Guarded heart

Chapter 34 Camp fire

CHRIS POV

"Hey Lisa" I say answering the phone

"Hi" Lisa says

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"I just got Emma to sleep" Lisa says.

"That's good. Are you enjoying the girls night?" I ask looking at everyone who is looking at me.

"I left them to it while I sit out side and watch the sunset" Lisa says

"The sunset?" I say and I see Ryan and Sean both look at each other worried

"Yeah. I don't why I rang you in honesty" Lisa says and I see Sean walks away getting his phone out and now I feel nervous.

"That's okay, I like hearing your voice even if you don't know what to say" I say

"Why don't you tell me what your thinking?" I say and then I don't hear anything for a few minutes that I check the call is still connected.

"Or would you like me to just talk" I say as I see Sean walk back and he is no longer on the phone. He mouths Summer is watching her she says she is crying.

"You know what Lisa I don't have to talk and you don't have to talk I can't just stay on line until your ready for a conversation" I say as we all start to walk out to the car park

Then Sean shows me his phone and I see its a message writtern out saying

Give me your keys we are all going over to Lisas you included.

I pull put my keys from pocket and hand them to Sean as everyone gets into different cars. Ryan and Sean get in mine with Sean driving.

I check the phone to make sure we are still connected regularly and we are even when we pull up to Lisas house we are connected still.

As I go to get out the car Ryan taps my shoulder and he shows me his phone

Walk around the back everyone agrees Lisa is reaching out to you right now so you go we will wait inside. We will also have a drinking waiting for you.

I nod my head saying yes as I get out the car and walk around the back. I see Lisa sat on the grass with a blanket wrapped around her leg up on a cushion looking at the sky holding onto the phone. Her back is facing me so she doesn't even see me.

I walk over staying quiet sit down and wrap my arms around Lisa as I say "I've got you" Lisa drops her phone as she uses that arm to grab my arm and she means into me as I feel her body shakes and her crying continues. I wonder how I didn't hear her tears on the phone until I look at the phone screen and see she muted me from hearing her cry but she could still hear me.

"I'm here now" I say as I turn Lisa around so towards me and she hides her face into my top as she grabs it with her hands.

"I don't want to do it" Lisa says through tears.

"So what love?" I ask.

"Go to sleep. I can't go to sleep not so soon after last time" Lisa says.

"That's why your crying?" I ask.

"You don't get each time something regarding that family it makes me relive it when I fall asleep. I can't not again not tonight" Lisa says and I feel my heart break a little seeing the fear In Lisas eyes.

"And why did you call me?" I ask gently

"You said my burdens are yours right?" Lisa says quietly

"They are and weather you say them. Or not I will be here for you like I am now" I say.

"I don't why I'm a mess" Lisa says as I wipe her tears of her face.

"No you had a bad day and that's okay. Your not a mess and your still beautiful even with a blotchy red tear stained face" I say.

"Next time don't mute me. If your sad I want to know so I can wipe the tears away and hold you close until you tears dry up" I say.

"Chris" Lisa says.

"Yes love?" I say.

"No more lectures please, my head is banging with a headache" Lisa says closing her eyes.

"Okay, let's go inside though" I say standing up as I bring Lisa with me In my arms.

"Not yet the sun hasn't set fully yet" Lisa says.

"But everyone is worried about you" I say

"I didn't tell them to stay inside" Lisa says as I sit us back down but keep Lisa cuddled close to me. I look behind me and wave one arm indicating they could come out.

Everyone comes out and sits next to us.

"What's going on baby girl?" Ryan asks sitting next to us first.

"When did you arrive?" Lisa asks.

"When Chris did. We all showed up. Even mick and Robert showed up not long after us. And Nathan Chris friend showed up as well" Ryan says.

"Yeah so why the tears?" Summer asks sitting next to me in the opposite side with Sean sat behind her cuddling up to her. And slowly everyone Pile outside sitting around in a circle.

"I can't sleep tonight" lisa eventually says

"The nightmares?" Hahley ask.

"It's bound to strike" Lisa says.

"You can't not sleep" Katy says

"I can't do it" Katy don't let me sleep" Lisa says.

"Then we all stay" Robert says

"Yeah, we will stay and keep you company. Even if you fall asleep and wake us all up we will be here waiting to look after you and show you your safe" Mick says.

"There's not enough rooms for you all" Lisa says

"Well I think we should do a camp fire break out marshmallows and all camp under the stars" Nathan says.

"Like the old days. Actually this is a good idea" I say

"Camp out here?" Lisa says.

"Yeah, when my mum passed away we would camp in the garden and watch the stars alot" I say smiling at Nathan remembering the memory's.

"It's been a few years since I was a boy scout but I could manage a fire" logan says

"You were never a boy scout" Sean says laughing.

"Never to late to learn though" logan says

"How about it are we camping?" Hahley ask.

"What about the kids?" Lisa asks

"I've got the kids sorted" Beth shouts out.

"Yeah don't worry me and Beth just discussed it. You all camp we can stay indoors with the kids while josh and nick have said they still stand guard outside tonight at a distance" Kelly shouts out.

"plus you have two police officers here and we can call in reforements if needed" Nathan says.

"Okay camping it is but no more people I don't think I have enough blankets as it is" Lisa says

"My parents live the next street over I can grab more blankets and stuff" Mick says

"I will help you" logan says

"Me to" Nathan says

"Hang on someone needs to build the fire before all you men disappear. However I will tag along for the shop. We need marshmallows Michelle says

"I can build the fire plus I know Lisa has a fire pit" luke says

"It's true, it's in the Garage" Lisa says

"I'm grabbing the wine" Katy says

"Make it vodka" Lisa says

"Wine will be fine and not many glasses you took painkillers today" I say

"I nearly forgot that" Summer says

"Your lucky we are allowing wine and not fruitshoots" Sean says

"It's never to late to hit you with my crutch you know" Lisa says

"You didn't this morning so you won't now" Sean says laughing

"I'm ordering pizzas in" Ryan says

"Now this is a night coming together" logan says

LISA'S POV

my eyelids where heavy after hours camped outside half the people had fallen asleep but I was losing the battle of stay awake trying to focus on Sean and logans conversation about some football game sleep was taking over and darkness overtook me to start with.

"So you think you can call our precious Simon a rapist I will show you what a rapist would do" his dad says as he carves the knife into my thigh and I scream until I pass out.

"Wake up you stupid ugly slut" and it's his mother again punching me in the face. As I groan in pain. I can feel my arms and legs still tied up as I open my eyes and send a silent thankful prayer that my baby is still inside me right now. Only to feel a belt going straight across my bare chest and I felt my skin rip open as I scream in pain seeing the blood flow down body

"Wake up Lisa" I hear Summer say loudly I open my eyes and grab her hand.

"Which one was it?" Summer asks asks as I use my free hand to touch my face

"The parents one" Hahley says

"Here" Katy says passing me a glass of wine and I take it downing it as I feel arms around my waist and I realise I'm still cuddled up to Chris then.

"It's over baby girl" Ryan says as the girls sit down next to me and I then see Ryan and Sean stood up looking at me.

"I told you not to let me sleep" I say

"We are sorry, but we tryed you were so exhausted you just crashed" Sean says.

"We tried to wake you but you were gone" Chris says

"We got to you after the belt part didn't we?" Hahley says

And I nod my head yes

"How do you know this?" Nathan asks

"Because Summer and Hagley spent over two years sleeping by side as I had nightmares after nightmares until they finally reduced to barely hardly ever" I say

"And now they strike whenever someone cruel out the woodworks" Chris says quietly

"Excaulty why I didn't want to sleep tonight" I say quietly

"Yeah and we and Summer can pin point what part by certain screams timings it takes to wake Lisa up so long as we know which nightmare she is reliving. Both are brutal" Hagley says downing a drink.

"Okay, your face is fine. Your body is fine. And your still beautiful dispite the scars you have. No you can not go scrub your Body bare red and you can cuddle whoever you like to sleep but I think you already made your choice" Summer says

"And no you can't go check on Emma you know she is a light sleeper and your wake her up. And one last thing we told you some day someone would fall in love with you even though you hold scars didn't I? Hahley says

"Okay" I say rubbing my arms

"Don't do that" Summer says pointing at me.

"Do what?" Chris asks

"Rubs her skin until its red because she hates the reminder of things that's been done" Hahley says then I feel Chris link his hands into mine before he cuddles me closer to him.

"Okay that's the nightmare done yeah?" Ryan says

"Yeah we are good to sleep now" Summer says.

"Then let's all look at the sky and watch the stars before we fall asleep" Logan says.

"That's a good plan" Katy says.

"It seems Summer and Hahley are tuned into your thinking after these nightmares and from what I got you feel ugly from something that happened in this one" Chris whispers into my ear.

"Hmm mmm" I say

"whatever it was is wrong. Your stunningly beautiful don't you ever forget that" Chris whispers as he lays us down and we look up to the sky.

"Chris" I whisper as I turn to face him

"Yes love" Chris whispers into my ear before he kisses my cheek.

"I'm not tired now" I whisper back as Chris runs his fingers through my hair.

"Then tell me what you want to do" Chris whispers in my ear before he kisses my cheek.

I get my phone and pull up my music list making sure we are connected to the outside speakers I had installed when we moved in.

"Pick a song and dance with me like no one is watching" I whisper.

Chris looks at me and smiles widely as he sits us up and takes my phone to pick a song.

Then I hear one of my latest favourite songs kick in as I wrap my arms around Chris neck and he starts to sing as he stands us up

Anything she need, she can call me

Don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

Cross me, cross me, if you, if you, if you, if you

And I rest my head against Chris shoulder but he lifts my chin gently to look at him as he continues to sing

Anything she need, she can call me

Don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

Then Chris starts to sway us around as he continues to sing and I can hear others singing as well. I take a quick look around and see Summer and Michelle are up dancing with there partners singing to them before I look back at Chris as he continues to sway us gently as he sings

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

Cross me, cross me, if you, if-

Then Chris tilts me back as he quickly kisses my cheek before standing us back to continue to sing

And she ain't messing with no other man

Me and her have something different

I really need all you to understand

That nobody's coming close

"Not ever" Chris whispers in my ear before he swirls us around then continues to sing

And I don't ever wanna run around

I spent my youth jumping in and out

But you know I f*****g love her now

Like nobody ever could

And you know I stay trippin', am I crazy? Oh no

I'm sticking with my baby for sure

Together or solo

Then I kiss Chris's lips and he takes it into a passionate kiss as the others around us continue to sing and dancing beside us

It doesn't matter where we are, oh no, no

So if you hear about my lady, just know

That she ain't the one to play with, oh no

And I'll be standing so close

So you know that, ayy

Then Chris quickly breaks off the kiss as he continues to sing while smiling at me as he swirls us around again

Anything she need, she can call me

Don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

Cross me, cross me, if you, if you, if you

If you cross her

Then you cross me

Then Chris tilts me slightly as he continues to sing

And nobody's coming close, yeah

And I think that you should know that

If you cross her anything she need, she can call me Then Chris quickly kisses me before he stand us up to and Continue to singing

Then you cross me don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

Then Chris turns me so I an see everyone stood up around us looking at us as they start singing to me while Chris sings in my ear while we sways us gently on the spot

So come on and let it go

Oh, I think that you should know ah!

And she ain't messing with no other man

Now what you not gon' do

Is stand there 'cross from me like you got Kung Fu

Death stare, crossed arms, running your mouth like a faucet

But you don't know that my girl been doing CrossFit

Pew! Kung Pow! Get your ass with a cross kick

Blowing air out, wear you out, you exhausted

Know she gonna slide anytime you bitches talk shit

Keep a lil' blade in her f*****g lip gloss kit, ayy

No one say hi to me without her

Better pay your respect to the queen

Better do that s**t without a flirt

Gotta respect the HBIC

Couple of things that you need to know

If you still wanna be friends with me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

Then everyone singing gets even louder

Cross me, cross me, if you, if you, if you

If you cross her anything she need, she can call me

Ryan then holds his hand to out me as he takes me from Chris to dance with while he sings to me

Then you cross me don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

Nobody's coming close, yeah

And I think that you should know that

If you cross her anything she need, she can call me

Ryan then passes me over to Chris as he sings to me again

Then you cross me don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

So come on and let it go

Oh, I think that you should know ah, ah!

She stay trippin', and she crazy, oh no

Quit messin' with my baby for sure

Together or solo

It doesn't matter where we are, oh no, no

So if you hear about my lady, just know

That she ain't the one to play with, oh no

And I'll be standing so close

So you know that Chris then gently pulls me closer as he sings into my ear

If you cross her anything she need, she can call me And I feel Chris kiss my neck under my ear before he continues to sing

Then you cross me don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

Nobody's coming close, yeah

And I think that you should know that huh, huh, huh!

If you cross her anything she need, she can call me

Then you cross me don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

So come on and let it go ah!

Then looks me in the eye before he twirls me around before bringing me close to his body again as we look at each other and he doesn't. Real Eye contact as he Continues to sing

Oh, I think that you should know

If you cross her anything she need, she can call me

Then you cross me don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, yup, that's all me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

Cross me, cross me, if you, if you, if you, if you, oh yeah

"But us women will kick ass before the men get a chance" Hahley says

"To right" Michelle says.

"We just let you all think that. We always know what our women are doing" Mick says.

"Eventually anyway" Robert says laughing.

"I will know when it's important" Chris whispers in my ear.

"Wait who's play list is this?" Summer says

"Lisas" Chris says

Then everyone goes quiet until all you can hear is Ellie Goulding singing love me like do

Everyone turns to stare at me.

"You hate love songs" Katy says.

"Correction i don't sing love songs. Doesn't mean that I don't like the odd love" I say.

"When was this one added because I don't recall it in your play list last year" Michelle says

"That's because I always give you access to play list one. I gave Chris access to play list three" I say.

"Hand over the play list" Hahley says and I just start laughing

"Aww come on we want to know what type of romantic you are" Katy says.

"Me romantic! Ha! Never" I say laughing

"You don't do romance?" Chris says looking at me with amusemt

"Shh, they will drive me insane" I say.

"We knew it your secretly the one who longs for everything romantic under the sun while claiming you don't need love" Summer shouts.

"You only just worked that out? Summer I'm disappointed in you" Ryan says.

"What" Summer says

"Oh love I'm not as in tune to women side as possibly Ryan and luke here who loves Disney movies as much as you do. But even I know Lisa was the biggest romantic growing up daydreaming ofarryibg her Prince charming one day. Living in a big house with at least three children. You where around when she would draw love hearts all over her school books or write love poems for nobody and day dream about kissing pop stars" Sean says.

"Well yeah but I thought that part was destroyed" Summer says.

"Ha, no she still secretly longs for it. I see it when she looks at all of us loved up. I see it when we insist on romance films or music and valentines day. She just hates it because she didn't feel like she could have that anymore" Ryan says.

"Okay, stop with the figuring out Lisa lessons" I say

"No, no i think they should keep talking" Chris says.

"Well" Sean starts to say.

"Sean I swear to god don't start today like we started yesterday because I've got anger issues this morning I may jusdt pop you on the head with my fake leg stick" I say

"Okay, payback can wait until your less cranky" Sean says.

"Man isn't it just your wife that's ment to have you whipped" Mick says.

"Have you not learned anything i***t. Lisa has all of us whipped because she became our little sister even though she only technically has Sean and Ryan as brothers we all stepped up to that mark and she is the baby of the group who suffered more than us therefore she gets whatever she wants" Robert says.

"Mick I can't believe you didn't figure that out and I made you cakes" I say laughing alongside everyone else.

"I knew that" mick says.

"Sure you did honey" Hahley says

"Baby girl you all good now yeah?" Ryan asks.

"I think so" I say

"You know you will be good. Look around you this is why you know your be good" luke says.

"Yeah how about ice cream though?" I say.

"No" Summer and Hahley practically shout at the same time

"Chris rule number 1. No Ice cream after bad dreams for Lisa it gives her terrible stomach cramps once she falls asleep to soon afterwards" Summer says

"Yeah because once that tub is open it's emptyed by Lisa alone" Hahley says.

"Fine" I say.

"How about ice cream for breakfast?" Chris whispers in my ear.

"I knew there was a reason why I really liked you" I say smiling.

"Then get some sleep then you like can me even more when we have ice cream on waffles for breakfast" Chris says.

"I don't have waffles though" I say.

"I know where does have waffles though" Chris says smiling.

"where is that?" I ask.

"Your see" Chris says.

"Hey everyone up for ice cream and waffles for breakfast? If so we have to be up at 7am and ready to leave at 7:30am so we can have breakfast. Trust me the kids will love it" Chris says.

"Sure" Katy says

"Where are we going?" Michelle asks.

"I will tell all drivers where in the morning but the rest of you it will be a surprise" Chris says.

"In that case we are in" Luke says

"I need sleep first" Summer says.

"I'm sorry I kept you all awake" I say.

"No! Don't you start that one. It was actually more fun this way" Hahley says.

"Start what?" Chris asks.

"Self guilt for our lack off sleep" Summer says yawning.

"Well I'm telling you I had fun dancing in the middle of the night" Katy says

"yeah I can't recall singing and dancing with Chris on our camp fire journeys growing up but hell that was fun" Nathan says.

"It must be a womens touch" Michelle says laughing

"I don't mind. But I'm telling you all now if you all want the best waffles and ice cream in the morning don't be late getting up otherwise I'm eatting all your shares" Nathan says

"You know where we are going don't you" Robert says.

"Yeah. If anyone knows Chris the best here it's me. And I know it was his go to cheer me up treat after his mum passed away. Funny that Lisa likes her ice cream as well" Nathan says

"They make a cute couple" Katy says

"Alright don't you go all soppy on me let's sleep already" Chris says.

"I agree after all it's only a few hours until we need to get up" I say

As I cuddle up to Chris he gets his phone out and says "I just need to send the cook a message".

"Don't forget to message someone else to sort extra chairs" Nathan shouts.