Left (Left 1)

“No one said that.”

“But it might hurt your chances.”

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop,” I command.

“I can’t be responsible for that.” Her voice is shrill, and her eyes are as round as quarters.

“You’re not going to," I assure her.

“Your lawyer thinks otherwise.”

Her chest heaves and I worry she’s going to hyperventilate. I cup her face and force her to meet my gaze.

“Hey, you’ve had a lot happen tonight. Don’t take this on. Nothing’s happened. I’m getting ready, so we have the advantage. We’ll get her on abandonment charges. Hell, we had a church full of witnesses we could call into court. Now, please take a deep breath and calm down. I need you here with me to get through this, Liv.”

She places her trembling hands over mine and inhales slowly.

“That’s it, Kitten. Everything is going to be okay as long as we stick together. There’s nothing we can’t do, right?” It’s been our mantra since we were left outside the tiny white church to face a crowd of stunned guests. I pull her to my chest and wrap my arms around her, wishing I could shelter her from the ugliness I know's to come. “Don’t leave me. I don’t think I could take it.”

“We can’t lose the kids,” her voice cracks. The love she holds for them humbles me.

“We won’t. No way I’m letting that happen.”

“I can’t stay if it means losing them, maybe… maybe we should think about getting married.”

“No. No one is rushing us into anything. When we take that step, 'cause face it lady it's going to happen. It’ll be because we’re ready.”

She jerks back. “You- you think we will be someday?”

“Kitten, I don’t think I know.” I press a kiss to her parted lips and chuckle. “Now let’s get you back to bed. I’m not going anywhere today. Ollie can handle the shop.” I wrap my arm around her waist and walk back to our bed. Our bed. The thought pleases me. If I have my way, she’ll never move out of the house. Something positive can come from this tragedy.

Chapter Six

Liv

I’m in a fog as I make the necessary calls to family and friends before they hear about the fire on the news and think the worse. I’m homeless and nearly possessionless less. In the blink of an eye, I’ve lost all the things that were important to me. Old pictures, books, and mementos. My mouth salivates, and my head spins. I close my eyes and inhale through my nose and will my stomach to settle.

I went to the doctor earlier to get checked out at Houston’s insistence. He’s been my rock through all this, holding my hand, caring for me, and making decisions I’m too dazed to make. I’m currently snuggled into his side and trying not to think too hard on the shambles my life has become.

“You doing okay?” he asks.

I shrug. It’s noon. I’m wearing pajamas and haven’t made another move to do anything since we returned from my doctor. “There’s so much to do. I feel trapped under the weight of it all,” I admit.

“Well let’s start with a small list. Top three things you need to do,” he says, massaging my scalp.

I moan and slump into him. “Put in an insurance claim, get more clothing, and decide when I’m going back to work and where I’m going to live.”

“Last one’s easy. Not for at least another week and here. You’re welcome here as long as you’d like.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“Here in my bed and my home are where I want you, Liv. You must know that.”

His eyes darken with desire, and I lick my lips. The intensity and honesty in his words are impossible to miss or ignore.

“Houston?"

“No.” he covers my lips with a finger. “Don’t say anything. I won’t add to the pressure. I wanted you to understand, you don’t have to go anywhere, okay?”