Guarded heart

Chapter 20 nerves!

CHRIS POV

The evening went by quickly. Its ws great fun. I eventually escaped after a few attempts. And now I'm falling onto my bed tired as I feel my phone start vibrating like mad.

I see it's Lisas daily update and she some how had a picture of us both in shake away with all our taster pots laughing away. It's captioned.

The picture says a thousand words how dtodays daily gift went down. Thankyou Shake away for the gift voucher but a more bigger thankyou to PC Walker who came up with a great tasting game. It was more fun than any wine tasting session I've ever attended that's for sure!

I couldn't help smiling as ut was wonderfully put.

I put my phone on charge before stripping down to my boxers to sleep in when my phone vibrates again.

Lisa

Thanks for spending the day with me and the family today. I had fun. I'm sorry they wouldn't let you escape sooner than you planned.

To Lisa

Trust me, I had fun so no need to be sorry. In glad you had a good day. I just see the daily update, how did you get that picture?

Lisa

That's top secret! Maybe you should turn from cop to detective and see if you can figure it out. I'm glad you had fun.

To Lisa

I will let you keep your secret, mainly because I like being Mr policeman. I don't think I want to change into a detective. Im going to get some sleep now. Good night Lisa I hope you sleep well.

Lisa

Goodnight Chris, sweet dreams. Don't let the bed bugs bite.

To Lisa

No bed bugs here don't you worry about that lol.

LISA POV

Its been a long day and I haven't heard from Chris since last night. I was starting to wonder if something had happened as he has usually messaged to see where I am or popped by with the daily gift by now. But nope nothing so far not even a quick message. Then again I haven't messaged Chris either. I wasn't even worried about the gift it never bothered me to start with. I just hoped Chris was okay. I figured I'd give it thirty more minutes then I'd give Chris a text. That way I'd not feel like I was hounding him if he was at work or anything. Plus it would be 8pm then.

I was even layed on the egg chair out front. I even read Emma a bedtime story at 7pm here. But she wasn't that interested since Ryan, luke and my dad agreed to camping in the bank garden today after Emma pleaded with them to.

"Here I brought you a drink love" my mum says coming out the front door

"Thanks mum" I say taking it.

"You know you could just text Chris instead of watching that drive all night long" My mum says.

"I will message him later but I figured I'd watch the stars here as then I couldn't cramp the camping crews style" I say.

"Hmm mmm" my mum says smiling at me with one eyebrow lifted.

"What?" I ask.

"You know what, just because I'm older doesn't mean I don't remember what it's like to fall in love with someone" my mum says.

"Wow back up a little mum, I didn't say anything about love. Like yeah but love your running away with your thoughts" I say.

"Your figure it out sooner or later" my mum says then goes back indoors again.

8pm came and there was still no Chris so I sent him a message.

To Chris

Hey, haven't seen or heard from you today. If you cant make it today then it's fine, I just want to make sure your okay

I then pulled the blanket over my feet as they were a little cold and laid back prepared to watch the sunset.

Around 40 minutes later my Phone goes off

Chris

I'm so sorry Lisa, I was called into work this morning as a few members went off sick. Then the last call took a long time to deal with so I finished late. I just need to nip back to the police station then I can pop by unless your in bed. Again so sorry

To Chris

I'm not in bed, but you must be exhausted so don't you worry about me there is no need to sorry either. Please don't come by here if your tired look after yourself first

Chris

I will be by soon, don't worry about me I'm not tired at all.

To Chris

Okay

CHRIS POV

It had been a long day but I was still determined to give Lisa her daily gift. Plus it was a stressful shift and I could do with seeing her beautiful smile. So here I am just before 10pm driving up the drive way when I clock Lisa is on the egg chair. She doesn't wave like she usually does, she hasn't even lifted her head. I hope I haven't upset Lisa by being this late. I quickly park up and grab the daily gift getting out the car.

I walk up towards Lisa when I clock she has fallen asleep with a blanket that's fallen on the floor. I pick the blanket up and cover Lisa with it but she wakes up.

"Good evening" I say.

"Evening, I didn't mean to fall asleep" Lisa says rubbibg her eyes as I sit next to Lisa holding the daily gift in hand.

"It's okay, here I can give you this then leave you go indoors and sleep" I say.

"Thanks but you can stay and finish watching the sunset with me if you want?" Lisa says looking at me as she accepts the gift bag but doesn't look in it.

"No, I kept you waiting long enough" I say.

"Okay, but to be fair I wasn't waiting for you as such I was originally awaiting the sunset to start" Lisa says smiling at me.

"Really?" I ask.

"Yes, really you woke me up in time to watch the last of it" Lisa says

"Then I will stay for a few minutes to keep you company" I say.

"Okay come on then it's a good view here" Lisa says patting the side next to her. I can't help smiling away as I lay down next to Lisa.

"What's in the bag?" Lisa asks without taking her eyes off the sky yet mine are watching Lisa.

"Today's gift, what else?" I say

"I know, that I mean what is today's gift?" Lisa asks

"Its from hollister" I say

"Okay thanks" Lisa says getting her phone out and she quickly snaps a photo of us both before she posts it on f*******:. I can see her caption as she wrote it.

Thanks hollister for today's gift. I love it. However let's all thank our wonderful P.C Walker for still staying determined on this mission to drop me gifts each day from you all. Even after a long tiring shift he can still rock up with a gift. Let's all remember to stay nice to all our emergency service workers out there after all they all do so much for us all since there the real hero's of world.

"That was a lovely thing to write. Your make millions of emergency service works smile reading that" I say.

Lisa turns to me and smiles before she says "I know but that wasn't my intention, my intention was hoping it reminds people to be nice so I could save at least one emergency service worker getting abuse of some kind".

"I'm sure it will. Your a good person always thinking of others" I say as Lisa shuffles a little with her blanket saying "Thanks" then she looks back up at the sky, I hold Lisas hand while I also watch the sunset.

"Was it a bad shift?" Lisa asks.

"Yeah, but tomorrow is a new day" I say

"I'm sorry it was, a bad shift. At least you can end the day watching the beautiful sunset and forget your worry a for a moment" Lisa says.

"I forgot the stressful day the moment you smiled at me" I say smiling at Lisa.

"You always say such sweet things to me" Lisa says not taking her eyes off the sky.

"Because there true" I say

"I don't know about that but, it's sweet of you to be nice to me" Lisa says looking at me and our eyes lock with each others.

"Your just sweet in general that's why it's so easy to be nice to you" I say maintaining eye contact.

"Hmm" Lisa says looking back up to the sky.

"You find it hard to take compliments I've noticed" I say.

"It's a rare occurance for me, so I don't know how to respond to be fair" Lisa says.

"Just be yourself. Respond how you feel or want to, that's all you need to do" I say as Lisa looks back at me.

"I think it makes you look cute" Lisa says

"Cute? Cute things are little fury animals surely I'm muscular and I dunno maybe what is it women say these days hot? Buff? Sexy? Mighty fine? Feel free to help me out you know since I've never really been down with what the latest female lingo is" I say smiling.

"Hmm, I'm not really either but I think buff went out a while ago sexy, hot I sometimes hear. Might fine I hear the most so you can go with that one" Lisa says laughing and I'm glad I stayed for a little while because its just nice to lay here and laugh carefree with Lisa I think to myself.

LISA'S POV

The next few days went by really fast. On Wednesday Chris rang me asking if I had time for a quick lunch on his break at work. We ended up having chips on a park bench. He also presented the gift of the day a Pandora necklace.

That evening me and Emma had a girls evenings with my mum filled with lots of ice cream, popcorn and movies. We went through the Disney Princess movies until Emma had fallen asleep befofe switching to adult movies.

Thursday Chris wanted to do lunch again where he was at work again. So he ended up joining me and Ryan at the local shopping mall. We all had pizza hut and Chris presented pictures from local children who drawled me get well pictures and cards. They were so sweet that once me and Ryan finished buying clothes ready for my date that I swung by the cafe had a cuppa with the girls while getting there help covering the cafe wall with the pictures.

Summer wanted Emma for a couple of days something to do with the kids doing yes day followed by a day to the zoo. So she wanted to take Emma a night before yes day. Therefore I had dinner with Emma before seeing her off with Sean who collected Emma on his way home.

I barely slept last night as my nerves have kicked in for todays date. And I keep telling myself I don't date because then I can't get hurt so why am I doing this to myself. I gave up the idea of sleep come 4am and even had a shower.

Then 6am came and I decided to go wake Jade up.

"Jade we are going out" I say.

"Hmm where to and give me a moment to get everything arranged" Jade says yawning as she sits up.

"The beach and its just you and me. No one else and you don't tell anyone" I say.

"Okay let me get ready" Jade says.

"I shall meet you outside the front door" I say as jade looks at the clock.

"It's 6:18am why so early? Hang on a minute didn't Chris say he was coming by for breakfast at 8am with the daily gift?" Jade says.

"And? Just get up and be ready to escort me otherwise I'm going alone" I say

"You wouldn't dare" Jade says.

"You want to test that? I need a moment to breath and think Jade you either hurry up or I will haul a taxi else where" I say

"No I'm not letting you chicken out of the date!" Jade says standing up.

"Good then get ready so I can go clear my head! The date isn't until tonight anyway" I say

"Fine, but I will drag your ass back if need be" Jade says

CHRIS POV

RING RING RING RI

"Hello?" I say answering the phone without looking who it is. After all my eyes couldn't focus that great since it woke me up.

"Hi Chris it's Summer. I just had a phone call from Jade, Lisa seems to be well we don't know all I know is breakfast is now at the beach as that's where Lisa is. I will text you the location. But go there instead and as soon as possible" Summer says

"What do you mean? Changed?" I ask

"Just trust me get up get ready and go to the beach. Oh don't tell Lisa your on your way either just trust me" Summer says then she hangs up.

What's all that about I wonder confused. I get up to get showered and dressed since I'm now awake anyway.

After my shower I notice Summer sent over the location she wants me to go to while I'm getting Into black demon shirts with a white t-shirt.

I then made my way to the beach. When I arrived I see Jade stood back watching Lisa.

"Summer sent you?" Jade asks.

"Yeah, what's going on? All I was told was breakfast was moved to here" I say confused.

"Oh, uh well I think Lisa is having last minute nerves about your date tonight. She dragged me out of bed super early and asked to come here for some thinking space" Jade says.

"Okay, you can go wait in the car. I shall wait with Lisa until she is ready to leave" I say.

"Okay" Jade says then she walks off.

I make my way over to Lisa and she sat on the sand with a cushion under her bad foot watching the sea crash into the sand. I take a seat next to Lisa and looks at me shocked.

"Why are you here?" Lisa asks.

"Summer rang saying breakfast plans got changed to here" I say

"Nosey people. I just wanted a moment to sit on the sand while watching the waves crash around. People just presume things" Lisa says.

"So there wrong in thinking your worried about tonight's date?" I ask.

"Isn't it normal to feel nervous?" Lisa asks.

"Yes it is. But if your having second thoughts you can always just cancel I will understand and not hold it against you" I say.

"I was just trying to figure out if it's normal nerves or not. Yet as you can see the people around me don't know when to let me figure things out by myself" Lisa says waving her arms in a gesture to everywhere.

"I can go if you want me to. I could even take away Jade as well if you want to be alone" I say

"Your forgetting the others that tail on the sky" Lisa says as she runs her hands through her hair.

"I have friends that could help out with that though" I say smiling at Lisa.

"It's okay, you can all stay. I'd already finished my thinking I think anyway. I was just enjoying the view and quiet around" Lisa says.

"what was your conclusion?" I ask.

"I concluded that by not living and doing things I want it means there still winning. The only way I'm going to win is by doing what I want to do. And I already decided to take a chance on going on a date so I should stick to it" Lisa says.

"That's good because I have an idea" I say.

"What's that?" Lisa asks.

"Just let me know when your ready to leave here and then I shall tell you. In the meantime I'm just going to sit beside you while you enjoy the scenery and quite" I say.

We then sat there for a little while when suddenly I felt Lisas hand take my hand in hers. I look at Lisa and she says "Okay I'm ready, what's next?". I smile back at Lisa then I say "Okay you have options.

Fact we are leaving London and won't be back until tomorrow. So option one do you want to keep your security or Ditch them? Fact two we will be turning our phones off so it's up to you weather you want to message the second we ditch people or not. I won't take your phone away from you. You can access it at any point you want. Your last option is you can come along or you can refuse to go. The choice is yours. But everything else along the way shall be a surprise" I say.

"That's alot of options" Lisa says.

"Take your time think away" I say

"Ditch the bodyguards. I shall message everyone once there ditched then turn my phone off. And when do we leave?" Lisa asks. I'm surpised she is going for it but I'm glad she is.

"Now" I say standing up holding my hands out to help Lisa stand up.

"It's um very hard to use the crutches with the sand" Lisa says

"Okay, I can carry help you if you like?" I say

"Yes please" Lisa says with that I wrap a arm around Lisas waist and help her hop her way out the sand while carrying the crutches in the other hand.

"I need to get bag from the car first" Lisa says.

"That's fine" I say although I know she won't need anything I also know how women need there certain things to feel happier when out.

We made our way to the car where Jade was waiting for Lisa. Jade got out the car as we reached it.

"I'm just grabbing my bag so I can go get breakfast with Chris" Lisa says

"Oh, okay then. You want me to stay near or far in reach?" Jade asks.

"Far like the others" Lisa says

"Got it. Have fun" Jade says.

"I will" Lisa says as Jade passes Lisa her strappy bag.

"Make sure to grab yourself something to drink and eat though" Lisa says.

"Don't worry, I will look after Lisa just fine. My car is a few over from here" I say

With that we head to my car.

LISA'S POV

Once we are settled into Chris car he turns and looks at me before starting it up smiles. Then he says "You ready?"

I smile back and think what the heck I've never been young and care free I deserve to have a carefree day. "Yes, I'm ready" I say smiling.

"Okay, well if you want to do your daily update then lucky for you the daily gift is in glove box compartment. Go ahead and open it. You can do your update now if you want to" Chris says.

"Good idea" I say opening the glove compartment as Chris gets his phone out and turns it's off. Then puts it in the glove compartment box while I look in the gift bag. I see Butlin brouchers with a card. I open the card and it's says I have a week holiday of my choice in any resort Any week I want, I just need to ring them up and book it in with a code they have given.

"Wow a holiday" I say surpised.

"Yeah the big shots are starting to get wind of this. Which I didn't expect to happen" Chris says starting the car up.

"Okay let me know when your ready for me to lose your bodyguards" Chris says

"Okay" I say.

I decided to quickly put a post on f*******: for the daily gift. I kept it quick with a thanks to Butlins and thanking everyone for there kindness again.

Then I decided to write a message and send it to my Mum, Dad, Sean, Ryan, Summer, Luke, Hahley, Michelle, Katy and Jade as I felt bad we were about to lose her. I wrote

Don't worry about me. Im sorry we lost jade but its what I wanted. I've decided to have one selfish day for myself. I will be home tomorrow. I never got a chance to go out party and be wild as a young becoming women. I never got to do anything wreckless. I had to grow up fast deal with stuff no young women should have to. I ahd to become a mum and learn the adult life so quick. So today I've decided to throw caution to the wind and see if it can lead me somewhere good. I don't know what's in store today but I know I'm excited to just switch my mind off and just do something different. Tell Emma I will see her tomorrow and give her a kiss from me. I will be turning off my phone now so you can't get hold of me until tomorrow. Love you all xx

"Okay I'm ready, once you have lost them I shall send my message then turn my phone off" I say to Chris

"Last chance to change your mind" Chris says

"I'm not changing my mind. Now lose them" I say smiling as I looking in the rear view mirror suddenly excited to lose the bodyguards around me for whole day.

"I will take a few back roads before heading the opposite direction tilowards the motorway" Chris says.

"Okay" I say then I watch and pay attention to Chris's driving me quickly takes a last minute turn down a road it was swift and quick before he picked his speed up a little bot before taking enougher turn I see Jade has already picked her speed up but we lost her sight on the second turning. Then Chris did enougher quick turn into a different road as I don't see Jade turning into that road as we exit it. I made sure we had done a few more turns before I suddenly realised my breath I didn't realise I was holding into.

"I think we lost them" Chris says

"I think so to. Your good at that" I say

"Well I should be considering I'm a police officer. I know how to catch up with people and lose them" Chris says laughing.

"True. Okay I'm sending the message" I say pressing the send button.

I gave it a minute to go through once I see the first person had read the message I decided to turn my phone off before anyone could contact me. I also put my phone in the glove compartment box.

"Motorway here we come" Chris says.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"Somewhere thats means alot to me. I think your love it as its has a lovely view" Chris says.

"Why does it mean alot to you?" I ask.

"Because it's last time I saw my mum at peace before the cancer took over" Chris says.

"I'm sorry" I say.

"It's okay, I think it will make you feel just as at peace and not so stressed over a planned date. So when I see you looking at the sea I just knew it would be perfect. Better than the standard date ideas. Plus there's a nice quiet pub near by if you would like to go there. Or I could cook you something nice instead" Chris says.

"You can choose" I say.

"Do you have a coin?" Chris asks

"Yeah, why?" I ask.

"Head I cook, tails is the pub" Chris says with that I smile then get a coin out my purse and flip it.

"Heads" I say showing Chris as we are at tragic lights.

"Then I'm cooking dinner" Chris says turning the radio on just before the lights turn green again.