by ChaShiree M.
“No. I like it. I just don't want to break anything for the next little boy that you bring here.” He says with so much sadness my heart literally breaks. Right here on the floor this little boy has slayed me. I can’t clear the emotion from my mouth fast enough. Didn’t have to though. Colton comes to the rescue.
“What other little boy Cole?”
“The one you will bring here when you decide you don’t want me anymore.”
“What?!?” Colton and I both exclaim at the same time.
“What would make you say something like that?”
“At the home a lot of the boys get taken, but then they come back. Sometimes the families get a baby and decide they don’t need the bigger kids anymore.” My poor little man. Is this what he has been thinking the whole time?
“Cole. Baby look at me. Colton and I want to be your mom and dad. We are not doing this for a little while, or until we get a baby. We didn’t ask for anyone but you. Ok? I know it is going to take a while for you to trust us, but know you are our son. Together we are going to be a family. How does that sound?”
He looks back and forth between the two of us, finally he nods his head, and whispers, “I would really like that.” Not being able to hold back anymore, I engulf him in a hug, and he hugs me back. The best feeling in the world. Aside from being in Colton’s arms.
The rest of the night is spent giving him a bath, tucking him in, and spending two hours reading to him before he falls asleep. Apparently, no one ever did this, and he demanded book after book, enjoying having the attention. By the time we turn out the lights and make it into our bed, I am emotionally exhausted. I hold tight to Colton, thanking God I have him with me through this. Then I fall asleep in his arms where everything is always ok.
Chapter 24
KEA
I have never been as excited as I am right now getting up on a Monday for work. The week before Cole came, we got him registered for school and talked to his teacher about his situation. We also met with the psychologist from the district. Colton and I decided we wanted him to have as much help as possible getting through this difficult period in his life. We want him to have more than just us as options to talk to.
All of that aside though, I am looking forward to waking him, helping him dress, making his breakfast, and fixing his lunch to take with him. Then there is getting in the drop-off lane of the school and anything else you can think of. All of these things, I never thought I would experience. Now, I get to be a mom to this wonderful sweet boy, but also with a loving supportive man beside me. Unfortunately, today I won’t be able to drop him off. Waking him though is just as wonderful.
“Good morning sweet boy. Time to wake up.” I say to him rubbing his face and placing a kiss on his cheek.
He moans and grunts as he comes awake. It is the cutest damn thing I have ever seen. I continue to rub his head until he opens his eyes and looks at me. His sleepy eyes meet mine. We are two halves of the same soul, me and this little boy. He wants a mom and dad that will love him, treat him like the miracle he is, and to show him what unconditional love feels like. I want to do all of those as his mom.
“Good morning.” He says a little hesitant. I can’t imagine being him. Waking up in a new place, surrounded by people and things he is not used to. “You ready for your first day of pre-K?” I ask him kissing his head and moving the cover off him.
“Yeah. I’ve never been to school before. My dad wouldn’t let me leave the house other than to stay next door with my friend when his and my dad had to make a run.”
“My sweet boy. I am so sorry you had to live through that kind of life. But I promise you, you will get to see and do everything every other child your age gets to do. The first one is starting with pre-k. You are going to have so much fun. Get to meet so many new friends. I want you to know, everyday either me or Colton will drop you off and one of us will pick you up. We will ALWAYS come back for you. Ok?”
His eyes convey hope and doubt. Rejection, but acceptance. Hurt with the need to heal. He gives me a look, as if he wants me to make it all better. God what would I give to make this all go away? He gets up and dresses. When we get downstairs, Colton has already showered and is making Cole, Mickey Mouse pancakes. My man looks good being all domestic.
“Good morning baby.” He says kissing my lips. Unlike previous mornings, we now have a little person in the room, which means, PG smooching is all we get. I’ll take it though. I will take all I can get with this man. Every single thing he wants to give me.
“Good morning little guy. Pancakes sound good?” Colt asks him ruffling his hair.
“Ok.” I look at Colton and a knowing glance passes between us.
Breakfast is a quiet affair. Before I know it, Colton and Cole leave the house to go to school and I am on my way to work. There is a lightheartedness inside of me now. Even, I can see it. I feel free and alive for the first time in my life, since learning about my medical issues. Nothing can destroy the new happiness I have found.
Not even knowing, that I need to talk to Ace about his behavior the other day. I'm still baffled about the vibes he gave me. Never once in the years I have worked with him, did I get the impression that he felt anything for me other than friendship. Though to be fair, I was oblivious to these things.
When I get to the building I go straight to my desk. First, I check my phone for messages and make sure I don’t have any emergency removals I need to get done. Also, it’s to fortify myself for the conversation. I am about to go to his office after ascertaining I have no urgent messages, when I get interrupted by the girls.
“Hey wench. Where have you been all weekend? I thought we were going to hit a movie.”
“Oh crap. I forgot all about it. I’m so sorry. I was a bit preoccupied with…. THIS!!!” I hold my hand out to show them the ring.
“OH MY GOSH!!!” They both exclaim in unison.
“Congratulations!!!! Kea. Holy shit girl. That ring is amazing. I am so happy for you.”
“Thank you Ashlei.” She hugs me.
“That’s not all that happened this weekend ladies.” I know I am beaming and can feel it. I finally have everything I have ever wanted within my grasp.
“We got Cole this weekend. For now, we can’t adopt him until his dad has been convicted. But we are officially his foster parents, which is the first step.”
“OMG!!!! You don’t waste time, do you? I am so happy for you girl.”
“Thank you, Carlie.” We are so busy laughing and hugging that I don’t hear Wendy, the front desk clerk come over.
“Sorry to interrupt girls. But, Kea. HR would like to see you immediately.”
“HR? For what?” I ask.
“I am not sure. Alison called and asked for you to go up.”
Perplexed, I know they couldn’t be upset about Cole. Right? What would be wrong with me fostering a child that needed a home. Who cares that I was the one who removed him?
My mind is racing as I take the elevator up to the sixth floor. When I make it up there, I am no closer to figuring out what the issue can be. I have never been written up. I’m always on time. My work is by the book and all of my paperwork is filled out and filed when it is needed.
“Kea. Thank you for coming up so swiftly. I know you might be a bit confused about what is going on, so I will get right to the point. There have been a few complaints filed against you by your supervisor. He is claiming you have unfinished work and non-commitment to the job. You have been leaving work early without notice and have a negative attitude towards authority. As you know, we cannot have this sort of behavior. So, I am sorry, we are going to have to let you go.”
My mind is racing, trying to catch up with the information she just threw at me. Logically, I know there is only one person who could have made the complaints. I sit there for a second, knowing she dismissed me, but my mind is on overdrive. I know I should say something. Tell her about the strange way Ace has been acting. Make her go through my files and prove what s
he is saying. But the truth is, I don’t need any of that. This job, I realized, was a way for me to do something I never thought I would get to do. Take care of children. But now...now, there is a little boy who needs me at home. Nothing is more important than that. So, with my head held high and my back straight, I walk out of her office and don’t look back.
I make it to my desk and sit there for a moment. I sit here looking at the stacks of papers, post-it notes everywhere, blinking voicemail and mountains of files, I feel…relief. I no longer need this job to define me and there is no void anymore that needs to be filled. I have a family of my own. A little boy, who will be home from school soon and actually does need me. I am going to go home to him.
I pack up my desk and as I am walking out, I see Ace off to the side. The look in his eyes is not one of satisfaction as I would have thought. He looks angry. Dare I say, vengeful. It gives me the creeps and I walk a bit faster to my car. When I get in, I take a second to message Colton what happened and tell him I will see him in a bit, before starting the car. No. I am not sad to be leaving. Actually, I’m grateful for the job. Without this job, I wouldn’t have Cole. At this moment, I would say I have won.
Chapter 25
COLTON
That pissant motherfucker got her fired? It is not how I saw our first day as parents going. I woke up this morning thirty minutes earlier than Kea and Cole and stared at my woman for a few moments. She is so fucking beautiful, but when she sleeps, she looks like an angel. Her face serenely glows. Her lashes are long and almost touch her cheeks. She is enticingly sexy, however ever since she stopped fighting us, she smiles while she is sleeping and there is nothing more beautiful than that.
Knowing that it is my love for her, which makes her light up even in sleep has me feeling larger than life. All I have wanted to do, since the moment I first laid eyes on her is to give her anything her heart desires. Knowing how much she wanted to be a mom, I would move heaven and earth to give her what she wants or needs.
Cole is the cherry on top of the cake for us. The little boy is fucking amazing. He is cute and sweet. I don’t understand how a man, a real man can hurt something that fragile and defenseless. My father is a stern man, set in his ways, and likes things a certain way. But he is also loving, affectionate, and he listened to my sister and I. He would never have done the things to me and Tessa that Fiero has done to his son. Dumb fuck. He’s mine now.
I have been feeling on top of the world all day knowing I get to go and pick up my boy after school, and then we head home to make dinner for Kea. Getting that fucking message from her has blown me away. She said she is not sad. But what the fuck?
“What’s up Colt? You went from cool to beast in two point five seconds. What happened?” Fucking Paxton. His ass is here trying to plead Luther’s case. I haven’t talked to him, my sister, or my parents since the party. They don’t know about my engagement or about Cole. I cannot under any circumstances abide betrayal and lies. Being in the service I have seen my share of double agents and soldiers getting killed, because of secrets and misinformation. I won’t do it out here. Especially, not from my own family and the people who claim to care about me.
“Kea just texted me. Apparently, she has been let go at her job.” I say with gritted teeth. The rage grows more and more as I talk about it.
“Damn man. That’s messed up. How is she taking it?”
“Over text, she seems fine. She said she would talk to me when she gets home. It makes me extremely pissed, Pax. The only reason they let her go is because her fucking boss wanted in on the action, saw me, and realized he didn’t have a chance. When did that become a fucking acceptable excuse to ruin a woman?” The thoughts in my head are racing with scenario after scenario of how to get to him. No one fucks with my woman and gets away with it.
Bzzzzz.
Who the hell is ringing the buzzer? I am not expecting anyone. Buzzing whoever it is in, I turn back to Pax to end our conversation. As I start, none other than Apollo walks into the room. To say I am shocked is putting it mildly. Then, I am on alert.
“Is something wrong with Kea? Did something happen? Why didn’t she call me?” I grab my keys and am about to sprint out the door when he stops me with a chuckle.
“Whoa. Calm down there buddy. As far as I know, Kea is fine. She is not why I am here.” He says looking at Paxton. Taking the hint, Pax gets up to leave.
“Think about what I said Colt.” With that he walks out.
I sit back down in my chair to let my heart settle back down in my chest. I’m strung so fucking tight. Between Fiero, Damien, and Lucifer, and now the fucking pansy ass momma’s boy getting my woman fired. It’s a wonder I don’t keel over.
“Apollo. What can I do for you?”
“I want in on Nighthawk.” Well shit. I didn’t see that coming.
“You want to leave Prey?”
“No. I would never abandon my brothers. I would do that by day, and Nighthawk at night. On the times when you need me to go on a rescue, I would take off.”
“I assume you have talked this over with them?”
“Yes. They understand. After hearing about the abuse Phoenix suffered at the hands of that monster and my father, I want to help save other little girls like we couldn’t do for her.”
“Yeah man. I hear ya. I know you know this, that my sister also went through something similar. Which is why I came home early from the service. She is what got me into this line of work. Her trafficker is still on the loose, so I get it. Well man, welcome aboard. It will be great to have an extra set of hands. If you give me a couple of days, I will set up an informational meeting with you on the ins and outs and introduce you to the boys that are in town right now. I also need to get you into the system and scrubbed so we can create identities for you, and shit like that.”
“Thanks man. I appreciate you welcoming me.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re family now. Shit, speaking of. I have to go pick up Cole from school.” Getting out of my seat, I grab my keys and jacket.
“Yes. How's that going? When are we going to get to meet our new nephew?”
“Soon brother. He is going with you guys to meet your grandparents over the weekend.” I am not too happy about her and Cole being that far away from me right now but knowing her brothers will be there is helping me not to lose my shit.
“Cool. Alright, thanks again for letting me be a part of what you are doing. As always you have the services of Prey Security at your full disposal. Just take care of my sister and my new nephew.” He says looking me dead in my eye. Gotta respect a man that loves and protects the women in his life.
“Apollo, that is something you never have to worry about. I didn’t believe my heart was anything other than an organ taking up space in my otherwise hollow chest, until the moment I saw her. Then I knew she was the reason, I was created. To serve and make her happy. She’s my light man.” And I mean that with all my heart.
Driving to pick up Cole, I will myself to calm down. When I get my boy, I don’t want him knowing something has upset me. He has had enough turmoil and angst in his short little years.
Bzzz.
Who the hell is calling me now? I look down at my phone and immediately my body goes on autopilot. I see it is a text from a burner phone.
Be on alert friend. Lucifer and Damien have been spotted in the city. Not sure why. Once again Fiero has been apprehended. Found the other three missing girls on our board. Recon almost done. Send invite when ready to go in.
~R
Fuck! This is not good. Two out of my three enemies are on my home turf. My body begins to remember the amount of energy needed to go to war, and so does my mind. I went from one war zone to another when I started this line of work. The Only difference is, this war can follow me home and destroy everything I am building. ‘Get a fucking grip Colt.’ Maybe it's good they are going out of town this weekend. I need a few days to try and flush out these motherfuckers without my family being collateral.
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br /> Pulling up to the pickup zone of Cole’s school, I once again clear my mind. Looking around, I see other parents waiting outside for their kids. They have smiles on their faces anticipating that their kid is coming out the door and running to them. I can't help but be a little jealous. It’s understandable and I know Cole has a bit of a way to go, but I look forward to the day it will be us.
The bell sounds as I make my way to the sidewalk. I start to chuckle, as I get conflicting looks from parents. The dads are looking at me as if I’m stone cold Steve Austin, or something coming to claim their title. The moms look at me like I am their last meal. I shake my head and move further towards the door.
I see Cole walking out and I stand there waiting and trying not to overwhelm him. I need for him to come to me at his own pace. When he finally reaches me, I ruffle his hair.
“How was school little man? Did you have a good first day?”
“It was ok.” He says and looking at me like he’s scared to say something to upset me. This pisses me off. Fiero is lucky he is in custody. It is the only thing stopping me from putting a bullet in his sorry ass.
“Cole, you can tell me anything. You do know that, right?” He kicks a rock around on the ground as he looks down. I can see the wheels turning in his head as he decides whether he is going to tell me or not.
“The teacher was nice. Some of the kids are nice too. But some, they didn’t want to play with me.” Shit. My chest hurts hearing some snot nosed kid slighted my boy.
“Listen Cole. You should ignore the ones that don’t want to play with you and play with the ones that do. Maybe the others are shy too and are waiting to get to know you. Ok?” He looks at me pensively at first and then cracks a smile.
“OK.”
We walk to the car hand in hand. I have never felt taller, than holding my son’s hand. As we are getting in, I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. I take it out in case it’s Kea, but instead I see the name of my parents on it and decide to hit ignore. I can’t even begin to deal with that shit. There are more important things to deal with, considering I didn’t tell them about Cole or our engagement.