Taylor's POV

We got home safely after the ice cream. Paula was my little distraction from Jim, or was he Diego? I don't know anymore. This world is too screwed up nowadays. For four years, I knew Jim as one of the nicest men at the agency, now, I'm afraid to even talk to A man, thinking that they're hiding under a fake ID as well. Then again...who am I to judge? I sort of pulled that trick off too, didn't I?

I sat at the foot of the bed, as I stared off into space. I was so deep in thought, that I hadn't heard Thomas walk in until he sat down beside me. I jumped up in surprise.

"Taylor?" He looked at me, concerned.

"I'm fine," I answered rather too quickly before he could ask the question. He didn't seem to believe me.

Without a word, he took my hand into mine, gently massaging it with his thumb. "Why didn't you tell me he was bothering you?" He finally asked after a long silence.

"Because I didn't think he'd try to kidnap me. He wasn't always that way," I said quietly, "although," I dropped my voice to a whisper, "I do admit that he tried to ask me out a couple times."

"Did you agree?" He tensed up.

"Of course not!" I looked at him briefly before looking back at the wall, "He may be good looking, but his personality was far from attractive. In my opinion," I added the last part.

He sighed in relief. 

I squeezed his hand before letting go and getting up from the bed. "I didn't properly thank you, by the way," I looked down at the floor, a bit embarrassed of myself. I can't believe I haven't at least told him a thank you for the event earlier.

He smiled, getting up as well, his figure was about a head taller than me. "I didn't even realize it."

I rolled her eyes, haven't realized? "Come on, you always notice these things."

"Well maybe I just forgot because the love of my life is more important,"

"Oh really?" I raised her eyebrow, hoping he was joking, "Why do I deserve to be the love of your life?"

"Because," he battled with his thoughts for a second, "because you are my life. I can't believe that all those years, I somehow managed to live without you." 

I froze. I'm his life? Well, he certainly somehow managed to not call me all those years ago. We just stood there, looking at each other. I let my anger go, finally, breaking the silence with a random question, "Tommy?" I hadn't meant for my voice to tremble, briefly reminding me of the time I lost him at the theme park.  

"Hmm?" An emotion that seemed familiar seemed to look into my soul.

"What did Grandma tell you when she passed away?" I hated talking about my grandmother, but he was there with her during her final hours.

His eyes softened and grew distant, as he tried to remember her final words, "She said never to leave you alone, which means....I'll probably need to stay another night," I could tell he was joking.

I punched him playfully, "I'm serious," a laugh escaped my lips.

"I am serious," he defended himself. "Those were her words."

"Oh," I stopped with the silliness.

"Was there a reason for your curiosity?" 

"No," I shook my head, quickly glancing at the clock. "Just wondering, that's all. You should probably go, tomorrow's Sunday, which means there's church." I pointed out, remembering that I need to be there early.

"Awe," he pouted, giving me puppy eyes, "I was hoping to stay another night,"

I chuckled, unable to stay angry with him, "Sorry, not tonight, what would our colleagues think if word got out?"

"It would eventually," he pointed out.

"True," I agreed, "you're also sleeping in my house, we're not even married!"

"Touche, does that mean I'll have to marry you to get my privileges?" At this point, I didn't know if he was joking or not. So I  dismissed his question with a wave of my hand, "You might as well, now go home," Just telling him to go home, already made me feel pain and loneliness.

"Trying to get rid of me already? I haven't even proposed yet!" He laughed. 

I joined in, briefly stopping to make a harsh whisper, "Be quiet, you'll wake Paula, see you tomorrow,"

"See you," he whispered back. I knew he also didn't want to leave.

Once he was out the door, I sighed. Today was full of surprises that will last a lifetime.

---

Monday morning came in such of a hurry. Quickly getting dressed, I made breakfast and after all the morning commotion, I sent Paula off to school and made it to my office just in time.

"Woke up late, I see," A familiar voice said near the door of my small office.

I hid the noticeable smile on my face, "Like you didn't?" I said groggily, putting my head on my desk, willing myself not to fall asleep.

Thomas laughed, "I'm not the one living with a child,"

"She's our child, Tom," I rolled my eyes.

"I know," he said apologetically, walking up to my desk. With my head still on the desk, I felt his tall figure hovering above me. "Brought you coffee," He offered.

I sat up, "Gee thanks," I took the cup from his hands, "you're amazing."

"Yeah yeah," he shrugged it off, "so about today," he changed the subject, "got any plans?"

I pretended to think for a bit, "Um...besides a few errands, why?"

"I heard there was a new coffee shop down the road...?"

"Spoiling Paula already?" I grinned.

He grinned back, "I wouldn't call it spoiling, just a little something to win her heart,"

I laughed, "You already won her heart from the start, all she ever does nowadays, is talk about you."

"She talks about me?" He said in awe. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. I should feel happy, not all kinds of mixed emotions.

"Yeah," I faked a smile, "She's one bubbly child when it comes to daddy,"

Instead of smiling back like I thought he would, he looked at me with concern, as if he knows that I'm not acting like myself. "Tay," he said in a low tone, careful not to raise suspicion. He walked closer to me, kneeling down and taking my hands, "I actually wanted to spend time with you today, Paula is a great kid, but I think we need to take care of the distance between us first."

I looked into his sincere hazel eyes, "What about Paula? I can't just leave her with Abby,"

He gave a small smile, "I took care of that,"

I squeezed his hands, "Okay," I said quietly, "I think I can manage,"

Thomas smiled before letting go, "See you soon," with that, he left. 

He left me baffled, just staring at the wall. After a few minutes, I finally blinked. Giving a big sigh. "Lord, help me to love this man again."

Excitement arose from my heart.

---

I glanced over at the clock, I'll have to skip lunch at this rate. 

It's been five hours since Thomas walked in. Five hours with endless paperwork. Five hours with the none stop ticking of the clock. 

All of a sudden, a voice echoed over the intercom, distracting me from all the other sounds in the room, 'Elise Greyson on line six, Elise Greyson line six.'

Confused, I put my pencil down and reached for the gray phone on my desk in the corner. Clicking line six, I said,  "Coastal Commission Agency, how may I help you?"

"Mrs. Greyson?" I recognized the voice as the elementary school nurse.

"Good Afternoon, Mrs. Alice, is everything alright?"

"I'm afraid not, Paula appears to have gotten the stomach bug, I don't have much I could give her, I know it's a bit tight with your working schedule, but do you think you can pick her up early?"

I looked at the clock which read, 12:07. I can't afford to miss another work day. But thinking about Paula, I had to drop everything. A knock was heard on the door before Thomas came in with another stack of papers, his look was sympathetic. "Can you give me a minute?" I spoke into the phone before placing it on my shoulder.

"Is everything okay?" He asked, placing the stack on the desk.

"Paula's sick, I need to get her," I said, getting up.

"Oh? Is she okay?" Fatherly concern was written all over his face.

"Yeah," I smiled at his worried expression, "just the stomach bug,"

"I can get her for you, you're already behind, I don't want you stressing over this tomorrow," he offered.

"I don't mind, it's just that, she's my responsibility...." the smile left my face.

Thomas interrupted me, "Taylor, she's our responsibility, I don't want you working yourself too hard, what kind of a father would I be if we didn't split this? Don't you trust me?"

Trust. That's what the problem is, I don't have enough trust. Even though we grew up together, it still doesn't change things. Seven years apart changed the people we once were. What if he takes her back to Greenwood? What if he's just trying to get close to me to snatch her away from me. I take a deep breath. Thomas is right, I can't stress over this. I need to keep my job. 

"Question is, will they let you take her home?"

"Ask," he motioned towards the phone. For a minute, I forgot the nurse was waiting for my reply.

I cleared my throat before speaking, "Nurse Alice?"

"Yes?"

I looked at Thomas while I spoke, "Will it be alright if a friend of mine picks her up?"

"I don't see why not,"  her voice was kind and gentle.

"Okay, thank you, he'll be right over," I hung up before she could ask any questions. Grabbing my keys, I unhooked my house key from the car keys and gave them to Thomas. "Please drive safely, if she throws ups at home, there's cleaning supplies underneath the sink in the upstairs bathroom. If the neighborhood boys cause trouble, just ignore them, and..."

"Tay," Thomas chuckled, "everything will be fine, promise,"

I nodded and watched him leave. Okay. I shouldn't worry about him. He'll be fine. I slowly sat back down before reading another paper.