The Life She Couldn't See

by ChaShiree M.

  Thank fuck.

  Chapter 19

  KEA

  Brunch with his mom and sister was wonderful, once I let go of my emotions from our initial interaction. His mother took me aside before we left and hugged me. She whispered in my ear, “any child biological or otherwise would be lucky to have me just as Colton is lucky to have found me.” It took everything within me not to bawl in her arms. I cannot remember what it felt like to have a mother hold me and give comfort. I don’t think my mother ever has.

  His sister is a riot. She reminds me of Phoenix, but in a different way. They are the same age, though I think Tessa is about six months older. However, they are both extremely mature for their age and I can sense a story behind her eyes. It has her cast as being an older soul. Something has happened to her, I am positive of that. It takes a victim to know one.

  Overall, the experience was successful, and I hope to repeat it. The topping to the day is when Colt asked me to move in with him. I was going to ask for more time, then when I thought about everything he’s brought into my life and how much I love him. It’s a no brainer.

  The reason I cannot sleep is we are supposed to be going to my apartment today to move everything out, and I am too anxious to sleep. I am starting a new life and feel like a kid waiting on Christmas. I cannot wait.

  I roll over onto my side thinking I will get a sneak peek of him as he rests without all he carries on his shoulders, but of course I’m wrong. As always, he is already looking at me.

  “Good morning baby.” He says kissing me.

  “Good morning handsome. How are you?”

  “Damn glad you said yes to moving in with me. Didn’t want to have to make you.” He pulls me to him, and his mouth meets mine. The blaze shooting between my legs cannot be helped. Everything about him does it for me.

  After making out for ten minutes, like teenagers, out of breath, and ready to do anything he asks. I remember what I need to talk to him about, and as usual he is completely intune with me that he knows something is on my mind.

  “What's up baby? You look pensive. Considering what we just finished doing, either I’m slipping, or you want to talk about something important.”

  “I went and saw the social worker the other day and she says I…...we cannot adopt Cole, until his father either loses or gives up his rights. She did say that we could foster him. I have another appointment with her Wednesday at three in the afternoon. I was wondering, if you would come with me?”

  “Of course, I will baby. When I told you we were in this together, I meant it. I am going to build a family with you one way or another.” He says as he kisses me.

  “Would you go with me to see Cole afterwards?”

  “Absolutely.” I love this man.

  “Great. I need to call off work today, so we can move. Then I am all yours for the day.”

  “My angel, you are and always have been mine.” he winks and walks his sexy ass into the kitchen. He has such a way with words.

  Grabbing my phone, I call my boss. “Good Morning Ace.”

  “Good Morning Kea. You on your way in?”

  “Actually, no I am not. I will not be coming in today, because I’m moving and need to pack. Since I never take time off it shouldn’t be a problem. Right?”

  “You have a crap ton of files on your desk and children who depend on you to be present and accounted for. What has gotten into you lately? You have not been as…. dedicated as you used to be.”

  Is he serious? I have worked there for five years and never have I once taken an unscheduled day off. Not even when I had the flu. I deserve this.

  “Ace, I am sorry you feel that way, but I have the time coming and I am going to take some of it today. I will be in tomorrow. My files will keep and I have no visits, removals, or court cases today. Have a good day.” I can hear him sputtering, trying to say something else. But I am not in the mood to hear whatever he has to say. Nothing is going to spoil my mood.

  As I put my shirt on, I start thinking we should have called others to help us. I don’t have much, but my Alexa Riley and K Webster book collection alone weighs a ton. Let's not mention all the Jenika Snow and Jordan Silver books. Hell. We are going to need help.

  Putting on my gym shoes and my hair in a ponytail, I bounce myself downstairs to tell him. I should have known he had it covered.

  “Hey beautiful. My guys Rec and Digger will meet us at the apartment to help.”

  “You always think of everything, don’t you?”

  “When it comes to you little mama, always.”

  “I should probably call Q and ask her to come help me with the girlie stuff.”

  “Alright. I am going to grab my sweats and we can go. Eat up.”

  He makes the best pancakes I have ever had. After devouring three of them, which is saying a lot because I am not a breakfast person, I call my sister.

  “Hey Kea. What’s up?”

  “Hey, are you working today?”

  “You know I just got back from Singapore. My plan is to sleep for the day. Why? What’s up?”

  “Crap. That’s right. Never mind.”

  “Keaaaa…. Tell me what’s going on?”

  “Nothing. I need help packing my apartment up today, because I’m moving in with Colton.” I say the last part with a full on smile I’m sure she can hear. For once in my life I am over the moon happy.

  “Holy shit!!! You're finally going to put that fine specimen of a man out of his misery? It's about damn time girl. Hell yeah. I will meet you there in an hour.”

  Before I can tell her not to say anything to anyone else, she hangs up. Damn. If my brothers find out they will be here so fast the whole world will spin.

  Pulling up to the apartment building, I am not surprised Quetzal is already there. She is closer than I am from the house. The car coming in behind us, I assume are Colton’s friends. When they exit the car, I have a sense of deja vu. Are all of them freaking giants.

  “Holy horny vajayjay. I have got to spend more time with you and him, so he can introduce me to all his friends.”

  “Q, control yourself.” I say laughing at my sister.

  When the guys walk to me and Colton, he pulls my back to his front and I can’t help the giggle that escapes my mouth. Silly man. He invites his friends and then gets jealous. Makes no sense to me.

  “Kea. I’d like for you to meet Digger and Rec. Fellas, this my lady Kea.” I hold my hand out, but the one called Rec, bypasses my hand and goes in for a hug. I barely get my arms from my side, before Colton growls and pulls me further into him. “Hands off asshole. She’s mine.” I giggle, smacking him on his chest.

  “As I live and breathe. Never thought I would see the day Colton would fall hard and fast. I’m happy for you brother.” They pat him on the back.

  “Ok...so what am I over here? Chopped liver.”

  “Shit. I’m sorry. Guys this is Kea’s big sister Quetzal.”

  She shakes both their hands, but the one called Digger lingers a bit more. He raises her hand as if to kiss it when suddenly the sidewalk is overcome with a shadow. Before I can turn around and see what is happening, Lucca snatches her hand from Diggers.

  “I will take it from here. Thanks. Moore.” He says and nods his head towards Colton’s in greeting. Colton looks slightly surprised, but let’s it go and nods his head. I am wondering what it is I am missing. I look at Quetzal, and she is red from head to toe.

  “What are you doing here? Forget that, how did you know I would even be here?” She asks Lucca, trying to put on her best angry face.

  “Princess. Didn’t I tell you, there is nothing about you I don’t know. Now come here.” She crosses her arms and refuses to move. He chuckles at her childishness and pulls her to him, with no real fight from her I might add and right here on the sidewalk and in front of all of us, he kisses her like she is his to do with as he wishes. I feel like I am intruding on a private moment. Colton must feel the same, because he pulls me around them, and the guys
follow us upstairs grunting something about all the hot ones being taken.

  Packing takes less time than I thought it would. Most of the packing is of my books and DVD collection. Of course, it was more entertaining with Q helping me. That girl can turn anything dirty.

  When we get the last of the stuff packed up, Q and I go downstairs to wait while the guys come down with the rest of the stuff. They manage to get everything ‘locked and loaded’. As thank you’s and handshakes are being done, my ears suddenly feel as if they are in a tunnel being subjected to the sound of balloons being popped all around. I barely have a second to register any thoughts before I am being shoved to the ground, along with my sister who is yelling and being cradled under Lucca.

  Everywhere around me there is yelling, running, and orders being shouted. I can see Digger kneeling on the ground with a gun in his hand, firing at something or someone. Rec is firing from somewhere else, and as the car takes off Rec and Digger give chase.

  I am just beginning to register what is happening and to take in the rest of the scene, when I hear a blood curdling scream. Q is covered in blood and on the ground. My vision begins to blur, my heart is working its way out of my chest, and the air in my lungs no longer exist. Inside my head, my brain keeps saying over and over ‘not my sister, not my sister’.

  The next few seconds everything seems to be on autopilot. I shove Colton off of me and crawl to her, pleading and begging in my mind for her not to die. Why is this happening to me? As soon as I find my happily ever after, something comes in to turn everything to rot.

  “Q where are you hurt? Please hang on. Don’t leave me.”

  “It’s not me Kea. It’s not, me.” She yells. I look around, my mind abuzz with thoughts flying left and right. Is this what it feels like to be in war? I mean I feel so helpless. I don’t know what to do.

  It’s not until she says it for the second time, that I look to the right of her and see Lucca lying on the ground covered in blood, coughing it up. Despite that, there is little to no movement to him. My stomach drops. Not Lucca. He is a part of our family. Oh God. I cry out as my hand flies up to my mouth.

  Quetzal reaches over and puts her hands over his chest applying pressure to the wound. She is whispering something to him as she cries over and over for him to wake up and look at her. To the left of me, I hear Colton yelling to someone on the phone about an ambulance, Ren, and street cameras.

  The rest of the night is a fade of murmurs and barely audible questions from the police, consoling Fae, Tony and Q, and waiting for an update on Lucca. Colton doesn’t leave my eyesight the entire time, making sure to hold me and kiss me whenever he sees my mind moving too fast. I understand we had a brush with death, and that someone both my sisters, myself and my brother-in-law care about is fighting for his life. But the only thing I can think is that it could have been Colton. It could have been any of us. I have wasted too much time being afraid and running from anything I could lose, that I almost lost it all.

  “Little mama, where are you? Where did you go in your head?” He asks, as he kisses my head.

  Looking at him, I wrap my arms around his neck, “I love you so much Colton. That could have been anyone of us out there. It could have been you. I could have lost you after I finally got you.”

  “Hey baby. Shhh ...none of that now. I told you, you’re not going to get rid of me. Ever.”

  “Promise?” His eyes soften as he looks at me. Reaching over to move some of my hair from my forehead to the back of the ear, he surprises me yet again with his words.

  “You are my whole life baby. Every piece of happiness I have is wrapped in you. We have yet to begin our journey and experience all we are going to do. Hades himself would have to come and pry my cold dead fingers from you baby.”

  I lay my head on his chest and listen to his beating heart and thank God I am not planning a funeral for my sister or the man I hope is going to be my husband someday.

  “Are you the family of Manolo Castro Luccasic?”

  We all turn to face the doctor. Ren steps forward.

  “Yes. How is he doc?”

  “His condition is stable. He is very lucky, actually. The bullet barely missed his artery by an inch. An inch to the left and we would be having a different conversation. He is asleep right now, but I will allow one person to go and sit with him.”

  We all turn and look at Quetzal. Apparently, everyone knows the worst kept secret. Sniffling and with a swollen face from all the crying, she trek’s her way to his room telling us all to go home. She will call when she has something to report. The ride home is quiet and introspective. How much more can we all take?

  Chapter 20

  COLTON

  I haven’t been able to shake the tension in my body since Monday. Since the shootout happened, Kea has had two tails following her everywhere. She thinks it’s overkill, but I don’t give a fuck. We located the car and plates, but they were stolen. Which means at this point, we still don’t know who the fuck open fired on us. There are four separate threats we have as possibilities. Finding the culprit is looking more and more impossible.

  Kea tries to act like she is ok, but the past three days she has been jumpy and really quiet. It fucking pisses me off. Not that she’s scared, but that someone has made her that way. One good thing is that today is Wednesday, and we have an appointment with the social worker. I also get to meet Cole for the first time. This should take her mind off of everything else.

  Driving over to pick her up from work, so we can make all these appointments, I can’t help but let my mind wander to the errand my sister is making for me today. I would love to do it myself, but I am nonplussed to be away from her right now. Therefore, I couldn’t do it myself.

  Much to my irritation, as I pull up to her job her boss is outside with her. Obviously, they are talking about something that is making her a bit uncomfortable. She looks flushed, upset, and it is raising my flag a bit, especially when he touches her. Turning the car off, I get out to make my presence felt.

  “Hey baby. Everything ok?” I ask her, while staring at her boss. Yeah, that’s right motherfucker. She belongs to me. As soon as she sees me, her shoulders relax, and she smiles like she needs me.

  “Hey babe. Yeah, everything is fine. Right Ace?” He looks a bit nervous now, back pedaling and shit.

  “Yeah sure. We can pick this up later. Bye Kea.” he says. His hands fidgeting with his pockets.

  I don’t remove my eyes from his as I lower my head to kiss her. He needs to see the possessiveness I have within me. To feel the raw unadulterated power behind the way I love her. He should fear me and anyone else who fucks with her.

  “Come on babe. We have an appointment to get to.” I say, ushering her to the car.

  Once we are seated inside the car, I look over and see she is making worrying motions with her lip. It is always a sign she is either nervous or upset about something. If that little pip squeak upset her, he will feel me.

  “Whats up little mama? What’s got you upset?”

  “Nothing. I’m ok. Just nervous about this meeting.”

  “Ah. No worries. They would be crazy to not let Cole have a mom like you.”

  She turns her head and gives me the brightest smile. I want to pull the car over, and bottle the damn sunshine coming out of her eyes right now. Especially, since it has been a few days since she has smiled.

  Walking into the building, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her to my side. I want her to know that no matter what, I am here, and I will battle whatever she needs. Including the system.

  “Ms. Ryan. It’s great to see you again. I see you have brought someone with you.”

  “Ms. Gloucester. I would like for you to meet my boyfriend Colton Moore.”

  “Mr. Moore. It is nice to meet you. Shall we get down to business?”

  As we sit, Kea immediately begins to fidget with her fingers. It doesn’t go unnoticed by me, that she fumbled a bit over what to call me. There is no doubt s
he is wondering if me being her mere ‘boyfriend’ is going to be an issue. I wish I could have told her, and the lady that it is only a temporary stumbling block. She will be calling me something else in no time at all. But then that would spoil the surprise wouldn’t it.

  “So, the last time we spoke, I informed you that you couldn’t adopt Cole unless his father lost or signed away his rights. But you would be able to foster him. Correct?”

  “Yes. That is correct.”

  “After your last visit and the subsequent paperwork, you filled out, the agency has decided to indeed let you foster Cole. I assume the presence of Mr. Moore means you two are cohabitating?”

  “Uh, yes. It’s new. In fact, it just happened. Is that going to be a problem?”

  I reach over for her hand to signal her to calm down. She should know I wouldn’t let this dream slip through her fingers. Even if I had to marry her right now, in this room, and in front of no one we know with a justice of the peace. I would do it.

  “Right now, no. Fostering is not as strict as adopting. However, should the circumstance arise where you are able to adopt Cole, cohabitating is frowned upon.”

  “I understand.”

  “Mr. Moore in light of your appearance in the situation, I am going to request that you submit to a background check. As well as the other common inquiries. Is that going to be in issue?”

  “None whatsoever.”

  “Very well. Provided you check out as well, you will be allowed to take Cole home in three weeks. Someone from CASA will be in touch to perform a home check, which is mandatory.”

  “That is great news. Thank you so much.”

  “You are more than welcome, Ms. Ryan. Mr. Moore. Do you have any further questions for me at this time?”

  “None for me. Colt?”

  “Not right at this second.”

  When all questions are answered we leave the facility and head for the group home. Her demeanor has certainly picked up, and for that I am grateful. I can still tell that she has something on her mind.