Temporary Nanny

Chapter 30

I wake to the sound of thunder and noises coming from downstairs. Taking a minute to watch the rain crash against the window before turning over and waking fully.

Michael's gone from his side of the bed so I assume it's him shuffling around down there.

However, there's a sweet morning text waiting for me when I check my phone along with an apology for having to go into work early. So if he's at work who the hell was down in the kitchen and why was Stella not making noise on her monitor?

The blanket is flung off my body that is met with the chill of the cold air and I'm on my feet in seconds. Nothing's really hitting as I go into a panicked state at the sight of Stella's empty crib.

I don't feel the freezing marbled floor as I rush down the stairs or feel the shiver through my barely clothed body as I continue to follow the noise. Halfway down the stairs I can hear muffled voices but my minds in such a state I you can't register who it is or what they are saying.

I just need to find Stella.

I'm mumbling to myself about burglars and kidnappers and swear words I haven't said in years. My hearts ready to go into cardiac arrest and I'm stomachs dropped somewhere before the top of the steps.

My minds racing with all kinds of crazy scenarios and I'm trying for the life of me to remember the last thing I said to Michael before bed last night. I think it was something stupid.

In fact it was more than likely something so incredibly, incredibly stupid I'm already kicking myself for it.

This is it. I've accepted the fact that this is how I was going out and all Michael will have as a last conversation with me was something so stupid I can't even remember what it was.

I'll ask them for mercy. If they give it to me then I'll never fall asleep before telling him how much I love him again. And if they don't show me mercy I'll plead that they just take whatever they want including me, just leave the baby. Don't touch the baby.

I'm already fucked with emotions on the verge of tears by the time I get to the source of the noise which happens to be in the kitchen.

The wind is knocked right out of me.

"Oh god." I place a hand over my chest. "Jesus, Karen." I take a moment to breathe. Michael's mom looks away from the toddler sitting promptly on the kitchen counter. "Oh sorry dear, I told Stella to be more quiet." She frowns.

Now that I can breathe again and my mind isn't clouded with worry, I can process the muffled talking I heard on my way down. The hushed quiet down Stel you're gonna wake mama.

"You scared the life out of me." I plop down on a near by chair. "Stel wasn't in her crib and Michael wasn't here and well basically I thought you were here to kill me." I sigh. Karen straightens up and bursts with giggles.

"You're just as mean as your son, he's going to love this story." I pout. "Charlie, don't you know better than to try to take down murderers? Especially in your underwear." Karen teases. "I was scared!" I defend getting up from my seat.

My cheeks burn just now realizing I'm in nothing but one of Michael's shirts and a pair of underwear. Karen only giggles more.

"Michael didn't tell me you were coming over." I whine trying to further justify my actions. Stella hands me one of the wooden spoons she's using to bang against various pots and pans. "Thanks kitten, at least one Clifford is nice to me." I take the spoon, glancing at Karen.

"Oh stop having a fit, your mum instincts kicked it. That's nothing to be embarrassed about," she dismisses with a chuckle.

"Somehow that would help a lot more if you weren't laughing at me." I grumble lightly. "Speaking of kittens, how are mine?" I ask, banging softly along with Stella. "My grandchildren have all been fed with the exception of Sarah who wont eat until all the babies have," Karen replies easily.