Chapter 17
MATT
Matt felt a slow sinking on the edge of his bed. He shifted uncomfortably before waking up and seeing a figure sitting in the dark, waiting for him.
Lizzy.
His eyes adjusted to the minimal amount of light coming from the window, and he could see her face clearer now. His heart froze. She looked as though she’d seen a ghost. He pushed himself to a sitting position.
“Liz?”
“I’m sorry… I couldn’t sleep.”
It looked a heck of a lot worse than that. Her face was pale, her forehead sweaty, and overall, she looked physically ill.
“What is it? Did you remember something?”
She shook her head vigorously. “I don’t know what it was…” her voice trailed off, and she shivered with chills.
“A dream?”
She looked up at him, dread all over her face. “It was terrible,” she said in a low, hoarse voice, that just about broke him.
Matt wrapped his arms around her, with one hand on the back of her head and pulled her close to him. His heart shattering for this beautiful, innocent woman who undeniably felt like she had no one to turn to or keep her safe.
“I’m so sorry,” he murmured on the top of her head. The apology meant more to him than she realized. She didn’t lift her face from his chest, so he concentrated on calming the pattern of his own breathing to help guide her to a softer one. After a short moment, she caught on and her breathing returned to a normal pace. He sat up slightly to draw her in and pull the covers over them. She nestled into him, her white silk slip-on slightly damp. He slid his fingers around the back of her neck, lifting her hair that clung to her clammy skin. He leaned in and blew softly behind her neck, stroking her hair away.
God only knew what her nightmare could have been about. What it meant to her and how much of it was true.
He watched his wife in a peaceful slumber for a few minutes when waking up that morning. He missed her presence next to him in the mornings. The way her head comfortably sank into the pillow. Nothing mattered at that moment. Not the lies, not the betrayal that tore through his heart. All that mattered was how safe she felt spending the night in his arms. He remembered the last time he’d held her, the night before her accident — his pathetic attempt to make her trust and open up to him. Guilt washed through him, starting from his cheekbones and stopping somewhere in his heart. He shifted away from her, feeling unworthy of the innocent woman he held.
He clenched his teeth. He moved too quickly.
She groaned and opened her eyes, blinking rapidly. She focused on him and smiled, that bright smile that reached her eyes.
“Good Morning,” he smiled back.
“Are you okay?” her voice raspy. He missed that morning voice of hers.
“Only if you are.”
She stretched and glanced around. “Are you sure this isn’t our bedroom? I felt so much more relaxed here,” she breathed tranquilly.
Matt leaned in to her. “Because you were with me,” he whispered. “Where you belong.”
Liz only responded with about a million goosebumps lining up on her exposed arm. Matt glanced down and rubbed her long, toned arm gently. He kissed her forehead lightly then backed away to look at her.
“You feel like talking about your dream?”
Liz stared at Matt as if she couldn’t decide if she could trust him. “No,” she shook her head, then added, “It’s a little hazy anyway.”
Matt nodded but wished she would tell him what spooked her. “Okay,” he gave her a small smile, then stood. “I’ll let you get dressed while I make us some breakfast,” he added while slipping on his jeans and t-shirt.
Matt descended the stairs while Liz took a long shower. It was slightly later in the morning than when they normally had their breakfast. Matt was grateful for the extra sleep Liz got that night. He wondered if her nightmare was a memory she might not realize. A horrid thought crossed his mind with the realization that her first memory might be of their fight the night before her accident. Or the night she’d spent with his brother...might cause some confusion.
He shook the thought out of his mind and checked his phone. He already had a few missed calls from his mother until she finally texted.
Text 1:Call me. Your dad needs you today.
