My Life After the Disaster

Chapter Twenty

Lunch came and went, we all enjoyed the pizza Alexia and I got for everyone and had a break from all the work we had done. Right after lunch just as Annabelle had told me, the security company showed up. They started with the camera’s, setting them up in the front and the back. Then they set up the secure pad on the entrances to make sure no one could break in.

I hang around the front entrance with Alexia, the kids and Daniel while Annabelle shows the security people to a room they would turn into a security room. Someone comes knocking at the door and I open it up, seeing a guy standing there with a clipboard, it’s not Alexander so I pull the door opened all the way and say, “Hello, can I help you with something?”

“Yes, I’ve got a couple of trucks here with a bunch of furniture in it. Annabelle called to have it delivered here today. I just need her to sign these forms to say that we delivered it and also show us where to put it all,” he tells me.

I look passed him at the big trucks behind him and another guy on the other side of him. I say, “Okay, give me a minute. I’ll go get her for you. I run down the hall after closing the door and head straight for the security room. “Hey Annabelle, the furniture is here. There’s some delivery people outside looking for you to sign for everything and direct them on where to put it all,” I tell her, turning into the room. I spot Julian standing around the monitors. There was about six of them.

Annabelle looks up at the monitor and sees the moving trucks outside the front door. “I guess they got here sooner. I’ll be right there.” She tells me, making her way out to the front door. She punches in the code and opens the door. “Hey guys, I’m Annabelle Richardson. I made the order for the furniture.” She takes the clipboard from them and signs the paper then hands it back to them. “If you can start off loading the furniture I will direct you to where it’s going.”

The man nods his head and gets the other guys. They go into the back of the trucks and start grabbing the furniture.

Daniel comes out and helps them with the furniture.

Annabelle directs them to the rooms where she wants everything. After an hour of moving stuff about we managed to get everything where it belonged. Annabelle waved off the men and thanked them for their help.

“Does that mean we’re all done and we can go home now?” Molly asks, sounding hopeful. As much as she liked it here, it was easy to see she missed home.

“Not just yet Molly. I still have more to do. But it can wait till tomorrow. For now we’ll head back to the hotel and spend the rest of today relaxing,” Annabelle tells her, while smiling.

“That sounds awesome. I could really use some relaxing. I feel like I’ve been running around all day,” Julian says, walking over to them.

“There’s nothing wrong with a hard day of work,” Daniel says, ruffling Julian’s hair. “I’m looking forward to some alone time with my beautiful Annabelle though.”

Alexia and I walk over, linking our arms together. “That sounds nice. I’m looking forward to spending time alone with my Alexia,” I say, smiling at my partner.

Alexia pokes my nose playfully and says, “Not as much as I’m looking forward to spending time with you.” She winks and giggles.

“Do you think I could go to sleep when we get back to the hotel?” Molly asks, sounding sleepy.

“It’s much too early to be going to sleep Molly,” Julian says. “It’s only four in the afternoon. We could watch a movie then order room service.”

“Does everyone have their stuff?” Alexia asks, looking around at everyone.

“Yes, we just brought our phones and I brought my purse. The tools can stay here in the maintenance room. I bought them for this place,” Annabelle tells her.

“Perfect. Let’s go to the van then. Everyone, out the door. Let’s go,” Alexia tells us.

Annabelle laughs and reaches for Daniel’s hand. Molly takes her other hand while her purse hands over her shoulder.

We all head out the front door and I lock the place up behind us. Annabelle runs to the van and gets inside. Daniel comes in after her and Julian goes in after him. Me and Alexia get into the front seat and lock the doors.

I turn in my seat and say, “Did something happen back there Annabelle? You ran to the van really quickly.”

Alexia puts the keys in the ignition and starts the van. “You looked almost terrified,” she adds.

She puts her seatbelt on and says, “I felt like I was being watched. I think that Alexander might be targeting me. Now that he knows what I look like.”

Daniel puts his arm around her, pulling her close and says, “I will never let that happen Annabelle. No one is taking you away from me.”

“Maybe you should call the cops,” Julian says from the backseat.

Alexia starts moving out of our parking spot and goes onto the road. “I’m going to drive around a bit before taking you back to the hotel, just in case he’s watching to see where you go,” she tells her.

“I don’t know if I could Julian. They have no reason to believe me. If Alexander is still out walking around freely then no one knows about his crimes. To everyone else he’s a law abiding citizen and he’s a charming young man. The only thing I can really do is finish up here and head back home,” she tells Julian, turning her head to look at him.

“What exactly did he do?” Julian asks, curious.

“I don’t really want you and Molly to know about the vision I had. Just know that it wasn’t good and he shouldn’t be trusted,” she tells him in response.

“Who wants to go shopping?” I ask, looking back at everyone.

“I do. But I was planning on doing it tomorrow,” Annabelle tells me honestly.

“I can take you to the mall. We can shop around at different stores then get some supper at the food court. After that I can take you back to your hotel. It should give us enough time to get Alexander off our tail,” Alexia says.

Annabelle cuddles into Daniel’s body and sighs. “What do you guys think?” she asks them.

“If it keeps you safe, I’m down for it,” Daniel says, looking down at her.

“I guess we could go to the mall. Then when we go back to the hotel I can go to sleep,” Molly says.

“It’ll still be too early for that Molly. I’m okay with it too,” Julian says.

Alexia makes a turn and drives a bit faster. “I guess we’re all going to the mall then,” she says, sticking her hand on my thigh.

I look over at Alexia and smile, bringing my hand down to touch her hand, playing with her fingers.

“I love you so much Annabelle. You are the stars to my night sky,” Daniel tells Annabelle in a low seductive voice.

I hear movement behind me and the sound of kissing starts. Then Annabelle says, “I love you too Daniel.”

“If the two of you are done fawning over one another, we’re here,” Alexia says, turning the engine off.

I smile and say, “They are always like that. I was amazed at how little they interacted while we were doing the shelter up. When we were coming back from Toronto they were always touching.”

“There’s nothing wrong with showing people you love them,” Annabelle tells me.

“I know. I was just letting Alexia know that this is normal for you two,” I tell her, opening the door to get out.

We all get out of the car and head into the mall. The first store we head for is a home décor store. In search of pillows and blankets.

“What about these ones? They’re so pretty looking sissy,” Molly says, pointing at a set of purple decorative pillows with golden lines going across in a criss-cross way. There was another set beside them that were a lime green colour.

“They’re very pretty Molly but I don’t really need decorative pillows. I need functioning pillows. Same with blankets. And I need about 20 or so mattresses. I’ll have to do a bunch of orders and have it sent over,” she tells her sister, trailing off.

“Your brain is always working, don’t you ever get tired of thinking so much,” I say, looking at Annabelle.

“Sometimes. Usually late at night. I’m used to it. I’m a busy person,” She tells me, not even worried about it.

Alexia comes over to her and says, “If that’s what you’re looking for then we should go to the bedding store. They have blankets, pillows and mattresses. It’s on the other side of the mall.”

“Can I get this pillow to take home with me if you don’t need it?” Molly asks, looking at her sister with her puppy dog eyes.

“If you really want it then you can have it, but just the one. We’re flying back over, not driving so we can’t bring back a bunch of stuff,” she tells her seriously.

“Okay. I’m going to get just one then,” she tells her, picking up the pillow. She walks over to the check out with it and puts it on the counter.

I go over with her and pay for the pillow. I wanted to get her something because she’s so adorable and had to come out here even though she wants to be home.

“Can I get something too?” Julian asks, looking around the room.

“You can buy stuff for your room at home Julian,” Annabelle tells him, walking out of the store.

Molly comes running over with me and her new pillow, smiling cheerfully.

Alexia comes out in front of Annabelle and leads the way to the store she had mentioned.

Once we get to the store Annabelle finds a sales clerk and talks with him about what it was she was looking for, they help her out to find everything that she needed and informed her that their was a delivery service.

I look around the store, walking with Alexia while Annabelle does her thing.

Daniel stays around Molly and Julian, hanging around by the entrance of the store. Molly is holding tightly to her pillow I bought her and smiling up at her brother.

“Let me see that,” Julian says, trying to take it from her.

“No, it’s mine. You can’t have it. Rose bought it for me,” she says, holding it tighter.

Daniel steps in between them and says, “Julian, leave your sister alone. She doesn’t want to let you see it.”

Alexia picks up a forest green comforter and says, “What do you think of this blanket?”

I turn to look at her, holding that blanket and say, “It’s beautiful but I don’t need a comforter. And that’s not my favourite colour.”

She puts the blanket back and says, “I know. It just reminded me of your eyes so I liked it.”

“That’s really sweet Alexia. But my eyes are more or a grassy green not a forest green. Still a sweet though,” I say while smiling.

Annabelle comes over to us all. “Is anyone else hungry or is it just me?” She asks as she reaches Daniel.

Molly’s stomach starts grumbling and she says, “I’m hungry too.”

“I could eat,” Julian and Daniel say at the same time, causing them to look at each other.

They all laugh.

“I guess we’re heading to the food court then,” I say with a smiling as I walk over to them with Alexia behind me.

We all walk out of the store and head towards the food court.