Chapter 20: Re assigned

I awoke sometime in the night needing to pee. A large warm familiar body was nuzzled up against mine. A part of me wanted to stay there and melt into him but I really had to go. I slowly lift myself to a sitting position gently lifting my legs over the side of the bed. A few short shallow breaths and I stand. I throw out my hand grabbing the IV pole to balance myself from the initial dizziness.

Liam: What are you doing.

Liam's groggy voice demands as he stands beside me wrapping an arm around my waist to help hold me up.

Willow: I have to pee and I didn't want to wake you.

Liam: Willow, I'm here. I'm not leaving your side again. If you need something you tell me. Asleep or not ok.

I nod as he helps me to the bathroom. Once we're inside I turn resting my palm to his chest.

Willow: I got it from here.

Liam: But!

I furrow my brows with serious determination. He raises his hands in defeat and backs slowly out of the bathroom. Once I finish my business I stand at the sink staring at my reflection. Dark circles surround my blood shot eyes. My skin is as pale as a vampire. I pull the pill and juice from the robe pocket that I had snuck off the night stand before getting out of the bed setting it on the sink. His voice whispers in my ear.

Mark: I would never hurt the mother of my child.

His reflection in the mirror startled me and I spin quickly though there's no one there. With out another second of thought I swallow the pill washing it down with the juice. I sink to the floor and cry. I didn't hear the door open. I only felt his strong arms lifting me and carry me back to the bed. He just remained there cradled around me with out saying a word as I cried myself back to sleep. When I came to there where muffled voices arguing just outside my door. One I knew was Liam. I think Dr. Lynn was another. But then there was another male voice I didn't recognize. He sounded angry with Liam who seemed to be on Dr. Lynn about something. I slowly made my way out of the bed shuffling my feet toward the door when I heard Liam more clearly.

Liam: I just want to know what the god damn pill was you left by the bed that she took last night.

Dr. Lynn: That is for your wife to tell you if she so chooses.

Before Dr. Lynn could say anything else, I peeled the door open glaring at Liam and catching sight of who the other male voice belonged to. The guy was in front of Dr. Lynn protectively. He looked a lot like Jason Statham.

Liam: Baby what are you doing out of bed.

Willow: Oh I don't know maybe the sound of my husband going off on the woman who saved my life.

I turned a little too quickly causing pain and a little dizziness. I felt my legs give under me but Liam had me in his arms before I could hit the floor. He gets me back in the bed while Dr. Lynn does an exam.

Dr. Lynn: We need to get some food in you. How about some soup to start.

Willow: That would be nice...Thank you.

Jason Statham gives Liam a glare as he escorts Dr. Lynn out of the room.

Willow: Why must you pick a fight with everyone. These people have not only saved my life but taken us in while I recover.

His jaws click back and forth. His eyes close for a second as he takes a deep breath.

Liam: I can't un hear what that asshole said about you, about what he did to you. And it's killing me knowing you're keeping things from me.

Willow: What do you want to know Liam. You want to know the details of what he did to me. You want to know that he didn't use protection and that I made a decision by myself for myself to take a pill that would insure I didn't become pregnant with a sociopaths child. Because I somehow knew you would try to talk me out of it. To let nature take its course. To let god decide. I've already done that. After I lost Page. I couldn't think of having another kid. And when you came along I thought it was fate. You couldn't have kids and I didn't want another. Maybe that makes me a terrible person. But it wasn't only the idea of being pregnant by that piece of shit that made me make that decision. It was also because...

because I don't know that I could ever love another child like I did Page.

Liam's eyes swelled with tears as he pulled me in to his chest tightly. The sound of a third person sniffling made us both jump a little. In the door way stood a beautiful young woman with long black hair and watering sky blue eyes.

Woman: I'm sorry I didn't mean to ease drop.

She pushed the door open the rest of the way and entered holding a tray with what smelled like some gourmet Italian dish. She set the tray over my lap and smiled an angelic like genuine smile.

Willow: Thank you. It smells delicious.

Woman: I wish I could take credit but it's an old family Italian homemade chicken soup receipt from De Vinci's.

Willow: I love that place. Liam and I went there last year when we visited New York.

Woman: I'm Rylee

She held out a hand and I shook it.

Willow: You're Mrs. Santino.

I shook her hand.

Rylee: Please just Rylee.

Willow: Thank you Rylee. Thank you for everything you've done for us. We are for ever in your debt.

Rylee: No need for that. We would never hold you to any debt. It's what we do. I've been where you are. More than once. The two of your are welcome here as long as you need. If you need anything you just send for me. In the mean time feel free to any of the clothes I've brought. You looked about my size and I figured you might like to get out of that robe.

Willow: Thank you.

She nods at Liam and bounce out the door.

Liam uncovers the bowl on the tray and insists on feeding me. I'm partially annoyed and yet humored at the same time. I know it's his little way of saying he'll continue to care for me no matter what. Later that after noon Mike and Mick finally pay a visit.

Willow: Hows the arm Mick.

Mick: Good he mumbles barely looking at me.

Mike: How you doing Mrs. O'Bryan

Willow: Ok thanks to you guys.

I pull each one of the brothers in for a hug.

Mike: We came to say our goodbyes. We've been re assigned.

Willow: Anything exciting.

Mike: Not really. Just standard security detail for some boring Rich and famous charity thing in Boston.

Willow: Well I'm sure boring would be a nice break from getting shot at.

He smacks Micks arm and gives me one more quick hug before saying goodbye. Mick who barely said a word nor looked me in the eyes finally looks over.

Mick: I guess I should get going.

Willow: Mick!

I catch his wrist as he turns to walk away. He looks down at my hand still refusing to look me in the eye.

Willow: Mick! I want you to know how great full I am to you. If it weren't for you I might not have made it.

Mick: If it weren't for me you wouldn't be in this situation.

Willow: That's not true. Everything happens for a reason. I did what I felt I had to do to keep Karl's family safe. To keep all of you safe. No one could have stopped me from doing what I did. If you didn't know the Santino's and hadn't gotten me here so quickly, I know I wouldn't be here. I owe them and Dr. Lynn a great debt. But you. I owe you so much more.

I hold up his hand and pat the top with my other.

Willow: Thank you Mick.

He hugs me with teary eyes. Before saying goodbye. Just as he's about to walk out the door he stops and looks back.

Mick: Don't let my cousin Trevor give you a hard time.

Willow: Goodbye Mick.

Tom comes in a second later.

Tom: How you holding up.

Willow: Good.

Tom: I Um, I gotta get back home to Erika and deal with a few things at the office but Kevin will stay and I'll fly back out as soon as I can.

Willow: You don't need to do that. I'm sure we'll be home before you know it. Same goes for Kevin.

Tom: Well that's an issue you'll have to take up with him. Anyway I have to get to the airport.

He leans in to give me a hug.

Tom: I'm sorry this all happened to you. You know I would have done anything.

Willow: I know.

He walks around to where Liam stands. They pat each other on the back in a manly hug.

Tom: You take care of her.

Once Tom leaves I turn to Liam.

Willow: You've been cooped up in her for what feels like days. Why not get out. Go for a walk or something.

Liam: There's no where else I want to be but right here.

Willow: Liam it'll do you some good and you know it. Seriously. You know I won't be going anywhere and Kevin's right outside. You have nothing to worry about.

Liam: I know. Maybe a little later.

Willow: Your still upset with me.

His brows furrow deep like he's offended by my question.

Liam: Of course not. How can you think that.

Willow: I would be. How can you not be. I just told you I don't want kids when you've been very verbal lately about wanting to adopt.

Liam: I've always been open to the idea but I only want what you want. But I also know that you're wrong. No one can ever replace Page but you have a heart big enough to love the world. I see how you are with Ash, how much you love him, and I know you would love a child we raise just as much. And I'm not upset about the pill. I know the time line, and how it works.

He lets out a gruffly huff. And looks away.

Willow: But!

Liam: No but. I just. Wish I would have been here. To stop him from hurting you. I promised you I would always be here for you and I failed.

Willow: You know that's not true. Like I told Mick no one could have stopped me from going. Too many people had been hurt or effected by him already. I couldn't let anyone else get hurt because of me. This was my doing and I needed to put an end to it some how.

Liam: That's part of why I love you. You are stubborn and yet you are the most genuine loving person I know. But please don't shut me out any more. We are in this together.

He lifts my hand to his lips.

Liam: I love you Willow. I will love you to the end of time and nothing can ever change that.

I lean over capturing his lips for the first in what felt like forever.