Chapter Thirty
Michael sat in his car gazing at the house he’d hoped signaled a new start with Lizzy. Of course, he didn’t disillusion himself into believing her breast cancer didn’t present any issues for them. He hoped if they moved, she might realize he planned a future with her. Instead, she didn’t believe in him or them.
His mini therapy session with the team helped and he felt adopted into the fold of the Serenity Mountain family. Over the last week, they started a team chat to update everyone on anything of importance. Leo started a group chat to discuss Catherine’s cravings, ordering Matthew to cover research on the safest baby cribs and car seats. Which then brought up the discussion of how to properly install said seats into each of their vehicles. A call to the local fire department went out since they handled public car safety checks. Michael’s phone dinged again, and he glanced down to find another text from Leo.
Taco and Saint, get estimates on top-of-the-line Hummers. Chase, Whiskey, Saint and Michael, thinking we might purchase a fleet for the women and kids? Do you have preferences on color, or go all black?”
Michael laughed and shook his head as he watched the following texts.
Leo, wait until we get there to tell Catherine you’re replacing her car with a Hummer.
Taco texted.
He won’t make it far. When the ladies hear he called the fire department for car seat instructions, when they already have kids, he’ll be kicked off the mountain.
Chase responded.
Boss, you already have us comparing baby monitors and nanny cams, and you have a security detail when she goes into labor. You need to put down the phone.
Saint ordered.
Stop texting! Catherine went to eight on psycho meter. Apparently pregnant chicks don’t crave pickles all the time. We have to return the five back up cases from the big box store. If she asks, Chase needs advice on handling Kassie.
Leo frantically texted
Leo, I’m strangling you. She’s called Kassie!
Chase typed back.
You better come up with a good excuse. If you think ovulating women act nuts, they got nothin’ on pregnant ones!!
Leo replied.
Three dots appeared and disappeared.
Ugh, sorry brother. Didn’t mean to make Kassie cry…
Leo apologized.
Damn it Leo, I hope she shoots you in the ass again for this!
Chase answered.
Does she need pickles? I got plenty.
Leo offered
??
Michael placed the phone into his holder and exited the vehicle. He was now a card carrying certified lymphatic massage therapist. He completed his time and thanks to Kassie, he passed his examinations, and his certification magically processed in record time.
He walked toward the house as he envisioned the discussion he wanted to have with Lizzy about allowing him to do this for her. She whispered her fears about his reaction to her body might be. As hard as he tried, he didn’t understand how his actions computed in her head. Did she lie to him during their marriage in fear if she revealed a part of herself, he might stop loving her? Did he know his wife at all? Doubt plagued him. He knew he loved her, yet she carried such little faith in him, and it hurt.
He opened the front door to find her in her recliner with a ball of yarn counting stitches on a needle.
She smiled as he took off his coat and placed his keys inside the bowl.
“I warmed up a casserole from Edie and Bryanna brought over some homemade rolls,” she told him.
“I didn’t realize how late I am. You should’ve called me,” he glanced down at his phone as he realized he returned forty-five minutes later than his usual time. Hopefully when he told her what he’d completed, his tardiness and ten-hour days would make sense to her.
“I didn’t need you. I figured you must be busy, and it gave me a chance to start dinner for you,” she explained.
She walked to the kitchen and held her hand to her chest. The grimace on her face told him she experienced some type of pain. She stiffly bent to check the food in the oven. His gaze went to the contents inside. She placed a big glass dish stuffed with a casserole inside the oven. It hurt her to bend over, and the older women stuffed each entrée to the brim, making it on the heavy side.
“You should’ve waited or at least used the microwave and made an individual meal,” he gritted out to keep from losing it on her. Because of his tardiness, he’d caused her to hurt physically and emotionally. The pain in his chest tightened even more.
* * *
In the last week,the nausea abated for the most part. Lizzy felt drained of energy, and everything took an enormous effort. She didn’t have an appetite but tried to eat a bit of something to keep everyone from worrying. The women of Serenity took turns watching over her while Michael worked at the hospital. Maddie and Carol left with her urging, and she rushed to the kitchen to throw the casserole in before Michael returned to thank him for waiting on her hand and foot. She missed him terribly during the day. He worked ten-hour shifts and when he returned home, he didn’t say much.
“Did you meet any new kids at the hospital?” She attempted to draw him into a conversation while they sat at the kitchen table. When their schedules had meshed in the past, he always told her about the kids he’d met. Now, the light in his eyes seemed dim and he appeared weary.
“I’m still figuring my way around. I’ve met a few kids while setting up my office there. Kassie’s done a great job with the ward.” Michael didn’t bother to glance in her direction.
She picked at her food.
“Michael, can we talk? I feel like I did something wrong. No. I’ve done a lot of things incorrectly. Will you tell me which one made you stop talking to me?”
“I’m tired Lizzy. It’s been a long day and all I want to do is eat and go to bed. Are you finished?” When she nodded, he picked up her plate, scraped it off, and placed it in the dishwasher.
She stood and grabbed the dishcloth and began to wipe down the kitchen counters and the stove.
“What do you think you’re doing?” his voice came out harsh.
“I’m helping. You said you had a tough day. I don’t want to add to your burden.” She continued wiping everything down.
His hand came over hers as he stopped her. “I’ll take care of it. Why don’t you go rest? It won’t take me long.”
She stubbornly gripped the cloth in her hand, refusing to let go. “I rest all the time. If it doesn’t take much time, two sets of hands can make the work lighter.”
Michael seemed to inhale a deep breath attempting to bite back the words he really wanted to say. His jaw ticked, showing his agitation. She slowly let go and silently walked from the kitchen. She sat on the couch going back over the last week. He started distancing himself from her the night she got sick. To be fair, she kept him from getting too close, unsure of how the battle with cancer would play out. Did he finally realize why she kept him at bay? Did things finally seem real and remind him of the loss of his mom?
Lizzy wrapped her arms around herself and pulled her knees to her chest. Sadness filled her as she thought of all the time she’d wasted. The night she fell ill, Michael supported her and made her feel safe, loved, and cared for. Now she felt alone.
Michael returned from the kitchen and sat in the chair across from her. He opened his e-reader and began to read. Lizzy knew he pretended as she watched him glare at the same page for ten minutes. Sighing, she stood, not bothering to say goodnight and headed to her room.
She threw her dirty clothes in the hamper and dragged on her pajamas. She took her meds and curled up in bed. His pillow sat on his side of the bed as if mocking her with Michael’s absence. She picked it up and held it to her chest as she lay against her own. The silence in the house seemed deafening as she stared at the ceiling. Finally, she heard Michael make his way into the guest room. The shower turned on and she listened to the water running through the pipes. A bit later it stopped, and she overheard Michael talking on the phone as he opened drawers and she guessed he pulled out his notorious pajama bottoms to ready himself for bed.
His door opened and the sound of his footsteps creaking on the old wooden floors stopped at her door. Lizzy held her breath and waited for him to knock. Her heart skipped a beat, as it felt like minutes he stood on the other side when it was only a short time.
The sounds of his footsteps retreated, and the click of his bedroom door felt like a bullet to her heart.