Amelia

 

Over the next few weeks, Landen and Amelia settled into a comfortable routine. She had spent the rest of the weekend in Landen’s penthouse taking care of him. Amelia found that she loved every minute that she spent with him.

Landen’s family all dropped by at some point over the weekend. Dylan called by on Saturday evening, and Sunday to check on him. His mother and father called by on Sunday, as did Finn and Callum. Callum told Amelia to take a couple of days off, knowing that if she weren't there, Landen would return to work, and Nell had insisted she wanted him to take some time off.

Liam dropped by on Monday morning with the news that they had picked up Charles Greenway and his goon. At first Charles Greenway had denied that he had anything to do with what happened to Landen, but when Liam told him that he had security video footage of him in the car, as his henchman had worked Landen over, he soon changed his tune.

He pleaded no contest, as did his goon, and they both accepted a deal. It turned out that he had a friend that lived in Landen’s building, so he had visited him, using the visit as a way of gaining entrance into Landen’s underground car park. He admitted that they thought they would have to spend the night hiding there, but it was pure luck that Landen came back down into the garage late that night.

The asshole who actually delivered the beating would do time, as it wasn’t his first offense. Charles would get probation, as it was his first offense, but on the condition, he returned to DC and didn’t return to San Francisco.

Not only was Landen happy, but Nikki was relieved too when Landen called her to tell her the good news.

When Landen returned to work later that week, Amelia said that maybe it was time for her to go home now too. He didn’t say it, but Amelia could see Landen wasn’t happy.

If she was honest, she didn’t really want to go home either, but she and Landen were still just getting to know each other, so she knew it was the right thing to do.

Amelia returned to work too. Despite the uncertainty she had felt for the last couple of weeks, she felt that maybe her life was finally falling back into place.

Even though Pete Reynolds was always there, in the back of her mind, Amelia found that she was able to imagine a future that didn’t involve her running away. A future where maybe she could, not just give love, but allow herself to feel love in return.

Both Nell and Landen had put some protection orders in place for Amelia. Nell had managed to have a restraining order put into place, but it also involved a protection clause that meant even though Pete Reynolds would be informed of the restraining order, he was not given Amelia’s information, which was something that made Amelia feel happier.

Landen also had it be made a requirement that, in order for Reynolds to be released from his mental health facility, he needed a board of three doctor’s to approve it, once they were certain that he no longer posed a threat to Amelia. Also, the hospital had to notify Amelia, through Landen’s office of any change to Reynolds’ situation that could have any impact on her life.

Amelia knew there were no guarantees with any of these measures, but they gave her comfort, which was something she hadn’t felt in such a long time.

She and Nikki had grown closer too. They had a bond because of their shared histories, so in a way, it brought them closer as friends.

Amelia had also grown closer to Landen’s family. It was something she never believed she would ever feel again, but with the Murphy’s, it was almost impossible not to feel part of their family.

“Do you have plans for the weekend, Amelia?” Eloise asked as they walked to the elevator one Friday evening as they were heading home for the weekend.

“I’m going to some charity fundraiser with Landen,” Amelia replied as they stepped onto the elevator. “It’s a black-tie event, but I have never been to one before, so I have no clue what to expect.”

“You’re going to love it!” Eloise exclaimed with a smile. “The Kennedy Group have a big event every Christmas. It is always my favourite night of the year.”

“This is all very new to me,” Amelia said as the elevator came to a stop once more. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to wear. Nikki said she would take care of it, but now I am wondering if I should have just taken care of it myself.”

“I think you need to stop worrying,” Eloise said as they both stepped off the elevator, towards the revolving doors. “You are going to have a great time.”

“I hope so,” Amelia said as she spotted Landen leaning against his car outside, waiting for her. The moment he saw Amelia, his face lit up, and she couldn’t help but smile too.

“Have a great weekend, Amelia,” Eloise said as she started off down the sidewalk, heading for home. “I want details on Monday.”

“You have a great weekend, too,” Amelia called after her, before she turned and was greeted by Landen with a kiss.

“How was your day?” He asked as he drew her into his arms.

“It was good,” Amelia replied as she smiled up at him. “Even better now.”

“I thought that maybe we could go to dinner tonight,” Landen said still not releasing her from his embrace. “I mean we are out, and we are hungry.”

“Sure,” Amelia replied giving Landen a bright smile. “But maybe I should go home to get changed first.”

“I think you look beautiful just as you are,” Landen said as he leaned down to kiss her again.

“But I’ve been wearing these clothes all day,” Amelia replied as she looked down at her long, black pencil skirt, and her grey, satin blouse.

“I’ve been wearing this suit all day too,” Landen said with a laugh. “It’s just dinner.”

“Fine,” Amelia said with a pout, which just made Landen laugh harder.

Twenty minutes later they were being seated at a table in a little Italian restaurant, not too far from Landen’s penthouse.

Landen ordered some wine for them both as Amelia continued to look through the menu.

“I really don’t know what I fancy,” Amelia said as she looked up from her menu and glanced at Landen. Something seemed off with him. He seemed on edge, nervous, or something, but she didn’t know what it was.

“Are you okay?” She asked as she watched him closely.

“Never better,” he replied with a smile, but Amelia could sense that something was definitely off with him. “I would recommend the steak here. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed.”

“I’ll give it a go,” she said as she closed the menu, setting it down in front of her. “Are you sure everything is okay? You seem I don’t know, distracted a little.”

“I think it was just a long day,” Landen replied, giving her a smile, but Amelia was far from convinced. She knew Landen almost three months now, and she could tell that there was something on his mind. But it was clear that he didn’t want to talk about it, so for now, she would let it go.

As they ate dinner, Landen talked about a case he was working on, while Amelia told him about how her day was at work. It was funny, when she started at The Kennedy Group, she was sure she was never going to fit in, but she soon settled in, and now she loved her job.

She loved working with Eloise. They had grown to become really good friends, something Amelia had never imagined she would have again. But she did, and not just one friend; she had friends. Of course, other than Landen, Nikki was her best friend, but she had grown close to Landen’s family too. It was a life she had never imagined she would have again.

They were just starting dessert when Landen shifted nervously before he reached into his pocket.

“I have something for you,” he said as he set a small flat rectangle box down in front of her. Amelia had no clue what it could be.

Amelia looked up at Landen and smiled.

“You know there really is no need to keep buying me things,” Amelia said, knowing Landen had already bought her so much. He had insisted that she would need a proper new wardrobe for work, which he also insisted that he pay for. He had bought her a beautiful bracelet when they were together a month, and a pair of earrings when she was a month working for Callum.

He had also insisted that he was paying for the dress that Nikki was getting for her for the charity ball the following evening.

“This is not a gift,” Landen said, once more he looked nervous. “I just want you not to over think it. Okay?”

“Okay,” Amelia replied, feeling even more confused than she had been before. Landen pushed the box closer to her. Amelia took a deep breath before she reached out and picked it up.

She glanced up at Landen once more, before she carefully opened the box, and looked inside it. In the box there was a key and a security card. Amelia looked back up at Landen, still unsure what they were for.

“I want you to move in with me,” Landen said, surprising Amelia. “Before you answer, I want you to take some time to think about it. It’s just, we either stay over at my place, or we stay at yours, and on the nights that we aren’t together; well, I hate those nights.”

“I see,” Amelia said, completely stunned by his request.

“I know you probably think it’s too soon,” Landen continued. “And maybe for others it is, but we aren’t like others. At least, I don’t think we are. I’m almost thirty-four, I’m too old to do this dating thing. I know how I feel about you, I know I want to spend my life with you, so it just seems the right thing to do.”

Amelia knew that he was probably right, they were good together, so it made sense. If she was honest, she hated the nights that they were apart too, but thankfully they were fewer and fewer as the time past.

In her heart, she wanted to say yes, she wanted to tell him that there was nothing she would have liked more than to move in with him. There was just a tiny part of her that was still scared, it was that tiny part stopped her from giving Landen the answer he wanted.

“You don’t have to answer me now,” Landen said, but Amelia could hear the disappointment in his voice.

“I just need some time,” Amelia said, giving him a nervous smile. She pushed the box back across the table toward Landen. “Maybe you should hold on to these.”

“No,” he replied without missing a beat. “I want you to have them one way or another. Even if you decide not to move in just yet, I want you to be able to come and go as you please.”

“But it’s your home,” Amelia said, feeling it was somehow wrong to take them until she at least gave him an answer.

“And I want you to feel welcome in it,” Landen insisted, as he pushed the box even closer to her. “Please.”

“Thank you,” Amelia said, as she picked them up, putting them into her handbag.

A little over an hour later, Amelia and Landen were riding up in the elevator to Amelia’s apartment. Since Landen asked her to move in with him, Amelia could sense a little bit of uncertainty in him. She knew he wanted to push her for an answer, but he was holding back, and it was making things a little tense between them.

Amelia released a long breath and leaned her head down against Landen’s shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Landen asked as he rested his head against hers.

“Yeah,” she said as she released another long breath. “I’m just tired.”

Landen didn’t reply. Amelia knew that he was thinking again. Before she could ask if he was okay, the elevator came to a stop, and the doors opened. Amelia stepped off, followed closely by Landen.

Amelia walked to the door, slipping her key into the lock.

“Actually,” Landen said as she opened the door. Amelia stopped and turned back to look at Landen. “I think I might just call it a night.”

“What?” Amelia said, feeling a little thrown by what he said. “Why? Is it because I haven’t given you an answer? Are you mad at me?”

“Of course I’m not mad at you,” Landen replied and Amelia could hear the surprise in his voice. “Believe me, there is nothing more I want to do than to go in there and spend the night with you,”

Landen stopped for a moment as he shoved his hands into his pockets, giving her a strange look before he continued. “But if I go in there, I am going to be waiting for an answer to my question, but I promised to give you some time.”

He looked at her for a moment, and Amelia knew that he really didn’t want to leave, but she also knew that he was right. She needed time to think but having him there with her would just make that impossible.

She stepped closer to him, pressing her lips to his, as she softly placed her hand against his face.

“I will see you tomorrow,” Amelia whispered against his lips. “And I promise I will give you my answer.”

“Goodnight, Amelia,” Landen breathed against her mouth before he pressed his lips to hers once more.

Suddenly he pulled back abruptly, as he let out a long frustrated groan.

“You know that you’re killing me, woman!” He said as he pushed his fingers through his wavy hair. Before she had time to respond, he slammed his mouth to hers once more. His kiss was firm, deep, and full of passion. Then he breathlessly broke his lips away from hers once more, then quickly took a step back.

He stared at her for a moment, before he smiled as he took another step backward.

“Goodnight, Amelia,” he said as he reached for the call button for the elevator. The doors opened almost instantly. “Till tomorrow.”

He gave her one last smile, then stepped back into the elevator, pressing the button to the ground floor.

Amelia just stood there and watched as the door closed slowly, then he was gone. She stood there long after the elevator jumped to life, and descended through the building.

Amelia turned slowly, walking into her apartment, wondering what the hell had just happened.

On Saturday evening, Amelia stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, looking at her reflection. She was wearing the dress that Nikki had chosen for her, while she thought it was possibly the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, somehow it just didn’t feel like her.

When Amelia was growing up, her father worked hard to provide a good life for them both, but their life was at best modest. The dress she was wearing probably cost more than her father would have made in a month in his pharmacy.

But it was beautiful. Amelia wasn’t sure if she had ever seen that kind of material before. It was as soft as silk, but it was heavier. It was red in colour, with a high, neckline, but the back plunged down low, with a small train at the back, it hugged her figure perfectly. It complimented her chestnut coloured hair, which she had decided to wear up in soft curls on the back of her head.

“Wow!” Nikki exclaimed from the doorway of her room. “You look sensational.”

“I look like someone I hardly recognise,” Amelia said as she looked at her friend. “But I guess that’s the point.”

“You need to stop worrying,” Nikki said with a smile as she stepped further into the room. She was wearing a black dress, with a split almost the entire length of the skirt of the dress, she looked stunning too.

“Easy for you to say,” Amelia said with a laugh. “You look like you were born to wear those clothes.”

“That’s because I was,” Nikki replied with a shrug. “But believe me, it’s nothing to be proud of.”

“I’m sorry, Nik,” Amelia said worried she might have upset her friend.

“Don’t be,” Nikki said with a grin. “If nothing else, my dad gave me long legs so that I can pull off dresses like this. You’ve got to look at the bright side.”

Amelia knew Nikki meant what she said, but she was also partially covering up her feelings. It was something Amelia had learned that Nikki did in the three months that she had known her. Nikki came across as a strong, confident woman, and for the most part, she was, but there was a part of her that was still the vulnerable girl that was beaten down by her father.

“So, you want to tell me what’s going on with you and Landen?” Nikki said, surprising her with her question.

“What makes you think that there’s something going on?” Amelia asked, but she knew that there was no real point in lying to her.

“Because Landen was not himself yesterday at the office,” Nikki said with a grin, as she continued to watch Amelia. “Then he didn’t stay last night, also you’ve barely said two words all day long. So, something happened.”

“Landen asked me to move in with him,” Amelia told Nikki, as Nikki’s face instantly lit up with a knowing smile.

“I knew it,” Nikki said, and Amelia could hear the excitement in her voice. “I knew yesterday that there was something he wasn’t saying. I can’t believe he actually asked you.”

“I told him I needed to think about it,” Amelia added, and Nikki’s smile faded a little.

“And that’s why he didn’t stay last night,” Nikki finished Amelia’s story.

“Yep,” she replied just as the doorbell sounded out in the apartment. “That’s probably him.”

“You wait here,” Nikki said as once more she smiled. “I will open the door. Wait till Landen sees you. He is going to have a coronary when he sees you in that dress.”

Nikki turned, hurrying out of the room, leaving Amelia standing there. She knew that tonight she would have to give him an answer to his question. The only trouble was, she still didn’t know what that answer was.