Love From the Ashes

by Cheryl Persons

  Chapter 20

  When Friday arrived, Thomas was anxious to get the day over. He had decided that if the evening went the way he had hoped he would tell Rebecca that he was starting to have feelings for her. It scared him, because the last time he attempted to have the conversation she seemed less than pleased. He was beginning to believe that her feelings were starting to change. He noticed that she would periodically be watching him and he envisioned that she was thinking about him, as much as he was thinking about her. He looked up as the captain for the department rushed into his office. “Campbell, you’re needed for backup.”

  “Where?”

  “Officer Ross Benjamin is on stakeout at Meredith Pointer’s house. He has reason to believe that something is going to go down.”

  Thomas groaned. It was the duty of the officer to make sure his co-workers were safe, but he was worried that he would be late to pick up the kids. “Okay; I’m on my way.” He grabbed his badge and raced out of the station. Within moments he was on the highway heading towards Meredith’s house. She had reported suspicious behavior with her ex-husband, but after 3 weeks of no activity they began to think that she was either making it all up, or blowing it out of proportion. He dialed in Officer Benjamin’s number and waited for him to answer.

  “This is Officer Ross Benjamin.”

  “Hey; it’s Officer Campbell. What’s going on?”

  “Well, she just called me and said that she received a phone call from her ex. Supposedly he told her that she better watch herself, but I have been keeping an eye on her place and I’m not seeing anything.”

  “I’m on my way; just in case.”

  “That’s good, but it could be a wasted trip.”

  “I’ll be there in about 5 minutes.” He hung up the call and raced the rest of the way. It was better safe than sorry; he would have wanted backup if he was in the same position. As he rounded her street corner; he noticed a truck in front of the house. He hoped that it was a neighbor’s truck; however, it was parked crooked and he had an eerie feeling. After getting out of the car he saw that there was something suspicious about the Officer Benjamin’s car; the glass from his driver’s side window was smashed and he rushed over to the car. He turned away once he had looked inside. There was a rope around his neck and he wasn’t moving. He ran over to his car and turned on his radio. “I need backup at 5626 Bradbury Drive; there is an officer down. I repeat…send ambulance, there is an officer down.”

  “Roger that; we’ll send assistance ASAP.”

  He grabbed his gun and ran up the stairs to the back of her house. After climbing over countless boxes he made it inside the back door. He heard crying and talking as he inched closer to the living room. He peered around the corner and saw her ex standing over her. “I’m not going to hurt you Meredith; I love you. I want you back in my life; I miss you baby.”

  “You don’t know what love is.” She cried as he knelt down in front of her. Her hands were tied behind her back and his mouth was inches from hers.

  “Don’t say that! I know that you should have never been out of my life.” The man argued, but she wouldn’t look him in the face.

  “You are an alcoholic; I don’t know what I ever saw in you.” He raised his hand as if to hit her, when Thomas knew he had to do something.

  “Police; stop it right there.” In mid-swing he turned around and stared at Thomas. “Drop your gun.”

  “You have this all wrong; I…”

  “Drop your gun!” The man stared at him and then turned to Meredith. “You’re already in a heap of trouble; don’t add another count to your crimes.”

  The man slowly dropped the gun and then looked at Meredith. “I love you; would you let someone cop come in and take me away from you?”

  She didn’t respond and so Thomas moved towards him. “Hands in the air.”

  He did as he was told and then Thomas put away his gun. He grabbed his handcuffs and quickly put them on him. Thankful that he was able to get there in time. Thomas started to untie Meredith, when he saw the other officer burst into the living room. “I see you don’t need my help.”

  He looked at Officer Timbers and shook his head. “I don’t, but the officer outside does. Is he…”

  He nodded. Thomas finished untying Meredith and then went back to the ex. “You are e under arrest for the murder of Officer Ross Benjamin, and the incident of stalking of Meredith Pointer.” He read him his Miranda Rights and then turned to Officer Timbers. “Please take him to the station.”

  “Gladly.”

  Thomas turned to Meredith and she was still sobbing, but that was only to be expected. “Thank you so much.” She threw her arms around him and he sighed. It ended well for him, but not so well for Ross Benjamin. It was constant worry to family; wondering if their loved one was coming home. “Do you think he’ll be in jail for a long time?”

  “If we have anything to say about it. I’m sure you’ll be needed for court. I saw the boxes; were you going somewhere?”

  “I was, but I’ll definitely make sure I’m here to put him behind bars.”

  “Sounds good; I’ll see you around. He left her house and got in his squad car. He had one very important thing he had to do.

  ____________________

  “Class is dismissed. Have a wonderful Christmas break; I will see you in two weeks.” Rebecca watched as the class left her room. She then turned to Kari and smiled. “Ready?”

  “Yep!” Rebecca took her hand as they got into the hallway. She nearly ran into Thomas who was entering her room. “Daddy!” Kari hugged him, but Rebecca was dumbfounded. “What are you doing here?”

  “Can’t I come and see my favorite girls?”

  He looked at Rebecca; their eyes lingered longer than she had wanted them to. “It’s a bit surprising. I thought you were meeting us after you got off work. You must have gotten off early?”

  He looked at Kari. “Kari, go and see if you can find your sisters. We’ll be right there.”

  Kari ran off and Rebecca faced him. “Did something happen at work?”

  “I quit.”

  Her eyes got big and she knew she was giving him a weird look. “What happened?”

  “A fellow officer was killed today and I realized that if something would ever happen to me…”

  He didn’t usually get emotional, but he knew that tears were nearby. She wrapped her arm around him and pulled him closer. It was forward, but in that moment she didn’t care. “I’m sorry Thomas.”

  “It was for the best; I don’t want them to grow up with a mother and a father. I’m just sorry that it took me this long to realize that I needed a change in occupation.”

  “Do you have any ideas what you want to do after this?”

  He laughed. “Next week is Christmas; I doubt too many places are hiring. I will start looking, but it might be after the first of the year before I find anything.”

  Rebecca suddenly was disappointed. “Then, you won’t need my daycare services.”

  “True, but I think we’ll just have to make sure you see the kids for other reasons.”

  Rebecca smiled. “Sounds good to me.”

  “Now, let’s go tell the kids the news.” He linked her arm and they headed out of the school. She might not be needed as a baby-sitter, but like he said they would come up with other ways to see her. She would make sure of that.

  ____________________

  Thomas watched as his daughter walked down the steps. She looked just like her mom and it took his breath away. “You look beautiful honey;” he leaned in and kissed her cheek. He handed her a rose and then bowed her way.

  “Thank you! Just remember don’t do anything like that at the dance.” She smelled the rose and then put it in the vase that he had left her.

  He laughed. “I swear; I won’t.” Rebecca had picked out an elegant, but youthful dress for Bethany and then she bought her a pair of shoes to match. Thomas thought it was too much, but she insisted on not accepting anything in return.
Now as he watched her gracefully spin, it made him wish Scarlett was there to see their little girl. “Can I at least get a picture of you?”

  She grumbled, but posed by the banister. He snapped her picture and smiled. “That’s all; right?”

  He laughed as he laid the camera down. “That will be all. We better go pick up Rebecca.” He grabbed the bouquet of flowers he had chosen for her and they left the house.

  He held the door open for her as they reached his van. “I like Rebecca; do you?”

  He nearly choked when she asked the question. “Of course I like her.” He replied nonchalantly as he got into the driver’s side and turned on the car.

  “Dad, that’s not what I mean. Do you like, like her? I mean, you did bring her flowers.”

  “I got you a flower too.” He laughed.

  “You got me one flower, and I’m your daughter.”

  He wasn’t ready to have that conversation with her, but she seemed persistent. “How do I know that anything I say won’t be repeated to her?” He chuckled as he continued down through the addition.

  “I can keep a secret.”

  He wasn’t completely convinced, but there was something about the way she was looking at him that made him want to trust that. “You’re the oldest Bethany; what would you say if I said I did like her. Now, be honest.”

  “So, you love her?”

  He stared at her. “I never said love; I said like.”

  Bethany rolled her eyes. “Okay; if you were to tell me that you LIKE her…I would say go for it. I want you to be happy; I think it’s unanimous that we all like her. What’s there to question?”

  There was a lot for him to question, but he didn’t want to go into that. “So, if Rebecca and I started to date…you would be okay with that?”

  Bethany smiled. He pulled the van into Rebecca’s driveway, but they didn’t get out. “I would be more than okay with that. I miss mom, but Rebecca has many qualities that reminds me of her. She loves us; that’s easy to see. I tend to believe that she has the same feelings for you.”

  “You think so?”

  “Come on dad; I see the way she looks at you. It’s the same way that Heather and 75 other girls look at Drew. It can’t be missed.”

  He started to laugh. “You are too much, but remember what I said.”

  “This is just between the two of us.”

  He winked at her. “Thank you!” He hurried to the other side of the van and opened her door. “After you my dear.”

  “Thank you kind sir.” They laughed as they walked up to Rebecca’s door. Bethany knocked on the door and immediately Rebecca opened it.

  Thomas stood staring at her. Their eyes were locked for several minutes before Bethany poked him in the side. “Oh; you look…” he subconsciously allowed his eyes to go from her head to her feet. Bethany again poked him in the side. He laughed nervously. “Sorry; you look amazing.”

  She turned red when he complimented her, but she continued to face him. “You clean up pretty nice as well.”

  “Thank you!”

  Rebecca then looked at Bethany. “You look so beautiful.”

  “Thank you Rebecca.”

  “I have something for you. Would you both like to come in for a moment while I get it?”

  Thomas chuckled; he hadn’t realized they were still standing on her porch. They entered her foyer and Rebecca met them with a little box. She handed the box to Bethany. “You didn’t have to get me anything else.”

  “It was my mother’s she gave it to me when I turned 12. I wanted you to have it.”

  Bethany opened the box and removed a cross necklace from the box. “Rebecca, it’s so pretty. Thank you!” She hugged her and then pulled away. “Please put it on me.”

  Rebecca clasped the necklace on Bethany and then she turned to Thomas. “That definitely adds to the outfit. That was very generous Rebecca.”

  She shrugged. “I wanted Bethany to have it.” She then looked at him and then focused her attention on the flowers. “Are the flowers…”

  “Oh; I’m sorry. They’re for you.”

  She smiled as he handed her the bouquet. “They’re beautiful; thank you!”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Let me put them in water and I’ll be just a moment.”

  When she left the room he smiled at Bethany. “Dad, you have to calm down. Everyone can see how nervous you are.”

  He laughed. He was nervous, but he knew she was right. “I’ll try.”

  “They brightened up my table.” She walked back in the room and grabbed her shawl.

  “Here…let me.” Thomas nearly leapt to the other side of the foyer and grabbed her shawl from her.

  “Thank you!”

  “Are you ready?”

  She nodded. “Yes I am.” They linked arms and he followed Bethany to his van. He held the door open for her and she got in.

  “Thank you!”

  “You’re welcome.” He then opened up the back for Bethany to climb in. He winked at her; it was a secret between the two of them, but if everything went like he wanted it to Rebecca would soon find out the truth.

  Chapter 21

  Rebecca was nervous as Thomas escorted her into the school gymnasium. She didn’t know if she could refer the evening as a date, but he brought her flowers, opened her door, and paid more attention to her than ever before. Bethany rushed off as soon as they entered the room and she turned to Thomas. “Are you prepared that that could be the last time you see her tonight?”

  He laughed. “I’m not worried; we have a deal.”

  “A deal? Such as…”

  “I told her that if she has any plans of dancing tonight with Drew that she has to introduce him to me.”

  “Drew; as in Drew Glass?”

  “You know him?”

  She nodded. “Yeah; he’s harmless. I had him in class before. He’s a cutie.”

  Thomas groaned. “So I have been told.”

  “I’ve been waiting for you both.” Rebecca saw Adam Gregory approach them. “I didn’t know you two were coming together.”

  Rebecca noticed that her arm was still intertwined with Thomas’, but she didn’t mind. “Where did you want us?”

  “I thought you could work the coat check and Mr. Campbell could work the refreshment table.” Rebecca knew that the only reason they were getting separated was because Adam was experiencing some jealousy.

  Rebecca pulled her arm from Thomas and smiled. “Okay; I will see you later?”

  “Of course;” she walked with Adam to where the coats were being taken.

  “You two really do seem chummy. Are you officially dating now?” She looked to where Thomas was now set up and she shook her head. “I just thought…”

  “We’re just good friends; that’s all, but thank you for your concern. I think I have it under control.”

  “Okay; I will be monitoring the dance floor. If you need anything, just let me know.” She nodded as he took off and left her to her job. She then turned her attention back to Thomas where he now had company. She saw that Troy Donovan’s mother, Sissy, was now stationed at the table. She wouldn’t have normally minded, but she was going through a recent divorce and it wasn’t due to her ex’s infidelity. She was the type of woman that always seemed to get what she wanted and by the looks of it, she wanted Thomas to be her next catch.

  She looked away; she couldn’t explain her jealousy, but it wasn’t her proudest moment. “Excuse me? Is this where I give you my jacket?” She looked at the young boy and tried to smile.

  “Oh…yes; here’s your ticket.” She had to keep focused on her job at hand; just because they came together it didn’t mean anything. If she could focus on that, she was sure to be fine the rest of the night. Unfortunately watching Thomas and Sissy talking was where her eyes kept wandering. It isn’t fair; some women have all the luck.

  ___________________

  Thomas could tell that the woman that introduced herself as Sissy Donovan was used
to having her way. Unfortunately for her, there was only one woman that he could even fathom of thinking about. He caught himself watching Rebecca as she worked on the other side of the gym. He didn’t know why he didn’t fight for them to work together, but he wasn’t willing to prove just how much he cared for her. “So, I told my husband that I was tired of being left at home at night; so why wouldn’t I go out with other men. It only makes sense; don’t you think?”

  “Uh…yeah.” He rolled his eyes as he looked back across the room. All he wanted was to go over there and ask her to dance, but he was stuck with Sissy and her tumultuous marriage.

  He was relieved when he saw Bethany approach the table. She was followed by a shy looking boy. He had to wonder if this was really the guy that all the girls found attractive. He looked so awkward. “Dad, this is Brady Michaels. Brady, this is my dad.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir.”

  He shook his hand and then turned to Bethany. “Brady? What happened to…” she quickly shook his head and he knew how to finish the statement. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Brady. Are you two going to dance?”

  “I was hoping we could sir.”

  “That sounds like fun; have a good time.” Bethany smiled as they walked out to the floor.

  He looked over at Rebecca and she was staring at him. He wondered if she was as confused as he was. “Do you think that you could watch the table for a bit? I could use some fresh air.”

  “Sure thing dear; take your time.”

  He smiled as he left the gymnasium and went outside. He took in a breath of fresh air and was thankful that he had just a few minutes alone where he didn’t have to hear about the Donovan drama. “You needed fresh air too?”

  He turned around and saw Rebecca standing behind him. She laughed at his surprised expression. “I sure did. I’m tired of hearing about Sissy and her ex-husband. She knows how to talk; that’s for sure.”

  Rebecca started to laugh, but covered her mouth. “I’m sorry; that wasn’t very nice. You two look like the perfect couple.”

  “I bet we do.” He replied with a chuckle. “I really just wanted to go and ask you to dance.”