Off Limits

1 Teagan

"Where are you? Where are you? Where are you?" I cried trying to see through the smoke. My hand waved through the thick fog as though I could move it because I wanted it gone. If only that were true. My heart raced with every step I took, with every inch I went without them next to me, without them in my sight. I coughed and coughed to the point I felt like I couldn't breathe until I felt someone grip my upper arm and yell. I couldn't hear them, maybe I didn't want to, all I wanted was to find my kids. 

I told them to run. I didn't know where the fire was or what was happening but I knew we had to get out of the building quickly. I made them promise to stay together; to hold each other's hand. I told them to meet me outside, they had to get out, and that if we got lost to go to the corner by the laundry mat but they weren't there. I didn't see them. I was right behind them but I lost them on the stairs with all of the frantic other residents pushing and shoving. And then I fell. 

The hand on my upper arm gets tighter and I try to struggle but they keep pulling until I'm outside. I can breathe easier but my eyes water and burn I have to close them tight. My head throbs while my chest aches to take in air. Then I feel something being put over my face. 

A mask. Oxygen. I can take a few deep breaths and then go back and try to find them I tell myself but my eyes continue to wander. People scream, the smoke turns from grey to black and the heat from the fire intensifies. Someone's yelling at me before putting a tag around my neck but I can't hear them. Maybe I'm in shock or maybe it's just too loud with the chaos going on but I don't care what they're saying I just need to find my kids. 

My vision is blurry as my eyes water to get all of the soot out but from the corner of my eye, I see someone small run through the crowd, and my heart soars. I rip the oxygen mask off of my face and run at full speed toward them. I push through the crowd, my eyes scanning everyone looking for River and Ryder but then I'm lost again. My legs almost give out on me as I spin around in a circle holding back a wailing sob as I try to spot the little boy I had just seen. 

I try to scream out for them but my voice is so hoarse from all of the smoke I inhaled that there's no way they could hear me over the commotion. I glance around trying to find a spot high enough so I can see above the crowd. The corner where we were supposed to meet is blocked off by firemen and police cars but I make it there and try to hop up on one of the firetrucks to see better. I try my best to see through the crowd before a firefighter yells at me that I need to get down and as far away from the building as possible. I try to argue with them and tell them I need to find my kids but they don't hear me, they're too focused on getting people away from the building. 

I'm about to step down when arms wrap around my waist and a huge body is holding me. My heart beats out of my chest until he pulls away and I see Owen staring back at me. "Oh my God you're okay!"

My face must be in shock because all I can do is stare at him. Why is he here? He doesn't live here?

"Come on, we have to get away from the building. I'm going to try to call the others."

"Others?" My voice comes out scratchy but somehow Owen hears me as he grabs my hand and pulls me away from the fire truck.

"Yeah, we're all here trying to find everyone. We found Izzy and Kenzi so far and everyone was looking for the twins. I'm sure they have them by now."

A sob leaves me just as my knees buckle but Owen catches me before I fall. "You have my kids?"

"No, not me," he says with a sad smile, "but I'm sure one of the guys does, we all split up."

I shake my head not understanding. "Who is...wait...just stop," I try to pull Owen to a stop but he keeps pulling me away. I don't want to leave the area if I don't know that my kids aren't there. I need to find them. I need to be sure. I turn around ready to run back to the building when it collapses and a gust of smoke comes rumbling toward me.

I jolt awake gasping for air as I feel around the bed. River is to my left and Ryder is to my right. I stroke both of their backs before leaning forward and taking deep breaths. Tears were running down my face in my sleep so I wiped them away before gathering myself and trying to be stealthy as I left the bed. I stand at the edge staring at my kids before taking a deep breath and walking to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. 

The nightmares are getting better but they still come. The kids have found their way into my bed more often than not but I don't blame them, I haven't been able to sleep much either. 

Exiting the bathroom I cover them both up with the blanket before heading toward the small kitchen to get a glass of water. I switch on the light and stare out the window toward the main house while I take slow sips. 

Theo was kind enough to offer us his guest house when the fire happened and although a part of me didn't want to accept I knew that I needed to swallow my pride and do what was best for my babies. When he pulled up to his house it wasn't anything like I had expected. I'm not sure if I just assumed all millionaires had fancy homes or flaunted their money but when we pulled into the driveway I had to ask Theo if this was really his house. 

He had smiled at the question before helping us get settled for the night. I shouldn't have expected anything to begin with since I didn't really know Theo to begin with but a ranch home with an attached guest home and enough land to have a vineyard is not what I expected, especially being so close to the city. 

A light flickers on in the main house and my heartbeat speeds up. Damn thing has been doing that a lot lately and it's starting to annoy me. 

My eyes stay trained on the house as I watch Theo walk back and forth getting ready for his day. When he finally steps outside in nothing but a tank top, gym shorts, and his running sneakers I can't help the way I take him in. He pulls up one leg after another, stretching like he does every morning but today he glances over at me. 

I freeze. Glass slipping from my hands I stare at him while he stares at me before his lips turn up into a smile. My head drops just slightly as a grin takes over my face and I place my cup down before I drop it. When I look back up my heart is racing so fast I feel like I'm having a panic attack because Theo is walking this way. 

We haven't talked much since I've been here and now every scenario as to why he could possibly need to come over here this early in the damn morning is running through my head. He's kicking us out. He needs you to start paying rent. The kids are too loud and obnoxious. 

I beat him to the door, opening it before he had a chance to knock. His smile sends butterflies soaring through my stomach before his deep voice reaches me. "Hey," he says and that simple little greeting makes me realize how screwed I am in this situation.