Chapter 3
July 1, 2022
Chicago, IL
Marcus Bingley
IZZY!!!!! IZZY!!!! ISABELLA BINGLEY!!!!
Sweat poured down my back and my heart raced uncontrollably. The familiar nightmare racked my dreams once again. It actually had been a while since I had the dream. The horrid dream where I had to relive every terrifying moment when I lost my baby girl. But the worst part was waking up and remembering it wasn't a dream. It was real life.
Ever since Charlie told me they were all heading to Nashville to open a new Bella's Cafe, the nightmares started once again. Like always I keep praying wherever she is that she is safe and loved.
The text chime on my phone goes off, bringing me back to the present. I rub my face, feeling the effects of another rough nights sleep. I sit up in bed before checking my phone and pulling it off the charger.
I see a text and a video from Louisa. I click on the video and see Bella "Hey Papa! Loves you!!!" She says sweetly. Then she blew me several kisses in a row. Her sweet laughter filled my ears. I could hear Louisa in the background laugh as well.
I then click back to her text:
Hey dad, FaceTime us when you get up. Bella wants to say hi!
I let her know I am awake and to call whenever.
I click back to the video of Bella and watch it a few more times. In so many ways she reminds me of Izzy, her hair is a lot darker. But their eyes are almost identical. Bright dark blue expressive eyes. Just like Laura's as well.
Oh Laura, part of me is thankful you didn't have to experience this pain. Living in a world without Izzy. But of course I'd rather you be by my side.
Bella's picture pops up on the screen and I accept the FaceTime call. Suddenly all I see is Bella's nose and mouth.
"Hey Papa!!!" I hear her say loudly.
"Hey Sweetie! Hey I can't see you, can you pull the phone back a little?" She does for a second, but before too long it's back right up next to her face. I let out a chuckle. "Bells, where is your mom?"
She actually managed to pull the phone back for a bit and I could see her whole face. "As soon as we called you she had to pee."
I laugh at my very polite and mannered daughter having to rush off to the bathroom.
"What have you and your mom been up to this morning?" I say while setting the phone on my charging stand in the kitchen and start making a cup of coffee.
She puts the phone down as well, but just on a nearby table. So all I can see is their ceiling fan. But she continues talking. "Been watching Bluey and playing with Izzy."
Her last word makes my heart race. "What did you say honey?"
Louisa must hear my tone and rushes over to pick the phone off the table.
"Hey dad, sorry about that." She says with a slight smile and a wave of her hand.
"Hey Lou, what's this about Bella playing with Izzy?" I can't help the confusion taking over my calm voice.
"Oh Bella got a new doll the other day and Charles thought it looked like Izzy. So she decided to name her doll Izzy. Because of it we have been talking with Bella about her lately." Louisa says while holding the phone up so I can watch Bella play with her new doll.
My heart calms at her explanation. I nod in understanding.
"Are you all packed dad?"
"Yes, I'll head to the airport in a couple hours." I say while bringing my phone and coffee over to the table.
"Ok great, we can't wait to see you. We have missed you so much." Louisa says and then turns the phone back towards Bella. "Me miss you too Papa!"
"Oh dad, send me your itinerary. Me and Bella will come get you at the airport."
"Lou, you don't need to do that, Ivan can drive me. I'm sure you have enough going on over there. Especially with the big July 4th dinner." I shake my head at them both trying to convince them.
"We want to be their dad, also it gives us something to look forward to. With Aaron working so hard overseeing the remodel, we have been a little lost without him here." I watch Bella run around the coffee table a few times. Then I hear some grumpy commotion behind Louisa.
"Sounds like sleeping beauty has awoken." I say teasingly at Louisa and she tries to hide her laughter. Suddenly Caroline takes the phone from Louisa. Her non-makeup face and messy hair fills the screen.
"Hey daddy, we're ready for you to be here. Maybe you can keep these early risers busy in the mornings so I can finally get some sleep." She rolls her eyes at Louisa and Bella. Louisa sticks her tongue back at her. And I laugh at their silliness, no matter if they are grown women they will always be my silly daughters.
"Ok girls, I need to go take a shower and get ready for the trip. Love you and see you soon!"
"We love you too dad, see you." They all wave bye and we end the call.
I quickly send a text to Charlie:
Hey son, can't wait to see how things are going. Will you be around for dinner tonight?
Before I even get to the bathroom I get a text back:
You know it dad! Ready for you to be here!
Then a second later another text comes through:
Not sure if that was clear, I will be around for dinner. Ha!
Sounds good son, see you then.
July 1,2022
Nashville, TN
Jane
"So tell me everything! Your texts have been super cryptic and I can't tell at all how you really feel because it's all just so positive." I laugh at Lizzy's tone and shake my head. Forgetting she can't see me.
"It's not all positive. The other day I texted you that I broke a nail." Lizzy scoffed into the phone. I can hear her rolling her eyes at me.
"Broke a nail! That's nothing! Seriously Jane, how is it all going?" Lizzy says while working on something in the background. It sounds like she's a little farther away, most likely she has me on speaker phone and is tackling some project.
"It really has been great Lizzy. They have been so warm and welcoming. It's been hard work, lots of long days. But we almost have the remodel finished. Which still completely baffles me."
"WHHHAAATTT???? How on earth is the remodel almost done? Didn't you say they stripped the building completely?" Lizzy says completely shocked as I knew she would be.
"Apparently that's the kind of service you can get when you have extra funds provided." I try to say gently. Not wanting to push their wealth anymore than needed.
"What a life! To be able to literally snap your fingers and a decked out, fully remodeled restaurant appears." She lets her breath out in exasperation. "I bet they have zero concept of what it means to actually work hard." Lizzy says with a huff while actually picking the phone up and taking me off speaker.
"It's not like that with this family Lizzy. They actually work really hard and involve themselves completely. They might be able to get things done a little faster with their extra money, but they put in their time and strength. Not just the owner Charles, but also his whole family. His sisters have overseen all the decorating. His brother in law has been making sure the remodel has gone smoothly and been present if anything is needed. His best friend takes care of all the paperwork and scheduling." I take a breath and cradle the phone between my ear and my shoulder. As I lock my apartment door.
"Interesting. So it's Charles now, hu?" I can hear her tone change quickly from annoyance to teasing.
"Stop it Lizzy. It's not like that." I chide her, while reminding myself the same thing.
"It's not hu? Did you or did you not say he was and I quote 'very nice looking' right after your interview?" Her teasing tone becoming stronger as the seconds passed.
I stop in the middle of the street and calm my heart. "Lizzy please. I'm serious, I can't allow myself to think like that at all. He is my boss. It doesn't matter if I think he is extremely handsome, caring and the most positive man I have ever met. It can never be." I let out a shaky breath at the end. She must finally sense my seriousness because thankfully she drops it and changes the subject.
"Where are you headed now?"
"I'm meeting with a few potential hires for the staff. What are you up to? How's camp going?"
"Currently I am making signs for all the different teams. But camp is going good. Lots of kids needing love." Her voice gets quiet and I know she is thinking of her own situation.
"Gotcha. Well I love you sis! I know you are the best for the job." Wishing she was beside me so I could give her a comforting hug.
"Right back at ya Janey. Love you too!" She hangs up and I head into work.
A few bad interviews later, Charles and I are looking over the last candidate's resume in his office.
"Wow, those were absolutely terrible. I mean it pains me to say that, but that was rough." He runs a hand through his wild red hair and I let out a small laugh at how it sticks up in every way.
"I have to agree with you, they were not good. I am surprised, on paper they all seemed fairly positive." I let out a sigh.
He catches my eye and shrugs his shoulders with a smile forming on his lips as well. "No worries, we will find the perfect ones."
I nod. Already trying to adjust my schedule in my head. Putting us another day behind in my original timeline.
"Oh I was wondering do you have plans for July 4th? Louisa is having a big barbecue and I would love for you to join us. My dad is coming to town as well. It should be a fun time." He looks like a kid in a candy store as he asks me, eagerly awaiting my response.
"I would love to, but it seems like it is just a family thing. I would hate to barge in on your family time." I say reluctantly. Though truly hoping he will ignore my comment.
"Have we not already discussed that you are part of the family now! Jane, I would love you to be there, please?" He looks at me with big pleading puppy dog eyes. I would be crazy to say no.
"Ok, I would be happy to come." He jumps up and hugs me. I pull back in surprise. But mentally chastise myself when he immediately drops his arms and steps back.
"I am so sorry, I got a little too excited." He says with a smirk.
I laugh a little at the whole scene. But before we can address it there is a knock on the door.
"Charlie, are you in there?" A voice I don't recognize says from outside the door.
Charles' face lights up clearly knowing who it is.
He doesn't answer but opens the door quickly and immediately gives the man a huge hug. The man looks almost identical to Charles but about thirty years older.
"Dad! I am so glad you are here! You didn't tell me you were coming by here before dinner!" Charles says excitedly. Rushing his words out as quickly as possible.
"I just could not wait to see how it was all going. I had Lou stop by on our way to the house. Everything is looking great, son." He says taking in each part of the office. All of a sudden his eyes land on me.
I can see the man's hesitation and was thankful when Charles noticed as well and jumped in. "Dad, this is our manager, Jane Bennet." He shakes my hand and smiles brightly.
His smile hits me for a second, a smile I have only seen on one other person. Lizzy. Funny that he would remind me of Lizzy, must be because she is still on my brain from our recent phone call. But then again I have thought of Lizzy often when around this family. Not sure why.
Charles interrupts my thoughts. "Jane, this is my dad- Marcus Bingley." We nod and smile once again.
"It's very nice to meet you Miss Bennet, Charlie has told me how invaluable you have been to getting this place up and running so smoothly. I know we can't thank you enough for your hard work." He gave me another bright smile, and the familiar feeling hits me again. Very strange indeed.
We all walk back to the main dining area, where Louisa and Caroline were looking at color samples for table cloths. Bella was on her dads shoulders getting a ride around the restaurant.
It's been neat to get to know this family over the last month. They are a very close-knit, loving family. It's sweet to see this day and age.
"Papa! Papa! Look at me! I can almost touch the light!" Bella says through giggles as her dad rushes her in and out of each room.
We all laugh at their antics.
"Watch out Bella, you will be taller than Uncle Will soon." Mr. Bingley says jokingly as he spotted Will across the room. Will gives him a smile and walks over towards him to give him a firm handshake.
"How's Ana?" I over hear Mr. Bingley ask Will.
I've heard Ana mentioned a few times around Will, my guess it is his girlfriend. Hopefully she makes him happy. He needs someone to make him happy. Someone to light up his serious world. Someone bright and fun. Over the last month of working beside him, I've noticed his serious facade fade away a little more each day. I can tell he's a good guy, just the kind of person who needs more time to feel comfortable with someone. Which I completely understand.
I look at the time and realize the work day is over and it's time to head home. I start putting my notebook back in my bag and pack the rest of my stuff up.
I glance up to see Charles coming towards me, still excited from being surrounded by all his family. "Are you leaving? You should have dinner with us? I'm not sure where we plan to go yet, but we would love for you to join us." Charles says with the big puppy dog eyes once again. But this time I'm prepared.
"I am sorry Charles, but I need to get home. I truly appreciate the invite. I am so happy you get to spend time with your dad. I am sure you have missed him greatly." I say, pushing the words out before I clam up once again. Speaking about work never seems to be a problem for me, but talking to this amazing man in front of me in normal conversation is so hard.
He nods in understanding and gives me a small smile. I can tell he's sad that I didn't take him up on his offer. But I've stretched myself too far already and I need downtime. Especially if I plan to go to that big dinner on the 4th. I tell everyone goodbye and then I rush home as quickly as possible. Most likely I will need another phone call with Lizzy to calm me down later.
*Author's Note*
I know there has not been a lot of E & D interaction lately. So to make up for that I am posting two chapters today. Yay! Have fun friends!