“Look at him. My son…” I was in awe.
After they cleaned him off a little, they handed him to me. Elaina looked at me holding our little lad. Crying, I brought him to her and pulled back the sheet covering her nude body, lying our son on her chest.
When she touched every one of his fingers and toes, she smiled through the tears. “He’s perfect, Henry. Looks just like Nick.”
I wiped her face and mine, rested my forehead on hers, and we cried together for our losses and our new beginnings. It was truly a miracle, and I wasn’t about to take it lightly.
Once Elaina and the baby rested for about an hour, my mother sat with us, smiling at her grandson. “Well, you haven’t said what his name is yet,” she said curiously.
Elaina and I looked at each other. “Nicholis,” we said together.
“Nicky,” Elaina murmured and cuddled our baby to her chest.
Everything was perfect. I had a beautiful wife, a healthy newborn baby, and my mum was by our side as we moved toward our future. So what if we were stuck in a military camp. Soon, we would be on our way back home.
Home. I loved the sound of that.
Chapter 26
When Nicky was a month old, the head medic cleared him to travel. We were just waiting for the next flight out to New York. Sergeant Cane said it would be soon.
Trying to figure out how to care for a newborn in the camp was tough. There were a few nights our entire tent was up while Nicky carried on for hours. The medic said it was colic. I had no idea what it was, but my mum said I was the same way. I apologized profusely, leaving her chuckling.
Dawn was breaking and I was pacing the camp, bouncing Nicky over my shoulder. It was the only way I could get him to sleep more than twenty minutes at a time. I had taken him so Elaina could get some rest. My poor wife was beyond exhausted and falling asleep at every spare moment.
I heard the other group of survivors murmuring about how my son kept the whole camp awake. Fuck them. First person who said something to me about my son’s crying would be eating my fist.
My mum was heading back from the loo when we bumped into each other. She smiled and moved Nicky’s straight, black hair off his forehead. “How long have you been at this?”
“I don’t know. The moon and I are becoming best friends.”
“You’re exhausted.”
“So is Elaina, but she needs more sleep than I do. We just need to get home and settle into a routine.”
“I agree.” She brushed her fingers across my cheek. “You need a shave, son.”
I touched my chin and realized how rough my face had become over the past couple weeks. I murmured, “It seems that way.”
“Listen, let me take over for a while. You and Elaina go get yourselves cleaned up, eat breakfast…take a break.”
“I can’t do that. You’re not going to take care of him. That’s our job.”
“I want to help. Accept it.” I sighed and shook my head. “Every parent needs a break, especially with a colicky baby. I wish I had someone to offer this luxury to me when you were this age.” She reached up and took Nicky from me.
“Mum…”
“Tut. No arguing.” She raised her brow and leaned close. “You’re graying, as well. You go get Elaina, get a dose, take a nice shower, eat… Enjoy a few minutes before this little monkey is ready to eat again.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said with a smile. I leaned down, hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks.”
“Anything for my family.”
I nodded and headed to get my wife.
“Henry, we shouldn’t be doing this. Someone’s going to catch us!” Elaina giggled as I pressed her naked body against the wall of the shower stall.
“I need my wife,” I growled, nipping her ear, my cock hard and throbbing. Josie had given me three vials and this moment was a long time coming.
“I’m supposed to wait six weeks,” she said, moaning, as my hands gripped her waist and pulled her hard against me. Then I grabbed her arms and pinned them above her head, kissing her with unbridled passion. She broke the kiss. “Henry…”
I let go of her arms. “Love, we aren’t going to get anywhere with you interrupting like this.” Swallowing hard, she looked down at my cock pressed against her still soft belly. I grabbed her chin with my finger and picked her face up to mine. With my lips a breath from hers, I murmured, “You look stunning. You turn me on so fucking much. See…” I ground my hips into her. “No one could do this to me but you.”
Gripping her upper thighs, I hoisted her up, allowing her to slide down the wall, my tip pressed against her folds. With mild apprehension, she nodded and accepted my advances. I shuddered as her warmth enveloped me, reminding me of how chilled I always was.
I hated it. For once in my life, I wanted to be the warmth for Elaina.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and cuddled her face into the crook. “You okay?” I asked roughly.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“You tell me if you need anything different or if you need me to stop. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Unhurriedly and with tenderness, I began lifting her and letting her settle back down on me. She moaned after the third pass. Seconds later, she threw her head back against the wall.
“Oh fuck, love. You feel so good,” I groaned. “I’ve missed you.”
She tilted her head forward, concern in her eyes. “The same? I mean, the baby… My body…”
“Shh. Enough of your insecurities. You’re the most beautiful woman to walk the face of this earth and you feel better…” After another lift and slide, I pressed my forehead to hers. “Fuck, Elaina. So much better to me than ever before. You’re everything to me, my wife…” I fought to hold back my release, the cords standing out on my neck. “The mother of my son.” She smiled as tears filled those beautiful blue eyes. “Oh god, I love you so much,” I murmured, continuing to fill her. “I would be nothing without you.”
“Henry…,” she whispered, closing her eyes and gripping onto my muscled shoulders.
I did my best to keep myself under control and not take her as hard as I wanted to. It had been a long while since I had been able to get a piece of her.
While continuing my rhythmic pace, she arched her back. She moaned my name once more, and her release made her body tremble so hard, I thought I would drop her. After setting her down, I turned her and pressed her front to the shower wall. I popped her hips out and eased back in.
“Fuck,” I barked, panting in her ear, “So amazing. You were made for me.”
Pumping into her, Elaina came a second time. After a few more thrusts, I pulled out, ready to cover her ass with my seed. To my surprise, she twisted around, dropped to her knees, and took me into her mouth.
“Fucking hell!” I watched her bob, swallowing every bit of me, those brilliant eyes staring up at me. “My god. You’re breathtaking.” I shuddered and threw my head back, my mouth gaping, losing all control as my seed jetted down the tight channel.
Elaina stood and leaned into me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I needed a minute to catch my breath.
“Satisfied?” she asked with a wicked grin.
“You may have scrambled my brain, love.”
“Well, how about a shower then?”
I laughed. “That’s a great idea. Funny thing is we’re already here.” I reached behind her and turned the water on. The initial spray was like ice. She squealed and I laughed, turning my body into it to shield her.
We washed each other, enjoying our time alone, then dressed and headed out to eat breakfast. After the cook filled our trays, we each grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at a table by ourselves.
“This is spot on. Just what we needed,” I murmured.
The other group of survivors next to us chuckled. My gaze flickered over to them.
“It is. Quite nice for your mom to offer to watch Nicky for a few so we could have a moment’s breath.” Elaina smiled and cut into her pancak
e.
Another chuckle. I turned my head and glared at the fuckface who was finding everything we said comedic.
“You got an issue, Brit?”
I didn’t break my stare. “Nope.”
Touching my arm, Elaina said, “Henry…don’t. Let’s just eat and ignore them.”
“Sure thing, love.” I smirked, still not breaking my stare.
“Eat.” She pushed the tray at me.
“You need your woman to tell you what to do?” I didn’t say a thing and held eye contact. “Obviously, you have the same malfunction that whiny baby of yours has.” There was a low chummy chuckle between all the assholes in the group…until I rose to my full height and moved to their table.
“Henry! Sit down,” Elaina pleaded, pulling on my arm.
I reached out and grabbed the pot-bellied bastard by the throat, dragging him over the top and into my face. “What did you say?” I growled.
He choked out nothing, his mouth just opening and closing, face turning a lovely shade of purple.
“Henry!” Elaina shouted, yanking on my arm, trying to get my attention.
I didn’t hear anything she had to say. I was in program mode.
“Let me explain something to you really fucking slow, making it really fucking simple so your pea-sized mind can comprehend. Comments about my family are a no-no. You want to make comments to your mates, man the fuck up and take me on personally because I will gut you like the swine you are. You say another word about my son, you will not make it out of this camp alive. Yes, that was a threat. Go tattle if you choose.” I let him go with a shove. He tumbled over his seat, ass hitting the ground hard. I glared at them, each one trying to avoid my stare. “That goes for every single one of you assholes. I fucking dare you to say something else.”
Elaina tugged on my arm again. “Henry, sit and eat your breakfast.” I sat back down and turned away from them. Her hand trembled as she handed me the fork. “Here. Just eat and we’ll go get Nicky. He’s about due for a feeding.”
Sergeant Cane walked into the tent. He looked around, noting the asshole getting up off the ground. “Everything all right in here?”
“Peachy,” Elaina muttered as she glanced over at them. He sat across from us and followed Elaina’s eyes. The assholes were suddenly acting delightful.
“All right. Well, I thought I would let you know we’ve gotten all the arrangements made and your flight will be leaving tomorrow morning.”
The smile on my wife’s face made my heart skip. She asked, “And we will be in New York tomorrow around lunchtime?”
“Yes, ma’am. Direct flight.” She burst into tears. I grabbed and held her tight. “I’ll wake you a couple hours prior to take off so you have some time to gather your items and say your goodbyes.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much,” I said with appreciation. I held out my hand and he took it. We nodded to one another as he stood.
“Enjoy the rest of the day here.” He took one more glance at the others before he left the tent.
I clutched my wife into my chest, holding her as she continued to sob. “We’re going home, love. All of us…as a family,” I murmured.
Once Elaina settled, we finished our meal in quiet and headed back to the tent to pack.
After Gunther lay Grey down for a rest, he came over to see what the hustle and bustle was about. He glanced down at our bags. “Packing?”
“Yeah. The sergeant just said we’re leaving tomorrow.” He chewed his cheek for a moment and jammed his hand through his hair multiple times, looking torn and frustrated. “Mate, come on. Come with us.”
“I can’t if she won’t.”
“Talk to her again. I’ll talk to her if you want,” Elaina offered.
Josie and Jake came through the door. Perfect timing. They stopped in front of us with a look of surprise at seeing Elaina and I putting clothes in our bags. “Leaving?” Josie asked.
“Tomorrow,” I answered with a raised brow, knowing she hadn’t talked to Gunther yet. I had spoken to her again, telling her I had extended an offer for him, Grey, Cora, and the kids to go to New York with us.
“Umm… Gunther? Josie and I need to talk to you,” Jake said.
“Here we go,” he muttered.
“I’m not sure what your plans are, but I’d like to ask your permission to keep Josie with me.”
Gunther stepped back. “You want my permission?”
“Yes. Josie said you’re like a father to her. I want to be proper about this and make sure it’s okay for her to live with me at my house.”
“Christ.” He pulled in a ragged breath and took a long look at Josie.
As the seconds ticked on, her eyes swam, letting loose when she launched herself at him, holding on for dear life. It made Jake, Elaina, and I emotional watching Gunther care for her like his own.
She backed away. “I’m sorry,” she choked out.
He grabbed her by the shoulders. “Don’t be sorry, lass. If this is what you want, it’s what I want for you. And I so fucking appreciate this gesture,” he said roughly, holding his hand out to Jake. “Take great care of my lass. You don’t want me coming after you.”
“Absolutely not. I promise you. She’s in good hands with me.”
“Thank you. Please jot down your address for me.” He looked back at Josie. “You are an amazing daughter, and I will miss you terribly.”
Josie sobbed. “I will miss you and Grey a lot.”
“Well, we’ll just have to visit from time to time, yes?”
“Yeah.” She wiped her face. “Jake already said he has plenty of bedrooms for guests.”
Gunther reached out and touched the diamond just below her neck. “Quinn would be so proud of the woman you’re becoming. Continue on that path.”
“I will. I have her paintings.” Gunther closed his eyes tight. “Do you want them?”
He opened his eyes and took a breath. “I don’t know if I can look at them.”
“I’ll help.” She took his hand and led him to her and Jake’s corner of the tent.
Elaina whispered to me, “You better go, just in case.” I nodded and followed close behind, knowing a meltdown could be moments away. Judging from the stagger in his step, he was heading down that guilt-ridden, unforgiving route.
We all skirted behind the blanket barrier. Josie lifted the flaps of a cardboard box, exposing several paintings that were laying on their side.
“Sit and we can go through them,” she murmured.
He waved his hands in front of his chest. “I can’t… I can’t do this, Josie.”
“Yes, you can,” she encouraged, guiding him to the cot.
As she pulled out the first one—red poppies with a black background—I whispered a few obscenities, feeling my own emotions gripping my throat. Taking it from her, his hands had a tremor so profound, it worried me. I glanced at Jake and we nodded at each other, knowing we may have to catch him if he fell.
Gunther caressed the edges of the painting, slowly working his hands to the front. His fingers traced the expert brush strokes, much how I touch Elaina when we make love. Silent tears trickled from his eyes as he stared at what was once a serene outlet for Quinn.
“Josie…,” he whispered, lips trembling.
“There are so many beautiful pieces of art here,” she murmured, sifting through the canvases.
“Josie, I want you to have this one.”
She looked up from the box. “No. That’s one of the best ones in here,” she exclaimed.
“Yes, you must.”
“I can’t.”
“You will.” He swallowed hard. “She painted it to represent your effect on her.”
“What… I mean… How?”
“She told me the darkness in the background represented how she felt before you came into her life. The red poppies represent the vivid life you brought back to her.”
Stunned, Josie sat next to Gunther, reached out and took the painting. “I promise I will take good c
are of this. Thank you.”
He leaned over and carefully flipped through the stack, then came to a stop, contemplating. He cleared his throat as he pulled another painting out.
“This one is for you, as well.” He passed it over to Josie. A broken heart stitched together with long flowing thread. Fuck me. I didn’t know how much more I could take. “It represented her hope for you after Nick passed.”
“Oh god,” Josie choked. She glanced over her shoulder at Jake, who rushed to her and held her while she cried. “I feel like I’m losing her again,” she wept. “I can’t lose anyone else.”
“Are you going with Henry?” Jake asked Gunther.
“I’m, uhh… I’m not sure yet,” Gunther mumbled.
“You’re more than welcome to come with us.”
He nodded. “Thanks. Much appreciated.”
Gunther stayed seated on the cot for a moment. Suddenly, he stood, scooped up the box, and strode away. I turned and watched him head to his corner. He eased the box to the ground before flopping down on his cot. The sounds of solid cries filled the tent.
I decided to go back and continue to help Elaina pack. The air was too heavy for me. The intensity of the situation pulled at every fiber of my being, and I felt a variety of raw emotions that still had a hair trigger.
Later in the day, Jake offered himself up for a quick draw, allowing Gunther to be able to gather himself. He had made a decision and left the tent to hunt down Cora for one last bid to get her to go to New York. She was sitting under a tree, watching the surrounding activity. He walked up to her and sat, but couldn’t look at her because of the shame he still felt.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey.” She grabbed a pebble and rolled it around in her hand.
“Henry, Elaina, Nicky, and Anne are heading to New York tomorrow morning.”
“That’s nice. I’ll miss them. Good people,” she murmured.
“I thought you should know… Grey and I are going with them.” She turned away. “Cora, come on. Let’s work this out. Come with us. I’ll support your financial needs. Your kids… Our kids… I have so much love for them and look at them much like my own.”
Blind Faith (Shattered Lives, Book Four) Page 24