Chapter 50: Chapter 50

"We'll need to take all of your statements," the police officer comments firmly, guiding us out of the storage unit. I nod grimly before pausing, turning back towards him.

"Does this mean Jake and Tobias will be free to leave?" I ask, my body heavy with exhaustion. It's the only burning question playing on my mind.The officer simply stares back at me with no emotion, purposely taking his time to answer.

I continue to search his face, desperate for him to answer me. Moments pass and eventually, he releases a sigh.

"We'll know more once we investigate into this further and get statements from all of you." He mutters unhappily under his breath, walking past me.

My hand shoots out, landing on the officers arm in an attempt to stop him in his tracks. His eyes drop down to my hand and he slowly raises his head. His eyebrow raise in surprise however I will myself to hold eye contact with him.

I'm not going to back down, not now.

"You want evidence, right? I have a full confession right here." I tell him firmly, holding out the phone in my other hand.

The officers eyes widen slightly and he nods once before scurrying over to the second police officer. Ivory is currently in the back of an ambulance and Jane is in the back of a police car, handcuffed.

The lights from the police car sirens bounce off the dark walls in the alleyway, flashing on/off. I feel my knees weaken underneath my weight. I groan under my breath and hold my hand out to steady myself using the wall —

"Hey! Are you okay Emily? You did amazing tonight," Ben says quietly, appearing by my side.

I nod weakly, feeling the blood drain from my face. The temperature in the air feels like it's been cranked up and I exhale deeply. I attempt to walk forward however my legs wobble unsteadily underneath me. Ben's arm immediately shoots out and wraps around my waist, balancing me.

"Hey, what's going on?" He asks me quietly in my ear, his face twisted with worry and concern. I shake my head, trying to re-assure him.

"I'll be fine in a minute," I mutter in response, my grip on the phone tightening. It's the only piece of evidence I have to free Jake and I'll protect it with my life. His sweet face keeps flashing through my head and I groan again, closing my eyes. A nauseous feeling washes over me and I faintly hear Ben shout out to one of the paramedics for help.

I feel myself being lowered to the cold ground and through my blurred vision, I make out the luminous jackets of several paramedics around me.

"She's pregnant."

"How far is she into the pregnancy?"

"Around three of four months, I think."

"Okay. What's her name?"

"Emily Wentworth."

"Emily, can you hear — "

It's the last conversation I hear before the buzzing in my mind completely takes over. My eyelids flutter shut and I want to scream out loud for someone to keep the phone in my hands safe. My body feels paralysed, unable to move or form any words. I let out a whimper and Jake's face flashes through my head for the millionth time tonight.

"What are you doing Muffin? You're supposed to be taking it easy, remember?" He questions, shaking his head. His blue eyes fill of concern, eyebrows knitted together. He's quickly by my side, his hand placed firmly over my stomach. I gasp as I look at him, tears building up in my eyes.

"I had to do something Jake, I was going crazy without you." I cry out. His other hand reaches forward and brushes the tears away, his blue eyes full of sadness and guilt.

"I want you back," I whisper, feeling the cold seep it's way deep into my body.

"I'm here Muffin," Jake says quietly, his arms wrapping around me. I feel myself being lifted off the floor. It feels like I'm hovering however I can still feel Jake's presence around me, his warm breath hitting my cheeks.

"Are you really here though?" I respond quietly, turning to face him. His beautiful features are now a blur, fading away around the edges. I grit my teeth tightly together and face away from him, the pain in my heart becoming overwhelming.

Even my imagination is taunting me, playing tricks.

I allow my body to grow heavy and limp, feeling the fight inside of me slowly fading. There's no fire or passion left. I'm exhausted, mentally and physically.

The last thing I remember is feeling the mobile phone being plucked out of my hands. I don't have strength or energy to fight against it.

*****

I attempt to open my eyes but struggle due to the pounding inside my head. I can hear the sound of machines around me along with faint footsteps. Several quiet voices can be heard in the distance however I can't make out who the voices belong to. I groan and my eyelids flutter open. I'm greeting by bright lights.

A familiar smiling face is bending over me, eyes full of concern. I feel her warm hand in mine, our fingers intertwined together. All I can muster is a faint whisper that I hope she hears —

"What happened?" I croak out, my eyes meeting Trish. She smiles softly, tears skimming her dark eyelashes.

"You're exhausted, it's our fault." Trish responds, shaking her head with guilt. Ben appears by her side, looking down at me with the same guilt stricken face.

"We never should have let you go through with it," Ben mutters quietly, unable to maintain eye contact with me. I frown, my eyebrows scrunched up in disagreement.

"Are you kidding me? We found Ivory and the real killer, it was worth it." I explain, my gaze flickering between the both of them. I suddenly remember the life growing inside of me and place my hand on my stomach. The small bump that meets the curve of my hand causes me to smile and even though I'm exhausted, I feel nothing but love for my baby.

My thoughts turn towards the mobile phone and my eyes widen as I frantically search the room.

"The phone!" I cry out, sitting up straight. I worryingly glance at Trish and she fiddles with something inside of her pocket.

"I've got it. I haven't let this bad boy out of my sight." Trish laughs, handing me the phone. I grip onto it tightly, grateful tears filling my eyes.

"Oh my god, thank you." I whisper gratefully, clutching the phone close to my chest. It's Jake's only chance to prove his complete innocence.

And Tobias, I can't forget Tobias.

"Why haven't the police taken it yet?" I ask, glancing around the room.

"You've only been out for two hours, they haven't taken our statements yet." Ben explains, sitting down on the edge of the hospital bed. I nod, passing the smooth phone between my hands.

"I just want Jake back," I whisper, a headache beginning to form at the front of my head. I reach over for the glass of water on my bedside table and guzzle it down, grateful for the cool liquid.

"Is the baby okay? What did the doctors say?" I ask Trish. She nods quickly at me, giving me a small smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"The baby is fine. You on the other hand need to rest." She responds firmly, her best friend and motherly instincts kicking in.

"Yes Mum." I tease her. I notice two police officer stood outside the hospital door, one on either side.

"Why are we being guarded like we're England's most wanted?" I question, pulling back the bed sheets. I carefully stand out of bed, moving wires out of the way.

"The police want us to stay in here until we've all been questioned." Ben explains, watching me carefully. I nod, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear. My stomach grumbles loudly and I look at both of my friends sheepishly, biting the corner of my lip.

"But. . . I'm starving," I admit, holding my stomach over dramatically.

"When are you ever not hungry?" Trish laughs, the skin around her eyes creasing. I gasp, mocking hurt.

"Hey! I'm pregnant, okay? I'm allowed to eat like an elephant."

A soft knock on the door causes all three of us to pause and turn towards it. It opens slowly and a male officer steps inside, glancing at all three of us. He looks tired, his eyes heavy with sleep. I don't blame him considering the clock on the wall reads five in the morning.

"You have two visitors Miss Wentworth," he says, looking directly at me. I nod, expecting Myra and Michelle to walk in.

"You can let them in," I smile, fiddling with my clothes that are filthy from the night's events. I'm looking forward to seeing Jake and Tobias' Mum. The relief of knowing Ivory has been found alive is the best news all three of us can hear. Pride and relief washes over me as I realise I'm the reason Ivory has been found.

"Where is she? Let me see her."

My head immediately snaps towards the hospital door at the sound of that voice, his voice. I suck in a breath and tug on the wires that are holding me back, keeping me confined to a certain area around my bed. Outside the door, I faintly hear muffled protests and the sound of heavy footsteps before he finally comes in to view.

Once Jake's eyes land on me, he freezes in place, stopping in his tracks. Both of us stare at each other and I feel everyone else in the room disappear. His eyes burn through mine and I watch as the corners of his lips tugged upwards into a smile, showing off his dazzling smile. The smile that well and truly captured me. . . hook, line and sinker. He silently takes a few steps towards me, his arm outstretched.

"Wait!" I whisper, backing up until I can feel the edge of the bed meet the back of my legs. Jake frowns, his blue eyes flashing with confusion.

"You are real, right?" I question, studying him carefully. His edges aren't blurred and he's dressed in denim jeans with a plain black shirt. His hair is messy on top of his head and the stubble running along his jaw definitely looks in need of a shave. I watch as his lips twitch before he lets out a low chuckle, the sound filling the silent room.

"Muffin, I'm definitely real," he whispers, stretching his arm out again towards me. I feel my knees weaken underneath me and my eyes fill with tears. . .

Tears of relief.

"Really?" I question, my voice coming out in a hushed whisper. Jake nods, a glossy layer covering his eyes.

"Yes, really. Now come here," he murmurs before closing the distance between us.

One arm wraps around my waist and the other around my back. He instantly pulls me towards his chest, his fingers running through my hair. I let out a whimper as his scent comforts me once again. He holds me tightly, burying his face in my neck.

This time, no prison guard watches over us. I feel his body relax against mine as he inhales deeply, making no effort to disguise his love.

"Holy fucking shit, I've missed you." Jake whispers in my ear, his voice sending chills down my body. I laugh against his shirt, silent tears of relief streaming down my cheeks —

"I've missed you too Jake, so so much.