More Than Scars (45 page)

I rolled my eyes at him and then returned them to my lovely flowers. “I love them!” I drew in a breath. “They stand for a new beginning. Isn’t that what this is?”

Ian didn’t argue anymore with his brother’s choice. He just gave me his happy smile. “I’m just glad you are okay Rissa.”

“How are the girls?”

“Worried about you,” he said softly. He pulled two folded pieces of paper out of his pocket and held them out to me. “They made you cards.”

“Will Liam bring them?”

The dark brow furrowed. “I don’t think so.”

I guess last night should be enough for now.

I had another visit from the police to take statement. The man who had murdered my father had broken down and confessed after being brought in. He was ready to plead guilty before a judge. My words would be the cherry on top as it came to his sentence. Robert French was his name. A name I would forever detest…and sadly never forget.

My Mom took me home that afternoon.

Stewart had called to say I was to be collected but she argued with him on the phone that she would be caring for me. She informed him that Liam could have me back when I was all better but that she wanted to play Mom for a bit longer.

We got home and I was tucked into my bed. I hadn’t gone through much physical trauma but mentally I was whipped and it translated to my body. I slept for hours…feeling like a helpless baby. Being on the pain medication for my injury didn’t help the sleepiness. I awoke to hear my Mom arguing on the phone. I soon realized it was Liam she was arguing with and the conversation made me smile…at least the one side I could hear.

“I don’t care if you have a big mansion with all the comforts! I am Mom, and I know what is best! You can have her back when she is all better! I know that you miss her and you want nothing more than to hover over her…but that is my job. You just settle yourself Mr. and do what you do best and I will do what I do best! I have done a good job of it for thirty two years!”

I sat up, biting my lip when she grew silent, obviously listening to him. I wished I could hear the rough and lovely voice on the other end.

“And she loves you too Liam…she is safe here…and I will tell her you called. If she is up to it I will even let her call you,” she teased. “If you will behave yourself and not get her worked up! She’s in healing mode now! No…I am not bringing her there! You want to see her…you bring your little tush here! Oh, you don’t like that idea? Well then you will just have to be patient! The Doctor said she needs to rest for a few days. The wound is fine…but after the shock she went through she doesn’t need added stress…so stop your pushing!”

I covered my mouth to stifle my laugh. My Mom had never been afraid of anyone…not even powerful billionaires!

She laughed at something he said now. “I really like you, you know that? I’m glad she has you!” She was silent for another moment. “I will make sure she is awake in an hour to receive the package Stewart brings over,” she promised.

”Take care!”

I flopped back on my pillow and feigned sleep as I heard her making her way to my room. She opened the door to peek in on me. I fought to hold back a smile, and sighed relief when she exited again. I curled up in a ball and let myself daydream a bit about Liam Byrne wondering what kind of package was being brought over. I wished he would wrap himself up and come on over! I allowed myself fifteen or so minutes and when my cheek began to throb and my mouth turned to sawdust, I pulled aside the blankets. My arms slipped easily into my comfy robe and I stared out into the darkening winter sky. There was a light snow falling in the light of the street lamps. It made me shiver a little as snow often did…not from its coldness…but from the memories it held.

My Mom was in the kitchen, already heating water for tea as if she knew. She was super Mom that was for sure. I hugged her shoulders and sat down at the table.

“Al will be home soon.” She handed me my tea and another pain pill. “And you have a date.”

My eyes widened in horror, looking down at my pajamas.

“Not a physical date,” she laughed.

“Stewart is coming by with your phone…fully charged. Liam wants to talk to you…and he says he has a date planned.”

I frowned. “I’m not leaving this apartment with Stewart.”

She smiled at my grumpy mood. “Aren’t you happy to be hearing from Liam?”

I shrugged. “I rather he’d see me now in my rumpled pajamas.”

My Mom laughed at me…actually laughed at me!

“Al is bringing home some pizza…wait to take your pill with some food on your belly. Then when Stewart gets here, you take your phone to your room and spend some time with Liam. You will feel better when you hear his voice I am sure.”

I hid my smile behind a sip of tea.

Al showed up his boisterous self. He would be staying the next couple nights here…worrier that he was. Mom and I were both okay with that. We ate our pizza and talked about everything but the last nights events. With the exception of the masquerade. It had been one heck of a party!

Stewart arrived and followed my Mom into the kitchen to see me. He held a gift bag in one hand and my phone in the other. He promptly placed both on the table and forgot his usual gentlemanly decorum and threw his arms about me. Instant tears were spilling onto my cheeks as I hugged him back.

“Miss we are so happy you are okay,” he whispered hoarsely. “Mary was blubbering on and I did not realize how much I agreed with her until just now seeing you!”

I hugged him back and laughed despite my tears. “Thank you Stewart!”

He pulled back, shame faced. “Liam is pacing the floor right now waiting for you. Call him as soon as you can! Put him out of his misery!” He turned to nod to Al and my Mom and then hurried back out into the cold. Always a man of few words. His action had touched me greatly though.

I laughed, looking at my family.

“Still pissed you lied to me,” Al growled. “Whole time Liam knew where you’d be!”

I frowned. “Al…I can’t…I won’t apologize. I can’t help that Liam and I connected in a way that I was able to share things I haven’t shared with others!” I shook my head. “You are my brother, but he is my…he’s my…”

“Soul mate,” my Mom whispered. “He’s your soul mate Rissa.”

I nodded with a small smile.

Al snorted.

“One day you will have yours!”

“Aw Mom,” he growled. “Don’t get all mush romantic on me now! It’s enough that I have to watch it on Riss here.”

I laughed at his eye roll. I made a grab for my gift bag and phone. “Speaking of which…I have a date!” I started for the doorway.

“Remember your pill,” my Mom warned.

I paused. “I don’t think I will need it.”

She shook her head. “Right now you are all high on excitement!” She went to the fridge for a bottle of water and handed me the pill. “Take it before you need it…not after…but talk to your boy first.”

I almost danced to my room, clutching phone, bag, pill and water bottle. I shut the door behind me with my hip and set my water and pill on the end table. The bag I
laid on the bed by the phone and threw my robe on the chair. I felt like a nervous school girl, staring at my phone. It buzzed as if to taunt me.

Are you going to call me or not?

I laughed at it and leaned back on my pillows, hitting his speed dial. My heart hitched itself between my ribs. I held my breath when it rang more than twice. He had just texted me. I knew he had his phone…was he teasing me?

“Hello.”

His voice warm as whiskey ran through my veins and I sighed. “Hello.”

“You took forever,” he growled.

“Stewart just left,” I laughed at his impatience.

“It felt like forever.”

I bit my lip.

“How are you?”

“I’m okay,” I said softly. “Tired…a little sore.”

“What can I do?”

I drew in a breath. “I could use a hug.”

“I’m glad your Mom is able to take care of….”

“I could use you Liam,” I said softly. “Do you know how nice it would be for me right now to just crawl up in your arms and make good use of those big shoulders of yours?”

He cleared his throat as if my bold words affected him. “I will send Stewart to pick you up then…”

“Come to me,” I whispered. “Please.”

“
Nerissa…”

I sighed. “I know. And I will be back under your roof soon enough. My Mom is right…I need her right now and she needs me. Having me here to care for helps her. Having Al stay here for right now helps her too. I just was…well, you asked what you could do.”

“Are you upset that I can’t do that yet? Just up and come running to you?”

“You did it last night when it was important,” I said softly. “I am very thankful for that.”

“But me showing up…right now would make you happy…wouldn’t it?” His baritone dipped deep with emotion.

“Yes,” I said meekly.

He sighed. “I’m working on it my love. I’m working on being the man you deserve.”

I smiled into the phone, deciding to lighten the mood. “Can I open my gift?”

He chuckled. “Where are you?”

“My room.”

“You have a T.V.? DVD player?”

I looked at the gift bag with suspicion. “Yes…where are you?”

“My room,” he said warmly…and if I wasn’t mistaken…a little seductively. “We’re going to have a date.”

“I’m intrigued,” I said softly.
“And flattered.”

“Open,” he said a little nervously. “I know you probably already have it but I wasn’t sure if you did at your Mom’s and in order for this to work….”

I pulled out the first item…a package of milk duds. I laughed. A billionaire who gives milk duds to a lady. “Chocolate is a good start,” I teased. I pulled out the tissue paper that covered the main gift and then almost dropped my phone to cover my mouth. Something between a laugh and a cry escaped. “Liam!”

“I thought we could watch together…over the phone…you…you like? I…I have my copy cued and ready…
i…if you…” he sounded so unsure.

“Ever After?”
I sobbed. “I love you,” I laughed. “I just love you!”

He
sighed relief.

“Was this your idea?”

“All mine.”

“Could you be any more adorable?”

He chuckled. “Oh…if I tried, maybe,” he teased.”

I fell back on my pillow in a swoon. Yes, yes, yes, I loved Liam Byrne! “You know…if you were actually here…you would most definitely be getting kissed…very thoroughly kissed Mr. Byrne!”

He cleared his throat.

“Are you straightening your tie?” I teased softly.

His laugh warmed me. “If I were wearing a tie I would be straightening it Miss Meadows.”

“Then are you straightening your shirt?”

“If I were wearing a shirt I would be…”

“Liam! No shirt? It’s snowing outside!” I pushed aside the very thought that my Liam was currently shirtless. What a tease! “You will freeze!”

“It’s very warm in my room.”

“Well,
its freezing in mine! I may have to put my robe back on.” In truth I was too warm now and it was all his fault!

“Well, you know if you were actually here you would most definitely be warm…very thoroughly warm Miss Meadows!” His voice was rough and lovely and it made me sigh.

He had turned my words on me but somehow his sounded a lot more seductive. “I would?”

“Yes,” he whispered.

We were silent for a moment…only the sound of our breaths could be heard over the phone. It was hard to think of anything else but being with Liam right now in that big warm room…in those strong arms…currently hinderance free. I wondered if he was thinking the same. His silence seemed to say he was.

“What say we watch a movie?” he growled suddenly…almost with irritation.

“Yes,” I said hoarsely. “Movie, I like movies.”

Liam’s laughter broke us both from our trance and we put in our movie. I tried not to talk through most, as he had not seen it. I wished I was there to see his face…read his reactions, but it wouldn’t be this time. Halfway through the movie I found it necessary to take my pain pill. My cut was throbbing in the worse way. I hadn’t had the courage to look at the stitches yet. Come the morning I was sure I would be able to.

“Are you getting sleepy?” he asked toward the end.

“How did you know?” I murmured into the phone.

“You aren’t as chatty,” he said softly.

I stretched and tucked my feet under my blankets. “Will you watch this again with me when I am not taking pain medication?” I burrowed into the blankets and rested my head on the pillow. I didn’t want to let him go. I wanted him here with me. I wished he was here so I could curl into him like I did that night. His chest made the best pillow!

“I have a feeling I will be watching this movie many times in the years to come.”

I smiled. “Is that a promise?”

“It’s a promise my love.”