Whiskey In The Water

Chapter 4-Logan

Chapter 4

Logan

I walk out the door and pull my phone out of my pocket. “Kathy, can you do me a favor?” I ask. “What’s that?” she asks. “Can you send me some information on helping Lori with her nightmares?” I ask. “The only way to really help her with them is to just be there. When she’s sleeping, she can’t push that trauma to the back of her mind like she can when she’s awake but what you can do is when she does have them, don’t try to wake her up quickly. It will only startle her and will make it harder for her to heal. But when she starts having them, whisper in her ear. Tell her positive things. Let her know it’s you and that you are there and to come back to you. It will slowly bring her out of the nightmare. Don’t push her to talk about them but just let her know that you are there if she wants to talk about them.” She tells me. “Okay. I can do that. Is there anything else I can do to help her?” I ask. “Nothing that you’re not already doing. When a woman goes through things like what she did, they get thoughts stuck in their head. They start thinking that they are damaged and that no one will want them. Just keep reminding her that she’s not damaged and that you want her.” She tells me. “I’ll do that. Thank you, Kathy.” I tell her before we end the call.

I’m headed back home when my phone rings. “Hello.” I answer without looking at the caller ID. “Hey brother. You feel like meeting me?” he asks. “Oh yeah.” I tell him and I know where to meet him. This isn’t the first time that we’ve done something like this. I pull up to the warehouse and park in the garage area. I get out of my car and Ashton is standing next to his own car, waiting for me. “You get them?” I ask. “We did. Just like your girl said.” He tells me. “Good. The best friend is mine.” I tell him and he says, “Then I’ll handle the dad.” He tells me and we head inside.

Walking up to where they are tied up, the dad looks up at us and asks, “What are you going to do to us?” Michael asks. “You’ll find out what we’re going to do soon enough. But first, we have a few things to discuss.” Ashton says. “What? We don’t know you.” Jake says. “Oh, but we have someone in common.” I tell them. “Who?” Michael asks. “Lori.” Ashton says and I can feel the rage flowing through me looking at these two. “What about her? Where’s my daughter?” Michael asks. “Where is she Ashton?” I ask. “She’s somewhere safe.” He says. “I noticed you asked where Lori was and not if she’s okay. Why is that?” I ask, looking at Michael. He doesn’t say anything. “Aren’t you wondering if she’s okay, Jake?” I ask and he looks at me shocked and so does Michael. “Why would he care?” Michael asks. “Oh, you didn’t tell him?” I ask Jake and he looks down at his feet. “Tell me what?” Michael asks. “You’re best friend here has been raping Lori. This worthless piece of s**t got her pregnant.” I say and they both look at me shocked. “You didn’t know your best friend was raping your daughter?” I ask. “Raping her? She’s a little f*****g w***e. She probably begged for it.” Michael says.

“Really? So, you’re okay with the fact that your best friend was raping your daughter every time he could get you away from her?” I ask and he shrugs. I look at Ashton and he’s as pissed as I am. “And you, Jake. We checked into you. Even spoke to Jessica.” I tell him and he looks at me even more shocked. “What’s he talking about? Who’s Jessica?” Michael asks. “You really should have been more careful in who you bring home. Jessica is his ex-wife. Come to find out he was beating her up like you beat up Lori and he r***d Jessica’s fourteen-year-old sister.” Ashton says and Michael looks at him and he’s pissed. “Where’s Lori?” Jake asks. “Oh, you’re never seeing her again.” I tell him. “You can’t stop me. If she’s pregnant, then it’s my kid.” Jake says.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. You see, Lori is with me. That means she’s, my woman. And her child will be my child. I will be the one that her baby calls daddy. I’ll be the one to be her husband. I’ll be the one that fifty years from now, will still be by her side, watching our great grandkids running around our house. She will never think of either of you again.” I tell him and Ashton takes out a baseball bat and starts beating Michael while I have Jake tied to a table and use a bull whip across his back before wrapping it around his throat and strangling him with it.

As we walk out of the warehouse, I take a deep breath of fresh air and Ashton looks at me. “You serious about that? Marrying her? Being her kid’s dad?” he asks. I smile at him and it’s the first true smile I’ve had in a long time and say “More serious than I’ve been about anything in my entire life. She’s it, man. I loved Maura, but Lori? s**t. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this kind of love. I don’t want to ever have to live without her.” I tell him. “Now just to convince her that she’s safe with you. Let me and Izzy know what you need from us. We’ll help any way we can.” He tells me. “Izzy’s already talked to her. Shared how you two got together. I think that might have helped some. But I’ll let you know if I need anything.” I tell him. “This s**t’s taken care of. She’s safe. Maybe we can all get together and have dinner or something. Just something casual.” He tells me and that gives me an idea. “I’m trying to talk her into moving into the house. I told her she’d have her own room, and I would be there for her and so would Alice and Clyde. I think the only thing stopping her is her nightmares.” I tell him. “How about I have Izzy go by in the morning and talk to her about her nightmares.” He suggests. “That’d be great but don’t let Lori know this has been handled. I want to be the one to tell her. I promised her we’d have no secrets.” I tell him and he smiles wide. “I’ll tell Izzy. Good luck man.” He tells me.

I pull out my phone and send a text message to Lori.

Just wanted to tell you goodnight and

sweet dreams. Call me if you need me.

I put my phone in the phone holder and start my car. Before I put the car in drive, a text message comes through.

Goodnight Logan. Donna is spending

the night, so I won’t be alone. Will I

see you tomorrow?

Absolutely

I tell her before putting my phone in the phone holder and heading home.

The next morning, I get up and dressed and work in my office for a bit, knowing that Izzy was going by to see Lori this morning. It’s a little past noon and my phone buzzes with a text from Izzy.

Leaving Lori now. You should head that way.

She’s a little upset. Donna is with her.

Thanks Izzy.

I text back before heading out the door with Clyde with me.

Pulling up to the mission, I get out of the car and Clyde climbs out behind me. I don’t have him on a leash because he listens to my commands. We walk inside and head to the sitting room and don’t see Lori in there. I walk towards her dorm and see her lying on the bed, back to the door and Donna is sitting with Lori’s head in her lap, running her fingers through her hair. Donna looks up and sees me and smiles softly before whispering something to Lori. Lori sits up and turns towards me and I see her wiping tears from her eyes. I walk over and kneel in front of her and ask, “Why are you crying, honey?” She shakes her head no and Donna stands and leans over to hug Lori before seeing herself out.

Lori is looking down at her hands that are in her lap and won’t look at me. I take both of her hands in mine and say, “Talk to me baby.” I whisper. “Izzy came to see me.” She says softly. “I know. Ashton said he’d have her come to talk to you about your nightmares. Is that what this is about?” I ask and she nods her head yes. Clyde takes that moment to make his presence known. He walks over and places his head in Lori’s lap, and I say “Lori, Clyde’s worried about you.” She pets the top of his head and whispers “Hey Clyde.” I take the hand I’m still holding and kiss her knuckles. “Can I sit with you?” I ask and she nods her head yes.

I move to sit on the bed and am still holding her hand. I lace my fingers with hers and she lays her head on my shoulder. I kiss the top of her head. “You know, after my parents died, I had horrible nightmares. I used to dream that my dad came back and came after me.” I tell her. She is still petting Clyde with one hand, and she pulls the hand holding mine, into her lap. I move to sit against the headboard and pull her to sit beside me. Clyde jumps onto the bed and lays his head in her lap. She lays her head on my shoulder, and I say, “I need to talk to you about something.” She doesn’t move but squeezes my hand to let me know she’s listening. “We found your dad and Jake.” I tell her and she stiffens. I take my free hand and tilt her chin up so that she’s looking at me.

“Ashton and I took care of them. You will never have to worry about either of them again.” I tell her. “Are they…?” She starts asking and I know what she’s wanting to know. “They are.” I tell her. She’s quiet. Too quiet so I tell her the rest. “I told Jake that you were going to be my wife and that I will be the only father that the baby knows.” I tell her. She looks up at me and asks, “Are you sure about this Logan?” she asks. I kiss her lips softly and say, “One thousand percent.”

We sit for a little longer, in silence while she processes, and Clyde never moves from her lap. Finally, she speaks. “I keep dreaming about Jake raping me. I keep seeing every time he ever forced himself on me. I keep hearing him telling me that it’s my fault for making him do it. Logan, how was it my fault?” she asks softly. “It wasn’t baby. None of it was your fault. You didn’t deserve any of it and I will never hurt you.” I tell her. “Promise?” she whispers. “On my life.” I whisper back.

“I was talking to Ashton and Izzy and Ashton said something about us all getting together for dinner one day. Nothing fancy. Just a small, casual dinner. But only when you’re ready.” I tell her. She sits silently for a few minutes before saying “Can we do lunch on Saturday?” I smile before kissing the top of her head and saying “I’ll let them know. Do you want to do it at our house?” I ask. “Our house?” she asks. “I told you, you’re mine. That means that anything that’s mine is yours.” I tell her. She sits up a little straighter and says, “I think I need to talk to Kathy.” I look at her concerned and ask, “You need a session?” She nods her head yes and I send a text to Kathy for her. Kathy texts right back. “She said she will meet you in her office in ten minutes.” I tell her and she nods. “Are you going to be, okay?” I ask. “I think so. Talking to Kathy helps me work through things.” She tells me. “You do what you need to do. I will still be here for you.” I tell her. I lean down and kiss her softly before saying “Go. I will call you later.” I tell her.

I head home and take Clyde inside and he heads to his bed in the corner of the living room. “Are you okay Logan?” Alice asks. “I don’t know.” I tell her. “Come talk to me.” She says and I follow her into the kitchen. Sitting at the island, which seems to be our normal thing when we talk, she asks. “What’s bothering you?” she asks. “I just came from seeing Lori.” I tell her. “How is she?” she asks. “She’s having nightmares. Told me that she keeps dreaming about her dad’s friend raping her. She said she keeps hearing him tell her that it’s her fault that he was raping her.” I tell her. “Oh sweetheart.” Alice says. “She’s talking to Kathy about it, and I asked Kathy how to help her, but I don’t want all of this to stop her from getting to know me.” I tell her. “You know, some women love grand gestures.” She tells me. “So, what? Send her flowers and romance her? Because that’s just not her.” I tell her. “No. Not like that. But you said that you’ve been spending time with her and that you’ve been getting to know her. What kind of things does she like?” she asks. “I know she said she likes to write poetry, but her dad burned her journals that she kept them in.” I tell her. “Imagine what that would do for her if she had some journals to write in. How much that would help her heal by getting all of that jumble out of her head.” She tells me and I see what’s she’s saying and that gives me an idea. I stand up and kiss her cheek and say “Thanks mom. I’ll be back before dinner.”

I head out to one of the local stationary stores and as soon as I walk inside, the women inside look at me shocked like they’ve never seen a man in here before. Looking at all the pastel colors in here, they probably haven’t. A woman about Lori’s age walks up and asks, “Can I help you?” I smile politely and say, “I’m looking for a gift, but I don’t know where to start.” I tell her. “What kind of gift? For your mother or maybe a sister?” she asks, and I see her adjusting her top to show a little more cleavage, but I’m just not interested. “My girlfriend.” I tell her and you can see the barely contained disappointment in her eyes. “Of course. Can you tell me what idea you have?” she asks. “My girl likes to write poetry.” I tell her and she says, “Then I know where to start.” Before picking up a shopping basket and I follow her around the store. “First, you’re going to need a couple of journals. What’s colors does she like?” she asks. I think for a minute and think about all the times I’ve seen her. She seems to wear more green and yellow. “Green and yellow are the colors she seems to gravitate to.” I tell her and she grabs two journals. We move on to pens, post it notes, markers, highlighters, correction tape and two-sided tape and paperclips before we head to the register. “Do you giftwrap?” I ask. “We do. I can do that now.” She tells me and I pay.

Once she wraps everything, she puts them in a gift bag, and I head out of the store. Walking into the house, I head to the kitchen where Alice has dinner almost ready. “I have to call Ashton. I’ll be back in here in a minute.” I tell her and head into the living room. “Hey Logan.” Ashton says and I say, “Would you and Izzy be able to come for lunch tomorrow?” I hear him ask Izzy before coming back on the line and saying “We can be there about noon. Do you want us to bring anything?” Ashton asks. I look at Alice and she shakes her head no. “No. We got it covered.” I tell him. “We will be there. Will your girl be there?” he asks. “Yeah.” I tell him and we say our goodbyes before ending the call. I head to the kitchen with Alice, and she asks, “Did you find what you were looking for?” I smile and say “I did. I got her a couple of journals and all the accessories I could find to go with it.” I tell her. “That’s great. She will love that. When are you going to give them to her?” she asks. “I thought I’d give them to her when she gets here tomorrow.” I tell her and she smiles softly.

The next morning, I’m sitting on the patio with Clyde laying at my feet. I pick up my phone and call Lori. “Hello Logan.” She says as she answers. “Hey sweetheart. How are you feeling?” I ask. “I’m okay.” She tells me. “Can you be ready in half an hour? I’d like to pick you up and spend some time with you before Ashton and Izzy get here.” I tell her. “I’ll be in the lobby, waiting.” She tells me and we end the call.

I pull up at the mission and walk into the lobby to see Lori waiting there for me. She’s wearing a gray tank top with a black cardigan and a pair of comfortable blue jeans and her sneakers. Her hair is in a messy bun on top of her head, and she looks absolutely beautiful. I hold out my hand and she takes it. I pull her close and hug her and whisper “You look beautiful baby.” She looks up at me and I see a little blush gracing her cheeks. “Thank you.” She whispers back. “Are you ready to go?” I ask. “I think so.” She says softly.

I walk her out to my car, still holding her hand, when I open the passenger door for her and help her to sit. I lean in and buckle her seat belt, and she says, “I can do it.” I kiss her softly and say, “I know but I want to take care of you…and our baby.” She puts her hand on my cheek and slightly nods her agreement. I close the passenger door before moving to the driver seat. Once we are on the road, I say “Ashton and Izzy will be at the house about noon and Alice is making lunch for us.” She shyly reaches over and laces her fingers with mine and I raise her hand and kiss her knuckles. I hear her release a sigh and ask, “What’s on your mind sweetheart?” She looks back down at our hands that she’s pulled into her lap and says, “Just still processing I think.” I smile softly and say “It’s going to take time. But honey, there’s no rush. Not with us. I would like for you to be living with me when the baby comes but even then, you can have your own room if you’re more comfortable with it. I want this but I want to take this at your pace.” I tell her and she smiles at me.

Pulling up to the house, she looks out the passenger window and asks, “This is your house?” I smirk and say, “This is our house.” She looks at me and she looks like she’s going to freak out, but I cup her face in both of my hands and put my forehead to hers. “Baby, this is our house. Don’t overthink it. One step at a time.” I say softly. “One step at a time.” She says back. She looks back at the house and says “I’ve never lived in anything this big. You could fit three of my house in this one.”

I get out of the car and head to the passenger side. She’s already taken her seatbelt off, and I open her door. Holding my hand out, she takes it, and I help her out of the car. “Have you lived here long?” she asks. “I built the house about ten years ago. I lived in an apartment before that.” I tell her as we walk up to the front door. As soon as the door is open and we walk inside, Clyde comes running but stops just short of Lori. He moves slowly to her, like he understands that she’s nervous, and sits at her feet. She kneels in front of him and hugs his neck before scratching behind his ears. “Hey boy.” She says softly and he licks her cheek. She looks up at me and smiles before standing back up. Alice comes into the foyer and says “Welcome Lori. I’m Alice.” She says to Lori. “Nice to meet you.” Lori says softly. “Honey, Alice is our housekeeper that I was telling you about.” I tell her and she smiles softly at Alice. “Let’s go to the living room. I have something for you.” I tell her and she looks at me confused but I put my hand to the small of her back and lead her into the living room.

She takes a seat on the couch, and I move to the side of the couch and grab the gift bag. I move to sit beside her and hand her the bag. “You didn’t have to get me anything.” She tells me. “I know but I wanted to. I want to spoil you.” I tell her and she looks back down at the bag, and she starts taking out the tissue paper. She pulls out the small case and looks at me confused but I motion back to the bag. She starts pulling everything out and sees the journals. “Logan. Oh my God.” She says softly before looking up at me again. “You should have all you need there to start writing your poetry again. That is, if that’s what you want.” I tell her. “It is. Thank you, Logan.” She says. “There’s something else I want to show you.” I tell her before standing up and holding out my hand for her to take.

Lacing my fingers with hers, I say “I want to show you around.” Before leading her to the stairs. She stiffens and I put my free hand on her cheek and say “We’re just looking around baby. I’ll never pressure you for anything you aren’t ready for.” I tell her and she seems to relax a little. I lead her up the staircase and move to the first door. “This is our room.” I tell her and open the door. She steps inside and moves to sit on the bed. She looks at me before looking around the room I say, “If there’s anything you want to change, let me know and we’ll get it.” I tell her. She shakes her head, and I ask, “What is it baby?” She looks at the window seat and asks, “Can we get a blanket for the window seat?” before she stands and moves to the window to look at the view. I don’t move from the door so that I don’t make her uncomfortable and say “Of course we can. Whatever you want sweetheart.” I tell her and she looks at me and I can’t help but fall deeper for her.

Leading her out of the room, we move to the next door, and I tell her “This is my office. You are welcome in here any time. Doesn’t matter if I’m here or not. Any room in this house is yours to explore.” I tell her and move to the next room. “This one is yours. Alice helped me get this room ready last night for you.” I tell her and she looks at me confused. I open the door, and she walks in. Seeing a desk there and a set of bookshelves, she looks back at me. “My own office?” she asks. “Yeah. I figured you’d like a place to write. A space that’s all yours.” I tell her. She walks over to me and wraps her arms around my waist and places her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her and hug her close. “Thank you.” She says. I tilt her chin up and make her look at me. “I would do anything for you.”

I show her the rest of the house before heading to the patio to sit and talk while we wait for Ashton and Izzy to arrive for lunch. She seems to relax a little more, but I notice that Clyde doesn’t go far from her and that makes me happy. Alice comes out to the patio and asks, “Do you have anything you don’t like to eat sweetheart?” Lori shakes her head no and says, “I will eat pretty much anything.” I smile as Alice heads inside to start making lunch.