Chapter 54-Unsettled

The plane ride was an experience.  The boys wiggled and squirmed but finally fell asleep.  Marcus was working so he couldn't meet us at the airport but sent a car for us.  When we arrived at the house his parents and my mother were there waiting.  I sighed when I saw them.  I was hoping to get them in and settled before having to entertain guests.  Lilian walked up and hugged me.

"How was the flight?"
"It was fine Mrs. Smith."
"No more Mrs. Smith dear, you're family call me Lilian."
"Yes ma'am."
I saw my mom standing off not sure if she wanted to hug me or not.  I walked over to her instead.
"Hi mom."
She was crying already.  "Hi dear.  Your dad said he'll come by later if you want him to."
I didn't want to see him, but I knew mom was hopeful that I would.
Earl, Marcus' dad came over and hugged me then took our suitcases into the house.  I really wished Marcus was here.
"Marcus left us a key so we could get things all set up for you.  One less thing you will have to worry about." Lilian spoke as she picked up Dunham to carry him into the house.
"Set up?"
"Yes dear, with cribs, toys, and such for the boys." Mom said grabbing Dax. I followed them into the house.

Earl had stayed for a little while then left.  He wasn't much of a talker and I knew that although he was happy to meet his grandsons, he needed to get back to his farm.  My mom and Lilian played with the boys until they were worn out.  I wasn't allowed to change a diaper, feed them or even hold them.  They just kept passing them back and forth.  Once they went down for a nap,both moms found me in the kitchen.

"So dear have you set a date?" Lilian asked
"Um, a date for what?"
"Your wedding." 
Mom was silent, undoubtedly she thought I was keeping something else from her.
"It will be great, you two can get married at the house.  There is a beautiful spot with a gazebo that I think would be perfect."

"Mrs. Smith, I mean Lilian we aren't..."
"When do you plan on moving back?  It's going to be so great having the boys here and getting to spoil them." she continued interrupting me.
"Don't you agree Kathy.  Finally our kids are back on track to where they should have been years ago."
I was silently fuming.  He set me up for an ambush, he told his mom we were getting married.  I kept silent and continued to make my sandwiches.
"I think an outdoor wedding at your house would be lovely, Lilian.  Amari while you're here maybe we can go dress shopping.  Have a little mother daughter time."

"Hello ladies." Marcus said as he sauntered into the room.  I shot him an angry glare.
"Marcus dear your mother was just discussing our wedding plans." I spoke through clenched teeth.
"What wedding plans?" he sounded almost as shocked as I was.
"I was just telling Amari about how lovely it would be to get married at the house.  Neither of your sisters did and I so want to host a wedding.  But of course the final decision is up to you dear."
"Mom, I told you I proposed, I didn't say she said yes."
Silence over took the room as all eyes turned to me.  This was worse than the talk of planning a wedding.  I saw the questioning in their eyes.  I was wishing at that moment that I had remained in LA.
"I don't understand.  She didn't say yes?"
Marcus walked over to me and slid his arm around my waist.  Giving me comfort and support instantly.
"We're working through it mom.  No need for you to be concerned."
She looked as if she wanted to say something but stopped.  His tone and body language relayed it was no longer up for discussion.  They left shortly after but promised to be back the next day.  It was going to be a long two weeks.  That evening we discussed everything.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know she would put you on the spot like that.  She asked me when I was planning on marrying you and I only said that I had proposed.  It was before you gave me an answer."
"It's ok.  I should have expected it.  I'm the one who should be sorry."

He walked over and embraced me.  I loved being in his arms, everything felt right when I was there.
"She is also under the impression we are moving back to Riverview."
"I never thought about it, but it does make sense.  We have our family here, and there isn't much sense in us continuing to pay rent on a house when I own one here.  Why don't you move back with me.  It would help especially now since I will have to start traveling back here a few times a month for this project."

"What.  Why, and how often is a few times a month?"  I was panicked at the thought of having to be alone at the house.  My encounter with David flashed back in my head.
"Two or three times a month I may have to come here.  I can do a lot of it from the LA office, but it requires some face to face meetings with the team and they are all here."
"Why can't they come to you?"
"Because it's ten of them and one of me?"
"I didn't like you being gone."
"That's why we should move."
We snuggled closer on the bed.  I thought about the possibility of moving back but I didn't know if I could handle being in the same town as my father.  The distance made it easy to avoid him without too many questions from my mother.  We switched the conversation to the boys and how their day was.  He was happy they enjoyed their time with the grandmothers.  He said that would be another advantage to living here, free babysitting.  He apologized again for the misunderstanding with his mother and we drifted off to sleep.  My dreams however turned to a nightmare as David invaded them.  I felt his touch, I saw the look in his eyes when he gazed upon me.  It startled me awake.  I glanced over at Marcus who was sleeping soundly, I moved closer to him and allowed myself to drift back off to sleep with my head rested against his back.

The two weeks went by and I was happy to be home again.  I didn't have to endure anymore wedding talk although Lilian did make little comments when Marcus wasn't around.  My mom did tell me when we were alone that she was happy I hadn't kept something else from her.

As I walked into my room, I stopped something wasn't right.  I knew I had made the bed before I left.  I always made it yet it was unkept as if it had been slept in.  I was just staring at it when Marcus walked in.
"What's wrong, you look like you've seen a ghost."
"Uh? Oh it's the bed.  I thought I made it before leaving but it's not."

"Well I'm sure you just forgot.  I mean you had a lot going on with getting the boys to the doctor appointment and then to the airport."
He stepped closer to me reaching for my hand. "You're shaking."
"I really think someone was in the house."
"The alarm was set when got home.  If someone had been in the house it would have gone off."
I knew he was right, but I couldn't shake the feeling something wasn't right.  He left to go get the rest of the bags out of the car.

I started putting away my clothes and as soon as I opened my drawer I knew something was off.  My clothes looked tossed around and were unfolded.  I started to call for Marcus when I heard the door bell ring.
"I'll get it." he called.
I tried to push the thoughts from my head but I couldn't shake the feeling.  I walked back over to the bed and picked up the pillow.  It wasn't my scent or Marcus', I knew I had smelled it before but couldn't place it.  I stripped the covers from the bed and took them to the laundry.  I went to go find Marcus, he was talking to David.

"I just wanted to let you know to be careful" I heard him saying.  I walked over but stood behind Marcus when I saw David's eyes glimmer when I walked into the room.

"Hey babe, David just came by to say there had been a few break ins in the neighborhood.  It was just teenagers and they think they caught them all.  He just wanted us to be more aware, especially if you are going to be home alone sometimes.  Good thing we live next door to a cop."  I wished that he hadn't made that comment about me being alone.  Marcus didn't seem to notice, but I saw David's eyes light up at that bit of information.
"Yes that is a good thing." David said with a smirk.

I couldn't sleep that night knowing someone had been in the house and in my bed.  Marcus thought I was crazy when I washed all the clothes in my dresser but I just couldn't put any of them on my body believing someone had touched them.  He thought I was making it up and that the stress of the trip along with dealing with the twins was getting the best of me.  He promised me a relaxing day at the spa on Saturday.

Carter came over a few days later while Marcus was at the office.  He loved spending time with the boys and hated that work had kept him so busy.  I took this time to ask him more about David.
"So how did you and David become friends?"
"We met in college.  I was his tutor and surprisingly we hit it off and became friends.  I was the geeky guy and he was the jock.  One wouldn't think we would have much in common but we just got along. He basically raised himself.  His mom was a hooker and a drug addict and she would often times bring her work home with her.  His dad was one of her customers so as you could imagine she didn't win any mother of the year awards.  He developed this ladies man persona to keep people from getting close.  He's really a good guy outside of thinking when it comes to relationships."
"Well he still makes me uncomfortable."

"I've told him to back off, that you weren't one of his conquests.  He's harmless really, just has a big ego and usually women are fawning all over him.  He was just not use to a woman not throwing themselves at him so you were different for him.  He has moved on now anyway.  He mentioned having his eye on this pretty blonde that works at the movie studio."
"Well thank goodness for that.  Hey did you notice anyone around the house when we were gone?"
"No, but I wasn't home a lot either.  Why?"
"Oh nothing."
We spent the rest of the day talking about my trip.  I told him how I was ambushed with wedding talk by Lilian.  He felt bad for me, but thought I was crazy not to marry Marcus.  I told him he should think about dating himself.  He just brushed it off saying work didn't leave him much time for a social life.  I thought it had more to do with him being self conscience about his weight.  He was always making comments about needing to diet or exercise.  His beeper went off, some emergency at the hospital. 

After dinner, we enjoyed some family time with the boys.  I told Marcus I would consider moving to Riverview.  I was still uneasy thinking someone had been in the house.  I knew I wasn't imagining things.  I would miss Carter and the kids but I was going crazy feeling like someone was watching me.

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Bonus pics.