Chapter 24: Remember to Breathe:

Chris walked in the house, locking the door behind her and took a moment to just stand there leaning against the wall. What a night!

She was shocked when Kevin had shown up earlier that night insisting they go out…even more shocked that she had agreed. It was only two days before Christmas and Chris had been so busy that she decided a night out would be a nice break from it all. Now, after all that had happened, Chris was unsure what to do next.

It was clear that she couldn’t keep fighting her feelings for Kevin. It seemed she was going to ride the rollercoaster whether she liked it or not. But even after her newfound resolve, Chris found herself absolutely terrified.

What if things didn’t work out? What if after all this time she lost his friendship again? What if she got hurt?

Even with all her fears and doubts, though, Chris felt excitement pulsating through her body. What if it worked? What if Kevin was the love of her life and everything would be perfect?

Sighing, she tried not to allow herself to hope for true love just in case. Just in case things fell through. Just in case her world crumbled beneath her. Just in case he broke her heart again.

After paying the babysitter Kevin kicked off his shoes and sunk into the couch.

Head whirling, he couldn’t believe what a great night he had. He knew it was bold of him to hire a sitter and just show up at Chris’s house like that insisting she go out with him, yet it seemed to have worked. With very little coercion Chris had agreed quite readily, and they had a wonderful night of dancing and partying at this cute little club downtown.

He even managed to kiss her again, and this time she didn’t run away. Was he finally getting through to her? Kevin wondered what was making her fight their obvious mutual attraction so much, but was also very glad that she seemed to be losing that battle. With a startled gasp Kevin realized that he was falling in love with her.

Well, better not dwell on that too much, he thought, as Chris was only starting to let him in as it was. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her away for good! Feeling light and a tad bit dizzy Kevin floated up to bed where he promptly fell asleep dreaming of the alluring woman next door.

Chapter 23: Dream or Reality?

Chapter 22: Emotional Bondage:

Chris sat shaking at the kitchen table, a steaming mug of herbal tea sitting untouched in front of her. What the heck just happened? She had come home from next door and retreated to the safety of her bed, only to be plagued by such a horrific dream.

Resting her face in the palms of her hands Chris tried to calm her nerves. She felt as though her whole body was on fire; she was tense and restless. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to slow her heart or stop the swimming in her head. This was going to be a problem, she thought; A big problem.

As much as she wanted to fight it, her feelings for Kevin seemed to be getting stronger rather than fading away into the night.

Sighing, Chris dumped the tea down the drain and decided to try and channel her frustrations into her current book.

Sitting in front of the computer a few minutes later, Chris kept finding her thoughts turning back to Kevin.

She had been madly in love with him way back when, not that he ever knew, and was devastated when she learned the things he had been saying about her behind her back. She remembered dozens of nights she spent crying herself to sleep and was positive that she could never survive such devastation again. Kevin had been her best friend. Somehow, she didn’t know why, but she had lost him. In spite of all her dreams and fantasies Kevin had thrown her hopes in her face and left her to rot in her own torment. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Chris had been able to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and move on. Now everything seemed to be crashing down on her again.

This is what she had always dreamed about, but now she feared it more than she feared anything in her life.

Shaking her head, leaning back in her chair to work out the kinks in her back, Chris tried to push her brain to focus on her story. She was writing a mystery novel for the first time, an accomplishment she had long aspired to attempt, and was having absolutely no luck at the moment. She just couldn’t seem to focus.

Finally, after a few minutes of deep breathing to release the tension in her soul, she found herself getting lost in the lives of her characters and began typing away furiously until late into the night.

Chapter 21:Regret:

Kevin sat at his desk, reeling from the night’s events.

“How could I have been so stupid!” he thought to himself. “I knew she wasn’t ready…now look what I’ve done!”

Thinking back to when they were standing together in his living room, talking easily with one another, Kevin struggled with his conflicted feelings. He wished that he had never kissed her-she had responded at first, even eagerly, but seemed to wake up as though dazed, pushing him away and walking out of the house without another word.

On the other hand, he had been dreaming of that moment for so long, which in reality had been so much more than he ever could have imagined, that he was still vibrating from the experience. She had been so much softer, so much sweeter than he had anticipated, letting her fingers get tangled in his hair and responding with so much enthusiasm that his whole world seemed to vanish except for her and that moment. What had happened? Why was she fighting this so much, when it was so obvious to him how great they could be together? Had he ruined things between them or would things go back to the way they were? Kevin didn’t know. Simultaneously feeling exhilarated and disappointed, Kevin decided it would be best to just go to bed and hope that things would resolve themselves in the morning.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Meanwhile, next door, Christina stirred uneasily in her sleep. The wind was singing outside and seemed to be announcing an oncoming storm, but the sound of the winter’s fury wasn’t what disturbed her.

She was deeply asleep, and dreaming. In her dream she was sitting alone at a table in a nightclub, drinking a cocktail and waiting for someone. She wasn’t sure who she was waiting for, however, and she felt restless and anxious.

It seemed like everyone there was staring at her, and she became increasingly uneasy. The music was loud; the pounding of the bass thrumming in her chest, and she watched as people danced together on the floor. She could see the door open, but was unable to see the man who entered through the crowd and Chris felt her heartbeat speed up in a mixture of fear and anticipation. Was this the person she was supposed to be meeting? Suddenly, everything stopped-the music was gone, the silence hanging heavily and seeming to press down on her chest, and every person in the building stopped what they were doing to stare openly at Christina. A sea of faces, all looking at her, seemed to swim in front of her eyes and Chris grew steadily more afraid. Then the lights went out and she was plunged into complete darkness.

Chapter 20: Shopping:

Chris checked her watch and saw that it was almost time to meet Liza at the mall.

“Come on, Joey, it’s time to put your shoes on!” She sang cheerfully. She and Liza had made plans to spend the day Christmas shopping. Chris was beside herself with excitement; she hadn’t been shopping with Liza in years! Also, little Joey would get to see Santa and Chris was eager to see the look of wonder on his little face.

Joey toddled over and allowed Chris to get him ready. “Bye-bye?”

“Yuppers! We’re going shopping today!”

“Shopping!” Joey started to chant. “Shopping shopping shopping shopping.”

Chris laughed, scooped the boy up in her arms and tickled his tummy. “Hey ho, let’s go!”

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

“Chris, there you are!” Liza called as she hurried over. “Sammy’s is having a sale! We should start there, I think.”

“Actually…” Chris glanced at Joey who was jumping up and down with excitement. “I promised Joey he could see Santa first.”

“Well…I suppose I could get a bite to eat before overdosing on a buyers’ high.”

“Sounds good.” Chris agreed. “Santa is in the centre square right near the food court. We’ll take Joey, then we’ll get some lunch.”

The mall was full of people hustling around, arms laden with bags and parcels, and children being pulled along by harried parents. Christmas carols were played from overhead speakers and there was a general feeling of excitement, mingled with a sense of time running out. As the small party entered the centre square Chris was aware of the excitement and awe Joey seemed to be exhibiting. As soon as Santa was in view Joey stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide. To Christina’s surprise, Joey immediately ran behind her, grabbed her legs, and burst into tears.

“Joey, honey, it’s ok.” Chris gathered him into her arms. “What’s wrong?”

Joey didn’t answer. He just buried his face into Christina’s shoulder.

Liza thought she’d give it a try. “Joey, Santa’s going to bring you lots of presents on Christmas! Do you want presents?” No response. “Toys?” she asked hopefully.

“Toys?” Joey repeated, looking cautiously over at Santa.

“Yes, toys!” Chris added. “And if you go sit on his lap and let me take a picture, he’ll give you a candy cane!”

“Candy!” Joey’s sweet little face, wet with tears, lit up as his lips turned into a big grin. “Want candy!”

Chris put Joey down and together they approached Santa. With Joey settled on his lap, Chris was able to get a picture.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Chris and Joey were snuggled up on the couch, Joey in his fuzzy blue sleeper looking like a little angel, watching TV when Kevin came home from work.

“How was your day, my little man!”

“Daddy!” Joey wiggled his way out of Chris’s arms and stumbled across the room to hug his father. Chris had to stifle a giggle as he tripped over a floppy sock. Suffering no indignity, Joey got back on his feet and continued his quest without hesitation. “Santa give Joey candy!”

“Wow, you got to see Santa?” Kevin sent a wink in Chris’s direction. “How is the jolly fatman anyway?”

“Santa bring Joey toys on Chrissmass!”

“Well, only if you’ve been a good boy!” Kevin chuckled. “Have you been a good boy Joey?”

Joey looked up at Kevin solemnly and nodded his head. “Joey good boy! Joey want toys!”

“Well, I don’t know…” Kevin winked again. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see…Why don’t you go in your room now and play with your toys while daddy and Chris talk for a bit.”

Joey obediently headed towards his room, and Kevin admired the picture Chris had hung on the wall of Joey on Santa’s lap.

“Turned out pretty well…” Kevin said absently. Chris told him about Joey’s reaction and they both chatted easily for about five minutes.

“Listen, I’ve been thinking…” Kevin started, suddenly feeling nervous. “Why don’t you spend Christmas with us? Joey would love to have you, and I would enjoy the company. What do you say?”

“Well…I was thinking of inviting Liza over for Christmas dinner, but I’d sure rather not have to cook the turkey myself!” Chris replied, feeling somewhat edgy and not knowing why. The idea of spending Christmas with Kevin seemed both exciting and terrifying. Chris wasn’t sure she’d be able to trust herself with spirits running high both from the magic of the season and the eggnog she was sure to drink. In fact, Chris thought a little sheepishly as she took in Kevin’s flushed cheeks and cheerful demeanour, she wasn’t sure she could trust herself now. Dressed in a reddish-brown t-shirt, hair tousled from a busy day a work, and his eyes dancing with excitement, Kevin was a treat to look at. Realizing where her thoughts were leading her, Chris hurriedly looked away.

“I was thinking you could spend the night on Christmas eve.” Startled, Chris snapped her head back up and met Kevin’s eyes. “That way you could be here for the morning gift extravaganza.”

Unable to respond, Chris just stood there gaping. Spend the night? Was that really a wise thing to do?

Kevin must have noticed her discomfort, and squirming a little himself, continued. “You could stay in the guest room upstairs.”

“Yeah.” Christina agreed hesitantly. “I think that would be fun.”

Unable to hold himself back any longer, Kevin suddenly put his arms around her. “Of course…we could always make other arrangements…”

Christina’s heart seemed to stop. A bolt of electricity worked through her body and she found herself trembling uncontrollably. She realized he was going to kiss her, and she found herself unable to stop him. She didn’t want to stop him, and that revelation seemed to terrify her more than anything else as Kevin’s lips met hers for the first time.

Chapter 19: Preparations:

Perfect! Sometimes I amaze myself with my own cleverness! This cabin will truly be perfect! Okay, let’s check it out…

Well, I can’t say I like the decor too much, but who cares?

It’s a place to hide out for now and hopefully bring back my future bride…the owners won’t be coming back to their cabin this year…I made sure of that!

No one will know I’m here, and even better, no one will be able to connect me to this place!

I just have a few little things to do…gotta make a place for my bride to stay while I convince her…gotta convince her to love me. Then she’ll be with me…yes, she will! It’s only a matter of time!

Well, the cabin is ready now I think. Looking good! Time to go back to town and watch…what is she doing with Liza?

I guess I was right after all! Too bad I let the llama escape, I could have used her! Maybe next time! For now, I need to just watch….and wait.

Chapter 18: Lights Out:

Kevin found the right key and let himself into Chris’s house. He had decided to get some extra work done on her backyard since he and Mitch had finished up early.

The front was starting to look nice, now that the grass he had planted was starting to fill out, but the back was still a mess!

He supposed he could have stopped by at home first to let Chris know, but he was afraid that once Joey saw him at home he’d never get away again. Normally he wouldn’t bother to come inside but he needed to use the bathroom like he’d never felt before!

Suddenly Kevin felt a sharp pain in the back of his head and he felt the world slip away as he crumpled to the floor in a heap.

“Kevin, are you awake?” Kevin groaned as he became aware of a steady pain in his head. The room seemed hazy, as though he was looking through a fine mist, and he watched as a familiar face started to materialize in front of him.

“Kevin?” Chris said, her face radiating fear and concern. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Kevin grabbed his head as he pushed himself up to a sitting position on Christina’s couch. “What happened?”

“I thought you were an intruder…” Liza came into the room, looking mortified, and holding Joey in her arms. “I’m really sorry…”

“Wha…who are you?” Kevin shut his eyes and tried to will his brain to function. Shockwaves of pain seemed to be stabbing into his head with every beat of his heart and he had to fight back the urge to vomit.

“Kevin, are you sure you’re okay?” Chris asked again. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”

“No, I’ll be fine, just…” Kevin swore vehemently under his breath as another cramp tightened his stomach and threatened to make him sick. “Do you have any painkillers? Aspirin, Tylenol…”

“I have some Advil in my purse.” Liza offered, and then scurried to get the pills.

A few minutes after taking the medicine Kevin realized he still had to go to the bathroom, and by the time he had relieved himself he felt he had enough of a handle on his pain to concentrate. He sat back on the couch and looked expectantly at the two women.

“Okay…explain.”

“I don’t know if you remember my friend Liza from high school,” Chris began, and then continued when Kevin nodded. “but not long ago she went through a traumatic event…Anyway, she’s been a little freaked out since and called me up last night when she heard a noise.” Chris cleared her throat a little, looked over at Liza for a brief moment of eye contact, and then started again. “I offered for her to come stay with me, but she declined. Then she called my cell around lunch time today and told me she had changed her mind, so I brought Joey over here for the afternoon to meet her.”

“Okay…” Kevin was beginning to understand what had happened. “So when I came in Liza thought I was a burglar or something and just…what, took me out?”

“Well, since the incident…”

“Since I was kidnapped I took a course in self-defence. I’m now teaching my own self-defence classes and when I saw you in Chrissy’s house I just reacted.” Liza explained. “Chrissy came running when she heard me scream and then explained who you are. Again, I’m really sorry…”

“It’s okay, it sounds like it was an honest mistake.”

Chapter 17: Middle of the Night Phone Call

Christina blinked back tears of joy as she stood waiting for her turn to walk down the aisle on her wedding day. The sky was a light and joyful blue, white clouds hung in the sky looking like overstuffed pillows and there was an unmistakable perfume of spring flowers in the air. She couldn’t have asked for nicer weather on the most important day of her life!

The music started and the first set of bridesmaids began their march. Chris reached beside her to grasp her father’s hand and was devastated to find that he wasn’t there. Looking around, Chris saw that the bridesmaids had also vanished and there were very few people around. The music picked up in volume and began the intro to the Wedding March. That was her cue and Chris hesitantly started to walk.

Trying desperately to control her jitters, Chris looked straight ahead in the hopes that if she met the eyes of her love she would care about little else. Frowning, Christina tried to remember just exactly who her love was…for some reason everything seemed a little hazy. Someone was indeed waiting for her ahead, but no matter how hard she squinted she couldn’t make out who it was. There was definitely something wrong…

Chris started to panic.

“What is going on here?” she said to no one in particular.

“Why, you’re getting married dear!” said a kindly looking woman whom Chris didn’t recognize. “Just smile and keep walking.”

“But…”

“No, dear!” The woman’s eyes took on a determined look. “You MUST keep walking!”

Chris found herself being gently pushed forwards by dozens of hands. Just as she was about to lose control of herself and launch into hysterical screaming Chris looked up and found herself in a dark room sitting on something cold and slightly damp.

“Where am I?” she thought to herself. A chill worked its way through her body and she began to shiver uncontrollably. There seemed to be a heavy, morbid feeling weighing down on her and soon Chris could think of nothing but finding a way to escape.

“Follow!” A small voice said from somewhere in the darkness. “Follow the…”

“What?” Christina couldn’t make out the words being said, and began searching for the owner of the voice.

“Follow the ghennkey…”

“Wait!” she screamed. The voice seemed to be getting farther away and Chris felt in the depths of her soul that whatever he was trying to tell her would be her salvation. “Please! I can’t tell what you’re saying!”

Suddenly a small and frightening looking creature materialized directly in front of her and said in a booming voice: “FOLLOW THE GHENNKEY!”

Chris snapped her eyes open and sat up, soaked to the skin in sweat, her sheets in a tight ball at the foot of her bed. The details of the dream already sliding through the holes in her consciousness like sand through a sieve until all that was left was a deep and disturbing feeling of discontent mixed with a touch of fear. Looking at the clock Chris realized it was only 3 am and listened for some sign of whatever woke her.

The phone rang. Startled, Chris picked up the receiver. Who on earth was calling her in the middle of the night?

The following is an article printed in The Twinbrook Times on June 2.

The Twinbrook Times

Tom Kilbo,        June 2

Free Self-Defence classes offered to people of all ages

Liza Parker, an aspiring actress currently living in Bridgeport, has organized a series of self-defence classes which will be held weekly at various locations throughout the region.

“There are a lot of strange people out there!” Liza told the Twinbrook Times. “Anyone who finds themselves in a dangerous position should know how to defend themselves!”

Liza Parker had found herself in such a dangerous circumstance about six months ago when she was kidnapped from the parking lot of her own apartment complex.

“I was on my way to work when I realized I forgot my cell phone so I decided to come back and get it. When I got out of my car I saw some creep peeking into my living room window so I yelled at him to get away.” Liza explained to our reporter. “Next thing I know I’m in the back of a moving van and my head is killing me! I panicked and managed to kick the back door open. I didn’t think; I just jumped. Then I woke up in the hospital.”

A citizen, who didn’t want to be identified, called 911 when he came across Liza lying unconscious in the middle of the road.

“I thought she was dead.” He stated. “If I hadn’t seen her there when I did I wouldn’t have had enough time to stop.”

Police are urging anyone with any information to please call the Twinbrook tips Line at 555-tips.

To register or for more information about Liza’s Self-Defence Academy please call 555-1234

Chapter 15: Smooth Sailing

The days turned into weeks and Kevin found himself falling into a routine. In the mornings he would make enough coffee for both himself and Chris, wake up Joey and stick him in his high chair with some cereal, and then count the minutes until Chris arrived.

Lingering over coffee they would chat until it was time for him to leave for work, during which he spent most of his time thinking about being home with Chris and Joey. When the day ended he would rush home, sometimes picking up dinner on the way, and the three of them would eat together, laughing about life’s little adventures and sharing the events of their day with one another.

On a couple occasions Chris stayed long enough to watch a movie with him and Joey before heading home and Kevin was starting to wonder how he ever got along without her. Absently he realized that he was coming to depend on her and was possibly even falling in love with her, but he never allowed those thoughts to reach his conscious awareness.

Joey no longer called her “Kissy” but had started to call her Mama…Kevin was worried about this development, but Chris seemed to find it cute. Joey was so little that he probably didn’t remember much about Sarah but Chris reassured him that she would always have a special place in his son’s heart and that as long as Joey was told about her and shown pictures that he would never forget her. Kevin felt better knowing that his wife’s memory would be honoured, but also that Joey had someone as special and nurturing as Chris in his life to fill the void Sarah had left behind.

Three weeks before Christmas Sally returned from Riverview and, apologizing, explained that she would be moving there to care for her ailing sister permanently. This might have distressed Kevin a few months previously but Chris agreed to stay on as Joey’s nanny full-time so Kevin wished Sally well, threw her a surprise going-away party and sent her on her way with his blessing and a promise to keep in touch.

Life sailed on calm waters and Kevin began to feel a warm glow of contentment. Of course, life’s waters rarely remained calm, but Kevin was happily oblivious of the storm brewing on the horizon.