Safe At Home?

Ben & Liana

Liana was lying across the bed when she heard a soft cry. Going to the door of the nursery, she stopped for a moment, smiling at the room. On the way home from the hospital two days ago, Ben had informed her that he had had a few changes made in the decor after their little girl had been born. When she'd arrived home, Liana had found that that meant a lot more pink than had originally been in the room. She couldn't be mad at him, though. It was perfect for their daughter.

Moving quickly to the side of the crib, she cooed, "I'm here, Livvy. Mommy's here." She lifted the baby from the nest of sheets and soft quilts with the pony designs all over them. Carrying her to the rocking chair, Liana sat down with her little girl and began rocking. It wasn't quite time for her next feeding yet.

As Olivia quieted, Liana smiled down at her. As she sat pushing the rocker very gently, Liana couldn't help thinking back to what had gone on in the little foreman's house with Charlie Prince and Luke. She'd been nervous and jittery since coming home. Every so often, she'd think of what she had done to Luke--of the fork sinking into the flesh of his neck--and could feel herself getting nauseous.

Ben came into the room, Livvy's bottle in his hand. Liana started, having been too lost in thought to have heard him coming. He saw her jump. "You okay, darlin'?"

Handing her the bottle, he kissed the top of her head, then knelt down by the chair as she held Olivia and gave her the bottle.

The baby finished eating and Liana put her back in her crib, patting her back softly until she slept. She moved back to the bedroom with Ben. He sat down in the larger rocking chair that their room contained and took Liana onto his lap, as though she were a child herself.

"Still nervous, ain't you darlin'?" he asked her quietly.

"Oh, Ben-" Liana's face crumpled and tears rolled down her cheeks. "I can't help it! I get so nervous all the time! Here, I'm home with you and my beautiful baby, but I can't-"

She gulped, trying to calm herself. "I just can't seem to get my mind off everything that happened!" Laying her head against his shoulder, she cried.

Ben held her tightly to him, his face dark and thunderous. He wished to hell he could kill those bastards all over again. Wished he could kill them anew every day. They'd destroyed the sense of security both he and Liana had had here.

"The worst part-" Liana was still sniffling. "The worst part is that I keep remembering how helpless I felt." She raised her head to look into Ben's eyes. "I couldn't do anything to protect Livvy! She hadn't even been born yet, Ben, but I couldn't do anything to protect her! How do I know I can protect her now? How do I know I can keep my little girl safe from everything and everyone that's out there?"

"Look at me, honey." Ben took her face between his hands. "You DID protect her. You did the safest thing you could do for her. If you'd tried to get away from them two, you an' her could both have been killed."

He kissed her swiftly and then pulled her back to him, wrapping her in his arms. He knew that helpless feeling. He'd had it himself lately, more than once. "You did more than that. You saved me too, Liana. Luke mighta shot me if you hadn't done what you did. You done protected the whole family, darlin'. All of us."

She still didn't know about Frank Parker and his men providing security for them. He thought it might be about time for him to tell her. Hopefully, make her feel safer.