Dreamers (The Dreamers Series) (19 page)

Heather’s phone rings loudly. She retrieves it from her baggy pocket, checking the caller ID.

“Sydney, can you excuse me for a moment? It’s work. We can finish this conversation later.”

“Sure. I wanted to check in with Nick anyway. Want me to come back out when I’m done?” It still feels odd talking about Nick in front of Heather.

“Yeah, I do. I still have a few things I need to address while we are on the subject. Go talk to Manning and come back when you’re done. This shouldn’t take long.” A phony smile curls the corner of her mouth up slightly.

I steal a hug before heading upstairs to the loft where I can find some privacy.

“Love ya’, Heather Feather.”

“I love you too, Squid. Go on now. Do your ghosty thing.”

From the noises coming from the loft area it seems to already be occupied. Mia is giggling and Cayden is impersonating someone with a very strange accent—they are like a couple of teenagers enjoying the first whimsical moments of courtship. I don’t want to disturb their fun time so I head downstairs to the game room.

There is a wonderful fireplace and a sofa to relax on. I turn the key releasing the gas, igniting the warm flickering flames. I wrap myself in a fuzzy soft blanket the color of soft fragrant sage. I can almost place myself in a garden full of it. My imagination perfects itself more thoroughly the more frequently I tap into my subconscious. There are so many pieces of the human potential yet to be unlocked. My experience with Nick tells me just how much more I have to learn, and I can’t wait. I cash in on the silence, close my eyes and begin reaching for him.

“Nick, you here?”

“Of course I’m here, baby. I miss you so much. When are you coming home?” His eyes sparkle.

“Tomorrow, baby. And I miss you too. Things have been kind of crazy around here. Heather has finally acknowledged your existence. She knows about—everything.”

“I’m sure that went over real well,” he adds, casually.

“She’s being cool about it. She did have some questions about your disappearance though so I told her some of the information we have. She had done some previous research on you and your family. She could really be a huge help for us, she is a good person. I hope someday you two can make peace.”

“I’ll let you know if hell freezes over,” he sasses.

“I can make that happen when I get home and I go to sleep. I can create whatever scenario I want, remember?” I giggle.

“You’re a tricky little girl, aren’t you? I love it.”

“I learned from the master. Speaking of, make sure you have something really sexy planned for when I get back, I’m gonna tear you up when I get home.”

“You’re so damn hot.” His tongue gently grazes his top teeth, a sure sign he’s already feeling fireworks in anticipation.

“Stop doing that with your tongue. It’s crazy sexy and I have to go. Heather and I have to finish our conversation, its important.”

“Nice, Syd.” His face is displeased.

“What?”

“You can’t just throw me into an ice bath when I’m on fire. You’re a tease.” He puts his tongue back into its sexy place, holding it there, purposely driving me crazy.

“Revenge is sweet. Remember that, Mr. Manning.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, baby, anxiously awaiting your revenge. Unlike you, I love it when you torture me, I love the pain you make me feel everywhere.” He winks and disappears into his world, leaving me breathless.

I make my way back upstairs to the front door, pausing momentarily as I realize Heather is still in conversation. From the window I note her pacing as she speaks through her Bluetooth. Not only does she look agitated but the wild usage of her hands as she speaks also indicates something is very wrong. Concern builds slightly as I wonder what’s happened now. I walk out with a puzzled look just as she hangs up.

“I’m going to have to leave, Syd. It’s an emergency at work,” she huffs.

“It can’t wait? We still have one more night here. I don’t want you to leave,” I beg.

My words bring a smile to her full lips.

“I need you to come with me, actually. We have a conversation to finish, and we can do that in the car on the way home. While you were downstairs I went ahead and asked Mia and Cayden if they would like to stay and have the place to themselves for the night and tomorrow. They certainly didn’t argue.”

“I’m sure they didn’t. They’ve been cadoodling like school kids all weekend, and it’s aggravating my morning sickness,” I joke.

“I hear you. I asked them to just bring your things home for you tomorrow so we can go ahead and get a head start on the ride now.” She seems edgy and rushed.

“Okay, let me go say goodbye, and we can head on out.”

“The cab will be here in a few minutes; they’ll need the truck to get home. They already took off to the grocery store to get some steaks and champagne for their romantic evening. She told me to let you know she’ll text you later.”

“Alright. Do you want to chat before the cab gets here? This is a private matter, and I don’t really feel comfortable discussing it in front of a strange cabby.”

“I totally agree. Look, Sydney, you cannot go after this woman on your own. If she is what you say she is—a murderer—then why would you even consider getting involved with such people. Let me do some more digging first,” she suggests.

“Heather, I really appreciate that you are concerned for me, but I have a way of finding her without her even knowing I’m coming. Lana gave me a few clues, and one of them is a direct link to her. I don’t want to put you in a bad position and lie to you anymore, but I’m doing this. End of story.”

“You aren’t even going to listen to reason, are you? You are going to regret this if you get involved. Messing with her could be a life or death situation. Believe me on that, I am not speculating. You’re not only putting yourself at risk here, there are other people to consider.”

“I know, that’s why I simply cannot involve you or anyone else. I’m not offering any more information, that’s all I can give you. I am keeping you out of this,” I reply.

“I’m already in it, Syd, up to my damned neck,” she sighs.

“How so?” I quiz as the cab pulls up the gravel drive.

“We will finish later. I’m having the cab driver drop you at home, and then I have to go to work, but I want to finish this conversation when I get home. Don’t do anything until I get home, got it?” she demands, clearly firm in her request.

“Stop worrying and let’s go, bossy butt.” I carefully avoid agreeing to anything.

After two long hours of silence in the car, I am thrilled to see the Atlanta skyline in the near distance. I loved my trip to the mountains, but home is where the heart is—where my heart is. Heather leaves an overly healthy tip with the overpriced cab fare, receiving a huge smile of thanks from the driver.

She takes the time to walk me to the door, warning me once again to stay out of trouble. I agree to be good and nothing more. She heads to work, giving me just enough time to squeeze into a hot shower and do a small amount of research before I head to bed and have some much needed quality time with Nick. This will be the first time in over a month that I can actually touch him. Meditation is great for in between communication, but not so much by way of touching. I can pick up feelings easily, but they’re more like tingly static shocks than actual feelings. When I sleep, everything is lifelike. That’s what I am waiting for. I can’t wait to pull him into me, to breathe him in, to touch his skin.

After the shower the first thing I do is crack open my laptop, for the first time in ages, and begin searching for the purchase records for the apartment building, which ends up being a lot easier than I expected. The only bummer is I have to pay for the report, and I haven’t had any work lately with all that’s happened. Luckily, I have just enough to pay for it without having to dip into my savings, which is solely reserved for bills. Money well spent if it helps Nick, though. I wait anxiously for the report to be sent to my email; it’s only been about thirty seconds, and I’m already shaking in anticipation. I find it funny how Heather is afraid for my safety in dealing with this woman. My safety isn’t in question; Peyton is the one who should be worried. I am not the only person who wants justice for Nick, Cayden and his mother, god rest her soul, deserve to have closure as well. In a few short minutes I will finally have something good to report to Nick. As much as he says he doesn’t want to crossover, he can’t be okay with staying like this forever, especially after he finds out about Little Monster.

I pat my belly and speak to our child.

It’s time to tell Daddy about you, Little Monster. I just know he will be as excited as I am. I love you so much already, and I know he will too.

I want to tell Nick in a special way, I haven’t quite figured out how yet.

I ease myself into quick meditation, calling his name the second I break through.

“Nick.”

“I’m assuming you’re home? You feel closer.” He sounds excited.

“Yeah, I came home early because Heather got called into work. I will be heading to sleep in about an hour or so, but there is something I have to take care of first. I’ve found Peyton. Everything I need to know about her is being delivered to my email as we speak.”

“Syd, I told you to drop that for now. I don’t want to know anything yet, I might disappear. Things have been getting pretty strange lately.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know, I’m hearing things. I told you I can hear someone talking when you’re around. I’m starting to think I’m losing my mind.”

“Well, Heather said you claimed to have some sort of supernatural abilities when you were alive. Is it possible they carried over?” I ask.

“If I tell you, you’ll be frightened of me.”

“Baby, nothing about you would ever push me away. I love you. You can tell me anything.”

He nods reluctantly, and speaks slowly.

“I’ve always heard things, from as far back as I can remember. I got used to that over the years. When I died, it was almost a relief, my head was finally silent—until now.”

“What do you mean, Nick? Are the voices coming back?”

“Yes, kind of, but it’s not the same. It was always obvious when I was alive; I could tell the people speaking to me were not normal, they always sounded so distant. The voices I’ve been hearing lately are much clearer and definitely much closer, almost like they’re right next to me.”

“Consider that you are no longer among the living, maybe it’s actually heightened your senses. Honey, you have a gift. Don’t push it away, it will only torment you.” I offer as much support as I can.

“It’s not just that. Something else is bothering me. I didn’t want to freak you out the other night when we spoke, but it’s as if the voice is coming from inside you. I’m scared I’ve pulled you into this fucked up world of mine, and something or someone is trying to take you away from me, from the inside out. Have you felt anything negative around you, have you heard anything unusual?”

I’m no brain surgeon, but it doesn’t take a genius to realize the voice he hears IS coming from within me. This is not the way I wanted to tell him, but I can’t leave him in this fear. His eyes are wild with anxiety, and it’s evident that his mind is slipping from him faster than I can grasp it. The only way to stop this is by telling the truth, and setting his mind at ease.

“Nick, there aren’t any ghosts lingering around me besides you. What you’re hearing is coming from me,” I speak in a soft and comforting tone.

“I know, but it’s not you.” His panic heightens.

“It’s part of me—part of you too,” I whisper.

“You’re confusing me. What do you mean?” he pleads helplessly.

“I’m pregnant, Nick. You hear our child. It’s communicating with you.”

A glimmer of disbelief flickers in his expression, then turns to sheer understanding as tears pool to the surface already sparkly aqua eyes.

“That’s what I heard? My baby? You’re…”

“Yes, Nick.” I wait for a reaction.

“My child—our child.” He excitedly bubbles from the inside out.

“I know this is hard to swallow, but once it sinks in I’m sure you’ll be—” I shush as he abruptly cuts me off.

“Shh! I’m trying to listen for the baby.” He goes silent concentrating harder than I’ve ever seen.

“Well, it’s still a very small Little Monster. I don’t think it will speak on command,” I inform him.

“Don’t call my baby a monster,” he snaps.

“Oh, you sound like Mia! It’s a term of endearment. And it’s OUR baby, Mr. Manning.” I giggle.

“You keep calling me Mr. Manning, and I’m going to show you who the Daddy is.” He winks his gorgeous aqua eye at me.

“On that note, I’m going to try to fall asleep so you can make good on that threat. I just have to check my email, and I will be there as soon as I can doze off. I love you, Nick.”

“I love you too, baby, so much. You too, Little Monster, Daddy loves you.” He blushes for the first time ever, and I’m convinced that it’s absolutely without a doubt the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.

***

I’m on cloud nine as I enter my password to check my email. It’s here. I really should wait to check it since Nick is waiting for me to fall asleep, but I can’t help but take a quick peek. If nothing else, I want to know her full name so I can pick up my search first thing in the morning.

The genuine smile that lingers from my meditation with Nick is snatched from my face the instant I read the name. Lana was right, I do know her—them.

Owner: Amanda Peyton Grayson