Beautifully Awake

“Why have you been ignoring your texts? I’ve been looking all over for you.”

I removed my sunglasses from my face “Well, I’m right here.”

“Okay, fill me in then. Want to tell me why someone served you legal papers?” He looked tense.

“Chase, it’s no big deal. I told you what I used to do back home and unfortunately, testifying was a part of my old job.” My throat burned when I uttered the word “home” out loud a second time. There was nothing homey about it anymore. “Just haven’t had to do it in a few years, so it sort of caught me by surprise.”

Revisiting all my suppressed memories was the real issue, but that I kept quiet. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his hip against the back of a bench.

“When do you have to go?”

“I have to be there Friday morning, so I’ll probably head out tomorrow.”

“We’ll head out.” He didn’t hesitate.

“Chase, that’s crazy, you’re not going to just up and leave, you have cases.” And there is no way in hell you’re coming with me. He dropped his arms and walked toward the water, pacing back and forth a couple of times before his eyes commanded my attention. “That’s sweet, but it’s no big deal. It’s less than twenty-four hours I’ll be gone, you can’t just leave.” I repeated, trying to get Chase to see how crazy he was being.

“Yes, I can. I can do what I want, Lil, that’s one of the perks of being Chief of the department.” Well hello, Dr. Cocky.

The corners of my mouth lifted slightly and I hesitantly questioned, “What about your cases on Friday?”

“What about them? I will reschedule them. Fuck, I’ll do them on Sunday if I have to.” Okay. Looks like traveling to Wrangel alone was out of the question. “I’m coming with you, end of discussion. You’re not going to a courthouse full of fucked up people by yourself, for any reason.” Dr. Possessive was adamant.

Shockingly, my shoulders and stomach relaxed slightly. I wasn’t doing this alone. Maybe having Chase with me would make it easier. Or was I just trying to convince myself? It didn’t matter, because right at this moment, I no longer felt alone.

“Thank you.”

He pulled me into a tight embrace and kissed my forehead. “Anything for you, baby. Anything.”

I let my body melt into his chest, breathing in his scent that I was beginning to crave more than air itself.

We boarded the plane late Thursday evening after a non-stop day of calling and rescheduling Chase’s Friday cases. The fact that his last minute “conference” randomly coincided with my last minute trip home may have been lost on the boys, but definitely not on Leanne. The girl had a sex sixth sense. She even felt the need to point out that our not-so-silent kiss outside the on call room was a great distraction during Kate’s breakdown. Oh, and she definitely didn’t miss the Blue slip up. Fortunately, there was no time for her to share her revelations with the rest of the team since Chase occupied them with operating all day.

After our short (probably a good thing) hour and a half flight (five more minutes and we would have joined the mile high club) into Erie International Airport, we rented a car for the second leg of the trip. To say the least, Chase entertained me the entire flight, keeping a close personal eye to never let my champagne glass waver from three quarters full. So when a first class passenger asked if we were on our honeymoon and Chase casually responded with “nothing more romantic than northern Pennsylvania,” I choked on my bubbly and burst into laughter. I definitely made up for Chase’s lack of drinking, no surprise he chose seltzer. He was a stickler for no drinking and driving.

He must have sensed I needed the stress outlet, assuming I was anxious about testifying in court, which of course was a little nerve-racking. But the true reason was staying deep beneath my beautiful. Fortunately for me, he was really good at keeping my mind from traveling down that inevitable road.

“Is this where we’re staying?” Chase pulled into the quaint, two-story motel just on the outskirts of town. When I booked the room, the thought of actually sleeping in the center of town accentuated my nausea. And since my dad knew I wouldn’t be staying at his house, he insisted we stay here. Thankfully, I had reached a level of alcohol intoxication where everything was blissfully fuzzy. I didn’t really care where I slept, as long as it was with Chase.

“What, not fancy enough for you?” I teased. “Scared of the bedbugs?”

“No, just making sure this was the right place, and until you brought it up, bedbugs hadn’t crossed my mind. Thanks for that.” He raised his chiseled brow and cocked his head to the side. Damn, he was cute.

“Don’t worry, my dad’s wife’s family owns the place, it’s super clean. Plus, Dad made sure to reserve us a non-bedbug room. It doesn’t get much fancier in Wrangel. We max out at three stars.” I smiled. “You okay with an early breakfast with him before I have to meet the attorney at 8:30?”

“Baby, I’m fine. I’m up at four every morning. It’s you I’m worried about.” Chase missing his beauty rest was not the issue; my very overprotective father was my concern. “I have some serious pipe to lay and I’m not promising you’re going to bed anytime soon.” He leaned over the console and kissed my cheek.

I glanced at the dashboard clock—11:02 PM—and giggled again. Five minutes from the center of Wrangel and I was giggling. Crazy how my life had changed in this last month!

Chase hopped out of the car, circling to my side to help me out. Always the gentleman. “Let’s get checked in. Leave the bags, I’ll run back and get them.”

We headed through the deserted parking lot toward the only light that illuminated the whole motel. I forgot how dark it was in the middle of nowhere.

“Is that you, darling?” Not even two steps through the door, my dad’s sister-in-law stepped around the counter and crushed me with a giant hug. Sharon’s family had adopted me as their own immediately after they were married.

“Sure is. So great to see you, Dana. Feels like forever since I’ve been here.”

She pushed me back at arms’ length to give me a good once over.

“It has been, sugar. You thinner? Your dad is always telling us what a runner you’ve become.” I glanced at Chase who was quietly leering, no doubt reminiscing about our NYC run where I practically keeled over from exhaustion. “He’s been missin’ your smiling face, Lili. All he talks about is how proud he is of you. What a life you have made for yourself in Philly.”

“I miss him too, can’t wait to see him. I wish it was under better circumstances.” Chase’s hand curled around mine, sending a familiar shiver down my spine; I loved how responsive he was to me. “We’re having an early breakfast at the diner tomorrow.” I snuggled him into my side. “Dana, this is my boyfriend, Chase Colton. Chase, this is my stepmom’s sister, Dana.”

“Well well well, what do we have here?”

Chase extended his hand.

“Oh no, sugar, I need a hug.” She tried to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders and I swear he blushed. Dana was petite, very pretty and a blonde who curved in all the right places. I grinned as he stiffened under her charm. “Lili, he’s a gem, you found yourself a good egg.”

Her kind sentiment reminded me of something my dad would say.

Dana handed me a key. “So we set you up in the suite at the end. More windows, better light, has a small couch and dining set. I know it’s not Philly quality, but I hope it will do.”

“Oh Dana, that sounds perfect.”

Chase stepped forward to place his Amex on the counter.

“Absolutely not, you are family. Put that card away.” She shooed the card back toward Chase. “Now you two must be exhausted, go. Besides I’m wiped and off to bed too, not expectin’ anyone else. Make sure to stop and say bye in the morning.”

“Thank you very much, Dana, pleasure meeting you.” He put the credit card back in his wallet. Dr. Money- Bags was uncomfortable about not paying.

Welcome to my world.

I gave Dana another quick hug. “We’ll see you in the morning. Thanks again, goodnight.”

She smiled and walked through a closed door that I only assumed was a bedroom. Chase and I headed toward the stairs leading to our room on the second and top floor.

“Baby, I’ll grab the bags and meet you up there.” He gave me a quick peck and jogged back toward the