Chapter Seven
Rubbing her barely open eyes, Elizabeth descended the last few steps and entered the empty living room. A frown automatically marred her face as she looked around the room.
The morning was off to an odd start. Her alarm clock hadn't paid her a visit. Lil had a habit of waking Elizabeth up in the morning, but today the presence of her morning visitor was noticeably absent. The nanny had checked in the child's room to only find it empty. Assuming Lil was downstairs, Elizabeth went about her morning routine and made her way downstairs dressed in a simple blue cami and a pair of Capri blue jeans. Now standing in the vacant living room, she was slightly befuddled as to where Lil had disappeared.
Slowly, the fog of sleep lifted and a wisp of a familiar scent invaded her senses. Padding barefoot across the room, the aroma grew stronger. Reaching the source of the smell, Elizabeth did a double take at the scene that entered her line of vision in the kitchen.
Lil sat at the kitchen table already dressed for the day in a pair of blue shorts and matching tank top. Mr. Floppy wasn't far, sitting on the table besides her elbow. She carefully placed one white lily after another into a vase. The table was set for three. What woke Elizabeth wide-awake was the man cooking. Jason Morgan moved around the kitchen at ease. A spatula in hand, he stood over the stove, watching the frying pan intently.
Ready to retreat back to her room, Elizabeth pivoted on her heel. She was barely out the kitchen door when Lil spotted her.
"Liz!" She squealed.
Grimacing, Elizabeth froze at the threshold of the doorway. Taking in a big gulp of air, she turned back around with a tight smile. Her eyes were only on the four year old that beamed with joy. "Hey, sweetie," she said cheerfully as possible, avoiding the other pair of startling blue eyes on her.
"Have breakfast with us?" the child asked full of hope.
It was her mistake of looking up.
Their eyes connected and stayed locked. She couldn't look away. He stared at her over his shoulder with his stunning cerulean blue eyes. The corners of his firm lips quirked up. "Good morning."
Elizabeth looked away. She wasn't capable of looking at him for long without her insides melting. "Good morning," she mumbled.
He turned back to the task at hand, flipping something. "Take a seat. Breakfast is almost ready."
Silently tucking her hair behind her ear, Elizabeth took a seat besides Lil. Her palms were sweaty. She was cautious not to look at her boss. Lil began to struggle to place the vase she had put together in the center of the table. Lending a hand, the nanny helped the child put it in its place.
"Thank you, Liz," she murmured politely.
The child began to chatter away about a new travel book she had started with her father. As she sat in the warmly decorated kitchen, listening to the innocent child before her, a soft breeze rustled the lilies, and the world around her shattered.
In two weeks, she would not wake up to the soft laughter that belonged to Lila Amanda Morgan, nor would she spend time with her charge and Mr. Floppy cooking, going on picnics, or sneak peaks at her boss while he was reading to his child.
The nanny's eyes burned as she watched Lil's face fill with joy as she continued to babble on. Her vision blurred as her mind began to process the consequences of the past night.
Suddenly, the soft murmur across the table stopped, bringing Elizabeth back to reality. She looked up to find Lil's soft blue eyes staring at her in concern.
"Liz?" she whispered.
Blinking her eyes hastily, Elizabeth fought the emotions that created havoc on her senses. "Yes, sweetie."
Lil climbed off her seat with Mr. Floppy dangling from her hand. She walked around the table to stop besides Elizabeth's chair. Her piercing blue eyes took in her nanny's paled face. "Why are you so sad?"
Taking in a deep breath, Elizabeth swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and shifted in her seat to face the four year old. She wasn't going to cry. It wasn't the right time to tell Lil the bad news. "I'm fine, honey," she croaked.
"No, you're not." The child said firmly, scrunching up her nose.
"Lil," Elizabeth pleaded, hoping that the little conversation was going unnoticed by the man occupying the kitchen.
"No," she said stubbornly, shaking her head. Lil carefully climbed onto Elizabeth's lap, shifting to face her nanny. "You're sad. Why are you sad?"
Squeezing her eyes shut for a moment, Elizabeth tightened her hold on the child. "There's nothing wrong. I'm just…" she trailed off not sure what to reveal.
"Elizabeth?" A worried voice came from behind her.
She raised her watery cobalt eyes to a pair of same identical worried sky blue eyes of the child she held.
A frown appeared on her employers face.
"What's wrong?" he asked immediately squatting down besides her.
"Is it your booboo?" Lil asked, fiddling with Elizabeth's chestnut locks.
A rough, yet warm hand grazed her patched wound. "Did you change your bandages?" He asked, as his hand began to pull on her bandage. A chill ran down her spine at the feel of his hand on her skin again.
"I'm fine," she said firmly. "I was just thinking of something and I got sad. I'm sorry," she apologized. "I didn't mean to upset you," she murmured pressing a kiss against Lil's forehead.
"I was just worried," she mumbled against Elizabeth's chest. "I love you," Lil whispered, before hugging Elizabeth as tight as her small arms would let her. "Mr. Floppy loves you too."
"I love you two too."
With one final hug, the four-year hopped off her nanny's lap as her father rose off his heels for her to pass. "Breakfast, Daddy?" she asked, giving him a pointed look.
"In a moment," he replied, his attention swinging back to the brunette staring at the tabletop. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.
"I'm sure," she said softly.
He lingered for a moment before he finally turned away.
Inhaling deeply a few times, Elizabeth calmed her edgy nerves. Breaking down in tears at the breakfast table in front of Lil wasn't a very bright idea. Wringing her hands, Elizabeth continued to struggle with remaining strong. She had made the decision to walk away from the Lil because her employer didn't return the feelings he had stirred in her and she needed to accept that decision. Gaining control over her erratic feelings, she focused her attention on the young blonde across from her.
It was her choice to resign. She needed to accept it and ease her nerves. She would savor the remaining time she had in the Morgan household that was the first place in her life that she felt she belonged.
"Breakfast is served."
Looking up, Elizabeth found the coffee importer standing over her with a bottle of syrup and a plate. He smiled softly at her, reaching over her to place the items he held on the table. "I hope you enjoy my cooking," he said kindly gripping the back of her chair. A whiff of the smell that only belonged to him invaded her senses. Ignoring the masculine scent surrounding her, she focused on the plate before her.
A fresh stack of chocolate chip pancakes sat before her.
With startled eyes, Elizabeth quickly sought out the man that had cooked for her. "How did you know…" she trailed off.
"That chocolate chip pancakes are your favorite?" he asked, cutting Lil's pancakes into decent pieces for her.
She nodded her head cautiously.
"You always order them when you take Lil to Kelly's for breakfast," he murmured. "You never stick around to have breakfast with us, but Penny always has an order of chocolate chip pancakes ready to go for you."
A soft blush began to creep across her skin as she mumbled, "Thank you, Mr. Morgan."
"What happened to Jason?" he asked, genuinely confused.
Hands folded in her lap and eyes downcast, Elizabeth spoke to her pancakes. "That was before and this is now."
He sat down between her and Lil. "It doesn't change things. I would prefer it if you called me Jason."
Surprised, her doe her eyes flickered to him. A crooked smile played across his lips. The corners of her lips quirked upwards. His rare smiles were infectious.
Their eyes remained connected. She wasn't ready to look and it seemed as if we wasn't either. A warm feeling coursed through her.
"Anyone home?" a familiar voice floated into the kitchen.
Hastily, Elizabeth tore her eyes away.
Within moments, Dr. Griggs head appeared in the doorway. The woman was dressed for ease in a pair of faded blue jeans and a simple white tank top. The only clue that said she had a medical degree was the black doctor bag she carried. "Hello, my fellow homosapiens."
"Homo what, Dr. Amanda?" Lil asked her forehead wrinkled in confusion. She called Dr. Griggs, Dr. Amanda because it was her middle name.
The adults in the room chuckled.
"It's another way of saying humans, darling," the young doctor replied, tussling the child's blonde hair affectionately.
Lil's eyes sparkled at the new found information.
"Max said I could take a look at Elizabeth this morning," she answered Jason's quizzical face. "How's my patient doing today?" Dr. Griggs asked, focusing on the motionless brunette sitting at the table.
"I'm fine."
"The wound?"
"It's fine, Dr. Griggs."
The young doctor shook her head, chuckling. "It's Amanda for the hundredth time and I think it's time to take those bandages off for that wound to receive some fresh air."
A delighted smile bloomed on Elizabeth's face. It was about time the bandage came off. It was very itchy.
Jason rose from his chair and offered it to their private doctor. She gladly took it. Flicking open her black bag, Amanda began rummaging around. She pulled on a pair of fresh latex gloves. "Since the wound isn't that deep from the thing-ma-gigot and the bone was left untouched, it should be about time for this puppy to catch some fresh air." She spoke cryptically to disguise the true cause of Elizabeth's wound from Lil.
Gently, Amanda pulled the bandage off making sure not to jar the wound in case it was not fully healed.
"I like the new hair do," Elizabeth commented on Amanda's new curls in an attempt to distract herself from the dried blood she was sure to see.
"Thanks darling, I thought it was time for a new look," she paused to flick her black curls out of her face before returning her attention to her task.
The bandage peeled away slowly revealing the vivid red gash across the nanny's pale skin. Elizabeth looked away in time to catch Jason turn away.
"With some ointment, you won't even know this ever existed."
"That's good," Elizabeth sighed. The fresh air across her right arm was like a touch of heaven.
Lil watched closely, her eyes wide in curiosity. "Does that mean Liz gets to leave the house with us?"
The young doctor shook her head in a mixture of amusement and annoyance. "I don't understand why the hoodlums kept her locked away like Repunzel. But this time if they try to keep you captive," she pointed a finger Elizabeth. "I'll take matters into my own hands." A mischievous grin bloomed on Amanda's face.
Elizabeth chuckled at the young woman's courage to stick up for her. "Thanks, Amanda."
"Going head to head with those three for your freedom would be my pleasure," she replied, pulling off her gloves.
This time Jason joined in on the laughter.
"What's so funny?" Lil inquired, her eyes going back and forth from each adult.
Smiling, Jason moved to his daughter's side. "Dr. Amanda here is going to teach your Uncle Sonny and them a lesson if they don't let Elizabeth leave the house."
Her eyes sparkled in excitement. "Can I watch?"
Once again, the adults laughed at the child's energy.
Dropping her gloves into her bag, Amanda said, "We'll see."
Elizabeth traced a lone finger over the red slash on her arm. The skin felt warm under her touch. Her face twisted in pain as her nail came in contact with the wound.
"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" Jason asked, immediately reaching her side.
"Hurts?" Amanda questioned from besides her.
Faintly, she nodded her head.
"Don't worry," her doctor murmured, automatically reaching for her prescription pad. "I'm going to prescribe a strong ointment for the scar and some pain killers if it hurts."
The energetic doctor scribbled away as the concerned enforcer rose and moved for the white intercom. Pressing the button, he spoke into the box. "Adam can you come in here for a moment?"
"Sure, Jason," a young voice filtered through the intercom.
"Thanks, we're in the kitchen."
A few seconds later, Adam appeared in the kitchen. All the guards were dressed in casual wear, but their guns were in tact, tucked into the band of their jeans, pressed against their backs. It was no different for the new member of the Stooges. Dressed in a pair of black jeans and red t-shirt, he strode into the room, ready for his orders.
Elizabeth smirked as she witnessed the guard focus his attention solely on the dark headed doctor. She watched as Amanda's gaze shifted from her pad and then back to only return to the young guard. Elizabeth tried her best to suppress her giggles at the young doctor's blatant gawking. Nudging her doctor, she brought Amanda out of her reverie.
A soft blush stained Amanda's cheeks as she pulled herself together.
Amanda wasn't the only one guilty of staring. The young guard had been fascinated by the dark-headed woman.
"Adam, I need you to make a trip down to the local pharmacy." Jason's request snapped the guard back to reality.
"Uh…sure," he murmured, flustered.
"Amanda will give you the prescription on her way out," the enforcer continued, oblivious to the attraction that was developing between his bodyguard and doctor.
Taking the opportunity, Amanda moved to introduce herself to the guard. "Hi, I'm Amanda." She stuck her hand out.
Elizabeth watched with an amused smile as the guard stared at the small hand for a few moments before he grasped it with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Adam."
Their hands remained clasped longer than was needed.
Pulling her hand away, Amanda reached for her prescription pad. Tearing the slip, she held it out to the brown-eyed guard. "That's all that's needed."
Adam paid no attention to the paper he held. "Is there anything else that you need?"
Elizabeth pressed her lips together to hold back her laughter as Amanda leisurely racked her eyes over the guard's body.
"At the moment, no," she drawled. "But if I do, I'll be sure to contact the right person."
Adam chuckled. "You know where to find me."
Smirking, Amanda shifted her attention back to her patient. "I'll be going now, Elizabeth. If you need anything call me." She began gathering her things as the newest member of the stooges moved for the door.
"Thank you, I will."
"You're free of that bandage now. So feel free to prance around. Maybe even make a trip down to the beach and take in some sun."
Flashing her a wink, Amanda followed the guard out of the kitchen.
Giggling, Elizabeth focused her cobalt eyes on the young father and daughter in the kitchen. A soft smile graced her face as she meet Jason's eyes. "I never got to say thank you," she murmured as he took his seat again.
A look of confusion filled his sky blue eyes. "For what?"
"For saving my life."
His eyes downcast, he murmured, "When someone comes into your home and brings joy into your life, there's nothing in the world that can repay them for their presence in your life, but protect them. Even if you're a moment too late."
Elizabeth's eyes grew misty as she took in his dipped head and tense form. Before she could utter a word, Lil cut in.
"Liz, can I get some more syrup please?"
Tearing her eyes away from the young father, Elizabeth shifted her attention to the four year old. "Of course, sweet heart."
"You better finish your breakfast soon," Jason said, picking up his own spoon. "We've got a long day at the beach ahead of us."
Surprised, Elizabeth froze with the syrup bottle dangling in her hand. "Are you serious?"
A boyish grin slipped across his face.
"Doctor's orders."