Destined For Them (Story 3)✔

~25~

~Caroline~

I was going crazy, which was no surprise considering I was always going crazy. But usually, I got the pleasure of doing it without being locked in a bedroom like a princess locked away in a tower. That had been Lydia's analogy of my current situation. "You're like a princess up here, Momma and when you get better again, Daddy will come let you out." Is what she has said yesterday after lunch while we had watched a movie together. 

Then we had played dress-up. The whole package: hair, makeup, nail polish. In the end, she had really been the princess. It had been a good day. As much as I wished I could be the one to take Chris to school and take care of Lydia, I knew it would be best to accept the help from my mother. 

So now, while I was stuck in the suite, they were downstairs baking cookies and playing. I had to find something to do. Something that my husband would approve of. Something that wouldn't be strenuous or stressful. Of course. I got the perfect idea then and grabbed my phone to make a call. 

After four rings it didn't look promising that I would get an answer, but the fifth ring was cut off. "Mrs. Specter. Hi," Juliet Santini answered from the other end of the line. I felt awful that she wouldn't be able to work at the boutique for a while, so I had the perfect job for her. 

I moved from the bed then to the chair under the window and sat down. It was no surprise that it was raining again but I did enjoy the smell that came with it from the cracked window.  "Hi, Juliet. I hope I'm not calling at a bad time. I just wanted to apologize again for the whole boutique position falling through. I hope you will consider working for me when they straighten out again." 

"It's okay, Mrs. Specter. I completely understand. Your pregnancy and health are top priority." Noted. She didn't respond to the last part. Shit. "How are you feeling?" 

"I'm feeling fine. Thank you." If only I could convince Sol and my doctor. It wouldn't happen. And as much as I was going completely batshit, I knew that I had to follow the doctor's strict rules. "I'll probably be down for a few weeks. That's actually why I called. I was wondering if you would like to come help me with something here at home?" 

After all, I did have a nursery to get together and I wanted to get a jump on it sooner rather than later, especially if I was going to be confined to a bedroom more often than not for the rest of my pregnancy. 

Juliet seemed to hesitate on the other end. "Um...sure. I have a few errands to run but I should be able to stop by this afternoon, if that's okay?" 

"Perfect. Thank you so much. I'll see you in a bit." 

Once the call ended I sat back against the pillows. Now I would just have to get Sol's approval.  

~Juliet~

The last thing I expected after I took the steps up to the apartment and went in-after I tried like hell not to get annoyed by the loud noises of the neighborhood-was my lover going from our small closet to the bed, packing bags. I closed myself in, shutting out the racket and crossed my arms. "What are you doing?" 

At first he didn't answer and I followed his movements-back and forth. "We have to leave the city." He responded without so much as giving me a glance. It only furthered my confusion. 

"Leave? What do you mean leave?" 

Finally he turned that grim gaze to me. "Yes, leave." 

"But you just told me to get close to her. You know, she called me a bit ago and wants to me come to her house to help with a project or something. It's perfect, baby." 

His expression didn't change. The truth was I Was growing exhausted from his obsession with the Specter's and he knew this. I just wanted him to do what he had been wanting to for years now-avenge his brother's death-so we could move on and have a life far the fuck away from here. 

"We're leaving. Now. Feel free to help me, or keep standing there..." 

The brat in me wanted to stomp my foot and refuse his wishes. This had been a long time coming and now he just wanted to leave? But I couldn't do that-I wouldn't. He seemed to be in an okay mood and I knew better than anyone how fast that could change. 

In the end I found myself joining him in packing our things. This obsession of his wasn't over. I knew that one day, when he decided to come back and finish things once and for all, I would be here to help him. Because I loved him. 

~Sol~ 

I stared at the large bay window that faced the driveway and watched as Lenny Baker drove down the lane. When I had asked where he was headed, the guy had just given me a crooked smile and turned away, only leaving with a phone number. I didn't have any intentions of calling the male. Not now or ever. 

At the end of the drive, near the gate, Thomas was standing with Nick and Tobin. If I knew that there would be no one else out to get my family I would have relieved Tobin and Nick or their station here. But that was not the case...Clark had been taken care of, true, but there was still someone out there, pining to fuck my life up. 

So, as I turned away from the window and went back to my desk, I decided that I would keep the two men on until I was certain that no one was in danger any more. On the surface of my desk was a drink left in my glass, so I drank it down and considered having another. 

I found myself turning out the light and leaving the study. When I made it down the wide hallway-the very same one I had been shot in-I turned and stopped at the entrance to the family room where Chris and Lydia were sitting in front of the flat screen, popcorn in hand. On the couch, was Caroline. 

With everything in me I wanted to ask her why she wasn't in bed but I didn't. Tonight, I would allow us to break the rules, if it meant getting to sit in the same room as my family and watch a movie. It wasn't until I was sliding onto the sofa beside my wife that she looked over at me and smiled. "Hey you." My response was all physical and I pulled her body close to mine so that she could relax against me. 

By the time the credits were rolling on the screen, both of our children were sprawled across the floor on blankets and pillows and snoozing softly. Before I could get up to move, Caroline turned her head and frowned up at me. It was a look that I knew well...she was thinking, hard. "What's wrong?" I asked her in a low voice. 

"Do you think we're are going to be okay? I mean...are we ever going to find peace?" For the first time since all of this shit had started I could see the exhaustion in her eyes from it all. 

I never wanted to lie to Caroline. "Of course. In time." The truth was I had no fucking idea if we would. I did know that I would do anything in my power to protect her and our children. Anything. Whatever it took. 

The End.

For now....

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