Yours Always, Lukas: Yours Always, #2

CHAPTER ONE

Viv

Five years ago...

The beeping of the machines in the hospital was white noise in the background as I lay in the uncomfortable bed. 

Vivian, are you sure there isn’t anyone we can call for you? The nurse smiled kindly.

I shook my head.  No.  I... I’ll be fine. Thank you.

The nurse made a quick note on her chart and left to attend to her other patients, leaving me alone to my thoughts.

How the hell had I ended up like this?

I ran through the past two years of my life.  It was obvious, wasn’t it?  I’d met Dylan just out of highschool when I’d been visiting my dad for the summer and had fallen head over heels for him. He was a few years older and had swept me off my feet. When my father passed away in a work accident a few months later, Dylan had insisted I move in with him instead of going back to mom’s.  It only made sense. I’d get to keep my new job and apply for college courses here...

Of course I’d seen the signs. It was slow, but obvious now that I actually looked back.

Somehow, I’d ended up jobless and a college drop out, taking care of his house and making sure he was happy. I hadn’t even talked to my mother in three months.

Tears welled in my eyes and I swallowed hard. I missed my mom. I wanted my mom.

The nurse popped her head back in. Hey, now.

I tried to stop the tears as the other woman sat on the bed and took my hand.

Sweety, are you sure you don’t know who did this to you?

I shook my head.

I knew no one believed me and yet I still insisted on lying. I’d managed to take a cab to the hospital. I had my purse, my ID, and a few hundred dollars I’d taken out of my hiding spot behind the dresser.

X-rays showed I had a broken forearm, a cracked cheekbone as well as multiple cuts and bruises.  My eyes were starting to swell shut and everything hurt.

My hand went over my belly. You’re sure it’s a girl?

The nurse smiled and nodded. 

And she's alright?

She’s perfect.

I nodded. A new resolve came over me, suddenly aware of why I hadn’t said who had done this. Because after today, I was never going to see him again.

As though sensing the change in me, the nurse eyed me kindly.  Vivian, if you don’t want to go home, we can help you get somewhere else.

I swallowed hard and cleared my throat.  I... I need to phone my mom.

The woman smiled and pulled a cell phone from her pocket.  If you need me, I’ll just be outside the door.

I caught my reflection in the mirror behind the door as it swung closed.  My red curls were dark with sweat and some blood from the cuts on my head. My light blue eyes were barely visible behind the swelling of my face.  Had I not known it was a mirror, I never would have been able to tell who I was.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before dialing my mom’s number.

Hello?

Mom?

Viv? What’s wrong? Are you alright? Where are you phoning from?

A sob burst from my chest. Mom? Can I come home?

Sweetheart, you never have to ask me that, do you understand. What do you need? What do you want me to do?

The nurse peaked her head in and I handed her the phone, unable to speak through the sobs.

Hello? Ma’am, yes. I’m with Vivian right now.

I groaned and curled myself into the fetal position, the sobs raking through me. The nurse’s conversation with my mother faded into the background. The last thing I heard before the adrenaline left me and exhaustion took over was the nurse telling my mom that other than herself, no one else would be told I was in this hospital should they come around asking.

CHAPTER TWO

Viv

Present...

I tiptoed across the hall and quietly gazed at the small figure lying on the bed. I hated the opening shift. Missing Franny’s happy good morning hugs was the worst, but saying no to an extra shift wasn’t something I could afford to do. I had plans and those required money.

Footsteps at the end of the hall made me look up and I smiled as my neighbor appeared.

I work until three today, I said quietly as we made our way to the kitchen.

Don’t forget you promised her you’d take her to the park before supper.

I grinned. I won’t forget.

The elder woman laughed. You mean, she won’t let you forget.

We chuckled.

Thanks for watching her, Agnes. Sorry for the early wake up call. Mom will be back from her vacation next week.

The woman scoffed. Anything I can do to help, honey.  You know I love Franny.

Alright. I’d better get going. If you think of anything you need from the store, just let me know.

I grabbed my jacket off the back of the dining room chair and headed to work.

The day went by quickly, the stream of customers steady. At ten, I took my lunch break and sent a quick text to Agnes to see how my four year old was behaving.

Her answer was the usual. Franny was being an angel.

I smiled. I was fairly certain my daughter could have been burning down the duplex and Agnes would still tell me she was being an angel.

Back at my till, I punched in my employee ID and rang through a sandwich and bottle of water for Bill before he went on his lunch.  He grinned and thanked me.

Any big plans tonight? he inquired, running his hand through his dark blond hair to get it out of his eyes.

I shook my head. You?

He shrugged.  Martin said something about a party out at the barn.  His hazel eyes caught mine. You should come.

I managed to still my sigh.  Bill was nice. Really nice. Cute. A couple of years younger than me, he was working his way through his college courses.

I smiled and he shook his head.

It’s alright, he said.

Even if I felt like a night out, I don’t have anyone to watch Franny. Mom is still out of town.

I get it. Franny first, as it should be.  He waved his sandwich in a goodbye salute and made his way to the staff room.

I wiped my till down and took a sip of water. 

Hey, Viv.

I glanced up and grinned as Ronnie came up to my till. Life kept me busy, but Ronnie was one of the few real friends I had. She put her items on the belt.

Hey, Ronnie. I looked behind her at the mountain of a man standing there. I had never seen him before. I’d have remembered. Short dark brown hair with deep brown eyes that were taking everything in. Christ he was tall. 6’5? 6’6... He was built like a tank. Hell, you could see it under the dark blue button up shirt that hung open over the white t-shirt. He looked like he was with Ronnie, but maybe I was wrong.

How are you doing? inquired my friend.

I smiled. Good. Thank you so much for Wednesday. I really needed that extra shift. Extra shifts. That was my life, lately.

She reached across the belt and hugged me. What are friends for? And you know I love Fran. Any time you get stuck, you give me a call.

I knew my face lit up at the mention of my daughter. The love of my life.  The reason I was taking all these extra shifts. That little girl right there was my entire world.

I glanced behind her again.

Viv, this is Bear. He’s a friend.

I blushed.  What the hell. I didn’t blush...

I smiled. Bear. How appropriate.

He nodded.

Are you in town long? I inquired and busied myself scanning the items.

He shrugged.

I paused, curious.

The large man reached for a pen and paper he had in his pocket, scribbling something before passing it to me.

In town for work. Not sure how long the job will take.

I nodded. Gotcha. I wish I could travel for work. I raised an eyebrow. Unfortunately, this bad boy, I motioned to the till, does not like to go anywhere.

Bear grinned.

Before I had a chance to take in how amazing his smile was, I caught movement behind him. Sweet baby Jesus, there’s two of you.

His carbon copy laughed. I'm the cute one.

Bear’s good humor seemed to vanish and he grunted. I watched, intrigued, and took in one brother, then the other. Identical except for the scar on Bear’s throat.

The silent brother grabbed a handful of grocery bags.

Bear.

His dark brown eyes met my light blue ones and I could see the storm that had suddenly appeared in them. I didn’t like that. I smiled and wrinkled my nose which caused him to chuckle.

I rolled my eyes. Brothers.

His lips twitched and he nodded before walking out of the store.

I handed Ronnie the debit machine and cocked my head at Bear 2.0.

Let me guess. Wolf? No. Snake. Buck?

He laughed. Pointer.

I grunted. I thought maybe your parents were really big into hunting or something. Though Pointer does still work for that. You know. Like the pup.

His smile slipped. No. I don’t think either of my parents have ever picked up a gun.

I handed Ronnie her receipt and turned my attention to her. Mom is back from her vacation next week.

I’ll give you a call. You’ll need a night out.

I grinned. Yes, I will.

Pointer grabbed the rest of the groceries and I waved goodbye as they left.

I had a surprising urge to go find Bear. It must have been the mom in me. The need to make sure someone wasn’t feeling bad, the urge to kiss the booboo until it didn’t hurt...

I felt the blush rise into my cheeks again as I realized I wasn't thinking of booboos when I imagined my lips on Bear.

What the hell.

I hadn’t been with anyone since Dylan. I hadn’t even had the urge to go on a date, or to attempt to get into a relationship since Dylan.

My life was Fran and, maybe I was odd, but I really had no desire to find anyone else to spend my life with.

So yes. I’d chalk up my need to go check on Bear on the fact that my mommy instincts were kicking in.

That was definitely it...

I turned my attention back to the till as Greg walked up.

Hey, Greg.  The bakery looks busy today.

He nodded and grinned.  It sure is. I had to put the last chocolate cupcake away for Franny.

He handed it to me, packed in a cupcake box.

She’ll love it. Thanks Greg.

He nodded and went back to his part of the store. I smiled. He was such a nice guy. A widower, he basically lived in his bakery. He made everything sold in it from scratch. Franny loved his chocolate cupcakes.

Setting the cupcake down, I counted down the hours until I could go home.