This I Promise You (48/?)
“Come on let’s get you home, I’ll throw another log on the fire and we’ll tuck you in for a nap.” Gently I moved the hair out of her eyes watching a tear run down her face. “You’re ok, I wont let anything happen to you.”
“I-I know.” Her voice was hardly above a whisper as she spoke and she was like a little girl who was terrified of a passing storm.
Carefully holding her close I tried to calm her down. “Youre safe I promise. No doctor, no nurse, no one will hurt you.”
“Lets just go home.” Her voice was a bit stronger as she spoke this time.
“Alright, lets get you checked out.” I let go of her letting her move towards the door. She shook as she attempted to pull it open with her weaker arm.
“I got it Stephanie.” Carefully I pulled the door open for her, making sure it cleared her as I did.
“Thank you Nicky. My Nicky, my protector.” She was starting to calm down as she spoke, maybe it was just knowing she was going home that made it better though.
“Just take a deep breath and take a couple of steps Stephanie.” I wasn’t trying to push her, I was willing to let her move at her own pace if she wanted to but she was staring to make progress.
Cautiously she began to move forward putting one foot in front of the other. Soon she was checked out and settled in the back seat with Warrick’s phone babbling at Greg. “No honest Greg, I hurt but I’m fine.”
Warrick was shaking his head trying his hardest to not laugh. I would never understand his cryptic sense of humor. Even in the midst of a horrible disaster I was fairly sure that Warrick could find humor.
***
“She asleep?” Warrick sounded genuinely concerned.
“I guess you could call it that, I was going to say she passed out from the pain killers. So why’d you ask her where she was working?” That was the other thing about Warrick that took getting used to. The fact that he could be asking a question to really find out the answer or because he had something up his sleeve.
“I know the girl in hiring over at The Mirage. She’s been looking for a new dealer for some time now.”
“You know her or you’ve been seeing her?” Knowing Warrick’s history it was hard to tell which was really true. Though he didn’t often gamble anymore, we worked enough crime scenes at The Mirage that he easily could have met her on the job and was seeing her.
“A little of both if you really must know.”
“And this is going to help Stephanie get the job?”
“Well kind of. She said she was looking for someone who still had that innocent look since most of the women in Vegas look like…..well show girl wanna bes. And while men like pretty girls, they also prefer women who don’t look like they’re stealing their money.” Warrick’s explanation was simple seeming. “Stephanie is exactly what she’s looking for, told her I’d keep an eye our for someone and let her know if I found them, guess what.”
“You found someone.”
“Exactly Nicky, and you heard her, she’s in need of a job, especially if she’s going to bring that little girl home with her.”
“I know Warrick, I know. I’m just trying to figure it all out, that’s all.” Rubbing my eyes for a minute I shook my head. “Isabella deserves to be with Stephanie but if we’re both working nights then there’s no one around for her, between sleeping and being gone all night.”
“You sound like her father already. Listen though I’m going to call Madelyn and tell her what I figured out. You think you can hold down the fort while I do?”
“Yea, go enjoy your phone sex.”
Warrick started to say something but instead shook his head flashing a grin as he did.
Chapter 12-
Carefully adjusting trying my hardest not to hang myself as I awoke, I tried to roll over without causing myself pain.
“Easy Stephanie.” Nick’s voice was gentle as he spoke. “Your mom stopped to see how you were doing. Isabelle’s playing in the other room with Warrick.”
“What time is it?”
“11:30”
“Why didn’t you wake me up?” My voice was more of a whine then anything else as I spoke.
“Cause you were sleeping peacefully and we’re doing just fine. She’s had breakfast, just getting ready for a nap now, or well at least she seems to be. I figured you’d be able to get some sleep this way and start feeling better. You want some help up?”
“No, no I’m fine. I’m going to be fine; I don’t need you to baby me.” I didn’t mean to get upset with him, I just wanted him to understand I could take care of myself.
“Alright, I’m sorry Stephanie.” Nick’s voice was gentle. “You’re right, I should have woken you up, and I’m sorry ok?”
“Ok.”
“Good, now come see your daughter, I’m sure she misses you just as much as you miss her.”
“You’re probably right and I certainly never get enough time with her.” Pushing myself up off the bed with my good arm I started to move towards the living room. Not only did my arm hurt from being shot but my body felt stiff from having slept for nearly a day.
“You sure you don’t want help?” One day I would break him of his awful habit of worrying but it was obvious that it wouldn’t be today.
“I’m positive Nicky.” I offered a smile as I started down the hallway even though my body fought me each step of the way.
“Look, it’s mommy.” Warrick’s voice was more happy go lucky then normal, though I wasn’t sure that that was possible.
Sweet little Isabelle’s face lit up from where she was curled up watching cartoons with Warrick, Quinn curled up beside them on the couch.
“Hey sweety” Sinking into a chair I couldn’t help but wince as I jarred my arm on the chair arm. “Nicky would you bring her here please?” Here I’d just told him I could do it all by myself and yet here I was asking him for help.