“That won’t fucking happen. Ever.” Alex promised as I leaned my head back and tried to catch my breath. I needed to get it together before we saw my daughter. “He’ll be dead before that happens. I am increasing the search for this mother fucker.” I felt his lips at my hair as he wrapped his arm around me.
“You’re taking on so much baggage with me, Alex. Why?” I asked, feeling my walls start to tumble away. “I just want to run again and start over. He’ll stop looking eventually.”
“Baby, you can’t do that. You have me now and Rosie. You have family and I am going to take care of this.” He promised me as he tilted my head to look at him. “I love you. I love all of you.”
“You’re insane,” I told him as he kissed me gently. I pulled it together and we agreed to tell Rosie and Lindsay that I started feeling sick at work. I was going to take a long nap in the bedroom and he’d entertain them in the living room.
I hugged my daughter when we walked in the door, going along with our story. I told her I was going to sleep for a while and went back to the bedroom to change into leggings and a t-shirt before dropping against my pillow.
I couldn’t sleep. I kept feeling myself pulled back as the car sped by us. I kept imagining if I’d been hit and killed in that instant. Was it Keith or just a crazy driver? Was I being paranoid?
I tossed and turned for an hour before dropping into an exhausted and fitful sleep. When I woke up later that day, it was getting dark outside and I blinked around the dim room. I wondered where I was for a moment as the dreams I’d had swirled through my brain and then it all came back to me.
The car nearly hitting me.
I reminded myself that I needed to keep it together for Lindsay and freshened up in the bathroom. When I walked out into the living room, I saw Rosie in the kitchen. She was working on something and I glanced around the living room. “Where is everybody?” I asked as she gave me a soft smile.
“Alex took her to get ice cream and to get some stuff from the apartment. He isn’t telling her the good news yet but told her he wants to get some stuff. He’s called to let the lease go.” She hugged me tightly. “Congratulations, Soledad.”
“I think he’s crazy for taking this on sometimes.” I replied as I slumped against her small frame. I knew that Lindsay was safe with Alex and that he probably had a security team at this point. “I think we’ll tell her soon though. She’s so happy here and I love him. I just want our calm.”
I helped her with an easy salad for dinner, sitting down with a large glass of wine at the table. I tried to focus on the moment and looked around the beautiful loft that was going to be my home now. I’d add a few touches along the way to make it ours, but I wasn’t in a hurry. The deep love that I felt for Alex was strong and enough right now. It was everything.
I heard the door and looked up from the couch to see Lindsay and Alex walking in. They had a few bags with them and I set the computer down on the table with a smile. “Hello there.”
“Mommy!” Lindsay dropped the two bags that she was carrying and ran over to me. “Are you better?”
I kissed her cheek softly. “I am getting there. Did you have fun?” I looked at Alex, who gave me a thumbs up. They were safe.
“We had ice cream and burgers for dinner. Alex took me to the apartment to get some more stuff, too. I missed Molly.” That was one of her favorite dolls and we’d forgotten her in the rush.
I smiled and looked at him as he came over to kiss my cheek. “Let’s tell her.” My voice was soft, and he smiled lovingly at me as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“I can’t wait. I wanted to all day.” He confided as he stroked my cheek.
I loved this man more than I ever thought I could. He told me that he was going to get our stuff to the rooms and would be right back. Lindsay sat with me and we chatted about her day as I let that joy fill me. When he came back, he took the seat beside Lindsay as Rosie took the chair across from us with a gentle smile. “I have some news for you, Lindsay.” I told her as she looked up at me with wide eyes. I stroked her hair and shared long glances with the other people in the room. “We’re going to move here. That’s why you went with Alex to get some stuff tonight, but we wanted to tell you together.” I stared into her eyes as they lit up and she hugged me.
“Can I have the room I’m using?” She asked as I laughed.
“It’s all yours. We can set it up the way you want and make it yours.” Alex promised her as she hugged him.
“Is Rosie moving in?” Lindsay asked as I looked at my friend.
“I am for a little while, Lindsay.” I gasped and jumped to hug her as tears filled my eyes. I didn’t want Rosie alone right now and apparently; neither did anyone else.
Later that night, we were in bed in our dark room. “How did you talk her into it?” I asked, referring to Rosie as I traced his bare chest. We’d just made love slow and sweet and I felt dizzy with it.
“We talked during Lindsay’s nap. I laid it all out for Rosie and told her that I needed her safe with the both of you. She agreed to move in and help and we can talk later once everything is settled down. She’s important to your family and now me.” He explained lazily as I kissed his jaw. “I want to get your mom and stepdad out here to visit as well. I want to meet everyone.”
“Oh, Alex. I never thought I’d find this.” I gushed as I pressed closer to him.
“I am taking action with everything that’s holding us back. I want to give you what you deserve.” He swore to me as his eyes took me in slowly. It was dark in here, but he always seemed to see me.
“I know. I could never doubt you.” I assured him as we smiled at each other. He told me that he wanted me to stay home from work the next day, or at least work with the team from home. I’d already started that process earlier and I nodded as he sighed.
“I have my guy on this. Once I have enough to go on, I’m going to the police. I’d love to handle it differently, but I want to be here for the both of you.” I didn’t have to see his eyes to know how dark they were, and I stroked his jaw softly.
“Thank you. I’d be lost without you.” I told him as he pressed his body against mine. I watched as he fell asleep, still keyed up from my nap earlier as I played the night through my head.