Sweet, Sweet Savannah

by HL Nighbor

  “Is everything alright?” I question nervously, their behavior odd.

  “Everything’s great,” Jackson responds quietly. “What are you doing, Savannah?”

  “What do you mean, Jackson? I don’t understand.” I stare at my feet knowing damn well what he’s talking about but caught off guard since he, Beck, and the other two have managed to stay out of it up until this point.

  “After watching you tonight, it’s obvious what you want. Why torture yourself by denying it?” Beck asks as he gently raises my chin to gaze into my eyes.

  “I’m scared. If I choose to get involved in a romantic relationship with Bas, Austin, and Finn and it goes awry, will I lose my friendship with you guys since you’re all such good friends? Will I lose the job I love? Will Mac lose her honorary uncles and their involvement in her life? Is a relationship with them worth the risk?” I ramble, putting my fears on the table.

  “Whoa. Slow down, pretty girl.” Jackson interrupts my rant as he pulls me into a hug. “You sure are worrying about a whole lot of nothing.”

  “Savannah,” Beck says from behind me as I step from Jackson’s hold. “There’s nothing to worry about. What we have here’s solid. We aren’t going anywhere. You aren’t losing anything. If you don’t work out, you don’t work out, but something tells me that won’t be a problem.”

  “Beck’s right, darlin’,” Jackson adds. “I know Chris and Cooper feel the same. We’ve wondered why you’ve been dragging your feet, but this was the last thing I expected to be the issue. You really think that little of us?”

  “No, not at all.” I turn to meet Jackson’s hurt stare. “I think the world of you all, but it’s been in my mind among other things. The whole situation’s confusing.”

  “I know you’re a planner and list maker, Savannah, but this is one situation you need to follow your heart and not your over-active brain.” Jackson pulls me into another hug. “We’re going to get going. I’m glad we had this chat and eased some of your fears.”

  “Me, too,” I agree as I give Beck a hug goodnight.

  After our goodbyes, the guys get into their car and drive away leaving me to reflect on my insane notions.

  This evening solidified existing friendships and new ones. This group will be by my side for life. The bonds created tonight through laughter and tears will be unshakeable and important. Challenges and arguments may arise, but I know without a doubt this bunch will always cover my ass if needed.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The barbecue took place a week ago, and life has been on full speed since. With work schedules and Mac, coordinating with Bas, Austin, and Finn to spend some time together proved difficult. They still helped watch Mac while I worked, but the bar’s popularity and the summer months increased business significantly and has me pulling extra hours while they try to hire additional staff.

  When I received the text from Bas a couple hours ago telling me to have myself and Mac ready by eleven for a family fun day, elation filled me. Spending my day off with the trio and Mac sounded like a great day. However, I never imagined I would be standing in front of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the mall, but here I am.

  “Guys, are you sure about this?” I ask hesitantly, hoping they change their mind.

  Watching the scene unfold in front of me through the store’s entrance, I find myself terrified of what I witness. Children screaming or crying. Adults frantically running around the store in unrestrained panic. The display in front of me is nothing short of insane.

  “Yes, we are sure,” Finn states as he braces himself as if he’s about to head into battle. “Look at the smile on Mac’s face. She’s excited. Besides, there are four adults. We’re prepared.”

  I glance over to witness Mac with a huge smile on her face, wiggling excitedly, trying to break free from Bas’s arms. Bas releases his hold on her and settles her between Austin and himself. Each guy grabs one of her little hands as they walk towards the store entrance.

  “This will be a piece of cake,” Austin says over his shoulder to Finn and me.

  Bas turns his head to make sure we’re following. As he returns to facing forward, I faintly make out his muttered, “How hard can this be?”

  My snickering draws Finn’s attention. “What’s so funny?”

  With a nod in Bas’s direction, I answer. “Famous last words.”

  Now chuckling himself, Finn pulls me through the entrance of the store where Bas and Austin wait with Mac. Upon entering, a store employee greets us and tells us to follow the signs hanging from the ceiling to complete the seven simple steps to create our new friend.

  Possibly, this won’t be bad after all. Seems easy enough.

  “Alright, princess,” Bas gets down on his knees to be eye level with Mac. “First you need to pick a new friend. Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” Mac screams as she runs towards the large wall of unstuffed animals. She’s immediately drawn to a bright pink teddy bear.

  “Is this the one you want?” Austin asks as he grabs a deflated pink bear from the barrel. The shell of the bear flops around in his hold as he reaches out to hand it to Mac. Creepy.

  “No.” Mac shakes her head and points to the fully stuffed bear on display. “That one.”

  As her lower lip trembles, Bas picks her up to point two stations ahead of where we currently stand. “Don’t cry, princess. They will stuff it after we pick out a special voice.”

  Now pacified, Mac once again wiggles to move onto the next stop. I take a peek at Bas, and the questioning expression on my face causes his face to redden.

  “What?” He shrugs. “I wasn’t coming here without researching the place first.”

  Without any hesitation, I walk up to Bas and place a soft kiss on his cheek. “And that’s why I love you so much.”

  Realizing what I said and did, I take off in Mac’s direction without glancing back at Bas. I hope he doesn’t read into my actions. Every day spent with the guys causes my walls to crumble a little more, yet I still hesitate. Taking the final leap of faith proves to be harder than I could’ve ever imagined.

  A hard body presses against my back, and hot breath blows across my neck. “No pressure, Savannah. We can go out your pace but don’t think that your comment and little display didn’t go unnoticed.” Bas presses a quick kiss to my neck and walks away.

  Shit. I’m in too deep. I know it, and they definitely know it.

  As I approach the next station, I find the guys arguing over what sound effect Mac’s bear needs. Oblivious to the discussion around her, the princess entertains herself by pushing each item in the sound display, mimicking each noise after it plays.

  “It’s a bear. It needs a different noise,” Bas states firmly as if it’s the only choice. “A bear can’t make a monkey noise.”

  “Where’s your creativity? You must’ve been a boring child.” Austin turns back to the board of sounds clearly offended by Bas’s lack of imagination.

  “We all know Bas was never a child.” Finn takes the moment to get his dig in. “He came out of the womb with his practicality and scowl in place.”

  Ignoring the three men bickering in front me, I kneel. “Hey, beautiful girl. What sound do you want your kitty to make?”

  “Broken, mama.” Mac points her finger at the box to record your own sound. “No work.”

  I grab a box and hold the button down while saying, “Mommy loves you,” into the speaker. When I release the button, I hand the box to Mac, and she pushes the button hearing my recorded message.

  Giggling, she pulls on Bas’s shirt gaining his attention. “Ba, Mama.”

  Holding the box in his hand, he presses the button, and a smile graces his handsome face. “What the pretty lady wants, the pretty lady gets.”

  After a few minutes of planning and several tries, we nail it. Mac presses the little button over and over listening to each of us send a little love her way.

  “Time to get stuffed,” Austin whispers in my direction with a smirk on his face an
d wink.

  “You’re awful. Don’t let Mac hear you being crude.” I bump my hips into his body.

  Austin wraps his arms around me from behind pulling my back flush to his front. I lean into him, enjoying his warm touch. One more brick crumbles in my resolve.

  “As much as I am loving you in my arms, gorgeous,” he softly says in my ear. “We need to get back with the group. The fun is just beginning.”

  Reluctantly stepping out of Austin’s arms, I walk over to the line at the stuffing station where Bas, Finn, and Mac wait. It doesn’t take long before we’re at the front of the line and face more decisions.

  “Would like to choose a scent for your bear?” The teenaged attendant asks as she grabs the deflated bear from Finn and the sound cartridge from Bas. “We have a lot of great scents to choose from.”

  Mac stares at the girl questioningly, and Finn comes to the rescue. He picks her up and brings her over to the display of scent packs.

  “Would like your bear to smell pretty, princess?” he asks as points to the packages.

  “Cake, Fi!” Mac squeals in delight as Finn grabs the package from the wall.

  “You want the cupcake one?” He places the package under her nose.

  Mac nods her head nods vigorously, and Finn gives the package to the attendant. She begins stuffing the bears head and legs. After carefully placing the sound box in one of the paws, she continues to stuff the arms and partially filling the body when she stops.

  “This is the best part,” Bas announces as he grabs a hand full of little red and pink hearts from a container. “We each get one, and we can whisper wishes into it. Then, we give it a little kiss, and they will get placed in the bear.”

  A heart in each our hands, I watch the trio in awe. These three ex-Seals take this job seriously as they whisper to their hearts and place kisses on them. Watching Bas, Austin, and Finn melts me into a puddle of desire, and more bricks crumble from my carefully constructed wall.

  A nudge to my shoulder snaps me back to the present.

  Finn tells me, “You won’t want to miss this.”

  Lost in my thoughts, I missed the remainder of the stuffing process, but now, Mac stands with the attendant who holds a fully stuffed, pink bear in her hands.

  “Now, on to the most important job,” the attendant tells Mac. “It’s time for the hug test. You need to give your new friend a big hug to make sure she’s stuffed just right.”

  Mac accepts the bear and gives her a squeeze, a huge smile adorning Mac’s face.

  After thanking the attendant, we walk over to where this store makes its money—clothing and accessories. I watch as Mac runs from display to display pointing out everything her bear needs. If she points to it, the guys grab it.

  We head over to the computer to name the bear and print out a birth certificate. This process goes quickly as I handle most of the details. When I ask Mac what she wants to name her bear, she replies, “Ka Ka,” without hesitation.

  So, Ka Ka it is. Chris will be thrilled.

  With a box holding the bear and a bag full of clothing and accessories in hand, we head home to get the little princess down for her nap.

  “Thank you for today,” I tell the guys as the car pulls up to my apartment. “We had a lot of fun.”

  Bas turns off the car and notices a sleeping Mac in her car seat. “It was our pleasure. We love spending time with you two. Let us help you get her inside.”

  We climb out of the car. Austin grabs Mac while Bas grabs the bear and bags.

  In the apartment with Mac settled in her crib, I flop my body face down on the couch ready for my own nap. As I get comfortable, firm hands massage my back and shoulders. I moan in ecstasy.

  “You sound like you’re enjoying yourself.” Finn chuckles as he continues to massage me boneless. “Sit up and I will get your neck and shoulders better.”

  I sit up, settling myself between his legs and let my head fall forward.

  Once I’m all loose and relaxed, I partially turn my body to find Finn staring at me with hooded eyes. I lean towards him, and my lips brush against his. The next thing I know we are a tangle of lips and limbs as we make out on the couch in my living room.

  “Looks like we’re missing all the fun, Bas,” Austin states from behind the couch, startling me out of my lusty haze.

  I jump to my feet and meet three sets of eyes filled with want and desire.

  “I’m so sorry. That shouldn’t have happened.” I straighten my clothing and back up. “I’m going to go take a cold shower. Thanks again for today. Go ahead and lock up when you leave.”

  I rush into the bathroom and carefully close the door to keep from waking Mac up from her nap and turn on the shower. When the sound of the front door being closed echoes through the quiet apartment, I allow myself to breathe.

  Embarrassed by my reaction, I pull my phone from my pocket and send a quick text of apology to the guys. After placing my phone on the bathroom counter, I strip out of my clothes and jump into the shower, allowing the warm spray to soothe and relax me.

  Everyone’s right. I know what I want but why am I having such a hard time accepting it and taking the leap? Why continue to fight it? How many women would jump at the chance to be in my shoes?

  It’s only a matter of time before I cave, and something tells me the moment will be here sooner rather than later.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Several days later, my life takes a devastating turn as the blaring smoke detector wakes me in the middle of the night. When I jump out of bed, smoke fills the apartment. Acting quickly, I grab tees from my drawer and take them to the bathroom to soak them in water. I tie one to my face to help filter the smoke from my lungs and head over to grab my little angel.

  When I get to Mac’s crib, she breathes shallowly and does not wake when I call her name or shake her. Frantically, I lift her and tie the other wet tee in the same manner as I did mine. I hold her securely in my arms as I grab my phone from the nightstand and run to the front door. Before I can touch the door handle, the heat becomes too intense – eliminating our only way to escape.

  Running with Mac in my arms, I get in the bathroom and climb into the shower to allow the water to run over us and saturate our clothes making them harder to ignite should the fire reach us.

  I grab my phone from where I left it on the toilet and call nine-one-one.

  The call only rings twice but it feels like an eternity before someone answers. “Nine-one-one operator. What is your emergency?”

  Frantically rambling without taking a breath, I answer, “There’s a fire and I’m trapped in my apartment above the garage. The only exit door is too hot to open. My daughter won’t wake up and she’s breathing funny. Please help us. Please.”

  “Take a deep breath, honey,” the operator instructs in a tone much calmer than my own. “What is your address and where are you located in your apartment?”

  “The address is 5153 Bay Meadows Court. My daughter and I live in the apartment over the garage.” Between my panicked conversation and the smoke filling the bathroom, I break into a coughing fit and find it hard to catch my breath.

  Calmly, the dispatcher helps me regain my composure. “Honey, you need to calm down for me. I have dispatched responders and they are in route. I need you to answer a few more questions for me. What is your full name and where in your apartment are you?”

  “My name is Savannah Rae Preston and we are currently in the bathroom at the back of the apartment. I have the door shut and we are laying on the floor of the tub with the water running over us.” I respond as calmly as the situation will allow.

  “That’s great thinking. You said you are with your daughter and she is in the bathroom with you. Is there anyone else in the apartment that responders need to be aware of?” The sound of the dispatcher typing notes can be heard over the line.

  “No. It’s just me and my daughter.” I glance over the edge of the tub toward the door and see smoke pouring in at a much quicker rat
e. The fire must be getting closer and my tears and panic are renewed. “Please hurry. The bathroom is almost filled with smoke. My daughter still won’t wake up.”

  As the dispatcher continues to ask me questions in a failed attempt to keep me calm, I place the phone on speaker, open my messaging app, and send a text to Bas.

  Me: Our apartment is on fire and we’re trapped. I called 911. Mac won’t wake up.

  Bas: We’re on our way. Hang in there, Savannah. Don’t give up.

  I set down the phone, and for the first time, in a long time, I pray. I pray help will get here soon. I pray I don’t lose Mac. I can’t imagine a life without her and I know I wouldn’t survive it. I pray Mac will be taken care of if I don’t make it and she will always know how greatly I loved her. I pray for everything and everyone.

  I lay flat in the tub with Mac underneath me, trying to find the last bit of untainted air as the smoke pours in above us in the bathroom. The operator remains on speaker, calmly reassuring me help will be here soon. As my eyes get heavy and my breathing becomes increasingly more difficult, I send one final text to Bas.

  Me: Promise me you’ll take care of her. Promise me.

  And then my world goes black.

  ~

  “Sweet, sweet Savannah. You need to wake up, baby. Come back to us,” I faintly hear Bas sadly say.

  Why does he sound so far away? Why does he sound sad?

  I try to open my eyes but I can’t get them to cooperate. They won’t open. I try to call out to him but he doesn’t respond. Why doesn’t he respond? In a panic, I try to reach out for him, but my arms won’t move.

  The beeping in the background increases and now I hear another voice – a female voice I don’t recognize.

  Before I can try to call out again, I get pulled back into the darkness.

  ~

  I slowly open my eyes and immediately close them again. The too bright light causes them to hurt. After blinking a few times, the light no longer bothers my eyes and I can hold them open. Taking in my surroundings, I recognize the hospital room and it all comes back to me in a flurry. The fire in my apartment. Not being able to wake Mac up. Lying in the tub.