Stalking The Phoenix Part 11

"Yes. Just super," Will said with a touch of caustic undercurrents in his voice.

Geoff opened the door. He was carrying a tray with cups, a pot of tea, and cookies. Closing the door behind him, Geoff said, "Tea and sweets." He sat the tray down on the table and poured three cups of tea.

Will looked at Geoff and then at me. He downed his very hot tea as though it were merely lukewarm. "I'd better get some sleep." As he rose, he admonished, "Be good, you two."

"What else would we be?" Geoff asked in as innocent of a tone as he could muster.

"Frankly, I'd rather not know," Will said as he left the room and closed the door softly behind him.

Geoff sat down on my bed. He sipped his tea. "Do you feel better now?"

I smiled at him. "Yes. I feel much better now. Nothing is solved. That maniac is still out there somewhere. I'm still in danger, but I feel better."

I finished my tea. I waited until Geoff had finished his, then I handed him my cup. He laid them on the floor before he tucked me in, under the covers, then he lay down beside me, on top of the covers. He held me until I dropped back off to sleep. There were no words between us. There was no need for them.

Once I was asleep, he must have picked up the cups and taken them downstairs to the kitchen.

*Chapter 18*

'Geoff'

Will was in the kitchen making some cocoa when I came in.

"I couldn't get back to sleep," my brother explained. "Poor girl. She is very lucky to

have someone who cares about her like you do."

"Personally, Will, I think that I'm the lucky one."

"She's a fine woman."

"I'm worried about her, Will."

"I can understand that. She's been through h.e.l.l."

"She's so strong. But, there is a limit to anyone's strength. Since Thursday morning,

she's been on edge. Every little sound is making her jump. I know that she didn't sleep on Thursday night. I heard her up and walking around almost all night."

"That means that you didn't get much sleep either, doesn't it?"

"True. But, I don't need much sleep."

"You and she are to sleep in, while you are here," Will said. "I don't care if you stay in bed until afternoon. Both of you need the rest. If you can't get a bit of sanctuary in a Rectory, where can you?"

"Thanks, Will."

"Drink your cocoa and go to bed," Will said in a gruff tone which didn't hide his concern for us.

"Always the bossy big brother."

"Does Alicia know about your vasectomy?"

I hated lying to my brother, but there was no way that I could tell him the truth. He just wouldn't understand the fact that I had seen fit to lie to 'Licia. He definitely wouldn't approve. And the chances of his keeping his mouth closed about it were slim to none. I couldn't afford the risk. "It's been reversed."

Will smiled broadly. "Then, will I be an uncle within the next couple of years?"

"Within the next eight and a half months. Alicia's pregnant."

Will just looked at me. "Does Jack Dougla.s.s know that?"

"We haven't told anyone else, yet. 'Licia just had the blood test and ultrasound day before yesterday to confirm."

"I take it that this was planned?"

"With malice aforethought. 'Licia wants children. She doesn't have many productive years left. We didn't want to waste time."

Will shook his head. "Do you love her?"

"Of course."

"Well, you won't be the first couple to consummate a marriage before taking your vows. I doubt that you'll be the last," Will said.

"You might try being happy for us."

Will smiled at me. "Of course, I'm happy for you."

"Are you?"

"Of course, I am. I just can't help wis.h.i.+ng that you had moved up the wedding."

"She wanted to get the term over and done with, so that we could spend those first few weeks without any other distraction. And I needed some time to wind up most of my urgent caseload so that I could take a long honeymoon."

Will sighed. "I'm going to bed, now. Turn off the lights when you come up."

*Chapter 19*

'Alicia'

It was one in the afternoon before I awoke again. I looked at the clock, then looked again. I gathered my clothes for the day and went to the bathroom. My hairbrush and toothbrush had been in the overnight case that had not made it to Chicago.

Entering the bathroom, I saw a note taped to the mirror. Will had gone out and bought me a new toothbrush, hairbrush, bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and a tube of toothpaste. I smiled. He was just as thoughtful as his brother.

Leaving the bathroom twenty-five minutes later, dressed in jeans, a cotton sweater, and tennis shoes, and with my still damp hair hanging down my back in a single plait, I felt much better than I had in days. I made my way downstairs.

Sister Bonaventure was in the kitchen making pies for dinner.

"Want some help?"

"Come in. Sit down," the older woman said warmly. "You must be hungry."

I smiled. "You are always trying to feed me."

"That is my apostolate. I'm a registered diet.i.tian. I supervise the food preparation over at the school. And here as well, I suppose," the Religious said gently.

I nodded. "I can see that."

"What would you like for breakfast?"

"Don't fuss over me. I'll make something for myself."

Sister smiled. "'Monsignor' Samson is quite taken with you."

"He's a good man. I am glad to be marrying into his family."

Sister laughed, then she became serious. "You don't have a family of your own, 'Monsignor' says."

"No. I don't. Or rather, I don't have any that I know of. My parents died when I was small. Both of them were only children of only children. There never has been anyone really close."

"You ought to get out today and see the area. Make Geoff take you to see the sights."

"Chicagoland is my old stomping grounds. I was born in Lake Forest."

Will had been standing at the doorway. "Geoff didn't tell me that you were a native."

"I'm not certain that I've ever told him," I said. "My childhood wasn't particularly a pleasant one. I tend to avoid discussing it."

Will nodded and smiled with understanding.

"Speaking of Geoff, where is he?" I asked.

"Across the street, shooting hoops with a group of teenagers."

I laughed. "That sounds like Geoff. I suppose that he is winning?"

"Probably being run into the ground, if I know the teenagers who are playing against him. They are ruthless," Will said with glee in his voice.

I laughed boldly. "A little humility would not be a bad thing for your brother to acquire. But, then again, I wouldn't be so sure that the teenagers would best him. He keeps in pretty good shape. And Geoff has a streak of ruthlessness in him a mile wide. That isn't a trait which your high school kids have probably had the necessary experiences to acquire and hone."

"How well you know him," Will said with a laugh. "Have you had breakfast?"

"Will, please ... I would prefer it if people would stop trying to fatten me up."

"You could use a few pounds. Especially now. It isn't good for you to miss meals.

Eat a good breakfast."

"The last few weeks have been rather trying."

Will nodded. "An understatement of British proportions."

"Very much so, I'm afraid."

Will patted my hand. "You just take today to relax. You need some time away from everything. I was glad to see you sleep in."

"Thanks, Will. You don't know how much I need some down time."

Will nodded. "I think that I do. Now, eat some breakfast, lunch, brunch, whatever. Just get some good solid food inside you." Then he looked at me in concern. "You aren't one of those females who gets all woozy in the mornings, are you?" Will asked in a volume too low for Sister to overhear the words.

"Relax, Will. I'm not likely to faint at your feet."

"That's a relief. Now, eat your food," he said as Sister placed before me a plate containing a thick ham and swiss on rye and a large handful of raw vegetables.

I nodded and sighed. "Okay."

After eating, I walked across to the school-yard where Geoff was involved in a fast paced game with teenagers. He had his s.h.i.+rt off. Several of the high school girls were trying not to stare openly at him. I could sympathize with them. It was difficult not to look, and keep looking, at a form that nearly perfect.