Chapter 47: It’s Not Her Fault

Alex, Don, and Ricky stayed the night in the living room after scaring Luke and Caitlin away. Each of her admirers had come to speak with her privately, but ended up rescuing her publicly. At the end of an emotionally charged evening, it seemed that love took precedence.

They were glad that it was the weekend and Laura would have a few days to recuperate. The three guys vowed that they would take care of her as an expression of their continued love for her. She did not deserve to be hurt no matter what her relationship was with each of them. As the sun streamed through the large windows in the loft, the guys woke up together from their places on the sectional sofa.

“We should check on her. She had a hard time of it last night,” Alex said.

“Yes. She needs some nourishment, too. I’ll handle breakfast,” Ricky said.

“I have a club bouncer contact who is also a cop, so they can get someone to patrol the area. the neighborhood so that she doesn’t have to worry about Luke and Caitlin coming back for a repeat of last night’s antics,” Don promised.

“Depending on how that works out, she may need to get a temporary restraining order and change the code on the building’s door. Thank God she changed the locks on the loft’s door,” Ricky offered for consideration just before he disappeared into the kitchen.

Don got on the phone immediately; Alex took her a cup of chamomile tea to soothe her nerves; and Ricky made a quick run to the grocery store so that he could help her to rebuild her strength with a hearty, homemade brunch and other tasty treats throughout the weekend. It was almost like old times. The four musketeers.

Alex noticed that Laura looked so peaceful while sleeping. She was an angel and his love for her remained strong throughout the weeks of separation from her. He tapped her shoulder, set the tea cup on her bedside table, then sat down on the bed and called her name softly, “Laura. Laura. Please wake up. I have some tea for you. You can continue to rest, I just want to make sure you are doing okay.”

“Oh Alex,” she said, remembering last night. “Oh my God.”

Laura threw her arms around Alex and cried. Alex stroked her long, beautiful hair and tried to reassure her. What felt like an eternity of her tears finally ceased after what in actuality lasted for several minutes. However it was just enough time for Ricky to get back from the grocery store and for Don to get regular patrols set up to beef up security at the building and in her neighborhood.

Alex dried her tears then left her to go and help out Don and Ricky in the kitchen.

“How is she doing?” Don asked when Alex arrived in the kitchen.

“Broken and hurt. Some TLC would be just the ticket to get her back on the road to feeling safe and comfortable in her routine once the weekend is over. I think she is glad all three of us are here,” Alex explained.

“Definitely. I’m willing to stay the whole weekend or however long it takes for her to bounce back,” Don asserted.

“I second that,” Ricky said, looking up from making a mixed berry topping for the crepe thin pancakes.

“But we don’t need to add any more stress or pressure about choosing one of us. We are here this weekend to support her and help her heal emotionally. We are not here to score points in a competition,” Don said, making eye contact with his two friends.

“She does not need to worry. We’ll just take care of her. Whatever she needs,” Alex stated in agreement.

“You can count on me,” Ricky stated. “The past few weeks have been hard on all four of us. It’s horrible that it took something like what happened last night to make us realize how silly we’ve been and appreciate how much we love and care for her no matter what.”

Brunch was ready. The three guys served her meal in her bed. Before they left her alone in peace to eat and rest, they tried to put her ease as far as their presence and intentions behind their actions.

“You don’t need to worry about us. We’re family, not guests,” Alex assured her.

“Take as much time as you need to rest and bounce back,” Ricky said, patting her hand.

“We are here for you, whatever you need. You’re safe now. They’re not coming back,” Don concluded.

Expensive gifts and extravagant dates or deep declarations of love were not the solution right now. Selfless love and self-sacrifice were. They took two hour shifts of caring for and checking on her while sitting near her bed. Meanwhile, the two guys who weren’t on duty cooked, cleaned, and maintained calm. They made sure that her home environment was stress free and safe. No one would be let in via buzzer or otherwise.

Later on in the afternoon Ricky made walnut fudge brownies from scratch and served them with chocolate almond milk. It must have been exactly what the doctor ordered because after she devoured two of the delicious, warm brownies, she got up and took a shower. She was not completely recovered, but she was on her way and making progress.

She felt like she was the luckiest woman in the world. She offered up a prayer of thanksgiving and enjoyed feeling protected and loved by these three true blue friends. She did not question why they were doing it or what they hoped the outcome would be. She allowed herself to take things one day at a time. And for this day, there was no competition, just deep, sincere concern.

“This is us, isn’t it?” Alex asked.

“Yes, it seems like it is.” Don responded.

“For better or worse, we four are better together as close, dear, supportive friends than as victors in a love competition,” Ricky said.

Not one of them wanted to leave her side or go back to the strife of the weeks before.