If Only

Charlotte Crawford

As the ringing continues to Pierce through my ears. I watched as Emma's body lay on the ground limp in front of me. I looked in the direction of her killer, William stood holding the gun up.

"Answer your damn phone next time," he muttered.

Shock waves still going through me. She didn't care about the fact that he was the father to my child. That the child was upstairs now wailing. That she could've been brought to harm in this situation. That she almost took him away from me again "Charlotte."

I looked at him and fell back onto the couch, trying to keep my head steady, looking away from her body. "Charlotte, it's okay," he whispered, and I shook my head.

"She- she tried to kill you." I pressed my head against his chest, trying to listen to his heart, and soon heard it racing.

"Focus on that, okay? It's still beating. Close your eyes," he whispered.

I knew he was signaling for Will to clean this mess up. Our neighbors must be terrified, especially before any authorities show up.

"Caroline" I pushed past him not glancing at her in the ground, I knew that would take me out within seconds.

I ran upstairs towards her wails. I rushed into her room taking her into my arms. I pressed her against my chest soothing her. The noise was terrible for her sensitive ear drums. "It's okay."

I sat in the rocking chair, taking in her baby scent, pulling her close to me as the tears left my eyes. "I almost lost my family again," I said aloud as I felt Nate bending down to my knees.

"To someone, who was my family. Who died, she died, and then she didn't die, and now she died again, for real this time." he swiftly took Care from my hands as I pulled mine to my face, collecting my sobs.

"She was named the head of the Greek mafia. Emma was married to Atlas, he was leaving her for Jillian. She didn't care, she knew it was bound to happen. She wanted him dead to take over and her mission along with Atlas's for years, your husband dead. The head of the Italian Mafia." Nate lifted his head in shame.

"So when the ties were sealed in Greece she decided to pay her favorite daughter a visit. Who happened to be married to the enemy?" he pointed to Nate, "she had to die, Charlotte."

"Will," Nate warned.

"It was her destiny to kill Nate, her plan for years. I got a tip from someone on the inside that she was coming just to do that. I'm sorry to be the one that had to kill her, I know she meant a lot to you".

I covered Care's ears, knowing they were sensitive. "But she went after my husband and could've hurt our child in the process. They pointed the gun at me and were ready to shoot Nate. You did what you had to do to protect us." Will nodded.

"Thank you," I whispered as the tears fell. Thank you for saving him, me." He nodded, standing up again. I'll deal with everything. Just stay up here," he reasoned.

I kept my eyes on our precious baby girl. Though she shared my eyes, she had her father's features. I couldn't believe Emma would go after her dad.

I didn't like to think about the demons Nates had to face throughout his life. I hated the thought of it all around, but it was a curse brought upon him at birth.