Chaos

by Barbara Huffert

  “And I was waiting until you were here so I could see your face when I told you he was out. I’m sorry I put you through that.”

  “I should have known.” She leaned over and kissed him gently. “Thank you. I wish he hadn’t been pushed that far before he asked for help but I’m glad you were there. He could never kill anyone.”

  “Remind me to tell you more about how he was helping me later. But now I want to hear the rest of what you started to say.”

  “Okay,” Alyssa agreed, wondering what more there was. “Around dawn the day after the picnic, a few hours before I was coming home to you, a tornado hit the town.”

  “Lyss!”

  “Everyone from the motel made it to the shelter and the motel wasn’t hit but some of the town was. Since I had met so many people the day before, I couldn’t just leave. All the time I sat in the shelter and walked around the area that was hit, I kept thinking about you. I kept going back to the close calls that served to slap me in the face and made me admit that I wanted what you did. I knew that as soon as I got here I had to tell you I loved you and wanted to marry you. I knew I was ready for that house near Kiley’s that you kept insisting you’d find for us. Did you? Find it I mean?”

  “Yes. I’m already moved. I only rented it for three months though, with an option to buy, in case you don’t like it. I’ll go anywhere you want, Pix.”

  “I’m sure it’s perfect. You’ll be there and that’s all I need.” She kissed him again before she handed him a picture of the disfigured doll.

  Shane looked at it closely. “Is this?” he asked as he searched her face, filled with dread at her answer.

  “Yes.” She pointed to the hand that was mostly hidden by the doll. “When I picked it up, I saw this.” Shane shifted her so she was on his lap again, in order to hold her while she spoke. “I think I screamed because some guys came and started pulling stuff away so they could get her out.”

  “God, I’m sorry.” He feared the worst.

  “When she was free, I was so sure she was dead. She looked so little and pale. Believe it or not, I’ve never seen a dead person but I think that’s what one would look like. Chris told me I fainted when I saw her face. When I looked around again, the rescue squad was with her.” Alyssa raised her eyes to his. “She’s not dead, Shane. Somehow, that tiny child lived through being tossed over a hundred feet from where the house had been and buried beneath all sorts of stuff. She has a few scratches and bruises but other than that, she’s fine. I saw Sally at the hospital and they told me the little girl broke away from Dave because she wanted her doll. He went after her but they didn’t have time to get to the storm cellar. Dave broke his arm trying to hold onto her and had quite a gash on his head from being hit by something.”

  “That’s amazing!” Shane was awed as he looked at the destruction that was obvious in Alyssa’s picture.

  “More than amazing,” she agreed. “I stayed with her overnight since Sally went with her other kids to the temporary shelter they set up in the school. She and Chris convinced me that I had to come home this morning. I can’t stop thinking of her.”

  “What’s this little angel’s name?” Shane finally asked.

  “Cherlene.”

  He gasped. “Charlie!”

  She nodded slowly. “I wish…”

  “What? Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “I wish we could get married right away. Today. I feel like I wasted so much time this summer and I don’t want to wait. And then, I wish we could go get her. I know I shouldn’t ask this but do you think you could ever accept a child that didn’t start out as yours? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put her out of my mind. I only knew her for a day but I love her, Shane.” Alyssa looked at him with tears in her huge, green eyes.

  “There’s something I need you to see. After that, if you still want me, then yes to all of it,” he said seriously.

  “You mean…”

  “I mean, yes, we’ll get married this afternoon. And yes, we’ll go get Charlie and see if she wants to be our daughter. I can see how she affects you and I know I have room in my heart for her. You said she’s four so I think she’s old enough to have an opinion. What if she doesn’t take to me?”

  “When I left, I promised to visit. I asked if I could bring you and she said it would be all right even though you are big. Can we really do this?”

  “Hell yes! Let me make a call while you put your stuff away here. We might not be back this week and I don’t want you to worry about anything. Then we need to stop for some clothes for you and we can go.”

  “Are we going to our house? I’m sure it’s great so I don’t need to see it first.”

  “It is great but no, there’s something else. Do you trust me, Alyssa?”

  “Completely.”

  “Then go do what you need to do and let’s get out of here.” Shane kissed her before he shoved her toward her office. “Bring the pictures of Charlie with us, okay?” he asked as he pulled out his phone.

  “Okay. Going to tell me who you’re calling?”

  “Nope, it’s a surprise.” He had such a huge grin on his face that she didn’t argue.

  While Alyssa tidied up her supplies and shut down her equipment, Shane called Jesse and set everything in motion. He would find Brett, stop for Shane’s tuxedo and meet them at his parents’ home. Along the way, Jesse would arrange for the judge to be waiting to perform the ceremony and would see about papers that would legally make her Flynn’s mother after they were married. He had already found her an engagement ring one day when he and Flynn had walked around town. There was a matching set of wedding bands and Jesse was going to call his father, asking him to take Flynn to get the three rings. He’d instructed Jesse to enlist his mother to make reservations for dinner at The Mill. His life with Flynn had been celebrated there so it seemed right to start theirs with Alyssa there too. Then Jesse promised to check on Cherlene since Alyssa was unsure if she’d be able to stay with her foster family who was currently homeless. Alyssa walked back in just as he hung up.

  “Ready?” Shane asked as he pulled her against him.

  “Yes.” She laughed as he spun her around.

  “Sure you want this? We could wait and have a real wedding.”

  “I want you. We’ll have a party for all our friends soon.”

  “What about your parents and Kiley?”

  “They’ll understand and if they don’t, they’ll just have to get over it. If you’re there and I’m there, I really don’t need anyone else. Do you want to wait?”

  “Not a minute longer than it takes for you to see what I need to show you.” He kissed her thoroughly. “Seriously, Pixie Queen, I mean it when I say you need to think about this after we get there. It might make you change your mind and, if you do, you have to promise to tell me.”

  “I doubt that whatever it is will matter but what if I do change my mind?”

  “If you do, I’ll go back to my plan of wearing you down until you decide it’s easier to marry me than it is to keep resisting me. I’ll never give up. It’ll just take us longer.” He chuckled at her expression.

  “You’re making me wonder, McKade. Let’s go so I can see what this big mystery is.”

  “You’re on, Campini. You need clothes and then I think I’ve stalled long enough to let everything else get underway.”

  Chapter Thirty

  “Why don’t you try to grab a little nap?” Shane suggested as he drove away from her apartment. “You have plenty of time.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “I can’t tell you that just yet.” He patted his leg. “I’ll let you use me as a pillow.”

  Alyssa gave in and stretched out across the seat that Shane had already adjusted so the consul wouldn’t be in her way. When she snuggled against him, she noticed the scar peeking out from his shorts on his other thigh. Reaching to trace it, she gasped, “Shane. How could I have forgotten? If I hurt you…”

  “Rel
ax. The pleasure you gave me far outweighed any discomfort.” He smoothed her hair from her forehead. “It doesn’t bother me much at all anymore. I would have told you if it had hurt too much.”

  “Promise?” she sounded doubtful.

  “Promise,” he assured her. “I had a checkup last week and I’m healing just great. I’ve been walking and swimming so I don’t lose much muscle and I can start lifting slowly in another week or so.”

  “Okay, if you say so. I’ll let you rest later.”

  “No way. If you think I’m not going to make love to my wife on our wedding night, you have lost your mind!”

  Alyssa giggled, lifting his shirt and kissing his stomach. “God, that sounds so good.”

  Shane groaned. “Yeah but you better not do that again while I’m driving.”

  “Distracting, huh?”

  “Oh yeah.” He grinned wickedly. “Sleep, Campini. I plan on keeping you up most of the night and I don’t think you’re up to it at the moment. I’ll wake you when we’re almost there.”

  She sighed. “Wherever there is.” She settled more comfortably. “We’ll see who keeps whom up tonight.”

  * * * * *

  “Isn’t this the town where you grew up?” Alyssa asked after Shane woke her.

  “Yep.” He was even more nervous now than when he had brought the Kid here.

  “You okay, McKade? Or are you squirming because you’re having second thoughts? I’ll let you back out today, if you want but I have to warn you. I’ll be sticking close until you decide it’s easier to marry me than it is to keep resisting.” She deliberately used his words.

  “Not a chance, Campini. You’re stuck with me.” Why was he even bothering to worry about this? With her reaction to Cherlene, she’d surely accept Flynn. But it wasn’t the same. Not at all the same. Cherlene was a little girl who had people who loved and cared for her even they weren’t her parents. Flynn was an ex-gang member with parents who spent most of his life making him feel unwanted and useless. Would she want Flynn? What the hell was he going to do if she said no and forced him to choose between them?

  Shane approached his parents’ house and saw that Jesse hadn’t parked his car out front. At least that explanation could wait. When he grabbed her things, he heard the door open. Turning, he saw Flynn standing on the steps. He was clearly unsure what to do. When Shane and Alyssa reached him, he shifted nervously, moving close to Shane’s side.

  “This is my surprise,” Shane said as Alyssa looked suspiciously at the boy, not understanding.

  “I don’t get it.” She switched her gaze away from the boy and back to Shane.

  Shane laughed. She didn’t recognize him! “Let me introduce you. Alyssa Campini, my fiancée, I’d like you to meet Flynn McKade, my son. You may remember him better as the Kid.”

  Alyssa gasped. “Oh my God! Is it really you? Wait, did you say your son? When… How… You look incredible!” Suddenly she moved, grabbing Flynn to her in a hug as tears started streaming down her cheeks. Through her laughter, she said, “You’ve grown. And your hair. McKade, why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

  “I wanted Flynn with us when you found out.” He wrapped his arms around both of them. “I almost told you though, when you asked if I could ever accept Charlie.”

  “Who’s Charlie?”

  “Well…” Shane waited for Alyssa.

  “Hopefully, if she’ll have us, your little sister.” Alyssa quickly explained how she met Cherlene. “Can you believe I was afraid Shane wouldn’t want a kid who wasn’t his?”

  “Does that mean you’re going to be my mom instead of just Dad’s wife?” Flynn asked, not wanting to take any chances.

  “Your mom,” Alyssa sounded awed. “Flynn McKade, my son.”

  “Sounds damn good, doesn’t it?” Shane grinned at both of them.

  “I’m so happy you’re here.” She hugged him again. “For the last six weeks, I thought you were dead. As soon as we figure out how to do it, we will.”

  “It’s really very simple.” Jesse joined them on the steps, along with Brett, and Shane’s parents. “All you have to do is fill out the form I happen to have with me and get the judge to sign it after he signs your marriage license.”

  “Jesse!” Alyssa flung herself at him.

  “Why is it they always do this after they’re committed to someone else?” he teased.

  “Must be that fate and destiny stuff you keep talking about,” Brett commented as he captured her from Jesse.

  “I guess this means we’re getting another daughter-in-law to go along with our grandson,” Danny took his turn welcoming her.

  “Actually, Alyssa managed to find us a daughter too. Just as soon as we go get her.” Shane’s grin grew.

  “So that explains the plane tickets Jesse mentioned.” Rose tugged Alyssa inside, making the rest follow.

  “Why don’t you show them your pictures?” Shane urged as he reclaimed her.

  After Alyssa passed them around, she told them the story of her last few days. When she was finished, Flynn spoke up. “Damn, she looks like a fairy princess! Oops.” He looked sheepishly at Rose. “Grandma doesn’t like it when I swear.”

  “Then I’ll need to watch my mouth too,” Alyssa declared, causing them all to laugh.

  “Hmm.” Shane studied the picture over Flynn’s shoulder. “A fairy princess to go with our pixie queen. Think we’re up to it, son?”

  “I don’t think we get a choice, Dad. We can’t give them up so we’ll have to figure out how to handle them,” Flynn stated.

  “He’s only eleven,” Shane muttered as Alyssa looked surprised. “Our son is this insightful and he’s still only eleven.”

  “Wow,” Alyssa whispered. “I have so much to learn about this parent stuff.”

  “Don’t worry, Pix, Flynn will help us.” Shane kissed her as the rest broke out in chuckles again.

  “I hate to interrupt but I think it’s time for you to get ready. The judge will be here soon and you might want to change your clothes,” Rose suggested. “Come with me, Alyssa. You can get dressed in our room and let this bunch take over the rest of the upstairs. Gentlemen, give us an hour and we’ll see you back here.”

  “Okay.” Alyssa’s eyes went huge and glazed over with fear when she glanced over her shoulder at Shane as Rose propelled her away from him.

  “Wait.” Shane stopped them and tugged Alyssa into the kitchen. “I love you.” He kissed her sweetly. “Last chance to say you want to wait for something more organized and formal with guests you invite.”

  “This is perfect.” She rested her head against his chest. “The man I love, the boy who’s chosen to become our son, the two friends who were with us from the beginning and the couple who took care of my guys when I wasn’t around to do it myself. That’s all the people who matter the most. I’d like Cherlene to be here, the rest of our families too but I’m not willing to wait for that.” It was Alyssa’s turn to kiss him. “I can’t believe you did all this.”

  “I had help. All right, since you’re certain.” He knelt in front of her and took her hand. “Will you marry me?” He held up the box that his father had slipped into his hand.

  “Shane!” Alyssa stared at the ring he lifted from it. “How… When…”

  “You keep asking those same questions. I’d really prefer it if you answered mine instead.” He was still on his knee.

  “Yes! Definitely and forever, yes!” She watched as he slid it on her finger. “It’s beautiful.”

  “You think so? Flynn and I picked it out a few weeks ago. There’s a matching band too.”

  “I love it. I never expected this.”

  “Why not?” He kissed her more thoroughly. “I want the world to know you have someone at home when you’re out, taking your pictures.”

  “Does that mean you get a ring too?”

  “It does. I’m not one of those men who isn’t willing to display my commitment. I’ve never worn one but I’ll get used to it. I want everyone t
o know that I’m spoken for too.”

  “Somehow, I’m not at all surprised. Let’s go, McKade. I have this incredible guy, all hot to marry me and I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

  “I wouldn’t worry, Campini. I know he’d wait forever if it meant he got you in the end.”

  Their kiss was interrupted by the sound of Flynn clearing his throat. “I’m not looking.” They saw he had his hand over his eyes. “Dad, Mom, please. Don’t make me go back out there without you. Grandma has that look on her face and she’s starting to scare me. You can do that stuff later on.”

  “Mom,” Alyssa sighed.

  “Ah, jeez, not you too.” Flynn rolled his eyes.

  “Knock it off, kid.” Shane yanked him between them. “It’s as big a deal as the first time you called me Dad. Get used to it.”

  “Yeah, yeah, can we go now? If you don’t get the wedding stuff over with, you don’t get to sign the paper and I won’t say it again.”

  As Flynn tugged on their arms, Alyssa asked, “Is he this tough about everything? I thought we were parents and he was the kid.”

  “We are and he is but I gotta admit that I haven’t done much with the authority bit yet.”

  “Don’t believe him for a second, Mom,” Flynn declared as they walked back into the living room. “He’s been making me spend almost everyday getting caught up so I’m ready for school and he reminds me to be polite all the time.”

  “Did you hear that, Danny? Flynn called her Mom,” Rose sniffled.

  “Oh shit!” Flynn grumbled. “That’s it. I’m done with that until later. I was just seeing how it felt.”

  “And?” Brett asked.

  “As good as it did when I called him Dad and them grandparents and you guys uncles. I’m sure Aunt Kiley and Uncle Jordan will be just as bad. Christ, just wait ’til Charlie says it. We’ll have to do this shit all over again. Ah, damn!”

  “Alyssa, I think that’s our cue to go. Flynn forgets himself more when he’s excited.” Rose overlooked it this time.