Her Baby Plays Cupid

Chapter 7 Nervous

Leah's POV

While waiting for my brothers to arrive, I took the time to clean out the fridge, not wanting to have science experiments taking over during the time I wasn't here. Fortunately, I hadn't done my weekly grocery shopping trip as previously planned, so the fridge was relatively bare. That wasn't unusual since Jake and I often ate out or picked up an order from the 24-hour diner down the street from us. The food was good home cooking, the owners friendly, and the prices were great. It just made sense to us considering our hectic schedules.

Task finished, Greg offered to take the garbage bag out to the garbage room and drop it down the chute. I didn't refuse. I had a feeling he wanted to talk to Keith about a few things. Greg was dealing with his own grief and I knew he needed some time away from mine.

The next thing I did was go into the bedroom I shared with Jake. I stopped just inside the doorway, breathing deeply in an attempt to keep my emotions in check. Jake's t-shirt was draped over the back of the chair where he had thrown it yesterday as he was getting changed into his police uniform. I picked it up, holding it close to my face, breathing in his scent. That mixture of his cologne and his natural clean smell. My eyes teared up and it was all I could do not to cry. Somehow I held it together so I could do what I had come in here to do.

That was open the closet door and access the safe that was in the back corner of the walk-in closet. Upon entering the digital code, a flashing green light and a soft beep indicated the safe could be opened. I reached in all the way to the back of the top shelf and extracted my old cell phone. The one I had shut off and locked away three years ago on the night my brother slapped me.

Part of me still felt guilty for not forcing Liam to listen to me. But the other logical part of me knows he wouldn't have listened to, or believed me. Not then. Hopefully he will now. Because if past experience is anything to go by, at some point in the future Luca Garabaldi will once again approach my brothers to arrange a marriage with me. I can guarantee that I will never allow that to happen.

I closed the safe, engaging the lock, then I found the phone charger taking it and the cell phone with to the living room. I plugged it in and prayed it would have enough time to charge before my brothers got here.

"Carly, do you want a coffee, tea, a drink of any kind?" I asked looking at her expectantly.

"God, Leah, I could use a drink of some kind." She gazed longingly at our wet bar and then at the bar fridge.

"Help yourself, girl. I think there may even be a 0% alcohol Corona or two in there. I could go for one of those." Ever since Bernice's first heart attack and quadruple bypass she had restricted herself to non-alcoholic wines and beers. Seeing we often had her over we made sure to keep a supply of those beverages on hand. We wanted her to enjoy herself and 'feel part of any celebration without feeling like or looking like a party pooper', as she often said.

I now know how she feels, or rather, felt.

Carly poured herself a couple fingers of whiskey, then passed me a freshly opened bottle of the 0% alcohol Corona. Greg's entrance back into the apartment prompted her to pour him a glass of the whiskey. The three of us clinked glasses as Greg murmured "Jake and Bernice, may they rest in peace. May the shooter and whoever 'Gary' is pay with their lives."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

We sat in companionable silence as we sipped our drinks. I was remembering the many evenings and weekends during our free time that the four of us had sat here doing just this. Discussing our day, making plans for the future, and just enjoying each other's company and the strong friendship bond we had built. Now, a vital part of our group was gone, leaving us feeling bereft and lost.

A sharp knock on the apartment door roused us from our quiet musing. I stood up, went to the door and looked through the peephole. Keith's face filled my view. Opening the door, he let me know my brothers were on their way up in the elevator. I held the door open, waiting.

My hands were shaking, and I suddenly felt like throwing up. I knew it was nerves, so I took several deep breaths to calm them. The sound of the elevator door sliding open caused my heart rate to increase in anticipation, but again, I forced myself to calm down. I turned my head in the direction of the elevator. There they stood, looking as nervous as I felt, their eyes pleading for some sign of acceptance and forgiveness.

My control broke. Crying, I rushed to them, the word 'brothers' torn from me as I sobbed out my grief and pain. Three sets of strong arms engulfed me, pulling me into the embrace of my family. Their tears flowed, their bodies shaking with emotion, their soft sobs echoing in the corridor. Keith, bless his heart, gently guided us into the apartment, closing the door behind him as he left us to our reunion.

We stood in the entryway, crying like babies for god knows how long. Greg quietly stood up, went to the wet bar, refilled his and Carly's glasses, then poured three stiff shots, placing the glasses on the coffee table ready for my brothers. Then he and Carly sat side by side, hugging each other for comfort.

After a while we four siblings let go of the tight hold we had on each other and moved to the U-shapped seating area. Liam sat on the armchairs, while Colin sat on one of the two sofas. I sat beside him with Connor on my other side. Greg and Carly were on the other sofa facing me. I made introductions, making sure my brothers understood how important Carly and Greg were to me.

"These two people right here are my chosen family." I stressed. "I don't know what I would do without them. The two of them have been, and always willl be mine and Jake's best friends. What was it Jake always says? Greg is our brother from another mother, and Carly is our sister from another mister." I gave a wan smile as I realized I used the present tense when referring to Jake. I have a feeling I will be doing that for a while.

Liam, as the head of our family, extended his hand, and his heart to Greg and Carly. "I am very happy to meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances. I can't begin to express how thankful I am, we are," he gestured to Colin and Connor, "to know you have been and will continue to be such an important part of Leah's life. Please know that you will always be considered part of our family."

Holy frig! My eyes widened upon understanding the ramifications of Liam's words. That was not something the head of our 'family' often expressed, to anyone! I could see the shock and surprise on Carly and Greg's faces too. This was not what they expected to hear within minutes of meeting the head of the Murphy family. The two of them exchanged looks, then thanked Liam for his kind words.

Liam, bless him, responded in a way that left no doubt as to his meaning. "These are not just words said out of kindness. I, and my brothers, are forever grateful for your love and care for our sister and her husband when we were too blind and stupid to be there for them. You two have our gratitude, and our family's full protection going forward. You are important to Leah, therefore, you are important to us."

Liam and the boys picked up their glasses, indicating that we should do the same. He raised his glass to each of us, "To family" he said then tossed back his drink. The rest of us followed suit.

Greg jumped up and got the bottle, pouring the five of them a generous portion. At this rate, he and Carly were going to be sloshed before we were ready to drive back to the Graystone Security building. That was alright though, one of the security guys could be our DD. I knew that my brothers would have a driver with them, probably waiting in the vehicle for them.

With my drink only half finished, I hopped up and dumped the rest down the sink. In it's place I grabbed a bottle of water, downing half the bottle before returning to my seat.

Liam spoke again, guilt lacing his voice. "Leah, I am so sorry for cutting you off three years ago. That, and my actions that percipitated it, were both uncalled for. I am ashamed of my self and my behaviour."

I snickered softly before answering. "Well, in truth, it was me that cut you guys off. I was the one that sent the legal family severance documents. Though I do have to confess, I never filed them with the courts."

I half expected Liam to get angry about that, but did he do that? Nope. Rather, he blinked slowly a couple of times then burts into laughter.

"I should have known," he finally gasped. "You always were ten steps ahead of the rest of us."