18. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter eighteen
Hummingbird
Momma A:
A huge smile appeared on my face when I read the message. I was relieved to hear Lynette had something good happen in her life.
Hummingbird:
Momma A:
My heart simultaneously swelled with joy and broke a little at the news. While I was ecstatic for Lynette and whichever of her children, either biological or honorary, were getting married, I couldn’t help but stare at the simple white gold band on my hand.
While it still gutted me that I didn’t have my Derek anymore, I thought back to the joy I’d been filled with when he had proposed to me. It had been overwhelming in the best possible way.
Hummingbird:
Hummingbird:
Momma A:
Momma A:
Hummingbird:
A few days later, my phone dinged.
Momma E:
Hummingbird:
Momma E:
Before I had a chance to start overthinking what the surprise could be, another message popped up on the app.
Shield:
I laughed at the question.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
Hummingbird:
Shield:
Less than a minute later, one more message popped up.
Shield:
Excitement coursed through me. I had no idea what was going to be dropped off, but I wanted to be ready.
As I stood up and looked around the house, the general clutter registered, and it bothered me.
For the first time in days, I felt energized, and I poured that energy into tidying up.
For whatever reason, my brain decided that a surprise needed to happen in a clean space.
After spending about twenty minutes upstairs, I made my way down to the bunker and spent another fifteen minutes straightening up things there.
Once pleased with the state of my surroundings, I took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and sat on the chair in my security area.
My focus was glued to the screens, and I watched and waited for Shield’s arrival.
It wasn't long before the blue SUV pulled out of the woods, into the mine opening, and stopped.
He hopped out of the vehicle, rushed to the cache, and then back to the SUV. Moments later, my phone’s screen lit up.
Shield:
I couldn’t help the snicker that came out.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
After watching him leave, I grabbed my phone and gun, rushed out the back door, and drove the golf cart to the other end of the tunnel as quickly and safely as possible.
Once I confirmed the mine entrance was still empty, I walked out the door, hurrying to the cache to retrieve my surprise - a cardboard box that definitely needed two arms to carry.
What is in here?
As quickly as I made my way out, I returned to the safety of my bunker and opened the box. Inside were several to-go containers but lying on top of everything was an envelope.
H -Momma A wanted you to be included in the wedding festivities. Everything in the box is what we’d serve at an event here. The dessert is as close as I could make to imitate what they will have tonight.-E
Tears spring to my eyes at the thoughtfulness and kindness of the women in my life. I loved them both so deeply and never took for granted how amazingly they treated me.
I opened one of the to-go containers and realized how nice of a dinner I had been sent.
I can't eat steak out of a box. Even if I'm not at the wedding, I can still act like it.
Letting out a deep breath, I walked upstairs and to the tiny linen closet in the hallway pulled out the tablecloth Edith insisted Derek and I needed. I smiled as I recalled the words she’d said when pointing it out.
“I don’t care if you two are in hiding. It doesn't mean you have to live in squalor, and I'll be damned if I don't make sure you have a proper setup here. Now, it’s not fancy, but it’s nice. Same with the dishes.”
I swallowed hard and nodded as I opened the door.
I could do this. I could set up a nice dinner in celebration for a wedding.
Tears flooded my eyes as I hugged the white fabric.
Derek always insisted we use it any time we celebrated anything.
A giggle came out as I remembered how he set the table all fancy after getting the golf cart.
That man brought joy to my life every single day.
“This is for you, too, Derek.” I glanced at our now unused upstairs bedroom. “I’m going to celebrate us today, too.”
Another idea hit me as I stared past the bed toward the closet. Before I could talk myself out of it, I walked into the room, slid the rolling wood door to the side, and pulled out the only dress I currently owned. It was charcoal grey, knee-length, and incredibly comfortable.
After taking everything downstairs, I set the table before showering and making myself look nice.
It had been quite some time since I'd dressed up, and while I felt guilty for some unknown reason, I also felt a little more like myself.
Staring back at me in the mirror was a reflection of a woman I used to see all the time.
A woman not on the run to stay safe and alive.
A woman I missed very deeply.
I put the food on a plate and reheated it in the microwave. While waiting, I opened a music app on my phone and put on a playlist Derek and I had put together.
Once everything that needed it was warm again, I artfully arranged everything on the table and took a picture and sent it to the two women responsible for it.
Hummingbird:
Momma E:
Momma E:
Momma E:
I loved the fancy dinner and dessert Edith had made for me, and that Lynette had made sure it happened.
It made me feel like I was part of the festivities, even if I didn't know who got married.
Did I cry as I thought about the wedding day I didn't have and then the one I did?
Yes. I stared at the empty chair across from me, missing my Derek, but instead of wallowing in the loss, I forced myself to remember our teeny wedding and what a perfect day it had been.
It was much later in the evening by the time I finished my trip down memory lane, cleaned up from my mini party, and had changed into my pajamas. Surprisingly enough, I was actually tired and went straight to bed, sleeping for over six hours without interruption.
What was in that food and how can I get my hands on it so I sleep that well more often?
I chuckled as I made coffee and looked at my phone again. Curiosity got the better of me. I wanted details about the wedding, and loving the fact I had access to someone else who likely had attended, I messaged Tech.
Hummingbird:
The response was almost immediate.
Tech:
Hummingbird:
Tech:
A minute passed without a message from him. A long, frustrated breath came out as I rolled my eyes. If there had been any doubt Tech was a man, this cleared it right up. A woman would have known to start describing the day.
Hummingbird:
Tech:
A grin spread across my face. There we go. I knew you could do it.
Hummingbird:
Tech:
I couldn’t help the excited squeal that came out… or that I kicked my feet in giddy glee at the message.
Hummingbird:
Tech:
The comment made me laugh. While I preferred the jeans and fitted t-shirt look, I also understood the draw and appreciated a well-dressed man.
Hummingbird:
I wanted to ask for pictures, but Lynette and I had discussed years ago that while we both wanted me to have visual pieces of home, having identifiable images in either of our possessions was a security risk neither of us were willing to take.
The fewer links between our respective locations, the safer for everyone involved.
It didn’t mean either of us liked it.
Lynette had assured me there was a memorabilia box full of pictures and keepsakes that she had been collecting with every intention of handing it to me the second I no longer had to live in hiding. I truly could not wait until that day.
Hummingbird:
Tech:
Another smile appeared on my face, as well as a pain deep in my chest. To love and trust a sister so much to break the tradition of having a best man?
Must be nice. Though I had every intention of making my sister my Maid of Honor had I made it to my wedding, she was not the one I ever wanted there.
Don’t go there now. It’s not worth the pain.
Hummingbird:
Tech:
Hummingbird:
Tech:
He? My mind immediately went into overdrive, scouring through the list of men I knew to be associated with the family, trying to figure out who was close enough to be friends with Tech, and trusted enough to make a wedding cake.
I was thrilled to have something new to focus on.
Hummingbird:
Tech:
I couldn’t help the giggle that came out.
Hummingbird:
Tech:
Tech:
Hummingbird:
Tech:
Something about the way he referred to me was endearing and made me feel like I was more than just an assignment.
I knew Lynette and Edith loved me like one of their children, but that didn’t mean Tech and Shield had the same attachment.
There was no reason for them to, making this all the more special.
Maybe I’ll really be okay in the end.