and doing whatever we want.” He leans down. “And maybe not give my parents a key to wherever that is.” I laugh at the same time I hear Kathy calling our names again.
“Good luck with that. She’ll just hire a locksmith to make her a key or get one from me.” I’m a sucker when it comes to her. She’s too sweet to say no to.
“You’re probably right. She’ll want to come and go especially when her first grandchild gets here.” He kisses me quickly before putting me on my feet.
I’ve lost enough time as it is, so I’m ready to start our family. I want to do what needs to be done and be free of this whole mess. Getting far away from this place is the first part of moving on.
When I’m dressed I stop to look at myself in the mirror to make sure I look okay. I pause when Reed comes up behind me.
“Do I look different now?” I tuck my hair behind my ear.
“Are you asking me if you look like we fucked?” He raises an eyebrow at me and smirks, and I giggle.
“I feel a little different,” I admit.
“I thought we were close before, but now…” He doesn’t finish his sentence and he doesn't have to. I feel it, too.
“Yeah. That must be it.” I wrap my arms around him and steal another kiss before we leave to go out and meet his parents. It’s not as emotional as the day before, but it’s close.
“Should we stop to get something to eat first?” Kathy asks as she hits the button on the elevator.
Until yesterday I hadn’t been on one in over five years. It weird how distant but familiar things can be. Going out to lunch would be the same. You can forget about all the small things in life until they are no longer there.
Reed tenses a little next to me and I lean into him, trying to comfort him. “She should eat,” he agrees, though I know he’s worried. I wonder if it’s in general or because the man I’m pressing kidnapping charges against is free and nowhere to be found.
We got a phone call early this morning and learned a lot about what’s happened. The compound was raided after I gave my statement and they were able to get a warrant. Eugene Mass was nowhere to be found and I’m not shocked. The man is a coward and I never understood how so many people could follow him. Nor did I understand his fascination with me. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn't swooned all over him. In fact, I did my very best to never be around him. He wanted to prove his power over me, though I didn’t tell Reed that. He thinks me breathing is enough for someone to fall in love with me and he would have gone out and hunted Eugene down.
“Are you hungry?” Kathy looks to me.
“She could be eating for two,” Reed answers for me, and my mouth falls open.
Kathy gasps louder than I thought was possible, and I smack Reed on the chest.
“You did not just say that,” I say, and he shrugs.
“You could be,” he says, not helping matters.
“Calm down, honey,” Mike says to Kathy, which does nothing to calm her. She’s practically dancing on her tiptoes with excitement.
“Look what you did. She can’t talk now,” I say and point.
“She’s excited. Don’t make a liar out of me, Dimples.” I stand there shocked and Mike laughs. Reed winks at me and I fight my smile but fail.
I’m excited at the idea myself and I look down at my stomach, wondering what it will be like to be pregnant. I place my hand there as I hear the elevator doors chime.
We step off the elevator together and walk out the front door. I glance outside to see the same three SUVs from the day before already waiting for us. I’m confused as a shout from one of the men in a black suit has me turning to see what he’s looking at. I freeze when I see Eugene running right towards me.
He’s crazed and there’s a wild look in his eyes. He screams my name over and over again. His normally wavy brown hair is matted and his eyes are bloodshot. He’s dressed in pure white like he always is but now his clothes are stained and he’s filthy. He was meticulous about his appearance while on the compound, but now he