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  “They are taking their time,” she said, even though it had only been five minutes since Jack had rung them.

  Alex looked at her, and his heart broke, her face battered, her eyes red from crying. If only he had not suggested she came up to the flat first, he would have been with her, and he could have stopped him. Alex clenched his fist, wanting so much to go in the living room and beat the shit out of that man.

  “Jane, let me do that,” he said, taking the kettle from her trembling hands. The doorbell went.

  “That is them,” he said, and she nodded to him. She leaned against the worktop and watched as he walked out of the kitchen to open the door.

  Alex glared at Sam as he walked passed the lounge to open the door. Sam looked at him, his eyes scowling, his teeth grinding in his mouth. As Alex turned the corner and disappeared from sight, Sam jumped to his feet, he kicked and whacked both his boys out of the way and shot towards the kitchen.

  “Dad, stop!” Jack yelled, and they both shot after him.

  As Alex opened the door to the police, Jack yelled. Alex spun around as his heart leapt to his throat in horror, and leaving the police at the door, he shot down the hall.

  Jane glanced to the kitchen door to see Sam standing there, and the boys struggling to hold him back. Everything happened so fast, he attacked them, and sent them both flying backwards.

  “Sam no!” she screamed. Jane grabbed her stomach, her hands clutching at the knife he had grabbed from the knife block and plunged into her. As she dropped to her knees, she saw him dragged to the floor by two police officers.

  “Jane!” Alex screamed, and he skidded to the floor as she keeled over, and caught her in his arms.

  “Mum, fucking hell, mum!” Michael, cried, joining Alex on the floor. The next thing the room was swirling, chaos and yelling was all around her.

  “Alex,” she murmured, her hand grasping at his arm, as she was unable to breathe.

  “Jane,” his voice was distant, “hang on, Jane, please dear god do not leave me.” Alex sobbed as he held her his arms, his hands shook as he stared at the knife embedded in her stomach, blood covered them both and seeped across kitchen floor. “Michael, I do not know what to do, help me, please – please!” he begged as he wept. He looked at her son, desperate for help, but he was staring at his mum in total shock. “Jane,” Alex sobbed, as he pawed at her face. “Please do not die, don’t you dare leave me.”

  “Let us through,” said a male voice behind him. Alex blinked through his tears and saw two paramedics. Of course, Jack had asked for an ambulance for his mum.

  “It’s okay, let us see to her,” the paramedic said, as he gently took her from Alex.

  “Do not let her die,” he begged, as he stood up and backed away. “Please do not let her die.” His voice caught in his throat, and he wrenched his arm from the police officer who was trying to take him out of the kitchen.

  “Sir, please, they need room to work,” he insisted.

  “Okay,” he mumbled, and Alex let him take him out of the kitchen. He turned and saw Sam handcuffed and held against the hall wall as the police officer read him his rights.

  “You fucking son of bitch!” Alex yelled, and he launched himself at Sam. Two police officers grabbed him, and tried to hold him back.

  “Back off, Sir, now!” one yelled at him.

  “You will never have her now,” Sam jeered. “No one will!”

  “Get him the fuck out of here or I will kill him!” Alex screamed, his fist shaking in fury as he fought to get to him. The police officer, nodded to the others, and they took Sam out of the flat.

  “Alright,” Alex yelled, at the police officer holding him. The man released him and Alex looked back inside the kitchen.

  Michael held Jack, as he sobbed on his shoulder.

  “Why, why the fuck did he do that,” Jack wept. Michael shook his head.

  “I don’t know, Jack,” he said to his twin. “I don’t fucking know.”

  “We’re losing her,” one paramedic said to the other. Alex shook his head.

  “No, I - I - cannot - lose her,” he cried. Michael wiped his eyes and grabbed hold of Alex, his hand gripping his arm. He looked at Michael, and his eyes were blood shot and swollen with grief. Alex swept the boys into his arms and held them both as the paramedics pulled her shirt open and attached a defibrillator.

  “Clear,” one said, and Alex jumped as the machine shocked her. “Again,” he said.

  As two more paramedics arrived on the scene, a police officer took Alex and the boys into the living room. A few minutes later, they stretchered her out; they had called for a helicopter, which had landed in the car park of the supermarket next to her block of flats.

  “Where are they taking her?” Alex asked, frantic.

  “St George’s, one of you can ride with her,” he said, as they followed them down the stairs. Alex was desperate to go, but he looked at Michael and Jack, they were her sons.

  “Does one of you want to go with her?” he asked.

  Michael looked at Jack, but he was in shock, his body shaking.

  “Make a decision,” the paramedic yelled, as they reached the helicopter.

  “Alex, you go, I’ll stay with Jack. We will meet you there,” Michael said, and he wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

  “Thank you,” Alex replied, and he pulled him into a hug, and ran towards the helicopter.

  “Come on, Jack,” Michael urged, and he grabbed his brother arm. Jack stared wordless at the helicopter. Michael pulled him towards the flats. “We’ll take my car, you cannot drive like that.”

  Alex ducked as he moved under the blades, and following the instruction of the crew, he climbed on board the helicopter. They gave him ear defenders and ushered him to sit. Within seconds they were air-born and on their way to A&E. Alex felt his heart break as he looked at her, she could not die, or his whole world would die with her. They were at the hospital within minutes, and Alex followed them as they rushed her into the building. Forced to stop and leave her as they took her through the emergency room and into surgery, Alex broke down, and he sobbed. Fifteen minutes later, Michael and Jack burst into the waiting room; Alex glanced at them and gave them a half-hearted smile.

  “Where is she?” Michael asked.

  “They have taken her straight to theatre,” he said. “Is Jack alright?” he asked, as he glanced at his twin, he was deathly shade of white.

  “No, he needs to see a doctor. I will go and ask,” Michael replied. “Watch him for me?”

  “Of course,” he replied, and he placed an arm around Jack and ushered him to a chair. He sat him down, but his breathing was rapid and shallow, he was sweating and shaking.

  “Where’s mum?” he asked.

  “In surgery, Jack,” Alex said.

  “Why did he do that?” he muttered. Alex pulled him into his arms and held him. Within a few minutes, Michael returned with a nurse, and she took one look a Jack and called for help.

  “He has gone into shock, he saw his mother being stabbed,” the nurse said to another, as they put him into a wheel chair.

  “Can we go with him?” Michael asked.

  “Of course,” she replied. They followed her through the door and into a cubicle, were they transferred Jack onto a bed. She put a blanket over him, and placed an oxygen mask over his mouth. Another nurse fixed a drip to his arm, and settled him.

  “He will be okay,” the nurse assured, giving Michael’s arm a gentle pat. “He is suffering from shock.”

  “Thank you,” Michael said, as seeing his mother on the brink of death was traumatic enough, but to see his twin in this condition had made it unbearable. Alex paced, as they waited for news, thankfully, Jack had stopped shaking, and the colour was returning to his cheeks. Two hours passed, until a doctor came towards them.

  “Jane Archer’s family?” he asked, walking towards them.

  “Yes,” Michael replied, his voice shaking. The doctor looked at Jack.

  “Shock, h
e saw the attack,” the nurse explained.

  “How is my mum?” Michael asked, and he tried to swallow, but the lump in his throat prevented him. Alex stood alongside him, biting on his lower lip his heart trembling as he waited for the news.

  “The surgery was successful but she has slipped into a coma, partly from the medication we have given her. You can see her briefly, if you come with me, family only please,” he said.

  “Is my brother going to be okay?” Michael asked. The nurse nodded.

  “Go and see your mother, we will take of him.”

  “Thank you,” Michael replied, gratefully, and he followed the doctor, he stopped when he realised Alex had not gone with him.

  “I am not family,” he whispered, as Michael walked back to him, he watched the tears course down Alex’s cheeks, and he nodded.

  “Yes you are,” he replied. “Come on,” he insisted, and he grabbed his elbow and pulled him along with him.

  As they got to the door, the Doctor looked at Michael.

  “You are her son?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “This is my step-dad,” Michael said, still holding onto Alex’s arm. Alex nodded, and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

  “Okay, five minutes,” the doctor said, and he opened the door.

  “Thank you,” Alex said to Michael, as the door closed behind them.

  “No problem,” he replied, giving him a smile. They both approached the bed, and Michael glanced at Alex, as he gave an audible sob. Attached to various monitors, and a drip attached to her arm, she looked as if she was asleep.

  “Mum,” Michael, said, and he lifted his hand and took hold of hers, but she did not respond. Alex stared at her, unable to believe that only this morning they had been so happy, eating breakfast as they watched the ducks, and making love in the early morning sun. He gave another sob, and wiped his eyes again. Michael leaned over and kissed her.

  “I love you, Mum,” he said, and he too wiped his eyes. “I’ll wait outside,” he said. He could not bear to see her covered in wires and monitors. Alex gave him a nod, and as he door closed, he took hold of her hand.

  “I love you, Jane, please wake up,” he begged, and holding her hand to his face, he kissed it. He glanced at the door as it opened.

  “I’m sorry, but that’s all for now,” the Doctor said. Alex gave a nod in reply, and he placed her hand back on her lap. He leaned over and kissed her brow.

  “I love you my sleeping beauty,” he said, “with all of my heart forever and always.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  She blinked, opened her eyes, and found herself in what appeared to be a hospital room, attached to various machines that were blipping away beside her. She fought to remember what had happened, when she did, her heart pumped. Sam had tried to kill her.

  “Alex,” she whispered. His head lay on her bed, his hand resting on her stomach. He stirred at her voice, and she smiled.

  “Alex,” she said again. He lifted his head and looked at her.

  “Jane, oh my god, Jane you are awake,” he cried and he jumped to his feet. His eyes wept as his hands cupped her face. “How do you feel, can you remember me, well obviously you can, you said my name,” he rambled.

  “Please kiss me,” she said, with a smile.

  “Oh, god, with pleasure,” he said, and as his warm lips pressed on hers, she lifted her hand to his face, and touched him. As they broke from the kiss, his eyes shone at her.

  “I thought I was going to lose you,” he said, trying to fight back his tears. “Oh, Jane, I love you so much,” he said, hugging her.

  “I love you,” Alex, said, tearfully, as she hugged him back. “What happened, where are the boys are they both okay, how long have I been in here?” she fired the questions at him.

  “Hey slow down,” he said, stroking the side of her face. “They boys are fine, and they are staying with me at Brooke Manor. You have been in here for a week. I had you transferred as soon as it was safe to move you. In all you have been unconscious for ten days.”

  “Ten days, oh my god, that long,” she gasped. “What happened to Sam?” she asked, although the mere mention of his name made her want to vomit.

  “He is being held for attempted murder, they were waiting to see – what happened to you before he is charged.”

  “You mean to see if I died,” she mumbled. Alex swallowed and pulled her back into an embrace.

  “God you scared the shit out me,” he said, and he trailed kisses all over her head. “I should get the doctor,” he said, letting go of her. While Alex checked with the doctor, she looked around her room, and it was full of flowers, and cards. She did not realise that so many people cared for her. She picked up one on the table to her side and she smiled as it was from Claire and Sophie. She picked up one of a beautiful faery, she opened it, and as she read it, tears ran down her cheeks.

  “To my darling sleeping beauty, please, please wake up so you can be with me again. My heart cannot bear to be apart from you, and my very soul is lost without you. I love you forever and always, your prince. Alex xxxxxxxx”

  She held the card to her heart and cried. Sam had almost taken her from Alex, and left her boys without a mother. As the doctor entered the room, she wiped her eyes, and smiled at Alex, as he hung by the door waiting.

  After her check-up, Alex came back in the room.

  “I have told the boys, they are on their way back up from the canteen, and Sophie and Claire send you their love, hugs, and kisses,” he said.

  “Hey,” she said, with a chuckle, “you’d make a great PA.” He laughed and pulled her into his arms again.

  “How is your mother?” she asked, remembering the whole reason why they had gone to her flat.

  “Mum is great, she is at home now, but she is worried sick about you,” he said. “As soon as you are allowed, you are coming back home okay, to my place,” he insisted. She nodded.

  “I don’t think I could go back to my flat now, anyway, not after what happened.” He held her hand and stroked it.

  “Have you been here, all the time?” she asked.

  “Yes, never left your side. Well apart from peeing and grabbing a change of clothes and checking on mum, now and then.”

  “What about work?” she asked.

  “You cancelled my schedule, remember,” he said with a smile.

  “Oh yeah,” she replied, giving a chuckle. She winced, and held her hand to her stomach.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, worried.

  “Yes, it’s bit sore. I hope it doesn’t take too long to heal,” she said.

  “You rest, it will be better, when it’s better,” he said.

  “But, that means we can’t, well you know,” she said, lifting and eyebrow.

  “Jane, seriously,” he said, shaking his head at her, as he smiled.

  “Mum.” She looked up. “Mum,” Jack cried again as he ran over to her He flung his arms around her and hugged her tight. Alex stood up and moved out of the way.

  “I will go and find Emma,” he said to Michael, referring to Jane’s mum, and he patted his arm and walked out. Michael moved around the other side of the bed, and wrapped his arms around them both.

  “Are you two okay,” she asked, as they let her go. They both nodded.

  “Mum, I am so sorry,” Jack, said, “I had no idea he was like that.”

  “Jack, you don’t have to be sorry. I hid it from you, from you both.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “I told him Alex was your boyfriend. I didn’t know but he read my text, that’s how he knew you were going to be at the flat, and he took my key.”

  “Jack, it’s not your fault okay,” she pushed and Jack nodded, although not very convincingly.

  “So how have you been coping?” she asked.

  “We’re okay, Mum,” Michael said. “Alex has been great, and we’ve been staying at his place. He has been dealing with the police over dad’s trial and he had you moved here, to this private room so you could be close to h
im. I really like Alex, Mum,” he said, and she smiled.

  “Me too,” added Jack.

  “So if you want to marry him you will not get any protest from us,” Michael said, with a grin.

  “Hey hold on a minute, he hasn’t asked me to marry him yet. Don’t scare him off for god’s sake,” she laughed, and she hugged them both again. There was a knock at the door, and she looked towards it.

  “Josh,” she said, surprised to see him. He walked into the room, and offered her a bouquet of flowers.

  “Oh yeah, forgot to say, Josh has been staying at Alex’s too,” Michael informed her.

  “He has,” she said, swallowing as she looked at Josh. Although she was certain, he would not say anything to the boys or Alex, about their time together, and as his eyes met hers, he smiled.

  “Yeah, he’s a good bloke,” he said as she took the flowers.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, before I head home.”

  “Home, what back to Australia?” she asked. He nodded.

  “Yeah, funny enough someone gave me some good advice about calling the girl of my dreams.” She smiled, as his eyes brightened.

  “You did?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he replied.

  “And?” she asked.

  “And, it seems she has felt the same for me all these years. So I am jacking in uni and heading home to open a restaurant or something with her.”

  “Josh, that’s wonderful,” she said.

  “Anyway,” he said, leaning in and kissing her cheek. “It was fun knowing you. Take care of yourself, Ms Archer.”

  “I will, thank you, Josh, for everything,” she said, watching him as he turned and left the room. Michael gave her hug.

  “I will see you later, Mum. I’m going to run Josh to the station,” he said, and he followed Josh out.

  “He made a statement to the police,” Jack said.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “He said dad attacked you, in the flat on the Saturday Michael came to see us. He said he stopped him from hurting you.” She closed her eyes briefly. “Urshula gave a statement too,” he added, and he shook his head. “Mum, she said terrible things about dad, and what he did to her, did – did he do those sorts of things to you?” he asked. Jane lifted her hand to wipe her tears, as she could not bear her sons knowing what Sam had done to her.