Chapter Twenty-Three

Anna and Michael's life melted together smoothly, as everything fell into place. Anna's house had sold within two months, after she had moved in with Michael. She and Mick were currently working on the design of their loft, and spent many hours poring over drawings, changing this and that. Anna had not only found Michael, she was now a full member of a large, loud, and very affectionate family. Anna loved every minute of it. Her job was also challenging her, and Michael was swamped with more work then she could handle.

What was most amazing to Anna, was once Michael had admitted to loving her that first time, she now told everyone. She was just like her dad, loving, affectionate, and very fun. They spent as much time laughing, as they did loving.

Michael had only one flaw, and Anna loved her more for it. She was a little bit of a scatterbrain, especially at home. Anna teased her incessantly about it. This was a woman who scored in the top one percent of her law school class, passed the bar her first time, and could lose her keys faster then anyone else. Anna would find them in the oddest places, the bathroom, the refrigerator, and among the couch cushions. It made Anna laugh whenever she heard Michael grumbling about her keys, as she was doing at that very moment.

"Michael?"

"What?"

"Your keys are on your dresser." Anna smiled, as she spoke to her irritated lover.

Michael flashed a grin, and headed for the bedroom. The telephone rang as she disappeared.

"Hello."

"Anna, its Catherine."

"Well?"

"It worked, we're pregnant!"

"Catherine, that's fantastic, when?"

"June."

"That's so wonderful, how's Tia?"

"Excited, scared, buying a crib." Catherine gushed with happiness.

"Already?" Anna bubbled with laughter.

"Are you kidding? By the time this baby arrives Tia will have it enrolled in college."

"She just loves her family." Anna grinned. "Where is she?"

"She went rollerblading with Jerry and Maddy."

"It's still hard to believe they're friends."

"Who are you kidding, Jerry didn't stand a chance. Tia was bound and determined to charm him, and no one can resist her." Catherine laughed again. It was very obvious she loved her extended family very much. "She's even going to include him at the Fourth of July party at her parents."

"It worked." Anna shared with Michael as she came up and hugged her. "Michael says congratulations."

"Give her a kiss for me."

"I can do that. Is there anything you need, Catherine?"

"Ask me that in six months, when I am fat and crabby." Catherine chuckled with good humor. "Right now I just feel very happy, and very lucky. I thank God every day for bringing Tia into my life."

"I know how you feel." Anna hugged Michael to her. "We love you, guys."

"We love you."

Anna hung the telephone up and pulled Michael on to her lap. "Catherine's okay?" Michael asked as she kissed Anna's neck.

"Yes, she is. She and Tia are thrilled to death."

"That's terrific."

"Michael, you're going to be late for your meeting." Anna thought she looked so professional in her slacks and sweater.

"I just need one kiss."

Anna kissed Michael and then nudged her toward the elevator. "Go."

"I want more kisses, later." Michael waved her fingers as the elevator doors closed.

Anna sighed happily. She was more in love with Michael then ever. Her life just got better, and better. She was going to do some laundry, and work on the engineering drawing of the loft. She and Mick were going to start the work in about three weeks. She whistled as she worked. She was a very happy woman.

Michael's client meeting was not a pleasant one. She had developed a reputation for helping battered wives, and she currently had one in her office. It was one thing both she and Anna felt strongly about, helping abused women.

"I can get you into a shelter right now, if you want." Michael spoke softly to the terrified woman seated across from her.

"I can't. I need to prepare. One of the women you helped told me that you could tell me what to do to get ready. I need to make sure my little boy and I are taken care of. I don't want my husband to hurt my son." Her eyes pleaded with Michael to help her. The bruise on her cheek was evidence of her husband’s abuse.

"Where is your son?"

"He's at daycare. I'm supposed to be at work right now. My husband would kill me if he knew I was here."

The look on the woman's face was one of sheer terror, and it broke Michael's heart. Michael had seen that look too many times. "Okay, this is what you need to do."

"I don't have much money."

"Let's worry about that later. Do you have a dollar?"

"Yes."

"Give it to me. Now, I'm your lawyer. Let's get to work on making you and your son safe."

For the next half hour Michael outlined everything the woman needed to do. She was to call Michael when she was ready. Michael would prepare the paperwork for a restraining order, and get her and her son into a shelter. Michael knew the procedure by heart. She had done it more times than she could count. The woman thanked Michael and headed out the door, promising to call before week's end. Her husband's violence was escalating. He'd put his wife in the hospital three times in the last month. It was just a matter of time before he went too far.

Michael locked up her office and headed back upstairs. She and Anna were going to her brother's house for dinner. She smiled as she entered her home. It was amazing how, in such a short space in time, Anna had filled her world. Her family had adopted Anna, and Anna loved them in return. Michael was very much in love, and very happy with her life.

"Anna?"

"Michael, I'm in my office." Anna's office was a huge empty space where she had set up her drafting table, shelves, and all of her engineering tools. She loved her office.

"What are you working on?"

"I want to check the plans for the remodel once more."

"Honey, we already have our permit. I'm sure they checked everything carefully." Michael draped herself over Anna's shoulder.

Anna just rolled her eyes and continued to review the plans while Michael idly played with her hair. Anna turned in her chair and pulled Michael into her lap, grinning. "Are you going to bother me all afternoon?" Anna chuckled, nuzzling her neck.

"I thought I would." Michael smiled in return.

"How was your meeting?" Anna hugged Michael tightly. She knew how hard these cases were on Michael.

"The usual."

"Honey, you help a lot of women. You can't expect to help them all."

"I know." Michael's lips slid along Anna's shoulder and neck. "Want to take my mind off of my worries?"

Anna bubbled with laughter as she stood up. Michael tugged her playfully toward their bedroom. This was the other reason she loved Michael so much. Michael enjoyed making love with Anna, and she wanted to often. She told Anna she was a lusty, Irish girl. Anna told her she was a sex maniac. It made them both very happy, and it made Anna feel much loved.

"Anna, do you have the keys?" Michael hollered from the living room.

Anna giggled softly. Michael was even more absent minded after several hours of lovemaking. "Yes, I have them."

"Are you ready yet?"

Anna grinned at the impatience in Michael's voice, as she joined her in their living room. "We wouldn't be running late if you hadn't wanted another ten minutes."

"Oh, but it was worth it!" Michael grinned, as she hugged Anna. "Come on, we've got to go."

Dinner at Terry's house was always loud, and lots of fun. Between his very funny wife, and two very active little boys, a two-year-old and a four-year-old, it was full of laughter, and very busy. Terry's wife Sandy was an executive with a large bank, who loved her family and her life very much.

"Don't even think about it, bud." Sandy threatened her four-year-old boy who was attempting to feed his broccoli to the family dog.

"So Anna, when does your satellite go up?" Terry inquired, as he too warned his son with a lift of his eyebrows.

"Next month."

"Michael, are you going to go watch?"

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it."

"Want some company? Terry and I thought we could watch our favorite engineer's satellite get launched."

"I'd love that." Anna's eyes glistened with tears. "Are you sure?"

"Honey, I not only get to watch your bird go up, but I get to spend some quality time alone with my husband. One hour with this man alone in a hotel, is pure heaven." Sandy grinned at her husband across the table, as she caught her young son's glass of milk before it landed on the floor.

"An hour." Michael teased. "Terry, you must be getting old."

"Hey, an hour with me is all she needs." Terry gloated, as he watched his other son try to feed the dog again. "We know how to make an hour work for us."

Anna and Sandy just laughed. It was typical talk between brother and sister, along with lots of hugs and kisses.

"We're going to make Mom and Da watch the boys for a couple of days."

"They'll love that."

"So will we, we need some alone time." Terry smiled at his wife. He loved her dearly, and any time alone with her was precious.

It was several hours later, and Anna and Michael were snuggled together in bed. The moment she felt Michael's arms reach for her body was Anna's favorite time of the day. She loved sleeping next to her, watching her lover sleep, and holding her upon waking. Michael was not only gorgeous awake, with her firm Irish bones and creamy skin. She was the most beautiful woman on the planet, when she slept. Michael, Anna knew, was a rarity, a woman graced with beauty inside and out.

"So are you excited about your project ending?"

"Yes and no. It will be great to see if it works, but a little sad to see it end. I spent a long time working on this project."

"Do you have something else to work on?"

"I have several choices. I just haven't made up my mind."

"My brilliant engineer." Michael's fingers traced along Anna's cheek and smiled softly at her.

"Your tired engineer." Anna grinned at her girlfriend.

"How tired are you?" Michael slid her naked body against Anna's.

"Not that tired." Anna's hands slid down Michael's slender back and hips. "I'm never too tired to love you."

Their lovemaking was slow and gentle, as they kissed and stroked each other's body, while passion as strong as ever filled their hearts. An orgasm shook Michael's body as Anna cradled her on top of her own.

"I love you, Anna." Michael whispered, as Anna's body quaked with her own orgasm.

"I love you, Michael."

They slipped into sleep, arms and legs intertwined, fingers linked, their lovemaking as perfect as their life.

The following morning, after being up for several hours, Michael entered their bedroom and nuzzled Anna's neck "Wake up, sleepy head."

"What time is it?"

"After ten."

"I can't believe I slept so late." Anna sat up.

"Honey, you've been working very long hours. It's all just catching up with you."

"What are you up to this morning?"

"Trouble. I fixed the leak in the bathroom sink, oiled the garage doors, and waxed the kitchen floor."

"Boy, I should sleep in more often." Anna was used to Michael's getting up early. She was a morning person.

"You want some more company." Michael slid under the covers in her shorts and tee shirt, and pulled Anna in to her arms.

They spent the next couple of hours making love, and lounging in bed. Michael kept Anna laughing with her gentle teasing, and humorous outlook at life. It was times like this that Anna and Michael had become best friends.

"I'm going to hop into the shower, honey." Anna called to Michael. "Do you want to go shopping with me, later?"

"Sure, sweetie."

Even shopping together was great fun, as they strolled through the aisles visiting, and selecting what they needed. It was the little things like shopping and cleaning together that made them closer than ever.

"So if we fly out Tuesday afternoon, we can watch the launch on Thursday, and fly back on Sunday."

"Are you sure you want all of us there?"

"Michael, of course I want you there, and I love that Sandy and Terry want to go. You're my family. I want my family with me."

"I'm so proud of you." Michael kissed her as they came out of their garage.

"Michael, there's a lady with a little boy sitting on the steps of your office."

"It's the woman from yesterday."

"Michael, she's been hurt." Anna ran up to the woman, who clutched the tiny little boy tightly in her arms. "Let us help you." Anna offered, as Michael opened her office door.

"Here, why don't you sit down?" Michael assisted the woman to a chair. "Anna, can you go get the first aid kit? It's in the bathroom under the sink." Anna shut the office door and did as Michael asked.

Michael looked at the little boy first. He appeared to be unharmed, but terrified. "Michael, here's the kit."

"This is my partner, Anna. Can she hold your little boy while I look at you?"

"Okay."

Anna gently took the tiny little boy from his mother, and wrapped her arms around him. "Hey, little guy, what's your name?" The look in his eyes broke Anna's heart.

"His name is Joey."

While Michael cleaned up his mother, she gently questioned the woman. She'd been badly beaten, her eyes blackened, and her lips split.

"Anna, lock the door, please."

"Sure, honey." Anna tried to act normal with the child in her arms, but she couldn't keep the shiver of fear from happening.

"We need to get you to the hospital. You need stitches and x-rays."

"I can't, he'll find me." The woman struggled to stand up.

"You're safe here. Don't move. We'll figure something out."

The slamming of a car door caught everyone's attention. Michael stood up and looked out of the window. "Anna, take Joey upstairs and call 911. Now!"

Anna heard the fear in Michael's voice and took off running for the elevator, the little boy cringing in her arms. He began to whimper as she burst into the loft, frantically looking for the telephone. She heard the breaking of glass, and yelling. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of the telephone, as she called the police. She could hear angry demands from the office.

"Where's my kid, bitch? I'll shoot you where you stand, if I don't get my kid."

"911."

"Help us, he has a gun." Anna blurted out the address, as she frantically looked for a place to hide with the little boy.

"Ma'am, stay with me here. We're on the way. Now, tell me who you are and what happened."

"My name's Anna. A battered woman and her son came here. My partner is her lawyer. She's badly beaten, and I think her husband is downstairs with a gun."

"Okay, ma'am, we're outside. Can you see us from where you are?"

Anna looked out of the kitchen window and saw a police car, its lights flashing. "Yes."

"Okay, now tell me where you and the child are?"

"Upstairs." Gunfire erupted from downstairs, shocking Anna into silence.

"Ma'am, Anna, talk to me."

"Oh, God. Michael!" The pain in Anna's heart was unbearable, as she held the silent child in her lap. The telephone almost fell out of her hand, as she slumped to the floor.

"Ma'am, are you there?"

"Yes."

"What's your full name, honey?"

"Anna, Anna McNeil."

"Anna, help is there. You stay where you are. We'll find you."

"Help my girlfriend, she's downstairs."

"We are, honey. Now, tell me where you are upstairs?"

"In the kitchen, below the window. We're behind the counter."

"Okay, now, don't panic, but a policeman is coming in through the fire escape. You stay where you are."

There was a crash, and then footsteps, as a police officer appeared in front of Anna, his gun drawn. His jacket had the police on the front and back.

"Thank you, they're here." Anna dropped the telephone, as four more police officers spread out through the loft.

"Anna, I'm Officer Shank. Are you and the child okay?" The police officer squatted in front of Anna, his voice gentle, and his eyes watchful.

"Yes, how is Michael? She's downstairs."

"Anna, we need to get you and the boy out of here, now."

"Okay."

"Why don't you let me carry the boy, and you let these officers help you?"

"Okay." Anna was numb with shock, as she and Joey were rapidly removed through the back fire escape, while many more police officers with guns drawn surrounded them. They were taken to an emergency vehicle a half a block away from the house. Many police cars and officers surrounded the house. Anna was amazed at how quickly everything was happening.

"Anna, are you okay?" Cara came up to her in full police gear, and hugged Anna tightly. "Van is on her way."

"Cara, what about Michael?" The tears started as a police officer wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. "I heard the gun shots."

"We believe he shot through the front window to warn the police away." Cara reassured Anna the best way she could. They didn't know if anyone was hurt inside the house and Cara didn't want to scare Anna.

"Please help Michael." Anna cried as she looked at Cara

"We will, honey." Cara hugged her again, as she tried to ignore the feeling that the situation might not end happily. She couldn't get too emotional now. She had a job to do. "You let the paramedics check you out. As soon as we know something, I'll come find you."

The radio on Cara's shoulder crackled to life, and she listened, than responded rapidly. "I'm on my way."

The only word Anna heard was sharpshooter, and it froze her heart. Cara's face was serious and contained, as she left.

"Oh, God. Michael." Anna broke down, as the paramedic gently laid her down on the gurney. They handed Joey to her, and she cradled the little boy in her arms, while she sobbed. A paramedic put warm blankets around Anna and the little boy.

"Ma'am, we need your help." A police officer spoke from the door of the ambulance.

"Yes, officer?" Anna's voice was hoarse with tears.

"Could you draw a diagram of what the office looks like?"

"Yes, do you have something to write on?"

"Here."

Anna took the paper and pencil from the officer, and took a deep breath, before she began to draw. She had a full sketch of the whole office within minutes. "Is this what you want?"

"Perfect, thank you, ma'am."

"Officer, is everyone okay inside?"

"Ma'am, we know that all the people are still in the office, and appear to be unharmed."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, ma'am."

"Anna, are you okay?" Van climbed into the emergency vehicle. She'd broken several laws to get to Anna as quickly as possible after Cara's telephone call.

"Van, he has Michael." Anna sobbed out as Van surrounded her with her arms, holding Anna and the frightened little boy. Van's eyes filled with her own tears. She'd had a brief conversation with Cara, and she knew how dangerous the situation was becoming.

"I know, honey. Cara is out there. She won't let anything happen to Michael." Van silently prayed that Michael would be okay. She cried with Anna as they waited in the vehicle.

"I can't sit here any longer." Anna struggled to her feet, Joey's arms tight around her neck. "I want to know what's happening."

She and Van climbed out of the ambulance. "Ma'am, you need to stay back here." A police officer stood in front of Anna.

"Officer, my lover is in there with that mad man. I need to know what is going on. This little boy's mother is in there. Someone needs to tell us what's happening." Panic made Anna very angry.

"Okay ma'am, I'll get someone to answer your questions."

"Thank you."

Within moments another police officer came up to Anna. "Are you Anna?"

"Yes."

"I have a message for you from Michael. She's unhurt, and she loves you."

Anna started to cry again. "Can you get her out?"

"Yes, we can, and we will. You have my word on it."

"What is your name, officer?"

"Captain Foley."

"Captain Foley, I'll hold you to that promise. And if you talk to Michael again, you tell her I love her, and I'm waiting." Anna's voice broke as she responded.

"I will, ma'am." Captain Foley walked away as Van gathered Anna and Joey into her arms.

"Honey, let's get Joey something to eat."

Anna allowed Van to direct her back into the ambulance. "Can we get some food for these two?" She requested quietly of a paramedic. Anna was way too pale.

"Yes. I'll go get something for them."

"Thank you."

Van gently pushed Anna to a seat, as she spoke softly to her. Anna was going into shock, and Van knew she needed to watch her very carefully. She was also a little worried about the little boy. He continued to cling to Anna, silent, and frightened. Van forced Anna to sip some hot tea, while Joey ale a sandwich, and drank a glass of milk.

Everyone had been waiting for over two hours, while negotiations had continued with the gunman. All of a sudden there was suddenly a flurry of activity. There was no gunfire, but Anna could hear several voices escalate into yelling and screaming. An officer put his head in the ambulance.

"It's over, he surrendered."

"Van," Anna scrambled out of the back, Joey in her arms. "I have to find Michael."

Van followed Anna as she ran through the crowd to her home. "Michael!" Anna cried loudly. "Michael!"

"Anna!" Michael was standing next to several police office outside the door of her office when she saw Anna and began to run. They met halfway across the street, and threw their arms around each other, holding tightly, the little boy held between the two of them. The crowd of police officers and medical personnel stopped all their activities and smiled. It wasn't often that hostage situations turned out okay and it was something to celebrate.

"Michael, you're okay?" Anna ran her fingers across Michael's face.

"I'm fine, are you?"

"Michael, I love you." Anna's fingers slid across Michael's face again, memorizing it, loving Michael with her eyes.

"I love you, Anna." Michael pulled Anna into her arms. "I'm so glad you're okay." Michael began to weep.

"Joey!" The little boy's mother cried out, as a paramedic saw to her injuries. She was laying on a gurney not far from where they stood.

"Here's your little boy." Anna hugged Joey tightly, and then handed him to his mother.

"Thank you. I'm so sorry. Michael, thank you. I'll never be able to repay you for what you did. You saved my life."

"You just take care of yourself and your son."

"Thank you for taking care of my son."

"You're welcome, I'm glad you're okay."

"Your girlfriend saved my life."

Anna tightened her hold on Michael. She would not leave her side. Michael's arms squeezed Anna to her. She would not be separated from Anna.

"Michael, are you okay?' Van touched Michael's shoulder.

"I'm fine Van, just fine." Michael began to cry again, as she buried her face against Anna's. She had come so close to never seeing Anna or her family again.

"Excuse me. Michael, we need to get your statement. Could we ask you to come over here, so we can get it over with?" Captain Foley stood quietly next to them.

"Captain Foley, you kept your promise." Anna smiled at him.

"Yes, I did." He grinned proudly. He led all three of them to a crowd of officers. Cara stood grinning by a police car.

"Michael, it's good to see you." She walked over and hugged her. "I understand you talked him into surrendering."

"You know us lawyers, all mouth." Michael grinned back at her, still holding tightly to Anna's hand.

"How about you tell these officers what happened, and then you and Anna can get out of here."

"Anna and I live here, Cara."

"Honey, I want you and Anna to stay with Van and I tonight."

"Anna, what do you want to do?"

"I want to stay here. This is our home, and no one will run us off."

Michael grinned at Anna, hugging her tightly. "You heard her, Cara, we're staying."

"Then we need to get your back door, and the office door fixed."

"Let me call my dad and brother. I need to tell them what happened before they see it on the news."

"Michael, I'll call your parents. Give me their number. You and Anna go give the police your statements." Van suggested, smiling at the exhausted woman.

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that."

Van took the number from Michael, and then she stepped up to Cara, her eyes staring hard into her girlfriend's. "How close was it?"

"Very close." Cara spoke softly, her eyes filling with tears.

Van shuddered as she thought of what could have happened. She was also completely in awe at what the police had accomplished. She was very proud of Cara and the other officers.

"I love you, Van."

"I love you. And I am so proud of what you do, honey."

Cara blushed with emotion and love for Van. "I'll come stay with Anna and Michael, as soon as I can get away. Take care of them."

"I will."

"Van, Michael may go into delayed shock. Watch her carefully."

"I will, honey, and hurry. I need to hold you."

It was after eleven, before Michael's father and brother repaired the doors and broken windows, while Michael's mother, Van, and Cara visited. Emma and Melinda had stopped by earlier, along with Tia and Catherine.

"Do you think that they would be offended if we asked them to leave?" Michael whispered to Anna, as they sat on the couch together.

"I'm exhausted." Anna admitted with a yawn.

Almost as if Michael's mother could read their minds, she stood up. "Come on, Mick and Terry. Let's get out of here and let these women go to bed, they're exhausted."

"Honey, we're sure glad you're both okay."

"Thanks, Da, Terry."

"I'll be back tomorrow to finish the repairs." Terry hugged both Anna and Michael. "I love you two."

"Honey, you both get a good night's sleep."

"We will, Mom."

"I love you, girls."

"We love you."

"Cara, let's head home, too." Van suggested, pulling Cara to her feet. She could see how exhausted both Anna and Michael were. They needed to get some sleep.

"Are you two going to be okay?" Cara asked quietly. She knew how stressful the day had been, and was still worried about her two best friends.

"We'll be fine, Cara. Thanks." Anna reassured her. All Anna wanted to do was crawl in bed with Michael.

After much hugging and kissing, Anna and Michael were finally alone. Michael turned to face Anna, and smiled. "We're finally alone."

"Michael, take me to bed and hold me." Anna's eyes were shiny with tears.

"All night, honey." Michael promised, as she turned out the lights and took Anna's hand. "Anna, are you going to be okay staying here?"

"It's our home, Michael. I love living here with you. Are you going to be able to work in your office?"

"I think so. Anna, do you want me to stop taking battered women's cases?"

"I don't want you to change a thing you do, honey. You saved that woman's life today."

"You saved her son."

"I love who you are, and what you do." Anna's hands held Michael's face in her own. "That's who I fell in love with, and I will always love the woman I fell in love with."

Michael was so overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn't speak. But her eyes spoke volumes as she gazed at Anna. Anna and Michael kissed slowly, deeply. "I thought I lost you, and my heart ached. I'm so very thankful you're okay."

"Anna, I love you so damn much." Michael began to cry.

"Michael, come to bed, and we'll hold each other all night."

Anna and Michael crawled into bed and wrapped their arms around each other, exhaustion and emotions took over, and they fell rapidly into sleep.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14