Page 102 of Cash

I shoot Lola a meaningful look and after a beat, she rolls her eyes and sighs.

“Fine, you win. I’ll leave with Livi.”

“I might get a full night’s sleep without your snoring keeping me awake,” Lottie snips.

The nurse grins and makes a quick exit.

“Hi, ladies. I brought some items I thought you’d need,” says Livi as she walks through the door.

“Hi, Livi. Thank you,” Lottie says as she starts digging through the bag Livi set next to her.

I had called Livi earlier when I found out Lottie had been admitted for the night. She met up with Tammy before coming here to get the items we thought Lottie would like to have. I’m grateful for her doing that but also because it finally stops the latest ongoing argument.

“How you feeling, honey?” Livi asks as she gives Lottie a quick hug.

“Small headache is all. How’s Bella? Is she okay?”

“Yes, Livi. How is Bella? Oh my, you wouldn’t believe how brave she was,” Lola says.

“I saw her leaving with her parents, and she was doing well. Holding it together better than Trudy was anyway. She’s worried about you two. I told her I’d call from here and let her speak with each of you. I spoke with the detective after they left, and he said there won’t be any problems clearing the shooting. Bella’s the talk of the precinct. Several of the officers made a point to tell her how brave she was or how proud they were of her for doing what she did.”

“Please call her now. I want to talk with her,” Lottie orders.

Livi does as told and puts it on speaker. Handing the phone to Lottie, Livi makes her way around the bed. I reach up, grasp her hips and pull her down to sit on my lap. Livi relaxes against me, and we speak quietly while the Aunts are checking in with Bella.

“Can you take Lola back to my place for the night? I want to stay with Lottie,” I ask.

“Of course. Bailey texted and is taking Liam there now. Your dad and Terry are waiting for him. I’ll pick up something for dinner on the way,” Livi answers.

“Do you know anything about the guy yet?”

“Meth head with a mean streak. He’s well-known to the department. I’m actually surprised he wasn’t killed before this. He would’ve hurt the women if he didn’t get what he wanted. He’s done it before.”

“Bella did the world a favor then,” I reply.

“Yeah, but that won’t make it easier for her when the nightmares come calling. By the way, how does Bella know how to handle a firearm?”

“Petey, Pooh and me. We’ve taken her, Tessie and Trudy out a few times just so they’re somewhat familiar. Extremely glad to know that Bella paid attention.”

“Tessie? Oh God, Cash. Tell me she’s better with guns than she is at driving,” Livi says with a small laugh.

“Surprisingly, yes she is. Another mystery there’s no explanation for. Ava can’t shoot to save her ass and yet has great eye and hand coordination for everything else. Tessie can’t use her hands and feet at the same time to drive and yet can hit the bullseye at a dead run. Go figure.”

*~*~*~*

A few weeks later, the Aunts are back in their own home, and Livi’s moved into mine. The night Livi officially moved in, Liam spent the night at Dad’s at his insistence. After everyone who came to help with the move left, Livi and I celebrated into the wee hours of the morning. In every room of the house, except Liam’s. After exhausting ourselves, we made our way to the hot tub next to the pool and soaked our sore muscles. Finally finding our bed, we collapse. Both smiling, both happy with this step forward in our relationship.

Bella seemed to be handling the shooting well but every eye stayed alert, watching for anything to indicate she was struggling. Even Craig kept a close eye on her, much to Bella’s dismay. She finally sat him down, explained that she was fine and that he could stand down. Craig listened closely and then shook his head.

“No can do, Bella. Until everyone quits worrying about you, I can’t either. We’re family and that makes it my job to make sure you’re okay. I need to spend time with Luke today too though, so I’m leaving Bart with you for company.”

“Craig, I’m fine. You don’t need to do that,” Bella tries to argue.

“There’s nothing better than having Bart to snuggle with. Always makes me feel better, so I know it will for you too. Skunks are great snugglers, you know. I’ve packed him some snacks so you don’t have to do anything but give them to him later. Get better soon, Bella,” Craig orders before patting her on the head and walking away.

Bella smiles at Craig and then rolls her eyes at the head pat. But she does pick up Bart, cuddle him close and walk out of the clubhouse. As soon as both kids are on the other side of the door, we adults start laughing.

A few days later, Bella called Livi and asked if they could talk. Livi dropped what she was doing, picked Bella up from a concerned Trudy and spent a few hours with her.

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