushing his lips lightly against hers he smiled as she tightened her hold on him as he looked into her eyes.
"Let then come and see how I love you," he whispered as smiled feeling his lips on hers as he stroked her lips with his asking for permission with his tongue before he depositing the mint he had been sucking on to her.

"Should I ask everyone to leave?" Vince said walking into the room as she smiled hearing Jake growl pulling away from her.
He glared at his friend before looking at his wife as she rested her hands on his chest.
"I need to sit down," she whispered as he held her closer supporting her. Walking out of the kitchen he helped her into a chair as he felt her shiver.
"Feeling cold?" He asked before taking the blanket to cover her.
"Allow me," he heard her mother say as she sat next to her daughter.

"The woman cant even breath with you being a mother hen," she chuckled as everyone laughed at him gaining a smile from him as he gave her a wink going to sit in another chair.
The chatter of the boys distracted everyone before food was served. Opting for an informal setup everyone enjoyed their meal in the living room.
Seeing the signs of exhaustion he looked at his father pleadingly before the old man cleared his throat before saying they needed to leave.

As everyone said their goodbyes with Martha leaving with the twins and Esthers parents.
"Now you take care of my friend," Sarah said giving him a goodbye hug.
"I will Sarah," he murmured before closing the door setting the alarm.
Walking into the living room he didn't find her there. Moving to their bedroom he found her undoing his shirt buttons before he helped her remove the shirt. Pulling the ref of her clothing off he couldn't hide the hunger in his eyes as she sat on the bed.
"Very touchy-feely," she murmured as he took his time pulling her leggings off as his fingers ran down her legs in the process. "Take them off," she said indicating his clothes as he quickly did as asked. "Easy there tiger," she chuckled stopping him from kissing her.

Sighing he pulled her into his arms as he leaned against the headboard covering then both with a sheet.
"What happened baby?" She whispered caressing his as he reached for her medication. Taking her medication from him she thanked him laughing at how he was babying her.
"Did you take yours?" She asked him as he nodded his head yes.
"Back to my question," she said taking his hand running her fingers over his knuckles before intertwining their hands as he stiffened.
"Baby," she whispered as he trapped her with his leg as he moved to run her nails up his thigh feeling him relax.

"When I saw you lying there blood coming out and yet I couldn't do anything. I couldn't get to you. I couldn't protect you. I felt helpless. I felt useless," he said as she turned slightly seeing the unshed tears as he closed his eyes.
"I. I should have stopped him. It's all my fault," he murmured his voice cracking as she turned to look straddle him forgetting her pain.
"Open your eyes," she whispered as he shook his head no.
"Jake, baby please," she pleaded cupping his cheeks as he slowly opened them.
"I'm sorry," he blurted out breaking down before her very eyes. "I'm so sorry love," he cried.