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14. Ghosts from the Past
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Around a week later
The weather was beautiful and Lili really needed to get out of the house, so they planned to take a short walk and have a picnic underneath the willow tree about a few hundred yards from the house. The tree was up a slight hill and it would be a great test of her growing strength.
Hand in hand, they walked the short distance and Lili was proud of her increased stamina and how comfortable they were becoming with each other in such a short time.
"How are you managing?" Finn asked as they were just about to the tree.
"All is good, all is good!" Lili stated firmly. She didn't want him to think she was a cry baby, just because every bone in her body still ached and the headaches were about the same; intense and at times overwhelming her senses.
She was determined to get through this without complaining or taking any pain meds, but she did let him bring them along, just in
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Protecting My Heart 15. Aftermath
Finn grabbed Lili and clung to her immediately upon closing their front door. Torrents of tears washed over him as his emotions fell apart. He couldn't pretend to be brave anymore. "Lili, oh my Lili, I am so sorry that my past brought you into danger. I don't know what I would have done if something happened to you today." He just clung to her and buried his face in her wavy red curls. Her scent as well as her touch slowly calmed him down. She was exhausted and needed to go to sleep but pushed through as she whispered, "Finn, of all the days, you finally felt I was strong enough to go on that picnic. If we weren't up there, well, who knows. See, somehow fate, God, your prayers, well they kept us safe. Right?"He just stayed silent, but walked her into their bedroom and tucked her snuggly under the covers and hopped in, from the other side. He whispered, "We can talk later. Can I just ho
Protecting My Heart 16. Confusion
Anders walked out of the interview room ashen and shaken. He couldn't believe the stories Rory was babbling about; but he couldn't ignore them either. What was he going to tell Billy? These lies couldn't be true! No way! No how! He walked as slow as possible to Billy's office and he leaned against the door frame and just looked across the room with his eyes trained on the outdoors. He didn't comprehend what just happened and he dreaded sharing the implications with his boss. "What? Spit it out, Anders!" Billy ordered. Anders felt his knees giving way and barely made it to the dilapidated chair across from Billy. "Billy, he leveled some pretty serious allegations against Finn. He believes Finn forced himself on Rory's sister and that he stole and hid drug money." Anders finally replied. Anders felt his hands go clammy and he rubbed them on his pants while he waited for Billy to proce
Protecting My Heart 17. The Ghosts That Haunt You
Two days later Glass shattered on the tile floor into a thousand tiny shards. Lili was standing in the middle of the mess and was crying as Finn bolted into the bathroom. "Don't move!" he yelled as he entered. Taking a good look at Lili, he grimaced as he watched the tears streaming down her face. "Lili, it's okay. Everything is going to be okay." "Finn, I am so sorry. I am always making a mess of things. This hand, Finn, it's getting worse!" Scooping his barefoot beauty off her feet he whispered, "Bath time is rescheduled. I have other plans for you now." "TJ! Finn!" she yelled as he carried her to their bedroom and softly placed her on the comforter. "Hmmm! What should I do to you? Kiss you or,...?" He let his words hang in the air as he lightly tickled her. Lili squirmed and giggled before managing to say, "I prefer kissing!"
Protecting My Heart 18. Just an Ordinary Day
Lili stayed in bed after Finn got up and felt butterflies stirring her emotions as she thought about his touch upon her skin. They just kissed and cuddled but it sent firecrackers through every fiber of her being. She was on cloud 9! As thoughts flitted through her brain, she blushed when she remembered images of Finn's body. Walking up to the bed, Finn scared her out of her private world when he asked, "I thought you wanted to go out today?" "I do, but I was just thinking," she said, defending herself. "Well, from the looks of it, I think I know what's on your mind," he whispered before kissing her lips. Trying to hide underneath the covers got her nowhere as his fingers tickled her. "I am getting up," she squealed until he stopped tormenting her. "Ok, seriously! We need to get you dressed as I need to stop by Russel's to grab some paperwork and then we can head out for ice cream."
Protecting My Heart 19. The Shadows Surrounding Us
Words filled Lili's head with fantastical stories and fear took over as she listened to Finn tell Billy what was going on. He dialed Russel immediately after and explained the situation all over again. He was pissed at Billy for not resolving this situation sooner, especially after the fire. Why didn't Billy have more information on who started the fire? It was far from random. Yet, Billy was no where with that investigation.Now this! How much more could Lili handle?When he turned around, Lili was gone and he started to panic. He knew that the house fire was deliberately set and the dangers that Hal set into motion were still in play.He started to feel guilty! He should have known better that the fire wasn't the end of Hal's revenge.What the hell Billy! You better get here soon or we are going to be dead. He couldn't imagine why they didn't break into the house by
Protecting My Heart 20. Investigation
He was out of his league and was sinking faster than a ship out to sea. Anxiety was taking over as he felt he was failing his friends and community. He needed to get help and he needed it fast, before someone ended up dead and buried. What would the community say then? Lili almost died once and if Finn hadn't stepped in when he did, she very well may have. Now the fire, the shooters. Evil was coming at them from every corner. Finn's past was catching up to them along with whatever horrific deeds that Hal took with him to his grave. Well, they were now haunting the community as well. Billy and Anders sat in the conference room at the station and waited as a team was heading in from Madison to support their investigation. The detectives specialize in cyber and monetary crimes and hopefully they would be able to trace Hal's enemy, who is torturing poor Lili. The aroma of a fresh pot
Protecting My Heart 21. Interrogation
Sitting back and listening, Billy was learning a lot about interview techniques and was aggrevated that this guy was so good at his job. Billy never needed to be this good, because this sleepy little town was essentially crime free with the exception of speeding tickets. Billy was not prepared for the sophistication of these criminals. "So, Steven let me get this straight, you want me to believe that you were hired by someone who just sent you a letter with money and directions to kill Lili. That's it!" "Yes, sir. I don't know who hired me or why she needed to be killed. I was just doing my job." "Your job! Your job to kill an innocent girl in cold blood! You're telling me that you thought it was acceptable to kill Lili with just a letter and some cash." Caleb snapped back. "Well, the letter threatened to kill me if I did not do as was expected of me," Steven added. "So, do you always follow the dire
Protecting My Heart 22. On the Edge of Despair
Under the circumstances, they had decided to stay in town over the weekend and Lili tried to sit at her computer and type with just one hand. It was slow going and frustrating and she was so disconnected from the characters that she had been writing about, that she soon gave up. Instead she sat outside with the computer and read each chapter slowly, trying to get to know Gio and Hannah and make them a part of her daily life again. She was hoping to be able to start writing their story again within the next few days. She was just thinking that she might add a few hidden Finn adventures to the storyline, when Mr. Handsome walked onto the porch and said, "What are you thinking, princess? That look has under the covers all over it." She blushed as she looked into his eyes and took in his smile. He was driving her mad with nothing but kisses and hugs, insisting that she was still too broken for more intimacy. Her body was
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Protecting My Heart 79. Epilogue
"Jordan and Stephen! Give that back to your sister right now!" Lili scolded as they walked through the amusement park. Morgan, who was just three years old, was crying because the boys took her stuffed bear that Finn just won for her at the cheesy boardwalk clown game. Finn scooped her up and calmed her tears as Lili talked to the boys for the fifth time this afternoon. Drake and Claire walked over with Gia and Max who were pinching each other when their parents were not looking. Drake asked, "Has anyone seen Anders and his crew?" "Yeah, they went to the first aid hut to get Leah's hand cleaned. She fell when Justin pushed her." "Well, I think that after three days of this, we just need a little R&R back at the house and maybe some time around the pool," Claire said matter of factly. "Oh, Claire! Yes, that is just what we all need!" Lili sighed at the thought of relaxing
Protecting My Heart 78. Accident or Sabotage
The guests all watched in horror as the crystal chandelier above the grand ballroom started to sway violently. A deafening crack filled the room as wires snapped one by one and sparks flew around the ceiling. Someone yelled, "Look out!" And another screamed, "Get out of the way!" as loud as they could over the music. The band realized what was going on and as calmly as possible told the guests to get off of the dance floor and move to safety. Chaos won the day as the chandelier suddenly fell about a foot closer to the ground. The snapping of the wires contunued until it finally let loose in a freefall crashing to the ground. Guests that had scurried to the sides of the room started to scream in fear as crystals projectiled around the room. The chandelier was one thing, but then they smelled a thick acrid smoke that permeated the room. Many of the guests started to panic an
Protecting My Heart 77. Down the Aisle
Lili rolled over and reached for Finn, but he wasn't there. His side of the bed was cold as she felt the sheets. She felt like a piece of her was missing since he was always there to snuggle in the morning before they started their day. But today was different. She would be in his arms tomorrow morning! After the rehersal dinner, he went to stay at Anders so that they would not see each other before the wedding and Stacy stayed in their guest bedroom. Lili just stayed still and let her mind run through all of the tasks of the day. So much to do before 2 pm. Would she get it all done? Oh the nerves of a bride. Her wedding day! She was so excited and couldn't believe that she was marrying this man, her Finn and then they were taking off to Europe for a few weeks. Praying to herself that this day would be filled with happy memories and no stress from family or foes prete
Protecting My Heart 76. Just One More Day Until Forever
"Come on! We are going to be late." Finn gripped as he stood in the doorway trying to get Lili to walk out the door. He sighed as she slipped past him and he teased, "Are you going to be late to your own wedding tomorrow or is this a plan to ease the tensions when you don't show up?" Lili smacked his arm and walked to the other side of the truck, refusing to answer his brazen foolishness. "Get in!" she yelled as she taunted him with a seductive kiss that she blew in his direction. "Caught it!" he laughed as he hopped in and started the truck. They drove in silence for a few minutes when he asked, "Are you nervous about tomorrow? Any regrets, because now is the time to bail on me when no one is around." "TJ! Are you trying to get rid of me?" she looked at him cross as she folded her arms across her chest. "No, I am serious Lili. I come with my own baggage and I just want to make sure that you
Protecting My Heart 74. Final Preparations
Lili heard the horn blaring and she grabbed her purse and rushed out the door.Stacey was laughing at her friend's frantic pace. She could see the worry all over Lili's sweet little face. Her red hair, flowing in the wind as she raced to the car and jumped into the passenger side.She looked at Stacey with wild eyes as she thought to herself, 'just two more weeks until the wedding and they we are off to the fitting. Always in a hurry these days!'"Calm down. Finn is already totally in love with you and your little one on the way.""Stacey, I know. It's just, well everything. The reading of the will, Claire and Drake, the wedding, my brother, and on and on and on." Lili exhaled as she l
Protecting My Heart 73. The Reading of the Will
All dressed in black. Lili hated wearing black but she was supposed to be in mourning to the rest of the outside world. So, she gave in to customs to pretend that she cared about her father and she was dressed in black from head to toe. Finn on the other hand, loved the dress that she was wearing. The way it showed off her figure and her legs. She had her hair up in a professional looking bun and he noticed her neck. Oh, it drove him insane to know that they were walking out of the house in less than 5 minutes to go the reading of the will and he had other things on his mind, like taking that dress off of her. Did she know what she was doing to him?
Protecting My Heart 72. Free
Waking up at 4 am, Lili got out of bed and crept downstairs and sat at her desk and started to write. The words flowed freely as she poured her heart out. She had just started a new book and she was free from worrying about ... well just about everything. For the first time in her life she was free of the torture that she endured on behalf of her family. She was free! No more demands on who she dated or where she lived. No more legal letters telling her to not write anymore. No more controlling parental guidance. Her father would not be missed and she knew that was an awful thought but her family really was very dysfunctional. Extremely. Lili was so intent on writing that she didn't hear Finn as he walked in and leaned against the doorway. Just watching. His eyes sparkled at he watched his little lilipad typing away as she was lost in her own lit
Protecting My Heart 71. The Art of Letting Go
Anders read the letter and the news shocked Finn. "You're pregnant?" Finn asked again. Lili looked up in to his eyes and softly replied, "Yes, but this isn't how I planned on telling you. I had plans, special plans. Not like this." All of that special nonsense didn't matter to Finn. That wasn't him anyways. Finn forgot Anders was their and kissed her sweet lips and whispered in her ear, "My beautiful little Lili James is going to give me a beautiful lille baby. What's better than that?" Finn felt the magic of the moment and was in his own world with Lili when Anders cleared his throat. Letting Lili go, he looked at Anders and sheepishly said, "Forgot you were here." "Let's grab some coffee in the kitchen and talk through the events of today." Lili looked from Anders to Finn with curiosity. She was so thrilled with Finn's reaction to the baby news that she forgot abo
Protecting My Heart 70. Almost
Two weeks had passed and Finn felt like a piece of him was missing. Drake had always been there, even when he arrested Finn, he supported him when he had been at his lowest. Lili was standing there in the kitchen and knew what was eating him alive and she decided that she needed to do something about it. She put down the dish towel and walked over to him and boldly stated, "I am going to see my father in jail and finish this, for good." "What? You can't do that!" Finn said as he voice cracked. He was not letting her go to see her creepy father. The guy was a miserable man with nothing but hatred flowing through his viens. No wait, even worse than that...vindictiveness ran so deep that he spewed nothing but hate. Lili gave him her puppy dog eyes and walked over to him and said, "Listen, he can't hurt me in jail but he can try to continuously surprise us with one hate filled plot after another and one of them mi
