Suddenly Us

by Marie Skye

  He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t attack her that night in the alley behind the cafe!”

  I studied him for a moment. “How did you know it was at the café?”

  Blake darted his eyes around the room. “You told me.”

  I shook my head, as I got up from the chair, and walked over to the table, where all my goodies were laid. “No, I never said Gwen was attacked at the café.”

  “Then the cops must’ve told me.”

  I smiled. “Wrong again. I saw the meeting you had with the detectives. All they said was that Gwen was attacked. They didn’t say where, or even how, for that matter.” I grabbed the gas can filled with acetone. I slowly circled him, drawing a circle around him with the acetone.

  He started struggling again. “You can’t fucking do this!” I poured the acetone over him, and he started to sputter. “Okay! Okay, I did it, alright! I wasn’t supposed to take it that far. Is that what you want to hear? Me admitting to it!”

  I kneeled in front of him, as I put a surgical mask over my face. “Why target someone that never did anything to you? All she ever did was love you, which I’m now questioning why. But clearly, she saw something in you. Did you ever even love her?”

  His eyes went to his lap, and when he finally looked up, they were red rimmed. “I thought so. She had money, and if our families merged together, it would’ve been huge.”

  I nodded. “But you broke that plan, since you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants.” I stood up walking over to the table, and grabbed the single match I had set out. He saw the match in my hand, and started freaking out as I lit a candle. Vanilla scented, Gwen’s favorite.

  “You can’t do this! I have a wife, and a baby on the way.”

  I stilled. Normally something like that would’ve had me backing off, but my mind went back to the moment I set foot in the hospital.

  * * *

  “How is she?”

  Grayson shook his head. “It’s too soon to tell, she’s in surgery right now.” I felt myself becoming dazed. The lights around me suddenly too bright.

  “That’s the couple over there, that found her.” Grayson pointed to a man and a woman, sitting not far from where we were standing. “They said they wanted to stay to make sure she was okay.”

  I felt myself getting emotional, as I walked over to them. The woman looked up first. I stood there, and memorized every feature about her. Her almost jet black hair, hazel almond shaped eyes. She gave me a sad smile, as I looked at the man next to her. Reddish brown hair, and brown eyes. He held her hand tightly.

  I finally cleared my throat. “You found her?”

  The woman looked at the man briefly, before meeting my eyes again, and nodding. I extended my hand. “I’m Hawkins Michaelson. Gwen is my life.”

  The woman smiled, and stood up. Instead of shaking my hand, she wrapped her arms around me, embracing me in a hug. I stilled for a moment, before finally relaxing. “Thank you,” I whispered to her. The man stood up, patting my shoulder.

  She wiped a tear from her eyes. “I’m Connie. This here is my husband, Hunter.” I shook his hand, and noted the way he looked at Connie. They were pure love.

  “I owe you everything.”

  Hunter shook his head. “We would’ve done it for anyone. I just hope they catch the coward that did this.” I did, too.

  * * *

  I took a deep breath. Could the world have one less abusive asshole to worry about? I walked over to the table, and put my leather jacket on, then finished off the rest of my beer, before putting the bottle in a bag.

  The answer to my question. Yes. Yes, the world can use one less abusive asshole. I took the candle that was lit, and tossed it towards him. I watched as he screamed, since he caught on fire quickly. I took one last look at the man that will never bother Gwen again, before opening the door and leaving.

  I placed one call as I got into my vehicle.

  “Thank you for calling Super Rates. Where, we strive to give customers the best of locally grown organic vegetables and meats. This is Elly, how can I help you?”

  “I need a cleanup on aisle 18.”

  The person on the other line spoke. “Oh! Sorry about that, sir! I’ll have the manager there to assist in three minutes. Was there anything else you needed today?”

  I smirked. Elly took this job seriously. “No, thank you. I look forward to coming back, the customer service is great.” I hung up. We spoke in code, always code.

  * * *

  I finally got back to my apartment, after making a quick stop. Chace immediately stood up, walking over to me. “How is she?”

  “She’s still out, but she seems good. Really good.” He narrowed his eyes. “How are you?”

  I took off my jacket. “I’m good. The store had exactly what I needed, to make my mom’s homemade chicken and dumplings.”

  Chace looked down at the bag of groceries I had in my hand. Nothing else needed to be said after that.

  “You staying for dinner?”

  Chace was already headed for the door. “Not today, man. Isabella is waiting.” He waved goodbye, and I went to the room to check on Gwen. She was sound asleep. I gently stroked her hair. “I’m here for you, Gwen,” I whispered, before placing a kiss on the top of her head.

  Forty-Four

  Gwen

  I awoke to something smelling delicious. My stomach growled. I guess that was my hint. I went to the bathroom to try to make myself look semi decent. I stared at myself in the mirror. The swelling and bruises were mostly gone, with the exception of just a few.

  I shuffled into the kitchen, and was greeted with a shirtless Hawkins stirring something over the stove. I leaned against the doorframe, as I watched. With each movement, he made, the tattoo on his back seemed to come alive.

  “Are you just going to stand there admiring my ass?”

  I gasped, as he turned around, and gave me a smile. “How’d you know I was there? I was so quiet.”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “I always know when you’re near.”

  I glanced down at my shirt, which was actually his shirt. “I was admiring the art on your back. I love it.” The black angel wings that spread from shoulder to shoulder was breathtaking.

  Hawkins smiled as he went back to doing whatever he was doing, and finally grabbed two bowls out of the cabinet. He came over with the pot. Steam engulfing from the pot. “This here,” he said as he ladled some in a bowl for me, “Is my mother’s famous chicken and dumplings. Of course, it won’t be as good as hers, but I like to think I got it just right.”

  I eagerly put some on my spoon, and blew the steam. After taking a few bites, I noticed Hawkins staring at me. Did I have something on my face? I wiped my mouth. “What?”

  Instead of answering, he came around the island, and pulled me to him, crashing his mouth against mine. His tongue coaxed mine open, and I started to moan. He slowly pulled back, which prompted me to pull him closer.

  “I’ve missed you,” he whispered against my lips, breathless.

  I shut my eyes briefly. “I missed you, too.” He lifted me up and placed me on the island. His eyes wandered all over me, which made me blush.

  “I need you to say yes, to the next two things I’m about to say.”

  I looked at him wearily. He quirked a brow, in that ‘do as I say’ look. I rolled my eyes. “Okay, fine.”

  He smiled a boyish grin, and kissed me hard again. He cupped the sides of my face, bringing it close to his.

  “Move back in with me.”

  I softly smiled. “Yes.”

  “Come with me to Colorado, to meet my family.”

  My eyes lit up. “Hell yes!”

  Forty-Five

  Hawkins

  Two days later, we were in Colorado. Gwen looked a bit nervous. In fact, too nervous. She downed four glasses of wine on the plane. It was nine in the morning. I laced my fingers through hers. “Hey. You okay?”

  She took a minute before answering, and in her most chipper voice s
aid “Yeah. I’m fine. Everything’s fine. This whole thing will be fine.”

  I smirked. “So, is everything fine?”

  She slumped in her seat. “I’m scared. The only parents I ever met were Blake’s, and it wasn’t the best.”

  I exhaled sharply. That name. That fucking name. “First off, they will love you. Secondly, never mention his name or anything related to him again.”

  Gwen kept quiet as we pulled up to my parent’s house. I glanced over to her. “You ready?”

  “No,” she whispered.

  I cupped her face into mine. “You are in good hands. Remember that, Dove.”

  She shut her eyes, and took a few deep breaths. “Okay, let’s go.”

  * * *

  I did what I always did, I knocked. A few seconds later, my mom opened the door, and her mouth dropped to the floor. “Oh, my heavens! Twice in one year, this has got to be a record!”

  I smiled as I stepped forward, bringing in Gwen after me. My mom peered around me, then looked at me and smiled. Gwen stood nervously to the side. My mother opened her arms, engulfing Gwen in a hug. Gwen looked taken aback, before she relaxed.

  “You are very beautiful.” Gwen smiled awkwardly.

  I motioned toward Gwen. “Mom, I would like you to meet Gwen. Gwen, this is my mom, the leader of our pack. Gladys Michaelson.

  Gwen extended her hand. “It’s so lovely to meet you, Mrs. Michaelson.”

  My mom glanced at me and made a face. “Well. I see she’s very respectful, and has manners.” She turned to Gwen. “Could you help him get some manners? He surely does need it.”

  Gwen giggled. “And please. Call me Gladys.”

  My mother stepped forward hugging her again. “Come! Come, you must be hungry.”

  Gwen glanced up at me. “I’m not hungry,” she whispered.

  I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. She’ll feed you anyway.”

  * * *

  An hour later, all three of us were laughing. Gwen had grown comfortable with my mom, which I was happy about. We heard the door slam, followed by Annora’s voice.

  “You two will take a nap in a few minutes.”

  “That’s Annora, my sister, and the youngest.”

  Gwen nodded as Annora came into the kitchen, carrying both babies. Annora’s eyes lit up when she saw mine. But, when she saw Gwen, it was a completely different story. Annora practically stuffed the twins in my arms, as she went up to Gwen, giving her a hug.

  “You must be Gwen?” Annora squealed. She never squealed. “It’s so good to finally meet you, we were wondering if Hawky was ever going to bring a girl around.”

  Just then upon hearing Annora say Hawky, both of the twins started saying it, too.

  I looked at both of them. “Haaaaawwwwwkkkkkkiiiiiinnnnsss.”

  Twin one just giggled, and grabbed my nose.

  “I didn’t know you had twins. Hawkins hasn’t told me much about his family.”

  Annora, rolled her eyes. “Of course, he didn’t.” Annora gave me the side eye, that was also almost laughable, until she jabbed me in the rib. Annora looked at her girls in my arms.

  “Yes. It runs in the family.”

  Gwen looked at me shakily. “Really?”

  I nodded, and right then and there, Ambrosia came in to the living room, and her eyes grew wide, upon seeing Gwen. She too, went over to her, completely ignoring the fact that I was in the room.

  Ambrosia pulled back. “You must be Gwen. Hawky here has told us a lot about you.”

  Gwen looked around the room. “Unfortunately, he hasn’t told me much about you guys.” Gwen took a moment, to survey everyone in front of her.

  “So, twins really do run in the family?”

  Ambrosia spoke. “Yeah, apparently, I’m just hoping the baby bug isn’t going around.’

  ‘Oh, come on, Ambrosia. It’s your turn to pop out some kiddos,” I chided her.

  Ambrosia, rolled her eyes, as she held out her arms for twin two. I really needed to figure out who was who.

  “Come on Ambrosia, help me get Harriet and Astrid to bed.”

  Ambrosia gave me one last look, before disappearing out the kitchen.

  I sighed, turning to Gwen. “And those are my nosy as hell sisters.”

  She laughed. “They seem nice.”

  “They’re malicious, but I love them.”

  “Her girls are adorable.”

  “They are. I don’t see them often, but they’re adorable.”

  "It's kind of cool though. Two at one time."

  "Exactly, it's like buy one get one free." I pulled her to me. "Come on, let's get settled."

  I brought our bags upstairs, and got everything situated. I noticed Gwen, was still by the door. "Are you coming?"

  She hesitated. "Are we both staying in here?"

  I frowned, "Of course we are."

  She looked around the room, as she bit her bottom lip. "It's just you know...your mom, wouldn't she think we should be separate?"

  "My parents were hippies. I'm just surprised she hasn't offered you any weed yet."

  Gwen visibly relaxed as she strolled in. "My ex’s family were strict Catholics. I guess Blake was too, but he was only "Catholic" when his family was around, so I'm not sure exactly what he was.”

  I felt my jaw ticking, at the mention of Blake's name. "Probably a hypocrite, but you don't have to worry about that anymore. They're not your family, we are." I took her hand. "Come on, let me show you around."

  * * *

  After twenty minutes Ambrosia and Annora met up with us. They had that damn mischievous look in their eyes. This couldn't be good.

  "Gwen, we wanted to know if you would like to go shopping with us?"

  Gwen looked at me, before looking at them. "Sure, that sounds fun."

  Oh crap, I knew what they were trying to do. They were going to try to swindle information out of Gwen. "Hey girls, let me change, and I'll go with you."

  Annora stepped forward, placing her hand on my chest. "We said Gwen, we didn't say anything about Hawkins. You stay here and get reacquainted with your nieces."

  Ambrosia grabbed Gwen's hand leading her to the door. Gwen turned and waved at me, as she was rushed out the door. I stood there sulking for a minute, debating with myself if I was going to run after them. I ran my hand through my hair. What do you do with two-year old’s?

  Forty-Six

  Gwen

  Annora and Ambrosia seemed nice. They spoke to me as if they've always known me. How different this was from Blake's family. I almost don't know how to process that. We sat at the food court in the mall, as Ambrosia showed us the top she just got.

  "So, Gwen how long have you and Hawky been dating?" Annora rushed on.

  Ahh, and there it is. I knew any minute I was going to be ambushed. "Not too long, it's fairly new. A few months."

  "Well, we're definitely glad he's with you, unlike that one whore. She was not easy to get along with, no matter how hard we tried."

  Annora giggled. "Remember when you 'accidentally' spilled spaghetti sauce all over her blouse?"

  I watched them in amusement as they laughed. I cleared my throat. "Which whore was this?"

  Ambrosia rolled her eyes. "Rebecca." Ambrosia leaned back in her chair crossing her arms. "Cheating bitch."

  I took another sip of my iced coffee. "But, that was what? A few years back, right?"

  "Supposedly. I think they were screwing each other up until..." Annora paused, as she looked at me.

  "Until we got together," I finished for her.

  Ambrosia quickly interjected. "But that's just hearsay! He wouldn't do that."

  Or would he? I finished off the rest of my drink. We continued shopping more, and I kept thinking back to what Annora said. I mean, I shouldn't be mad, right? We weren't even together. Yet it kept niggling in the back of my head like a grenade, just ready to explode.

  A few hours later, we finally got back to the house. We found Hawkins in the kitchen, with both girls. They wer
e on the floor, on a blanket, eating what I think was spaghetti. Most of it was strewn around the blanket.

  "Um...Hawkins Kyle, why do you have my girls on the floor?"

  He looked up, seemingly surprised to see us. Spaghetti covered most of his shirt as well. "They kept dropping it on the floor, so I figured they might as well eat on the floor." Annora scowled. "Think of it as a picnic!"

  I shrugged. "You can't fault him, it's working."

  Hawkins made sure there was no noodles on him before he stood up. "I need a shower."

  "Yeah, leave me to the dirty work."

  Hawkins laughed as he started leaving the room, but not before grabbing my hand and taking me with him. He rushed us to his room. "What are you doing? I don't need a shower."

  He stepped forward and took some sauce that was still on his shirt, and smeared it on the right side of my face. "You do now. Let's shower." He dragged me into the bathroom, stripping me as we went. He didn't even wait for the water to warm up, before leading me in, and his mouth crashed against mine instantly.

  "I missed you," he murmured against my lips. His hand dipped down to the apex of my thighs.

  "It's only been a few hours," I moaned.

  He abruptly turned me around, and nipped my ear. "A few hours is too fucking long." He pulled my hips further out. "We have to be fast, and we have to be quiet. They'll start asking questions."

  Before I could respond, he slammed into me. The sensation burned, but it felt so good. "You're right," I panted. "A few hours is too long."

  * * *

  After our innocent shower, I was brushing my hair. Hawkins came up behind me, placing a kiss on the nape of my neck. “I have a confession to make.” I studied him in the mirror. “My family likes you more than they like me.”

  I laughed. “I like them, too.” My brow crinkled, thinking about what his sister said. "Can, I ask you something?"