KIDNAPPED

“Hey Dale, Karsyn wants to see the puppies, we will meet you outside.”

“Ok, I will be right out.”

Kelly and Karsyn stepped out and walked to the pet store next door. It was an unusually quiet day in Mooresville and Karsyn’s giggles could be heard down the street. So why didn’t anyone here her screams?”

Chapter 1

Dale stepped out into the hot July sun, “ok, girl better lick this quick. This ice cream won’t last…Oh my God Kelly.” The ice cream fell to the ground as Dale rushed to the lifeless form laying in front of the pet store. “Someone call 911.” he screamed. “Kelly, come on, wake up. Jesus, what the hell happened.” There was a pool of blood forming under her head when it hit him. “Karsyn! Karsyn!” He looked around as the police pulled up. “Karsyn come out it’s ok.”

Mooresville is a small town and when you have a family with a name the size of Earnhardt, everyone knows everyone. Dale felt a hand on his arm. “Dale, what happened?” An officer and close family friend asked.

“James, I don’t know.” Dale was visibly upset and as the paramedics worked on Kelly, James led Dale to a bench nearby. Dale’s eyes never stopped scanning the area looking for his niece. “I was getting ice cream for us, Karsyn wanted to see the puppies.” he pointed to the pet store window. “This is how she was when I came out. Karsyn is gone.”

“What was she wearing?”

“Um, a…uh…blue tee shirt with Pooh on the front and…uh…denim shorts with tennis shoes.”

James called the description in and with in a few more minutes there were more officers starting to search the businesses downtown. They loaded Kelly into the ambulance “Dale, go with Kelly.”

“What if Karsyn is hiding and she is too scared to come out for you guys. I need to stay and be here for her.”

“Dale, we are going to search every building inside and out. We will call you if anything turns up, I promise.”

Dale climbed in the ambulance with a still unconscious Kelly. He grabbed his cell phone, “Dad?”

He heard the fear in his son’s voice. “Junior, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“You need to meet us at the hospital, call mom.”

“Junior what happened?”

“It’s Kelly, she’s hurt. Karsyn’s gone.”

Dale swallowed, “Junior what do you mean gone.”

“Someone took her. Hurry dad.” Junior hung up the phone.

Twenty minutes later the entire Earnhardt clan were together in the waiting room, when James came in. Junior was this Karsyn’s, he held up a doll.

“Yeah, she had it with her today. Did you find her?”

“No, we found it in the alley. Unfortunately, we believe that whoever took her had a car waiting. Junior do you remember any one following you or anything out of the ordinary happening during the day.”

“No, nothing.” He was getting upset again and his mom sat by his side holding his hand.

Dale Sr. spoke up “Were there any witnesses? Did anyone see anything?”

“No, there were a few people who saw them come out of the ice cream parlor and then a few who saw her on the ground. It seems though no one can put together all the events.”

“How in the hell does a woman get knocked upside the head and a child kidnapped in broad daylight and no one sees a damn thing?” Dale Sr. yelled.

“Dale I understand you are upset and I can guarantee we are doing everything possible to find Karsyn. I want you all to think if there has been anything that has happened that might give us a hint on where or who to look at.”

Everyone looked at each other no one thinking of anything until, “Oh God, no.” Dale exclaimed.

“Dale what is it?” Teresa asked.

Junior looked up at his father and saw a look he hadn’t ever seen. A pale scared look. “Dad, what is it?”

“The threats.”

“What threats?” James asked.

“Oh man, I have received several death threats lately, a few your going to be sorry threats.”

“What? How could you just ignore them?” Junior asked as his father sat in a chair across from him.

“Do you know how many of these stupid threats I get a year? They are mostly pissed off Gordon fans and never amount to anything. I never thought…shit.” He dropped his head to his hands. “I never thought…”

“Well we don’t know that those threats have anything to do with this but I am going to head to the office now and start looking into it. I will contact you as soon as we hear anything.”

Junior had never seen his dad like this, he moved over to his side “We will find her. I promise.“ They sat in a bear hug until the doctor came out.

“Doc, how is she?” Kerry asked.

“She’s going to be fine. She has one nasty bump on her head and had to have 9 stitches. She has a mild concussion so we are going to keep her tonight but she can leave tomorrow.”

“Does she know about Karsyn?”

“No, I was going to leave that to you but I have sedatives ready figuring she will need them. She needs to rest tonight.”

“You might as well just give them to her, when she finds out about her daughter…” Brenda choked on the tears. “Who is going to tell her?”

“I will.” Junior stood.

“Are you sure Junebug?” Dale laid a hand on his sons shoulder.

“Yeah.” he walked into Kelly’s room.

“Hey, you.” Kelly said.

Dale started crying. “I am so sorry, I should have gone outside with you.”

“Dale I am fine. You know what I don’t understand, they didn’t take my purse, nothing. Weird but everything in fine.”

“No Kel, it’s not.”

Kelly realized something horrible had happened when she saw her dad push the door open and saw his tear stained face. She looked back at Junior, “What is it?” then it hit her. “Where is Karsyn? Tell me my baby is ok. I want to see her, bring her in.” she screamed.

“Kelly we don’t know where she is. They took her.”

“No, no, no, I want my baby. Junebug, get me my baby. Please. Where is she?” The doctor put the sedative in her IV and Junior wrapped his arms around her until she fell asleep. “I want my baby.”

“We will get her back. I promise. We will get her.”

Chapter 2

They kept Kelly sedated throughout the day and within hours DEI had become headquarters for the search for Karsyn. Search parties, tip lines, flyers with Karsyn’s photo on them all were being organized at DEI. Word spread quickly and in no time the Nascar community was reaching out to do what they could. Also the Mooresville and surrounding communities were doing what they could to get the family through this time.

A private investigator had been hired by the family and officers were working at DEI with the family directly. Bodyguards had been place with Teresa and Dale’s daughter Taylor, outside Kelly’s hospital room, and with Kerry’s wife and kids. The phones had been tapped with tracers and recorders. Michael Waltrip wasn’t taking any chances, he had come in to help man the phone lines and brought his wife Buffy and kids Macy and Caitlyn with him. He wouldn’t let them out of his sight.

Matt Kenseth stopped in to see if he could do anything to help out one of his best friends. “Hey, Junior, how you holding up?”

“It just doesn’t seem real, you know?”

“Yeah, I won’t let those two out of my sight.” he motioned to his wife and daughter.

“Dad’s taking it real hard. I have never seen him like this.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Just keep your eyes open and if you see anything.”

“I will man, take it easy. They are going to find her. Give Kelly and everyone my love.”

“I will. Thanks for coming by.”

Shortly after Matt left a call came in over the tip line. Buffy answered it “Hello.”

“Dale Earnhardt.”

“I am sorry he is busy, can I help you?”

“If you want her back, you will get him on the phone.”

Buffy froze, “Umm one sec.” she got an officer’s attention. “It’s him, he wants Dale.”

The officer motioned for Dale to take the phone. “Yes?”

“Dale?”

“Yes, where is my granddaughter?”

“She’s fine.”

“How do I know that?”

“Say hi to grandpa.” Dale heard “papa?” Karsyn said.

“Karsyn, baby, are you ok?”

“ice cream papa.” Karsyn said with a mouth full of something.

“You have ice cream?”

“Yes, nilla.” she giggled. “ook papa”

“Karsyn?”

“That’s enough.”

“What do you want?”

“You will here from us tonight.” then they were gone.

“No wait.” but it was too late. “Damn it” Dale slammed the phone down. “Did you get anything?” “We are going to play it back and see if we can pick

up any back ground noises. Look, we know she is ok, they want something and won’t hurt her.”

Junior headed back to the hospital later that night. Kelly was now awake but stayed curled up in a ball holding a photo of Karsyn crying. Their mom and grandma were staying with Kelly even though she wasn’t talking to anyone.

Brenda and Martha joined Junior in the hall. “Any word?”

“Actually, yeah, the kidnappers called. Said they would call back tonight but dad talked to her on the phone. So we know she is ok as of right now. How’s Kelly?”

“She won’t eat or talk to anyone. Just lays there and cries.”

“Look you guys head back home or to DEI get some food. I am going to stay here tonight.”

“Ok, love you.”

“Love you too.”

Junior walked around the bed so he was sitting in front of her. “Kel, come on Kel. Look at me.”

She looked up at him tears still falling “Karsyn.”

“Ok, listen, the kidnappers called, daddy talked to Karsyn. She’s fine, she was eating ice cream at the time and giggling. They haven’t hurt her and they won’t cause they want something from daddy.” he was fighting the tears that threatened to fall now.

“What do they want?” she whispered.

“We don’t know yet, they are going to call back tonight sometime. Whatever it is we will give it too them. We are going to get her back. I promise you.”

“I want my baby back.”

Junior moved to the bed and held her in his arms. “Shh.”

Chapter 3

Later that night at DEI when the phone rang Dale answered it. “Yes?”

“Dale?”

“Yes.”

“Good your catching on.”

“What do you want?”

“A million dollars.”

“Where?”

“You think we are stupid. We aren’t setting ourselves up to get arrested. I want it transferred to an account. It doesn’t matter if you know who we are cause you won’t know where.”

“Fine, I will do it, how do I get Karsyn back.”

“When we know the money is in the account we will contact you again and let you know where to find her.”

Dale took a deep breath, he didn’t have much of a choice. “Fine, the money will be transferred tonight.”

The police took the account number and tracked it to one of the FBI’s most wanted bank robbers. They knew who his partner already was and they were wanted for stealing over 2 million dollars in 4 different states. “They want us to know it’s them, every hit they make, they have always let the police know their identity.”

“So this is the first kidnapping charge?” Teresa asked.

“Yes, they have never gone after individuals it has always been banks.” He saw the worried look on everyone’s faces. “Look, they want money, they have no history of hurting anyone in any of the robberies. We are getting closer and we will get her back.” James said before turning back to the computer. “Ok let’s do this.”

The money was transferred late that night. Now there was nothing to do but wait.

Kelly was released the next morning but refused to let Junior take her home. They walked into DEI and Dale filled them in on the nights activities.

“A million. That’s it. That doesn’t seem right. They know how much money you are worth and all they ask for is a million?” Junior asked.

“I know I have a feeling this isn’t going to be that easy. James is saying we are close, I know he is trying to make everyone feel better but…”

Kelly stood and looked out the window.

“Kel, come on why don’t you go home, get some sleep.”

“I can’t.”

“Yes, baby you can. I am not leaving here till she is home I promise.” Dale stood wrapping his daughter in his embrace.

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

Kelly started crying again. “She’s all over that house. I can’t go back there without her.”

Dale just held her. “Shh.”

Junior went down to the conference room, “Hey mom.”

“Yeah, June.” Brenda said.

“Will you take Kelly over to my place let her lay down for a while maybe try and get her to eat?”

“Of course, you think she will go?”

“Yeah. She’s beat. I will be right back.”

He ran back upstairs and got Kelly, “Come on”

“Where are we going?”

“Mom and grandma are going to take you over to my house. You can eat and sleep and you will be right across the street if we hear anything ok.”

She shook her head and let Martha and Brenda lead her out the front door.

Kennedy sat reading the morning paper. She looked at the photo of the beautiful dark haired girl. She had been away from her family for over 3 days now. 3 of the longest days of this family’s life. A feeling Kennedy remembered all to well. “Bastards!” Kennedy gathered her stuff jumped in her car and headed to DEI.

Kennedy stopped and talked to the security guard for a moment before he opened the door and allowed her to enter. She stopped and talked to the receptionist about wanting to help. Buffy came out to meet her. “Hi I am Buffy Waltrip.”

“Hi, Kennedy Garrison.”

“Wow that name sounds familiar.” Buffy said leading her to a couple of chairs.

“Yeah, I was all over the news about 5 years ago. 5 years ago this month actually.” Buffy looked puzzled. “I know how the family feels right now. My daughter was kidnapped.”

Buffy racked her brain and the story was coming back to her slowly. “Marie Garrison. I remember part of the story.”

“Yeah, that was her. She was missing for 4 and half days before they found her. It was the longest 4 day’s of my life. After they found her wasn’t as bad as the not knowing. I want to do what I can to help. The volunteers and support system is the only reason I got through it.”

“I have been keeping the volunteers organized handing out flyers, food runs, answering phones, etc. Trying to keep it going so that Dale and them don’t have to. I would love some help and you would probably know what to do more than I do.” she paused. “I am sorry, are you sure it won’t be too much for you. Maybe you didn’t want to help that much. Bad memories and all.”

“No, I was hoping I could do more than hand out flyers I will do whatever you need.”

“Come on I will introduce you to everyone.”

They made the rounds and Kennedy was introduced to everyone but Dale, Mikey, Steve, and Junior. “Hey Teresa, where are the guys? I wanted them to meet Kennedy.”

“Check the shop, they were talking about the race this weekend, since tomorrow is Thursday.”

“God, I forgot all about it. What are they going to do?”

Teresa just shrugged as she answered the phone.

They stepped into the shop and let the guys finish their conversation. “So I read in the paper she is being held for ransom?”

“Yeah, they are robbers on the most wanted list. They asked for a million and then when that was transferred they called a day or two after that and asked for another million. That was transferred yesterday, some of us think they are just playing games now.”

Kennedy spoke softly, “ I hate to be the pessimist but do we have any proof she is still alive?”

“As of the first night only, Dale talked to her on the phone.”

“Hey babe, what ‘s up?” Mikey said walking up and wrapping his arms around Buffys waist. “Where’s Macy and Caitlyn?”

“The conference room getting something to eat. I wanted to introduce you guys to Kennedy Garrison she is going to help me run the volunteers. This is my husband Mikey, this is Steve, Junior, and Dale.”

She shook hands with them.

“I want to thank you for coming down to help, it really means more than you know.” Dale said.

“Actually, I do know what it means.” she said as they all headed into the conference room where a buffet table had been set up for everyone.

Teresa, Kelly, Brenda and Martha were with Macy and Caitlyn. “Hey guys.”

Everyone grabbed a plate and a seat. Dale looked at Kennedy “you were saying?”

All eyes were on Kennedy as she started her story. She looked at Kelly, “At any point you want me to stop please tell me. I am here to try and help not make matters worse.” she paused before continuing as Kelly just nodded. “5 years ago my 3 year old daughter was kidnapped from a local park. I turned my back for 5 seconds to grab my camera out of my purse. She was in the sand box 6 feet away from the bench I was on. I still do not know how but she was gone. I never heard her scream, no one touched me, she just disappeared. It was the longest 4 days of my life.”

“Did they find her?” Junior asked.

Kennedy looked at Kelly then down at her plate, “Yes, they found her body in a pond 1 mile from the park. Said she had been killed the day they took her.”

Junior looked down at his plate suddenly not very hungry. “I am sorry.”

“It’s ok. It’s been five years and I am beyond the feeling sorry for myself. I just want to help others through the same thing and to try and prevent it from happening again. I have worked with several charitable organizations trying to figure out how to stop this from happening and unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that yet.”

“Did they catch the person who did it?”

“Yes, but not until 2 years ago. He had gotten caught trying to take another little girl, 4 year old this time, his DNA matched the DNA they found on Marie. Not too mention 2 other little girls. That was why I was happy to hear you received a ransom call. It is completely different. They want something and you can get her back, it’s not the same.” she looked at Kelly. “Those 4 days were worse than the next 3 years were. Not knowing where she was terrifying, I know how you feel, and it is the people in this room that will get you through this.”

“May I ask a personal question?” Buffy looked at her.

“Of course.”

“Are you married?”

“I was. The 3 years after Marie’s death before they caught him, I became obsessed with finding him. I blamed myself for her death. I shouldn’t have looked away for a second. How could I have been so stupid. I pushed my husband away. Marie was our only child and I am surprised he stayed around as long as he did. It wasn’t until they caught him that I realized what I had done. It was also then that I realized that I wasn’t a bad parent, that no matter what we do to protect them, horrible things can still happen and we have to learn to go on and be prepared to deal with the hand we are dealt. I went to my ex husband about a year ago and we made our peace with Marie’s death and with each other.”

Just then one of the volunteers stuck their head in the door. “Dale they are on the phone.”

Dale ran out and everyone followed.

Chapter 4

Dale slammed the phone down. “Damn it.”

“Dale what happened?” Teresa asked.

“They are playing games with us now. They didn’t want more money but aren’t giving her back yet either.”

“I can’t take this anymore.” Kelly said slumping to the floor. Dale sat next to her holding her as Junior quietly slipped out the door.

Junior was sitting outside staring into the sky. “Want some company?”

“Kennedy. Yeah, sure. Have a seat.”

“You sure, I understand if you want to be alone.”

“No really please stay.”

She sat beside him, they stayed there for several minutes not speaking. Jr finally spoke up. “How are you doing this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Karsyn is my niece and this is tearing me up I don’t know how Kelly is managing. What I really don’t understand is how you are getting through this? Doesn’t this bring it all back?” he looked at Kennedy. “Man I am sorry, if you don’t want to talk about it?”

“No that’s one of the reasons I am here, I hope my story can help someone else get through things like this. And it is hard, it brings a lot of the bad memories back but it also is reassuring knowing that I can help someone. At least Marie didn’t die in vain that way.”

“You are stronger than I am.” the tears were threatening to fall.

“You are stronger than you think, that is how you keep going. It’s how you have done this day after day. It‘s how you have been there for your sister, for your father, your family. But falling apart is ok too, you need to, grieving helps keep you strong. Keeps you from shutting down.”

Dale dropped his head to his hands and his body shook from his sobs. Kennedy put her arm around his shoulders and he fell into her arms. They sat there for a long time and Kennedy knew this had been several days coming. She also knew that no matter how important your family is sometimes a stranger can give you what you need most in a time of pain.

“I am sorry, I didn’t mean to fall apart on you like that.” Dale said sitting up and wiping his eyes.

“Don’t be sorry, that’s how you will survive. If you ever need anything to talk, vent, scream, cry, what ever, I am here. I mean that Junior, what ever you need.”

“Thanks. That means a lot.” he looked her in the eye and half smiled as she took his hand in hers.

Kennedy headed home later that evening. She had a lot in her head and decided to go clear it for a while. She drove out to a park not to far from DEI, the same park that her daughter had been taken from. The park was set back off the road and hardly ever had anyone there. Which is why she was surprised to see another car when she pulled up. She sat on a bench watching the ducks looking for food. She noticed the man watching her closely and when she looked closer she noticed the girl. “Oh my God, Karsyn.” She realized she didn’t have her phone on her and walking back to her car now would look suspicious, so she sat and watched them out of the corner out of her eye.

A second car pulled up and a man got out, “What the hell are you doing?” he yelled at the first man.

“What? She needs to get outside and play.”

“Are you a complete moron or what? She is worth millions to us and you bring her out here where she could be seen.” The man saw Kennedy and she realized she was in trouble. She ran towards her car but never made it. She felt a sharp pain and everything went black.

The next morning Buffy tried calling Kennedy when she never showed up at DEI. There was no answer on either of her phones and Buffy was concerned. She was downstairs asking if anyone had heard from Kennedy when James walked in.

“Any news?” Dale asked.

“Not on Karsyn but something else has happened.”

“What now?” Jr. asked.

“Kennedy Garrison’s car was found abandoned out at Mirror Park late last night. There were signs that she may have been taken. We went to her place and no one is there. Has anyone heard from her?”

“No, she should have been here 2 hours ago, I have been trying to call but nothing.” Buffy answered.

“Well, we have no reason to believe this is related to Karsyn’s kidnapping but we are going to look into it. Please let me know if you hear from her or anything about her.”

“We will thanks James.” Dale said as they all just stood and stared. “What in the hell is going on? First Karsyn now…”

“Kennedy.” Junior said walking out. He kept walking till he got home. He was at a loss, he hadn’t known this woman for more than a day but he felt a connection with her. He never thought he would make it through Karsyn’s kidnapping, he tried so hard to be strong for his sister and dad but he was falling apart on the inside and she let him. She made him feel like everything would be fine. Now she was gone too. When would all this end.

Chapter 5

When Kennedy awoke she had a splitting headache and could taste the dried blood on her lips. She was in a small room with no windows, there was one cot, a toilet, sink and a couple of toys on the floor. She was laying on the cot and Karsyn was curled up next to her. Kennedy noticed she was very dirty and could use a bath but seemed otherwise untouched. She pulled her up onto her lap. She noticed how she was about the same size as Marie when she disappeared.

“Mommy.”

“Karsyn, I am Kennedy.”

“Want mommy.”

“I know baby I am going to get you to her. I promise.”

It was now Sunday, 6 days after Karsyn first disappeared. Kennedy was still missing, they hadn’t heard anything from the kidnappers and Dale Sr. realized their time was running out quickly. Dale stood in his office looking down at the #8 shop below. For the first time in many, many years there wouldn’t be an Earnhardt racing in today’s race.

“Hey dad. Dad.”

“Oh hey Jr. What’s up?”

“You ok?”

“Yeah, I am ok. What’s up?”

“I am heading outside to get some air why don’t you come with. You have been in here all day.”

“Yeah, I could use some sunlight.”

They passed a television on their way out. They stopped to watch the piece Nascar had done on Karsyn for the prerace. “That was nice.” Dale said draping an arm over Juniors shoulders.

Junior noticed how much older his dad looked after this week. “Junebug, I know I haven’t been the perfect father but I want you to know how much I love all you kids and would do anything for you.”

“Dad, come on I know. None of this is your fault. Hell, if I hadn’t let them go outside by themselves…”

“Stop, this isn’t anyone’s fault.” Just then a black Monte Carlo drove by, not unusual for Nascar country by any means but Dale couldn’t take his eyes off of it.

“Dad what is it?”

“That car, I don’t know…”

Kennedy and Karsyn were put into a Monte Carlo and were being moved to somewhere else. It was then that she realized that all this time Karsyn had been less than 5 miles from DEI.

“papa” Karsyn said peaking out the tinted window.

Kennedy choked on the irony of it all as she watched Dale and Jr. walk out of DEI and watch the car drive by.

“Fools.” One of the men said.

Kennedy knew their time was running out, she would have to make a move soon or they wouldn’t get out of this. She wouldn’t let another little girl get killed for no reason.

The car pulled onto an old dirt road and Kennedy got a sick feeling in her stomach, she had a feeling they weren’t coming back from out there. When the car was stopped the two men got out.

“So what now?” one asked.

“We are going to get rid of them and then the car and we are leaving town.”

“Get rid of them? Why? We don’t need murder charges, they already know who we are what’s the point. Let’s leave them here and get the hell out of town. We will be long gone by the time they make it anywhere.”

Kennedy noticed that the keys had been left in the ignition, she knew it was a huge risk but there wasn’t much choice. They obviously brought them out here to kill them. She didn’t have much to lose. She quietly slipped to the front seat as the two men were arguing.

“I said we are…” they heard the engine roar to life and Kennedy turned the car towards the main road as quickly as she could. “Damn it.” The two men jumped into the second car and took off after them. They quickly caught up to them and tapped the rear bumper but Kennedy wasn’t giving in.

“Karsyn stay down in the floor.” she said as the red car hit them again.

“Look man, just let them go. You are going to get us caught or killed.” The man just kept driving and he hit the black car for a third time. “Are you insane, she is headed back to DEI there are tons of cops there.

Kennedy was having a hard time keeping the car on the road and Karsyn was hysterical in the back seat.

As the building came into sight she tried to calm Karsyn “We are almost there it’s going to be ok. Just stay down.”

Dale and Jr were still outside as the black Monte Carlo they had seen earlier crashed through the fence out front and came to a sliding stop in the side parking lot. A red Monte Carlo pulled into the entrance of the lot as a few of the officers stationed at DEI came out to see what was going on. As they did the man opened fire on the black car and DEI. “You are totally insane.” The second man said trying to get out of the line of fire as the officers opened fire back.

Dale and Jr. had hit the ground and were trying to crawl back to the doors. “Isn’t that the car you saw earlier?” Jr. asked.

“Yeah.” Dale answered as he grabbed Teresa and Kelly and pulled them to the floor as they entered the lobby.

“What the hell is going on?” Teresa asked.

“Not sure but stay down.”

Back outside Kennedy realized they were sitting ducks in that car. She scanned the lot for a safe hiding place. The passenger doors were facing the lot away from the building and the car the men were in. When a few police cars showed up, it distracted the men and Kennedy took the opportunity to get her and Karsyn out of the car.

“What is going on out there?” Teresa asked. “Someone is getting out of the black car.”

“Oh my God, it’s Kennedy.” Junior said all of a sudden terrified. Things were about to get a lot worse.

“Karsyn!” Kelly screamed as she ran to the door.

“Kelly no.” Jr. and Dale yelled as they ran after her. “Teresa stay here don’t let anyone else come outside.”

They grabbed Kelly right outside the door and all three fell to the ground. “No let me go I need my baby.”

Karsyn hearing Kelly’s voice broke away from Kennedy and their hiding place behind a pickup truck. She headed around the truck towards the building, “Karsyn no.” Kennedy yelled.

“Mommy.”

Junior looked from the men to Karsyn, “Karsyn, no go back to Kennedy. Kelly tell her.”

Kelly realized what she had done as the man saw Karsyn and turned towards her. “No, Karsyn go back baby go to Kennedy.”

Karsyn did as she said but not before the man and the officers both opened fire. The next few moments seemed to go in slow motion as Dale, Kelly, and Jr. watched in horror.

Chapter 6

No one was sure how or when it happened but after the smoke cleared and several eerie minutes of silence passed, the scene in front of them scared them to death.

“Oh my God.” was all Dale could manage as Kelly climbed to her feet but didn’t move.

Teresa and Buffy walked outside as the officers slowly moved towards the men in the red car. “There down go, go, go.” was all Junior heard as he stood and slowly inched towards the lifeless form laying in front of him.

The other officers moved towards the bodies on the ground “Someone get an ambulance, now!”

Junior was trying to figure out how Kennedy got to Karsyn, he never even saw her come out from behind the truck. The officer pulled Karsyn out from under Kennedy, she was bruised, bloodied, and shaken but otherwise ok. They handed her to Kelly as they both fell to the ground crying.

Junior looked over his shoulder at them “She ok?” he asked the tears forming in his eyes.

Dale Sr. shook his head “Looks like she is fine.” he said running his hand through Karsyn’s hair.

Junior turned his attention back to Kennedy who wasn’t conscience. He wasn’t even sure she was alive. He watched as the blood spilled from her body and the paramedics tried desperately to stop it.

“Is she…” Dale choked on the words. Everyone was still in shock as they watched her body being placed on a stretcher and put into the ambulance.

“I don’t know.” Junior answered as he watched the ambulance pull away.

James joined the family “She is alive but barely. They are rushing her to Memorial Hospital, Kelly you should take Karsyn in just to have her checked.”

“Yeah, we will. We want to be there for Kennedy. We will be right there.” Teresa said. She ushered everyone to the car “Junior, Junior come on we have to go.” Junior was frozen where he stood.

He felt a hand on his shoulder “Junebug, come on, we need to go.” Junior looked up at his dad and just nodded. He got in the car and they headed to the hospital.

News spread quickly and by the time they got to the hospital Buffy’s phone was ringing. She answered it as they entered the emergency room. She noticed the television was on the race which was not quite at the half way point. “Hello?”

“Baby, what the hell is happening?”

“Mikey, Oh God it was horrible.” she started crying and as she looked up at the television, she saw the #15 Napa in the pits. “Michael what are you doing?” she asked as he started climbing out of the car.

“I am coming home to my girls.” the news cameras were following him every step of the way wondering if the rumors of a shoot out at DEI were true.

“Michael, you can’t just stop racing.”

Buffy felt an arm around her shoulder. She looked up to see Dale reaching for her phone. “Michael…”

“Dale I am sorry but I have to get home to the girls I can’t finish this race.”

“I was going to say I have already called ahead to have the plane ready for you. Tell Steve to come home if he wants. Screw the race. Your family needs you. We are at Memorial.” He wrapped his arms around Buffy as he gave her the phone back. “He will be home soon.”

“Thanks Dale.” she smiled through the tears as she looked at the tv once again and saw Michael blow a kiss to the camera as he jogged to his coach.

James met the family at the hospital “Kennedy has been taken into surgery. She’s in pretty bad shape.”

“How in the hell did she get with Karsyn?” Dale Sr. asked.

“One of the kidnappers is dead, the other is seriously injured but from what we have gotten from him, they kidnapped Kennedy from the park when she recognized Karsyn and tried to get away. We believe they were planning on killing them today and Kennedy took the only chance she had. My question is how did Kennedy end up on top of Karsyn like she was?”

“No idea, none of us even saw her come out from behind the truck. When everything calmed down she was just there protecting Karsyn.” Teresa said as the tears fell freely. “Kelly and Karsyn are in with the doctor now.”

A little while later Kelly and Karsyn joined the rest of the family in the waiting room. “She’s ok, a little dehydrated, some cuts and bruises but basically fine.”

“Thank God.” Dale said taking Karsyn into his arms.

“Hi papa. Ouchie.” she said pointing to her knee and in amazingly high spirits considering what all she had been through.

“Yes baby, you have an ouchie.” he said hugging her like he never thought he would again.

“Uncle June.” she threw her arms out towards Jr.

“Hey munchkin.” he said through the frightened tears. He wrapped her in his arms on his lap, he couldn’t understand why he was so upset over someone he didn’t even know. Maybe it was the shock of the week wearing off, getting Karsyn back safe and sound, or seeing Kennedy’s body laying there lifeless and bloody. All Junior knew was that he was scared to death of what might happen next. Karsyn was home with her family where she belonged shouldn’t that mean the worst of it all was behind them now.

Chapter 7

A couple hours later Michael ran through the doors of the hospital and into the waiting arms of his wife. “God baby I am so glad you are here.”

Steve had stayed in the race and like a man on a mission for his boss and his friend, won. Steve found out in Victory Lane that Karsyn had been reunited with her family and the Earnhardts watched from the surgical waiting room, a very emotional victory speech.

Michael sat down with a very shaken Buffy in his arms “What the hell happened?”

Dale filled Michael in on the afternoons events. Teresa had taken Kelly and Karsyn back to Kelly’s for some much needed rest. Junior just sat and stared at nothing at all. Dale noticed how distant he was “June you ok?”

He looked up at his dad, “No, no dad I’m not. I don’t know what it is, why I feel like I am losing my best friend or the love of my life. I don’t even know this woman.”

“You know Junior, stressful situations can do weird things to a person and they can bring people closer together faster than normal.”

“Under different circumstances would I have felt this way about this woman? I mean how can I be sure I am not just scared and that what I am feeling is real?”

“Junior, under different circumstances you may never have met this woman. You have to believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe that is why Karsyn disappeared in the first place, to bring you two together.”

“And what if she dies. What if we aren’t given the chance to be together?”

Dale wrapped his arm around Junior’s shoulders, “I didn’t say it always made sense, I wish I could give you the answers you are looking for, I just can’t. I don’t understand it myself.”

Just then a nurse came out, “Is there any family of Mrs. Garrison here?”

“Um, we are just friends, I didn’t even think to try and find family.”

“Well, we are going to need blood donors. She lost a lot and we are running short. Family is our best chance at a match.”

“I’ll give if I can.” Junior said standing.

“I will too.” Dale followed.

Michael stood and tossed his keys to Buffy, “Babe, head back to DEI, see if you can hunt down any family of hers. I am going to go see if I am a match.”

The three men followed the nurse back to a private room to be tested as Buffy headed back to DEI.

Awhile later Buffy and Teresa walked back into the waiting room. “What’s going on?” Teresa asked sitting next to Dale.

“Dale and Junior were matches, Junior is back giving blood right now. Did you find any family?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, she has a sister who lives in Los Angeles. Apparently, they aren’t that close and her parents were killed when she was younger. It sounds like she is pretty much on her own. It’s a good thing you two are a match.” Buffy said resting her head on Michael’s shoulder.

“Any word on Kennedy?” Teresa asked.

“She is still in surgery, took two shots to the stomach area, and they are on her second transfusion.” Junior said as he walked back in rolling down his sleeve. “Man I hate that.” he added holding his arm.

“Junebug, you look pretty pale, maybe you should sit.” Dale said.

“Yeah, I do feel a little light headed.”

“The light headedness should pass in a few minutes, if it doesn’t let me know. These will help.” The nurse said handing him some juice and cookies.

“Thanks.”

Kennedy had been in surgery for several hours when the doctor finally came out. “How is she?” Buffy asked.

“She’s came through the surgery fairly well. She took one bullet to her liver, it almost missed it all together so we were able to remove a small section of the liver and it will regenerate itself. One bullet hit her spleen and richoched off her stomach. We have removed her spleen and repaired the hole in her stomach. Her injuries weren’t our main concern, she was actually very lucky with the position of the bullets. I am still concerned with the amount of blood she lost but the transfusion went well. She is in medically induced coma right now. We don’t want her waking up too early, we are going to let her body start to heal.”

“How long are you going to keep her in the coma?” Junior asked.

“A couple of days, we are going to monitor her vitals closely. Depending on how her body reacts to the transfusion and the surgery will determine how long we keep her in the coma.”

“Can we see her?” Junior asked hopefully.

“In a little while they are going to move her from recovery to ICU. Once she is there one or two of you can go in.”

“Thanks doctor.” Dale Sr. said as he stood to leave. He looked at his son. “This is good news, it really is. She is obviously strong. She has made it through so much already, she will fight this.”

Junior was silent. Michael stood, “I am going to go get the girls and get everyone home.”

“Yeah, take this young lady home and put her to bed.” Dale Sr. hugged Buffy, “Thank you for everything you did, we wouldn’t have made it through this without you.”

“I am glad I could help. Give Kelly and Karsyn my love. We will see you later.” she walked to Dale Jr. and just hugged him.

“Take it easy kid.” Michael said as they headed out the door.

Dale looked at his son then at Teresa, “Did Kelly and Karsyn get settled?”

“Yeah, Brenda came over and is sitting with them. Kelly is still pretty shaken up.”

“Look why don’t you two go home and get some sleep. It has been a long week and you guys need to get a decent dinner and some rest.” Junior said standing and walking to the elevator.

“June, where are you going?”

“ICU floor.”

“Wait, I will send Teresa home and come with you.”

“No dad I really need to be alone right now. You go with Teresa. I will call if there is any change.” He stepped on the elevator and let the doors close behind him. When he got to the ICU floor he found the waiting room and was releived to see it empty. He shut the door and slumped to the floor the week catching up with him. He rested his head on the chair and before he knew it he had fallen asleep. The images of seeing his sister laying on that sidewalk hurt, his niece missing then in the middle of a shoot out, Kennedy’s body laying in the lot, the blood, the bullets that barely missed him and his loved ones, all ran through his head. The nightmares that tormented his sleep unfortunately would still be there when he awoke.

Chapter 8

He woke a short time later still on the floor unrested and wet from the sweat of his nightmares. A nurse stuck her head in “Are you here for Kennedy Garrison?”

“Yes.”

“If you want to follow me you can see her now.” Dale followed the nurse to the door of a private room. “She is of course still unconscious. You can sit with her as long as you want.”

“Thanks.” Dale pushed the door open and slowly made his way to the bed. He was surprised she didn’t look nearly as bad as one would have thought. She was pale but all in all she looked pretty good for someone who had been shot twice. He pulled up a chair and sat next to her bed.

He gently took her hand in his and looked at her. “Can you hear me. Do you know I am here or am I just talking to myself. We got Karsyn back, she’s ok, you saved her. You brought her back to us and I am so grateful. Everyone is. They were all here earlier.” he looked at her face. She seemed so peaceful. He put his head on the side of the bed and once again fell asleep.

He woke awhile later a hand on his shoulder, “Huh what?”

“Junior you were have a nightmare.”

He looked up at Dale, “Dad, I can’t close my eyes without seeing all of this. How long have you been gone?”

“About 4 hours, got something to eat, checked on Kelly and Karsyn.”

“Are they ok?”

“Yeah, they will be better when they can put this behind them, we all will. Dale what do you see when you close your eyes? What are you talking about?”

“Them, all of them. Kelly, Karsyn, Kennedy. I can’t get rid of it.”

“Come on let’s go get something to eat. You need some food in you.”

Junior stood and looked at Kennedy once more before letting his dad lead him out of the room.

The next few days passed slowly for Junior, he was to leave the next day for the next race and Dale Sr. was concerned that his mind wasn’t going to be on the track. Not too mention that the lack of sleep would be a factor also. They couldn’t miss another race but he didn’t want Junior to wreck and hurt himself or anyone else.

“So what are you planning on doing this weekend?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going to be able to drive that car this weekend without killing yourself or someone else.”

“Yeah, it’s cool.”

“Junebug? If you don‘t think you can race I will put someone else in that car. It‘s been a rough week, I completely understand if your head isn‘t in it yet.”

“Really it is I need to get out of here, I have to realize there is a chance she won’t come out of this and if she does, why on earth would I think that we are going to be together. I just want to make sure someone will check in on her and keep me updated.”

“I am sure Kelly or your mamma will.”

“Don’t worry pop, everything is cool. I am ready to get back to life as we knew it. Karsyn is home safe, Kelly is fine and well hopefully she will be all right.” he looked at Kennedy. “I am going to head home and get ready to leave tomorrow.” he kissed Kennedy on the forhead and walked out of the room. Dale watched as he left the room and wondered if Junior really was as ok as he tried to make him believe he was.

On Saturday morning the doctors decided to take Kennedy off the drugs that were causing the coma. 24 hours later Kennedy was coming out of the coma and Buffy was by her side. “Kennedy can you hear me. Kennedy it’s me Buffy.”

“Huh, Buffy?”

“Yes, take it easy, I am going to get a doctor.”

A few minutes later Buffy and the doctor walked back in. “Hey Kennedy, how you feeling.”

“Like I got ran over by a truck.”

“Close. Do you remember what happened?”

Kennedy shut her eyes and tried to remember. “I saw them pointing the gun at Karsyn, I couldn’t let her die. Not like Marie.” she said starting to cry.

“Ok, calm down. She is ok.” Buffy said “Karsyn is fine because of you.”

“She’s ok?”

“Yes and they caught the guys who did this all because of you.” Buffy was trying to reassure her and calm her down.

“Kennedy are you in a lot of pain?” the doctor asked.

“No, not too much. I am just tired. How long was I out?”

“A week. We induced a coma to let your body start healing on its own. You are doing great, you are actually ahead of where I thought you would be right now. We are going to let you sleep. If the pain gets too bad call a nurse and we will get you more pain meds.”

“Thanks. Hey Buffy?”

“Yeah,” she stopped at the door and walked back to the bed.

“Was Junior here?”

“Yes, he was here everyday until Thursday. He left to go race, it will be on soon want me to turn it on for you?”

“Yes, please.” she stared at the television as Buffy turned it too the pre race where they were interviewing Dale Sr.

“So Dale we understand you got some happy news this week?”

“Yeah, Karsyn was reunited with us last Sunday. We are all thrilled that she was unharmed and we want to thank everyone for all the prayers and all the volunteers who helped. I would like to ask a favor of our fans. There is a very important woman laying in a coma back in North Carolina right now who could use the prayers right now. Her name is Kennedy Garrison and she is the reason my granddaughter was returned to us unharmed.”

Kennedy had tears in her eyes as whe watched Dale. “Wow.”

“Told you, we are all so thankful for you.” Buffy gently hugged her as she cried. “You know Junior stayed here for about 3 days straight, slept in that chair right there. Wouldn’t leave your side until he had to go race.”

“I know.”

“What?”

“It’s weird and I can’t explain it but I knew he was here.” she stared at the screen as the engines roared to life, Buffy just looked at her. “ I felt him.”

Chapter 9

Michael’s phone started ringing as they entered the DEI plane. “Hey babe, what’s up? Really, that‘s great.” he said looking over to Dale and Junior. “Yeah, I will tell them. See ya at home. Love ya.”

Michael turned in his seat “She’s awake.” he said looking mainly at Junior.

Two hours later Junior was standing outside Kennedy’s door. He had wanted nothing more than for this moment to happen and now that it was he was scared to go in. What if she didn't want to try and further a relationship? What if she didn't feel the same connection he had felt?

It was late and he could see through the window she was asleep. He quietly snuck in and sat in the chair he had slept in so much that week. He dropped his head back and closed his eyes hoping for a little peaceful rest. No such luck. A few hours later he heard his name. “Dale, hey Junior wake up.” He opened his eyes to see Kennedy staring at him. “You all right? You were having a bad dream.”

“Nightmare is more like it. How are you? Did I wake you up? I am sorry.”

She half laughed, “It’s ok. I feel like crap. Every part of my body hurts but the pain meds are good. What kind of nightmares?”

“Oh your typical seeing my loved ones laying in their own blood, getting shot at, you know that sort of thing.” he sarcastically said.

“Junior, you need to talk to someone about this. You can’t live like this.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Let’s worry about you. How much pain are you in?”

“It’s not that bad and stop changing the subject. Junior, I know what you are feeling right now. I had the same dreams night after night. I would replay the day in the park over in my head. I saw her body in the morgue over and over. You have to talk to someone.”

“Look I don’t want to talk about this. How long till they are going to let you out of here?”

She gave up for the time being, she knew how closed she was to talking to someone back then. She didn’t want to push him away. She was kind of hoping he would be around awhile. “Probably a week, unless some infection sets in. Just depends on how my body reacts to the surgery and antibiotics.”

“A week huh?” he grinned.

“What? What’s that look for?”

“I was thinking maybe dinner or something, to well I was going to say repay you, but its just because I really want to.”

She smiled at him, “Well, I don’t know about something, sounds a little more strenuous than what I am going to be up for in a week. Dinner doesn’t sound bad though.”

He blushed, “Can I ask you something and be honest if it is too soon. Hell, I have really only known you for a day. Don’t think I can count the week you were in a coma.”

She laughed, “Go ahead.”

“Can I kiss you?”

She smiled “What took you so long?”

Junior stood and slowly bent towards Kennedy. She leaned towards him forgetting about the stitches in her stomach for a second and winced at the pain that cut through her. “Kennedy,” he said worried seeing the look of pain on her face. “What is it? What’s wrong?” he started to pull away.

“No, it’s fine.” she reached for him and pulled him back towards her. “Junior, please I’m fine.”

His mouth gently found hers in a very sweet and tender kiss. He pulled away slightly “That was nice.”

“Very. Think we can do it again sometime?”

He grinned, “Until you get sick of it or me.”

“Impossible.” she said as his mouth found hers again.

Chapter 10

Junior spent the next few days going between the shop at DEI, the hospital and his own home. Junior and Kennedy spent hours talking and getting to know each other. The more time they spent together the more time they wanted to spend together. Kennedy was concerned about Junior, he seemed obsessed with the kidnapping and her injuries. She knew he wasn’t sleeping well and was concerned for his safety on that track this weekend.

Junior stopped by on his way to the airport Thursday morning to say goodbye to her. “Hey you,” he said pushing the door open.

“Hi. Headed to the track?”

“Yeah, wanted to see you before I left.” he took her hand kissing it.

She looked at his face, “How much sleep are you getting?”

“Enough.”

“Junior, you are having those dreams still aren’t you?”

“Kennedy.” he warned.

“Junior, I know you don’t want to talk about it but this isn’t healthy and I am worried about you.”

“Stop worrying about me. I have to catch my plane. I will call you tomorrow.” he leaned over and gently kissed her. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him to her scared to let go. “Worry about yourself getting healthy so I can get you out of here and get that dinner for you.”

He walked towards the door. “Junior?” He stopped and turned to her “Becareful.”

“Always.”

She knew he was lieing to her, he wasn’t fine and she knew what she had to do, she only hoped he would forgive her. She grabbed her phone, “Dale? It’s Kennedy, I need to talk to you about Junior.”

Junior was headed to his pit for qualifying when Dale caught up to him. “Hey pop, what’s up?”

“We need to talk.”

“Well, I have about 20 minutes before I go out.”

“I talked to Kennedy yesterday.”

“Yeah.”

“How long have you gone with out sleep?”

“Man, I told her not to worry about me, I am fine.”

Dale grabbed his arm and stopped him from walking, “No your not. I have wondered what was going on all week. Now I know. You have been having these dreams for over a week now. You obviously need some help.”

“Dad I am a little tired but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“Junebug, listen very closely. Go qualify, but remember I am watching you and if I think for one second that you aren’t 100%, I will yank you from that car and park you this weekend.”

“But dad…”

“Is that understood?”

Juniors jaw tightened. “Yes.”

Junior qualified 4th and then headed back to his coach. He laid on the couch and drifted to sleep. 3 hours later he woke sweating and screaming. “Damn it. Why won’t they stop?” He walked to the kitchen grabbed a bottle of water and sat back on the couch. He stared at the small pill bottle for a while before putting one in his mouth and swallowing it. “I am fine.” he kept repeating in his head. “I am fine.”

Kennedy laid in her hospital bed staring at the clock. He didn’t call last night and it was now late Friday night and still nothing. She closed her eyes hoping she had done the right thing.

Chapter 11

Kelly hadn’t stopped by to see Kennedy yet but Sunday morning her and Karsyn made a hospital visit. “Hi, Ennedy” Karsyn said.

“Hey guys come in please.”

“Hey, how are you feeling?” Kelly asked as Karsyn tried to climb on the bed.

“It’s ok she can sit up here.”

“Sit still Kennedy still has a boo boo.”

“Ennedy booboo.”

Kennedy smiled, “Yes, but it’s better. I feel better day by day. Feel stronger.”

“That’s great. I am sorry we didn’t come by sooner, it’s just.”

“Kelly don’t, I took no offense to it. You had to take care of her I understand. How is she doing?” she asked as she played with Karsyn’s toes.

“I think she is ok. She talks about it every so often but not like it bothers her. I am thinking of taking her to see a counslor just to make sure.”

“It wouldn’t hurt and I know another person in your family that would benefit from it.”

“Who?”

Just then the doctor walked in, “So how is our patient?”

“Not too bad, feeling better actually.”

“You have made a remarkable recovery. You are a long way from being back to normal but you are farther along than I thought you would be.”

“So what does that mean?”

“Wanna go home?”

“OH, more than you know.”

“I am going to get the paperwork started and we can have you out of here this afternoon. I want you in my office once a week and back in the emergency room if anything happens or feels wrong but I don’t see any reason why you can’t finish your recovery at home.”

“Oh thank you thank you thank you.”

The doctor smiled and left them alone again.

“Damn.” Karsyn looked at Kennedy with a ‘you said a bad word’ look on her face. “Sorry, darn.”

Kelly laughed, “It’s ok, she’s heard worse from her uncle I am sure. What’s up?”

“I don’t have any clothes and I really don’t want to come home in this.” she pointed to her hospital gown.

“So I will go get you some.”

“No you don’t have to do that.”

“I am going to take you home and let’s face it, it’s a hospital, you have several hours till you get out of here. It’s no problem.”

“Thanks.”

Kelly got the directions and the keys and headed for Kennedy’s.

Back at the track Jade was watching Junior closely. He noticed the bad attitude and the jitteriness, then Dale asked him to keep an eye on him. He watched as he popped 2 pills into his mouth and downed a bottle of water. “Hey Junior, what’s that?”

“Oh asprin,” he dropped the bottle into his bag into the hauler. “Getting a headache. You ready to head to the pits?”

Jade glanced at the bag “Yeah, let’s go.”

Kelly got Kennedy home about half way through the race. They settled in the living room to watch the remainder of the race. With 3 laps to go Junior’s car slid down the track, got hit by the 18 then the 2 and ended up back at the top of the track before sliding back down to the grass. “Oh my God.” Kennedy and Kelly said in unison.

Luckily Karsyn was too busy playing to see her uncle’s wreck. When Junior didn’t climb out of the car right away Kelly panicked. She grabbed her cell phone, “Teresa?”

“I am heading to his pit right now. Your dad just pulled onto pit road. Hold on.” Kelly heard yelling in the background then heard Teresa, “Oh my God.”

“Teresa. Teresa. What is it?”

“He isn’t answering his radio, your dad is headed out to his car now.”

Kelly looked at the television as workers huddled around the car. All of a sudden the tv went to commercial.

“Kelly you still there?”

“Yeah.” she swallowed.

“Ok, he’s coming too.”

The race coverage came back on and it showed Dale and a safety worker helping Junior out of the car. “Oh thank you.” Kennedy said.

Teresa came back on the phone, “OK he was unconscious but seems alert now. They are taking him to the care center to check him out. Where are you? I will call you back later.”

“I am at Kennedy’s she was released today.”

“Oh that’s great. Tell her we said hi and not to worry about him. I will call you later.”

Junior got back to his coach to find Teresa, Dale, Tony Sr and Jade waiting for him. “Oh hey guys, I am fine really. We can all go home now.”

“What happened out there Junior?” Jade asked.

“Don’t know really must have cut a tire down.”

Dale Sr. was irate. “Wrong answer.” he screamed. He charged at Junior backing him against the counter. He towered over him and Junior was scared of the look in his eyes. “You blacked out, but that’s impossible because my son isn’t stupid enough to do this shit.” he slammed the pill bottle down on the counter.

Junior stared at the bottle as Tony and Teresa tried to pull Dale away from Junior. He backed off slightly but not much.

“Dad I”

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear your voice right now.”

“Dad please, I only took a few.” The tears were threatening to fall.

“I said shut up.”

Junior swallowed, “Dad.”

Dale swung around with that Earnhardt glare and Tony stepped in between them. “Dale let’s get home and figure this out there in private.” Teresa got Dale out of the coach and Tony turned to Junior. “Get packed and get your ass to the plane. Don’t be late.”

Jade stayed and helped Junior pack. As they were getting ready to leave the coach Jade thought maybe he could make Junior feel a little better. “Kennedy was released today, she’s at home.”

Boy was he wrong. Junior looked up at Jade and with ice in his eyes replied. “I don’t care.”

“Junior, of course you do. Your just upset right now.”

“No I don’t, this wouldn’t be happening if she had kept her damn mouth shut.”

“Junior. Junior.” Jade called after him but Junior was already outside headed for the van that would take him to the plane.

Monday afternoon Kennedy heard a knock on her door. She wasn’t moving too fast and still had a lot of pain. She opened the door. “Junior?”

“You seem surprised to see me?”

She could tell he wasn’t in the best of moods and heard the tone in his voice. “A little. Come in have a seat.”

“I don’t plan on being here that long.”

“Oh ok.” her hand went to her stomach and she leaned against the wall.

“Look this isn’t going to work.” he wouldn’t look her in the eye.

She knew the answer by the way he was acting but she asked anyway to hear him say it. “What isn’t?”

“Us. Look I just thought you had the right to hear it from me.”

“Well, how noble of you.” she threw at him sarcastically.

“Don’t blame me for this.”

“Then whose fault is it?”

“If you had kept your mouth shut, dad wouldn’t have found out about the pills. They are threatening to go to Helton. They will suspend me.”

“Pills? What pills? I told your dad about the dreams and that you weren’t sleeping. I was worried you would hurt yourself on the track. Oh Junior what have you done?”

“Nothing. The point is you had no right to…”

“Had no right. Junior I know the road you are on, I have been there and if you don’t get off it soon, you will hit the brick wall at the end.”

“I am fine.”

“How many times a day do you tell yourself that? Repeating it often in your head? Wondered what you could have done different? This is all your fault right? That‘s what you keep telling yourself.” he looked over at her now. “See, I do know how you feel. You don’t think, I still to this day replay the events in my head? I blamed myself for Maries death for a long time. Ruined my marriage, lost friends, had those same dreams, night after night. Took those same pills, the ones that keep you awake. Don’t close your eyes, it can’t catch you then.”

Junior studied her. God she was right he was pushing her away and not only did he not know why he couldn’t stop. “Your wrong. Wrong about it all. I don’t need this shit from you, I am getting enough from my dad.”

“Junior, I knew there was a chance you wouldn’t forgive me for this and I don’t regret my decision. I care too damn much about you to watch you do this to yourself.”

“Don’t worry, you don’t have to watch.” he started to walk out and she grabbed his arm to stop him. In the blind fury and pain he forgot about her injury, he pushed Kennedy away from him. She doubled over in pain grabbing her stomach. He stood and looked on in horror at what he had done. “Oh God Kennedy, I didn’t mean, shit are you ok?” he reached for her.

“Get out.” she pushed his hands away from her.

“Kennedy.”

“Get out” she screamed.

He backed out to his truck grabbing his phone. “Buffy,” the tears were falling non stop. “Kennedy needs you.”

“Junior what happened?”

“Hurry please.”

Chapter 12

Dale was gone by the time Michael and Buffy got to Kennedy’s. They found her crying on the floor with blood staining her shirt. “Oh my God.” Buffy said as she rushed to Kennedy’s side.

“Let’s get her to the hospital.” Michael said helping her up.

“How did you know?” Kennedy asked trying to catch her breath.

“Junior called us said you needed us but hung up before he explained what happened. What did happen?”

Kennedy started crying again not because of the physical pain but the emotional pain. She relayed the whole story to Buffy and Michael on the way to the hospital. Buffy watched Michael’s blood pressure rise as they sat in the waiting room. “Calm down.” she said gently.

“How can I, look at what he did to her. What the hell is he thinking?”

“That’s the problem, he isn’t. But we have to take care of Kennedy first then we will deal with Jr.”

Junior had to get away, he grabbed a case of beer, hopped in his truck and drove out to his favorite spot on his dads farm. It was so far out that no one ever found him there, he hid there as a youngster when he was in trouble or if he had to think. He parked the truck hopped on the tailgate and started drinking, he had no intentions of stopping anytime soon. The case was over half gone when he noticed the sun setting, he raised his can as if to toast it and then everything went black.

Later that night Michael and Buffy got Kennedy back home restitched and on a new medication. “You want me to stay with you tonight?” Buffy asked.

“No, I am ok and kind of want to be alone anyway. Thanks so much for everything.”

“Ok, I will be by tomorrow and call if you need anything.”

Out in the car Buffy turned to Michael “What are you going to do?”

He took a deep breath “I am going home it’s late. I will find him tomorrow.”

Back inside Kennedy carefully got herself to bed. As she closed her eyes the tears started to fall. “I am sorry Junior, I am so sorry.” she cried herself to sleep.

The next day Dale woke in the back of his truck among empty beer cans. He looked at his watch, “2pm? Shit. I must have passed out.” he started cleaning up the mess then headed home. He saw his dad’s car, his mom’s and Kelly’s in the driveway, “Oh man hear we go.” He slowly walked into the house.

“Where in the hell have you been?” Dale screamed then he smelled the alcohol. “You drunk, that a problem with you now too?”

Junior winced he knew he had lost his dad’s trust and that hurt. “No, I was last night. Passed out down on the farm.” he looked at his feet the whole time.

Dale studied his son and got quiet. “Go take a shower and get back out here.”

“Ok thanks.”

Kelly waited till she heard the water go off then knocked on the door to the bathroom. Dale slipped his jeans on “Yeah?”

“It’s Kelly, can I come in?”

“Yeah.” She closed the door behind her. “So how much does everyone out there hate me?”

“No one hates you, Junior we all love you that’s why we are here.” She wrapped her arms around him fighting the tears for her baby brother. “Are you ok?”

“God Kel, I am so sorry.” they stayed that way for a few minutes. “Kennedy hates me, that’s for sure.”

“No she doesn’t.”

“Yes, Kel, she does after last night she does.”

“What happened?”

“I hurt her, I hurt her Kel. I can’t do anything right.”

“Oh June that’s not true.”

All of a sudden they heard yelling out in the living room. “What the?” They walked into the other room and Kelly barely got out of the way when Michael grabbed Junior like a rag doll and held him against the wall.

“What the hell are you doing?” Dale yelled at his friend.

“Back off Dale.” Michael warned.

“See now, I can’t do that. He might deserve it but that’s my son you are about to tear in two.”

Michael backed off but kept Junior cornered. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“Mikey, what is going on?” Kelly yelled.

“Know where I spent last night? Huh?” Junior looked at him he knew what this was about. “I spent most of last night in the emergency room.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Dale asked looking at Junior and back to Michael. He knew if Michael was this upset something major had happened.

“Ask your son. It’s all his fault.” Michael let go of Junior and he slumped to the floor hearing Michael’s words.

“Is she ok?”

“Do you care? She never did anything but help this family and you hurt her, how could you do that?”

“I know.” Junior screamed forcing everyone to look at him on the floor. “I know it’s my fault, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I took the pills, I drank myself unconscious and it is all still there. It constantly repeats Kelly get hurt, Karsyn disappears, Kennedy gets shot. Over and over and over. It won’t go away.” He finally broke. “Your right Mikey, it is my fault. I let them go outside that day. I was an idiot. This all started cause I let them go alone. Now Kennedy is back in the hospital because of me.” Kelly and Brenda were now crying, Michael backed off and Dale knelt before his son. “I replay it over in my head, if I had done something different. I dream about it and I try to change it and it does change. She dies this time. Everytime. I should have protected them.” He looked at his dad. “You would have.”

Dale pulled Junior to him. “Junebug, this isn’t your fault and she’s not dead. There isn’t anything I could have done different that day, that you didn’t do.” He pushed Junior back to look at him, “Do you blame Kelly for Karsyn disappearing?”

“No, of course not, she didn’t know what was happening.”

Kelly sat beside him, “And neither did you.”

“I should have gone with you.”

“Yeah, cause so many people are disappearing from downtown Mooresville on Monday afternoons. What, you gonna stop buying ice cream for your niece?”

Junior was silent.

Brenda came forward, “Baby, none of us blame you for anything that has happened. Not me, your father, Kelly, Karsyn, or Kennedy. So why should you?”

Junior looked at Michael, “Mikey?”

“What? Of course I don’t blame you for what happened but Dale Jr. you did hurt Kennedy last night. You have to take responsibility for that and for the pills on the track. You could have seriously hurt someone.”

Dale looked at Junior “Michael is right. You are responsible for your own actions but if you let us we can help you get through this.”

Junior grabbed Kelly’s hand and squeezed, “I want this all to stop. I want it to go away. Please help me.”

Chapter 13

Over the next few weeks Junior spent a lot of time in counseling. Dale made sure he found the best for his son for two reasons. He wanted to make sure Junior got the help he needed but he also had to make sure everything remained confidential. If it were to get out that Junior had driven while under the influence of anything his career would be over.

He was sitting at Kelly’s with Karsyn in his lap asleep filling her in on how his therapist said he was done with the sessions. “Oh June, that is great. I am so proud of you. That really took guts. Have the dreams stopped?”

“Mostly. The doctor said that I may occasionally have one. He said mostly if I am stressed out or worrying about something and he said that would eventually subside. I just have to calm myself down and deal with it instead of ignoring it like I was.”

“You want me to put her in her bed?” Kelly said walking over to take Karsyn from him.

“No, please can I just hold her? You know a few weeks ago I didn’t think I could ever trust myself to take care of her. Hell, I was even doubting that I could be a father.” He looked down at her as she snuggled closer to him. “But she’s worth it.”

“She’s not the only one.”

Junior looked up at her. “I know but after what I did to her and not to mention the fact that I haven’t even tried to contact her in over 3 weeks, I don’t think she will forgive me. And to be honest I don’t blame her.”

“Don’t underestimate Kennedy. She knows what you were going through better than any of us did and she’s strong. I bet she has already forgiven you.”

“So what am I just to show up on her doorstep begging for forgiveness?”

“Don’t forget the flowers.” Kelly smiled.

“I don’t know.” He looked down at Karsyn.

“There is only one way to find out.”

Kennedy had kept in touch with Kelly and Buffy both. They had actually become pretty good friends in the past few weeks. Kennedy loved it when Macy or Karsyn would come over, she loved the sound of a childs laughter in the house again. They kept her informed on Junior’s progress and she was thankful he was getting the help he needed, she was just hoping he would let her help him. Maybe he hadn’t been lieing when he said they wouldn’t work. Still she cared to much about him to regret her choice.

Junior stood on Kennedy’s porch, fresh cut pink gerber daisies in hand trying to knock. He would chicken out at the last second. He finally took a deep breath and knocked before he lost the nerve.

The door swung open and both of them gasped. Kennedy because he was the last person she expected to see on the porch and Junior because she was even more beautiful than he remembered. Maybe it was because he didn’t feel guilty for looking this time.

“Junior, hi, come in.” He pushed the flowers out to her,. he was frozen and couldn’t move or say anything. “You coming in?” he shook his head no. “No? Oh ok.” she said quietly. They stood there staring at each other. “Junior?”

“I don’t blame you for hating me. I was horrible to you and what I did was unforgivable, I am so thankful you are ok. I went to counseling and am getting over this, I am not 100% but I am better. I would love nothing more than to have another chance at us, to try and make it work. For the chance to take you to that dinner but I don’t blame you for saying no. I just needed you to know how I felt and how sorry I am for all I did to you and how thankful I am for what you did for my family.” he said in one long ragged breath before turning to leave.

Kennedy smiled knowing how difficult that had been for him. She smelled the flowers and said, “I never said no.”

Junior stopped and slowly turned, “What?” He whispered.

“You know, I think you waited long enough that I may be strong enough for the something part of the original offer.” she grinned as he looked to the ground. “But dinner sounds like a nice starting point.”

He looked back up to her, “Seriously?” “Were you?”

He took a step closer to her, “Everyword.” he swallowed.

She extended her hand “Come inside, Junior.” he gently took it in his and followed her in.

Chapter 14

Kennedy and Junior spent the next week ‘dating’. Kennedy got her dinner and they spent a lot of time just talking. A little too much talking for Kennedy. She had noticed how Junior had been very distant in a physical way with her. He hadn’t kissed her since that last day in the hospital and they barely held hands or hugged. Kennedy had an idea she knew what the problem was but she wanted him to address it.

They were at Kennedy’s one evening about to watch a movie. She sat on one end of the couch and asked Junior to stick the movie in. After he had, he sat on the opposite end away from her. Kennedy frowned but didn’t say anything. 20 minutes into the movie she finally decided to take matters into her own hands. She moved down towards him and put his arm around her laying her head on his shoulder. “Now is that so bad?”

“What are you doing?” he half laughed nervously.

“Being a couple. I don’t bite. Well, I nibble.” she grinned.

He left his arm around her but that was the extent of it. At the end of the movie Kennedy sat up and looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing why?”

“You weren’t this scared to touch me when I was in the hospital with injuries.”

He stood and walked a few feet away, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“I thought we agreed when we started this over to be honest with each other?”

He looked down then back at her, “I am scared to touch you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to hurt you again.”

“Oh Junior, you won’t hurt me, I am fine. My injuries healed a while back. I do have some pretty nasty scars that might scare the hell out of you.” she joked. She stepped up to him and ran her hand down his cheek. She leaned up and gently kissed him. She was amazed he actually managed to kiss her back without touching any part of her, except her lips. She actually laughed out loud at this and pulled him over to the couch.

He sat down and she straddled him and slowly unbuttoned her shirt. She heard his breathing quicken, she took his hand and pulled it too her scar. She traced it with his fingers, “See I won’t break, your not hurting me, it’s just ugly as hell.”

He stared at it for a moment tracing it on his own. “Nothing on you could ever be ugly.” He looked up and met her stare.

“Junior, make love to me. Please.” she leaned down and kissed him. His hands gently slipped under the back of her shirt pulling it off her shoulders. His touch was apprehensive and extremely gentle but it was there. He dropped kisses along her collarbone as she ran her hands up and pulled his backwards ball cap off his head. She tossed it to the floor then pulled his unbuttoned shirt off his shoulders leaving him in his white tee.

He pulled his mouth from her and moved his hands down to her breasts. He kneaded the skin through the fabric of her black bra and looked up to catch her stare. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, Junior, I want to be with you in every way imaginable.” She pulled his tee over his head and leaned forward and kissed him.

He slowly stood and took her with him, she wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked them towards the bedroom. He sat her on the bed and stood above her bent at the waist still kissing her. Her hands went to the buckle of his belt and then the button and zipper of his jeans. He gently pushed her back on the bed and worked her jeans down her hips before stepping out of his own. He stood and stared at her for a moment she looked sexy as hell in her black lace bra and boy shorts.

Her hand instinctively went to cover her scar, she wasn’t necessarily trying to hide it, she wasn’t ashamed of it but his staring at it did make her a little uncomfortable. He knelt on the bed between her legs and lowered his head to her stomach, he pushed her hand to the side and ran his tongue along the stretched skin. He continued his journey to her naval, stopping to dip his tongue into it and then continued lower. He ran his tongue along the lace and could feel her wetness through the thin fabric. He dropped kisses inside her thighs and breathed in her scent.

Her fingers ran through his hair and started pulling him back up to her. She buried her tongue in his mouth before he had a chance to say anything. She rolled them over and straddled his waist. She unhooked her own bra as he pulled the straps down her shoulders. He sat up and caught her nipple with his teeth and sucked it into his mouth. She moaned and arched into him as he continued to massage her breast with his tongue.

They rolled over once again and this time Kennedy used the opportunity to pull his boxers to his ankles and as he kicked them off he pulled the remaining fabric from her body. He kissed his way back up her body until they were eye to eye. He positioned himself at her entrance but stopped, “Are you ok?”

She smiled at him “I am perfect.” With that she guided him into her wrapping her legs around his waist. He started a rhythm that she was more than happy to match. They were both soon climbing to the heights of ecstasy. As his climax rocked through his body she grasped his her own hitting her full force.

They collapsed in a sweaty heap. Junior rolled to her side and pulled the sheet around them both tangling their bodies together. “Thank you.” he whispered kissing her neck.

“For what?” she ran her finger up and down his chest.

“Everything.” she looked up at him and he kissed her. A kiss that showed the feelings they had yet to say.

Chapter 15

Dale was so glad Kennedy made him face his fears of hurting her, he couldn’t be happier. The days flew by so quickly for him he was thankful she enjoyed coming to the races, they could be together a lot more that way. It was Monday morning when Kelly approached him “Junior, huge favor to ask.”

“What ya need?”

“I have to fly up to New York this afternoon. I will be back Wed night, Teresa and dad are busy, I could call Kerry but”

“Kel, what do you need?”

“Take Karsyn for me, it’s just till Wed.”

He raised an eyebrow but said yes of course. “Sure Kennedy and I can play house.”

It was Kelly’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Play house? I didn’t realize it was that serious.”

“It’s not, well not yet. It’s getting there quickly. Kelly, I think I am falling in love with her.”

“Oh my Junior that is great.” she hugged him, “Why do you always spring these things on me when I am running out the door?”

“Cause then I don’t have to explain myself more.”

“Brat.” she playfully smacked his arm. “I will drop Karsyn off in a couple hours when I head to the airport.”

“Ok, see ya then.”

She hugged him again. “Thanks, love you.”

“Love you too.”

Junior called Kennedy. “Hey you.” “Hey, what’s up? Thought you were going to be at

the shop all day.”

“I still am but had a question for you.”

“Yes.”

“Kelly is headed out of town this afternoon for New York, she will be gone till Wed night. Wanna come baby sit Karsyn and me.”

“Shouldn’t that be with you?” she laughed “No, and you is probably more accurate. Think you can handle me moving in for a few days?”

“I think I can handle you.” he laughed.

“We’ll see Mr. Earnhardt. I will be over in a couple hours, I need to get some stuff together.”

“Ok, see you then.”

They were having a ball and Kennedy liked the family feeling that was going on. She hadn’t admitted it too anyone but she was falling in love with this man. On Tuesday afternoon, Karsyn decided it was time to go shopping. They went to a local toy store and of course Uncle Dale spoiled her rotten.

“Kelly is going to kill you. I can’t believe you bought her all that.”

“That’s what uncle’s are for.” he grinned.

“Ice cream, ice cream.” Karsyn yelled from the back seat.

Junior panicked as he drove down main street. “We have ice cream at home.”

“Cones.” Karsyn replied.

“We will have ice cream at home.”

“Uncle June.”

“I said no.” Junior yelled. Karsyn whimpered and got quiet.

“Junior?” Kennedy said looking from him to Karsyn who was on the verge of tears. Her uncle had never yelled at her before.

“Shit.” Junior pulled the car over 2 blocks from the ice cream place.

Kennedy got out of the car and pulled Karsyn out of her car seat. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked looking at Junior.

“Karsyn, baby I am sorry.” he reached for her and she pulled away from him and clung to Kennedy. “Karsyn,” his heart broke as he realized how upset she was.

“Look let’s go get some ice cream.” she saw the pain on his face. “It will be ok.”

They walked up to the ice cream parlor and Junior slowly opened the door for them. They were getting ready to step in when Karsyn yelled, “Puppies.”

Kennedy looked at the pet store next door “We are going to go see the puppies. We will meet you back at one of these tables.” she said pointing to the outdoor patio.

“No! Come inside.” he grabbed her arm.

“Ow, Dale that hurts.” she yanked her arm away “What has gotten into…” Then it hit her. The ice cream the puppies next door. “Oh Junior, it won’t happen again. We will be fine.”

“Please come inside with me.” he begged and she saw the pure terror on his face.

She paused for a moment then pulled him to one of the tables. “We can’t, you have to do this. Have you even been back here since it all happened?” he shook his head no and looked at the ground in front of the pet store where he had found Kelly. “Baby, we will meet you right back here at this table. I promise.” she squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek then her and Karsyn walked to the pet store.

Junior was tempted to follow but went in to get ice cream cones instead. When he was done he stood just inside the door scared to go outside. He stood there for several minutes his mind going back to that day 2 months ago.

~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey Dale, Karsyn wants to see the puppies, we will meet you outside.”

“Ok, I will be right out.”

Dale stepped out into the hot July sun, “ok, girl better lick this quick. This ice cream won’t last…Oh my God Kelly.” The ice cream fell to the ground as Dale rushed to the lifeless form laying in front of the pet store. “Someone call 911.” he screamed. “Kelly, come on, wake up. Jesus, what the hell happened.” There was a pool of blood forming under her head when it hit him. “Karsyn! Karsyn!” He looked around as the police pulled up. “Karsyn come out it’s ok.”

~~~~~~~~~end of flashback~~~~~~~~~~~

He could visibly see his hands shaking. He closed his eyes, just do this Dale. He pushed the door open and stepped outside. When he opened his eyes he saw Kennedy sitting at one of the tables with Karsyn sitting on top of the table playing with something. “Bud toy Uncle June.”

“We bought Buddy Love a new toy.” Kennedy smiled as Junior walked to them. “See, we are right here. You all right?”

He smiled “Yeah, I think so.” he handed Karsyn the cone. “I am sorry I yelled at you baby Kar.”

“Ok.” she replied between licks the incident already forgotten.

Later that night after they put Karsyn down to bed. Junior pulled Kennedy into his arms. He moved them to his bed and they just laid there holding each other. “This is nice.” he said kissing her forehead.

“Yeah it is.” she snuggled up closer to him.

“Kennedy?”

“Yeah,”

“What would you say if I asked you to move in here with me?”

She sat up and looked at him, “This is a big step, are you sure you want to?”

“Yes, this is exactly what I want. These past couple of days with Karsyn and you have shown me exactly what I want. Kennedy, I love you. I want you here with me all the time. I want to wake up with you by my side every morning. I want you to be the mother of my children.” he paused. “If this isn’t what you want, or it’s too soon, please tell me the truth. I will understand but I had to be honest with you and I also have to tell you, just how scared I was today. I just knew that when I stepped out that door you would be dead and Karsyn would be gone. I know I should have been past this by now but”

“Junior you took a huge step today. I am so proud of you. I am just sorry that I didn’t realize the problem sooner.” she leaned forward kissing him. “I would love to move in here with you but why do I feel like you are talking more than my moving in?”

“Cause I am. Kennedy I want to marry you. I know it’s only been two months but I can’t help but think that if we have made it through what we have been through”

“There is nothing we can’t face together. I love you too and I want to marry you so much.”

“We will go get the ring tomorrow. Sorry I didn’t have it already, I guess I could have planned this better, huh?”

“No baby, it was perfect.” she said as the tears fell. “It was so perfect.”

Chapter 16

The next morning the three of them were up early and out to the local jewelry store. They found the perfect ring and Junior proposed a little more appropriately. They called the whole family, including their extended family of Buffy, Michael, Steve, and Ty and told them all to meet over at Juniors when Kelly was scheduled to be there.

Once everyone had gotten there Junior stood. “We have an announcement.”

“Well I should hope so if we are all here like this. This definitely isn’t one of your better parties.” Michael asked.

“Shut up Mikey, what’s up Junior?” Buffy said smacking Mikey’s arm.

“Well,” Junior looked at Kennedy.

Kennedy held her hand up and Teresa, Kelly, and Buffy all screamed and rushed to see the rock on her hand. None of the men dared to move when they saw Dale Sr. stand.

“Well, I will be damned. Never thought I would meet a girl who could tame that boy down.” he said to Kennedy as he pushed the girls away and hugged her catching a peak of the diamond himself. He then stepped up to his son, “I am so happy for you and so proud of you. This family has had a rough couple of months and you came through it all.” he wrapped his arms around Jr.

“Only because of you.” he hugged him back “And her.” he smiled at Kennedy over his dad’s shoulder.

“Well this calls for a party. One hell of a huge engagement party.” Teresa said.

“Wait, so what is the date?” Kelly asked. “When is the wedding?”

“Well, we haven’t really talked about it yet.” Junior said.

Kennedy sat down beside Junior, “There are 2 more months left to the season and I don’t want to wait until next winter.”

“What are you saying?” Junior asked.

“I say we get married in December. You all will be too busy come January, getting ready for Daytona.”

“That’s 2 and a half months from now, that’s a lot of planning.” Teresa said.

“Why do I feel that won’t be a problem for you girls.” Dale said shaking his head, this was going to be complete chaos.

They chose a holiday wedding to be held a week before Christmas, as if the holidays weren’t busy enough. They guys didn’t have much time to help but the girls forgave them as the end of the season neared. Dale Sr. was going after his 8th championship with Tony Stewart hot on his tail in 2nd, but the season surprise was Dale Jr. in third only 25 points out of 2nd. Even with all the problems the Earnhardts had gone through this season then still dominated the points. By the time Homestead rolled around Dale Jr. had moved into 2nd place and was 50 points from knocking his father off 1st and winning his first championship.

The #3 and #8 pits were overflowing with family and friends for the final race of the season. It was a win, win situation as #3 car barreled down the back straightaway with the #8 car right behind him. Dale Sr. grinned into the mirror as he saw the Bud logo on his tail. “That’s it kid, never back down.” Junior rode his dad all the way back to the checkered but it wasn’t enough. Dale Sr. won his 8th championship and Jr. finished 50 points behind him in 2nd. Victory lane became a huge party for DEI, as Dale climbed out of his car the reporters were waiting. As the interview was wrapping up Junior ran into the camera angel and threw his arms around his daddy. “Junior congrats on a 2nd place finish for the season. Earnhardt vs. Earnhardt what a race and what a season. What are you guys going to do next?”

Dale Sr. pulled Kennedy and Teresa into the view “We have a wedding to plan.” The champagne sprayed and the four of them hoisted the championship trophy over their heads.

Chapter 17

The weeks passed quickly and the wedding was getting bigger day by day. They were holding nothing back and this was turning out to be the wedding of the year. One of sports most eligible bachelors was getting married and every paper and media outlet wanted an invitation. For the actual wedding they decided that a photographer from Sports Illustrated and Nascar Scene would be allowed, Dale Jr. decided that due to his love of music he wanted Rolling Stone Magazine to be there. They wanted to do a full cover story on the wedding and Kennedy agreed. A few more reporters would be allowed access to the reception and they planned on releasing photos on their own to a few papers. Dale Sr. thought that maybe they were allowing too much but Jr. and Kennedy didn’t want their day ruined because of media trying to get photos.

Kennedy approached Dale a week or so before the wedding. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Of course, come in.” Dale opened the door and led her to the living room. “Teresa and Taylor are shopping. What can I do for you?”

“Well, I was wondering, you know my parents were killed while I was very young and I did the whole independent thing for my first wedding, walking down the aisle alone.” She pause choking back the tears, “I was wondering if you would walk me down the aisle?”

“Wow, Kennedy, I am, not a lot of people can make the intimidator speechless.” he looked at her, “I would be honored to.” he leaned forward and hugged her both of them practically in tears as Teresa and Taylor walked in.

“Everything ok?” Teresa asked walking up.

“Yes, everything is perfect.” Kennedy said hugging Teresa and Taylor before heading out and back home to Junior.

The wedding was being held at a church in Mooresville that the Earnhardt family had been members of for years. The wedding would take place at sunset and the walkway to the church had been lined with luminaries. The chapel itself was draped in candlelight, there was no electricity being used except for the aisle which was lined with white twinkling lights hidden in garland. There were poinsettias, holly, and white gardenias everywhere. A harp was playing soft Christmas carols as the guests entered the church.

Kennedy had chosen a simple white satin dress because she would be wearing white hooded cape with faux fur trim. By the time her hair and makeup was done she looked like a porcelain doll. Her bouquet along with the bridesmaids consisted of a white taper candle surrounded by holly and gardenias. Kelly, Buffy, and Teresa were wearing midnight blue satin dresses and Karsyn was in a red velvet flower girl dress. Kerry, and two of Junior’s buddies were in black tuxes with the same shade of blue cumber buns and such. Junior was wearing a black tux with a silver/white finishing touches.

The music started and Dale and Kennedy stood in the back of the church waiting for their entrance. “You ready?” Dale asked.

“Yes, a little nervous.”

“Why? I can tell you I have never seen that boy look at another woman the way he looks at you. Personally, I am so glad you were brought into my sons life and want you to know that there isn’t another woman on this planet that I would rather my son be marrying.”

“You aren’t suppose to be making me cry before I get out there, but thank you so much. That means the world to me.”

Her music started and as they walked to the doorway Junior gasped at how beautiful she looked in the candlelight. She had the hood of the cape pulled up and she pulled a few curls down to frame her face. The sight of his dad walking her down the aisle made him tear up as Dale handed her hand to Junior then hugged them both. He winked at Teresa before picking up Karsyn and sitting in the front pew. They recited their own vows and the ceremony was kept short and sweet.

The reception was being held on the Earnhardt estate and once again, expense was not an issue. A huge open air but heated canopy had been set up and it may have been snowing and bitterly cold but it felt like a warm summer day. The tables had been set with wreaths with snow globes of a couple dancing in the snow in the center of them. The flower arrangements of holly and gardenias had been carried over to the reception, along with the candle motif. At their table each guest found a personalized reindeer ornament, a small pouch with Kennedy and Junior’s favorite sugar cookie mix and a reindeer cookie cutter as their special memory to keep.

The bride and groom arrived in a horse drawn carriage and as they entered the party, to a loud applause, Buffy pointed above their head. Kennedy and Junior looked up and laughed at the mistletoe hanging above their head, “I think we’ve been set up.”

Junior grinned, “But in a good way.” and with that Junior brought his lips down on top of Kennedy’s. The crowd went wild and the DJ announced the arrival of Mr. And Mrs. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dinner was served and then Kerry and Kelly gave their toasts to the new bride and groom. They were getting ready for the first dance when Dale Sr. stood and took the floor.

“I want to start by saying thank you to all of you for spending this day with us. It’s no big secret we haven’t had the best of years but we came back and it is ending wonderfully. I am a firm believer that everything in this world happens for a reason. Kennedy came into our lives due to a near tragedy and today we gained a very special addition to our family because of that near tragedy. I wasn’t sure I would ever see the day that boy settled, no settled isn’t the right word. He certainly isn’t settling with Kennedy, I am so proud to be able to call you my daughter in law and to know that you will be there to take care of one another. Junior I have waited a long time to be able to be standing here and to be able to tell you how proud of you and happy I am for you and just how much I love you. Congratulations to both of you.” he raised his glass as did the rest of the guests.

The rest of the evening was fantastic. They danced their first dance and then instead of a father/daughter dance Kennedy danced with Dale. They had cake and of course sugar cookies, a special bouquet had been made just for the bride to throw which Kelly caught. Steve Park caught the garter and after a raised eyebrow from Dale Sr. several jokes made the rounds on that one.

The night was perfect and they left in the morning for a week honeymoon down in the Baja California of Mexico. Near the Cabo San Lucas area only a smaller town that wasn’t so touristy. They would be back right in time to spend Christmas with the family and ring in the new year. A year Kennedy couldn’t wait to start as Mrs. Dale Earnhardt Jr. She imagined the future, their future, their kids, her new life as an Earnhardt. For so many years she had been alone with no family, now she belonged to one to one she adored. Kennedy and Junior were both ready to put the past year behind them, but their life of happiness together would have to wait, the nightmares weren’t over yet.

Chapter 18

Junior and Kennedy’s first Christmas together was spent with hardly a moment for themselves. They bounced back and forth between his mom’s and his dad’s. They opted out of the New Year’s parties, they did have dinner with Dale and Teresa early that evening but decided to ring in the New Year just themselves. January came and went in a flash and before anyone knew it, it was time to head to Daytona. Kennedy and Junior drove down for the first week of Speedweeks together along with a few of Junior‘s buddies. About 5 days into Speedweeks Kennedy called Kelly who still hadn’t come down.

“I don’t know if I will make it or not.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Karsyn is so sick. Has the flu or something.”

“Oh no, look Junior has been so busy I have been staying in the coach a lot any way. Come down and we can take turns watching her.”

“I don’t know.”

“Come on Kelly, I really think you should be here. I don’t know why but I just think you need to come.”

“Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, but there is just a weird vibe down here. I can’t explain it.”

“Ok, we will be down this weekend, in time for qualifying. Maybe she will feel better by then.”

“Great, see ya in a couple of days.”

On Saturday afternoon Kennedy offered to watch Karsyn so Kelly and Junior could meet with some potential sponsors for the Chance 2 car. Karsyn was still sick and they were laying on the couch watching cartoons when there was a knock on the door.

“Dale, hey come in. We were just watching Spongebob.”

“Papa.” Karsyn threw her arms up to him from the couch still not having enough strength to stand.

“How’s my girl?”

“feel bad, papa.” she curled up in his lap and Kennedy could tell he even made this sick little girl feel safe and better.

“Kennedy I wanted to talk to you.” he said smoothing the hair out of Karsyn’s face.

“Sure what’s up?”

“I wanted to tell you how thankful I am for everything you have done. I would have lost my granddaughter for sure and probably my son, had it not been for you. I just want to make sure you know that.”

Kennedy got a weird chill as she looked at him, “Dale, I know, you’ve said it before.”

“I know I just.” he looked down at his granddaughter who was playing with his mustache like she always did.

“Dale is everything ok?”

“Yes, I think, I just have this need to make sure those people in my life know how much I love and appreciate them. Would you mind if I took her with me for a little while? I want to spend some time just her and me.”

Kennedy was getting scared, in the 6 months she had known this family personally and even seeing him on tv this was a side of the Intimidator she had never seen. “Of course, I will tell Kelly you have her.”

“Thanks.” he stood with Karsyn.

“Bye Ennedy.”

“Bye Bye Kar.” she watched them walk to the door, “Dale,” he turned to her. “I have grown to love you like a father the past several months and not just because I married your son. Losing my parents so young was hard, I am so glad that I have you to call dad.” She walked over and hugged him.

“Thanks Kennedy, that means a lot.”

On Sunday Kennedy had headed to the pits to get settled before the race started. She was standing talking to Tony Sr. and Tony Jr. in the Bud pit, which was right behind the #3 pit, she saw Dale and Junior walking up pit road. Dale had his arm around Junior and they were lost in conversation. Kennedy stepped to the side and snapped a photo of the two of them together. As they got to the pit Dale stopped and shook hands with Tony Sr. “Take care of my boy here.” He patted Tony Jr. on the shoulder and winked at Kennedy as he went by.

Kennedy saw the look on Junior’s face “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing that was just weird. Almost like he was saying.”

“Goodbye?” Junior looked at her “We had the same conversation yesterday right before he took Karsyn to spend time with her.” They watched as Dale hugged and kissed Taylor then kissed Teresa with a passion that they didn’t show off in public.

Kennedy felt that chill again as Junior and Dale climbed into their cars. She stuck her head in before Junior put his helmet on, “I love you. Drive the wheels off this thing and come home safe.” she kissed him and tugged on his belts, ‘just to make sure’ like she always did.

Kennedy climbed up to the top of the war wagon next to Tony Sr. and waved to Teresa. Taylor had gone to watch the race with Kelly and Karsyn from Dale’s coach. They settled in to watch the running of what was to unfortunately replace Dale’s first 500 win in 1998 as the most famous race in Daytona history. The race was amazing Michael was leading, Junior was second and Dale was in third. Once again DEI and RCR dominated Daytona. Then it happened. The unthinkable.

Kennedy was jumping up and down as Michael and Junior took the checkered. Michael’s first 500 win. She couldn’t believe it, where was Dale? Why hadn’t he climbed out of the car yet? She watched as the safety workers scrambled, then the tarps came out, and an eerie hush took over the stands and the 175 thousand people sitting in them. “Oh dear God no, hasn’t this family been through enough.”

Kennedy looked down towards Teresa, she saw the look, Teresa already knew. She watched as Mikey’s car headed to Victory Lane and the Bud car drove down pit road. She watched as the Goodyear crew scrambled and Richard helped Teresa from the wagon. Kennedy climbed down herself and headed towards Junior but he was headed to the #3 car. Did he know or was he going to celebrate? She watched as he was stopped by someone and his shoulders slumped. They started to head towards the ambulance when Junior stopped and turned. Kennedy waved him on, “Go with Teresa, I am getting Kelly and Taylor and we will be there soon.”

45 minutes later a very sick Karsyn in tow, the four of them walked through Halifax Hospital’s doors. Jade and Tony Jr. were sitting outside the emergency waiting room. No one spoke Tony Jr. took a sleeping Karsyn from Kelly and pointed towards a room. Kelly knew what she would find on the other side of that door. Kennedy slowly followed her arms around a very shaken Taylor, as Kelly pushed the door open Tony Sr. jumped up to grab her as she fell to the ground. Kennedy caught her breath as she saw him laying in the bed, he looked so peaceful. She made sure Taylor was out of site. Teresa wanted to make sure those who wanted to say goodbye got the chance, so the coroners were put off. The paperwork waited and so did the press downstairs.

Teresa jumped up and ran to her daughter. “Mom?” Taylor said through tears.

“Shh, baby I know.” she wrapped her arms around her little girl and held her as she cried.

Junior slowly stood and walked towards Kennedy. His face red and swollen from the tears. He fell into her open arms and they both slumped to the floor in the hall way. Jade and Richard Childress both stood to help but then decided to leave them. Kennedy finally got Junior off the floor and to a bench across from Richard and Ty.

Everyone just stared at Teresa and Taylor wondering how on earth those two would make it through this. “Do you want to see him?” Teresa asked.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t have to but I will be there with you if you want to say goodbye.”

Taylor nodded her head and Teresa led her into the room. You could hear her cries from the hallway. Junior stood and followed Kelly and Kerry back into the room. The Earnhardt kids and Teresa stood by their fathers side one last time to say goodbye. One by one they left the room, leaving Teresa and Taylor. Taylor came out and fell into Juniors arms. They stood right outside the door and watched as Teresa kissed her husbands cheek and whispered, “Goodbye my love.”

Teresa walked to the nurse’s station asked for the paperwork she needed to get her husband home and sat in the hall next to Ty and Richard. “Teresa let us do that for you?” Richard said reaching for the forms.

“Yeah, Teresa, we can take care of this and you can get out of here.”

“No thank you, I will do it.”

Mikey, Buffy, and Steve walked in and there were new tears to be cried. They went in to say goodbye to their old friend. Mikey came out first looking like he would throw up. “Why? Why did this happen?”

Teresa took his hand, “we will get through this and we will all do it together. We will all meet tomorrow morning to figure out who goes home and who stays. Junior, Kennedy, Kelly, Kerry, all of you get back to the condos and try and get some sleep.”

“Kerry do the kids know yet?”

“No, Renee and I decided to tell them together when I get back.”

With that said everyone looked to Karsyn as Kelly took her back in her arms. “She’ll never understand where her papa is and why she can‘t see him.” She said as she broke down in tears again.

Junior and Kennedy each grabbed her arm for support and led her out of the hospital. “We will be at the condo.” Junior said as they walked out.

Chapter 19

The next few weeks seemed to drag on like an eternity. The media was everywhere, the family didn’t have a moments rest and on the track things had taken a turn for the worse, for Junior atleast. Steve had ended up winning the first race after Daytona, a race that he dedicated to the memory of his friend and mentor. Junior on the other hand didn’t fare as well, he wrecked on the first lap, a scene that would become too familiar over the next few weeks.

Kennedy noticed the restlessness at home and was starting to become alarmed. She knew the dreams must have been back and was worried he would turned to old habits to get by. “Junior, can I talk to you?”

“Yeah, what’s up?” he asked looking up from the newest edition of Nascar Scene.

“The dreams are back aren’t they?” he looked away. “Look I know, you don’t want to talk about it but we learned that didn’t work to well last time. I am worried about you, I know you aren’t sleeping again, I hear you up every night. I have seen what it’s doing to you on the track.” she grabbed his hand. “Please don’t push me away this time.”

He looked at her he knew what he was doing again and he knew it was wrong but he once again felt a familiar feeling return and he couldn’t stop it as it took him over. “I am fine, don’t worry about me Kennedy, really.” He squeezed her hand, “Come on we need to run to Kelly’s.”

20 minutes later they pulled into Kelly’s drive to find Steve’s car. “Huh wonder what he is doing here?” They wandered up and knocked on the door when there wasn’t an answer Junior tried the door it was unlocked. “Kel, you here?”

Karsyn came running up to him “Uncle June.”

He picked her up, “Hey baby Kar. Where’s mommy?”

She pointed towards the back yard. The three of them walked through the kitchen towards the back yard. The scene in front of them wasn’t one any of them were prepared for. Steve was leaning against the railing of the deck with Kelly in his arms and in a very deep passionate kiss.

“What the hell?”

Kelly jumped 2 feet away from Steve. “Junior, Kennedy. Um…”

Kennedy’s eyes were wide she wasn’t necessarily upset just shocked. Junior on the other hand…”What the hell are you doing with my sister?”

“Junior, look chill. Let’s talk about this.” Steve said.

Juniors head was racing faster than a lap at Talladega. He sat Karsyn down before he dropped her. Kennedy grabbed Karsyn’s hand, “Honey will you go play inside for a little while?” she wandered back into the house.

Kennedy and Steve just stood silently off to the side, listening.

Kelly stepped up to Junior “Please sit with me?” she took his hand and led him to the bench on the deck. “Look, I know this is weird but it really isn’t.”

“How long has this been going on?”

Kelly looked him in the eye, “It really escalated back when daddy died, but it started back in July when Karsyn disappeared. He was there when I needed someone.”

“That was 8 months ago. This has been going on for that long? You have been running around behind our backs for that long. And what do you mean when you needed someone? We were all there for you.”

Kennedy spoke up, “So you guys were together at the wedding. All the jokes about you catching the garter and you catching the bouquet, weren’t really jokes.”

“Yeah, Junior, it wasn’t and still isn’t cheap like you are making it sound. I know you were all there, but not how I needed someone.”

“Oh God I don’t want to hear this.” he stood and started pacing. Why was this bothering him so much? Steve was actually perfect for her. He knew how busy her lifestyle was, he was great with Karsyn, and he would treat both of them like princesses. He was exactly what he hoped his sister would find in a man and a relationship. “Are you guys in love?” he looked at Steve.

“I have always loved this family dearly, you have been a second family to me. I care about Kelly deeply I am not in love with her and I don’t think she is in love with me. But I do want to give this a chance to see where it goes and I would love to have your blessing but I am not going to back down and lose what has been wonderful so far and could possibly be even better down the road, cause you can’t deal.”

Junior looked to Kelly and she nodded in approval of what Steve had just said. “I have to get out of here. I need to be alone. Will you make sure Kennedy gets home?”

“Of course.”

“Junior where are you going? I don’t like this.” Kennedy grabbed his arm.

“I am ok, I will see you later.” He kissed her cheek and ran out of the house.

Chapter 20

The next day Kennedy sat on the couch scared cause Junior had never come home the night before. It was Thursday afternoon and he was suppose to have met Steve and Michael at the airport to head to the track. When the phone rang Kennedy jumped and grabbed it. “Junior?”

“No Kennedy it’s Teresa. I am assuming you don’t know where he is. Michael just called said they waited an hour and the plane had to go.”

Kennedy broke down as she heard a knock on the door. “He never came home last night, I haven’t heard from him at all. Teresa I am so scared.” she said opening the door to see Kelly standing there.

“Where is he? Steve called said he didn’t show up for the plane?” Kennedy handed the phone with Teresa on it to Kelly then went and collapsed on the couch in tears.

“God Kennedy I am so sorry this is all my fault. I should have been more honest about Steve with everyone.”

“No, no it’s not.” Kennedy said getting pissed. “The dreams are back and he is pushing everyone away again. I thought we were past all this, everything has been great until”

“Until daddy died.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t know how to help him anymore.”

“We’ll figure this out and we will get him through it. We just have to find him first.”

By the time Saturday rolled around Kennedy was in a complete panic she had still not heard from Junior and she was convinced something horrible had happened. Teresa had put someone else in the car for the weekend and she had to admit for as pissed as she was over his disappearing act she was very worried that maybe something had happened.

Kennedy had called all his friends, checked all his local hangouts, left hundreds of messages on his cell phone when it hit her. “How stupid am I? I should have thought of that in the first place.” She jumped in her car and headed towards Dale and Teresa’s ranch.

She drove down the long dirt single lane road, stopping in the small parking area next to his truck. She walked towards the fenced area opening the gate, it was then that she saw him. “Thank God,” she whispered quietly and walked towards him. He was sitting against the cold hard marble of his fathers tomb. The tears ran down his face and Kennedy noticed for the first time just how much older he looked since their wedding day 4 months earlier. “Baby?” She saw the bottle of pills sitting in front of him.

“I didn’t take any, I thought about it but I didn’t, now leave me alone.” he never looked at her.

She sat on the ground next to him, “you know I can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“Why what? Why can’t I leave you alone? Why are the dreams back worse than ever? Why are you so freaked out over the prospect of Steve and your sister? Why did your father have to die? Which would you like an answer to?”

He looked at her, the tears fell harder as he fell into her arms. “No more, please no more. Make it stop Kennedy, please make it stop.”

“I want to but you have to let me help you. You beat this once we can do it again.”

“No, I don’t think I can. He’s gone. How am I suppose to do it with out him? How am I suppose to do anything without him? We’ve seen how well the racing thing is going.” He stopped and looked up like the reality of everything hit him all at once. “Oh God I even screwed up us. I am so sorry. I have been horrible to you, I deserted you. God you do know how much I love you right? You are my life. Please don’t leave me.”

“You scared the hell out of not only me but Teresa, Kelly, your mom, everyone is so worried. Michael and Steve freaked when you never showed up for the plane Thursday.”

“The race? I forgot. Teresa is going to kill me.”

“No, Teresa will forgive you but you have to get some help. Junior I am not going to leave you. I love you so much and I need you. As a matter of fact, I need you more than ever. We need you.” She put his hand on her stomach.

“What are you” then it hit him his eyes flew to her stomach and then back up to her face. “Kennedy?”

“You are going to be a daddy. I just found out the other day, you haven’t been around much to tell.” she half smiled. “Junior I need you, we both need you. This is what we want, a family. Let‘s start over, right here right now, stop pushing me away and start facing what it is you are scared of. Do you remember what your father said?”

He remembered the day Dale tried to reason Karsyn’s disappearance and why Kennedy was laying in that hospital bed.

~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~~

Junior just sat and stared at nothing at all. Dale noticed how distant he was “June you ok?”

He looked up at his dad, “No, no dad I’m not. I don’t know what it is, why I feel like I am losing my best friend or the love of my life. I don’t even know this woman.”

“You know Junior, stressful situations can do weird things to a person and they can bring people closer together faster than normal.”

“Under different circumstances would I have felt this way about this woman? I mean how can I be sure I am not just scared and that what I am feeling is real?”

“Junior, under different circumstances you may never have met this woman. You have to believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe that is why Karsyn disappeared in the first place, to bring you two together.”

“And what if she dies. What if we aren’t given the chance to be together?”

Dale wrapped his arm around Junior’s shoulders, “I didn’t say it always made sense, I wish I could give you the answers you are looking for, I just can’t. I don’t understand it myself.”

~~~~~~end flashback~~~~~~~

He realized that Steve and his sisters relationship was very similar to his and Kennedy’s. Kennedy. He never thought it possible to love someone like he does her. He remembered his father’s words to both of them that day.

~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~~

“I want to start by saying thank you to all of you for spending this day with us. It’s no big secret we haven’t had the best of years but we came back and it is ending wonderfully. I am a firm believer that everything in this world happens for a reason. Kennedy came into our lives due to a near tragedy and today we gained a very special addition to our family because of that near tragedy. I wasn’t sure I would ever see the day that boy settled, no settled isn’t the right word. He certainly isn’t settling with Kennedy, I am so proud to be able to call you my daughter in law and to know that you will be there to take care of one another. Junior I have waited a long time to be able to be standing here and to be able to tell you how proud of you and happy I am for you and just how much I love you. Congratulations to both of you.” he raised his glass as did the rest of the guests.

~~~~~~end flashback~~~~~

He looked at Kennedy one more memory coming to his mind. He remembered the conversation he and his dad had that day walking down pit road in Daytona.

~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~~

“So how’s the car?”

“Fast.” Junior said with that famous Earnhardt grin.

“Junebug, you do know how much I love you right. Everything I have done was to build this company was so that you and your brother and sisters, even your kids would be taken care of when I am gone.”

“Yeah, dad I know. I love you to.”

“I know you do. I am so proud of the man you have become. Kennedy is an amazing woman, she reminds me of Teresa. Has that same strength. I know that as long as you two have each other there isn’t anything you won’t be able to face. Promise me something?”

“What?”

“You will never give up. You will keep your family close to you always and never push them away like I did. I failed with 2 different families before I found Teresa and got it right. That wasn’t fair to you, Kelly and Kerry but I can’t change it. I only hope that you kids forgive me for that.”

“Of course we do. We all love you pop.” Dale pulled his son into a bear hug.

~~~~~~~end of flashback~~~~~~~

“Junior I can’t begin to understand why he is gone but I believe there is a reason and I also believe he made his peace the day he died. He said goodbye to everyone in his own way, he gave you those last memories along with a lifetime full. I know it isn’t fair but life goes on, we have to go on, more now than ever.” she placed her hand on top of his which was still resting on her stomach as her tears started to fall. “Please Dale get in that car with me and come home. Let’s go be a family.” She stood and offered him her hand. “Through sickness and health, good times and bad”

He took her hand and slowly stood, as he pulled his eyes from her stomach and met her stare a feeling of peace came over him. He felt someone watching him, he knew right away who it was. He turned back towards the tomb and walked to it. He ran his fingers over the name Earnhardt carved into the marble. He realized that his father would always be with him and the baby growing inside Kennedy was his way of carrying on the legacy that was his father. “I won’t give up daddy.” he thought to himself. He bent over and dumped the pills into a nearby trashcan. He then turned and wiped the tears from Kennedy’s cheeks and gently kissed her, something he hadn’t done near enough of lately. He then pulled her into his arms and whispered, “Till death do us part.”

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