The Code Name Diaries-Chapter Fourteen

1

The hospital was noisy and crowded, full of people with different troubles. Heidi came over to me as soon as I walked in, not asking about Ryan, but informing me of Sean’s progress. The paramedics had whizzed Sean in, with Heidi right behind them. They stopped her almost as soon as they got inside. 2

“ All we do is wait now,” she said softly. I nodded. “ He did it for you, you know.”3

“ I know,” I said softly, looking down the hallway that Heidi said they had taken him down. She pulled slightly on my arm and led me over to the chairs in the waiting room. I took a look at the people around me, not knowing who they were or why they were, but still wondering if they were close to losing a person just like I was. I settled myself as comfortably as I could in the hard plastic chairs and tried not to think about what was going on with Sean. I tried to read a magazine and then tried to focus on a Spanish soap opera, even though I only understood every other word. It wasn’t working.4

Not too long after we arrived, Detective O’Brien and my parents showed up as well. My parents knew well enough to not say anything, but did hug me and give me hopeful smiles. Detective O’Brien looked as if he wanted to talk, but I gave him a hard look and he restrained himself.5

A doctor finally came out and walked over to us. We all sat up, alert and ready for news, any news. “ Excuse me, are you with a…” he started to say, consulting a clipboard. “ Are you with Sean Bennett?”6

I nodded, a huge lump in my throat. I was so nervous; I felt like I had eagles in my stomach instead of mere butterflies. “ Yes,” I managed to spit out.7

“ Is he okay, doctor?” Heidi said, taking over for me. 8

“ Well, we took him into surgery and removed the bullet from his leg. He was lucky that none of his vital organs were shot. He’s recovering right now and while he’ll have a little trouble walking from now on, he’ll be fine,” he explained to me. 9

Relief washed over me and I did the first thing my mind told me to do and that was to hug the doctor, who stepped back in surprise. “ Thank you,” I said sincerely. “ Thank you so much.” 10

Heidi squeezed my hand. “ When can we see him?” she asked.11

The doctor paused to think about it for a moment. “ You can go in now. I believe he is asleep but you can go see him.” 12

I jumped up as soon as he said that. “ I’m going to go see him,” I announced. My parents stood up to join me, but Heidi put out her hand to stop them. They looked from her to me and nodded in understanding. 13

“ Wait, Tara,” O’Brien said. I turned to say something to him, but the look on his face stopped me. “ Please, before you go in there, I need to talk to you, your parents and Heidi.”14

I glanced down the corridor again and then sighed. “ Okay, I understand.” 15

He glanced around. “ I think we should go outside where we can get more privacy.” We all tramped outside of the hospital. I sat down on a bench and folded my arms across my chest. “ Okay, so here we go.”16

“ Are we being relocated?” Mom asked immediately.17

O’Brien sighed. “ Yes, unfortunately you are being relocated. Your identities have been uncovered so now we have to give you new ones.”18

Heidi looked at him. “ What about me?” she asked quietly, afraid to hear what was in store for her. 19

“ Heidi, you are now to become a member of the Witness Protection Program too,” he explained.20

She sighed, more out of fear than anything else. “ What about my parents?” Heidi asked.21

“ We called them and they’re meeting us here,” he said. He folded his hands in his lap and leaned forward. “ Basically, we’re going to give you guys your new identity and we’re getting you on a plane out of here. Your safety comes first.”22

I shook my head. Not again…I couldn’t have a new identity again. I was just barely getting used to being Katy and now I would have a new name. “Wait, what about Sean?” I said. “ Or is he just going to join us when he’s recovered?”23

Detective O’Brien hesitated before replying. “ Well, that’s the thing, Tara…”24

“ What?” I demanded. “ What are you not telling me?”25

“ Well, we think part of the reason that the Sandovals found you was because Sean was with you, without a different name. He was easy to track so you were easy to track,” he explained.26

I paused, letting that soak in. “ So you’re saying that it’s Sean’s fault that Pedro and Hector attacked me here?”27

“ No, Tara, that’s not what we’re saying,” he replied. “ The point is that, for your safety, we need you to send you to a place where your parents know who you are and no one else.” 28

“ So you’re saying that…” I whispered slowly. 29

He looked at me and I felt my heart begin to break. “ I’m saying, Tara, that when you go in to visit Sean, you have to say goodbye.”30

My mom reached out for me and grabbed my shoulders. I pushed her off, not wanting to believe the words that he was saying. It just couldn’t be true. “Fine,” I said. “ Fine, I’ll say goodbye.” I got up and walked into the hospital. I started down the long corridor and into Sean’s room. I gasped when I saw him. His leg was wrapped up and the look on his face told me he was in a lot of pain. “ Sean.”31

He looked up. “Katy, you’re okay,” he said, relieved.32

I smiled, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, brushing his hair out of his face. “ Of course I’m okay,” I said. “ What about you?”33

He winced. “ I plan to live.” He stopped to look at me. “ So Katy, what’s your new name?”34

“ I don’t know,” I said truthfully. “ I haven’t gotten my new information yet.”35

He paused. “Katy can I ask you something?”36

I looked down at him curiously. “ Of course. What is it?”37

“ How did you know Pedro’s brother’s name was Hector?”38

I was completely ready to lie, just liked I had lied to Heidi. It was there, practically already said, until I stopped. I could not lie to Sean; he knew me better than that and he knew that I could not lie. I was a terrible liar. “ He threatened me on Christmas when I went to the store,” I admitted.39

Sean started to sit up and I put my hand out to stop him. “Katy, why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, hurt echoing in his voice. The look spread across his face said everything, you tell me everything; why not this?40

I thought about how to word my answer before I replied. “ Because I wanted to prove that I could take care of myself. I didn’t want to look or seem dependent on you,” I said quickly. “ I want to show everyone that Katy is a person all on her own and she doesn’t need a guy to save her.” 41

“ Oh Katy,” Sean said. “ I know you can take care of yourself …everyone knows that. Look how you got yourself out of your first situation with Pedro. And tonight…you were amazing. I’ve never seen you as strong and independent as you were tonight.” 42

“ I guess,” I said, sighing, still pleased by what he said. It really was true. Tonight I had proven myself and I kept myself together as much as I could and was strong and brave, despite all my fears. “ I didn’t want to move again, either.”43

He smiled. “ Well, at least we have each other right? Where are we headed next?”44

Tears sprung in my eyes at the word we. There was no we anymore, as much as I wanted it to stay a we more than anything. “ Sean…” I started.45

Sean looked at me, concern in his eyes. “ What’s wrong, Katy?”  46

I took a deep breath. I had proven myself strong through out this entire ordeal and I had to do it again. I had to believe that Heidi was right and we really were meant to be, that we would be together, despite all this. “ Sean, you’re not coming with us.”47

He started to sit up and struggled a bit. I reached out to help him but he waved me away. “ What are you talking about?”48

“ Detective O’Brien said that you’re part of the reason that the Sandovals found me,” I said, linking my fingers through his. “ He thinks it’s better off if no one knows me except my parents.”49

“ He can’t do that,” Sean said.50

“ Sean,” I said, hopefully,“ Can he really not do that?”51

Sean sighed. “ No. Technically, he can’t. But the Witness Protection Program can.” 52

“ Does this mean we’ll never see each other again?” I asked, starting to lose what little hope I had. 53

“ I don’t know, Katy,” Sean said. “ I wish I did.”54

“ Heidi said we’re meant to be together and that we have a fairy tale love,” I said. 55

“ Well, then we just have to believe in what Heidi says okay?” he said. I nodded. “ I promise we will see each other again. I promise.” 56

“ I love you Sean,” I said, a lump forming in my throat.57

“ I love you too Katy,” Sean managed to say back. He lifted his hand to my cheek and then moved it to cup the back of my neck. He pulled me close and kissed my forehead. “ Now get out of here, okay?”58

“ Okay,” I said, wiping my tears away and started walking out of the room. I turned back once to take a long look at him, my last look. 59

“ Get out of here, Katy,” he said. “ I miss you already.” 60

I left as quickly as I could, not looking back at all. I walked outside and fell into Heidi’s arms. She stroked my head as I cried. “ Shh, it’s okay, Katy,” she said. “ You’ll be together.” 61

I pulled away from here and smiled weakly. “ I hope so.” I glanced at my parents and the detective. “ You want to go on a walk real quick…before we have to say goodbye?” I looked at the detective for permission and he nodded toward the hospital.62

“ Of course,” Heidi said. I took her hand and we both went back into the hospital, avoiding the hallway where Sean’s room was. “ How was Sean?”63

“ He’s fine,” I said. I smiled. “ He’s a fighter. Being shot is not going to stop him.”64

“ I bet,” Heidi said, smiling back. “ You said goodbye?”65

I nodded. “ Yes,” I replied, still feeling the shock in my forehead from his kiss. “ I’m going to miss him.” She nodded. “ I’m going to miss you too, Heidi.”66

She smiled weakly.  “ So this is how it feels to run away?” she asked.67

I shrugged, looking at the different people as we walked. We stopped in the maternity ward and looked at the little babies asleep in their cribs. I smiled at them, so new and so innocent. Ignorance is bliss. “ I guess so. It’s confusing. It’s hard to remember who you used to be while still pretending to be an entirely different person,” I explained. I pressed my hand on the window, reaching out to one of the infants whose arm was raised slightly. “ And the biggest thing is the fear you constantly have. I was so afraid of Pedro and even though I knew he was in prison, I pictured him a thousand times at my doorstep, ready for a Tara that was completely unprepared for him.” I looked at her. “ At least you don’t have to go through a trial. That was the worse.”68

“ How did you do it, Katy?” she asked, looking in at the babies. 69

I looked at her and started walking back down the hallway. “ Sean,” I said. “ It was all Sean. He was by my side the entire time, even though he barely knew me back then.” I smiled at the memory of our first meeting, him supporting me and me looking into his blue eyes and not being able to look away.70

Heidi shook her head. “ I don’t think that is true.”71

I turned to stare at her. “ What do you mean? Sean has been everything I need and more.”72

“ I’m sure he was during the trial and I know he was while you were here in California, but it wasn’t all him Katy. Don’t give him all the credit,” she said, giving me a knowing look. “ It was you too. You are a strong person, Katy. You have put up with this for so long and look at you. You’re ready to face it all over again. I only hope that I can be like you and come out strong and able to deal with this.”73

I put my arm around her shoulder. “ You can do it. I know you can. You were so brave, the entire time. Heidi, you climbed out a three-story window and down the side of the building. You helped us escape. You can deal with it.”74

She sniffled. “ My eyes are going to be permanently swollen.” 75

I laughed. “ Mine were like that too.” 76

“ Heidi!”77

We both looked up and saw her parents running toward her. They wrapped her in tight hugs, tears streaming down their cheeks. “ We were so worried about you, Heidi,” her mom said.  I smiled and took a step backward, removing myself from this relieved, but also happy, reunion.78

Heidi’s mom looked up. “Katy …” she said simply. She came over to me and hugged me securely. “ I never knew. Tara is your real name?”79

I nodded. “ Yeah,” I answered. “ You guys better get out of here. Detective O’Brien has your new identities ready for you most likely.”80

“ Tara.”81

I looked down the corridor and saw Detective O’Brien coming with my parents. I was still uncomfortable hearing Tara instead of Katy. 82

“ It’s time to go, Tara,” my mom said, putting her hand on my shoulder. She too looked uncomfortable saying Tara, but it was after all my birth name and the one I had used for seventeen years. 83

I didn’t respond to my mom, just took a step closer to Heidi. We hugged fiercely, both of us trying to be strong because we knew we would have to continue being strong for the rest of our lives. I squeezed her hand and went back over to my parents. 84

“ Officer Kepler is waiting outside for you,” O’Brien said. “ He will escort you to the airport and assist you with your …new life. Come on, Tara, let’s go.”85

I gave Heidi once last look as I did with Sean and followed my parents out of the hospital, completely ignoring the looks we were getting from the other people sitting in the waiting room. Detective O’Brien escorted us to the airport and got us a flight and told us a detective would meet us there in our new home, Nassau Beach in Florida. We boarded our flight quietly, not saying a word to each other. We were all exhausted and overwhelmed and I wanted to kiss my parents for doing all of this for me. 86

The plane started to take off and I took one last good long look at the place that had been my home for the past seven months and the place where I had found love and friendship. A single tear fell down my cheek and splashed onto the papers sitting in my lap, blurring one name and one name only. Megan Harris.87

“ Happy Birthday dear Megan…happy birthday to you!”88

I grinned, thought about a potential wish and blew out the candles. Everyone burst into cheers. 89

My mom reached over and picked up the cake. “ Happy 19th birthday, Megan,” she said. 90

“ Thanks Mom,” I said, stealing a candle off the cake and licking off the icing. My friend, Miranda, laughed and took one for herself. 91

It had been a year since the last time I had seen Heidi or Sean or California in general. Life in Nassau Beach, Florida was great and I managed to score an admission to the local art college. My freshman year had been very successful. 92

My mother returned to teaching, this time at the high school instead of elementary kids. She loved teaching and it was her calling. My dad continued to coach, at the same high school where my mom taught. They both were happier than ever and I was glad to see them back where they were supposed to be. 93

This time around, instead of hiding everything I was before the change, I flourished in it. My pictures were displayed everywhere and I was constantly taking more. Sean and Heidi were still a part of my life even if I couldn’t see them. My friends knew about them and had seen photos of them. I missed them each and everyday, but knew that they were safer where they were, away from me. I knew they were okay, wherever they were. The only thing I did know was that Heidi’s new name was Joanna Concord.94

Miranda slid a package across the table to me. “ Happy birthday, Megan.”95

“ Oh Miranda, you shouldn’t…” I trailed off, confused. I pulled out a huge dog bowl. “ Have,” I finished. “ Are you sure this is for me?”96

She laughed. “ Oops, that’s for Bennett. I didn’t want him to feel left out. See, it has his name on it.” 97

I laughed and put it down on the ground where Bennett could see it. “Gosh, Miranda, as if my dog isn’t fat enough.” 98

My other friend, Mark, laughed. “ He’s not fat…he’s big boned.” 99

The sun was shining brightly and everyone had their sunglasses and summer clothes on, though it was only the end of April. I stretched out on the deck chair and sighed, breathing in the scent of the ocean. 100

“ So, Sean couldn’t make it?” Miranda whispered in my ear.101

I tensed up slightly but smiled. “ No, he’s too busy,” I lied. 102

“Megan do you want any cake?” my dad called to me.103

“ Of course I want some cake!” I yelled back. “ It’s my birthday!”104

“ Yeah, but a birthday is not fun without a party,” a voice said behind me. “ And a party is nothing without your best friend.”105

I whirled around and screamed. “ He…Joanna!” I cried, jumping up to hug her. She grinned at me and hugged back. 106

“ Happy Birthday, Megan. You’re getting old, you know that?” she laughed.107

“ So this is Joanna,” Miranda said, smiling. She stuck her hand out and shook hands with Joanna. 108

“ Hi,” Joanna said, sending me a questioning look.109

“ Oh yes, proper introductions,” I said. “ Miranda, this is my best friend Joanna. Joanna this is my friend Miranda.” They smiled at each other. My smile was brighter than ever, my whole body shaking with excitement. I couldn’t believe she was here. 110

“ I can’t believe you are here,” I whispered to her, when Miranda was out of audible range. “ I can’t believe you’re risking yourself for my birthday.”111

“ Your parents knew the whole time,” Joanna said, waving over to them, grinning the entire time. “ And besides, I didn’t come to see you. I came to see Bennett. Where is that fat lump of a dog?”112

I grinned. “ Bennett!” I called. He came waddling over, his fat flapping all over the place. I loved my plump dog. Joanna got on her knees and scratched him on the head. “ Do you want something to drink?”113

“ Sure,” she answered. “ I’ll take whatever you have.”114

“ I’ll get it,” Miranda volunteered, coming up to us. She turned and headed inside the house. 115

“ She seems like a nice girl,” Joanna commented. 116

“ She is,” I agreed. I looked at her sideways, knowing that there was a part of her that felt replaced by this new friend. “ But she’s no Heidi Anders, that’s for sure.” 117

Joanna pushed my shoulder playfully. “ Oh stop it, you’re making me blush,” she said.118

“ Here you go,” Miranda said, handing Joanna a soda. She looked at me, her eyebrows raised. “ There’s someone inside to see you, Megan.”119

I glanced around. Everyone that had been invited had already shown up. I didn’t know who else could possibly be here. “ Who is it, Miranda?”120

Miranda shrugged. “ I don’t know.” Joanna had a curious look on her face. “ But you better get in there before he leaves.”121

“ He?” I asked. She nodded. “ Why?”122

She leaned forward, a grin on her face. “ Because I wouldn’t let him out of my sight for even a second,” she said in a teasing voice.123

I gave her a blank look but nonetheless, made my way across the yard and into the house. “ Hello?” I called. “ Hello?” I grabbed a soda from the fridge in the kitchen and popped it open. I heard a noise coming from the living room. I sighed and walked into the room. As soon as I did, I dropped my soda and it spilled all over the floor. 124

“ It’s a good thing you have wood floors or your carpet would have been a disaster.”125

I didn’t answer. My mouth was hanging open and my body had gone numb from the shock. I didn’t know how to react. 126

He took a few steps forward, limping a little, until he was right in front of me. “ What? No hello, Katy? Or should I say Megan?”127

“ Sean…” I managed to say. I reached out my hand to touch him, ever so gently, as if to see if he was real, to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I had pictured this so many times but I never imagined it genuinely happening. 128

He smiled slightly, his eyes lit up brightly. “ Hi Megan.”129

“ What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice beginning to shake a little.130

He took another step closer.  “ I came to wish you a happy birthday,” he explained, a grin on his face. “ So happy birthday.”131

“ Thanks,” I said faintly. Why couldn’t I speak? I had only said about three words so far. 132

“ Oh yes. I came for one more thing,” Sean said, mysteriously.133

“ What?” I asked, raising my eyebrow in curiosity. 134

He leaned forward, his face so close to mine. “ Do you remember when you said you would let me love you for the rest of my life?”135

I smiled at the memory. “ Yes, I do,” I replied.136

“ Well, then I have one question for you.”137

“ Yeah?” I said, hopefully, taking a step closer. My body started to tremble, anticipating his touch. 138

“ Will you still let me?” he whispered.139

It didn’t even take me a second to figure out the answer to that.“ Of course,” I answered. He grinned and took the last step, closing the distance between us and pulled me close, holding me there. My arms wrapped around his waist and I leaned my head against his chest, my body perfectly molded to fit in the curve of his. I breathed in, enjoying his scent and the heat radiating between us.  I heard someone come in the door and turned to see Joanna, grinning brightly, and Miranda, her eyes wide in astonishment yet understanding at the same time. They both came over and we all hugged. A little circle, the four of us; the past, the present and the future.140