CHAPTER 20 #2
As they followed Robert through the streets of the base to his apartment building, Lainey explained to Vivian that Robert was a special friend. Yeah, a special friend is what she’d call him for now. A special friend who’s here to help and protect them.
When they’d parked, Lainey introduced Robert to Vivian before going inside. Lainey found it endearing when he crouched down to Vivian’s level to shake her hand.
The three of them carried up their overnight bags and the groceries Lainey still had in her car.
Lainey had planned on cooking dinner for her and Vivian when they’d returned home, but now the clock hour was nearing double digits and when Robert insisted on popping a frozen pizza in the oven, Lainey couldn’t be more grateful.
The man reacted on instinct and was a born problem solver.
They ate the pizza, sitting Japanese-style around the coffee table since Robert didn’t have a dining table. After showers, Robert insisted they take his bedroom, and he’d take the couch.
“Robert, no. Viv and I can camp here in the living room. You need your rest,” Lainey said apologetically. He’d already done so much. He’d rushed to her side, fed them and now provided lodging for the night. It was more than enough.
“No, Lain, I’ll be fine on the couch. I nap on it all the time.
Plus, your little striker here doesn’t need to have a stiff back from sleeping on the floor,” he smiled, winking at Viv.
Their dinner conversation had consisted of her favorite soccer position.
“I’ll be up at three-thirty am, and I don’t want to wake you.
I’ll leave an extra key on the kitchen counter. Just lock up when you leave.”
“Are you sure? We’ve put you out enough.”
Robert gave her a we’re done talking about this look in response.
Robert located a nightlight and plugged it into the bedroom wall for Vivian’s sake.
Prayers and goodnights were said. Lainey spooned Vivian’s little body and assured her that all her toys and dolls were fine.
Vivian was so worried they’d stolen Sunshine Bear, her favorite stuffed animal her grandparents had given her.
It had been Geoff’s when he was a kid, which made it even more valuable to Viv, since she barely remembered the man.
Geoff’s parents. She could’ve called them.
She and Viv could’ve stayed there this evening.
Lord knows it would’ve been a familiar place for Vivian, but Robert had come and invited her to follow him back to base.
She didn’t waver or dispute his invitation.
She preferred his company to anyone else’s right now.
Vivian was out. She’d fallen asleep, but Lainey was restless. By now, Robert should be fast asleep too.
Crawling from underneath the covers, she eased the bedroom door open and crept into the kitchen.
She opened the cabinet with the drinkware.
Retrieving a glass and filling it with water, she moved slowly to make the least noise.
She finished drinking it and set the glass softly on the counter next to the sink, then began to sneak back into the bedroom.
“Don’t quit your day job to become a ninja. You’d suck at it,” Robert chuckled in the darkened living room.
“I’m sorry, I was trying to be quiet. Did I wake you?” she said in a hushed tone.
“No, I haven’t been able to fall asleep yet,” his voice was gravelly. She could tell he was tired. “Come here,” he said.
She used the streetlight seeping between the blinds to find her way. She lowered herself to sit on the edge of the couch next to where he was lying, but he grasped her arm and pulled her down on top of him.
She pressed her cheek against his pec and let him envelop her in his arms. “You doin’ okay?” he asked.
“I guess. I still don’t understand why someone would break into my house and not take anything but my grandmother’s ring. It’s strange,” Lainey said.
“What’s important is that you and Vivian are okay.” He kissed the top of her head.
She shifted and sat her chin on his chest. “Thank you for letting us stay with you. It means a lot.”
He stared at the ceiling. “It’s nothing. I’d rather you were with me than anywhere else.”
“When we leave, I can hide your extra key under the mat or ...”
“Keep it. I want you to have it. I’ll get the paperwork to get you a family visitor’s pass too. That way, you can come and go when you need to.”
“But we’re not family? How’s that work?”
“I’ll say you’re my sister and you’re a regular visitor. I’ll only have to let them know the dates you come in advance. Servicemen do it all the time for their girlfriends.”
Girlfriend? He’d just made it official, and the cat had gotten her tongue. She studied his shadowed jaw as he continued to stare at the ceiling.
A moment of silence passed, and he apparently noticed the elephant in the room by her muteness. “Is that okay?” he asked, prodding for a response.
Is it okay to get me a pass or call me your girlfriend? But she understood what he was really asking.
She swallowed. “Yes,” she whispered.
She felt him exhale. He’d been holding his breath.
“The flowers are beautiful, by the way. I left them in the bank's lobby for everyone to enjoy.”
He chuckled, “I totally forgot about that with everything.” He squeezed her. “I’m happy you like them.”
She sighed, “I need to let you sleep, and I should get back to Vivian if she wakes.”
He reached down and patted her ass. “These flannel pajamas have got to go the next time we stay the night together and Vivian’s not with us.”
She scoffed and sat up. “What these lack in allure and sex appeal, they make up for in warmth and coziness. Thank you very much.”
He laughed and pulled her down again. “Woman, you won’t need ‘em, cause I’ll keep you warm and cozy.” Then he kissed her, and she forgot about her troubles ... at least for tonight.