Her Love Lost (Love Shattered Series Book 1) (9 page)

Courtney

I admire how much you take care of your sister. That

Is one of the many things I love about you. I hope you enjoy dinner.

I am sure it is much needed after the long day you have had. I can’t wait to

Hold you in my arms again. Thinking about you always.

Love, Dexter

Who knew a bunch of pizzas could make someone so emotional. Lillian had come into the kitchen and was reading everyone’s notes. When she got to hers she read it and then looked up to me with tears in her eyes.

“I don’t know what to say. That Rob is one confusing man. We talked a bit while we were alone one night while you and Dexter were out and he explained to me that we would have to remain friends because he wasn’t sure he could commit to someone who had a kid on the way. It upset me but I had made peace with just friends then he goes and sends something so sweet. I just don’t know what to think.” She started to cry. I can see her pregnancy hormones were in full force. I am surprised she held it together this long. I would have been bawling my eyes out just coming home to see my house a mess like hers was.

“Oh Lillian,” I pulled her into a hug. “I am sure he is just scared. He is used to being a single guy with no attachments. I think he may feel something for you but he is just not quite sure how to express it or get past the part where you are having a baby thing. I am sure he will come around Lily pie. Just give him time.” She nodded and went on to eat her pizza.

I decided I would send Dex a quick text telling him thanks.

Me: Thanks for the pizzas. Tell Rob thanks too. It’s just what we needed I will give you a call on my way home later. Love you.

He didn’t text back but I am sure he was busy.

We were all sitting on the kitchen floor eating our pizzas and carrying on casual conversations with the kids. Just as we were cleaning up the pizza mess there was another knock on the door. This time I answered to find a delivery man asking for me to sign for the delivery. I wasn’t sure what Lillian had ordered but I went ahead and signed for it. The delivery guy handed me a note which I assumed was the receipt then the guy went to his truck and pulled open the back door and you could see the back filled top to bottom with furniture.

I looked down at what I was holding and it was a note similar to the ones on the pizza boxes. It was from Rob. Did Rob buy Lillian all new furniture? This is unbelievable.

“Lillian you better come here.” Looks like my buddy Rob is a big fat liar when he says he just wants to be friends. What kind of friend buys another friend a house full of furniture?

Lillian,

No pregnant woman should be left to deal with all the stress you have had to deal with the past two days. Please accept this as a gift. There is a no return policy so you are kind of stuck with it all. You can thank me later when I head to town with Dexter in a few weeks by cooking me dinner. I want you comfortable with everything you need. These guys will take care of setting up everything so you don’t have to lift a finger. All you have to do is show them where to put it. Look forward to seeing you soon darlin.

Love, Rob

Lillian and I watched as the delivery guys brought in a whole set of living room furniture. Then a whole new cherry wooden bedroom suit, a new kitchen table, and then last but not least a whole nursery set complete with a crib dresser and changing table. Yes Rob definitely had to be feeling something other than friendship towards Lillian.

To make it easier for the delivery guys to get everything set up we said our goodbyes to Lillian and I loaded up the kids and headed home for the night.

Dexter

I figured Courtney would call me back soon so I didn’t bother texting her back at the time. I was sitting here with Rob who was confused as hell about his actions and buying Lillian all that stuff, but I wasn’t going to say anything the guy would figure it out on his own.

I haven’t had much time to talk to Courtney since she left yesterday and I am missing her like crazy. So much that I have been tempted to fly out on the next plane just to see her for a few minutes and then grab a flight back home. It would be worth it even if it was just an hour or so with her.

My phone finally rings and I leave a brooding Rob alone in the kitchen and head to my room for some privacy.

“Hey Baby, how are you?” I answer.

“I am good. Just leaving Lillian’s house I wanted to call on my way home because the second I get home I am going to be busy getting everyone settled in and then I am heading to bed myself. I am exhausted.” She sounded so tired I wish I could be there to help her out with getting the kids settled in. She shouldn’t have to do it all alone.

“I miss you so much Courtney. You sound tired baby. You should really be concentrating on your driving instead of talking to me.” I am always going to worry about her, especially since I can’t be with her all of the time.

“I am fine Hun. Talking to you is keeping me awake. Plus, I am using my hands free device to talk to you so I have both hands on the wheel no worries.” That did make me feel better.

We talked for a few more minutes until she arrived home. I could hear the kids in the background noise and they sounded like they were getting tired of being in the car. So I let her go so she could get everyone inside and to bed.

Before I went to sleep that night I sent her a text.

Me: Goodnight sweet girl. I miss you. Sweet dreams Love you X

She must have already been asleep because she didn’t respond.

The next three weeks went by with a flurry of filming, and talking, and skyping Courtney whenever I got the free time. She started her new job at the bakery last week and found great childcare for the kids. She seemed to be doing okay with them going to a sitter for the first time and it seemed like she really was enjoying being a working woman for the first time in her life. She even got to help out with some of the baking and she showed a real interest in that. The owner offered to pay for her school if she decided baking was something she wanted to do. Courtney seemed elated at that. I was proud of her and I hope that she would take them up on their offer. I know she was hesitant because it would take more of her time away from the kids.

I was currently waiting for Rob to arrive so we could head to North Carolina for the next two weeks. We were off from filming and I desperately needed to see my girl. Rob was running late and he better hurry along so we didn’t miss our plane. If he caused me to have to take a later flight and made me late to see my girl he was getting decked. Best friend or not.

We would be staying with my family in Swansboro so we wouldn’t be too far from Courtney. We decided that we didn’t want me staying at her place because of the kids. Things were going good with Courtney and I, but neither one of us was ready to take that step just yet. That was something we would have to ease the kids into. I am a patient man and I was willing to wait until we both felt ready for that.

Rob finally showed up 10 minutes late and I rushed to get to the airport on time. When we finally arrive we were both bummed to find out that our flight would be delayed several hours due to severe weather in North Carolina. Just great, if it isn’t Rob almost making us miss the plane it’s going to be bad weather holding us up.

I sent Courtney a text letting her know.

Me: Our flight was delayed due to severe weather. I don’t think it’s in your area but please be safe. I will see you as soon as I can baby. Love you X

Courtney: It’s been sunny all day here just starting to get cloudy and rainy. No severe weather here for now. Lillian and I are out shopping with the kids. Text me when you arrive. Safe travels. Love you XO

The airlines couldn’t tell us when our flight would be able to take off, so Rob and I settled in for a long wait. I checked the weather for New Bern where Courtney was and I saw that the storms looked to be moving that way. I hope she paid attention to the weather and stayed smart out there today.

Courtney

LILLIAN AND I were out shopping with all the kids in tow. We were looking for a couple new outfits to wear while the guys were in town. We had just left target when I got a text from Dexter saying that there was severe weather holding him up. No telling when he would get here at this rate. That really sucks. I miss him so much and can’t wait to be in his arms again.

We were just getting ready to pull into the mall parking lot when the tornado alarms started to ring through the town. Huh that is odd it was just sunny as could be a few minutes ago. It had just started to get cloudy and rainy when we were walking out of target. I looked into my rear view mirror and was terrified by what I saw. It was a huge funnel cloud that was touching down to the ground then going back into the sky.

Without another thought I sped up the car and practically pulled into the mall parking lot on two wheels. I didn’t even check to see if we were actually in a parking space or not. I told Jason to go ahead and start unbuckling Miley from her car seat so we could all get out of the car as quickly as we could and get inside the mall to safety. I looked over at Lillian and she was frozen in fear. I yelled at her to snap out of it and we got out of the car grabbing for the kids as we went.

It was now pouring down rain and windy as hell. The doors to the car kept slamming shut onto us while we tried to get the kids out the back. Lillian had gotten Caleb and I was still trying to get Miley out. I could still see the funnel cloud a little ways away and knew we didn’t have much time, especially if that cloud decided to stay down instead of continuing its bob and weave pattern. I got Miley out and Jason just had to climb from the back to get out and we could all head inside. Jason tripped trying to crawl over Miley’s car seat he came tumbling out of the car head first but somehow manage to do some crazy tuck a roll maneuver,  I had never seen anything like it before. He ended up landing in a huge puddle of water. Once he was able to stand we made a break for the doors of the mall.

By the time we got inside we were drenched from head to toe. Miley had lost her favorite blanket when the wind whipped and carried it sailing away. Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy. Apparently they didn’t get the memo that a tornado was headed right this way. How could they not hear the damn sirens? They were loud as shit.

“There is a funnel cloud out there that is trying to form. It’s headed right this way. Where is a good place to take cover?” I asked a lady who worked there she directed us to the bathroom where we all crouched down under the sink. Oddly the lady didn’t join us. I guess she really thought we were crazy and didn’t think a tornado was actually just outside.

I couldn’t think straight I just kept telling the kids I love them over and over again and that everything would be okay. We could hear the mayhem outside as more and more people finally realized the extent of the danger that they were in.

I took my phone out and sent a text to mom and Dexter so they would both know where we were just in case the worst happened. No one knew exactly where we had planned to shop today so if a tornado ripped through this mall with us inside no one would have a clue where to start looking for us.

Me: Mom we are inside the mall bathroom under the sink taking cover from the tornado that is just outside. We are in the east wing bathroom. Love you guys be safe out there.

Me: Dex… Lillian and I are at the mall with the kids there is a tornado coming and we are taking cover in the east wing bathroom. I wanted to let you know incase anything was to happen. I love you Dexter Sonners. XO

Okay maybe that sounded a little dramatic but you just never know what will happen. I am realizing this now. If we make it out of here I am going to start living every single day to the fullest. You never know when something will come along a steal it all away so you have to enjoy it while you can. I should have already known this considering what happened with my husband, but then I was too caught up in my own grief to think clearly.

Miley had somehow fallen asleep and Caleb and Jason looked terrified. I tried to reassure them that we would be okay. I sent up a silent prayer for protection over my family. We could hear that the tornado had hit the building and you could hear people screaming. It was all a very traumatic. Something I was sure to have nightmares about for many nights to come.

Lillian was covering her ears and she was very pale. She was shaking and I prayed this would all stop soon because I had a feeling she needed to be taken to the hospital. I was afraid she was going to go into shock. My baby sister was one of the bravest people I knew but even the strongest people can’t always hold it together through something like this. I honestly didn’t even know how I was holding it all together right now. I guess I was just trying to stay strong for everyone else.

The building rumbled under us and soon the power went out. I was using my cell phone for light now. I checked to see if I had any texts but I had no service and I assumed that the tornado had taken down the cell tower nearby. The noises continued for several more minutes and then it was over as quickly as it had come upon us. It was eerily quiet and we stayed put for several more minutes until I thought it was safe to come out. By some small miracle we were able to walk right out of that bathroom without a single scratch. The part of the mall we had entered through was untouched so we made our way outside through the glass doors and took in the devastation all around us. The only part of the mall that was left standing was the small section that we had hidden away in. Someone above had definitely been looking out for us today.

My car was gone. So we waited for help to arrive. We could see help coming and soon this would all be over. We had survived and we would all get through this together. Once the ambulance came over to where we stood I sent Lillian in one to head to the hospital to get the baby and herself checked out. I also wanted to get Jason checked out from when he fell out of the car when we were trying to get into the mall.

Luckily they let us all ride together in one ambulance. I don’t think you could have separated us at that point. We were only a couple minutes behind Lillian’s ambulance so we should all arrive to the hospital around the same time.

When we arrived I learned that Lillian was indeed in shock, and that her water had also broken on the way over and she had started to have contractions. She was being whisked away to the maternity floor. I told her I would be up there as soon as Jason was checked out. I don’t think she heard me at all she was just looking past me with a look of dread on her face.

Once Jason had been checked and cleared of any injuries probably do to his quick thinking on the tuck and roll we all headed upstairs to see Lillian.

When we got up there we learned that the doctors were trying to stop the contractions even though her water had already broken. They wanted to try and keep the baby in as long as possible. She was only thirty one week’s along. Lil looked a little better now. She had some color back into her cheeks and I knew she was going to be okay. She had to be strong for her baby now and keep her inside as long as possible.

It seems like we were in for a few rough weeks ahead. Thank God Dexter would be here. I don’t think I could get through this without him.

I needed to try and get a hold of Mom, Dad, and our sisters.

I used Lillian’s landline phone from beside her bed to call Mom, she promised to let the others know and that they would be here as soon as they could. Seems like the tornado was localized to just that one area we happened to be in. The rest of the town was completely fine.

I tried to call Dexter as well but it kept going to voicemail right away or either getting a busy tone. I guess everyone was trying to get a hold of loved ones and that had the cell air waves all jammed. I left Dex a voice mail telling him where he could find me when he arrived.

Mom, Dad, Sarah and Becky all showed up an hour later with a change of clothes for me. Sarah and Becky decided to take the kids home for the night after visiting Lillian so they could get some rest. I didn’t want to leave Lillian’s side. I fell asleep on the couch in her room a little while later while Mom and Dad visited with her. Hoping Dexter would make it here soon.