Double Jeopardy Chapter 13 (standard:mystery, 3436 words) [13/13] show all parts
Author: Sarah Spenser	Added: Oct 15 2005	Views/Reads: 3378/1803	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The conclusion to Double Jeopardy find out how it ends!

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

rest, sweetheart. Allison, I need you to wake up for me. Tell me that 
you're okay, honey. I love you so much, and that little girl loves you 
too. Lynn's really worried about you. I'm trying to see if I can get 
special permission for her to come in here. I'm right here when you 
want to wake up.” Connor watched as the liquid in the IVs got lower and 
soon ran out. A nurse breezed in and assessed Allison's condition. “How 
come she's not conscious?” Connor asked beginning to panic. The nurse 
scratched her head in concentration. She appeared kind, dark brown 
eyes, a soft serene face accented by delicate features. Her 
shoulder-length auburn hair seemed to complete the serene picture she 
purported. She looked at Connor with both sympathy and concern in her 
eyes. “I don't know, sir. I'm sure she'll be waking up soon.” “That's 
what they keep telling me. You don't know why she's unconscious for 
this long do you?” “No.” she said softly. She exited the room as tears 
began to cascade down her cheeks. She had heard about Allison and the 
harrowing fight she and Francie had to survive their fall down the 
stairs. Now Allison was once again fighting for her life due to a man 
with no morals. Verna felt bad for Connor, a man who was devoted and 
loved his wife so much, now they were unsure if she would ever regain 
consciousness. 

Connor sat with Allie for hours just talking to her and recounting
stories of the blissful year they'd been married. It only seemed like 
yesterday when they had said their vows and he had carried her into 
that hotel room and they had made love. He had told her that Francie 
was waiting for her to wake up, and how much he needed to feel her in 
his arms again. He took the last tissue from the box as he proclaimed 
his love for her. “Allie, I need you to wake up for me. Not just for 
me, but for all of us. Francie, Lynn, Clint and Thelma. You have lots 
of people who are pulling for you, honey. I need to hear your soft 
voice,  to hold you in my arms again, to make love to you and feel your 
desire and passion, to taste your sweet lips against mine. Allison, 
come back to us.” Nothing, he placed a kiss on her lips hoping it would 
revive her. But still nothing, Connor's mind flashed back to when she 
was under the anesthesia. He had awakened her with a kiss, probably the 
most passionate kiss they had ever shared. But now all his efforts 
seemed futile. Exhausted and emotionally drained, Connor dozed off 
beside her. He woke an hour later to a slight mumbling. At first, he 
thought he was still dreaming, until he looked to his left and saw 
Allison beginning to stir. “Allie?” she didn't answer, but she squeezed 
his hand. “Francie! Where's Francie?” she asked weakly as she became 
more awake. “Francie's fine, Allie. She's in the NICU.” “He said he was 
going to hurt her, Connor! He said ...” Connor knew she wasn't 
comprehending his words and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. He 
reached up and gently stroked her hair, trying to reassure her that 
everything was fine. “Allison, sweetheart she's fine. I checked on her 
myself, just relax. You need to rest, sweetness.” “What happened, 
Connor? The last thing I remember I was struggling with Charlie and 
then everything went black.”” You collapsed, sweetness. You're very 
weak, you lost a lot of blood in surgery and while you were delivering 
Francie. That coupled with you getting out of bed and struggling with 
Charlie pushed your body over the edge. That was a crazy thing you did! 
You could've killed yourself!” “Not now, my love. I don't have the 
energy to argue with you.” She said weakly, she looked at him with 
pleading eyes.” I'm sorry, Allison. I don't want to fight with you, I 
love you so much, I don't want anything to happen to you. You're so 
precious, Allie. I never should've left you.” “Don't blame yourself, 
Connor. He would've found a way. Charlie was determined.” “What did he 
say to you?” “All I remember is that I was sleeping, and when I woke up 
he was there. I don't think he counted on me waking up, but when I did 
I guess I startled him. He told me that I would get what I deserved. I 
asked him where Francie was and he said that I would never know.” She 
began to sob, Connor gently wiped her tears away as he caressed her 
hand. “He told me that he wouldn't tell me if he  hurt her or not and 
that was for me to never find out. I panicked, Connor! I pulled all the 
IVs and walked as fast as I could to the nursery. I was so scared, I 
wouldn't mind if he hurt me. I'd give up my life for Francie's in a 
heartbeat, but to think of him hurting her, it was just too much for me 
to bear. I know what I did was stupid and reckless but I ...” she began 
to sob harder, Connor opened another box of tissues and gently brushed 
her tears away. “Shh, Allie, it's all right, sweetheart. He's never 
going to hurt you or Francie again. I know why you did what you did. 
I'm sorry I came down on you before. I just love you so much, I'm not 
mad at you, I could never be mad at you. You did the right thing, you 
did what any mother would do for her child. I never should've left you, 
Lynn came to visit and since you were asleep I was just going to grab a 
cup of coffee.  She was trying to talk me into it, I was hesitant, I 
didn't want to leave you. There was a guard Orson Crebbs posted at your 
door, so I thought it was relatively safe. I was thinking about it  
when a nurse said that there was something wrong with Francie. I raced 
down to the nursery and that's how Charlie got to you. He must've 
created a ruse to get me out of the room.” He looked pained, his brown 
eyes conveyed sadness and Allison felt for him. He was living with the 
agony that he could've prevented this.” Connor, you thought something 
was wrong with Francie. Of course you would go to the nursery and 
Charlie knew that.” “I'm sorry, Allie.” “Don't apologize, please.” He 
kissed her gently, she returned his kiss with a tender one of her own. 
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Allison?” Bryan said 
softly. “Yes?” “I hope I'm not interrupting something.” “Come in, 
Bryan.” He entered and stood a few feet from her bed. “I'm sorry to 
bother you, but I just wanted to tell you that Charlie is in the county 
jail. With all the evidence that you uncovered and the charges against 
him, he's looking at a long prison term.” “What about Ross and Chad?” 
“They're  going down too, Ross is going down for a long time for Monica 
Grimson's death and Chad's going down for all sorts of drug violations. 
The three musketeers will be behind bars for a long time. You don't 
have to worry, Allison.” She smiled weakly, Bryan could see she needed 
rest and wanted to keep his visit short. “What about the four missing 
teens?” “Good news, when I pressed him, Charlie finally confessed,” 
Allison took in a breath not sure she wanted to hear the rest. “He told 
us they're working for a drug ring a branch of Chad's mafia. Chad 
turned on Charlie blamed him for the whole thing and gave us the teens 
location. We have officers out there right now. They should be home 
with their families by sunrise tomorrow.” Allison smiled again, she was 
delighted, she hoped they weren't dead. “I'm so glad! Thanks for coming 
to see me, Bryan.”” I'm sure you'll sleep soundly tonight knowing that 
Charlie is safely behind bars.” “I will. What about Ernie Grimson?” “He 
seems to have disappeared, when we find him, he'll be the prosecution's 
star witness against his father.” Allison hoped that Ernie would turn 
up soon. He had promised to call her when he was safe. He was afraid of 
Ross and she had told him that he could return to town once Ross was 
behind bars. Bryan smiled and glanced at Allison again. “You know, 
Allison you deserve all the credit for this one. If it weren't for you, 
Ross probably would've won the gubernatorial race and the mob would've 
been running this town. That was some elaborate plan that Ross, Chad 
and Charlie cooked up.” “Yeah, but Ross's journals really did him in. 
Ernie sent those to me. So, I really can't take the credit.” “Nonsense, 
that's modesty, Allison. You saved this town from a disaster. I think 
I'll let the local heroine rest.” She laughed. “Thanks, Bryan.” “You're 
welcome. If you ever need anything, you have my number.” Connor watched 
as Bryan left. “I'm going to let you get some rest too, you must be 
exhausted.” “I'm a little tired.” He kissed her and delicately stroked 
her cheek. “You're the most precious person in my life, Allie. I love 
you.” Before he finished his sentence, she was asleep. Connor tiptoed 
from the room and headed down to the nursery. As he gazed at Francie, 
he realized how truly lucky he was. Most people searched their entire 
lifetimes for the kind of love that he and Allison had, and he was 
lucky enough to find it. He reentered Allie's room and took the chair 
beside her bed. He watched her as she slept, thinking of their future. 

*Four Months Later 

Allison was fixing up Francie's room, although she'd be in their bedroom
for a while once she came home, Allie wanted it to be perfect. Allie 
and Connor had spent every moment they weren't at work at the hospital. 
Francie had some lung problems, and they still didn't know if her eyes 
had developed normally due to her prematurity. But Francie proved to be 
a fighter, Connor said she was just like Allie in that respect. It was 
almost Christmas, and Allison couldn't think of a better present then 
to have her daughter home. She had planned a huge celebration inviting 
all their neighbors and friends. Some fans of Allison's had even 
started a fund to help pay for Francie's medical care. Allison was 
truly touched, and realized how lucky she was to have such supportive 
people in her life. It was nearing 12 A.M. and she was still busy 
working. Connor had fallen asleep on the couch exhausted by the day's 
work. She thought of her husband and smiled, he was always so 
supportive and his kindness was immeasurable. He had the kindest heart 
of anyone she'd ever known and she was truly grateful for Connor and 
Francie. “Allie?” Connor called searching the upstairs for her. “In 
here.” “What are you doing? We're going to bring Francie home tomorrow 
and you're still at it. You'll be exhausted.” “Relax, I'm fine. I just 
have this one thing to do.” “You said that five hours ago. Let's go to 
bed and finish up in the morning.” He kissed her tenderly, his kiss 
tasted like wine, and Allison felt dizzy for  just a second as she fell 
in love with him again. “Okay.” She followed him into the bedroom and 
wearily climbed into bed beside him. 

The next day, Allison was up early, the anticipation was almost more
than she could handle. In a few hours, Francie would be home. She could 
hardly eat she was so excited. Connor strolled into the kitchen, he was 
greeted by a kiss and the smell of eggs frying. He took a cup of coffee 
from the pot and poured one for her. “What are you making?” “Bacon and 
eggs.” She said smiling, he returned her smile as he perched himself on 
a kitchen chair. He looked at her hair as it sparkled in the sunlight. 
It looked darker, but she looked radiant. Connor couldn't remember the 
last time he had seen her this happy. As they sat down to breakfast, 
the phone rang. Allison got up and picked up the wall phone. “Hello?” 
she said trying not to choke on her eggs. “Allison? Is that you?” 
“Ernie?” “It's me, I'm safe. How's everything over there? Are you all 
right?” “I'm fine, lots of news to tell you. I'll tell you all of it 
when you get back to town.” “You know I can't come back to town.” “Yes 
you can. Ross, Charlie and Chad are safely behind bars.” “Charlie?” 
“I'll explain when you get back. You're going to be the prosecution's 
star witness.” “I'll be on the next plane.” “Okay, you'll call me when 
you arrive?” “Yeah. Although that might not be for a few hours. I'll 
call, thanks, Allison.” “You're welcome.” She listened as Ernie 
replaced the receiver. “He's coming back?” Connor inquired biting into 
a piece of bacon. “That's what he said.” Connor rolled his eyes, 
Allison glared at him. ”He's a kid down on his luck.” “Oh, the Allison 
Cassidy charity fund.” “Don't start! Be happy. Francie's coming home!” 
she said excitedly. “I'm happy, you make me happy, Allie.” He kissed 
her long and deep. She smiled as she kissed him passionately. After 
they cleaned up the dishes, they headed to the hospital. 

Once home, Allison held and rocked Francie. She and Connor adored her,
and knew how lucky they were to have her in their lives. Allison 
watched as Francie fell asleep in her arms. She gently placed  her in 
her bassinette. She sat with Connor on the couch and gazed in amazement 
at the miracle that was their daughter. All the doctors had bet against 
both Francie and Allison surviving their fall. But Allison knew better, 
she smiled with love and affection at her daughter. Francie was 
sleeping peacefully, Allison had made a quilt which she slipped over 
her. Connor put his arm around Allison as he drew her closer to him. 
“You want to have another?” he asked kissing her tenderly. “Only if you 
go through labor.” She said laughing. “I'd love to, Connor. I've always 
wanted a house with lots of children. Thanks for standing by me, my 
love. I love you so much. I know you must've been scared when Francie 
and I fell down the staircase. I'm sorry I worried you.” He kissed her 
softly before he spoke. “It's all right, Allie. The important thing is 
that you and Francie are all right. You're my world, Allison. I love 
you both so much. I don't know what I'd do without you.” She kissed him 
as she ran her fingers through his luxurious blond hair. “You'll never 
have to find out!” she said playfully kissing him again. They cuddled 
on the couch just enjoying each other. Allison hoped her life would 
always be this idyllic, surrounded by her daughter and the man she 
loved, life was perfect. 

End of Double Jeopardy 


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