“That’s possible but don’t open that door until the officers get there. I’m going to stay on the line with you, don’t worry.” Her calm voice is a life raft in the chaos of my emotions.
“Okay.” I curl up on my couch, the aftereffects of my severe adrenaline rush leaving me light-headed and breathless. I do my deep meditation breathing, trying to calm myself down as I wait. What is taking so long? Why aren’t they here yet?
The time drags as I wait anxiously, and Patricia, the very nice lady from 911, keeps me occupied with questions. Giving her mundane information helps me to regulate my breathing.
Finally, there’s a loud knock on my door. I startle, even though I know it’s the police.
“Police. Ma’am, are you okay?”
“Oh, Thank God!” I tell Patricia as I head to the door. The relief is so intense that it brings tears to my eyes.
“Check the peephole,” she warns. Good thought, Patricia. To my immense relief, I see two uniformed officers at my door. I pull back the deadbolt and unlock the door.
Two large policemen are standing at my door. I’ve never been so happy to see an officer in my life. My body, recognizing that the danger is past, goes limp, and I slump against the door. I’m dizzy with relief.
“Whoa there, ma’am. Are you safe? Is anyone else here?”
I reassure them it’s just me as I walk unsteadily towards the couch. The older blonde officer heads off to check out the only other room in my place, the bathroom, while the younger one asks me questions about everything that happened tonight.
After we’ve gone through everything several times, they advise me to call a friend or to stay somewhere else for the night. I call Kenji first, but he’s out of town. Just my luck. I call Walker next. He answers, voice sleepy and confused, but he’s completely awake by the time I finish telling him what happened.
“Hang tight, Maddie Bear. We’ll be there soon.” He tells me, his voice tight.
I ask, ‘who is we’, but he’s already hung up and I’m disturbingly pleased that Liam is coming too. They’ll be here quickly. Denver isn’t that big of a town no matter where you live, and Liam’s place is only about five minutes away. For once, I don’t even mind that they’re close.
In less than five minutes, they show up at my door. My idiot brother just barges through the door like he owns the place. He’s damn lucky the police didn’t shoot him. As it is, it took a few minutes to convince them he’s my brother. That is, until they recognize Liam, of course, and for once, I’m grateful that Denver’s a hockey town.
Walker immediately gets into a discussion about security with the policemen while Liam pulls me into the tightest, warmest hug. It’s everything I need right now, and I cling to him, loving that I finally feel safe. I lay my head on his chest, breathing in his piney scent, and sinking into his embrace.
“Oh God, Liam. I can’t believe that happened. What if he’d gotten in?” My voice rises again, panicky with fear.
“You’re okay, Mads. He didn’t get in. I got you, Mads. I’m right here.” He tightens his hold, and I don’t mind one bit. Gradually, my breathing slows, and the panic recedes. It takes a long while before I feel able to pull away, and even then, I do it reluctantly.
“Okay now?” he asks quietly, like he knows how much I hate not to stand on my own. Which, to be fair, he probably does. I give him a wan smile.
“Getting there.” I say, my voice finally somewhat steady. I glance at the clock. It’s two in the morning. Wonderful. I hate teaching a class when I’m sleep-deprived.
Walker finishes talking with the officers before walking them to the door. They hand him their cards before heading out. I feel the panic well up again at their departure.
Somehow, Liam notices and immediately pulls me back into his arms.
“I got you, Mads. I got you.” He says in a calm voice. It soothes my nerves, and I recover faster this time. I pull away a bit to regroup, and he moves up behind me, my back against hischest. Its solid warmth grounds me and helps me regain some control over my emotions.
Oh shoot! These guys have practice tomorrow. I know how much Walker hates being tired for practice.
“Walks, you have practice tomorrow!” I say in a panic. He gives me that brother look and rolls his eyes.
“What? No. Don’t worry about that now, Maddie bear.”
“You’re gonna be tired.” He looks at me as if I’ve grown another head before pulling me close. This is the most physical affection I’ve gotten from him in a while. It’s overwhelming, but in the very best way.
“No practice. It’s okay, Maddie bear. Nothing will ever be as important to me as your safety. Maybe I haven’t told you how much I love you for a minute, but I do. So much. There’s nothing in my life that’s more important than family and there never will be. You’re the only blood I’ve got left, Mads.” That last part brings the tears that I’ve been holding back for a while now, and I fall apart as he holds me tight.
Eventually, I talk them into leaving. Kenji calls just as I shut and lock the door behind them, so I fill him in on the details of my terrifying evening.
“Jesus, Maddie. I had no idea that area wasn’t safe. Maybe you should come back and stay with me again.”
“I’m not doing that Kenz. Thanks for the offer but I’m not letting fear drive my decisions. I’ll be fine.”
