CHAPTER 23: Forever Together

                                    

                                          
{CASTLE}

                          
         After I stumbled towards Elle after I noticed she got shot By Jimmy as he somehow came to again after she punched him and he picked up his gun beside him and shot her. 
                          
        The moment I saw her drop down to the ground while holding her side, that's when I limped my way over towards her, I shot Jimmy in the head then as soon as I got to her, I dropped to my knees beside her and held her in my arms for a moment while I yell out for the guys to help me carry her to the car since I got shot in my leg. Though my wound wasn't nearly as bad as Elle's. 
                          
         We rushed to the hospital and we got her in right away and into surgery. 
                          
         I have never left her side since the moment they let her out of surgery. Which happened to be a week ago and she has been in and out of it the entire time. But I have held her hand and haven't left her side since. 
                          
        I feel like shit. It's because of me she is in here. I was supposed to protect her and then I almost got her killed. 
                          
         Luckily the doctor said she would be able to go home in a couple of weeks. 
                          
         I was laying back in the chair, asleep, when I felt someone squeezing my hand gently. 
                          
         I slowly opened my eyes and saw Elle finally awake and looking at me. 
                          
         "Baby? Is there anything I can get you?" I asked her. 
                          
         "No babe. I'm fine." She says tiredly. 
                          
         "I'm so fucking sorry." I begin to tell her while trying to fight back tears and getting up to place a kiss on her forehead before I sit back down. 
                          
         "Baby, it wasn't your fault. And besides, you came to save me." She smiles. 
                          
         "Of course I did. I can't live without you. I have fallen in love with you Elle and I am never leaving your side ever again. That is, if you still want to be with me after all this." I tell her. 
                          
         "Baby, of course I still want to be with you. I have fallen for you too. And we are going to get through this together. I may not agree with this kind of lifestyle and will have to adjust but, I do love you and trust you." She tells me and I feel a big rush of relief. 
                          
          I then lean forward and start giving her a long and passionate kiss. 
                          
          The door then opens up and in walks Darryl and Raquel. 
                          
          "She's awake!" Darryl says excitingly.
                          
          "Hello Gorgeous!" Raquel says as she walks over and hugs Elle. "How ya feelin'?" She asks. 
                          
          "Good. A little sore but, better."  Elle replies. 
                          
          "I'm glad. We were worried about you." She smiles. 
                          
          "How about you guys?" Elle asks Raquel and looks at Darryl. 
                          
          "We're good." Raquel smiles.
                          
          Darryl walks up beside Raquel and puts his arm over her shoulders.
                          
          "We're glad you're feeling better." Darryl tells her. 
                          
          "Me too. But what about Jimmy and his guys?" Elle asks him. Though I knew this moment was gonna come sooner or later. 
                          
           "He's dead. Him and most of his crew were killed. And as for the other's they uh, well, let's just say they wont ever bother us again." I assure Elle. 
                          
           Which she looks at me and then down at the both of our hands that are intertwined together and I see her smile. 
                          
           "Well, we need to get going. We have a few things to do before you come home in a couple of weeks." Raquel smiles at me and Elle. 
                          
            "Okay. I need to rest anyways." Elle says. 
                          
            "We'll see you tomorrow." Darryl smiles. 
                          
            "Okay." Elle replies. 
                          
           They both give her a hug goodbye and leave.
                          
           "I will let you rest baby." I tell her. 
                          
           "Please don't go." Elle says. 
                          
           "I'm never leaving you my love. I'll just be right here in this chair." I assure her with a kiss on her hand. 
                          
           "Lay with me please." She asks tiredly. 
                          
           "Of course." I smile at her and then get under the covers with her and we begin cuddling while facing each other and with me gently caressing the side of her face with the back of my hand. 
                          
            "I love you." She says. 
                          
            "I love you too baby, forever." I tell her as I place a gentle kiss on her lips. "Now sleep my love and I promise I will be here when you wake up." I assure her.
                          
            "Okay." Elle says to me as she cuddles closer to me and we then fall asleep in each other's arms. 
                          
Epilogue is next! :)