WARNING AND NOTICES
: This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Do not read if you are underage according to the laws in the country, state/province, county, city/town/village or township where you live.
Copyright © 2008 Debra Diane; Permission is granted to Literotica to post one copy. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized copying will constitute an infringement of copyright.
Author's Quick Note: Sorry about the double posting on the last chapter. Since I'm posting this out in the middle of the ocean on a boat and the cost of internet service is outrageous, I'm trying to keep it to a minimum, so I goofed. Sorry to do that to all of you. It's very embarrassing.
Chapter 5
Liam was brought out of his slumber bright and early by a little foot nudging his nose. Opening his eyes and lifting his head, he could see that Cassie had somehow managed to turn completely around, hence, the foot in his face.
He rolled out of bed, trying not to wake Cassie and then headed downstairs, the smell of fresh brewed coffee permeating his senses as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
Jack was sitting at the dining room table, reading the newspaper and working on his coffee. He glanced up as Liam walked in.
"Good morning. Why don't you grab a cup of coffee and then we can talk." He said.
Liam, not really ready to start the conversation that he knew was coming, continued on into the kitchen.
When he came back, coffee cup in hand, and sat down across from Jack, Jack folded up his paper and placed it on the table in front of him.
"So, is this something I should come to expect? Are we not going to be able to even be alone in our own bed anymore?" He asked.
"No, Jack, it won't always be like this. The kids are scared right now. They are in a new place, their mommy and daddy are gone. They're confused and feel alone. We are the only ones right now that can provide them with some stability, some security, even at night if they need it." He said, before taking a deep breath and continuing.
"They do pretty well during the day. I think mostly because they are distracted, but night-time becomes more difficult, because they don't have any distractions. I think it will get better once they feel safer. Once they feel at home."
"Liam, I just got back. I was really looking forward to spending some time with you. I've missed you. Can't you send them to your mom and dad's for a night or two?" Jack asked.
"Jack, I can't do that to them right now. I don't think it would be good for them. Like I said, they need stability. Sending them to my parent's house could cause more problems. I can't do that to them. Things will settle down, you just need to be patient. I need you to be patient." Liam responded.
Jack sat there for some time, thinking intently before he responded.
"Okay, I guess I understand, or at least I'm trying to. I want to, anyway. This has just caught me by surprise." He said, and then added as an afterthought. "How did the kids get out of the house, when Julie and Adam didn't?"
"They weren't home with Julie and Adam. It was Julie and Adam's anniversary, so they were spending the night at my parents. I'm just so glad I didn't lose them too." Liam said, and then remembered the funeral tomorrow. "Oh yeah, the funeral is tomorrow and my mom asked me to talk to you about being a pallbearer. Would that be okay?" Liam added.
"Sure, I can do that. I'll let the office know that I won't be in tomorrow. Speaking of the office." He said, looking at his watch. "I've got to head out." Standing up, Jack left the dining room and took his cup to the kitchen.
When he came back from the kitchen, Liam stood up, walked over to him and wrapped his arms around his neck. Jack responded automatically, by wrapping his arms around Liam's waist and pulling him in for a kiss.
"Mmmm, I love you, and we're okay, right?" Liam asked, still feeling a little unsure about the outcome of their conversation.
"Yeah, we're good. It's just you'll have to be patient with me too. I'm very set in my ways, a creature of habit. It's going to take me some time to adjust to everything. But, I love you too." He said, as he leaned in for one more kiss.
Pulling back, Liam asked. "What time are you going to be home tonight?"
"Well, I've been gone all week and Michelle was on vacation last week, so with both of us being out, I'm sure we'll have a lot of catching up to do. I'll call you at lunchtime and let you know. What's on your agenda today?"
Actually, I think the kids and I will take it easy today. I have some work I need to get done. My reports for this client are due on Friday, so I'll be working on that. I think it will be good for the kids to have some downtime." Liam said.
Okay, well, I'll call you at lunch." Jack said, before giving Liam a quick kiss on the lips and heading out the door.
The morning was actually pretty laid back. Liam was able to get a lot of work done while Chris and Cassie played with a couple of the board games that came in the stuff that Rick had brought over.
At lunch time, they were all seated around the table eating lunch and going through all the sympathy cards that Chris's schoolmates had made. Liam was a little hesitant to give them to Chris, but in the end, both Chris and Cassie enjoyed reading the cards. Chris told Liam who each card was from. It was obvious that he was very proud of how many good friends he had. Liam was glad that the cards had actually made Chris happy.
Just about the time that they had finished eating lunch, the phone rang. Liam, glancing at the caller ID, cheerfully answered. "Hey handsome, how's your day going?"
The response he got back was definitely not what he was expecting.
"Liam, god, I don't know how to tell you this, but Michelle and her husband were in an accident on their way up to the resort. I just got a call from Michelle's mom. She got worried when they didn't come home Sunday night. They found the car this morning. It went off the road and into a ravine. None of them survived. Abby was with them too." Jack said.
Liam's mind was spinning. How could this happen. He had grown up with Michelle. Well, actually Julie had grown up with Michelle. They had been best friends forever. In fact, they had been trying to get pregnant at the same time. Julie was trying for her second child and Michelle her first. Unfortunately, Michelle had a little more trouble, so Abigail came along about a year after Cassie. It was Michelle that recommended Liam to Jack when he was looking for an analyst.
Liam was shaken out of his thoughts by Jack. "Liam, are you still there? Please answer me. Liam?"
"Yeah, I'm still here. I just don't know what to say." And he really didn't. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that he was going to have to deal with another loss.
