Consolation (Consolation Duet #1)

by Corinne Michaels

  I slap her leg and scoff. “Get up or we’ll never go, and no, we can’t go out to lunch.”

  “Ugh,” she groans. “Such a damn killjoy. Okay, let’s go stare at hot men while they work out.”

  “You’re impossible,” I laugh and lock the door.

  Paige has Aarabelle at the park while I go work out for an hour. I don’t know how I ever survived without her. She’s sweet, nurturing, and Aarabelle loves her. Plus, she’s available every time I call her. I’ve been working from home a little more frequently since that’s a perk Jackson said I have. Being around Aarabelle for the first eight months of her life and then feeling like I never see her anymore has been extremely difficult for me.

  “So,” Reanell says as we get in the car.

  “So?”

  “Are you seriously not going to tell me about what’s going on with you and Liam?” she asks with raised brows.

  I laugh and try to deflect. There’s no way to explain because we’re not defining anything. Since our date, he’s been busy gearing up for another short training mission, so we haven’t seen each other. I miss him though, so that’s something.

  “Not much to say. I mean, we’re just taking it one day at time.”

  She shifts in her seat and faces me. “Is he a good kisser? Did he touch your boobs?”

  “I swear.” I roll my eyes and focus on the road.

  “Oh, give it up,” she huffs dramatically.

  “Fine,” I reluctantly agree. “He took me to dinner and then to this open field. We kissed and then he was a gentleman and took me home.”

  We kissed a lot, but I’m not about to give her any ammunition. Reanell was half asleep when I went to pick up Aarabelle, so she wasn’t pestering me for details. It seems like today is going to be a different story.

  “That’s it?” she sounds unimpressed. “I mean . . . it sounds adorable and all, but I was hoping for something juicy.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you.” I clench the wheel as we pull in to the gym. When we park, I turn and look at her. I’m tired of how she thinks I should so quickly dismiss my husband and move on. It’s not that easy and I’d bet my ass that if it were her, she’d never talk to another man. “I’m pissed at you.”

  Reanell turns in her seat and her jaw falls slack, “Me? Why?”

  “Because you make it seem so fucking easy, Rea. It’s not easy.”

  “I never said it was easy. I just watch you and it’s hard. But . . .” She places her hand on my arm and her voice softens. “I hate seeing you like that. You’re my best friend and if it were me and Mason died, you’d push too. I think you’re so strong. You’ve handled this all with grace even while you were dead inside.”

  I look away and she shakes my arm. I wanted to yell at her and now she’s making my heart physically ache.

  “Look at me,” her voice is pleading. “Liam came around and I thought maybe he’d help you take care of things around the house and introduce you to someone. I never thought he’d be the one to open you up. You smile now.” Tears pool in her eyes and they mirror mine. “You smile and laugh. I couldn’t get you to laugh. I would try and try, but you were just void.”

  “Rea . . .”

  “No, it’s just that he did. If Aarabelle had gotten sick before, you would’ve called me right away and begged me to come running. But you didn’t, because Liam was there. Don’t you see? It’s happening and you’re not even trying. I don’t want to see you push him away.”

  “I’m scared,” I admit quietly. That’s the bottom line. I’m absolutely terrified. He’s everything that I shouldn’t want. He’s a replica of my husband. Honorable, courageous, and willing to die for the greater good. If I let him in my heart, there’s no way I can handle losing another man. If I let him into my daughter’s world and he leaves too soon, I’ll never forgive myself.

  Reanell pulls me into her arms and rubs my back. “I know you are. You can’t keep this all in, Lee. Talk to me.”

  Everyone wants me to talk, but when I let even a tiny bit out, I feel like the flood is going to overtake me. I’ll wash up on the shore alone and unable to breathe. There are times it feels like the tide is going to wash me away. So much hurt. So much pain. But then Liam comes around and it’s a little bit easier.

  “When I found out Aaron died, the idea of touching anyone else was beyond my thought process. I’d forgotten how to laugh because it was easier to stay behind the wall.” I look at her and the empathy swims in her hazel eyes. “I don’t want to hurt anymore.”

  Her lips turn as a sad smile forms. “I know you don’t, but life is having it all. You can’t know real love unless you’ve had true pain. You’re life isn’t going to fit in some box. We’re all bigger than that box. You, me, Aaron, Mason, and even Liam . . . we don’t get to define the box. But you,” she clenches my arm, “You’re loving even through your pain. You’re beautiful even when you tried not to be. When Aaron died and you had Aarabelle, you lived because you’re better than the box you’ve put yourself in.”

  I listen and let her words comfort me. I take each syllable and savor it, really take it in, because she’s right. I know this, but sometimes I forget. The pain and sorrow are easy to get lost in. For some reason, it’s almost easier to be unhappy, but I don’t want to live a life full of misery. I have a beautiful daughter, a fantastic support group, and I have Liam.

  “I don’t want to live in a box,” I admit with tears streaming.

  “I won’t let you, but it’s not me who opened the lid and for that reason I think he’s good for you.” Reanell pulls me into a hug then pushes back. “Now, do you still want to go in there or should we go get ice cream?”

  I laugh despite the tears and hug her again. “Let’s go get our gym on.”

  She groans and her head falls back against the seat. “You’re so damn evil.”

  “No, I’m just stepping out of the box.”

  “Fucking box.”

  “Yup, fucking box.”

  I’m dying. There’s no other way to describe the immense pain and discomfort I’m in. I blame the gym. Plus, Aarabelle was sick the last few days and, of course, now I have it. Aches and shivers plague my body and I want to crawl in a hole.

  “Aara, please stay in one place,” I plead as she starts to head toward the other end of the room. She’s crawling, which makes this illness a hundred times worse. And she doesn’t nap as often, so I get no time to rest.

  Three days of her awake all night was bad enough. Now that I’m thoroughly run down, I get whatever bug she had . . . awesome. Liam is due home today from another work up. I forgot how much I hated the stupid training missions. Gone all the time and then they leave for the deployment. I used to beg Aaron just to go for an extra month so it wasn’t one week here and one week gone. Maddening is how I’d describe it.

  When they’re gone, you have your routine. You know what your day will entail. These small training missions screw up your rhythm. Even though Liam and I don’t actually have a rhythm—yet. We speak every night on the phone. He’s trying to let me decide the pace, but for right now, I’m happy with how things are. There’s no real definition. We enjoy each other’s company, he makes me laugh, he’s attentive, and caring. Most of all, he’s good to Aarabelle, which matters more than anything to me.

  “Lee? You in there?” I hear a knock on the door, but I must be hallucinating now. Fantastic, the fever has gotten so bad I now hear voices.

  I hear the banging again and Aarabelle squeals. “Okay, okay. Shhh,” I beg the door and Aara, since my headache is now full out throbbing.

  “Natalie . . . I’m going to use the spare key if you don’t open,” Liam’s voice is warning as I drag my body to the door.

  I open it and lean against it. My eyes squint from the bright sun and I moan.

  “What the . . . ?” he trails off as he looks at me.

  Glancing down at myself I realize what has him mystified. I’m in my grey Navy Wife sweatshirt and orange sweatpants. I lift my han
ds up to smooth my hair, only to feel that it’s half in a ponytail and half out. Well, no going back now.

  “If you’re going to judge, you can leave.” I cough at the end and he steps in the house. “Enter at your own risk. I’m dying.”

  Liam chuckles and shuts the door. “You’re not dying.” He steps in and kisses my forehead. “I think you need to take more medicine and go lie down. You’re burning up.”

  Sleep.

  Sleep sounds good.

  Sleep and drugs.

  “Okay . . .” I trail off as I drag my feet. “Wait!” I exclaim and then cough.

  “What?” he asks, picking up one of the burp clothes with a pencil.

  “Aarabelle. I have to watch Aarabelle,” I remind him and start to shuffle back toward the couch.

  Liam grabs my shoulders, laughing. “I’ve got her.”

  Well, that wakes me up. “Huh?” My eyes are wide as I look at him.

  He shrugs and smiles. “I’ve got Aarabelle, you go to bed. Maybe a shower too,” he nags while laughing. Dick.

  “Bed. Okay. Are you sure?” I question him one more time. This is his last out. Otherwise, I’m going to bed and taking some heavy medication. I need to kick this virus and fast.

  “I’ve fought in wars, survived BUDs, dragged bloody bodies out of firefights, and much worse than a few hours with a kid.” Liam cocks his head and the confidence he has rolls off him in waves.

  I half laugh and half cough again at his self-assuredness. He has no idea what watching a mobile child is like. But okay, I’m sick as a dog, and honestly, I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep with her awake, so at this point he’s better than I am. “She just ate, she’ll probably be hungry around five. She woke up from her nap a little while ago, so you’ll have to entertain her,” I say as he scoops her into his arms and she giggles. They grin at each other and Aarabelle slaps her wet hand she had in her mouth on his face.

  “Baby slobber,” he says and wipes his cheek. “We’ll be fine. Go.” Liam juts his chin out instructing me to head to bed. “We’ve got this, right, Aarabelle? Uncle Liam and you are going to watch football while Mommy sleeps.” I stand there for a moment and watch the scene before me. The man who I’ve known for years, the one I never could’ve imagined feeling anything for in a romantic sense . . . standing here as my heart swells. Each time I wonder if this is right, he does something that smothers my doubt.

  Liam owes me nothing. He’s here, again, because he cares about us. Last we spoke, he wasn’t due home until tomorrow, but he got back and came right here. I lean against the wall as he talks to her and I could cry. Only this time, they’re tears of joy and love.

  “Okay, the Packers are on and we want them to annihilate the Bears. Say ‘Go, Pack, Go!’” Liam plays with Aarabelle and lifts her arm toward the sky.

  I tiptoe to my room, take the strongest flu medication I have, and pass out in my bed.

  Hours pass and I wake feeling rested and slightly disoriented. It’s dark, which means I’ve slept way past the two-hour nap I’d planned. I climb out of bed and clean up, brush my teeth, and try to fix my face. My hair is unsalvageable, so I do the best I can. I look a little better, but the bags under my eyes are not normal.

  I check Aarabelle’s room to see if she’s in there, but it’s empty. Afraid of what I might find, I head to the living room where nothing could’ve prepared me for what I see.

  Lying on the couch is Liam with Aarabelle fast asleep on his chest. Her tiny hand is wrapped around his and they’re both holding on to each other. His huge body shields her as his arm holds her tight. It breaks my heart and mends it at the same time. Two parts of me are pulled apart. The one side that’s sad it’s not her father. The other part which is grateful it’s Liam. Aarabelle shifts a little, and even in his sleep, he moves to accommodate and protect her.

  “Feeling better?” Liam’s rich voice cuts through the silence and I jump.

  “Hi,” I whisper and kneel so we’re face to face. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  His eyes crinkle and he nods. “I don’t think I ever sleep fully. I could feel you watching me. Plus,” he yawns and shifts Aara, “She moves every five seconds.”

  “I can take her.”

  “No, she’s fine.”

  The television is muted but it illuminates the room. Liam’s eyes are tired and yet he still won’t let me take her. He lies here and lets my daughter listen to his heart. I place my hand on her back and Liam places his over it.

  “Thank you,” I smile softly.

  “I wouldn’t thank me yet . . . I made a mess.”

  I grin and look around the room. He’s not kidding. There are bottles, food jars, and about ten diapers strewn around the room. For the first time, I really notice that Aarabelle doesn’t have clothes on and I burst out laughing.

  “Oh my God,” I whisper and try to calm my laughing. “Why does she have two diapers on? And is that rope?”

  Liam shifts and cradles Aara into his arms so he holds her like a football. “Who made these stupid things? Those tabs rip off for no reason, then who the hell can figure out which way the thing goes? So I tied it on.”

  “With rope?”

  “I had some in my bag,” he whispers and kisses the top of her head. “It works.”

  “I don’t even know what to say to you,” I giggle and cough a little.

  “How about . . . ‘Oh, Liam, you’re so amazing, sexy, funny, and I owe you a lifetime of favors which you can collect at any time,’” he quirks his brow.

  “Not likely, dumbass.” I stifle my laugh and kiss his cheek. “Give her to me, I’ll put her to bed.”

  He hands Aarabelle over and I grab a diaper as he stands there with his arms crossed.

  “You know how long it took me to put that on?”

  I look down and there are at least three knots and the rope is looped around her waist and under her legs. I can’t believe she even fell asleep with this thing on.

  “Watch how long it takes me to put it on the right way,” I laugh and look at the knots. “What the hell kind of knots are these anyway?” I ask while he stands there looking proud of his work.

  “Need help?”

  “I need a knife to get her out of this!” I whisper-yell. He’s insane. I start at the one knot and it lets out. I glare at Liam in mock anger. “I swear if she wakes up, I’m going to tie you up.”

  He huffs, “I might like that.”

  “You wish.” I sneeze and cough wishing I were back in bed. Liam crouches down and unties the other two knots on the makeshift diaper. I look over at him, “I’m surprised you didn’t use duct tape.”

  “I would’ve if I knew where it was,” Liam scoffs jokingly.

  The emotions swirl through me. He could’ve woken me but he handled it. Yes, he tied a diaper on her, but it’s sweet and shows, once again, how lucky I am. We both have fears about going into this, but right now, I don’t want to fight it anymore. There are things we have to figure out, but Liam has given me a part of myself I’d forgotten about. He sees me as a woman, not a widow.

  “Look,” I say as he sits beside me. “It’s easy.” It takes me literally ten seconds to have the diaper on her.

  “I swear I had defective ones.”

  “Sure you did,” I say as I pick up Aarabelle. Liam follows behind me to her room. He kisses her head and says goodnight then I place her in her crib. Every night when I put her to bed, I say a prayer for her and ask her daddy to watch over her. Then we thank him for allowing Liam in our lives and ask for him to help us heal.

  When I turn, Liam is standing at her door, leaning against it. I stand across from him and we gaze at each other. Both of us are saying so much right now even though nothing is being spoken. My heart and my eyes tell him everything.

  Liam leans forward and brushes the hair from my eyes and lingers a little longer. His thumb brushes across my lip and I sigh.

  “Liam,” my voice is a breathy whisper.

  “I should probably leave,”
he says as his finger rubs back and forth.

  My eyes close and I breathe him in. “You probably should.”

  I want him to stay, but I need him to go. My defenses are down and I’m not ready.

  “Okay,” his voice is low and rough. “I should. Plus, you’re sick and need to rest.”

  “Yeah, probably . . .” I grip his shirt and hold on. “Or . . . we could snuggle on the couch?” I say, reluctant to let him go. I want him to stay and this is my safe way of having him close. I know men don’t want to freaking snuggle, but I just want to lay with him, and there’s no way I’m ready to have him in my bed.

  Liam laughs quietly and pulls me in his arms. “Yeah, I could go for that.”

  “Okay, Sparkles, do you have the applications for the new team?” Mark requests, walking in my office.

  We’ve taken over for a company that failed at two contracts for support in Africa, and now that Cole Security Forces won them, we need to staff them. I’ve become extremely passionate about my new role. I feel like I’m ensuring everyone comes home safe. The issues the company had previously were due to poor planning. I now make sure the teams we send over there have all the equipment they need. It’s also given me a chance to see that Jackson spares no cost for it. Any time I’ve asked for more funding for supplies, he grants it with no questions. He’d rather cut funding on our end than on the front lines.

  “Yeah, they’re right here.” I lift a stack of papers and keep writing. “I hate that you somehow have given me the call sign I could kill you for.” My middle name is Star thanks to my father’s hippie days. Mark found out on my application and said I sparkled like a star.

  “It’s a gift. You should’ve seen Catherine the first time I called her ‘Kitty.’” He stands there and laughs.

  “I hope she punched you.”

  “Nah, she loves me.”

  “How is it you manage to drive people insane but they still keep you around?” I ask, still keeping my eyes on the paper I’m trying to fix. The wording is wrong and I want to get it right.

  “You know you can take a break and we have killer coffee,” Mark’s New York accent is thick and I can’t help but want to mock him. It was the one thing they’ve always made fun of him for.