by Susan Stoker
Alabama got out of bed and took a shower. She lovingly folded and put Christopher’s shirt under her pillow for when she got ready for bed again. She wandered upstairs, hoping to see Caroline again.
Caroline wasn’t around when she made her way to the kitchen, but Matthew was. He told Alabama Caroline had to work that day, she was making headway into a new chemical process. Matthew admitted easily he had no clue what it was, but Caroline wanted him to tell Alabama she’d be home for dinner.
“What is it Alabama? I can tell you’re thinking heavily about something. Spit it out.”
“It’s just…I don’t understand why you guys are letting me stay here. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful, and I really like Caroline, but I don’t get it.”
“Abe has saved my life more than once. He even saved my woman’s life. Caroline told me a little about what you went through when you were a kid and I already knew what Abe said to you. It was unacceptable and hurtful, we all know that and we’re all more than pissed at Abe because of it. But the thing is, you’re still his. Being his, makes you, by default, mine; and Mozart’s, and Cookie’s, and Benny’s and Dude’s. We made a vow to protect each other with our lives, and that extends to our families.”
“But…”
“No buts,” Matthew said interrupting her. “You’re ours to protect, and that means protecting you against hurtful words too, no matter who they come from. Until you’re ready to talk to Abe, you’re under my protection. No one will get near you without my say-so. When I’m not here, one of the team will be. We’re giving you the time you need to work through what happened in your mind. If at the end of your thinking, you decide you don’t want to stay, we’ll respect your decision. But fair warning, we’ll still probably try to convince you otherwise.”
Alabama just stood there staring at Matthew. He couldn’t be serious. “But, you guys have to work.”
“Yeah, we do, but we’ve worked out a rotation and got it okayed by our commander. Anywhere you want to go, anything you want to do, you’ve got one of us to help you do it.”
Alabama just shook her head. “You guys are crazy.”
Wolf smiled. “Get used to it.”
* * *
The next few days were surreal for Alabama. Every morning when she made her way upstairs she found a different member of Christopher’s team waiting for her. One morning Hunter was standing at the stove flipping pancakes. He’d calmly asked her what she wanted to drink. Another morning Kason was sitting at the table eating doughnuts from a huge box. The third morning Alabama thought she’d finally been left alone, only to find Faulkner sitting outside the house in his car. When she’d left the house to take a walk he’d gotten out of his car and walked with her.
Matthew was right. They were there, looking out for her, simply because they thought she belonged to Christopher.
Finally, after a week had passed since she moved into Caroline and Matthew’s basement, she thought she was ready. She’d gone over and over what had happened in her mind. She didn’t think she’d been at fault, except maybe she could’ve talked faster and made Christopher listen to her. But the bottom line was that she still loved him. She wanted to see him; she wanted to hear what he had to say.
It was Saturday. Caroline had picked up some cute clothes for her yesterday on her way home from work. She apologized to Alabama for not thinking about it earlier and swore they’d soon spend all day at the mall making sure Alabama had everything she needed.
Alabama took advantage of the cute clothes she now owned and put on a pair of jeans with a tank top. The tank top wasn’t sexy per se, but it showed more than Alabama was used to showing. She knew she was stressing over seeing Christopher again, but she couldn’t help it.
When she entered the kitchen, Caroline and Matthew were sitting on a chair at the table. Caroline was in his lap and they were so busy kissing each other they didn’t even know she’d entered the room until she cleared her throat loudly.
Alabama laughed at the blush that spread across Caroline’s face. She watched as Matthew’s hand eased out from under her shirt and grasped her around the waist. He wouldn’t let her jump up off his lap though.
“Good morning, Alabama,” he said in his low rumbly voice. “Did you sleep well?”
Alabama simply nodded. She didn’t want to go through the niceties this morning. She got right to the point. “I’m ready.”
The couple knew exactly what she was talking about.
“Awesome.” Caroline exclaimed quietly.
“Thank God,” Matthew said fervently. He leaned forward with Caroline on his lap and reached into his back pocket for his phone. Alabama watched as he swiped the phone to turn it on and pushed some buttons, obviously sending a text message. In just a moment, he put the phone on the table in front of him and said, “He’ll be here in a few.”
“What?” Oh my God. Already? Even though Alabama had said she was ready, now that Christopher was actually going to be here, she was panicking.
“Yeah, he’s been spending every night in the driveway, in his car.”
Alabama thought her head was going to explode. She felt like a parrot repeating everything she heard. “What? He’s been spending every night in the driveway, in his car?”
Matthew chuckled and settled Caroline deeper into his chest, her head tucked under his chin. “Yeah, he wanted to watch over you himself. We tried to tell him you were safe and nothing would happen to you in our basement, but he insisted.”
“That’s…insane.”
“No, hon,” Caroline finally chimed in, “that’s love.”
Alabama didn’t have time to say anything because the doorbell pealed throughout the house. She looked at Matthew and Caroline. They hadn’t moved.
“Are you going to get it?” She asked them.
Matthew laughed. “We all know who it is, Alabama. Go and put him out of his misery…and yours.”
Alabama took a deep breath and slowly walked toward the door. She knew she’d said she was ready, but now she wasn’t so sure.
She slowly opened the door. She put a hand on her chest. Just the sight of Christopher was enough to bring back the pain she’d felt when he’d told her to shut up in the police station.
Abe stood in front of Alabama with his hands in his pockets. He was nervous as hell. He’d screwed up so badly, but all he wanted was a chance to talk to her, to apologize.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Thank you for agreeing to see me.”
Alabama just nodded. She suddenly felt tongue tied again. She knew he wouldn’t disparage her again, but it was still hard for her to talk to him as she’d once done.
“Will you come with me today? Will you trust me enough to keep you safe for the day?”
Alabama nodded automatically. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him…exactly. Okay, that wasn’t completely true. She knew he’d keep her safe from physical danger; it was her emotional safety she was more concerned about.
Abe let out a long breath, as if he’d been holding it waiting for her answer. “Do you need to get anything before we go?”
Alabama nodded. “I’ll meet you at your car?” She didn’t know why, but she wanted to talk to Caroline and Matthew again before she left.
“Okay, sweet, I’ll wait for you out here. Take your time.” He took a step back. He seemed to understand her uncertainties.
Alabama shut the door and went back into the kitchen. Her friends hadn’t moved. “I’m going out.”
“Good. Remember what we talked about, Alabama,” Caroline told her seriously. “Give him a chance.”
“Can I…” She paused, biting her lip.
“What is it, Alabama? Can you what?” Wolf sat up straighter as he asked.
“Can I call you to come get me if I need to?”
Wolf felt Caroline about to answer and squeezed her hip hard. She kept silent and he slowly put her aside so he could stand up. He kissed Caroline lightly, then walked over to Alabama.
Wolf reached out for her, watching for signs of her pulling away. She didn’t and he enfolded her into his embrace. “Of course you can, Alabama. I don’t care where you are, when it is, if it’s today, or ten years from now. You need me, or Caroline, or anyone on the team, you call. We’ll come running. Okay? You’re not alone. You have all of us now. We aren’t letting you go no matter how this turns out today. You’ll be fine, but if you need us, we’re here. Just call and we’ll come. Okay?”
Alabama nodded. Wolf pulled back and kissed her on the forehead. “Now, go on. Try to enjoy the day. Get the heavy stuff over with so you can enjoy being with your man again. Make him grovel, but in the end, take him back.”
Alabama gathered what little strength she felt she had around her, and pulled away. “Okay, thanks. Have a good day, guys.”
She grabbed her little purse and went back toward the door and Christopher.
Wolf snatched up his phone and quickly tapped out a text to Abe before Alabama had even made it to the front door.
Alabama opened the door and stepped out, watching as Christopher put his phone into his back pocket before he started toward her.
Abe felt sick inside. He’d read the text from Wolf. Jesus. She’d gone back inside to ask if they’d come and get her if she asked. He wanted to kick his own ass. He’d done this to her. She didn’t trust him and he couldn’t blame her. Today was the first step at getting her trust back. Abe didn’t know what he’d do if he didn’t earn it, but he’d spend the rest of his life trying, if only she’d let him.
“You ready, sweet?” The endearment slipped out without any thought on his part.
Alabama nodded and allowed Christopher to open the passenger door of his car. He helped her in and held out the seatbelt for her. Once she was secured, Abe closed her door and walked around to the driver’s side.
Starting up the car, he turned and looked at Alabama. She was beautiful. He’d missed her, but it was his own fault. He’d done a lot of things he regretted in his life, but hurting Alabama was at the top.
“I thought we’d go downtown, have some lunch, then maybe walk along the beach. Does that sound okay?” He didn’t want to do anything she’d be uncomfortable with.
“Yes.” Alabama answered softly, but at least she’d answered.
Abe found a parking spot downtown and they entered the small trendy café down by the water. He asked for a table outside, hoping being unconfined would help her relax. He even let her have the seat against the wall.
Alabama knew how badly Christopher was trying to make her feel comfortable the second he offered the seat against the wall to her. She recalled the conversation they’d had the first time he’d taken her out for coffee about sitting against the wall so he could see the room.
She shook her head and took the other seat instead. He wouldn’t admit it, but she could see the relief in his eyes. Christopher hadn’t wanted to take the other seat, but he would’ve if she’d wanted him to.
They ordered drinks and sandwiches and sat in awkward silence for a couple of minutes. Finally, after their drinks were delivered, Abe broke the silence.
“I know I’ve already apologized, but I hope you’ll let me do it again. I’m sorry. Jesus, I’m so sorry.”
When Alabama didn’t say anything, but remained looking at him with sad eyes, he continued.
“I have nothing to say to defend myself. I hadn’t had a lot of sleep, I heard what you’d been accused of and I immediately thought about my asshole of a father. If I’d only stopped to think for half a second I would’ve known the truth. But I didn’t. I rushed to the station and said shitty things to you. I didn’t believe it.”
At her look of disbelief he swore. “I didn’t, sweet, I swear to God. I was confused and hurting, and I took it out on you.”
When he stopped talking and just looked at her, Alabama knew she had to tell him of her experiences. She looked at the tabletop instead of at him while she spoke. “I thought you were there to help me. I was so scared. I asked for them to call you and I was so relieved when you walked in the door. Then you said…that…I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t understand.”
Abe made a choking noise, but she didn’t look up. “Every night when I was in that cell I was scared to death. Some of the other inmates said some…things…to me. I didn’t know if I was going to get out of there or not. I couldn’t eat. I didn’t sleep more than twenty minutes at a time. Throughout it all, all I could think of, all I could see was your face, all I could hear were your words, as you came into that interrogation room.”
Alabama risked a look up at the man who’d hurt her so badly. He looked anguished. She continued quickly wanting to get it all out in the open. “I didn’t take a shower while I was in there because I was afraid to take my clothes off. When Bob was yelling at me calling me a felon, I didn’t know what to do. All I could do was grab some things and get out. You hurt me Christopher. No, you devastated me.”
Alabama continued quickly, before Christopher could say anything. “I was ready to leave. I wanted to get away from here, away from the hurt I’d felt.” She paused, then looked up and stared Christopher in the eyes. She was amazed to see they were swimming in tears. “But then Caroline asked me a simple question and I knew I had to see you again. I had to give you another chance.”
Abe blew out the breath he’d been holding. He’d never hurt as badly as he had in the last few minutes listening to Alabama talk about what she’d been through, what he had put her through. He’d been shot, stabbed, beaten, and starved, but nothing had hurt as badly as her words.
“What’d she ask you, sweet?” Abe asked softly, dreading her answer, but wanting to hear it nevertheless.
“She asked how I’d feel if you left on a mission and never came back.”
The air between them cackled. Neither broke eye contact when the waiter brought their lunches and set down the plates on the table.
Abe waited for her to continue.
“I knew then that I still loved you. You hurt me, but God, I love you, Christopher.”
Abe pushed his chair back from the table and took a step toward Alabama. He knelt down on the floor and lightly put his hands on her knees. Alabama was shocked. She hadn’t expected him to get on the floor. She could feel the heat from his hands seeping through her jeans and she soaked it in as if she was a plant that had been in the darkness for months.
“I don’t deserve you, Alabama. Lord knows I don’t, but I love you too. I don’t want you to go. I want to woo you.” At her half laugh, half snort, he grinned, then sobered up again. “Yeah, it sounds silly, but I want to show you that you can trust me again. I want to show you how important you are to me. I know SEALs aren’t known to have lasting relationships, but I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you know you come first in my life. Yes, I might have to fly off at the last minute for an assignment, but if push comes to shove, you’ll come first. I’ll go AWOL or tell my commander to take me off the mission list if I have to. You’re it for me, sweet. I’ll spend the rest of my life earning your trust back.”
“I’ve never come first to anyone before,” was Alabama’s timid response.
Abe wasn’t expecting it. He didn’t know what he expected, but it wasn’t that. He picked up one of her hands and kissed the back of it. He wanted nothing more than to haul her into his arms and kiss her deeply, but he knew he hadn’t earned her back yet. “You’re the most important person in my life, Alabama.”
They grinned at each other and Abe slowly got up off the ground. He kept hold of Alabama’s hand and went back to his seat. They ate lunch and both were glad of the decreased tension in the air between them.
After lunch, Abe took her to the beach as he’d promised. They’d wandered up and down the sand laughing at the antics of the seagulls that were constantly looking for food.
The trip back to Caroline and Wolf’s house was made in comfortable silence. Abe wanted to reach out and hold Alabama’s hand, but knew it was t
oo soon. It could’ve been weird, knowing they loved each other, remembering the times they’d spend loving each other in bed, feeling the distance between them now, but Abe was happy for whatever she’d give him.
Now that Abe knew Alabama still loved him, he knew he had a chance. He’d go as slowly as she needed him to. All he wanted was her trust. Love was one thing, but trust was what made a relationship solid.
He pulled up to Wolf’s house and shut off the car’s engine. Abe turned to Alabama. “Thank you, sweet. I don’t deserve you. I know I told you this before, but I’ll say it once more. I’ll never give you a reason to distrust me again. You need me, I’m there. No matter what. I don’t care if someone tells me you’ve killed someone. I’ll never doubt you, and I’ll always give you a chance to explain, whatever the situation is. I’ll never walk out on you again. I know you don’t trust me now, but you will. I swear.”
Alabama gave him a sad smile. “I hope so, Christopher. I need you. I need your trust. I don’t think I can get through the rest of my life without it.”
“Come on, sweet. Let’s get you inside. I’m sure you’re tired.”
They walked up to the porch and stood in front of the door. “I feel like I’m on a first date,” Alabama tried to joke.
“In a way we are.” Abe leaned toward her and lightly kissed her lips. He then moved to her nose, then her forehead, before stepping back.
Alabama couldn’t stand it anymore. She looked up at the man she loved with every fiber of her being and stepped into him. He immediately put his arms around her and clasped her to him. Alabama snuggled into his body, wrapping her own arms around his waist. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes, neither wanting to let the other go.
Finally Alabama straightened and pulled away. “I’ll see you later?”
Abe brushed his knuckles down her cheek. “Of course, sweet.”
“Go home, Christopher. You don’t need to sleep in your car. I’m okay. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”