Bear

Chapter 34

I had another job tonight, but it was going to be a long and late night. I didn't sleep well last night. Well, I haven't slept well any night. I had The Walking Dead playing on TV and I laid across the couch like a hungover teenager. I pushed myself up and walked into the kitchen. I started a pot of coffee, and just leaned my head against the cabinet as I watched it brew.

I pulled a mug down from the cabinet, and poured a little bit of creamer into it. I usually drink my coffee black, but Isaac buys coffee so dark it's practically oil. I set the creamer back into the fridge as I felt my phone start to vibrate. I sighed as I pulled it out and looked to see who it was.

I almost dropped my phone when I saw Mia's name. I sank to the floor as I slid the button over to answer.

"Mia!" I said breathlessly.

"Bear?" I heard a soft voice say on the other end.

"Izzy." I said as my throat tightened, and my eyes filled with tears. "Hi baby girl, are you ok?"

"Yeah." She said simply.

I swallowed to steady my voice, "Where is Mommy?" I asked.

"Downstairs with Daddy."

"Where are you?" I asked her.

"In my closet. I don't want them to hear me." She said.

"How did you find my number?" I asked, smiling.

"I just looked for your picture." she said, like it was so simple.

"You're so smart." I said as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"I miss you."

"I know honey, I miss you too."

"Are you gonna come home?" She asked, sounding hopeful.

"Someday, I will. Until then you have the bear I sent to you." I said.

"I hold him at night, and I press the button a lot." She said.

"Good." I said, as I tried to breathe. "Don't ever forget that I love you, ok?"

"Ok. I should go before Mommy finds me." She said.

"Yeah. Thank you for calling me." I said as tears started to fall.

"I love you, Bear." She said.

"I love you too, Izzy. More than you could ever imagine." I said.

"Bye, Bear." She said.

"Bye, baby girl." I kept the phone to my ear as I heard it disconnect.

I stayed on the floor as I hugged my phone to my chest. I still had a while before I needed to leave. I was still on the floor when Isaac walked in the door.

"You know, I paid good money for furniture so we didn't have to do that." he said shaking his head. When I didn't respond he looked back down at me. "What's going on?"

I swallowed, "Izzy called me." I said as I looked at my reflection in my phone.

"Is she ok?" He asked worried.

"Yeah, I was worried too, at first. But she took Mia's phone and hid in her closet, and called me. She asked when I was coming home." I said.

"Have you thought about going back?" He asked.

"Every damn day."

"Are you going back?"

"Eventually, I'll have to. My Leave of Absence from Sandstone is only for six months. Then I have to either go back or quit. I have my house there and everything too." I said running my hand through my hair.

"You have time." He said.

"Yeah, we'll see." I said as I got up and took the keys to Isaac's car off the counter and walked out the door.

...

Mia's POV

I was surprised at how well it was going, having Liam around more. He came over a few nights a week and we had dinner together. Mom wasn't overly excited about the situation, but was polite and accommodating. He has stayed here with me a couple times over the weekend.

It was Friday night, and Liam and Amy were both here. Mom was making Izzy's favorite soup, chicken noodle. Liam and Izzy were in the living room while Amy and I helped Mom get everything ready. We made fresh baked bread to go with the soup and the whole house smelled amazing.

We ate dinner together and I was glad Izzy actually ate the vegetables in the soup and not just the chicken and noodles. We talked for a while when we were all done. Liam had his arm over my shoulders as we listened to Amy vent about the new part-time receptionist at her work. She was always so funny when she got mad.

After dinner Mom, Amy and I cleaned the kitchen while Liam sat in the living room with Izzy watching Tangled. Liam had a bowl of ice cream, and he took a small bite and held it out for Izzy. She looked at it, then moved off the couch to sit on the floor by the table.

"I don't like ice cream." She said as she started to color.

I cleared my throat as I handed Amy the big soup pot to dry after I washed it. I met her eyes as she looked at me with so much sympathy.

We finished the dishes, and Amy went home. At about 8, I tucked Izzy into bed. I quietly walked downstairs and sat next to Liam on the couch.

"Is it ok if I stay tonight?" He asked, as he kissed my neck.

"Yeah." I said as I turned off the TV. I got up and put all of Izzy's crayons in the bin, and neatly stacked her coloring books. I walked around the house and double checked the door was locked, and turned the lights off.

Liam followed me into the room and closed the door behind him. I walked to the dresser and took my earrings off and placed them in my jewelry box. I felt Liam's arms wrap around me. He slowly turned me to face him as he kissed me gently. I leaned into his kiss as he slipped his hands under my t-shirt. I closed my eyes as I just felt his hands against my skin.

He pushed my shirt up and over my head, as I started to lift his shirt. He put his hands on my hips as he walked me back to the bed. He unclasped my bra just as I fell back onto the mattress. I pushed my leggings and underwear down, and kicked them off. He quickly unbuckled his belt, and pants, letting them fall. Climbing on top of me, he sat back and pulled me by my hips closer to him.

"Are you on birth control?" He asked.

I shook my head 'no'. "You need a condom." I said. It wasn't a lie. I never picked up my next month's ring after Damien. I figured I wouldn't need it.

Liam leaned over to the nightstand and pulled out a small box and took a condom out, and put it on. He pushed into and immediately started at a faster pace. It felt good as he moved, it even started to feel a little more than good. Just as my breathing started to increase, I felt him start to twitch and slow to a stop.

I was confused for a second until he patted my leg and pulled out. He pulled the condom off and tied the end, dropping in the trash by the bed. He walked into the bathroom and I heard the shower turn on.

I was still just laying there. It really wasn't a big deal that he came first, but it would have been nice if he did something to help me finish. Whatever. I pulled the covers back and got into bed. I looked out the window most of the night as I laid there awake.