They were the words that he longed to hear for so long. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” But then everything changed in an instant. He heard the gunshots and all he could think about was protecting her. He jumped in front of her and it hit him. He felt a burning sensation and searing pain. He collapsed into his wife and they fell to the floor.

He heard her gutwrenching scream and it tore at his soul. “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry” he said desperately as his world went black.

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A part of her dreaded this day and yet a tiny part knew it’s what she truly desired. This man that drove her to levels of insanity and pleasures like no other man ever had before. She had never in her life known a love and a hate like this. She wanted to hate him for what he had done in the past but her heart wouldn’t let her. She could never reveal this to him or to her family so she allowed him to believe that she hated him. But she hated herself for denying the truth.

He was so excited about this day. His nervousness was apparent as she approached the altar. He took her by the hand. The remainder of the ceremony was a blur. But as soon as they were pronounced husband and wife both of their lives changed forever. She heard the gunshots and watched as if in slow motion EJ run in front of her. But it was too late. She felt a bullet tear into her shoulder and the pain was excruciating. She screamed. She saw a look of fear in EJ’s eyes as he fell into her. They hit the ground hard.

“I’m so sorry I’m so sorry” she heard him say before he passed out on top of her. She felt a warm sensation seeping into her dress. She realized that it was EJ’s blood and she screamed. “Someone help me!!!”

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She managed to roll EJ off of her gently. She cradled him in her lap and she began to rock him. “You’re going to be okay. You’ll see. You’ll be just fine. You’re strong EJ. Now open your eyes.” She wiped his hair away from his face. He remained eerily still. “C’mon EJ. Gianni needs his father okay. You have to be there for your son. You hear me.” She was becoming frantic. “Where the hell is that ambulance?!” She screamed. She stroked his face. “Damn it EJ! You can’t leave me! Please don’t die. I need you. Gianni needs you. Fight damn it!”

His eyes fluttered open, “Samantha” He spoke at a whisper. “Samantha….tell….Gianni….I…love..him” He then lost consciousness again. “No!”, Sami screamed. She felt for a pulse and it was there but weak. “Stay with me EJ, please, just stay with me” She sat there and rocked him in her arms as though he was a child.

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The rescue workers arrived at the church. They immediately began treating EJ. They tried to see to Samantha’s injury but she pushed them away. “I’m fine. Just help my husband please.” She was in a state of shock. She didn’t even know what was happening. The next thing she knew the rescue worker helped her into the back of the ambulance with EJ. She held his hand the entire way to the hospital. When they arrived she remembered walking beside the gurney as they wheeled him in and then everything went dark as she collapsed to the floor.