Bearing It All

by Vonnie Davis

  Anisa leaned to whisper to her lawyer. “Too bad he can’t drop his pants to show everyone how I beat his ass.”

  When he removed his glasses, both of his eyes were black and blue. There were scratches on his cheeks. He leaned on a crutch to stand and held up his hands, his knuckles scabbed and swollen.

  “Honorable men of this tribunal, I implore you to end this reign of terror for Anisa Brosseau. She has served her country well. Pay her back by giving her a discharge and allowing her to move to Scotland so she can marry and live her life there.”

  The man in the middle chair cleared his throat. “We still have the matter of the cost of the drone.”

  Donnel engulfed each man on the bench with his forceful view. “Yes, you do. May I be so bold as to suggest you have Major Mouzon pay for it from the Swiss account stuffed with monies gained illegally from the Russians? Why should he benefit from betraying his country?” He sat and leaned back.

  His self-assurance was evident to Anisa, but she couldn’t relax until the verdict was in. She lowered her hand and Ronan took it. There was comfort in his touch. They waited while the officers stood in a group and whispered.

  Five minutes passed by.

  Ten minutes.

  There was much hand gesturing.

  Fifteen minutes of head shaking and nodding.

  Meanwhile, Ronan slid his chair next to hers and took her in his arms. “Baby, baby, what did that bastard do to ye?”

  “Once I have a hot bath and you rub lotion over me, I’ll be better. If you hold me in your arms all night, I’ll feel safe and loved.”

  “Done, me luv. However I can help ye, I will.”

  “Of course, all this depends on their verdict. If we win, I want champagne.”

  The officers finally sat in their previous chairs. Donnel helped Anisa to her feet. The middle man spoke, “We have reached a unanimous verdict. Anisa Brosseau will be granted an honorable discharge.” This was something she hadn’t expected. “She has two days to move to Scotland. From that point on, she can only set foot on French soil for a family illness or funeral. Major Mouzon will pay for the drone and give any remaining monies from the Russians to a named orphanage before he is confined to jail for the rest of his life.”

  The officer nodded to the guards who had escorted Anisa into the courtroom. “Place Major Mouzon under arrest and put him in solitary confinement until further arrangements are made for the remainder of his time.”

  “No!” Major Mouzon lunged across the aisle for Anisa. His eyes filled with hate. “She always gets her way!”

  Magnus roared as Ronan punched the attacker. “Ye will nay hurt me woman again.”

  The Major dropped to his knees and yelped in pain before the guards dragged him away, blood running from his mouth.

  “It’s over!” Anisa wrapped her arms around Ronan’s neck and he swung her slowly around as he whispered how much he loved her. He gently set her down. “This nightmare is finally over, thanks to you and your family.” Anisa shook everyone’s hand and hugged them all. “Thank you so much.”

  Effie took her hand. “Come with me to the restroom, Rose Petal. I’m not sure which way it is.”

  Once in the restroom, Effie put her fingertips to Anisa’s nose. “Hold still. I’ll fix this broken nose.” She applied gentle pressure and spoke a few words. “Any serious injuries?”

  “No. Just bruises.” She smiled. “I want Ronan to pay special attention to those. But I do appreciate your help with my nose. I can breathe better already.” She knew how much healing took out of Effie. She didn’t want her weakened because of her.

  “Part of my duty as a witch is to protect those who cannot protect themselves.” Effie lay both of her hands over Anisa’s abdomen and stared into her eyes. “Ye have a bairn, too small to handle much physical abuse to his mother. Allow me to chant a few words of protection. He’s fine. We just want to keep him that way.” Both women stood cheek to cheek as Effie spoke words only she understood.

  When Effie was through, she pressed a kiss to both of Anisa’s hands. “I told Creighton you might need me. Of course Earnan acted all macho because I didn’t listen to him and stay home.” She winked. “I know how to soothe the savage beast.” She pivoted and slipped out the door, her back end twitching.

  Once Anisa and Ronan said goodbye to everyone who had come for support, they went to her apartment on rue Galande. She opened the windows to let in some fresh air and showed him where the cameras and listening devices were in her bedroom and bathroom. He removed all of them while she ran a hot bubble bath and soaked her sore and weary bones. Part of her felt good to be back in her own flat and part of her was beyond ready to move on. She would be Scottish, living in the Highlands she’d always dreamed of with a man she never imagined existed.

  “Need yer back washed, luv?” Oh, that deep sexy voice of his.

  She handed him her loofah and leaned forward with a wet washcloth over her battered face. For a large man, he was so gentle with her.

  Her life had changed so much in just a few hours. “After I get out of the tub, will you gently rub some lotion on some of my bruises before I put on some pajamas? Promise you’ll hold me close all night.”

  “I will, luv. Me strength and endurance has returned.” He held up a towel and she stood. “Och, sweetheart, all yer bruises. I canna stand seeing ye hurt.” He blotted her dry, kissing parts of her that relished the touch of his lips. “I’ll hold ye, but nay sex. Not fer a few days. I’m almost afraid to kiss yer lips. They look so painful.” He gently rubbed lotion where she indicated.

  “I’ll heal. The bruises will go away.” She went to her dresser, pulled out a set of pajamas, and slipped them on.

  Ronan stood behind her and placed her sapphire necklace around her neck. “Time for ye to have this back. It looks better on ye than on me. Now, there are two gifts for ye. This one Magnus pointed out to me and the other I found on me own.”

  She took the small jeweler’s box from Cartier and opened it. There were sapphire earrings inside just like the sapphire pendant on her necklace. She gasped with joy. “Oh, I love them. How beautiful! Please tell Magnus I adore them.”

  “Magnus is pleased. He’s been frightfully worried about ye.” Ronan reached into his bag. “I picked this out.” He extended his hand with a larger Cartier box.

  “Oh, wow, this is my lucky day. I got you back. My freedom. These earrings and now this.” She opened the box and found a matching bracelet of sapphires and emeralds, the colors of the Matheson plaid. “Oh, man of mine, put this on me. I love it. I’ll always have your colors with me.”

  He closed the clasp on the bracelet. “I love ye.”

  “I love you.”

  “I’m not one in favor of long engagements, me Beauty. I’m thinking next month.”

  She burrowed into his embrace. “I’m thinking I agree.” Especially if Effie is right and I’m pregnant.”

  “Ye will always be me heart. Beloved.”

  “I need to call my mama and tell her the news. I’d like to spend tomorrow with her if that’s okay with you.”

  “I think ye would break yer mum’s heart if ye left Paris with nay contact or farewells. Here, use Creighton’s cellphone. Make some plans to get together.”

  She dialed home and when she heard her mama’s voice, she started to cry. “Ma…Mama?”

  “Anisa? My princess?” She started crying, too. “I’ve just heard on the news you were cleared of all charges. Where are you?”

  “At my apartment.”

  “Grandpa and I are on our way over. We have so much to talk about. Who is this Scottish man the news says you will marry?”

  “Ask Grandpa if he remembers an apprentice he had about six years ago from Scotland. Ronan Matheson. It’s him.” There was muffled conversation in the background and her grandpa’s “Oui, oui. Bon.”

  “We’re coming now.” The line went dead.

  Anisa looked at Ronan. “They’re so excited, they’re coming over righ
t now. Grandpa remembers you. I better slip into something more respectable. Mama will not approve of my entertaining you in my pajamas. I’ll need to please Mama. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Compared to me family, this is nothing.” Ronan smiled, watching her grab clean clothes from her dresser. “Ye look so happy. That pleases me.”

  She’d no sooner put on underwear, black slacks, and a pink sweater with a lower neckline that Ronan wholly approved of than pounding sounded at her door. She slipped on black flats and ran for the door, the tears already flowing.

  Ronan had put his jacket back on so he was in his full regalia, eager to make a good impression on his future in-laws.

  “Mama!” Anisa hugged her and kisses were shared, mingled with tears of joy.

  Her mama pushed her back and looked at her bald head and bruised face. “Mon Dieu, what have you been through? Papa, good thing you bought two bottles of champagne. She has a lot to tell us.” Her gaze swept over Ronan as he stood. “He’s quite handsome, but so young to be bald.”

  “Giselle, can’t you see he’s been injured, too. I guess they had to shave your heads to repair the injuries.” Pierre LeBlanc opened his arms for the traditional French hug. “Ronan Matheson, I remember you well. Full of questions, you were, and always eager to do your very best.” He wrapped his arm around Anisa’s waist. “Is this the man you’ve fallen in love with?”

  She held out her hand. “Yes. We’re engaged.”

  “Well, I approve!” her grandfather proclaimed.

  Her mama took a closer look at the ring. “My, it’s Art Deco. Very chic. Papa, open the champagne.” She kissed her daughter. “You know we never believed what we heard in the news about you. Never. We know our princess. Then, Gaston gave us your letter of explanation. You were always so thoughtful. Thank you for easing our concerns somewhat in that note.”

  “Ye have a marvelous daughter. She’s perfect in me eyes. We are planning on a short engagement. Perhaps, if it’s convenient, the two of you could shop for a wedding gown tomorrow. Me family owns a lodge, ye may come stay with us fer the wedding festivities. It will give us a chance to get to know each other.”

  “What date are we talking about?” Giselle glanced from Ronan to Anisa.

  Anisa gave Ronan a look that said “help.”

  “Let me call me mum. She can check open dates.” When his mum answered, Ronan explained and she asked for a minute while she opened her reservation file on the computer. “I have the second weekend of April and the first weekend of May. Three days open, both dates.”

  He glanced in his beloved’s eyes and repeated the choices.

  “The second weekend of April sounds great to me. I’ll only have a few relatives—ten maybe—coming from Paris and you’ll have your clan. It should be a small affair.”

  “Mum, put us down for the April date and start planning a wedding. Anisa is expecting around ten family members from France. We’re having champagne with her mum and grandpa now, making plans on her end. Love ye.” He ended the call. “April tenth, me luv, and we’ll be wed.”

  Her mother put her hands to her cheeks. “Yes, tomorrow will be a shopping day. We will have fun. Ronan, will you join us?”

  “No, I think I’d like to spend the day with Pierre in his shop. I have many good memories from there. Would you mind?” He looked at the old man whose face was shining with pride.

  Pierre nodded. “Yes. This we will do. Hardly anyone comes to my workshop anymore.”

  The champagne cork popped and discussion began on all the two of them had been through. Anisa lifted the flute to her battered lips and feigned drinking. She drank water, instead, just in case there was a baby. During the course of their long conversation, no mention was made of the bear shifters. Ronan was just happy he’d been accepted into her family. There was no reason to muddle their joy with something they might not understand.

  Chapter 27

  Cool March breezes from the Seine blew in the opened French windows of Anisa’s small apartment. Heat from naked skin against naked skin kept Anisa and Ronan warm beneath the blankets. Early in the morning, Anisa straddled him and ran her tongue along the seam of his mouth.

  “Ye are a troublemaker.”

  “And your voice is sexy as hell when you first wake up.” She wrapped her hand around his erection. “So is this, my man. Think how great it would feel inside me. It’s been hard against me all night.”

  He cupped her bruised cheek with a gentle hand. “Nay, ye are too bruised and sore. I will nay risk hurting you, me Beauty.”

  She laughed and lifted her hips enough to impale herself on his cock. “I promise to be gentle, if you think you can’t take it rough.” Her hands rubbed over his abs and pecs, while her hips gently rose and fell.

  “Ye drive me insane with need, woman.” His hands grabbed her ass cheeks and aided in her movement. “I canna kiss yer swollen face or lips, but I can kiss yer neck and breasts. And I can tell ye over and over how much I love ye.”

  “Tell me. Show me. Fuck me. I need you, Ronan. Now. Now!” And her violent climax made her shake and chant his name…while Ronan’s fingers grabbed her harder and he emptied himself into her. They fell back to sleep entwined in each other’s arms.

  Later in the morning, Anisa and Ronan took a taxi to her mama’s house. While Anisa insisted she could walk, Ronan reminded her she’d be doing a lot of walking as she shopped and that she was still healing. He also suggested she wear flats and carry her stilettos in a bag for when she tried on a gown. She opened her mouth to argue and his one eyebrow arched. So, she made him carry the bag of high heels, which he seemed pleased to do.

  Giselle greeted them both with a kiss to each cheek. “I have dreamed of the day I’d help my daughter pick out a wedding gown. I am so very excited.” Her mama’s face glowed with happiness.

  Ronan hugged her mama and whispered something in her ear. And her mama nodded and patted his arm. “I agree, my son.” She turned to her daughter. “Anisa, I am so impressed with your choice. I wish your sister’s husband were a third as thoughtful.” She called for a taxi.

  “All the Matheson men spoil their wives, love, and protect them. They don’t allow them to walk all over them, but they do pamper a lot.”

  “Ronan, while the women wait for their taxi, why don’t we walk to my workshop. Do you still remember the way?”

  “I remember all ye taught me and the crush I developed on Anisa that summer.” The men chatted like long-lost friends as they went out the door.

  At the first bridal shoppe Anisa and her mother entered, the manager came over, looked Anisa up and down, and almost sneered. “We do not carry sizes this large.” She waved an open hand to her.

  “Cést bon,” her mama replied. “We’ve always heard your gowns were inferior in workmanship, but we thought we’d give you the benefit of the doubt.” With her pert French nose in the air, she sashayed out. “Skin-and-bone bitch,” she muttered under her breath.

  The second shoppe did carry her size, but they were stocked for summer weddings. Anisa explained to the elderly saleslady that she was getting married in a month in Scotland, where it would still be quite cool in April. The saleslady, with her silver hair styled in a chignon, held up her crooked, arthritic finger. “I have a few winter gowns left in the back. Let’s have a look, shall we?”

  Mama leaned in and whispered, “At least this one’s nicer. Let’s look at her goods.”

  The older woman laid several gowns covered in plastic bags over a large table and looked at Anisa. “I do have a wedding gown, usually worn at Christmas, but it requires a lady with broad shoulders and large firm breasts to pull it off. I think you might be perfect for it.” She pulled out a champagne-colored satin gown with an off-the-shoulder large band of fur. A smaller band of fur trimmed the long sleeves. Fur was also at the hemline. “This is faux fur, of course.”

  Anisa gasped, thinking of the family of shifters she was marrying into. “It’s perfect. May I try it on?” She change
d into her high heels, and when the saleslady donned cotton gloves to help her into the gown, Anisa was in love.

  “Look how it fits her! I was so right. She’s got the build for this gown.”

  Her mama frowned. “Yes, she looks fabulous in it, but fur in April?”

  “Mama, trust me on this. As cold as the winds blow in off of Mathe Bay, this is perfect. I love how it fits.”

  The saleslady stepped up on a stool and pulled down a round box. “Now for the pièce de résistance.” She opened the box, unwrapped the tissue paper, and removed a pillbox hat of matching faux fur with an attached shoulder-length veil decorated with crystals. “Since it is technically a spring wedding, I could add a sprig of lily of the valley. Hold on, I have some silk flowers over here.” She was back in a few minutes with a lovely silk flower sprig and some crystals to match what was attached to the veil. Holding them both up to one side of the pillbox, she glanced at Anisa’s mama. “Your opinion, madam? Is it better with or without?”

  Her mama tapped her index finger against her chin. “With, I think. It adds that certain something.”

  The saleslady tilted her head and wrapped her skinny arm in Anisa’s mama’s. “I’m wondering…I could shorten the sleeves so they come just below the elbow, instead of the wrist.”

  Anisa imagined how that would look and discovered she liked the idea. “Oui. I like it! How about you?” She glanced at her mama, who was smiling and fiddling with her pearls—always a good sign.

  “Of course all my alterations are free and guaranteed.”

  “Well, my princess, it looks as if we’ve found your gown and veil. All that’s left is the lingerie and heels.”

  The pregnancy was wearing her down. Between naps and morning sickness, Anisa was glad she didn’t have to work for a while. The wedding was approaching in a week and her family would arrive in a few days. She hoped she could stay awake for the ceremony. Certainly, her prenatal vitamins should soon be kicking in.