Chapter 4: Home

The next morning, I am woken by the raptor.

Willow: You know they could use you as a sound effect in the next Jurassic world movie my little raptor.

Liv laughs holding out her arms as I hand a freshly changed Ash to her. Imagine dragons song Next to me blasts on my phone alerting me to a text from Liam.

Liam: 80% containment. If all goes well, we should be home by tomorrow.

I suck in a breath of relief and reply with a happy Bitmoji.

Liv: What is it.

Just then her phone screen lights up with a text from Noah with the same message.

Liv: You hear that Ash. We all get to go home

tomorrow.

Willow: You want me to wait so you can get cleaned up first before I head home to do the same.

Liv: No, you go ahead. I'll do it while they take him for his last UV treatment and circumcision.

Willow: If you're sure.

Liv: Yes go.

I felt odd on the drive home. A slight feeling of anxiety was creeping through me like a cold chill. The thought of being followed crosses my mind for a second. But why would anyone be following me. Looking in my review mirror I thought I saw a black Tesla with a man driving that looked like Dr. Benson. That's preposterous. I shook my head and brushed off the feeling. After a bite to eat and a shower I found myself day dreaming about my next story. With it being October and my newest book Goddess of the moon proving to be a hit, I became inspired to start on kind of a sequel.

Willow: SHIT!

My phone battery was flashing at me and I realized it was near noon. I had been so caught up in writing the first chapter of "In light of darkness" I lost track of time. I quickly text Liv apologizing and asked what she wanted for lunch. I make a quick stop at our favorite Chinese food on the way back to the hospital. As I closed the passenger door after retrieving the food, I fly back a foot hitting my butt against the side of my Highlander almost dropping the food.

Willow: Jesus you startled me.

His light brown hair was as messy as the other night. His five-o clock shadow was looking more like a beard. His eyes where still dark like he hasn't slept in days.

Dr. Benson: I'm sorry

He laughed finding it amusing.

Dr. Benson: Do you need a hand.

Willow: No, I got it thanks.

Dr. Benson: How is your friend Mrs. Landry and the baby?

He asks as he turns to the side gesturing for me to pass.

Willow: Good. They'll be going home tomorrow.

I replied as I passed him heading for the hospital entrance.

Dr. Benson: Guess that means no more amazing oatmeal cookies.

Willow: I suppose I could bring a batch by once in a while. Over the holidays maybe.

Dr. Benson: A fantastic writer, a good singer and an amazing baker. What can't you do?

I froze and turned to him with a side wise glance.

Willow: You were listening outside the door last night!

He raised his hands in surrender.

Dr. Benson: My apologies. It wasn't my intention to ease drop. I was passing by and heard you singing and....

He ran his hand through his hair looking away with embarrassment then looked me dead in the eyes.

Dr. Benson: I couldn't pull myself away after hearing your sweet voice.

My stomach tightened in knots. Anxiety started building again.

Willow: Dr. Benson, you know I'm married.

His jaw muscles ticked as he plastered a fake smile.

Dr. Benson: I know! And I apologize if I've made you feel uncomfortable. It's just. My wife was such a huge fan and I'll admit I kind of became one too. After she passed away, I started following you under her account. It was a way for me to keep her alive if you can understand that?

His jaw muscles relaxed as he looked away and reached for the elevator door that had dinged open. I felt bad, and confused.

Dr. Benson: I'll admit when you ran into me in the cafeteria and I realized who you where I thought maybe it was a sign. But I know you're married again.

His jaw muscles tick with Jealousy? How can you be jealous over someone who isn't even yours? And how did he know I was married before? I had no idea how to react. What to say.

Willow: I don't know what to say.

Dr. Benson: It's ok. It was honestly and truly an honor to meet you Willow.

He held out a hand and I shake it with my free hand. His fingers where soft but his grip was strong. His hand twisted around underneath mine lifting my knuckles to his lips. I shivered and tried to yank my hand away. His grip remained tightened at first. The look in his eyes reminded me of Bretts when his temper would flare and he was about to go off in a rampage. The elevator doors dinged open. Dr. Benson smiled and released his grip.

Dr. Benson: skoro moy pitomets (soon my pet)

I swallowed the knot in my throat not knowing what he just said but it sounded Russian and somewhat familiar though I have know idea why it would. I quickly backed out of the elevator rushing to Livs room.

Willow: I'm so sorry I'm late Liv.

I hold up the bag of Chinese food as she puts a finger up.

Liv: Our little raptor is sleeping.

I set the food down and get hers ready for her to eat before I take Ash from her arms. He stirs a little so I rock him for a few minutes humming demons before laying him down. Half way through our late lunch I catch Liv watching me.

Willow: What?

Liv: Are you ok. You seemed like you saw a ghost when you walked in here and you keep looking towards the door.

Willow: It's nothing.

Liv: Willow!

Willow: Really, it's nothing. I think talking about my ex brought up some bad memories and feelings, causing me to be a little paranoid is all.

Liv: It's more than that.

Willow: I'm sure it's nothing but! You know the surgeon that did your c section. I've ran into him a few times and... I don't know he seems nice but something seems off about him. He told me his wife was a fan of mine and had copies of both stories that had been published, but then said his wife died five months ago. My second story didn't publish till last month? Then he admitted that he had become a fan too, that it was his way to keep his wife's memory alive. In the elevator he kissed my hand and said something in another language that? I don't know? The look in his eyes reminded me of my ex. I think it's all in my head though you know. Like I said bad memories and feelings. Mixed with everything going on right now.

Liv: Well, if you ask me, I'd say you have your first fan crush. I mean with you becoming a famous author it's bound to happen. He does seem nice, but just because he's a very good-looking surgeon doesn't mean he's a nice guy, so you should trust your instincts.

Willow: Yeah, A lot of good my instincts did when it came to Brett.

Liv: I'm sorry I made you bring all that stuff up.

Willow: It's ok. It wasn't as hard as it used to be. There was only two people I've ever told. Well one was there when it happened. The other was Liam.

Liv: That security guy Tom.

I nodded with a look of sadness.

Liv: What happened to him.

Willow: Liam! Tom was my friend and was there the day of the accident. He was always there for me after. He wanted more but he knew I didn't so he never pushed it. Last year just before you guys moved here, we were celebrating Liams birthday at Benihanas and well there was a bit of a mis understanding. I ran into Tom physically. I mean full on face planted into his chest to the extent it caused my nose to bleed. Needless to say, Liam showed up to the after math and let's just say he shot first asked questions after. So, Tom and I kind of went our own ways. Once in a while I get a text from him and we'll update each other on current events in our lives but...

I shrug. And shake my head.

Liv: What is it with men. I always got along with guys more than girls and would have way more guy friends growing up. I was a bit of a tom boy but still. If I had a boyfriend that didn't like it, too bad. But usually, I dated one of my friends who were already friends with everyone else so? God, I hope he never gets like that with Noah you are the first real female friend I've had.

Willow: And you're mine.

The Halloween theme started blasting on my phone causing me to jump a little. Liv starts laughing at me. I pull my phone out to see a text.

Willow: Speak of the devil. It's a text from Tom.

Liv: Wow his ears must be ringing. What does it say?

Willow: He just got back in town and heard about the fires; he's asking about Liam.

Liv: Aw now see that's a friend.

Ash picks that moment to cry out. Once I have him cleaned up and hand him to Liv I sit back down and reply to Tom.

Willow: They had it 80% contained earlier today and should be home tomorrow. How was the honeymoon.

Tom: It was amazing. Thank you for the recommendations. Erika wanted me to thank you for the wedding gift, swimming with the turtles was her favorite part of the honeymoon. Well second favorite part if you know what I mean.

Willow: Yeah, I do.

Tom: Your friend Liv have her baby yet.

Willow: Yeah, the stress of the fires caused her to go into premature labor but baby Ash is a healthy 8lb baby boy. I'm with them now. Have been the past couple nights she had to have a c section. How about you. You guys going to start on a family right away.

Tom: I'm pretty sure that's what we were doing on our honeymoon. Lol.

Willow: OMG! Well let me know when you find out so I can congratulate you two.

Tom: You'll be the first to know.

Willow: Thanks for reaching out Tom. It means a lot.

Tom: I'm still always here for you.

That night I woke to a whisper of a man's voice. Dr. Benson was leaning over me whispering in my ear. He had a syringe in one hand to my neck and my phone in his other. Suddenly I found myself falling out of my chair. It was just a dream. Liv and Ash were sound asleep. I took a good look around but there was no one else in the room. I reached for my purse to get my phone but it wasn't in the front pouch where I normally put it. My heart began thumping heavy. Was it a dream? I searched everywhere and finally found it on the end of the bed.

Willow: What the fuck?

I whispered. My anxiety was on a rise and I couldn't even think of falling back asleep so I went to the stair well for some exercise. Half an hour later, and I don't know how many flights I was finally feeling better. Not long after I returned to the room and had fallen asleep, I was again woken by whispers. Only this time it was Liam and it wasn't a dream. They were home.

I jumped out of my chair into Liam's arms kissing his days old stumble across his jaw line.

Liam: Ready to go home baby.

I nod and look over at Liv and Noah.

Willow: Call me once your back home and settled. We'll bring you guys a home cooked meal.

Liam shifted me over his shoulder and swiped my purse off the table.

Willow: Liam you are not carrying me out to the car like this put me down.

He grunted like a caveman and squeezed me tighter. Oh god the flushed looks and thumbs up from the nurses had me red in the face. But it also had me turned on. He was mine. The perfect calendar model firemen in all his alpha glory was mine.