Missy & Bob

Section 5

Please note: This is copyrighted (©) by me, Tammtamm. Please do not copy it or save it without my permission. Thank you. Also, I've been writing in this story for nearly six years (yes, six years). It is currently 228 pages long and I may put every single page up on the web for y'all to read, but only ONLY if you send me feedback stories@iwuvjoey.com with Missy & Bob in the title. Any similarities between the characters and people in real life are purely coincidental. These are characters from my mind (although some names and characteristics were "borrowed" from Baywatch). This is purely for enjoyment purposes only. Any and all comments should be sent to me at iwuvjoey@iwuvjoey.com unless it's feedback pertaining to the story. Thank you.

            "I was thinking that since we got the sewer permit and everything for the garage that we put a kitchen in in the far corner. The ventilation is good there and there's a few windows right there to look through."

            "I thought we were putting the kitchen in the new addition, that and the laundry room." Missy said.

            "I just thought..." Bob said.

            "Bob, c'mon, we can put a tiny refrigerator next to the couch for ya and a little cabinet for snacks for when your sports are on, but the kitchen goes in the back. It's all set up in the mock up of plans that my dad sent into the county administrator earlier this week. Is this what you wanted to discuss? Because we've been over it dozens of times already. You know that."

            "I was just hoping that maybe we could change the plans."

            "It's not going to be forever, hon. Someday, we'll have our own house and when we go looking for one, you can determine whether the kitchen is up to your standards or not."

            "I know, but..."

            "If it's what you want, Bob, talk to my dad and see what he thinks. I'm back whatever you do." Missy said. Bob dried off with a towel.

            "I'm really glad we didn't get into a fight over this."

            "You're the one who's going to be doing most of the cooking. I just want the garage to be done and over with as soon as possible." Missy said. She opened the door and went into the den.

            "What's bothering you?" Bob followed her out.

            "I just hate being so weak and dependent." Missy said as she laid down on the bed.

            "I understand, just don't let it get you so down right now. You need this time to rest. After the miscarriage and JJ, you gotta let everyone take care of you and you concentrate on getting better. Besides, now you have plenty of time to plan our wedding." Bob said as he sat down next to her.

            "And take plenty of naps and get addicted to soap operas!" Missy teased.

            "Yeah, well...we'll see. C'mon, my stomach's growling for some real food. It's lunchtime." Bob said. Missy let him pull her up off the bed and lead her back into the kitchen.

            "Missy, Pooh just called. She wants you to call her at her mom's." Mrs. Nichols said.

            "I'll call her after lunch. Thanks."

            "Pooh? Who's Pooh?" Bob asked.

            "Pooh Bear, Debbie Bronson. She's Dark Rider's better half." Missy told him.

            "Oh, the red head with jade green eyes?"

            "Yeah, anyway she and I were really good friends in high school. I wonder what she wants?" Missy said. She took some salad from the salad bowl. The phone rang. Mr. Nichols answered it.

            "Hi, daddy. It's me, Kim. Something's wrong with the car."

            "What's wrong with it. You didn't get into an accident with it?"

            "No dad but the car is making a really loud knocking noise and shaking really bad."

            "Okay, are you near the car?"

            "Yeah."

            "Do you see any smoke coming out from under the hood?"

            "No."

            "Look under the car. Is anything leaking?" he instructed.

            "Yeah, but I'm not sure if it's the oil or the antifreeze. Want me to check?"

            "No, where are you?"

            "AJ's grandparents' house."

            "Okay, I'll be right over. I'm going to call a tow truck, so make sure all the doors are locked and you've got the keys."

            "Okay daddy. See you in a little while." Kim hung up the phone.

            "Sounds like there's a crack in the head gasket." Bob said.

            "The car is leaking something. I'd better call George and have him go get the car. Marilyn, honey? Are you finished with the car for the day?"

            "Yeah, why?"

            "Because Kimmy and AJ were going to the mall and then to the movies later and she was going to use my car, however..."

            "The keys are next to my purse."

            "Bob, can you follow me over there so that Kimmy doesn't have to drive me home?"

            "Sure."

            "I'm going to go call George and I'll meet you outside." Mr. Nichols left the kitchen. Mrs. Nichols followed him out.

            "Looks like lunch gets interrupted once again. I'm gonna go lay down and wait til you guys get back to have lunch." Missy said and pushed her salad away.

            "No you won't. You go ahead and eat. Your dad and I will eat when we get back."

            "You sure?" Missy asked.

            "Yeah. Besides you need to have food with your medicine and it's just about time for more medicine." Bob said.

            "Alright, alright. As long as we have dinner together uninterrupted?" Missy asked.

            "Sounds like you're jealous of your little sister."

            "Hardly, just want to spend some time alone with you." Missy said.

            "It's a date." Bob kissed her before grabbing his keys off the counter and leaving out the kitchen door. She sighed.

            "Back to a routine..." she said softly.

            "Did you say something, dear?" her mother asked as she came back into the kitchen.

            "No, ma. I was just thinking out loud. Oh, did you get the blackberry yogurt?" Missy said, digging into her salad.

            "Yes I did, it's in the freezer in the pantry. And I got the ingredients to make monster cookies." Mrs. Nichols began putting all the sandwhich stuff away.

            "You haven't made monster cookies in ages, mom! What's the occasion?"

            "No reason. Just thought that they would cheer you up. They used to." Mrs. Nichols pulled the salad out of the refrigerator and put some into a bowl for herself.

            "Don't you mean fatten me up?"

            "That too. Listen, I told Bob about your plans to go see a shrink this morning." Mrs. Nichols turned to look at her daughter.

            "Why'd you do that mom? I was planning on telling him as soon as we had some time alone." Missy was upset that her mother would do that.

            "He's just worried. I think as your recovery comes along the worrying will ease up. He's really worried about these nightmares you seem to be having." Mrs. Nichols sat down opposite her daughter with the salad.

            "I don't want to talk about the nightmares, ma. I don't remember anything about them. I appreciate the concern but, I'm a big girl who's gotta handle her problems her own way. Whatever I tell you is in confidence mom and I wish you wouldn't go back to Bob with it. Understand?" Missy asked.

            "If that's what you want."

            "It's what I want."

            "Alright, then. I'll keep everything you say in my confidence only." Mrs. Nichols agreed with her daughter. "Now finish your lunch."

            Both women finished their salads in silence. Just as Missy went to get up from the table her stomach started to hurt. Mrs. Nichols noticed right away.

            "You okay?"

            "Time for more medicine. Could you get it for me? It's on the stand next to the bed in the den." Missy asked.

            "Sure, don't try to go anywhere."

            "I'm not." Missy said. `Like I'm going to walk out the door all hunched over.' Her mother came back five minutes later.

            "Bob and your father are on their way home." she said as she handed Missy her medicine.

            "You didn't tell them about the pain, did you."

            "No."

            "Thank you. Do you think you could help me to the den? This wave of pain is just as intense as last night." Missy explained after she took her medicine.

            "Bob and your father will be here any minute. Bob can carry you to the den, meanwhile, just try to relax. Okay?"

            "Okay, mom. Could you get me some more water?" Missy sat back in the chair and closed her eyes. She heard her mother set the glass of water down in front of her and continue fussing about the kitchen.

            "Feeling any better?" her mom asked as she heard a car pull into the driveway.

            "A little. And I'm still hungry. Is there any jello?" Missy asked.

            "Jenn and Kim made jigglers a few days ago. I can make jiggler sandwhiches." Missy thought about the jigglers and it made her smile.

            "That sounds like fun. I could help if we did them here on the table. Anything to get my mind off of my stomach." Missy said right before Bob and her dad walked in.

            "The only thing I can think of is that something must have gotten up under the hood while I was out this morning." Mr. Nichols said as he and Bob came into the house.

            "What's wrong with the car?" Missy asked.

            "Oil pan broke. George is going to have to clean out the engine and replace the oil pan."

            "Uh-oh, guess you'll be out of a car for a few days." Mrs. Nichols said.

            "Not necessarily. Daddy can use my car. I won't be driving it for a few weeks." Missy said.

            "You won't even let me drive your pride and joy." Bob teased. Missy didn't let anyone drive her new car but her and Bob and her parents teased her about it.

            "Your brand new baby Escort you've barely driven and you're gonna let your father drive it!"

            "Here's the dilemma: Dad's car is in the shop. Mom, you've got chores and errands that makes you use the car everyday and I'm temporarily out of commission so, to help out Daddy, I figure he could use the car to get back and forth to work."

            "But I was planning on saving my errands for when Kim or Bob or your dad are here." Mrs. Nichols said.

            "I don't need someone hovering over me every single minute. Besides, Jenn is less than 5 minutes away and I have the phone and the CB if there's any problems." Missy pointed out.

            "She does have a point, Marilyn." Bob backed Missy.

            "I say we take Missy's offer." her father said.

            "Are you sure Miss?" her mother asked.

            "Momma, I'm sure." Missy stressed and then grabbed a hold of her stomach. Bob noticed right away.

            "Alright, no more discussion concerning the car. You're dad is very grateful to you, Missy. I'm taking you back to the den to lie down."

            "I'd rather lie down in the living room."

            "You need to get some sleep."

            "What I need is a heating pad and to lay down. I can lay down on the couch in the living room. Besides, I want to be able to talk to mom while she does her afternoon chores." Missy argued.

            "Bob, take her into the living room. I'll get the heating pad." Missy's mother said very sternly.

            "Okay, okay." Bob let in.

            "Don't pout, Bob. Dr. Nash said that the couch was just fine and that I should return to the land of the living." Missy smiled for him.

            "You're right. C'mon, you've been sitting up for too long." Bob said as he picked her up.

            "You want anything else from the den, sweetie?" her mother asked.

            "My laptop and the file next to it, please." Missy said.

            "Sure."

            Bob carried Missy into the living room and gently set her down on the couch.

            "Missy, are you sure this is okay?"

            "I'm sure. If I promise to only get off this couch to go to the bathroom or to the kitchen for a drink will you agree?"

            "And promise to take a nap?"

            "And I promise to try to take a nap." Missy crossed her heart.

            "Okay, as long as you call me or your parents if you need anything."

            "I will."

            There was a knock at the front door. It was Rick and Mr. Cauldwell.

            "Hi, Dad. Hi, Rick. How was work." Bob asked.

            "Not the same with you not there." his father replied. Rick walked over to the couch and bent down to kiss Missy on the cheek.

            "That's going to change. He'll be back on Monday." Missy stated matter-of-factly. Bob looked at Missy and gave her a `We'll talk about this later' look.

            "We'll see, dad..." Mrs. Nichols came into the room.

            "Jason, Rick. Hello! Did you gentlemen have lunch yet?" she asked as she set down the laptop and files on the coffee table. Rick and Mr. Cauldwell followed Mrs. Nichols out to the kitchen. Bob remained behind with Missy.

            "Did you take your medicine?" he asked her.

            "Yes, right before you got back. It takes a little while to kick in. Okay?" Missy said.

            "You're pushing yourself. That makes me worry." Bob said. He sat down on the coffee table in front of her after pushing the laptop off to the side.

            "I don't have a choice, Bob. If I don't push myself, who's to say I'll ever get better?" Missy was right and he knew it.

            "I just wish you wouldn't push so hard."

            "I've only been home since yesterday. Believe me, if I was pushing really hard, I'd be at the shop. Working." Missy said.

            "Look, I don't want to fight. It's pointless. However, as for me being back at work on Monday..."

            "You've already taken off too many days for my sake. I'll be fine here by myself. Honestly. Besides what are you going to do all day while I'm sleeping or something?"

            "I love watching you sleep."

            "No. I love you and if our lives are ever going to be normal again, you are going back to work on Monday. Like I told you in the kitchen. I'll have the phone and the CB if I have a problem." Missy explained.

            "You two aren't arguing now are you?" Rick asked as he came in with a plate of food for Bob and a soda.

            "Would you please explain to your brother that I'm a big girl and can take care of myself if everyone would just let me?" Missy asked Rick.

            "I'm not getting in the middle. Bob, Mrs. N asked me to play delivery boy so here ya go. My only advice for you, Bob, is to listen to this woman!" Rick turned and went back into the kitchen.

            "Can I think about it?" Bob pleaded with her.

            "Fine. But I still think you should go back to work. I want normalcy around here. Understand?" Missy asked.

            "Yes, dear."

            "Good, now eat your lunch. I'm going to do inventory." Missy stated. She took the files and the laptop off the coffee table and began working on her paperwork. Bob sat down next to her and ate his lunch.

 

            "Missy, honey. Dinner's almost ready. Wake up." Bob shook Missy awake.

            "Huh? What time is it?" Missy asked as she rubbed her eyes. "How long have I been asleep?"

            "It's a little after seven. You've been asleep since about two." Bob sat down on the coffee table.

            "How's the garage coming along?"

            "Well, your dad wants to recruit everyone he can so that we can move everything up to the attic tomorrow so he's on the phone now with Kenny and my dad just went home to recruit my mom, Jason, and Colleen and Rick went to recruit Kerri for this task. Your dad thinks that with permits and everything in by next weekend that the apartment might just be done by Thanksgiving." Bob said. He was excited about the project.

            "That's great hon! Help me up." Missy said and held out her hands.

            "You okay?"

            "Yeah, I'm fine. You know how hard it is to get out of this couch after you've slept in it."

            "Yeah" he laughed, "That I do."

            "C'mon kids. Dinner's ready." Missy's mom said as she came into the living room.

            "We'll be right there." Missy and Bob replied in unison.

            "Okay, I've got to go to the bathroom. I'll be in in a minute." Missy said to Bob after she kissed him.

            "Not so fast. I've been wanting this all day long." Bob stated as he kissed her back. She moaned softly.

            "My parents."

            "You're a grown woman. I'm a grown man. We're engaged to be married..."

            "And we're in the living room." They both started laughing.

            "Go on in. I'll join you in a minute." Missy said as she walked to the bathroom.

 

            "Where's Missy?" Kevin Nichols asked as Bob walked back into the kitchen.

            "She wanted to wash up. She'll be right in." Bob assurred him.

            "Okay. I'm hoping everyone will be back here after dinner so that we can begin on clearing out everything in the garage."

            "You're not going to start tonight, dear, are you?" Mrs. Nichols asked.

            "Why not?" Mr. Nichols asked.

            "Missy just got home yesterday. Everybody's been on edge since the kidnapping. I think everyone should take tonight to slow down and relax." Mrs. Nichols explained.

            "Please, guys, no fighting." Missy said as she came into the kitchen, holding her stomach.

            "You okay?" Bob was concerned.

            "Yeah, I'm just hungry. C'mon, let's eat." Missy said as she sat down.

            "Missy, your mother and I have decided to sue JJ Grant with a civil lawsuit." Mr. Nichols said out of the blue. Mrs. Nichols dropped a plate onto the floor.

            "I thought we were going to think about this some more?" she stated.

            "Daddy, I don't want anything more to do with him. Ever." Missy said.

            "Obviously this wasn't a good time to bring the lawsuit up." he said.

            "No." Mrs. Nichols, Missy, and Bob stated.

            "Let's just enjoy dinner?" Bob said to everyone. They ate in silence.

 

            "I'd like to try a short walk up and down the sidewalk. Daddy, you game?" Missy asked as she and her mother finished up the dishes while Bob and her father were reading the evening paper.

            "Sure, honey." he replied as he folded his paper.

            "Good. Mom, do you need me anymore?"

            "No, Bob and I can finish up." her mother told her.

            "We'll be back in a little bit." Missy said and kissed her mother on the cheek.

 

            "Daddy, the reason why I asked you to come on this walk with me insted of Bob is the lawsuit. You have every right to bring the lawsuit on JJ, but I want no part of it. Just hear me out." Missy began to explain. Her father tried to interupt her. "I don't want to go to court unless it's to appeal a bail hearing or a parole hearing for him. I want nothing from him."

            "You mother and I understand that. We're doing this for our piece of mind. We want him to know that we're not going to forget him and we're not going to let the town forget what he's done." he explained. They had reached the corner. "You're starting to look flushed, let's head back." he said. Missy didn't argue.

 

            "That was a quick walk. You okay Missy?" Bob asked when he heard them come back in.

            "Tired, but okay. The doctor told me to expect this. Please don't fuss over me." she said as she sat down on the couch. Mrs. Nichols brought her a glass of water.

            "Jason and Junior will be over in about a half hour. They just called." Mrs. Nichols said.

            "Cool." Mr. Nichols replied.

            "I think I'm going to go lie down." Missy said and excused herself from the room. Bob went to go after her but Mr. Nichols stopped him.

            "She's fine, Bob. Really." he said.

            "She doesn't look it."

            "If she wasn't fine, she'd say something. Let's let her be and go work on the garage some more. It will get your mind off of her." he said.

            "I'll bring you guys something to drink." Mrs. Nichols said.

            "Okay, okay. Let's get some work done on the garage." Bob said. He knew they were right, but he just wanted to be there for Missy. A half hour later his father and older brother showed up.

            "Hey there, bongo! You really did get far today." Jason, Jr. replied as he looked around the garage.

            "Hey, Jas. Thanks for coming." Bob said as he climbed a ladder leading up to the loft/attic of the garage.

            "Got no life, might as well come over and get some work done." Jason, Jr. replied.

            "Rick with you?"

            "No, he went over to the shop to help Kerri close up. They'll be over afterwards. Let me help you with those boxes." Jason, Jr. explained. Bob had been taking boxes down from the loft.

            "Where's dad?"

            "Had to call in to work and see if any messages are there."

            Mrs. Nichols peeked her head in the garage.

            "Jason, would you like something to drink?" she asked.

            "Nothing right now, I'm fine. Thank you." he replied and went back to taking boxes from Bob.

            "How's Missy?"

            "Resting. She attempted a walk after dinner and it wore her out." Bob said.

            "You think she's pushing herself too hard?"

            "In a way, I guess. But when I confronted her about it, she said that if she doesn't push herself, no one will. She's being careful." Bob said.

            "What are you going to do when you two get married?"

            "Go nuts. There, that's the end of the boxes. Mrs. Nichols said for us to put them in the dining room." Bob said. Their father came into the room.

            "Hi, dad."

            "Didn't we just see each other?" Mr. Cauldwell teased.

            "Are you sure that was today?" Bob replied. His father chuckled.

            "Where's Kevin?"

            "Out back, cutting and sizing some two by fours." Bob replied.

            "Everything under control here?" his father asked.

            "Yeah. Just got to take these boxes out to the dining room and then we'll go through them later." Bob said.

            "Okay. I'm going to go catch up with Kevin. See you in a bit." Mr. Cauldwell left the room.

            "C'mon, Jason. Let's get this stuff out to the dining room. Everyone else should be arriving shortly." Bob suggested.

 

            "Hey, Marilyn? Is Missy still resting." Bob asked as he and Jason entered the kitchen. Mrs. Nichols was making cookies.

            "She's sleeping. The medicine finally took effect. I checked on her a few minutes ago. Let's give her another half hour or so and then wake her up, okay?" she asked.

            "Yeah, no problem. Have you heard from anyone else?"

            "Your mom will be over shortly. She's picking up some ice cream for me and Kenny and Jenn are on their way. Here, try my monster cookies." Mrs. Nichols handed a plate of cookies to Jason and Bob as they sat at the table. Bob got up and got some glasses and a container of milk.

            "Are you sure you don't have another daughter you're hiding somewhere?" Jason asked. Everyone laughed. "I'm serious. Bob, do you realize that you're a very lucky person. Not only do you have a devoted fianceè, but her mother is just as sweet and lovely as her."

            "Now I know why you've been in a mood. Girl problems, eh?"

            "Just can't seem to do anything right. Monica and I had a fight last night because she claims that I've been spending too much time with my family lately and not enough time with her."

            "Anyone who tells you you're spending too much time with your family is selfish. If I were you, I'd try to make her understand that your family is an important part of your life." Mrs. Nichols explained as she put another batch of cookies in the oven.

            "I've decided to slow things down quite a bit with her. I can't help it if my parents brought me up to love and repect them and my brothers and sister. Her parents divorced when she was five so she didn't have the family life we've had." Jason was defending Monica.

            "Whoa, bro. I've seen Monica in action with you and I don't care if her family was the idealistic family in the world. She needs an attitude adjustment." Bob told his brother.

            "We'll see how things go over the next month." Jason ate another cookie.

            "Do what you gotta do. But, I think you should talk to her and tell her that things just aren't working out." Bob said.

            "We'll see. Can we change the subject?"

            "Yes, let's talk about the garage apartment." Mrs. Nichols said.

            "Hello? Mom? Missy?" Kenny said in a raised voice as he opened the front door.

            "Ssshhh. Missy's sleeping. C'mon back to the kitchen." Mrs. Nichols said as ran out of the kitchen.

            "Sorry, gramma." Andrew replied.

            "Did mommy and daddy teach you to say that? C'mon, let's go get some milk and cookies." Mrs. Nichols tood Andrew out of Jenn's arms. Jenn and Kenny followed her and the baby into the kitchen.

            "How's Missy doing, mom?" Jenn asked.

            "Resting. She tried a short walk up and down the block after dinner and it wore her out, along with her medicine."

            "Hey, Andy." Bob said as soon as he saw them.

            "Hi! Wha' ya eatin?" he asked Bob.

            "Monster cookies." Bob replied.

            "Me don't want none." Andrew said and ran behind his mother. Everyone laughed.

            "Why not? They're good." Jason, Jr. said as he tried to hand the toddler a cookie.

            "Momma, they're monsters." he cried.

            "No honey, they're just another word for big. Do you see any monsters in the cookies, dad?" Jenn asked as she handed the cookie to Kenny.

            "No, in fact, they're pretty good." he replied as he ate part of the cookie. Andrew walked over to his father. "Want a piece?" Kenny asked his son. Andrew nodded and said "Pwease." Kenny broke off a piece and gave it to him.

            "See, sport. It's good, right?" Bob asked. Andrew nodded. "I'm going to go check on Missy." Bob said and excused himself from the kitchen.

            "If she's sleeping, wake her up or she'll be up half the night." Mrs. Nichols commented. Bob nodded and headed into the den.

            He discovered Missy sleeping peacefully in the bay window couch when he arrived in the den. She had the teddy bear that he won for her at the first carnival they ever went to together cuddled in her arms. Andrew ran into the room behind him. "Aunt Mi!" he yelled. Bob stopped him before he could jump on top of Missy.

            "Andrew!" Jenn whispered behind them. Missy stirred.

            "Aunt Mi, momma." Andrew said loudly.

            "What?" Missy whispered as she opened her eyes.

            "Hi, hon. Didn't mean to wake you. Andrew got away from the adults and headed in here." Bob said. He handed Andrew to Jenn and bent over to kiss Missy on the forehead. Jenn took Andrew out of the room.

            "What time is it?"

            "Almost 9:30. How you feeling?"

            "Sleepy."

            "Jason and my father are here and so is Kenny, Jenn, and Andrew."

            "And don't forget Rick and me." Kerri said as she came into the room.

            "Hi, Kerri." Bob said.

            "I wanna go back to sleep." Missy stated.

            "Your mom thinks you should come out into the living room and be social." Bob replied.

            "Screw mom. I'm sleepy." Missy said. She laid back down and closed her eyes.

            "Oh, no. If you're going to go back to sleep, you're not going to sleep here." Bob said and scooped her up.

            "Where are you taking me?" she asked.

            "I'm putting you on the airbed, where you can stretch out." Bob told her.

            "Thank you. I love you." She whispered as he gently laid her down on the bed.

            "I love you too." Bob said. Missy turned on her side and went back to sleep.

            "Should she be sleeping like that?" Kerri questioned.

            "Between doing inventory today and pushing herself to walk up and down the sidewalk after dinner, I'm surprised she didn't fall asleep the minute she walked in the door." Bob sounded angry.

            "I knew I shouldn't have brought that stuff over. I'm sorry Bob."

            "Just take the laptop and everything with you when you leave tonight? She's pushing herself too much. She's gotta ease into everything gradually." Bob said. They began to walk out of the room.

            "You know she never eases into anything...even gradually." Kerri commented out in the hallway.

            "She's going to have to learn."

            "There you are. How's Missy?" Rick asked.

            "Sleeping. C'mon, let's get away from the den before we wake her up again." Bob said. They joined everyone else in the living room.

            "Where's Missy?" Mrs. Nichols asked.

            "Sleeping. She said she was tired." Bob replied.

            "Marilyn, just let her sleep." Mr. Nichols said.

            "But..."

            "Dr. Feagel and Dr. Nash both agree that sleeping and relaxing are the best medicine for her. Don't argue with me and don't argue with Bob and don't go arguing with Kenny about this." Mr. Nichols said to his wife.

            "Mom, is there any coffee?" Kenny asked quickly to change the subject. Mrs. Nichols got up and went into the kitchen. Kerri followed her to see if she needed any help.

 

            "Bob!" Missy was having a bad dream. Bob heard her and woke her up.

            "Missy, hon. Wake up. You're having a bad dream." he said as he shook her.

            "The wedding...the wedding." Missy said as she sat up.

            "What's wrong?"

            "He was at the wedding and shot you." Missy cried.

            "Ssshhh, he didn't shoot me. I'm right here." Bob said. He placed her head on his chest and ran his hand through her hair in hopes of calming her down. He knew she was still very afraid of JJ Grant and that the only way she would get over that fear was if JJ was back behind bars.

            Missy couldn't sleep. She waited until Bob had fallen back asleep before getting out of bed. She looked at the clock. It was almost four o'clock in the morning. She decided to go into the kitchen and get something to drink. She found her mother sitting at the table.

            "Mom. What are you doing up?"

            "Funny, I could ask you the same thing."

            "I had a bad dream. What's your excuse?"

            "Worrying about you."

            "I'm okay, ma. Actually, I'll be okay. Just overdid it on my first full day home from the hospital."

            "What was your bad dream about?"

            "JJ Grant showing up at my wedding and killing Bob. I am so afraid that JJ will escape from prison, mom. That he'll come back and kidnap me again." Missy sat down at the table.

            "Your dreaming of your wedding already?"

            "It helps me sleep...usually." Bob came into the kitchen. "I thought you had fallen back to sleep?" Missy asked him when she saw him.

            "I was waiting for you to fall back to sleep." Bob said.

            "You have to go to work in a few hours. You should be sleeping." she said.

            "So should you." both Bob and Missy's mom said at the same time.

            "I know, I know. Mom, are there any cookies left?" Missy asked.

            "Yes."

            "I'll get them." Bob said since he was up.

            "They're in the cookie jar on top of the fridge." Mrs. Nichols pointed out. Bob grabbed the jar and a gallon of milk from the fridge.

            "Anything else?"

            "Glasses for the milk would be nice." Missy said.

            "Oh, drat. I thought we could just drink out of the bottle." Bob teased. "Marilyn, would you like some milk?" he asked.

            "No thanks. I think I'm going to go back to bed and try to sleep. See you kids in a bit." she said. She kissed Missy on the forehead before disappearing upstairs.

            "So, you want to tell me about the dream?" Bob asked as he poured her some milk.

            "I already did. I want to try to forget it now. Okay?" she asked.

            "Yeah, that's fine. Kerri wanted me to tell you that she took the laptop and files with her."

            "Why'd she do that?" Missy took a drink of milk.

            "Because she's all caught up at the shop so she figured she'd work on inventory when it wasn't busy." Bob replied without blinking an eye.

            "Well, I guess that's what's best if I'm gonna recover as soon as possible."

            "What? No arguement?"

            "No, I just don't like being so exhausted. I took a brief walk up and down the block and worked for maybe a half hour on inventory and end up sleeping the rest of the day and evening away." She pushed the plate of cookies towards him. "I'm going back to bed. You coming?" she asked.

            "You bet."

 

            "Kimmy! You're going to be late for school!" Mrs. Nichols shouted up the stairs.

            "Bob, c'mon, you're going to be late for work." Missy said as she nudged Bob.

            "I'm not going in..." Bob said.

            "Yes you are. Now get up before I go get some nice cold water and make you wish you did get up." Missy replied before she kissed him.

            "You are so mean."

            "I know. Now get up!" she said. She began pushing him off the bed. He started laughing.

            "Alright, I'm getting up. I'm getting up." he said as he sat up.

            "Thank you. Have a good day, dear. I'm going back to sleep."

            "Did you eat anything?"

            "Had eggs with daddy and took my medicine."

            "You sure you're going to be okay?"

            "I'll be fine. Mom's here and if there are any problems, I have the phone and the CB. I'll see you tonight, now go take a shower and go to work!" Missy threw a pillow at him.

            "I love you."

            "I love you, too." Missy said as she laid back down. Bob grabbed his clothes and headed for the bathroom.

 

            "This is too weird." Bob said as he came into the kitchen.

            "Good morning, Bob. Would you like some coffee?" Mrs. Nichols asked.

            "Thanks, but I gotta go. Missy's gonna have my hide if I'm late for work my first day back."

            "That's why I've put it in a thermos for you. Drive safely and have a good day." Mrs. Nichols said as Bob began out the door.

            "Hey, Bob! Could you give me a ride to school?" Kim shouted.

            "I'm leaving now. Get moving." Bob said as he unlocked his car. Kim came running out the kitchen door.

 

            "Hello..." Missy said as she answered the phone.

            "Hi, hon. It's me. How you doin?" Bob asked. He was on lunch.

            "Getting ready to have some lunch. And there's not as much pain as yesterday either. What are you doing?"

            "Missing you. You're not overdoing it, are you?"

            "No. Mom went out and bought a puppy this morning and I've been pampering him ever since. I've named him Benji." Missy said.

            "Aaww, Rick and my dad say hi. They think you've got me wrapped around your little finger."

            "I do. What time will you be home? My father just called a little while ago. He had to go over to Suburban General on a consultation and doesn't know what time he'll be home."

            "Four-thirty. I have to stop at home and get more clothes. Why?"

            "Mom's trying to plan dinner. I'll tell her seven-thirty, this way if you have any other errands to run you won't feel rushed."

            "Thanks, hon. Well, my food's just arrived. I gotta go. I love you."

            "I love you too. See you later." Missy said and hung up the phone. Her mother came into the den.

            "Who was that?"

            "Bob calling to see how I was doing." Missy said. Benji was asleep on her lap.

            "And how are you doing?"

            "I'm okay. I'm hungry though."

            "I made roast beef hoagies. Jenn and Andrew should be here any minute to join us. C'mon, I'll put Benji in his kennel and bring him out to the dining room."

            "Okay. I'll just be a minute." Missy told her mother. She went into the bathroom to put her hair up in a ponytail.

 

            "Mom? We're here." Jenny announced as she opened the back door into the kitchen.

            "Come on in...Lunch is ready." Mrs. Nichols replied.

            "Where's Missy?"

            "She'll be right out. You look radiant." the women hugged.

            "I just got the best news! Kenny already knows. We're pregnant!" Jenny explained to her mother-in-law. Missy was standing in the hallway when she heard the news. She was so stunned that she grabbed her purse and left the house.

            Ten minutes after Jenny told Mrs. Nichols that she was pregnant, Mrs. Nichols went to retrieve Missy.

            "Missy? Are you alright?" she checked the den, the bathroom and the upstairs. No Missy.

            "What's wrong?"

            "Missy's gone. I think she overheard you telling me you're pregnant and she left. I'm calling Bob."

            "No, don't. Stay here. I'll go after her. She couldn't have gotten far. She can barely walk down the block and back." Jenny grabbed her keys and her purse and left.

 

            "My home...ahh." Missy exclaimed as she let herself into the apartment she shared with her best friend, Kerri. She was tired so she went into the kitchen, got a glass of water, took a dose of medicine, went into her room and cried herself to sleep.

 

            "I'm sorry, mom. I couldn't find her. I drove out to the Cauldwell's beach house and over to her apartment, the park, the shop, through the alleys and I didn't see her." Jenn said when she came back two hours later.

            "Where could she have gone? It's 3 o'clock now, I don't even know if she's got her medicine with her. It's time to call Bob." Mrs. Nichols dialed Bob's work.

            "Cauldwell Lumber."

            "Bob Cauldwell, please."

            "Speaking."

            "Bob. It's Marilyn Nichols. Missy's gone." she sat down in a chair.

            "What do you mean gone?" he asked.

            "I think she overheard Jenn telling me that she and Kenny are expecting."

            "Oh no? When did Missy leave?"

            "About a half hour after you called. Jenn's been out looking for her, but hasn't found anything."

            "Jenn checked her apartment?" Bob inquired.

            "Yes." Mrs. Nichols heard another call beep in. "Bob, there's a call waiting. Can you hold on?"

            "Sure."

            "Hello?"

            "Mrs. Nichols? It's Kerri. Missy's here at the apartment - sound asleep."

            "Thank god. Is she alright?"

            "From the looks of it, she cried herself to sleep."

            "Thank you Kerri." Mrs. Nichols switched over to Bob "Bob, that was Kerri. Missy is at the apartment. She's sleeping."

            "Let her sleep. I'll pick her up later. And please, when I bring her home, no mention of Jenn's pregnancy. I gotta go." Bob said and hung up the phone.

 

            "Well? Where's Missy?"

            "Kerri found her at the apartment. She's sleeping."

            "I'll go get her."

            "No. Bob said he would pick her up later. Kimmy will be home any second so let's pretend that nothing's wrong."

 

            "Dad, I gotta go. It's Missy." Bob said once he found his father.

            "What's wrong, son?" his father asked as he looked up from his paperwork.

            "She took off from her parents' house. She's over at the apartment. It's almost quitting time. Is it alright if I leave?" Bob asked.

            "Yeah, go see to her. I'll be over at the Nichols after dinner to do more work on the garage. Will I see you there?"

            "I hope so. Thanks, dad." Bob said and quickly left. He was headed for the apartment.

 

            Kerri was reading a book when she heard a light knock at the door.

            "Hi, Bob. She's still sleeping." Kerri greeted Bob.

            "Do you know what happened? Why she took off from her mom's?" Bob asked.

            "No. Jenn didn't say anything when she came into the shop. Just that Missy was upset."

            "I'm going to go check on her." Bob said.

 

            "Mom? Where's Missy? I have something for her." Kimmy asked as she came into the house.

            "She's not home right now. You'll have to give it to her later. Do you have any homework?" Marilyn Nichols began fixing dinner.

            "Yeah, I'll be up in my room." Kimmy said. She grabbed a soda from the refridgerator and left the room. **

**

            "Bob, Mrs. Nichols is on the phone. She wants to know if you guys are going home for dinner." Kerri said as she came into Missy's bedroom. Missy was still asleep. Bob was looking out the window.

            "I don't know. Just tell her Missy's still sleeping and I don't want to wake her." Bob said. Kerri quietly left the room. Bob looked at his watch. It was almost seven. Slowly Missy started to wake up. She looked at Bob and looked around the room to get her bearings.

            "How'd you know I was here?" she asked.

            "Kerri found you here. Your mom told me. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

            “I’m fine.” Missy closed her eyes again.

            “What happened this afternoon after I called?” Bob wanted to know.

            "I shouldn't have taken off like I did but I couldn't pretend that I was happy for Jenn and my brother just then. Not after what we've just been through. My mom isn't too worried, is she?"

            "Nah, but Jenn is. She knows how much you're hurting." Bob joined her on the bed.

            "I've gotta get out of this funk. You know, we lost the baby, but life goes on. Jenn's pregnancy is proof of that, but I feel like there's..."

            "An empty whole in your stomach?" Bob asked.

            "Yeah."

            "And you feel so useless?" he continued to ask.

            "Uh-huh."

            "I know. I feel the same way and felt that way when you lost the baby and when AJ kidnapped you and even now because I don't know what I can do to help you through all of this." Bob said.

            "Just being here with me and encouraging me and scolding me and helping me and doing what your doing is helping me. That's why I wanted you to go back to work. I know how much you love working and I know how much you love me. I'm always going to need you, but there are going to be times when you can't be there for me. I can handle those times. I have to. Now what can I do for you?"

            "Stop running away and get better! Now, I know you didn't have any lunch so let's call your mom and tell her we're coming home. You're going to eat some food and relax."

            "If we go home, she's going to give me the evil eye. Let's just order out tonight and stay here? I'm really fine."

            "Okay, but first, how'd you get here?" Bob wanted to know.

            "Pooh Bear gave me a ride. I walked down to her house and asked her to bring me here."

            "Okay, I still haven't gone home yet so let me run home, grab a few things, pick up dinner and then I'll be back. I'll also stop at your parents' and explain that we're staying here tonight. How's that sound?"

            "Like heaven."

            "There's one catch, though." Bob stated.

            "What's that?"

            "You will stay in this bed and rest. Got it?" Bob said.

            "Yes, warden."

            "Is there anything you need from your parents'?"

            "Just the heating pad and Benji." she asked.

            "You can have me and you want the puppy instead! Geez!" Bob said teasingly.

            "Of course I want you, but wait til you see this puppy. Then you'll understand." Missy took hold of his hand. "Thank you."

            "Your welcome. I'll be back soon." Bob kissed her before he left. Missy turned on the TV to a movie and fell back asleep.

            "Hi, dad. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols. Dad, I'm taking that vacation we talked about a few days ago."

            "Where's Missy?" Mrs. Nichols asked.

            "She wanted to stay at the apartment tonight. Now, she's got her medicine and she slept the afternoon away as well as she's probably sleeping right now. Tomorrow is my normal weekday off from work. Missy and I have some talking and planning to do and we don't want or need to be distracted by our families. She told me that she was really sorry she took off this afternoon but that she couldn't bear facing Jenn's pregnancy while she was still mourning the baby we lost." Bob explained once he sat down at the kitchen table. "I was already home, dad, and mom knows everything. Now, I can't stay. Missy hasn't eaten since breakfast and she needs the heating pad and she wants me to bring her Benji."

            "If that's what you think is best." his father said.

            "The heating pad is on the dresser in the den as for Benji, I don't think that's a good idea." was all Mrs. Nichols said.

            "Thank you." Bob said and left the kitchen before anyone could leave the room.

            "Hi, Bob. Where's Missy?" Kim said as she met him in the hallway.

            "Her apartment."

            "Oh, Mr. Sanchez wrote her a letter and asked me to give it to her. Could you?" Kimmy handed him a letter.

            "Wasn't Mr. Sanchez her Guidance/English Teacher?"

            "Yeah. Just give her the letter, okay?" Kim asked.

            "I will, I gotta go." Bob said.

            "Missy? Wake up. Dinner has arrived." Bob said an hour later. Kerri had gone out with Rick, so they were alone. Bob had gotten salads and spaghetti from their favorite pizza spot.

            "Boy, I feel like Rip Van Winkle with all this sleep."

            "You need it. Now, how hungry are you?"

            "Not too hungry. Did you bring Benji back?" Missy asked as she sat up in bed.

            "Your mom wouldn't let me. It's probably better that he didn't come over though. No use to have the dog get use to this place when we'll all be living over at your parents." Bob said as he handed her her salad.

            "Do you think we're doing the right thing by redoing the garage and moving over there?" Missy asked.

            "Yeah, I do. We're both much closer to our families. There's a doctor on call there, and we'll save money much faster this way." Bob said.

            "I guess I'm just worried that we won't have our privacy."

            "We will, but right now you and I have to focus on you getting better and I know that your parents will help us achieve that quicker because your mom loves to hover all over us. As of right now, I'm on a leave of absence from work."

            "Bob...you shouldn't have."

            "Before you say another word, listen to me. There's alot of work to do on the garage and I've decided to see a therapist as well, plus with the lawsuit, I'd end up taking time off from work here and there anyway. I'm doing this because I want to and I have to, not to baby you...although...I plan on doing that too." Bob explained.

            "If you're sure..." Missy said.

            "I'm sure. Now eat." Bob commanded. They finished dinner and watched a movie on cable. Missy was sound asleep by the time the movie was over. Rick tapped lightly on the door a few minutes after Bob turned off the TV.

            “Who’s there” Bob asked.

                 “Rick. I heard you were here. Missy okay?” Rick said as he opened the door.

            “She says she is.” Bob said.

            “What happened? Dad didn’t tell me anything and Kerri doesn’t know much.” Rick asked.

            “Jenn showed up at the house today with news that she and Kenny were expecting. Missy didn’t take the news well.” Bob said.

            “Now, I understand. Are you okay?” Rick asked his twin.

            “Sort of. I’m happy for Jenn and Kenny, but at the same time, I just want to scream. Missy is so upset over the baby. She really wanted the baby. I did too, no matter what the complications would have been. She didn’t want to go back to her parents’ tonight so I suggested we stay here.” Bob said. He and Rick stood out in the hallway so not to disturb Missy sleeping.

            “What are you two going to do come tomorrow? The plans are still on to move into her parents’ garage, right?”

            “For the most part, yeah. I’ve been thinking about taking her to the beach house though. Away from her mom and dad and the media. Plus all the other stuff. Dad said that he and Kevin could handle the rest of the garage. I’m taking the time off. Thank god for the trust fund Gramma and Grampa gave me.”

            “Let’s go into the living room and talk some more about this. Kerri had to call her sister so she’ll be on the phone for awhile yet.” Rick suggested. They walked to the living room.

            “Rick, there’s nothing more to talk about. We’ll stay at the Beach house and come into town for her therapy sessions. We’ll keep in touch by phone. She needs rest.”

            “What about you? You’re always doing things for Missy, worrying about Missy. You need a rest too.”

            “The best way for me to get it is for me and Missy to go stay at the Beach house for a few days. I’ve already talked it over with dad and he agrees.”

            “Well, bro, if this is what you want to do, then I’ll make sure that everyone does their best to leave you two alone.”

            “Try to explain everything to mom. She wasn’t too happy about this last chain of events when I told her what happened.”

            “Don’t worry about mom. She’ll get over it. I’m going to get back to Kerri. G’night.”

            “Have fun.”

 

            Missy got up in the middle of the night because of the dream she had that she could never have any children and that Jenn was going to have another one. Bob found her in the living room looking out the window,crying.

            “Hon? What’s wrong?”

            “Jenn’s having a baby and I’m not. JJ is still harassing us even though he’s in jail, and I’m so weak it’s unreal. Everything just seems so unreal. Why did this have to happen to us? Why?” she asked.

            “I don’t know, honey, I just don’t know.”

 

            Bob and Missy left before Kerri and Rick were up. Bob wanted to get her settled in at the beach house and then he would go back and pack some things of hers and his and get the puppy.

            “Are you comfy?” Bob asked her when he was finished covering her with an afghan.

            “I’m fine.”

            “Okay, then. I’m off to get some necessities, the puppy, and some food. Anything special you want?”

            “No thanks.”

            “You sure?”

            “Positive.”

            “Get some rest. I love you.” Bob said and kissed her before he left. Missy turned the TV on and switched to a cable movie station. She didn’t want to hear any news or see any commercials.

 

            Bob returned a few hours later with Benji in tow. Benji immediately went over to Missy and began licking her face.

            “Oh, ugh. yuck.” Missy commented as she sat upright rather suddenly. “Hello Benji.” she hugged the puppy.

            “I’m sorry he woke you. He got away from me.” Bob said as he shut the door behind him.

            “It’s okay. What time is it?” Missy stretched.

            “Almost noon. Did you have a restful sleep?”

            “Um-hum.”

            “Think you can eat for me?” Bob asked.

            “Most definitely.”

            “Good. I’m gonna put Benji outside on his leash while I get the groceries and put them away. Then I’ll fix lunch. Okay?” Bob asked.

            “Sounds good. Can I do anything?”

            “No. Just rest and relax.” Bob said. They kissed for a moment, “C’mon Benji. Out you go.” Bob led Benji out to the patio.

            “Where’s the phone?”

            “Why?”

            “I want to call my mom. Assure her that I’m okay and in very good hands.” Missy explained to Bob.

            “Hold on, I’ll get it.” Bob pulled out a cell phone from a backpack.

            “A cell phone! Bob? Why aren’t we using the regular phone?”

            “We haven’t changed the number yet and JJ has the old number, so...Dad’s letting me use his cell phone.” Bob explained. He turned the phone on and dialed Missy’s parents’ house. He handed the phone to Missy.

 

            “Hello?” Mrs. Nichols asked when she answered the phone.

            “Hi, momma. It’s Missy.”

            “Honey, are you okay?” her mother asked.

            “I’m okay, mom. I just had to get some time for myself. Understand?”

            “Jenn’s here. Do you want to talk to her?”

            “No, mom. I can’t just yet. Okay? I just wanted to let you know that I was okay. Bye, mom. I’ll call you later.” Missy quickly got off the phone.

            “Boy, that was quick.”

            “Jenn was there. I’m not ready to talk to her just yet. I can’t. What’s for lunch?” Missy changed the subject.

            “Soup and sandwiches and a walk on the beach.” Bob told her.

            “Sounds delightful.”

            “Good. Go wash up. Lunch will be ready in a few minutes.” Bob instructed her. Missy did as she was told. They ate lunch and talked about wedding plans before cleaning up and going for a walk on the beach.

to be continued...

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