Laurie's Time (The Fairfield Series) (18 page)

Laurie, having told Jean her own story, was well versed in how life can throw all your plans into a tailspin.

“He was killed on a job site. One morning I kiss him goodbye, and the next thing I know I get the phone call to go to the hospital. A truck filled with wooden beams was being unloaded at the job site, and a cable snapped. The beams landed on him, crushing him.” Jean looked into the distance, as though the memory from fifteen years ago was as fresh as if it had just happened. “At least I was told that he would have died instantly and not suffered.”

“Oh Jean, I’m so sorry. I should have never asked.”

Jean patted Laurie’s hand. “Don’t be silly, Laurie. Talking about Rick allows me to remember him. I’ve moved on but will always remember. And no, I am not dating anyone now. I have occasionally gone on dates, but just never found anyone that interested me for longer than a few dinner dates.” Grinning at Laurie, she joked, “But who knows? My handsome prince may come riding up someday!”

Right then, Carol walked in and joined them. The conversation turned to a happier subject as they discussed Carol’s upcoming wedding.

“My parents are being difficult as usual, but Tom is encouraging me to do things my way.”

“Absolutely!” Jean stated, and Laurie agreed. Bernie came over and joined into the plans. Before they knew it, the winter sun was setting early, and the friends parted with promises to get together again soon.

*

By the time Laurie got home, she was exhausted. Carol was spending more and more evenings with Tom, so Laurie had the big apartment to herself. She decided to lie down for a nap since Rob wasn’t expected until later. Hours later he came in using his key, noticing the lights off and Laurie’s purse and shoes left in the living room. Walking through the apartment turning on lights, he made his way to the bedroom. There he found her on top of the comforter, still dressed in her work clothes, sound asleep. He was concerned. She had been getting increasingly more tired, but insisted that she wasn’t sick. Grabbing a blanket off the end of the bed to throw over her, he noticed her feet. Flipping on the light to get a better look, he saw that her feet were bluish in color. He touched them, and they were freezing cold, turning white where his fingers pressed.
Jesus, her toes are cold.

Feeling her feet being wrapped up, she began to stir. Opening her eyes to the sight of Rob sliding onto the bed with her made her smile. “Hey, honey,” she said sleepily.

He gently rubbed her back then pushed her hair from her eyes. “Babe, you’re hot. You may have a fever. Your cheeks are kinda red.”

She rolled over, wincing as she sat up.

“Darlin’, you need to go to the doctor,” he said, concerned. He leaned back against the headboard, pulling her carefully back toward him, and tucked her into his front. “I wrapped up your feet – they were blue.”

She laughed. “I’ve have cold, blue feet for years. It gets worse in the winter.” She rubbed her neck and winced again.

He replaced her hand with his, massaging the area. “Babe, is Carol coming home tonight?” She shook her head, so he pulled his phone out of his pocket.

“Oh, honey, I’m fine. Please don’t interrupt Carol and Tom’s evening. Carol is so stressed with the wedding planning. Her parents are horrible to deal with.”

He looked down at her. “Babe, I’m not playin’ around. You’ve been tired lately, lost a little weight off that gorgeous ass and now this. Maybe you have the flu. I want you at the doctor’s tomorrow.”

Laurie pouted, but one look at his face and she knew he wasn’t going to give in. Sighing, she agreed then moved to get out of bed. He pulled her back in for a hug, kissing the top of her head.

“Worried about you, babe.”

Leaning up and kissing him quickly on his lips, she headed to the kitchen. He followed close behind, capturing her hips as she bent over to look into the refrigerator. “Laurie, don’t cook. Let’s go out or order in.”

“Chinese?” she asked with a smile.

Grinning back, he grabbed the phone and called it in.

*

Sitting at the table, eating Chinese, Laurie told Rob about Cindy. He listened, jaw tight in anger at the tale of the little girl who had been abused. Cursing, he asked how her parents could have ignored what was going on in their home.

“I don’t know, honey. It’s bad enough to be abused, but when your parents don’t believe you, then you lose hope. Thank god, her former school recognized problems and stepped in. I think she’ll do well in my class, but she is very wary of men.”

Cleaning up the remains of the dinner, she commented, “I almost forgot, but Jean said that her parents are mad about her being taken from them. They don’t know where she is right now, but I have to be careful to make sure no one picks her up other than her foster family.”

Rob, always in protective mode where Laurie was concerned, wrapped her in his immense embrace. “Laurie darlin’, you’re not in any danger with them are you?”

“Oh no, there are too many people at school for them to try any contact there. I would be more fearful if she was taking the bus, but the foster family will always be picking her up.”

Twisting around in his hug, she faced him, bringing her arms up around his neck. Rising on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his, desire flooding through her. Mewling as Rob pulled back, she opened her eyes, disappointment replacing desire.

“Babe, don’t want to do anything if you’re sick.”

Stamping her foot, she retorted, “I’m not sick! I was tired and took a nap. I feel fine and want my man!”

He raised his eyebrow. “Did you just stomp your foot?”

Wiggling to escape his embrace, she huffed, “Fine, don’t make love to me. See if I care!”

Throwing his head back laughing, he exclaimed, “Laurie, you want me, girl, you got me. Just let me know if you’re not feelin’ it.” Then scooping her up into his muscular arms, he headed back to the bedroom. He slowly removed her clothes, peeling away each layer as though unwrapping a delicate present.

Both naked, he smoothed his large hands over her body, worshiping each inch. Holding her eyes with his, he slowly made love with her, letting all of his love pour into each action. By the time they both climaxed, they lay sated, Laurie tucked into his loving embrace, his heavy arms wrapped around her chest, his legs over hers.

She fell asleep almost immediately. He lay awake for a while, worry for her creeping into his consciousness.

*

Laurie sat in the doctor’s examining room, feeling foolish for having come in for the appointment.

“This seems so silly. I know I don’t have the flu, but my boyfriend insisted and I talked to my roommate who is a nurse and she agreed. So here I am.”

Dr. Alexander smiled at Laurie after looking over her list of symptoms. “Well, let’s see if we have everything. You have had a low grade fever for a few days, your neck is stiff, and you have lost a little weight. Is that it?”

“I also have a little redness on my face, but it just looks like I used blush when I didn’t.” Giggling, she also confessed. “I know this sounds dumb, but my feet are always cold.”

Dr. Alexander did the physical examination but admitted that her diagnosis was incomplete. “You have some flu-like symptoms, but I don’t think it is the flu. Unfortunately, your symptoms could also be indicative of a number of other things. I’d like to do a blood test, so that we will have more information.”

She hated blood tests but knew she couldn’t get out of it. Thanking the doctor and making a follow-up appointment, she walked out to her car. Leaning against her bug was a gorgeous, imposing, dark-haired fireman, looking incredibly sexy. Running over to him, she jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as he captured her in his embrace.

“What are you doing here, sweetie?” she asked.

“Didn’t want to wait for you to call. Wanted to know now what is goin’ on,” Rob answered. “What did the doc say?”

“Well, she doesn’t think it’s the flu, but said the symptoms could be anything. She is sending me to the lab to get blood work done.”

“Leave your car here, babe, and I’ll take you.”

Laurie panicked, knowing that she always passed out when having her blood taken, and she did not want Rob around. “Umm, you don’t have to do that. I…I can just go real quick and you can um… go back to the station.”

“Darlin’, you can’t lie for shit. What’s up?”

Pouting, she admitted, “Fine. I just hate blood work and needles, and I don’t want you to see me pass out.”

He laughed at her exaggeration. “Babe, you’ll be fine. I’m takin’ you and no arguin’.” He helped her up into his truck, and they drove down the street to the lab at the hospital. Once there, he walked her into the lab and sat waiting with her until they called her back.

She had become quiet, her face pale and hands shaking. Rob saw her distress and realized that she was getting worked up. Leaning over, he whispered, “Babe, you weren’t kiddin’, were you?”

She just shook her head as she stood up to go back. He surprised her by joining her in the small room. The phlebotomist looked up at the massive man who seemed to take up all the space in her little room. He moved back a bit to give her more space. As the phlebotomist got her equipment, he noticed that Laurie was already beginning to hyperventilate.

“Babe,” he called out. Her eyes shot towards his. “Breathe.” Nodding, she focused on her breathing while her blood was being taken. Rob, not taking his eyes off of her, noticed that even though the simple procedure was over, her face lost all color. Pitching forward in the chair, she slipped towards the floor.

“Damn,” he cursed. Reaching forward, he grabbed her in his arms. The phlebotomist led them to a room across the hall with a hospital bed in it and ran off to get Laurie some juice.

Laurie quickly came to, embarrassed that Rob had seen her faint. Bringing her hands up, she covered her face.

“Oh, Rob, I didn’t want you to see me faint. This is so embarrassing. It happens every time I’m around needles.”

He leaned down, kissing her forehead. “Babe, I want to be with you in all things. I plan on one day bein’ with you when you have our child.” Her eyes opened wide at this declaration. “It has somethin’ to do with you, I want to be a part of it.” Helping her to sit up to drink her juice, he continued. “No secrets, babe. Remember?”

She leaned her weight on him, allowing him to help her out to his truck. Smiling up at this handsome, loving man, she knew that it was important to him.

A
s January snows were falling, everyone was beginning to get cabin fever. Carol texted Laurie to see if they wanted to meet the gang at Smokey’s that night. After checking with Rob, she cheerfully agreed. Heading home after school, she met Carol in the apartment to get ready. Their lives had become so entwined with the men that they were dating that they did not get together as much as they would have liked. It felt like old times, commenting on their outfits, talking about wedding plans, and catching up on their jobs.

“I went back on shift work to make more money, but Tom isn’t very happy about it,” Carol confessed. “He hates anything that cuts into our time, but he also hates me being in the ER during the middle of the night.”