Neighbors

Chapter 16

Liza looked up from unloading the dishwasher when she heard knocking on the door. She frowned and headed to the door in confusion. Who would be at her house when Kyler was at school and Kiairi was coloring in the living room?

Opening the door, she smiled softly seeing Nathan and North standing there. "Hey Guys, what's up?" She asked stepping to the side to let them in.

"What'cha doing, Peanut?" Nathan asked Kiairi as she rushed over to them to give them hugs. Nathan picked her up and kissed her cheek before passing her over to North.

"Coworing why Mommy wash dishes," She admitted after kissing North's cheek.

"Mommy's doing what?" North asked frowning in disapproval.

"I'm just unloading the dishes," Liza shook her head. "Ky loaded it for me this morning after breakfast."

"You aren't supposed to be doing anything like that," North frowned, "Marc already said he would come over and do that for you. Doc said not to use your hand at all."

"I'm not," Liza frowned, "I'm using my good hand."

"You can drop something and hurt yourself," North frowned.

"How can I hurt myself with plastic dishes, North?" Liza asked curiously. "We didn't use the glass dishes this morning."

"Stubborn girl," North mumbled under his breath.

"Anyway," Nathan said clearing his throat, "we came over to tell you to stay inside the remainder of the day. We are about to mow both our lawns and don't want you going outside. Is there anything you need before we mow?"

"I was going to go to the grocery store in a bit," Liza admitted, "we are getting low on groceries and Kiairi wanted taco salad for dinner."

"Send Lucian a list," North shook his head, "he's already at the store for us, it will be nothing for him, Gabe, Vic, and Raven to get things for you as well."

"I can go grocery shopping," she shook her head.

"No," Owen said coming into the room. She opened her mouth but the look he gave her made her shut it, "you and I have some important things to discuss downtown at my office."

"What?" She asked confused. "But what about—"

"Hey, Little One," Silas beamed as he came into the house, "want to go with me to see Gabe and have him take you to get your nails all prettied up again?"

"Yay!" Kiairi beamed, "can I, Mommy peas?"

Liza sighed and smiled softly, "if you can go get dressed quickly." Kiairi squealed in excitement as she quickly put her things up then ran to her room. Liza turned back to the men, "You have everything all planned out already, don't you?"

"Yes," Owen said straightening his tie, "Now go get dressed yourself, please."

"How can you be so commanding and respectful at the same time?" She asked curiously.

"It's a talent," he said staring her down, "now go."

She looked at him confused, "How come I'm not scared when you demand something but in the past it did? That doesn't make any sense, I should be triggered and yet I'm not."

"It's because you know you can trust us and we won't hurt you," Owen said honestly. "We respect you and your body and mind know that. Now we can have this conversation at a later time. I don't like repeating myself."

"Okay," she nodded and started to walk off. She turned around and smiled softly, "thank you for explaining," then headed back to her room.

A few moments later, she came back with black leggings and a grey t-shirt on and Vans in her hand. Just as she dropped her shoes, Kiairi came running in the living room with a rainbow dress on.

"I ready," she giggled.

"Hold on, I need to fasten the back," Liza smiled as she helped Kiairi spin.

"I got it," North said kneeling down to tie the ribbons on the back.

"Did you put shorts on under?" Liza asked and Kiairi nodded. "Good."

"Lift," Owen said, and she gasped softly turning to see him kneeling in front of her. She lifted her foot and he slipped her Vans on then did the other.

"Thank you," she whispered, and he gave her a millimeter smile.

"You are welcome, Darling," he said standing then offered his hand to help her stand.

"Bye Mommy!" Kiairi giggled as she took Silas' hand.

"Have fun and listen to them," Liza said smiling.

"Me will! Me pomise!"

"Give Mommy a hug," Silas chuckled releasing her hand. Kiairi gave her a huge hug then rushed back to Silas. Liza opened her mouth, but Silas shook it, "I have a booster seat for her. We got one while you were in the hospital, so we didn't have to keep borrowing yours."

She opened her mouth and Owen shook his head, "Later," he said, and she sighed then nodded.

"Have lots of fun, Sweet Pea," Liza smiled and watched as Kiairi held Silas' hand and walked out the door. Her heart skipped a beat watching that scene unfold before her.

"Come along," Owen said wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "We must get going, we don't want to be late."

"For what?" She asked as he led her out of the house.

"Our appointment to go over your ex-husband's will," he said as he opened his passenger door for her.

She looked at him shocked, "He had a will? I just thought everything would go to Kyler."

"We have much to discuss," Owen shook his head, "His lawyer will be meeting us at my office."