Chapter Ninety-five Estera Roberts’ POV (Present Time)

One of the kitchen staff brought them to my office shortly after. I thanked her and gave her a tip. Closing the door, I placed the food on the coffee table, and went to make coffee for Evan, placing the mug beside his plate, I went to press a kiss to the side of his lips, placing a hand over his forehead to be certain he wasn't running a temperature.
“Baby?” I called.
“Mmm … love you waking me with a kiss,” he muttered. I giggled.
“Get up, sleepy head and come eat, so you can take your antibiotics.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said and got up, towering over me. Without heels, I was quite aware I must look like some midget beside him.
He first went to plant kisses on the twins' forehead and cheeks, causing them to laugh before straightening his spine to gaze down at them with loving eyes.
I reached for his good arm, urged him to the sofa, made him sit down and gestured to him to serve himself and eat.
“Where did you get all these so early?” he asked.
“Hospital food … but for the doctors,” I replied. He groaned.
“I promise to feed you something delectable when we get home. Eat!” I said. He chuckled.
“Why am I sleeping so much though?”
“Your medication has tranquilizer in it, you need to rest to heal faster,” I replied.
“I kind of have a ton of things to do, babe—”
“You always have a ton of things to do, Evan,” I said, interrupting him as I sat beside him and started to serve myself. “And I am aware you need rest. I am begging you, first as a doctor, and then your wife, please, take some time off.”
“I promise you, I will, once I have sorted out this whole mess,” he replied. I nodded. “Can you take some time off?” he asked.
“Depends … ” I said, giving him a teasing smile while I munch my berries.
“Depends on what?” he asked, darting his eyes from mine to my lips, his eyes were dark and intense.
“What the time-off its for—” I wiggled my eyebrow. He laughed.
“We could … let’s say … go on a honeymoon in Paris and redo our marriage vows?” he said, leaning into me to plant a kiss on the tip of my nose. My heart lunged and my eyes darted as I peered into his eyes. “Would you like that, my love?” he asked, searching my gaze. I pressed my lips together and slowly nodded, not trusting my voice. My eyes were already blurred with tears. He dropped his spoon and reached out to cup the side of my face. His fingers slowly brushed my skin, making me feel really good inside. “You tell me what you want. How you want it, and I will make it happen, okay?” he rasped. I nodded.
“Can we invite aunt Sophia this time?”
“You can invite anyone you want and I will make sure they have a jet ready to get them to the venue, understand?” he replied. I gave him a wavering smile.
“Be careful, the entire hospital might choose to come with that kind of offer…”
“Like I said … anyone. Just give me a number and I will make sure they get there in comfort and return back home safe.” I nodded. He leaned closer and took my lips in a searing kiss. We finished our meal in companionable silence and I helped him shake out his medication and make sure he took them.
“Thanks, darling,” he rasped, let out a sigh and settled back on the seat. I got up to pack the plates and called the kitchen again. They promised to send someone to get the used wares. I ended the call and dropped my phone on the table. “Estie … There is something I need to tell you—” Evan said, making me pause and raise my eyes to him. The sound of a gunshot resounded in the hospital walls followed by a scream and running feet. I froze. Evan jerked up from his seat and rushed to my desk to pick up his gun.
“What are you doing?!” I exclaimed with widen gaze. The fear that gripped me inside was profound.
“I need to find out where that came from. And you need to stay here and lock yourself inside with the boys.”
“Evan! No! We have securities. They will deal with whatever that was, please!” I said. But there was a look in his eyes that got me suspicious that he might have an idea of what was going on. “What did you want to tell me?” I made myself ask.
“Edward Sterling is here … in this building—” he replied, holding my gaze. Fear ricocheted inside me.
“Your father is here, why?”
“He had a minor heart attack just after he was arrested. The agents meant to take him in are there with him in the room he was assigned.”
“The room … minor heart attack?!” the words rang in my head and I muttered them in utter dismay. My blood ran cold. Ameera, Ashley, Meredith and Cole were in charge of him. Room 102! “What’s his room number?” I asked with trepidation.
“Room 102—” Evan said. I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands.
“Estera, what is it?” he asked urgently and with great concern.
“Cole, h - he assigned Ameera, Ashley and Meredith to that room. Oh, my God!”
“Hey, calm down, let me go and check it out. Stay here, please. Can you do that for me, please?”
I couldn’t tell whether I nodded or not but Evan hurried out, leaving me there, thinking and imagining my friends in their own pool of blood. Another shot rang out and then more. The boys started to cry, and I rushed to get them from their stroller to hold them against my body. Praying that all of my friends were saved and that Evan would not do anything to put himself at risk.