Guarded heart

Chapter 6. Nosey family

LISA'S POV

I swear I couldn't believe my mums games. After Chris left I grilled her about what her game was. Only to discover it was Summers idea and they both talked the Sargent into helping them! The rest of the evening I kept throwing them glares since I couldn't do much else. Summer and Sean went home early evening. It turned out Summer had to come back leaving her handbag here. Karmer I thought. After they left I helped Emma with her reading and learning to write her name for homework before we watched my little pony cuddled up on the sofa. As soon as Emma was in bed, I had Ryan help me upstairs to bed myself.

I'd spent the evening complain in the girls group chat. However Katy and Michelle found it hilerous until Hahley came in backing my side up.

I decided to send Chris a message saying sorry about my family. After all he didn't sign up for that I think to myself.

CHRIS POV

I had the driver drop me off at the police station so I could pick my car up and then headed to the fire station. I helped layla cook food for everyone while Nathan was still sleeping. When the food was nearly done I woke Nathan up so he could have something to eat and drink. Afterwards we swung by Nathan's apartment so he could pack a over night bag. I figured be best if he stayed with me for a few days since he was on sleeping tables. By the time we were at mine Nathan was soon fast asleep again it seems the sleeping tablets where certainly working. I rang into work saying Nathan wouldn't be in for a couple more days before having a shower myself.

I was in the shower when I heard my phone PING. I wondered who would be messaging me now as I washed my hair. Thankfully the seatbealt mark bruise wasn't looking as bad as I thought it would today. But I made sure to be gentle when washing my body before getting out the shower and wrapping a towel around my waist before heading back to my bedroom. The bedroom is still my fravote room in my home. All black furniture with white walls and bedding sets. I check my phone as I lay on the bed.

From Lisa

Hi, just wanted to say sorry about my mum again. Turns out it was Summers idea, then she managed to talk your colleague into helping them between the pair of them. I'm so embarrassed by there behaviour.

I couldn't help chuckling to myself as I replied.

To Lisa

Don't fret it, seriously i found it funny if anything. How are you getting on with the crutches now?

I laid on the bed thinking over how amusing it was to spend some time with Lisa today. I already liked her personality for our brief interactions at the cafe. But, it was definitely interesting to see a firey bantering side to Lisa today and I can't help wonder how interesting these weeks will be.

PING

From lisa

Ryan walked with me to the stairs before I came up to bed. I managed to do well without falling. Then after crawling up the stairs I decided to lay on the landing floor for 10 minutes before hobbling back to my room. But I successfully didn't fall flat on my face so that has to be an achievement.

To lisa

That's good progress, I will help you practice again tomorrow, however I'm starting to wondering if you only like falling on my watch.

I switched the TV on that's opposite my bed on the wall. Chicago fire was on so I just left it on that.

PING

From Lisa

Ha! It's true I've only fallen on your watch, but then again my family tend to give up and just carry me because they can't resist my sad puppy eyes look.

To Lisa

That would explain it, you don't pull sad looking eyes on me. No you pull strong, stubborn independent eyes instead so I don't fall for such cuteness charms. I hope you have a good night's sleep as that will help you tomorrow go from learner to professional hobbler

From Lisa

I hope so! I hope you have a good night's rest as well. See you tomorrow.

To Lisa

Good night.

LISA'S POV

I woke up the next morning to find a few bottles of water had been left on my bedside table with a note.

Don't be mad at me still today, I won't tease you anymore. I only want what's best for you even if you just end up being friends it's such an achievement for you. Love mum xx

When did she creep in I wonder as I take my painkillers. I see Emma is due to wake up soon, so I decided to get myself ready. I maybe in a cast but it didn't mean I could let down my daughter. I would master these crutches, I think to myself feeling determined.

With that in mind I grabbed the crutches and slowly made my way to the wardrobe now full of disgusting dresses. Once I reach the wardrobe I hold onto the door for balance while looking through the dresses trying to decide which one to wear today. But instead of a dress my old clothes catch my attention and I see some Jean shorts there lose. I wonder if I can get them through the cast I wonder picking them up and throwing them over onto the bed. Then I get a white t-shirt to go with them and again they get thrown onto the bed. I decide on a white strappy dress incase they don't fit. Of course I launch them onto the bed as well. I grab some underwear and hang them over the crutch handle before then hobbling to the bathroom.

It's wasn't until I sat sat on the toilet seat I realised that I'd need help. So I shouted as loud as I could Mum? Dad? Ryan? Anyone?. A few minutes later Ryan comes running in. "What's wrong?" he asks.

"Ryan I'm not spending 6 weeks without showering, please go get me two garden chairs, a black bag and some towels" I say.

"What you going to do with them?" he asks puzzled

"It's simple one chair in shower one out. I sit on one so I can control the shower while my leg is covered with a black bag then towels to keep it dry on the other chair. The rest of me gets to be clean" I say.

Ryan just looks at me stunned.

"What I have brains as well as these good looks, don't just stand there! I stink and my hair is horrible to" I say.

"You need anything else?" Ryan ask.

"Yes, the clothes I threw on my bed please" I say.

"Okay, hold tight I will get everything" Ryan says. While I wait I brush my teeth and brush my hair.

CHRIS POV

My phone woke me up at 09:53am with a text Message. But I've been laid in bed for the past 20 minutes waking up before I decided to check my phone.

Layla

Paramedics would like to know if 1pm will be good for the gift of the day surprise for Lisa. They said they can either meet you at the location or you could meet elsewhere first and go down with them. Let me know what you decide so I can inform them.

To layla

Let me check if that would be a good time for Lisa today then I shall let you know.

With that I decided to ring Lisa myself

RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING

"Hello?" Lisa says answering the phone.

"Hey, how's your morning going so far?" I ask.

"Well I managed to shower and share the car journey with Emma to school without falling over! So I'd say it's going well" Lisa says.

"That's good and how did you manage to shower without getting the cast wet?" I ask intrigued.

"I had Ryan bring me two garden chairs, one in the shower, and one out the shower for my leg covered with a bin bag and towels. It worked really well that now I feel relieved that I don't have to survive off stripped washes for the next month and a half" Lisa says.

"That was a very smart Idea to come with up. I'd of never thought of such a idea myself. I also totally agree that long on just strip washes would of been awful, thank god you can shower! So I don't have to bring pegs along with the daily gifts" I say laughing

"I'd of never smelled! Nope not happening so you wouldn't of required the pegs at all!" Lisa says.

"Thats good to know, do you think your be getting Emma from school today?" I ask.

"No, Ryan said he will get Emma and take her to the park for a hour after school, so I'm spending the day in my dad's old study doing paperwork for the cafe today. Plus I also have to announce the cupcakes winner" Lisa says

"Sounds like a busy day ahead for you then, but don't worry I shall arrive at 1pm to save you for the horrid paperwork, and see how much of a hobble master you have became since yesterday" I say.

"1pm,that gives me enough time to plan an escape route" Lisa says laughing.

"a you can try to run, oh I mean hobble but you won't get very far!" I say laughing.

"Ha! Ha! To be fair the bodyguards would catch me first and laugh at me more than you since I usually out run them all the time" Lisa says laughing.

"You outrun your bodyguards?" I ask amused.

"Yeah, sometimes it's fun to just escape for a little while. I actually decided I didn't want them personally a few years ago after I got very good at kick boxing. But my family refuse to remove them so it turned into a fun game every now and then. I bet there all loving the fact I can barely move anywhere fast atm" Lisa says.

"Now this sounds like some fun story's to be heard" I say.

"Yes, story's for enougher time, I've got some work to get on with but I shall see you later you never know I may tell you a story or two then" Lisa says.

"I look forward to it. I will see you later don't forget to still go careful with the crutches" I say.

"I will, bye Chris" Lisa says.

"Bye Lisa" I say then hang up the phone.

The women just keeps surprising me everyday. There I was thinking Lisa was having bodyguards afraid to be out alone but its opposite and she knows kickboxing! She sure is one hell of a women I think as I reply to layla.

LISA'S POV

After a hour in my dads office I felt gloomy being stuck in doors. So I had my dad and mum help me get my laptop into the front garden where the egg chair still was. I decided to set up camp doing work with the sun keeping me company.

It made a difference and I lost myself in the paperwork for the cafe. The girls had messaged checking how I was as well as the girls from work. So I replied to them while I had a lunch soaking up the sun. The only downfall was come the end of the summer I'd need to fake tan my casted leg. I could imagine a tanned leg with a lillie white leg already.

I see it was 12:38pm so I decided it was pointless continue the paperwork stuff since Chris said he would be here at 1pm. So I decided to just close my eyes and soak up the sun until he arrived.

It was long until I heard vehicles coming down the drive way. I open my eyes to see a ambulance car and police car is behind it. No doubt Chris is driving the police car I wave my hand in a greeting as they pull up.

I watch as Chris get out the car as a female paramedic gets out the car behind.

"Good afternoon, I see you made it out the door what's the next plan of the escape?" Chris says while we waits for the paramedic to join his side, she is also carrying a big box.

"It's top secret, but I've been out here for hours enjoying the sun while working. I got fed up with my dad's office" I say pointing to the laptop on the table.

"I like your thinking, I'm Zola by the way" the paramedic lady says

"Hi Zola, I'm sure you already know I'm Lisa" I say as they approach me.

"Yes, that's true. How's the leg?" Zola asks

"Currently useless otherwise it's okay thanks" I say.

"How's the Hobbling coming along?" Chris asks taking a seat on the patio set that got brought round the other night.

"Zola please, take a Seat" I say seeing she is still stood up.

"And the Hobbling is okay. However if you want drinks your still be best going and asking someone inside unless you have time to waste" I say.

"It's okay, I'm all good infact I'd rather not drink when I'm due back on shift soon" Zola says.

"I'm okay for now, want me to help you practice with the crutches soon? " Chris says.

"If you want to you can. Be good to change position soon if honest I'm getting a numb bottom" I say making Chris and Zola laugh.

"Well I'm sure your be a hobble master soon, Now I come baring gifts. On behalf of the Ambulance and Air ambulance who are thankful for the donation made a few months ago. We wish you a speedy recovery and figured for once we could make you some cupcakes. Now we are no Bakers like you. However we all made you one cupcake each. Well the ones of us who wanted to give it ago. So I present the 18 cupcakes made on behalf of us all" Zola says.

"Thankyou, and the donation came from the cake raffle. I look forward to trying the cupcakes and I'm sure there all be lovely" I say.

"You may want to take them inside out of the heat" Zola says.

"Yes, I shall text my dad to come get them for me" I say.

"No need, I can take them in for you" Chris says.

"You don't have to do that" I say.

"No, I don't mind at all" Chris says.

"Just let the man take the cakes in" Zola says laughing.

"Okay, then thanks. I appreciate it" I say.

"Your welcome" Chris says standing up and picking the box of cupcakes up.

"Well that's the cupcakes scared from the heat now, I hope your staying hydrated out here as well" Zola says.

"Yes, I'm drinking plenty thanks. I will probably go indoors this afternoon so I don't overheat" I say.

"That's a wise idea, the last thing you want is heat stroke on top of the broken leg" Zola says.

"That's true, so how long have you been a paremedic?" I ask changing the story.

"Six years, I love my job 95% of the time. Like any other job it has a few downsides" Zola says.

"I can imagine it does. It's good you do something you enjoy" I say.

"From what I hear, you make a mean cake yet own a cafe, how come you don't own a bakery or cake shop instead?" Zola asks.

"Because I don't want to end up hating baking if I make it my living. Baking and singing got me through hard times so I don't want to risk ruining anything I enjoy personally" I say.

"Fair enough, it makes sense" zola says.

"I enjoy the monthly cake and cupcakes I make for others, so I still get to enjoy my baking regularly as well" I say.

"Your mum stopped me barely two seconds into the door. She said she will bring us some drinks out in a minute" Chris says reappearing.

"I'm sorry, I won't have time for a drink. Plus to much drinks and lack of toilets to use isn't always great when working. I have to go back on duty soon" Zola says.

"That's okay, thanks again for the cupcakes. Please could I grab a photo with you first" I say as Chris takes a seat.

"Sure, you can" Zola says.

"Great, Chris don't think your escaping this" I say smiling.

"I guessed as much when you mentioned the photos" Chris says causing Zola to laugh as she stands up to come stand next to me while I get my camera ready on my phone.

"Well I know how much you love the photos, Zola you don't mind if I upload the picture onto f*******: do you?" I ask

"Of course not" Zola says as Chris comes to stand with us ready for the picture as well.

"Great" I say followed by taking the picture with Zola and a Chris stood either side of me slightly leaning there heads in near mine to get in the picture.

"What's the caption going to be today?" Chris asks.

"I will decide later when I also post the winner of the unbespoken hero of the month" I say.

"You have decided the winner?" Zola asks.

"My mum did earlier. Every now and again someone will ask to pick a winner as they love reading through the nomations and therefore I allowing a few people to choose. My brother in law Luke is picking next months winner" I say.

"That's amazing" Zola says.

"Thanks" I say as Chris's phone starts to go off

RING RING RING RIN

"Sorry I need to get this" Chris says standing up and walking off to the side a little.

"No, problem" I say just before Chris answers the phone.

"I'm sorry I can't stay longer, but I wish you a speedy recovery on behalf of all the ambulance crew" Zola says as my mum opens the door with my dad on her tail carrying out drinks.

"That's okay, and thanks for the cakes. If your ever around the cafe feel free to pop in for a cuppa on the house" I say.

"Thanks, I will stop by in a few weeks" Zola says as she stands up.

"Going so soon?" my mum says.

"Sorry, I wasn't allowed long to stop by. But thanks for having me" Zola says to my mum

"No worry, stay safe out there" my dad says as my mum is about to protest.

"Thanks for the drink mum" I say to distract my mum

"Bye" Zola says as she starts to walk back to her ambulance car.

"Bye" I say as my mum hands me the drink.

"The cupcakes look great" my dad says

"They do. I'm sure Emma will want one of those when she gets in from school" I say.

"Chris isn't going just yet is he?" my mum says.

"I don't know" I say

"Come on love, you said you where only dropping drinks let's go back indoors" my dad says

"But I want to say hi to Chris" my mum protests.

"You already did when he came in with the cakes" my dad says with a raised eyebrow.

"Thanks dad" I say smiling at my mum.

"Your welcome sweet pea" my dad says linking arms with my mum while she just glares at me.

"You brought it on yourself for meddling before" I hear my dad says as they walk into the house again.

PING

Summer

I hear Chris has arrived with a paracemdic baring cakes. I take it the cakes are today's gifts. X

To Summer

What is it live updates between you and my mum? X

"Sorry about that, it was my dad wanting to know if I will be swinging by the station later for dinner" Chris says taking a seat again. I didn't even notice he has finished his phone call.

"It's okay, my mum left you a drink. If you haven't time then it's okay to leave it" I say pointing to the drink.

"It's okay, I have time. I've only got a few phone calls to do when I get back to the police station before heading to the fire station for dinner with my dad" Chris says.

"Fair enough" I say.

"Plus your forgetting I allowed myself plenty of time to check out your hobbling skills" Chris says smiling.

"Okay let's drink our drinks, then you can watch me hobble back indoors" I say.

"Sounds like a plan to me. How's your muscles and bruises today. Still sore?" Chris asks.

"A little better but yes still bruised and sore" I say.

"Well I've got a couple of bags of letters and cards in the car. They have been oiling into the police station and fore station" Chris says.

"Oh wow" I say surpised.

"Yes, after I've checked out your hobbling skills I will then bring them in for you" Chris says.

"Thank you, I'd come grab them myself but I'm not that pro with the crutches yet" I say.

"By the time you get that pro you should be coming out of the cast" Chris says.

"Your probably right there" I say.

PING

Summer

Of course, latest update is the paramedic had to leace, your dad dragged your mum indoors who is going room to room to peak out the windows. Apparently your both enjoying drinks now chatting x

"Oh man what's with that women" I say as I show Chris the messages. As he reads them he starts laughing.

"It's not funny, this is so embrassing and so much more touture than this stupid broken leg" I say

"Well let's go hit the road that way you can escape the touture then" Chris says.

"Are you mad we would never escape the security. Plus Emma finishes school in a few hours" I say.

"That's fine, just send a message to whoever it's needed saying your picking Emma up today. Plus didn't you say your usually pro at escaping bodyguards? With my help in a police get away car that an still be achieved" Chris says smiling.

"Where are we going to go?" I ask curious and I think anywhere than being here embrassed by my mum like I'm a 15 year old teenager is better right now.

"Your see! Come on live a little. What can go wrong? If anything I've saved you a few times now and I'm also a very well trained policeman. And I could easily pass a foreman as well of I so desired since I practically grew up in the station" Chris says.

"Okay but we need to make it look like I'm practicing to walk outside. And I need to get my laptop inside as well as my bag" I say.

"We can say your practicing carrying your bag while walking outside" Chris says.

"Okay then let's do this" I say smiling before finishing my drink off.

"This shall be fun! And don't worry Emma is going to love being picked up today! Trust me from experience growing up it will be a the highlight of her little life for a while" Chris says sending a message to someone.

"Why's that?" I ask.

"Because my dad and Bobby will just casually pick her up in the fire truck. Your just have to ring ahead and let the school know" Chris says.

"What won't they get into trouble for that?" I ask.

"No! Plus if they get called to an emergency we can always meet them on route. It also gives the fireman a chance to show of the fire truck to loads of little children. Trust me it's a win win all round" Chris says.

"Okay then" I say shuffling to the edge of this egg chair.

"Want a hand?" Chris asks.

"If you could just steady the egg chair then that would be great thanks" I say smiling as Chris stands up.