yourdarkangel2, DinahRay, Rogue1221, and kikino Yuo, thank you for your very kind reviews!
Running out of Time
Leaning against the menacing steel skyscraper that pierced the clouds above, Constance glanced up at the immense name of William's law firm engraved in marble overhead.
Taking a deep drag off her cigarette she crushed it beneath her cane, while muttering under her breath.
"In my day people showed a little decorum, now it's all vulgar, monstrosities staring down upon our fair city of angels, Christ on the cross it gets worse everyday."
After adjusting the tie on the doorman, she walked in as if she owned the place, while she searched for William's mistress.
Tapping the end of her cane on the long registry of attorneys, she raised her reading glasses from the chain around her neck to the end of her nose.
Finding what she was looking for she entered the elevator sighing as soft jazz played in the background.
"God help me, why am I always the one who has to fix every damn problem that- "
"Excuse me Ma'am, is this your floor?"
Unaware of the opened doors as she fixed her hair in the reflection of the steel railing, she eyed the lit number and stepped off, snubbing the well dressed lawyer who had been holding the doors for her.
Walking past the receptionist, seeing that her dark hair and blue eyes didn't fit the description, she ignored the woman's several pleas for her to stop.
"Excuse me Ms? You can't go down there, those are private offices!"
Glaring at each long winded name etched in glass on either side of the long hallway, she muttered under her breath.
"Oh just try and stop me little girl."
Finally arriving at her destination she smiled condescendingly at the buxom blonde typing away at her computer.
"Excuse me, Ms. Heather Schmidt I presume?"
Edging her head around her screen, towards Constance, Heather rolled her eyes, aggravated that another one got by Anna the receptionist, who clearly needed to fired.
"You don't belong here, please go back to the main elevators in the lobby and state your business to Anna, the dark haired girl behind the big glass desk."
Speaking to her as if she were a senile old bat, she went back to her typing as if that would end the conversation.
Slipping off her white gloves, Constance hummed her annoyance, as her appreciation for Riley grew by the second.
"Yes, well, see that would be a waste of my time dear."
Lacing her fingers beneath her chin, Heather pursed her lips sarcastically.
"And why is that?"
Laying her gloves over her purse, Constance tilted her head to the side grinning widely, showing her the grace of true southern woman.
"Because sweetheart… you… are my business."
rTr
Spending the entire morning together after William left for work, Riley couldn't have been happier.
After making love in his bed for hours, they figured out how to work the waffle iron together as if they were newlyweds, laughing, unable to keep their hands off each other.
Later he watched her plant purple and white petunias along the foundation in the backyard, because as Riley put it, the house needed to look as beautiful as he made her feel.
The rest of the afternoon was spent laying on a blanket outside in the summer shade, staring up at the clouds, while Tate recited lines of poetry to her between sweet romantic kisses.
The day was flying by, knowing they only had a few hours left, Riley had the idea of taking a long hot bubble bath together.
Why she was busy searching for some bath beads in her closet, Tate ran to draw their bath ignoring the judgmental whispers along the way.
His blissful demeanor immediately changed at the sight of Hayden sitting on the edge of the tub, testing the hot bath, that she so generously started for him.
"Get out, now!"
Flicking the water at his face, she stood with her hands braced on her hips.
"Tate, stalling won't make it any easier, you need to talk to her."
Listening at the door for Riley, he looked back at her nervously.
"You don't understand, she can sense you here, you're going to scare her, she's special, Riley is - "
"Going to be gone soon... if you don't convince her to be wife of the year Tate, is that what you want? Because honestly I've never seen you this happy, not even when you were with Vi - "
"GO AWAY HAYDEN!"
Breathless, Tate slid down the wall, now all alone, realizing that he had no choice, there was no way he could exist without his little bird, not after everything, not after the agony of losing so much already.
rTr
"Whoa, bringing her up? That was cold, even for you Hayden"
Rolling her eyes she plopped down on the basement stairs kicking one of Tate's old toys across the room.
"Really Travis? Because I don't see anyone else around here coming up with any brilliant ideas!"
"As much as it pains me to admit it, our little hormonal vixen is right."
Narrowing her eyes in Chad's direction, Hayden blew him a kiss only to quickly follow it up with her middle finger.
"Very ladylike sweetheart, at any rate, we may be in bigger trouble than we thought, tell them Nora dear."
Stepping out of the shadows, nervously wrapping her lace handkerchief around her fingers, Nora cleared her throat.
"Well, I overheard heard that horrible William fellow on the telephone yesterday, he was talking to a physician from that mental institution up North, they were discussing Riley. Poor dear. I believe he's making a case against her that she needs to go back to that dreadful place. I don't care at all for that dastardly man, he's nothing but a cruel brute if you ask me."
Giving his two cents, Travis chimed in again, "You know a strip mall might not be that bad, they might have an arcade or a bar, it might be cool you guys."
Pinching the bridge of his nose with two fingers, trying to maintain his patience, Chad shook his head.
"Travis, we have no idea what will happen when they level this place. No, I'm sorry, but I for one am not giving up this house, Patrick and I put our heart and soul into renovating this antique house of horrors, literally. There has to be another way, we just need to think of a plan to get rid of William, I'm sure the house is in Riley's name, if so, with his life insurance she might be able to afford to keep it."
Raising his hand hesitantly, Charles lowered his surgical mask, briefly pushing aside a special experiment he had been working on.
"I may have a solution, if anyone is interested."
Patting his shoulder, Nora ushered him back into his corner with his spare body parts.
"Dear, no one wants to hear the deranged ramblings of an ether riddled mind."
Turning to go back up the steps, Chad barked at Hayden impatiently.
"Where are you going now?"
Looking back at the growing crowd of spirits hovering around, she pointed towards towards the basement door.
"I'm going to look for his will, we have to be sure that Riley is the beneficiary."
Confused Nora questioned her, "She's his wife, of course she's entitled to everything, don't be silly."
Laughing her way upstairs Hayden shook her head.
"Someone please explain to her how little that means in today's world?"
rTr
"And who exactly are you?"
Taking a seat in the chair opposite Heather's desk, Constance sighed heavily, considering that very complicated question.
"I guess you could call me a friend."
Leaning back in her leather computer chair, Heather crossed her long legs, waving off security that was briskly walking towards them, out of curiosity.
"And what exactly does my new friend want from me?"
Sneering at her patronizing tone, Constance gritted her teeth, clutching her purse tightly.
"It is my understanding that you and your employer are engaging in intimate relations, that as I understand, is frowned upon in this fine establishment. Well that's only if you haven't disclosed this information to … oh dear, what is it called again? Oh yes the kind people over in Human Resources… you haven't done that have you? No, I wouldn't think so considering, William is a married man and all. I'm sure you wouldn't want that kind of gossip floating around these lofty halls. Information like that… well it could ruin a girl's reputation, not to mention any future endeavors in this company."
Pressing her finger on the intercom, Heather called back security to quickly have Constance escorted out of the building without another word.
Slamming her car door several times, she quickly lit up another cigarette, damning her son for his good looks and boyish charm.
"This is all your fault you selfish, inconsiderate child, how many times are we going to be brought to the brink of disaster due to your lovesick catastrophes!"
rTr
Riley leaned back against Tate's chest sighing as lavender scented bubbles floated up all around them.
Her pretty green eyes slid shut as she sunk into the hot water moaning softly as his hands massaged her delicate shoulders.
Tate couldn't help noticing how beautiful her raven hair looked in contrast to his pale skin, it was as if they were made for each other, both filling a painful void left by past horrors.
"I swear if there is a heaven, it must feel just like this." he whispered against her temple as he continued to caress her.
"Hmm, my sweet Tate, if there was a heaven you would be there."
Tears welled in his eyes, unseen by her, forcing himself to speak against everything that was screaming inside him.
"Riley, we need to talk."
Sliding underneath the water, she popped back up facing him with her dark hair slicked back, smiling nervously as water droplets slipped from her full lips.
"Is that what you really want to do Tate, because I have other ideas, all of which have to do with pleasing you."
Placing a tender kiss on his soft mouth she veered back when his tears became more visible.
"Tate, what is it? Did I do something wrong?"
His heart clenched at her reaction, brainwashed into always believing she was to blame in some way, he knew she'd never shake the horrible abuse brought down upon her from that monster.
This wasn't fair, he couldn't ask her to allow that nightmare near her, there had to be another way, he would find another way to save her, to save them all.
Gazing into her innocent worried eyes, he wanted nothing more than to wipe all her fears away, to be her hero, to love her for all the days of her life.
"How could you do anything wrong? You're perfect, you're my beautiful little bird. I just wanted to tell you how happy you've made me, happier than I've ever been. I love you Riley."
Biting down hard on her bottom lip, she kissed him slow and sweet, while lowering herself down, allowing him to slide deliciously inside where he belonged.
"I love you Tate, always."
rTr
Holding the legal document up for everyone to see Hayden glared at Nora.
"I knew it, he's already changed his will, he's planning on divorcing Riley and marrying that bitch."
Distraught, Moira stared off into space as if not at all surprised.
"Men, rotten to the core, always thinking below their belts, poor Riley, she has no idea, soon he'll ship her off to that horrible Asylum, and he'll sell this house."
"We don't know that, he could just move her in here."
Impatiently Hayden yelled at Travis, making him leave to find the girls he so sweetly had taken under his wing.
"Dumb ass! Did you forget the little horror show we put on for him, he's definitely selling this place, we are seriously fucked!"
Once again Charles poked his head out from the shadows, lowering his surgical mask as he waved a bloody scalpel back and forth to get everyone's attention.
"Listen, if you'll just all hear me out, I have the perfect solution that will fix everything."
Once Charles finished his speech, a strange quiet hush fell over the crowd of ghosts who were truly surprised.
"It's brilliant, it solves all our problems. I can't believe we didn't think of it sooner."
Shaking his head at Chad, Patrick crossed his arms in front of him, believing he had a little insight into Tate and what he was capable of.
"He'll never agree to it, you know what a psycho the little shit is when he's in love, it won't work."
Lost in thought, Hayden was already putting a plan together.
"So, we don't tell him, simple as that."
Moira walked back up the stairs clearly shaken, close to tears.
"I won't be a part of this, it's just not right."
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