Guarded heart

Chapter 19 Being caught out

CHRIS POV

When we reached the back garden I see its already hectic.

"Mummy, Aunty Lisa" Three small children shout while waving from bouncing on the bouncy castle.

"Chris, come join us" Emma screeches.

"Hi Emma" I say while waving.

"Come join us Chris" Emma shouts again while the two other little children I remember to be Summer and Seans children Dennis and Skylar shout.

"Hey, did you have fun?" Summer says approaching us as I see Lisa sit down on a huge bean bag. I was so busy waving to the children that I hadn't noticed let alone had a chance to help.

"We did, however I don't think Emma is finished with Chris just yet since she now has all the children screaming for him to go on the bou cy Castle" Lisa says laughing.

"That's I'm coming to get you all" Jade says as she takes her shoes off to go join the kids.

"So why are you still stood there? Are you joining the kids on there or not?" Summer says turning to me.

"I was going to go home. But five minutes wouldn't hurt would it. After all it looks like so much fun" I say

"Men there all big children at heart" Summer laughs while Lisa says "Go ahead knock yourself out having fun".

"I think I will" I say smiling as I take my shoes and socks off. I then run until I'm on the bouncy castle where I imidately start bouncy.

"Chris you have to stick with me. I'm the only boy here until my dad and uncle show up" Dennis says.

"Okay let the men stick together" I say as he takes my hand to jump with me.

"Aww no! I wanted you to be on my team" Emma pouts

"No we don't need no smelly man on our team" Jade says picking Emma up and bouncing with her.

"Yeah we have more than them anyway" Skylar says and I count help laugh mentally at this. Kids if only adults arguements were like this then I would be out of a job I think to myself.

"No we don't need more than you girls because your weak and us men got muscles. Just look at Chris arms" shouts Dennis. And Jade bursts into laughter while I'm trying to contain mine.

"Okay, let's all play nicely now. You remember I'm a policeman right? I don't want to have to arrest anyone of any fights break out" I say

"That's right listen to Chris otherwise I will let him cart you both off to the police station" Summer shouts.

"That goes for you as well Emma. Play nicely" Lisa says.

I look at Lisa and summer and see there sat next to each other chatting away while watching the children on the bouncy castle.

"Okay how high can you jump then boys" Skylar asks.

"We will show you" Dennis says.

"Yeah and once we have shown you then it's the girls turn" I say.

"I don't want to jump. I want a drink. Mummy I need a drink please" Emma shouts.

"Emma, what have we told you ask someone who can get around easier. I will get you all a drink" Summer says

"Okay my turn to jump" Dennis says jumping really high so he thought. But it wasn't that high. "Your turn" Skylar says pointing at me.

"Okay watch closely because I'm going to touch the sky" I say

"No! Your never be able to do that!" Dennis says.

"Hey your ment to be on my team. Believe in your team players. I can and I will you just watch" I say then I hear Lisa and Jade both laughing.

"What's funny?" I ask.

"Your as bad as the children bickering" Lisa says

"hey" I say faking being hurt before I jump pretty high.

"See kids I touched the sky"

"you did as well. You touched that cloud!" Skylar says

"What did it feel like?" Dennis asks sounding amazed

"Eat all your fruit and vegetables regularly then your grow up so strong like me your find out yourself" I say

"Yuk vegetables" Skylar says

"Yeah I hate carrots" Dennis says

LISA'S POV

it was fun watching Chris with the kids on the bouncy castle. He was a natural with the kids. And the kids loved him to.

"That's the kids hydrated again" Summer says sitting next to me again.

"Mum and dad go to stay with your parents this Weekend. They deserve to go have fun and not worry about me. So I need your help with something" I say

"What's wrong?" Summer asks.

"When mum and dad go, I know you said you would watch and help me for a few weeks then Ryan and luke. But I don't want it. I've hired a cook and maid for a few weeks to help out at home. I've got the security team" I say.

"What. No i can't let you fend for yourself" Summer says.

"Yes you can. And I also need one more thing" I say.

"What's that?" Summer asks.

"I want my privacy back. I want my life back. Emma can keep her bodyguards. But I don't want mine no more. I don't even want the four you all thought I didn't now about" I say.

"How did you know?" Summer says

"I've known all a long. After what happened to me you don't think I lay attention to everything around me all the time? Come on be real with Emma's security team still in place I can live without mine. I need some life again. I need some privacy" I say

"I get that. But are you sure? I mean we Onky want you to be safe" Summer says

"Yes, I'm sure come off it you can go out with friends and have fun without cctv of it being sent to everyone" I say.

"How did you know about that?" Summer says a little louder.

"I accidentally see it on Ryan's phone few years back. So I knew your password to your account and I signed in a extra account on mine. Don't worry I don't invade your privacy like everyone does to me I only read messages in 'our lisas' group chat. That's it" I say.

"So you know everything?" Summer asks.

"Yes I knew about the men you scared off. I knew about his aunty who showed up with a knife. I know she has a restraining order against her. I know his cousin showed up claiming peace and how she was still escorted away from me. I know what you all say about me and what you all been saying about Chris as well atm. But understand this I want privacy again. I haven't been depressed in a long time now. I can defend myself. I own my cafe. I'm a good mum. I think you all can let me be free. I've never really been free and I want it" I say

"Okay, I shall help you. You know we all love you and only want to look after you" Summer says

"I know. That's why I let it slide so long and how I could escape the security teams when I wanted free moments. But I want more freedom now. I don't want you all discussing my upcoming dating life. It will be hard enough as it is. I don't want to be treated like this is a big deal. Because it feels like that already to me and its pressure within myself already. Let alone having the pressure of all your expectations. Plus would you like it if everyone knew everything about your marriage and love life? " I say.

" Your right. I'm sorry. But I've got your back in this" Summer says.

"Thanks" I say

"You really like Chris though don't you?" Summer asks.

"I'm not sure what's really like means. But I can say yes I do like him. It's been to long for me and I'm lacking experience to know what it is excaulty I feel. But I'm trying to figure it out myself" I say.

"Well for what it's worth I'm just happy to see you smiling again. You even seemed so care free in that video footage today it reminded me of a teenage carefree you. So do what you have to do" Summer says.

"Thankyou" I say

"Don't thank me. What are sisters for?" Summer says.

"True" I say

"Okay onto more important matters. What time do you want us to arrive to help you get ready for your date Friday?" Summer asks.

"anytime in the afternoon is good with me. Preferably earlier so I can be distracted from my nerves though" I say.

"Your be fine. And your look double amazing by the time we are done with you" Summer says.

"What you talking about I already look double amazing with this cast. I'm thinking of making it a perment fixture" I say laughing

"Oh of course that's why your suddenly getting mens attention" Summer says laughing

"Yeah I'm fighting them all off with the crutches. It's exhausting work" I say and then we both burst out laughing.

"I still don't think I can do it you know" I say after a moments silence

"Do what?" Summer asks while I stare at Chris and the kids.

"you know things people do in relationships. I dont think I'm anywhere near ready for any of that. So I don't hold hope of anything more than a few dates and it will be proven why I should do relationships" I say

"I don't know. Chris seems the patient type. He seems to ground you into feel comfortable enough around him. I reckon you might be wrong" Summer says.

"Time will tell" I say

"Yeah, but I'm wondering if you secretly hope it doesn't work or if your scared it will go that way. However the way your looking at Chris now I'd say your scared that after a few dates where nothing s****l happens you think Chris will give up on you. So maybe you should have a little faith yourself and like you said time will tell. No matter what just enjoy the moments for now" Summer says.

We see Chris getting off the bouncy castle and starts to walk towards us.

"Looks like you had fun" Summer says to chris

"It was fun" Chris says looking at me though.

"I'm glad your enjoying it as much as the kids are" I say

"Thanks. But I should get going really. I said just five minutes yet it's been over half hour" Chris says.

"Oh, you can't be going just yet. The fun is just starting. Sean and Ryan are doing a bbq this evening. And we will be having a water fight with the kids after as well later, however Lisa will be going else where during that we don't want her cast getting ruined by water" Summer says.

"No, I've imposed enough" Chris says

"Aye, nonsense. You should stay help us keep Lisa entertained. Unless you already have plans. Do you already have plans?" Summer asks while Chris's attention still isn't on Summer it's fully on me layed on this bean bag.

"No, I don't have plans. But" Chris goes to say

"No, buts you must stay then" Summer says.

"I wouldn't argue it out. You can stay if you want to but your probabky wo t win against Summer" I say.

CHRIS POV

"Okay, I will stay then for a while longer" I say

"At least until after the bbq" Summer says.

"Okay" I say giving up.

"Great. You can keep Lisa company while I go help the kids changing into there swimming costumes. I promised we could go in the pool today" Summer says standing up and shouting "Kids come on swimming pool time".

"yay" the kids all shout jumping of the bouncy castle and running towards the house.

I take a seat on the grass near Lisa.

"if you really don't want to stay you can sneak out while there in the pool. I will cover for you if need be" Lisa whisper.

"Ha, you would make a great partner in crime" I whisper back.

"I know I would" Lisa whispers

"why are we whispering when summer and the kids are nearly all inside" I whisper

"Because I would t out it past her to have super hearing" Lisa whispers which makes me laugh.

"It's okay though since you would make a great partner in crime I won't leave you in the lurch I can sneak you away to if need be" I say

"I think that's a good plan. But your forgetting its not just summer we have to get by its also the kids and security team" Lisa whispers.

"You forget I have a police force and a fireman force I can call in as back up for a distraction" I whisper which makes Lisa laugh.

"Okay you win. Whenever I need to escape I know who I'm calling for help" Lisa says.

"Call me anytime. Day or night I don't mind helping" I say as I lay down on the grass to look at the sky.

"but on a serious note don't feel ambushed into staying if you dont want to" Lisa says. I turn my head to the side to look at Lisa and our eyes connect.

"It's fine honestly. If anything I don't want you to get to sick of seeing my face before we even had date one" I say.

"Aww you shouldn't put yourself down like that. Plus if I get sick of it there's always face paint" Lisa says winking at me trying not to laugh at her own joke.

"What's wrong with my face?" I say while touch g my face and faking a hurt face but deep down I'm amused and find it hilarious.

"Nothing is wrong with your face" Lisa says.

"That's good then. Because I don't want to have to paint it. Sounds time consuming and I wouldn't want to be late and miss seeing your pretty face" I say and I see Lisa blush a little. It's so cute and she actually goes quite. So adorable I think to myself. After a few moments Lisa looks up at the sky again and I wonder what she is thinking about.

"Lisa" we hear some call out.

"Yes Beth" Lisa shouts out straight away as I look towards the house where Beth had shouted.

"I hate to do this but I just had a call saying my nan has been taken to the hospital, can I have the night off please" Beth shouts as she walks our direction.

"Take a few days, I'm here anyway so ts all good. Just look after your nan and be with your family" Lisa says

"Thankyou. I will ring and let you know more when I know what's wrong" Beth says.

"Even if you don't it's fine. Just one back when you can" Lisa says.

"Thankyou" Beth shouts then she turns back to run towards the house.

"Jade" Lisa then shouts.

"Yes, don't worry I'm already on it" Jade shouts.

"What's she already on?" I ask.

"Gift hamper to be sent to Beth's family. Of someone gets ill from any of my staffs family like this my staff know I will send a hamper basket full of stuff that can be useful for them" Lisa says looking at me.

"I think I'm in the wrong career" I say laughing.

"They have been with me longer than I can remember now. They not just security. There my friends and family also. I've met most there family members as well" Lisa says.

Then we hear the kids and summer coming out the house. Lisa glances at them as I say "It's good when people have good bosses. It means employers are loyal to there bosses".

"Im not there boss. That would be Sean" Lisa says glancing back at me.

"Then you just make there hon worthwhile then" I say.

"Maybe" Lisa says glancing back at the kids.

"Dennis, wait for mummy before you get in the swimming pool. Emma don't forget your arm bands" Lisa shouts across to them

"Don't worry, I've got it all under control" Summer shouts across".

"Sorry, it was rude of me to inturput our conversation. But when your a parent it kinda just becomes habit of shouting things out to the little people to keep them safe" Lisa says.

"It's fine. Honestly" I say. And Lisa smiles at me again as she sits up.

LISA'S POV

Before I knew it me and Chris had been sat chatting away as of we had been friends for a few hours. My mum and dad had come out to join everyone a hour ago. Ryan and luke not long ago arrived starting to get the bbq stuff set up while they waited for Sean to turn up.

The kids and Summer have been out the pool a while. Summer has just decided to join me and Chris after helping my mum with the salad stuff. I'd offered to help but she insisted I stayed where I was.

"Chris I hope you realise before your date you can't do the daily gift while Lisa is getting ready. So you have two options first thing in the morning or when you pick Lisa up for her date" Summer says.

"Summer" I say shocked by how Frank she is being.

"What?" Summer says while Chris is laughing. But then Chris says "It's fine. I can do any of them".

"Baby girls you both want more drinks?" like shouts across the garden.

"Yes please" I say.

"Chris I will grab you a beer" Ryan shouts.

"You know what I will have" Summer says.

"So this date. What time you gettinh our Lisa home?" Summer then says to Chris.

"My god. Stop it" I say groaning.

"I'm just curious" Summer says smiling.

"Whenever Lisa wants to come home. Then I shall bring Lisa home" Chris says laughing.

"This isn't funny this is embrassing" I say.

"It is funny when your going that shade of red" Chris says. I touch my cheeks but they don't feel that hot.

"He is playing with you" Summer says.

"I will get you back for that" I say laughing.

"Aunty Lisa" Dennis says suddenly at my side.

"Yes, poppet" I say.

"Can I go back on the bouncy castle please?" Dennis asks.

"Of course you can. Have fun" I say

"Thankyou aunty Lisa" Dennis shouts running off to the bouncy castle.

"I'm going to have to get one for at mine. The kids love it" Summer says.

"Can you blame them. It's great fun" Chris says.

"That's true" I say.

"How much did it cost?" Summer asks me

"I didn't buy it. I hired it for the whole summer. I thought id see how much the kids use it before I buy one to keep forever" I say.

"You hired it for the whole summer that couldn't of been cheap" Chris says.

"It doesn't matter. It will make me feel better since I can't do as much as I usually do being in this cast" I say.

"Don't be silly, you know Emma can join in with our fun days" Summer says

"I know. When is Sean arriving? Shouldn't he be here already?" I ask.

"That bloke I swear he could be married to that office at times. However he should be arriving any minute. He not long ago messaged saying he was on his way" Summer says

"Isn't that 95% of working people. Married to there jobs?" Chris says.

"That's true" Summer says.

"Probably" I say

"Here are the drinks" Ryan says as he and luke comes joins us.

"What's mum and dad doing?" I ask seeing they disappeared

"I don't know my dragged upstairs to sort something I wasn't really paying attention" Ryan says.

"So my queen's you know this isn't a real fun night unless we drag the karaoke out. Who is going first?" luke says smiling. Me and Summer look at each other and start laughing.

"Duet" we say at the same time while Ryan and luke start laughing.

"These two love a good sing song. Stick around long enough your see that. But they always argue out what songs to sing because Summer wants love songs and Lisa refuses to sing them" Ryan says.

"Why is that?" Chris says.

"No one knows as she refuses to tell us" Luke says getting up to go get the karaoke while I take a sip of my drink ignoring there conversation now. After all they know really why I refuse to sing love songs.

"I have a feeling it could all change in the near future anyway so I won't argue it out today" Summer says

"Good because we are going to sing girls just wanna have fun. And get our mini nes involved as well" I say.

"So long as it's not the barbie girl song I don't mind. Skylar loves singing that all the time and it's keeps getting stuck in my head" Summer says making us all laugh

"Your started the party without me" We hear Sean say as he walks I to the garden.

"You should of left work sooner then" Ryan says.

"Hey, I tried" Sean says walking over to us.

"I will grab you a beer" Ryan says to Sean as he gets up.

"Okay, then we can get the food underway" Sean says.

"Good because I'm turning to skin and bones here waiting for you" I say smiling.

"lies" Sean says laughing as he sits with us.

"Daddy, come join us" Skylar shouts

"Later let daddy have a moment to say hi to everyone first" Sean says.

"Daddy look how high I can jump" Dennis shouts.

"I can see buddy. Good job" Sean says smiling.

"Sean. How much do you love me?" I ask.

"Why, what do you want minus food?" he asks eyeing me up.

"I want to borrow one of your restaurant manager position staff for the cafe" I say.

"How long for?" Sean asks.

"A few months. I just get in the girls way at work" I say

"Okay, I can have it sorted in a few day's" Sean says.

"Thankyou" I say

"Chris how do you fancy helping me with the bbq in a moment we can get to know each other a little better" Sean says.

"Don't worry about that, you want to explain your phone call this morning. It's okay I already explained how he lost the secret bodyguards" I say and Sean suddenly looks at me shocked.

"What did you say baby girl?" I hear luke say behind me and I didn't even realise he had come back.

"You knew yet you kept me in the phone for ages not telling me where you were?" Sean asks.

"Yeah" I say shrugging

"Well I was going to tell you but we'll I didn't get a chance. She also knows about the secret group chat" Summer says.

"What!" Ryan says as he hands Sean his beer. And I just laugh at them.

"Don't tell mum and dad I know otherwise they won't go join Summers parent. But when they leave there's going to be some new changes" I say smiling.

"No there isn't!" Sean says.

"There will be" Summer says.

"she already talked you round?" Sean says.

"For what it's worth I didn't agree with keeping it a secret, but I agree there shouldn't be changes" Luke says.

"There will be otherwise I'm going to stick by your side, weather your bathing, working, sleeping no matter what and see how you like it. I will keep alternating weeks u til you all cave! See how you manage life then!" I say

"You wouldn't!" Sean says

"Don't worry the weeks Lisa is with Ryan I will join her that way no one gets a relationship!" Summer says smiling

"Fine, name your stake" Sean says.

"Emma's security team stays. Mine goes once my cast is off. Before that I will allow them to stay as a precaution" I say smiling.

"Deal" Ryan says.

"keep one bodyguard your choice and you have a deal" Sean says.

"No they can be transferred to Emma happily that way there still be around me some times but when I want private time I will have that as well. That way I can to the beach and laugh sing hell even cry in peace if need be" I say

"Fine you have a deal. Looks like I don't need that private word to explain myself now Chris" Sean says.

"It was kinda interesting when Lisa called your game straight afterwards though. I wasn't quite sure what to say or where to put my face" Chris says. And that makes luke laugh.

"Okay go get the food started" Summer says as she starts the karaoke into motion handing me a mic