Trigger

by Carol Jean

  Her eyes also are constantly changing. Twelve changes of glasses later, they still aren’t as perfect as they were and they’re still light sensitive. Steven loves her in glasses, he says, and as soon as Judy passes her driver’s test, the wedding it on.

  She’s goes to Stalwart each morning for a half a day. Charles never formed a corporation and she sits where Franklin used to sit during the morning staff meeting. She has only confidence in his and DeShaun’s ability to run their company. They seek her advice often and listen. She’s added three more businesses to Stalwarts already this year. Her Stalwarts family is growing strong and healthy.

  Charles and Candace created an electronic media department for Stalwart’s websites and other electronic communications. Candace is in charge and it’s amazing what she’s done so far. When Judy advised him to let her move on to reach her potential, Charles vehemently disagreed.

  “She’s brilliant and she likes it here, Judy. She doesn’t want to leave. I remember how I didn’t want to go either. Stalwart Companies is my home, Candace and I can reach our potential – he spits the word at her – along with Stalwart Companies.”

  To have a life is to embrace change and Stalwart lives and breathes. “Okay.”

  Steven hired a driver for her who’s always at her beck and call, but she doesn’t go anywhere except to see Franklin when he’s around, the office and Steven’s club. She drives BB some on the weekends with Steven, but she has to be careful. If she overdoes, her eyes will hurt and a massive headache will send her to bed.

  Steven is working on it. His methods are excruciatingly pleasant and satisfying.

  “A headache? You have a headache that’s great,” he says with a grin and quickly hauls her off to the bedroom, lays her down and takes off all her clothes and his. “Now, show me where it hurts.”

  But there are some things that don’t change. Lately when he’s not taking care of her, Steven is quiet, withdrawn and stares at the window at nothing.

  “Enough Steven! You’ve been moping for weeks. I’ve tried to give you space and let you work out whatever is bothering you. I know how you hate to share. My God that would be admitting that you are human. I appreciate that you spend all your time taking care of me and the children, but it’s hurting me . . . us. It’s excruciating watching you suffer and not letting us help you.”

  “It’s nothing.” Steven walks away.

  Chapter 50. Saving Amy

  “No! Not this time Steven. Enough with your lies.” In seconds he’s on the floor and Judy is sitting on his chest with her forearm against his throat, her feet backwards pressing against his groin. “Talk! Now!”

  “Can’t,” Steven croaks making Judy laugh in his face as she presses her lips against his and forcing her tongue between his lips.

  Breaking the kiss Judy lets him up but as soon as he’s on his feet, she’s twisted his arm behind his back and forced his face against the wall. Quickly spreading his legs, she grabs his balls in a stiff hold. “Quickly Steven, I’m getting impatient.”

  “Amy is in trouble,” a sob escapes his chest.

  Sitting on the floor with their backs against the wall, Judy grips Steven’s hand. Steven and Simon were working together in a custody battle for Amy. His ex-wife, Sharon, emotionally unstable when they were married, has been taken over by her controlling and wealthy parents. They are seeking custody of Amy and would keep her from Steven. Without Simon, Steven’s resources can’t match those of her parents.

  “I’m going to loose her, Judy. Amy sneaks around late at night to call me, begging me to come and get her. She’s virtually being held a prisoner and I have no way to fight them.”

  “But you go to see her everything other month.”

  “I try but they won’t let me see her. I go anyway hoping each time. I saw her through the window last month. She’s growing so much. She’s so beautiful.” Tears are rolling down his cheeks. “The last hearing is in three days. The only lawyer I could get that would go up against Sharon’s family and I could afford isn’t doing anything! My house and businesses are mortgaged to the max.””

  “Witcher its Judy, I need your help.”

  When Steven, Judy, Michael and Suzanne get off the plane in Sacramento four tall and sharply dressed men stand like sentinels or more like four men-in-black waiting for them. Only one has a grin.

  “Judy, I’ve been waiting years for your call. I was beginning to think I’d never get a chance to show off for you.” Witcher grabs her into a huge embrace. “The lady in red with a gun? I’ve got that poster framed in my office, Judy. I’m the envy of my peers!” He laughs and guides them to a limo.

  Now running the state’s largest and most prestigious law firm, Witcher was her P.A. before DeShaun and has handpicked Steven’s team. “They’re kind of scary, Judy,” Michael says and puts this arm protectively around her shoulders.

  Judy, Michael and Suzanne sit in the courtroom directly behind Steven and his table of lawyers. It takes less than an hour before Amy is in his arms and Suzanne has officially taken over as her Mom and BFF.

  “Stay close to me, Amy. It’ll be all right,” Suzanne took the little girl’s hand and Judy felt Steven gasp a sob as he grabbed Judy to him. “Thank you Judy. Thank you.”

  “Stay close to me Steven. It’ll be all right,” she whispered in his ear.

  Steven has undisputable custody of his seven-year-old daughter, who has his curly blonde streaked hair and dimple in her cubby chin. With Amy firmly in place in their family, the wedding moves forward at breathtaking speed. Judy wasn’t consulted on anything and if she asks any questions she’s met with Suzanne’s glare. Charlotte, Becky, and Harriet assisted the twelve-year-old but it was clear who was in charge.

  Chapter 51. As Real as It Gets

  Before she knows it’s a sunny Sunday afternoon with Judy holding onto Charles’ arm in Steven’s backyard. It’s overflowing with people dressed in colorful clothing. Turquoise, lime green, bright yellows and warm oranges. Acceptable wedding guest apparel was printed on the invitation Becky sneaked to her. There are so many people Judy can’t see to the front and where Steven should be. With the sun and the bright colors she has to squint.

  Following the trail of rose pedals, Charles leads her through the maze of people. “I think we’re going in circles, Judy,” Charles laughs and squeezes her arm. “Suzanne said she wanted everyone to see you, so I guess we’re taking the grand tour.”

  It was so much fun, Judy got to see and talk to everyone as Charles walked her to Steven. Her gown was the talk of the wedding. Designed and made by Suzanne of a soft clinging snow white material that cling to her like a second skin. The front was high at the neck and hung straight to the toes of her white shoes. The back was open from her neck to below her waist and flared out into a graceful three foot train.

  Giggles, laughs and appreciative comments followed them as they passed by and often they were sent on their way with applause. The entire back of Judy’s gown was hand painted with black Jaguar paw prints.

  Suzanne said she designed it to cover Judy’s scars and to make sure BB got to be part of the wedding. Judy can't argue with a twelve year old, who knows more about dressing up than Judy will ever know. Actually she loves the gown and the lovely child who made it just for her.

  They’ve been walking for at least twenty minutes, when they round a corner and finally there’s Steven waiting for her. She suddenly stops and gasps at the scene in front of her. A huge pastel drawing is the backdrop surrounded by colorful flowers. It’s a drawing of Judy holding out her hand and Steven reaching for it. Tears flood her eyes.

  Charles steadies her with a hug and kiss. “I love you Judy. Thank you for my amazing life and the privilege of being part of yours.” He holds my hand out toward Steven and places it in his.

  “Hello there.” Steven briefly kisses her lips. “Are you all right? I’ve danced with Suzanne, her Mom, Julie, Becky, Michael’s Lilly, Harriet, Charlotte and Amy. I’ve done my duty. Now I want to
dance with my wife.”

  Judy puts her hand in his and he slams her up and into his arms.

  “Cave man, why not just thrown me over your shoulder and drag me onto the floor.”

  “Hey, that’s a great idea. It’ll set a good precedence for how things will be from now on!”

  “Better watch it mister husband. I am a lethal weapon, remember?”

  He laughs. It’s the one that says he’s happy and he loves her.

  “What were you doing over there alone? You looked miles away. Having second thoughts?”

  “No! Just remembering how we got here.”

  “We’re going to have a great life, aren’t we Mrs. Harter?”

  “Yes.”

  Steven finishes the dance, drops her nearly to the ground and kisses her until they hear applause. He brings her to her feet. “Thank you all for coming to our wedding. Please stay and have a great time at our expense. My wife and I are leaving now.”

  Steven pulls her toward the driveway, where they kiss and hug Suzanne and Michael and Amy.

  ”Take care of each other. We’ll come back if you need us or want us to come back. We’re all going to check in with each other every day, right? We love you.” Steven says and we hug them again.

  She tosses her bouquet, and then Steven tosses her BB's keys. “You drive,” he orders.

  She peals out dragging long lime green ribbons tied to green bean cans. Michael loves canned green beans she remembers laughing and sees their children in BB’s rearview mirror running after them waving and throwing kisses.

  “I miss them already.” She says and Steven nods in agreement and then smiles wickedly moving his hand under her gown and up her thigh.

  “I think we should start making our own baby on this trip. The children are growing up too quickly. What do you think?”

  “That works for me. What kind do you want?”

  Steven laughs. She loves to make him laugh.

  “The kind that is as healthy and strong and happy. Between you my Warrior Queen and me your Warrior King, it will be as beautiful as you and as handsome as I am and boy or girl we’re going to name our first baby Simon.

  The End

  Thank you for reading Trigger

  I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I’d love to hear your comments or critiques and will respond personally to each. Please feel free to share TRIGGER with your family and friends. – Carol Jean

  mailto:caroljeanbooks@gmail.com

  About Carol Jean

  New to the exciting world of fiction Carol Jean finds the experience more than fun, better than thrilling, and greater than awesome. Her only motivation is to have her readers wish her books wouldn’t end.

  Carol Jean lives on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge in Roanoke, Virginia. A published writer, author, news reporter, copywriter and editor since the age of fourteen, she spends twelve hours a day writing or thinking about writing.

  Samuel, Karlee, Miranda, Jacob and Kell are the darlings of her life, as well as her Schnauzers Bridger and Ozzie.