Her Shield (The Uncut Series Book 1)

by D. Camille

“I want to spend time with my wife, traveling, sleeping through the night, making love on the dining room table.” He kissed her hand. “You can't really do that with babies and kids.”

  “The dining room table?” Her eyes lit up.

  He smiled at her. “Yeah, the dining room table, the kitchen counter, the window, the wall, the floor, the bathtub...”

  “She'll be a lucky woman,” Isis responded softly.

  He stared at her for a moment. “No Princess, I'll be the luckiest man alive.”

  They arrived at the elaborate banquet hall overlooking the water. Marc helped her from the car and retrieved the gifts from the back. Taking her hand, they walked inside and found the ladies of honor along with their husbands. The mothers and mothers-in-law were also already in attendance with Jordan and Sage's daughter, Diamond who was sitting on her Grandma Silver's lap.

  Everyone greeted the couple, some with looks of surprise as Marc had his hand possessively on the small of Isis' back. Isabelle smiled happily, as she came to greet her sister who looked as if she was glowing.

  Isis hugged her sister warmly being careful of her rounded belly. “Isabelle you look so beautiful.”

  “So do you Isis,” Isabelle responded looking up at Marc who had removed his sunglasses.

  Isis reached out and touched her sister's hair which was now nearly to her shoulders. “I love your hair. We're going to look like twins pretty soon.”

  Isabelle looked over at Ray. “My husband likes it this way.”

  “Your husband loves it any way that makes you happy goddess,” Ray said as he appeared at her side. He turned his attention to Marc.

  “What's up Marc?”

  “I'm good,” Marc responded.

  Ray looked between Marc and Isis. “I see.”

  Sean appeared and joined the group. “Hello Isis. Thank you for coming.”

  Isis smiled at him. “Hi Sean, congratulations!” She gave him a slight hug. When they separated, he looked at Marc. “Why don't I show you where to put those gifts?”

  Marc nodded and glanced at Isis before taking off with Sean. As the men walked away Sean asked, “What did you find out about Dr. Smith?”

  “Nothing, after I talked to her, I agree she's hiding something but everything comes back squeaky clean on her. She has a plausible explanation for every situation,” Marc explained.

  “I know,” Sean agreed. “She'll slip up.”

  Marc shook his head. “She's on the top of her game Sean.”

  “Let me know if you find out anything,” Sean said as they reached an area reserved for gifts. Marc added the gifts to the already filled area.

  He glanced over at Sean. “How many people are here?”

  Sean shook his head. “Those are just the gifts the women gave each other and the mothers.”

  Marc looked back at the pile. “You all certainly do things your way.”

  When the men returned to where everyone was gathered, Trent and Callie came through the door with gifts.

  “What's up everybody?” Trent asked smiling.

  Jordan turned to his brother. “Why are you so damn late?” he asked.

  Trent looked at his watch. “Uh, me and Callie were...”

  “Studying,” he said.

  “Sleeping,” Callie said.

  They spoke in unison then turned to each other as all eyes looked at them.

  “Yeah, sleeping,” Trent corrected.

  “Yeah, studying,” Callie changed.

  Jordan frowned. “How the hell are you sleeping and studying?”

  Trent gave Callie a naughty smile then turned to his brother. “We studied until we fell asleep.”

  Jordan pointed at him. “Boy, don't make me hurt you.”

  Trent laughed and turned to the women. “Congratulations my beautiful sisters! I can't wait to meet my new nieces and nephews.”

  He connected his gaze with his current niece. “Hey Diamond girl.” Diamond scrambled from her grandmother's lap and ran to her uncle. “Uncle Tint!”

  Trent handed the gifts he was holding to Callie and scooped up his niece kissing her cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on his cheek.

  Callie smiled at them. “Hi Diamond.”

  Diamond waved. “Hi Callie.”

  Jordan turned to his wife. “You see how well she can talk? We're killing that Moon and Sun God.”

  “It's fine Jordan,” Sage said rubbing her overly extended belly with a sigh.

  Marc stepped forward. “Why don't I take those for you Callie, since I know where they go?”

  Callie turned to him. “Oh thanks Marc.” As she handed him the gifts, Trent's mother, Carolyn noticed the shiny band on her left hand.

  “Did you two get married?” she shouted coming over to them and everyone looked at Trent.

  “What the hell!” Jordan yelled.

  Sean looked at his brother. “Trent?”

  Trent put Diamond down and she ran back to her grandmother's lap.

  “Everybody chill...Callie and I did not get married.” He took her hand as everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “Yet...”

  All heads snapped back to him. “I gave Callie a promise ring because I am going to marry her.” He stared at Callie. “I wasn't going to tell you guys today but since I'm already in spotlight...”

  He looked at his brothers. “I've been asked to intern and head up a project for the West Africa Cooperative Security Initiative for the next two years. I leave in three months.”

  “What!” the entire family exclaimed at once.

  Carolyn wrapped her arms around him. “NO! I just got you back. You can't leave!” she cried.

  Callie lowered her head and concentrated on not crying. She'd promised Trent she wouldn't when he told his family.

  Trent hugged his mother. “It's okay Ma.”

  Carolyn turned to Callie. “You want him to do this?” she asked.

  Callie looked into Trent's dark eyes. “It's a great honor and opportunity for him. They need him and he's the best,” she said slowly containing her emotions.

  Jordan and Sean moved to his side. “Is this what you want to do?” Jordan asked.

  Trent shrugged. “I didn't want to leave but Callie's right, it's a great opportunity for me to establish myself. I know I just found all of you, but I know you all will be here for me and it's just two years. I'll have my degree when I get back and I can start my life.” He looked at Callie. “My real life.”

  Carolyn grabbed his shirt. “Will you be safe over there?”

  Trent held her hands. “Yes Ma, I'll be working for the government.” He looked down at his mother. The mother who had given him away at birth but now was an integral part of his life. “I know I just found you, but now I know I have the rest of my life with my mother.” He kissed her cheek as a tear slid down her face.

  “Don't cry Ma, we're here for a celebration. Besides you have grand babies to take care of while I'm gone.”

  Carolyn touched his face. “No one can replace you honey. You're my baby boy and I love you.”

  “I love you too Ma.” He hugged his mother. “Everything will be fine.”

  “Excuse me...” Callie said quickly before leaving the room.

  “Callie?” Trent called after her.

  She kept walking. “I'm fine.”

  Isis watched her go then looked at Trent. “I'll check on her.” She rushed behind Callie and caught up with her outside as she walked down to the water.

  Callie turned to her. “I'm fine Isis. You didn't have to come out here.”

  “I can't imagine what you feel right now Callie. I know how much you love Trent.”

  Callie smiled sadly. “Everybody loves Trent.”

  “Yeah, he's that type of guy,” Isis agreed.

  “You loved him too?” Callie asked lifting a brow.

  Isis smiled. “No, I didn't love Trent. I liked him... a lot. More than I allowed myself to admit.” She looked at Callie. “But I wasn't in love with him and he
certainly didn't love me.”

  “I think I was a little jealous of the way he fell for you,” Isis admitted. “But there was no doubt in anyone's mind that you are the one for him. You make him a better man. He's grown so much, so mature now and that's because of you.”

  Callie lowered her head. “I don't know what I'm going to do when he leaves. He's my baby.” She couldn't stop the tears that flowed.

  Isis placed her arms around Callie. “It's so wonderful that you're strong enough to encourage him to go. He's coming back to Callie, you can be sure of that.”

  Isis looked up and saw Trent approaching. She patted Callie on the back and stepped away as he arrived to take her gently into his arms.

  Isis looked at the pair for a moment. “Congratulations Trent. I know you'll do great things over there.”

  “Thanks Isis,” Trent said holding Callie close.

  “I'll leave you two alone.” Isis turned to walk away and Callie called after her. “Thanks Isis.”

  Isis paused. “You're welcome Callie.” She then continued back to the building where Marc was waiting for her.

  “Is she okay?” he asked.

  Isis nodded.

  “Are you okay?”

  Isis glanced back out at the pair holding each other near the water and thought that she was once envious of the way they felt for one another. She looked up at the man standing next to her and knew that was definitely no longer the case. She was happy that Trent and Callie had found love because she may have messed up her chances of finding her very own superhero.

  She smiled at Marc then reached up to touch his jaw. “Yes, I'm more than okay.”

  He leaned down to kiss her and she readily accepted. Eventually they began to head back inside and Marc turned to her. “Is this what happens at baby showers?”

  “Not usually,” she answered smiling.

  He laughed. “What else is going to happen?”

  They opened the door and heard screaming before they both rushed to the area where everyone was still gathered. Marc took in the worried look on Jordan's face along with a crying Diamond then turned to Ray.

  “What's going on?” Marc barked.

  Ray looked at him. “Sage just went into labor!”

  Chapter 16

  Trent looked down at Callie. “Have you changed your mind? Do you want me to stay?” he asked.

  She looked into his beautiful dark eyes. “I'm sorry. I didn't think it would get to me this way.”

  “You know that I'm doing this for us.” He touched her face. “I want to be able to take care of you the way my brothers take care of their wives.”

  Callie smiled. “You're so sweet baby. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too sexy girl, you changed my life.”

  “You changed my life too Trent. I never knew someone could be as sweet as you.”

  Trent pulled her close. “I'm going to miss you so much,” he breathed.

  Callie held on to his strong body. “I'm going to miss you too,” she whispered.

  They both looked up as cars begin to race up to the building. Security agents jumped up and headed inside.

  Callie looked at Trent. “What happened?”

  Trent shook his head and took her hand before taking off towards the door. “I don't know, but with my family, there's no telling.”

  They hurried to the building and rushed inside where they found everyone standing around Sage and her mother Silver.

  “Just relax...” Silver said calmly.

  Sage looked at her mother. “I am relaxed. Jordan is the one you should tell that to.”

  Jordan frowned down at his wife. “Dammit Sage, don't do this to me! You have two more weeks!”

  “Well you should tell your son that Jordan!” Sage yelled.

  “Relax Sage...” her mother warned stroking her forehead and shooting a glare at Jordan.

  Ray stepped over to his brother-in-law and best friend. “Jay, she's fine. The cars are here to take you to the hospital.”

  Jordan looked at his friend in anguish and nodded. He then knelt down next to his wife sitting on the chair.

  Gently he touched her face. “Pretty girl, I'm sorry. You know how I am about you. I can't stand seeing you in pain.”

  Bright brown eyes looked into his troubled dark ones. “I know Jordan.” She smiled at him. “I think your son is ready to meet his Daddy.”

  Jordan placed his hand on her abdomen. “I can't wait to meet little Mr. Black.”

  “Can we not have this baby right here?” Sean interrupted.

  Jordan looked up at his childhood friend. “Okay Sean,” he responded frowning some more.

  “Where's Diamond?” Sage asked trying to see through the people standing around her.

  Trent stepped forward with his niece clinging to his neck. “I've got her. Callie and I will take care of her.”

  Jordan looked at his little brother. “Thanks Trent. Let's go Sage,” he said helping his wife up.

  Outside Jordan, Sage and Silver piled into one car; Lily, Lavender, Carolyn and Sean into another, then Ray and Isabelle into a third, another car was waiting for Trent and Callie.

  Trent, Callie, Diamond, Marc and Isis watched the cars pull away then turned to one another.

  Isis laughed. “I swear this group always has excitement.”

  Trent shook his head. “Tell me about it.”

  Another car pulled up and they all watched as the door opened and then smiled as Lily's sister, Lotus exited.

  She looked at the group and rushed over to them. “Family! Oh I missed y'all. Man, I'm late!”

  “Hey Lotus!” the group greeted her and she hugged each of them.

  Lotus knew the history between the group and looked from Trent to Callie.

  “You two are still together right?” She slid a look at Isis.

  Trent laughed while holding his niece. “Of course, you know Callie has me whipped.” He glanced down at her and smiled.

  Callie smiled back at him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “And you know Trent is my baby.”

  Lotus looked at Callie then at Isis. “You two cool?” she asked.

  Isis smiled. “Yes Lotus, Callie and I are fine.”

  Lotus then looked at Marc. “And how do you fit into this equation Agent Graham?” she asked lifting a brow.

  Marc slipped an arm around Isis' waist. “I fit in right here.”

  Lotus' eyes widened and locked on Isis. “Well, well, well...I guess fine as hell, sexy and dangerous does appeal to you after all?”

  Trent and Callie both looked at the couple in surprise.

  Lotus laughed. “I'm so happy to be back. Where is everybody?”

  “Sage went into labor so everybody is on their way to the hospital,” Trent explained.

  “What? I thought she had two more weeks?” Lotus questioned.

  “Mommy?” Diamond said looking at Trent after hearing her mother's name.

  Callie looked at Trent. “We should get her to the hospital.”

  “Yeah, we should.” Trent agreed. “Lotus, do you want to ride with us or take another car?”

  Lotus grinned. “I'll ride with Marc and Isis.” She turned to them. “Do you mind?”

  Isis shook her head and Marc glanced at her before responding, “Sure Lotus. We'll drive you.”

  Trent laughed as he took Callie's hand and the trio climbed inside.

  Marc led Isis and Lotus to his car and opened the doors for both women. As he walked around the car, Lotus leaned forward.

  “I think he's even finer than the last time I saw him,” she told Isis.

  “Lotus, please behave.”

  Lotus laughed as Marc climbed into the car. He started the engine and drove off as Lotus leaned forward again.

  Gently she touched Isis' arm. “I'm sorry about your father.”

  Isis turned to look back at her. “Thank you Lotus,” she said softly.

  Lotus sat back in her seat and watched as Marc reached over and took Isis' ha
nd. She watched as Isis turned and smiled softly at him.

  “So how long you two been smashing?” she asked.

  “Lotus!” Isis yelled turning in her seat.

  “Girl, don't even try to play. It's all over y'all faces.” She leaned forward and looked between the two. “And you look like you ready to get it in right now.”

  Marc glanced at her. “Lotus, really.”

  Lotus laughed. “Okay, Agent Graham.”

  “I don't understand her,” Isis told Marc.

  “So the last time I saw you two, you didn't even like each other; now you're all in love, so inquiring minds want to know?”

  Isis turned and looked out of the window intent on ignoring Lotus until they reached the hospital. She quickly turned back when she heard Marc's voice.

  “What happened Lotus, is that this beautiful, incredible woman has allowed me into her life.” He stared at Isis from behind his sunglasses. “And I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure I stay there.” Marc brought Isis' hand to his lips and kissed it.

  “Awww....damn. I need to move to Cali. Y'all got some kind of love potion out here,” Lotus said sitting back in her seat.

  When the three arrived at the hospital, they found everyone on a private wing in a large waiting room. Lotus' mother, Lavender rushed over to her daughter.

  “Oh Lotus, I forgot to call you in all the commotion. I'm glad you made it here.” Lavender hugged Lotus.

  “It's okay Mama, Isis and Marc gave me a ride here.”

  Lavender smiled at the couple standing to the side before she walked over to them. Reaching up she touched both of their faces gently. “Oh, you're both actors.”

  Isis looked confused. “I'm an actress Mrs. Masters, Marcus is an FBI Agent,” she corrected.

  Lavender studied the tall man in the glasses. “The stage is life, isn't that right Marcus?”

  She placed a hand over his heart and gave a little press. “Give this to her,” she whispered. Lavender turned and smiled at Isis before winking, then went to join Lily and Sean where they were sitting.

  Isis turned to him. “Mrs. Masters is different, just like her daughter.”

  Marc slowly came out of the trance that Lavender's words had put him in. “Yeah, I guess so.” He could still feel the sting of her hand on his chest as he stood watching Isis.

  She placed her hand where Lavender's had been. “Are you okay babe?”