Here is the final chapter of this story. Hope you all enjoyed it and thank you everyone for reviewing my story. I was planning on making another O'Malley story right after this one. This chapter took the longest to write and I'm not sure I did a very good job on it, u can tell me. Plz read and enjoy.
Cassie sat in a chair, her hands tied behind her and she was in such pain. She was at the mercy of a madman; his only intent was to make her suffer. He ranted on and on about his family and although she felt sorry for his loss, she couldn't help but hate him for the pain he was putting her through. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry, but the pain was unbearable. She was sure he was going to kill her. When he began to pour gasoline all around her, she knew what he was going to do. Repeatedly she prayed for God to somehow save her, she wasn't ready to die, not with Jack in her life. She put her head down and let a tear run down her cheek. Suddenly she heard the door burst open and she heard Marcus's voice. She thanked God for bringing them to her; she kept falling in and out of consciousness. Next thing she remembered hearing was a gunshot and Jack's groan. She looked up at Jack, her heart aching for him. Then things get out of hand, as Andrew dropped the cigar and ignited the flames. As in all of Cassie's nightmares, she is surrounded by flames, trapped and unable to free herself. Her eyes burned and she began to cough horribly. She was terrified; the flames burned her legs, making her doubt that she would make it. She saw the flames growing higher and higher around her, then suddenly the flames stopped going higher and went straight at her. She closed her eyes and screamed.
Jack sat in a chair beside Cassie's bed, when she began screaming he jumped up and knelt down beside her, trying to wake her up. "Cassie, wake up please." She would quiet down slowly but the pain was evident. She would take a while to heal from this, longer then the nursing home fire even. Jack kissed her on the forehead and spoke softly to her, sometimes telling her jokes, sometimes just saying random things.
It had been a week and Jackhad finally beenreleased from the hospital. He had instantly gone to Cassie's room and stayed at her side. She was recovering slowly, the bruises were fading and the broken bones were mending, but the scars that Andrew left mentally were taking longer. She had the same nightmare almost every night; she woke up screaming from it. The doctors said it would be another week before Cassie could be released and she would need someone to take care of her at home for a while. Jack volunteered to takecare of her naturally, with the help of the O'Malley clan.Jack never left her bedside; one of his siblings usually joined him each day. Jack was glad that Andrew had been put in jail for a long time. Andrew is just lucky that Jack, Cole, and Ash weren't allowed near him, he would be toast.
Cassie sat in the wheelchair smiling. She wore a plain white t-shirt with a tan leather jacket, loose fitting blue jeans and tennis shoes. Her long hair was pulled back out of her face. The burns on her legs and arms were well hidden. She was finally going home, it had been such a trial getting the doctors to believe she was ok, but they relented in the end. All the O'Malleys were at the hospital when she was released. Jack pushed the wheelchair into the hospital lobby where all her friends were gathered. Kate went up and hugged Cassie. "I am so glad that you are ok."
Cassie smiled. "All thanks to you O'Malleys."
Kate smiled and nodded. "I can't wait until you are an O'Malley."
Cassie blushed and smiled. "You and me both sister."
Kate laughed and looked up at Jack. "Hear that?"
Jack nodded. "Yup."
Ash and Cole came over and gave her hugs as well. Cole smiled. "Don't think I am going to go easy on you at the Station, Cass."
Cassie laughed and nodded. "Of course Boss."
Ash laughed. "Can't wait till you are back partner, one of the guys said he and his partner were the best."
Cassie got a defiant look on her face. "That's not possible."
Ash laughed. "I knew you would say that.
Marcus came over smiling and hugged. "Glad you ok Cassie, you had us all worried."
Cassie sighed. "Thanks for looking out for me Marcus."
Marcus smiled. "What are brothers for?" Those words made Cassie feel so important.
She got hugs from everyone else in the lobby.
Jack wheeled her out to a car and helped her get in. "I want to take you somewhere special ok Cassie?"
Cassie nodded. "Anywhere with you is special Jack."
Jack blushed and closed her door. He got into the drivers seat and drove off.
Cassie leaned against the window, she watched the scenery go by. Jack was taking her to a secluded spot in the park, she was sure of it. He had brought a picnic with him, packed by his sister Rachel. She closed her eyes and let the coolness of the window cool her down. It was a nice spring day, the air cool and crisp. She pushed any thoughts of the fire from her mind, wanting only to think of good things.
Jack stopped the car and opened his door. He went to Cassie's side and opened her door. "Do you want your wheelchair?"
Cassie shook her head. "No, you can help me; I don't need that stupid wheelchair."
Jack smiled and took her hand in his. "I was expecting something like that."
Jack helped her out and let her grab the picnic basket. They walked slowly, Cassie hated being so slow, she also hated walking with a limp. Jack looked at her smiling and scooped her into his arms. She was surprised and let out a yelp, Jack laughed. Jack was careful not to hurt her as he carried her to the spot he had picked out earlier.
He set her down carefully and helped her stand as he laid out a green blanket to sit on. She sat down beside him and they laid out the food. They talked about anything and everything, avoiding the subject of the fire. Cassie laughed at the jokes that Jack told and felt as if everything was perfect. God had given her yet another chance to make the most out of life and she wasn't going to let God or Jack down.
Jack was so nervous about what he was about to do, he prayed for the strength and the ability not to stutter. He reached into his pocket and got out a velvet box. He held it behind his back and looked at Cassie's beautiful face. "Cassie, there is something I want to ask you."
Cassie's heart skipped a beat at his tone, she was getting nervous and excited. He sat right in front of her, looking directly into her chocolate brown eyes. As if in slow motion, he brought out the velvet box. Cassie thought her heart was going to stop. Jack smiled at her reaction. He opened the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring. "Cassie, will you marry me."
Cassie forgot how to speak for a moment. Jack waited patiently, allowing the shock to wear off and was caught off guard when Cassie tackled him, hugging him tightly.
She smiled down at him. "Of course I will." Jack placed the ring on her finger, smiling the whole time. Cassie gave him a tender kiss.
"You don't know how long I have been wanting to do that." Jack said.
Cassie smiled. "Let me guess, since the day you met me."
Jack laughed. "Ok, maybe you do know."
Jack's cell phone began ringing. Cassie let him up and he answered the phone. "Yes Marcus."
Cassie watched amused as Jack looked around the area. "Ok Marcus, where are you guys hiding and for how long."
Cassie laughed as Marcus, Kate, Rachel, Lisa, and Stephen came out from some bushes. "Talk about no privacy."
Kate walked up to Cassie and hugged her. "Welcome to the family Cassie."
Marcus and Stephen were talking to Jack, who was trying and failing to look upset at their intrusion. "So Jack, you finally asked her."
Jack nodded. "Yeah, I wanted to for so long, and you guys bugging me helped even more."
Stephen pretended to be hurt. "Bugged, I was thinking more along the lines of sibling help."
Jack smiled. "Also known as bugging me."
Marcus sighed. "Whatever you say little brother."
Marcus, Stephen, and Jack joined the girls. "Time for a celebration." Announced Marcus.
They all agreed. Jack picked Cassie up in his arms again and all the O'Malleys walked to their cars to celebrate the engagement.
Cassie held on tight to Jack, knowing he would never let her fall.