Guarded heart

Chapter 9. A long evening.

CHRIS POV

I finished my drink, however Lewis had fell asleep. So I carried Lewis out to my car, while Lisa hobbled out after me with her bodyguard Beth carrying Lewis milkshake in a carry out cup along with the gift hamper and goodie boxes. She left the milkshake and Lewis goodie boxes with him while taxing the rest to Lisa's car. Since Lewis had fallen asleep we decided to go grab Emma then stop by the shops on the way back to Lisas house. Lisa had already rang her dad explaining that she was going home tonight and would be fine. She has also rang Summer to see if she could grab Emma and bring her to the car. However I did offer to grab Emma myself, but Lisa said unless I was going to turn into a regular person picking Emma up let's not confuse the poor teachers. I happened to agree with Lisa on that one.

So here we are now sat outside Emma's school with a still sleeping Lewis in the back of the car awaiting for Emma to show up.

"Do you know of any of Lewis likes or dislikes on food?" Lisa asks quietly.

"I have no idea, all I know is the poor kid only likes me in the whole wide world dispite his dad who he adores" I say just as quietly.

"How come you didn't pass him off to social service?" Lisa asks.

"Because his dad is in a coma while we locked his mum up for it. Not Only did we arrest her on attempted murder but we also arrested her for hitting Lewis, and he only seems happy with me. So I figured the least I can do is make sure he is feeling happy and safe until his grandparents arrive" I say.

"Poor little mite and your doing a lovely thing. Oh by the way l shall send you over a text now of the shopping I need. my card is contactless and should cover it all" Lisa says typing away on her phone.

"Okay" I say as there's a knock on the window. I turn to see its Emma knocking on my window side with Summer running after her. Beth is also with Summer carrying Emma's booster seat.

"Hello Emma" I say opening the door and Lisa says "I missed you sweetie, now you have to stay quiet as Lewis is a Chris friend and he is asleep in the back of the car".

Emma looks in the back of the car as I climb out the car to open the back door. She sees Lewis and says "When will Lewis wake up? I can't wait so we can play games together".

"I'm not sure, but when Lewis wakes up, I'm sure he will like to play games with you as well" I say as Summer and Beth arrive at the car. Summer goes and talks with Lisa while Beth helps me get the booster seat along with Emma settled into the back seat. I'm surpised Lewis hasn't woke up yet to the sound of people. The poor lad must be knackered I think to myself.

"Why is Lewis asleep?" Emma asks just before I'm about to close the door.

"Well he had a rough night last night. He had to see the doctor when you were still sleeping. So he is now very tired" I say

"Oh, no is he poorly that's means we have ice cream for pudding" Emma says

"No, he got a boo boo like mummy's legs, but I agree ice cream for pudding sounds like a great idea" I say.

"Okay Emma, remember we have to be quiet to let Lewis get his rest" Lisa says. With that I take the opportunity to close the door. I say bye to Summer and Beth before getting back into my car. I notice Beth hurry to her car and just know she will be sticking behind us like glue on. Doesn't she realise I'm a police officer I think to myself amused as I do my seat belt.

"Ready to go?" Lisa asks.

"Yes, while Lewis is asleep could you maybe give me a few pointers about a child's bedtime routine and breakfast routine?" I ask starting the car up.

"What? You accepted looking after Lewis but don't have a idea?" Lisa asks sounding shocked.

"Well no, I don't have children and no one has ever asked me to baby sit over night before. Maybe a odd hour here or there but not this long" I say.

"My oh my, please tell me you have spare clothes at least for Lewis?" Lisa asks.

"Yes, someone packed a suitcase of bits up for Lewis" I say.

"Good, I tell you what you can both stay over in on if the spare rooms. However your have to go grab a over night bag for yourself, since I'm sure my clothes won't fit or suit you" Lisa says.

"Are you sure? What would your mum say if she found out wouldn't it in courage her" I say.

"I'm not doing it for anyone other than that little boy. It's clear he is attached to you and your in the deep end. Hopefully having Emma around will help him and I can guide you through until the morning nothing else" Lisa says

"Then thankyou, you just saved me from a night of unknown" I say.

"I wouldn't thank me just yet the lad is scared of women that much is clear" Lisa says as we pull into a supermarket.

"I know, And in that note I will be as quick as possible. I hope Lewis stays asleep while I'm shopping" I say.

"Well I'm sure we shall cope if Lewis does wake up" Lisa says and with that I headed into the supermarket.

LISA'S POV

Chris surprisingly didn't take long with the shopping. He even said he opted to buy a change of clothes over taking enougher pit stop to his house. When we were half way back to mine Lewis woke up crying in pain. Chris says time had gone by quickly and he forgot kewus was due pain relief for his bruised ribs 40 minutes prior. So we pulled over so Lewis could have his medication. Me and Emma then kept Lewis talking to distract him the best we could the last five minute journey back to my house. It kind of worked a little. Emma and Lewis seemed to like each other already planning a movie evening so that Lewis could rest up, it was so sweet.

When we got in, I put 'Alvin and the chipmunks' movie on for the kids to watch. While Beth opted herself to put the shopping away for me, since she knew where all the shopping was. Chris was on drinks duty, while I figured out what was for dinner.

"So Lewis what's your favourite foods? What take away food do you like?" I ask.

"Pizza is really good" Lewis says with wide eyes.

"I like pizza to" Emma says.

"I know you like pizza Emma. But we need to find out what Lewis here likes to eat as well" I say while pulling up pizza huts website in my phone.

"Well I like pizza, coco pops, bananas, strawberries but I don't like tomatoes" Lewis says.

"I like all of that to Lewis, I don't like oninons" Emma says.

"No oninons are not nice" Lewis says.

While the kids talked through there food likes and dislikes, I ordered servel pizzas for us a d the bodyguards. It would literally be pick what you want, from the many different options. I had a rough idea what all the security team liked but I was unsure on what Chris liked. Therefore I opted a extra three options as well as garlic breads and of course a few tubs on Ben and Jerry's ice Cream.

When I looked at the kids from placing the food order through I see Emma had grabbed them both blankets. She sure knows how a movie night goes down.

"Mum will there be popcorn?" Emma asks.

"Not tonight sweetie as we have pizza and ice cream. Do you want your belly to pop?" I ask.

"Oh, no but ice cream is better" Emma says smiling. This girl and her ice cream I think to myself just as Chris comes in with a tray of four drinks.

"I made everyone hot chocolate. If there's one thing I learnt from my mum when I was younger, that is that movies require hot chocolate!" Chris says.

"Your mum sounds like a wise women" I say as the kids squeal with excitement over the hot chocolate.

"She was" Chris says placing the drinks in the coffee table before taking a seat in the sofa next to me since the kids took over the other sofa. And then I wonder what happened to Chris mum but I figured I wouldn't ask that question just yet.

"I've ordered in pizza, and movie one is in progress" I say instead.

"Thanks, how much was the pizza?" Chris asks.

"It wasn't much so don't worry about it" I say.

"No, I'd like it to be on me thanks to your generosity in helping m out tonight" Chris says.

"No, your doing enough good deeds with rhs daily gifting and then also looking after Lewis. So this is on me" I say.

"Are you always this stubborn?" Chris says

"Hmm, yeah I am" I say smiling brightly at myself.

"Chris?" Lewis says before Chris can respond to me.

"Yes, mate?" Chris says

"I um well" Lewis says getting upset

"Whats wrong? We can fix it" Chris says.

"Well um, I need the toilet" Lewis says starting to cry.

"Hey, no need to cry. There is on at the top of the stairs" I say.

"Come on mate, I shall take you up" Chris says getting up to go get Lewis who is still crying.

"mummy why is Lewis crying?" Emma asks coming over to sit next to me.

"Well, he is poorly and missing his family. We are strangers to him so he is probably scared being somewhere new. Let's help make him feel welcome shall we?" I say.

"Okay, mummy don't worry I will be extra nice" Emma says

"I know you will sweetie" I say before kissing Emma's cheeks.

"Do you think Lewis would like my dolly's?" Emma asks with a scrunched up cute little nose

"Well I'm not sure, but I know he likes teddy's" I say. With that Emma goes running out the room. And I know where she is going to get some of her many teddy's.

Beth then walks in "Hey, I know you usually let us have down time when home, but I figured it this new for you and your probably anxious yourself so I will only stay a room away incase you need anything" Beth says.

"Thanks, I do feel a little anxious but you saw the little boy right? And Chris doesn't know much about looking after small children so I figured I could guide him. However he seems afraid of females so just be aware of that" I say.

"Your a right and I can see why he pulled at your heart strings. I also want to cuddle him until he feels better. However I also noticed how other than Emma he seems wary of women so I will go careful. But it doesn't mean I'm not near by incase you need me to" Beth says.

"Thanks, I appreciate it. I've order in for you all as well as I figured your all be on guard since your all over protective of me and Emma" I say.

"Okay I will round the others up and we can eat either rin the kitchen or garden. Don't worry we shall keep the noise down" Beth says. Then we hear people coming down stairs and Beth says "I will leave you in peace for a bit".

"Okay" I say as Beth leaves to go out the room. And a minute later Chris walks back in with Lewis who is still crying.

"What's wrong poppet?" I ask.

"I miss my daddy" Lewis crys into Chris shoulder as he takes a seat on the sofa with him. Chris looks at me like what do I do?.

"Well I know you miss your daddy, and I'm sure he misses you to. But when he is better I'm sure he will give you loads of cuddles to make up for missing each other. In the meantime we can have some fun here. What do you reckon?" I say.

"I know, u just miss my daddy" Lewis says cuddling into Chris even more while Chris rubs this back at that moment we hear Emma shouting "Incoming".

And then we hear things being thrown down the stairs.

"Emma King! Don't throw things down the stairs" I say loud but not to loud as I don't want to scare Lewis anymore than he already probably is.

"But mum, I can't carry all my teddy's" Emma shouts as we hear more things coming down the stairs.

"That girl is just as stubborn as me" I mutter under my breath.

"Why so many teddy's?" Chris asks.

"I said Lewis likes teddy's so he is probably bring all them down so Lewis can play with them" I say just as we then hear Emma running down the stairs.

"Don't run or your fall" I say

"Sorry mummy" Emma shouts. I see Lewis has stopped crying while looking towards the door curious what Emma is doing. Then Emma runs into the front room holding a few teddy's says "Here look what I've got" passing Lewis the teddy's before running back out. Then she drags in a bean bag. "Emma why have you brought down your bean bag?" I ask.

"Mummy it's so we can sit in the bean bags with the teddy's and blankets" Emma says running out the room only to bring her other bean bag into the front room.

"You have all this?" Lewis ask surpised to Emma.

"Yes, you want to sit on a bean bag with teddy's as well?" Emma asks.

"Okay" Lewis says getting off Chris lap to join Emma in setting up there base on the floor and before we know it they're giving all the teddy's names and playing nicely until the food arrives. I glance at Chris and he mouths to me "Thankyou" I think. I give a friendly smile back however I feel its Emma's doing for helping Lewis settle again.

KNOCK KNOCK and I'm distracted from my thoughts of the door going.

"Thst will be the food" I say as Chris stands up and says "I will get it for you". "Don't worry, there's always one of the bodyguards close to the door, plus there be awaiting there's so there will get the door" I say followed by hearing Beth shout "I've got the door". "Thanks" I shout out as Chris takes a seat again. "See, I told you" I say.

"True" Chris says with a cheeky grin on his face that even I myself couldn't deny its sexy as hell. Just remember Lisa he may look alright but you can't getting a crush I mentally remind myself, as Beth walks in with the dinner.

CHRIS POV

We had all sat and eaten the delicious food while watching the movie. The little ones seemed to enjoy it. Even Lewis laughed on the odd occasions during the film. I was so thankful of Lisas suggestion to stay over even though I know it must have been a hard choice for her. I feel like it was the best desision saying yes as I know I'd of not done as well with Lewis on my own.

"Right batt time kids. Emma Beth has already said she will bath you for me. While Lewis your have Chris's help for the bath attached to your bathroom" piss says which ends up in Emma shouting "Beth! I'm going to get you!, Mum cab I use the water gun? She got me last time"

Lisa starts laughing while saying "Only if you show Lewis where the water guns are. Now kids yoit only allowed to swuort them in the bathroom though! Go have fun and oh Lewis feel free to get Chris soaked."

With that the kids are screaming with excitement while Emma grabs Lewis hand "Come on I will show you where the water guns are" Emma says while I'm looking at Lisa saying "Oh we are playing games are we? Don't worry game on!".

"No, Emma and Beth have had this game going on and off for a few months now. When Emma asked I thought it would be a great way to make Lewis smile, so go have fun dodging the water gun, while loving how it makes Lewis laugh" Lisa says.

"Don't worry pay back will be sweet" I say laughing.

"Come I will show you everything you need for the bath" Beth says poking hr head in the door.

"Chris make sure there's lots of bubbles kids love bubbles! But extra tip avoid getting water on there face and eyes while washing Lewis's hair." Lisa says

"Thanks" I say smiling at Lisa then I start heading out the room to follow Beth but I hear Lisa say "Your welcome".

It didn't take long to have everything shown to me and I was in the middle of running a bath with lots of bubbles like suggested by Lisa. Then Beth told me a few tips how to make lots of bubbles. So here I was swirling the bath water around when suddenly I'm being soaked from behind by two little kids and there water guns while they laugh away. Beth is filming it while saying say cheese. "That's it I'm going to get you all" I say laughing. Beth picks up Emma and runs away shouting "Lisa told us to now go bath Lewis".

Lewis looks at me sheepishly. "Come on mate, let's get you in the bath then you can carry on playing with the water gun what do you think?" I sag smiling.

"Okay, am I really allowed to get you wet though?" he asks nervously. He clearly lost his confidence now Emma has left his side.

"Yeah of course can mate, didn't Lisa tell you that you can?" I say.

"Yes, but you didn't say its okay and I don't want to get into trouble" Lewis says as I start to help him take his top of.

"Of course you can and you won't get into trouble. You want to know why you won't get into trouble?" I ask.

"Why?" Lewis asks looking at me which such a sad face.

"Because Lewis your only a little boy, and little boys are suppose to have fun! I think this sounds like great fun. I'm just curious if your be able to get me soaked. I mean look around this is a big bath room and I can run quick so bring it on little buddy" I say smiling and by the end of my speach Lewis is smiling at me while then then hurry to finish getting undressed. "Can you help me in the bath please" lewis says holding his arms up while still holding onto the water gun.

"Of course I can" I say and with that I place Lewis into the bath. The next 15 minutes I'm running about the bathroom ducking my head at times avoid the water gun. But I'm also making sure I'm not to quick so Lewis can catch me. And Lisa was right this is so much fun because Lewis is laughing while having fun. "Okay let's take a break as we need tog et you washed before the water gets cold, then we can play again" I say. While I'm washing Lewis hair I can feel my phone hitting up a storm since it keeps vibrating in my pocket. After I washed Lewis hair and make sure he has a flannel with soap to wash his body rgeb I check my phone.

I see Lisa has done her daily update. However there no photo today. Instead she has said thanks for the gift tagging the company into it. But then she tags me saying how she likes she has become friends with her hero and she can't wait for the fun days ahead. She signed it off saying p.s Chris never get distracted by a water fight you don't want your phone to get wet lol. And literally as I finish reading that I feel water on my face, I can't help laughing while I quickly put my phone into my pocket.

LISA'S POV

I was laying on the sofa with my eyes closed, since I was worried sleep may not catch me tonight. However I knew just closing my eyes would help me look more alive tomorrow. At least this is what I was doing until I felt water on my face. I hurry to turn over while screaming. I hear the children laughing while Chris says "I knew you wouldn't want to miss out on the fun, plus the kids thought it was a brilliant plan". I'm they did I shout as I feel the water stop. "Damn it my sofa is wet now and I need to get changed" I say sitting up.

"It's okay, Beth said she would have someone sort the sofa" Chris says

"I brought you a towel mummy" Emma says running towards me.

"Thanks" I say smiling at Emma.

I look at Chris who is holding Lewis in his arms. "Don't worry payback is coming Chris! Just you wait and see" I say.

"Good luck with thsf since your a little hobbler at the moment" Chris says laughing. "Oh don't worry I already have the perfect plan" I say smiling sweetly.

"Bring it on" Chris says smiling back at me. Ajd suddenly I can't help laughing because I'm generally having fun around Chris and I can't remember ever feeling so happy around a male before that's not family to me. God get a grip this is just going to be friendship I mentally tell myself. I'm allowed to have a friendship Thst will be safe I continue to tell myself.

"Lisa, can I have a drink please?" Lewis asks distracting me from my thoughts.

"Of course you can, what would you like? Hot chocolate or milkshake?" I ask.

"I want milkshake please mummy" Emma says hugging me around the waist while I'm drying my hair still.

"I'd course you can what flavour would you like? I ask." Strawberry please" Emma says.

"Can I have a milkshake as well please" Lewis asks.

"Yes of course you can, now Emma will show you and Chris where everything is while I finish drying my hair" I say smiling at Lewis.

"Thankyou" Lewis says while yawning.

"Then after your drinks it's bed time with a story's. Lewis you an pick a story from Emma's collection in her room. And Emma your have to wait until I get upstairs so pick a book while you wait for me" I say.

"Okay show me the way young lady" Chris says to Emma. And with that Emma shows Chris the way. I can hear Emma telling Lewis all the flavours milkshake available as they make there way to the kitchen. So I decided to make my way upstairs to my room so I could change my top before reading Emma's bedtime story's. Plus I knew I needed this extra time to get upstairs while they had there milkshakes since it takes ages getting around still. I still find the crutches annoying I think to myself as I pick them up. I go to take a step but then slip on water and there's no saving myself no matter how hard I tried to throw myself backwards I still went sidewards screaming as I hit the floor.

"God damn it" I shout while picking up a crutch and throwing it across the room slightly.