Chapter Seven
Bridget's POV:
Andrew opened the door to the apartment as Bridget gingerly made her way in. Her head ached, and her body was sore. Andrew held her arm as they walked to the living room. Juliet quickly turned off the TV before jumping up to carefully take Bridget's other hand to help her sit heavily on the couch.
"I'm not going to break." Bridget laughed.
Juliet smiled, and sat next to her while Andrew arranged blankets and pillows to make her more comfortable.
"Thanks." Bridget smiled. "But really, you two, I'm fine. No need to treat me with kid gloves."
Andrew shrugged. "Get used to it because telling us you're fine isn't going to change a thing."
Juliet nodded emphatically. "Yep, sorry, Bridget. You're stuck with the kid glove routine, at least for the next couple of days."
Bridget pretended to shudder though deep down she appreciated everything they were doing for her. She had never had anyone take care of her like this. It was a lot to handle emotionally.
Juliet studied her. "Does it hurt?" She gestured to Bridget's bandaged head.
The hospital exchanged the larger bandage for a smaller one the day before. The only problem was the small square of sanitized cloth did little to cover the ugly array of colors decorating the delicate skin beneath it.
"Not too bad." Bridget smiled.
"I hate to say it, but it looks terrible."
"Gee, thanks. I guess the kid gloves are off now," Bridget teased.
"Sorry." Juliet laughed.
"Don't be, I'm sure it looks worse than it is. I haven't looked at it yet. I think I'll avoid mirrors for the next few days."
"I would," Juliet agreed.
"Juliet," Andrew said completely exasperated.
"Yes, daddy?" She pretended to be oblivious, as he looked heavenward for assistance, and Bridget laughed.
"I have an idea," Bridget said. "Let's all sit here and watch a movie or something, nothing serious, no intrigue, no 'whodunit', just comedy and maybe a little romance. What do you say?"
"That sounds like an excellent plan," Andrew agreed.
"I'm in," Juliet said pulling a piece of Bridget's blanket onto her lap. Andrew sat on the other side and pulled the other piece of the blanket onto his lap. Bridget sighed as Andrew put his arm around her and snuggled her into his side.
She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. She jolted forward as an image of Siobhan pointing a gun at her unconscious body popped on the screen.
"Shit! Bridget, I'm so sorry," Juliet cried.
"Juliet! Why would you watch this?" Andrew demanded.
Tears welled in Juliet's eyes. "I wanted to see if there were any clues on finding her. You know, like they do in the movies. I didn't mean for you to see it. I'm sorry." She jumped up but Bridget grabbed her arm before she could rush to the DVD player and turn it off.
"No."
Juliet sat back on the couch looking miserable.
Bridget studied the television for a moment. "I'd like to see it, please," she said quietly.
"Bridget, no," Andrew said. "You don't want to put yourself through that."
She shook her head. "No, I don't want to, but I need to. I need to see for myself if there is anything of my sister left."
Andrew opened his mouth to argue with her, but she couldn't let him win this one. She needed to see it.
"Please," she said simply.
He seemed to wage an internal battle before pulling her back into his arms and kissing her head.
"If any part is too much…."
"I promise I will turn it off, but I truly do need to see it."
Wordlessly, he took the remote and reversed the digital image until just Bridget was seen on the screen.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes," Bridget said simply, though part of her wasn't entirely convinced. Did she really want to see her sister hurt her? The truth was, no, absolutely not, but what she said to Andrew was true. She needed to see it. She needed to know if the twin who used to love her is still in Siobhan somewhere.
Andrew pushed play and the entire macabre scene played out.
Bridget watched the sister she loved use the stun gun on her body. When her booted foot connected with her side, Bridget winced. She saw it happen on the screen, and even though she had no memory of that vicious attack, her body told her it happened. Her rib cage displayed a myriad of disgusting colors showing just how cruelly that booted foot kicked her.
When she pulled the gun out of her bag, Bridget tensed but couldn't look away from the look in Siobhan's eyes. It was venomous and when she put the gun back, the look of disgusted disappointment hurt Bridget worse than any injury she obtained in the brutal attack.
Her sister hated her, despised her, and sincerely wanted her dead.
Stunned, despite already knowing that this was the most likely scenario, she sat back and allowed Andrew to pull her into his arms before turning the TV off.
Juliet held out a tissue, and it was only then that she realized she was sobbing.
"I'm so sorry." Juliet cried with her.
Bridget couldn't find words so she simply reached out and took Juliet's hand. Juliet gripped it tight, just as Bridget opened her arms, and they each held, and were held, by a person they loved. Slowly that love helped settle her system and her tears stopped.
"I'm sorry," Juliet said, again.
"Don't be. As much as it hurt to see it, I'm glad I did." She pulled back from Andrew and turned her head to look at them both. "Siobhan is gone. I couldn't find a glimpse of her."
One last tear tracked down her face. Andrew caught it with his thumb.
"Ugh, I think I've cried more in the last month then I have my entire life," Bridget said, as she scrubbed her eyes.
"Yes, well, I think you have every right to shed more than a few tears," Andrew assured her. "Siobhan has made sure of that."
"So," Bridget sighed, "we will find her and stop her before she hurts anyone else."
"But not today," Andrew said firmly. "We will start looking tomorrow but not today." He stood up and smiled at them both. "Today we are going to be couch potatoes and watch a silly romantic comedy. Today we are going to be a family without a care in the world."
"Yes." Bridget smiled, trying to shrug off the depression that threatened her wellbeing. "A movie day is just what the doctor ordered."
Juliet jumped up. "I'll make some popcorn."
"And, I will pick out a movie." Andrew smiled.
Bridget left them to it as she snuggled into the couch. She missed Andrew's arm around her but she comforted herself with the knowledge that he would be back, they would sit as a family and watch a movie. It sounded perfect.
Juliet and Andrew soon sat in their spots beside Bridget. Buttery popcorn wafted from the bowl as it was passed back and forth in their laps. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks got mail as they fell in love on the screen, and Bridget, Andrew and Juliet got to laugh as a family, while they pretended evil wasn't threatening their happiness.
Andrew's POV:
Three Fourths of the movie later, Andrew finally felt Bridget's body relax into slumber. He looked at Juliet and put his finger to his lips. She nodded as he slowly lifted Bridget in his arms. Carefully, he made his way down the hall bypassing the guest bedroom and placing Bridget in the bed they shared before he knew the truth of her identity. She belonged there, next to him. She wasn't going to be alone, not even while sleeping.
After tucking the covers around her he placed a light kiss on her bandaged head before placing one sweetly on her lips. He stroked her hair and exited the room, leaving the door cracked in case she woke and needed him. That video had been brutal, and there were bound to be repercussions from allowing her to watch it, but he couldn't protect her from everything and seeing it hopefully brought home just how dangerous Siobhan was. The sister Bridget knew was gone, a psychopath had taken her place.
Juliet stood just outside the door. Andrew took one look at her devastated stare and he opened his arms. She stepped into his embrace, and they held each other for a long moment.
"I'm so sorry, daddy. I didn't mean for her to see the video. I just want to help catch Siobhan."
"I know, sweetheart. It's okay." Andrew held his daughter tight. He hated that she had seen the images on the DVD but a part of him was glad she saw it. They all needed to know how vicious Siobhan was, so they wouldn't let their guard down around her.
Juliet shuddered. "I can't believe Bridget's own sister would do that do her," she said softly.
"Me either, sweetheart."
"That video…" A tear tracked down her cheek. "Daddy, that video was so horrible. The look on Siobhan's face when she held the gun to Bridget's head, it was so…" She paused, unable to come up with a proper adjective.
"Evil," Andrew supplied.
Juliet stepped back and looked at his face. "Yes! That was exactly what it was. Evil." Juliet shivered. "I think she actually wanted to kill Bridget, right then and there. I know she wanted her dead but somehow seeing it made it more real. I think if she could have gotten away with it she would have pulled the trigger."
Andrew drew her back into his arms and squeezed her tight.
"I think there is something," he paused, searching for the right word, "unhinged about Siobhan."
"Don't sugar coat it, daddy. She's sick." Juliet looked at him wryly. "She makes mom look like a poster child for sanity."
Andrew nodded. Her description was accurate.
"We need to find her," he said gravelly.
"Fast." She hugged him close. "Next time she might succeed."
Andrew shivered at the thought. "We can't lose her, daddy."
"I know, sweetheart, I know."
After seeing the video, he realized that he would do anything to keep Bridget safe. Anything.
Bridget's POV:
Slowly, Bridget woke wrapped in warmth. It took a moment for her to realize that the warmth was Andrew's arms. Carefully, she lifted her chin until she could look at him. She expected to see him sleeping but instead she found him watching her.
"Good morning," he whispered.
"Good morning, to you." She placed her hand on his chest and rested her chin on it. "Did you sleep?"
"Some, but I was distracted by a gorgeous blonde in my arms."
Bridget looked around. "Oh, where is she? Did she leave?"
Andrew laughed and tightened his hold. "You know very well that you are the gorgeous blonde to whom I was referring."
"Oh, I am, am I?" She leaned up and kissed his lips. "Well, I'm glad I'm the only one in your arms."
His smile faded and his eyes became intense. "Always," he said simply as he brushed the hair from her face. "I love you, Bridget. I want to make sure you know that I love you, not Siobhan, and not some image, but you."
She looked down, not able to fully believe his words, but he refused to allow her to miss the truth in his eyes, so he lifted her chin until her hesitant green eyes met his.
"I'll prove it," he said fervently. "I love that you put Juliet first. I love that Summer Camp Slasher is your favorite movie. I love that you always need help with your zipper after an event or a long dinner party." He lifted his brows seductively as he kissed her hand.
She laughed.
"I love that you have worked so hard to fix the friendships that Siobhan ruined, like with Greer. I love that you got sober and work hard, every day, to stay that way. I love that your eyes light up when I come into a room, and you always kiss me goodbye when I'm off to the office." He paused and pulled her closer. "I love how you make me want to be a better man. I want to be a man worthy of your love." He kissed her lightly and looked deep into her eyes. "I love you, Bridget, so very much."
Bridget's heart melted. "I love you, too." She leaned up and kissed him. His lips moved softly under her mouth as their tongues mingled. He lightly rolled her onto her back and let his hands roam over her body gently, minding her injuries. He kissed her bruises and stroked her unblemished skin. This was right. This was how things should be, she thought as the ache intensified, and she writhed in search of release.
A knock on the door was like a bucket of cold water tossed on them. Andrew groaned, and they pulled apart with identical looks of regret. He kissed her one last time, sat up, and pulled her back to his chest.
"Come in," he called.
Juliet opened the door. "I wanted to let you know that I am heading to school," Juliet said. Her bag hung from her chic shoulder. She wore skinny jeans, tall boots and a white tank with violet cloth flowers sewn onto the strap. She leaned negligently against the door frame as she contemplated them.
"So, you two look comfy." She lifted crossed fingers. "Does this mean what I think it means."
Bridget turned and looked at Andrew. She didn't want to overstep her bounds and since they haven't had an official talk outside of their feelings she let him answer. Though the look she saw in his eyes said it all.
"Yes, Juliet. Bridget and I are together."
Juliet squealed and ran to the bed hugging them both. "I'm so happy for you!" She preened. "So, when do I get to be the maid of honor?"
Bridget wanted to tell her that they would be married as soon as possible because that was what she wanted. Unfortunately, even if Andrew wanted, too, they couldn't. Technically, Siobhan was still Andrew's wife. The thought tried to sink her buoyant spirits, but she prevailed to keep them up.
"Not for a while. We have a pressing matter to get to before that can happen," Andrew answered Juliet.
"Siobhan." Juliet frowned.
Andrew nodded. "Yes. We need to get everything straightened out before anything can happen."
"Of course, she ruins everything." Juliet shook the thought from her head. "Anyway, continue with…" she smiled mischievously, "whatever."
"Get to school," Andrew called as he tossed a throw pillow at her. It smacked her in the face. "The car is waiting."
"Nice daddy, real nice," she called before tossing it back. "Now I have to fix my lipstick."
Andrew rolled his eyes as the door shut. After the coast was clear, he looked at Bridget suggestively.
"All right, where were we?"
Bridget laughed. "I think we were about here," she quipped as she pulled his head down to hers. Mindful of her bruises, he wound his body to her body as their lips met, and the outside world ceased to exist.
Siobhan's POV:
The girls were napping in the other room as Siobhan stared in the bathroom mirror. Her newly highlighted blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her face was devoid of make-up. She didn't notice the dark circles, uneven skin tone, or the lifelessness of her eyes. All she could see was her hairline and the uninjured skin below it.
Slowly, she raised a paring knife to her head and grimaced as she sliced the skin into her hairline. Blood dripped down her face and calmly she wiped it off. Scowling, she placed a sterile cotton square on it and applied pressure. Once the bleeding stopped, she removed the cotton and studied her handiwork. Satisfied that it wasn't deep enough to require stitches, she placed two butterfly band aids on the wound and re-covered it with a clean sterile square.
There, she thought, all done.
She had been furious with herself for not being more careful when she attacked Bridget at the apartment. She should have pulled her back from the desk before using the stun gun on her, but hindsight was truly 20/20.
Once she had gotten home and calmed down, she realized her mistake. If she were to re-take her life, without Andrew knowing, then she would have to have the same injury as Bridget.
Meticulously, she studied her image. Yes, it would do. Her hair now had the same ultra blonde highlights that Bridget had and with the cut she could now slip back into her life when everything was ready.
She smiled bizarrely. Soon she would be able to resume her life as Mrs. Andrew Martin, and soon after that she would be able to live as the widow of the late Andrew Martin.
After throwing away the bloodied cotton, she walked into the kitchen and grabbed her phone from the counter. Quietly, she walked toward the window and dialed.
"It's me," she said into the phone. "Do you have what I need?"
"Yes, I have the goods. Do you have the cash?"
"Yes."
"Great, meet me at the usual place today at 4:00 o'clock."
"Fine." She hung up and dialed the nanny. After assurance that she could watch the twins, Siobhan turned back to the window and stared into the cloudless blue sky. Lightly she fingered the bandage on her forehead.
She missed Henry.
Since leaving her and stealing her money, Siobhan hadn't been able to pin down her feelings for him. She was furious, depressed, even vengeful to a degree, but above all she still loved him, she still wanted him, and she would have him. Once she got her life back on track she would hunt him down in Chicago and make him love her again. As soon as she took care of the Bridget Problem.
Gleefully, she imagined her plan coming to life and smiled at the vision of Bridget suffering at her hand. In the beginning she wanted her death to be quick, but not anymore. No, not after what that bitch put her through. She was going to make her death as painful as possible, and she would see it done the way Bridget feared the most. She was going to pay, and Siobhan was going to enjoy every minute of it.