70. Chapter Seventy #2
Ellen did a happy dance in her chair before she cleared her throat and looked around the room. “To continue with the spirit of fun and childhood nostalgia, we want to invite everyone who is brave and able to join us for a good old-fashioned sleepover.”
Lianne’s eyes went wide. “Really? We’re all going to bunk down in the war room? And on the floor?”
Ben chuckled. “Okay, so maybe not quite that old-fashioned. We dug out and bought air mattresses. None of us need to be on the concrete all night.”
“Especially the ones still recovering from gunshot wounds.” Lianne playfully glared at Ryan.
“He has a Doc approved cot. I got that covered.” Ellen glanced at Ryan and winked at him. “He’s letting me use two so I can push them together.”
Excitement twinkled in Lianne’s eyes. “Are we going to have a movie marathon, too? I’m feeling the need to re-watch my favorite pirate movies.”
Jess grinned. “Captain J, reporting for duty.”
Ben stood up, resting his hands on Lianne’s shoulders. “We’re going to head downstairs in about an hour. Join us if you want and can. No shame if you can’t.”
I headed back to our room, wanting and needing a few minutes of quiet before diving back into the chaos.
Peter closed the door and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Do you want to join everyone? Are you comfortable being down there?”
A smile appeared on my face. “I do, actually.”
Peter nodded and kissed my shoulder. “Okay. And do you still want to share a bed?”
I spun around to face him. “Why wouldn’t we? We do now.”
“It would be officially launching our relationship to everyone. I didn’t know if you were ready for that. I’ll support whatever decision you make.”
It finally registered what he was asking. “I am, actually. If we can make sure our spot is in a corner, I’ll feel more comfortable, but I want to try. I’ve missed out on so much… and on so much fun.”
Peter smiled. “Well then, let’s get changed and stake out our corner.”
I was nervous heading into the basement and grabbed Peter’s hand while on the stairs. The last time I was down here, I'd been bleeding out and was fading in and out of consciousness.
“What’s wrong?”
I forced in a breath. “Another wave of memories. Gimme a sec.”
After making it to the bottom of the stairs, Peter moved in front of me, gently backed me up against a wall, and pulled me in for a tight hug. “You’re safe here. I’ve got you. It’s okay.”
I nodded, forcing myself to take several long, slow breaths. I'm not bleeding. I’m not on the run. Peter is here. After a moment, I picked my head up and nodded. “I’m good now.”
He kissed my forehead and turned to face a slightly opened door. “There’s the war room when you’re ready. I’m right behind you.”
When I walked in, Ben and Lianne were already in there, setting up their spot. Lianne took one look at me and rushed over, hugging me. “I love that you’re down here, but is this going to be too much? I know you’re settling in and more comfortable in the house but today was already a lot.”
“Being down here again was a little overwhelming at first, but it’s okay now.”
Lianne leaned back and nodded. “Totally fair. Can I do anything to make it more comfortable?”
I glanced to my right. “Can I have the corner spot?”
She nodded again. “Absolutely.” She glanced past me and smiled before looking at my face again. “Peter joining us, too?”
Taking his hand in mine, I nodded. “He is.”
“Good. Go get cozy.”
Peter
I had expected Adair to want to settle into the actual corner with me sitting in front of her, but that wasn’t the case. She sat in front of me, leaned against my chest, and used me as a pillow. Not that I was complaining. I loved how it felt to hold her in my arms.
I was a little surprised to see Gage join the festivities, but when Sunny practically dragged him into the room made it make sense.
Lianne and Lukas almost immediately claimed the two spots closest to Adair, and the three of them chatted away excitedly. I couldn’t help but sit there and watch, especially when Lianne pulled out her tablet to show Adair something, and the two of them stretched out on their stomachs.
Ben walked over and sat on the ground next to our mattress. “Wild, isn’t it? If you and I didn’t know better, you’d think they’d been hanging out every day for the last seven years, not both of them fighting for their lives in different ways.”
“And then there’s the fact the same person is the root of most of their problems.”
He sighed and nodded before glancing around and leaning in closer. “Between you and me, Lianne wishes Adair was her sister-in-law.”
I nodded. “I can see that. It makes you wonder, though. Would Liam have been any different if he’d married her instead?”
“Who knows?” Ben watched the ladies for a moment before looking at me again. “I think you’re a better fit for her than Liam would have ever been.”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really?”
He let out a sigh. “Yeah. Lianne hasn’t said a lot on the topic, but what I’ve gleaned from her comments, it sounds like Liam didn’t treat Adair well before she disappeared.”
I glanced down at the woman curled up next to Lianne, giggling about something on the screen.
“She hasn’t mentioned much about that part of her, but then I haven’t asked for details.
I know he and Susan are behind her attempted murder and the reason she disappeared.
As much as I want to know more about her life before the safe house, I don’t want to push.
It’s only been a couple of weeks since part of her life was quite literally blown up. ”
“How long do you think we have before Liam and Susan figure out she’s alive… and here?”
Ben’s question was one that had been plaguing me since Adair got her Proof of Life certificate. “Until the day after the seven-year anniversary of her disappearing.” I let out a small sigh. “If I have the dates right, we only have a few days.”
“I appreciate that piece of information.” Ben looked at me. “I’m assuming Lynette and the higher ups in the crew know?”
I shrugged. “I know Lynette knows. Beyond that? I’d like to think so, but I’m not high up enough in the food chain to be in those meetings.”
Lianne glanced over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes as she studied us. “What are you two whispering about back there?”
“How amazing you are.”
She rolled her eyes at Ben’s response but grinned all the same. “Alright then. Keep your secrets, but could you at least get the first movie going?”
Apparently, Lianne wanted to make it through at least two movies, but halfway through the first one, I glanced over and saw her passed out on her pillow in Ben’s lap.
He was running his fingers through her hair, eyes on the screen.
Looking to my right, the view was similar.
Lukas was wrapped around Quinn, but both of them were out.
“They’re cute when they’re asleep, aren’t they?”
Ellen’s voice caught my attention, and when I moved my attention in her direction, Ryan was also asleep. I couldn’t help but let out a soft, pleased hum. “They are clearly comfortable and feel safe with us.”
She nodded. “They never stop. I’m so glad Ben and Quinn talked to Lynette about making this happen. I think this is the earliest any of them had been in bed in months.”
Ben nodded. “It is. Maybe this needs to be a monthly thing. It doesn’t have to be a movie night, and certainly not always in the war room, but I like how light everyone was tonight. Li hasn’t laughed like this or been this relaxed in a long time.”