Scott's POV

It had been a month since Lina had been shot and fell into a coma. They had moved her to a private room, and I came daily. Ben and I traded off between Lina and the girls at different points. We had to keep things as healthy as possible.

Kami and Georgia asked about her, and we just explained she had to go away for a while on a trip. I knew they were getting wise to us, but I didn't have the heart to tell them what was happening.

I had Mitch and Corey stay on while she was in the hospital. I didn't go to the office between the hospital and taking care of the girls. Once the girls were in bed, I took care of any essential things from home.

Wyatt had his court hearing. He got probation, and Jerome had his rights terminated. He couldn't go within one hundred feet of Avie. Rob made sure of it. I felt terrible for missing the hearing, but Wyatt and Kara understood.

People visited her, and I waited. I waited for her to wake up, to come back to us. They eventually removed the ventilator because she was breathing on her own.

I talked to her and told her everything happening every time I saw her. I hoped Lina could hear me.

Finally, Ben persuaded me to let the girls see her. I hesitated, but he said it might help, so I agreed.

I told them we were going to see Mommy. They were beyond excited. I pulled into a spot in the hospital parking lot. I got out and helped them out of the car. I took both their hands, and we walked into the hospital.

We got to her room, and I stopped. I crouched in front of them, "Okay, girls. Mommy is sleeping."

"Is she sick?" Kami asked.

"Well, she was hurt, and right now, she is sleeping," I explained.

"Will she wake up?" Georgia asked.

"I don't know princess. I hope so," I said to her. "Maybe if you both give her hugs and kisses, it will help," I suggested.

"Okay, Daddy," they both said.

I guided them to her bed and lifted each one onto the bed.

Kami crawled over to Lina, "Mommy. It's me, Kami. Daddy says you're hurt. I can kiss your boo-boo."

"Mommy, we miss you. Can you come home and read us stories," Georgia asked her.

"Mommy, please wake up," Kami said. God, I couldn't watch this. It broke my heart. Lina, please wake up.

"Mommy, we promise to be good," Georgia said.

Then Kami and Georgia laid down on her and hugged her, "We love you, Mommy."

I stood there, trying not to lose it. As the girls lay on Lina, I watched as Lina lifted her hand and moved it onto Kami. Then she lifted her other hand and placed it on Georgia.

"Mommy?" Kami looked at her as her eyes fluttered open. I walked over to her bed as she finally opened her eyes.

"Mommy, you're awake," Georgia said.

A smile formed upon her lips, and I leaned over and kissed her.

"Hi."

"Hi," she whispered.

"Mommy, did you have a good sleep," Kami asked her.

"Too long," she whispered. "I miss my babies."

"We missed you too. Daddy isn't very good at cooking," Georgia said as Lina looked at her and then at me.

"Ben and I traded with taking care of the girls, and we did the same with you," I explained.

She nodded.

"Ben is coming to get the girls in a bit," I said.

"No," she said to me as I looked at her. "I don't want them to leave. I want my family here with me," she whispered.

I looked at her as she looked at me while wrapping her arms around each girl tighter until she yelped.

I reached over and lifted each girl off of the bed. Kami put pressure on her wound and got upset, but I reassured her it was okay. Mommy just needed to heal. Lina even encouraged her; it wasn't her fault because she didn't know. I think that helped.

We spent the rest of the evening with Lina. That was the best thing I had ever seen. Her awake. I couldn't be happier.

********
Lina

After I woke up, I had to spend a week in the hospital. Every time I turned around, they were poking and prodding me. I hated it, but Scott told me to suck it up. Easy for him to say. He wasn't the one to endure it.

They also removed my stitches while I was in there, and the doctor said I was healing nicely, but I had to take it easy along with physical therapy.

According to Scott, I was the right patient when I was asleep. Other than that, I was a terrible patient. At one point, I ended up throwing a bedpan at him with my right arm, which earned me the nickname McMoody.

Once they released me, I was excited to go home. I missed home and the girls. Scott helped me get changed, and the doctor discharged me. He took me back, and as soon as we got home, he helped me to the couch.

I looked around and was shocked. Someone unpacked everything.

"Someone's been busy," I said to him.

"Yeah, the girls helped unpack while you were in the hospital," he said.

"That's fine," I said as I lifted my feet onto the coffee table. I had my arm in a sling. "So, what the hell happened?"

He breathed, "Lacy had some delusion that I belonged to her. I found out that her real name is Alicia Howard."

"Did you know her?"

"I didn't think I did until they showed me a picture of what she looked like before. She was an employee of mine at another company. She became obsessed with me and started stalking my family and me. I fired her and got a restraining order against her. Then she just disappeared. I had no idea I had bought a company she worked at," he explained.

I sighed.

"The police arrested her and found out she was unstable. She committed a few weeks ago."

"I think it's time to clean house," I told him.

"I think you're right," he said in agreement.

At least, that was something we agreed on.

*******
While I stayed home recuperating, Scott returned to work and held to his word. Between him, Mitch, and Corey, they did a thorough background check. Scott immediately terminated anyone who had issues, leaving half of the employees.

After intensive research on each candidate, Scott had Mitch and Corey hire new people to replace the current ones. Security was beefed up at the office, and new rules and regulations were put into place to prevent this from ever happening again.

Through all this, I realized that it didn't matter how strict things were; if some nut wanted to get close to you, they would do everything they could to do so. This world was a crazy place. We just lived in it.

This situation left me wondering if Scott meant what he said about us getting married when I woke up. I realized that life was too short to wait, and I didn't want to wait any longer. As long as the girls were present, that's all that mattered.

That's when I made a decision. I hope Scott likes it.

*******
"Are you sure," he asked me.

"You told me in the hospital that when I woke up, you wanted to get married with just the girls present. Why not include two others," I suggested.

He gave me a look and a smile.

"Fine, but you and I will have a proper honeymoon afterward."

"What about work?"

"Work can wait. Our life together won't. Plus, we need a break from the insanity we called life," he smirked, and I laughed.

It's decided. We made calls. It was finally time to become a family once and for all. I could not wait.