by ChaShiree M.
“What’s bothering you baby?”
“Nothing is bothering me, exactly. I am making lists in my head of all the things Cole is going to need. It’s going to be three weeks before we get him and it seems like a lot of time, but in retrospect it’s very short and we have so much to get and do to get ready. He needs a bedroom set, clothes, toys, etc. We have to get him registered for school, find him a doctor……” Chuckling a bit at her sudden panic and babbling, I grip the back of her neck in a move meant to calm her.
“Breathe baby. Why don’t we start with the furniture? Go online and find what you like and want him to have. Order it and have it delivered to the house. You can do that with any of the toys as well. Then, the day we bring him home we will take him shopping for clothes. That way he can try everything on. As far as everything else, let's cross that bridge when we come to it.”
She looks at me with happiness shining in her eyes, and though they are glistening with tears she has never been more beautiful than she is right now, showing me her vulnerability.
“You’re right, Colton. Ok. That all sounds like a good idea. I’m sorry for freaking out for a second. It’s only that this is something I have wanted for a long time. I want to be a mom, and with it so close I hate not to be prepared. You know.”
“Trust me, Kea. I get it. I’ve wanted something for a long time and have it within my reach. There are times, I wake up in a panic until I realize I still have it in my hands.”
“What are you scared to lose?” She asks in between a whisper and curiosity. It’s utterly amazing to me that after all of this, she is still not aware of how much she has me by the heart and balls. I shake my head running my finger down her face and moving to cup her chin, I look her in the eye and plainly state.
“You baby. I’m scared of losing you.” Tears fill her eyes and begin a freefall along with the biggest smile she has yet to bestow upon me.
“I love you too Colton. With all my heart.” The rest of the drive is quiet and introspective. Once we get through security and get our badges, we walk into what is obviously some sort of children’s playroom.
“Look, there he is.” Following the direction of Kea’s finger, my gaze lands on a cute little kid sitting in a corner all by himself. She walks towards him and as if he can sense her, he looks up and runs straight to her.
“Kea. You came back.” He says still hugging her.
“Of course, I did mister. I told you I would. Just like I always do. Hey, I would like to introduce you to my friend Colton.”
It was almost as if he finally registered my presence and his eyes grow wide. He huddles closer to Kea’s side, while waiting to see what my response to him will be. Looking at him is making my heart fill with pain and joy. I have yet to talk to him, and the same possessive urge I have to protect and keep Kea safe is now extended to this cute scared little boy.
“Hello Cole. My name is Colton. It is nice to meet you.”
“Colton? It's almost like my name.” he points out cocking his head to the side examining me. I have never wanted to pass an inspection more than I do in this moment in his eyes.
“You’re right. They are very similar.”
He cocks his head to the other side, continuing his inspection. His eyes staring straight at me. They are piercing me and splitting me open the rest of the way. Between the two of them, I will be laid bare in no time. He likes what he sees, because the next thing I know he is asking me to play with him.
“Do you like Legos?”
“Legos. You bet. I used to have a Lego fortress when I was younger. In fact, I was the LEGO King.”
“Really?!?” He asks with more than a little enthusiasm.
“Yep.”
“Do you want to come and see the ship I built?”
“Of course, little man. Lead the way.”
Kea doesn’t follow us initially. She stays back and watches like a mother hen. Any kid in the world would be lucky to have her guarding their wellbeing.
“Why did you come with Kea today?” I look up at him, surprised at such a thoughtful question from someone so young.
“She wanted me to meet you.”
“Why?” Shit! I am not sure how much information to give him.
“Well, you are important to her. And I am important to her. She thought we should meet one another.”
“Are you her boyfriend?” His direct question makes me chuckle.
“Well, can you keep a secret?” He nods.
“I am going to ask her to marry me. Soon.”
Before I can elaborate or he can ask more questions, Kea reaches us. Discreetly I put my finger to my mouth letting him know to keep what we were discussing a secret.
“Cole, I brought Colton with me today to tell you something exciting. In three weeks, you are going to come live with us.”
I look at him for any signs of excitement, trepidation, or some type of emotion. Excitement is the first emotion, though fleeting. It flickers in and out of his eyes like a candle in the wind. The more prevalent emotion is uncertainty. I can only imagine in his short little four years of life, that he has lived with more disappointment than a 90-year-old man. And this keeps him guarded.
“Cole? Did you hear Kea? You’re going to come and live with us.”
“Yes. I heard her. For how long will I be staying there?”
“Well, to start off it will be for at least a year. At the end, or even before the year has ended, we hope to be able to adopt you. Maybe sooner. Would you like that?”
“Yes. But what if my… I mean, what if Fiero comes back?”
“You don't have to worry about him little man. I am going to take care of everything. You and Kea are my first priority. I promise.”
I embrace him in a hug and the bell sounds letting us know visiting time is over. Walking away from him, I feel a piece of myself staying behind to guard him. In this one visit he has become my son. I didn’t lie to him when I said he and his mom are my first priority. I would kill an angel himself to protect them.
That is a promise.
Chapter 21
COLTON
It has been a week and a half since my first visit to see and meet Cole. Yesterday, we got a call from the Social Worker to let us know everything went through faster than anticipated, and we can get Cole tomorrow. Kea lost it. We expected to have to wait for at least another week and a half, which means we have ordered nothing. Luckily, I know people who know people and was able to get everything we wanted within 24 hours, and it should be getting delivered any minute. Of course, Kea has no idea. I wanted it to be a surprise. She is currently with her sisters at a spa getting who knows what done.
Today is the day of my sister’s party and Kea is in a snit. It will be the first time she will officially meet my friends, and she has it in her head she needs to impress them. I keep trying to tell her the only person she needs to worry about is me, and I fucking love her more than myself. She smiles, kisses me, and rolls her eyes. What? I thought it was romantic. Ah. The doorbell.
“Moore. How’s it going man? Long time no see.”
“Rocco. Good to see you. Thanks for doing this on such short notice.”
“No problem. Hell, I couldn’t believe it when Tyson said you of all people needed kid furniture delivered.”
“Yeah. I know. But what can I say? When you find the right woman everything else falls into place.”
“Don’t I know it. Well, me and my guys will have everything set up and good to go within the hour.”
“Cool. I will be in my office. Come get me if you need me. It's the first door at the top of the landing on the left.” I am in my office less than an hour when Rocco comes in.
“All set.”
“Man. That was quick. And you made sure to secure the dresser to the wall as well as making sure the shelves are secure? Did you bolt the bed to the floor?” He laughs at my concern but fuck him. That little boy is my son now…. screw the fucking courts. I will not have his safety at risk.
<
br /> “Look, we are professionals. Yes. Everything is secured and bolted. You have a great life, man.” And with that he leaves.
I walk the flight of stairs to the top and into what is now Cole's room. My heart squeezes. Standing here in this room surrounded by all of his things, I can feel my family coming together. Walking around to check that everything is secured, I am suddenly struck with an idea. I am going to propose to Kea in this room. Surrounded by the evidence of everything we are building. My pulse jumps a bit, knowing everything is within my grasp.
Satisfied with the idea, I walk out and shut the door, so she doesn’t see it before I am ready. Just in time, it would seem, because in walks the reason I breathe.
“Hey Angel. How's your morning with the girls?”
“Great! I feel like a new person. What have you been up to big guy?”
“Nothing. Only working on getting some work done.”
I pull her into my arms, and like every time the moment our mouths meet something inside me settles and revs up all at once. The dance our tongues are having is sending fire straight to my zipper. Gripping her by her luscious ass, I lift her so she can wrap her legs around me. It’s making my intentions known. As I walk to our bedroom, I ask her.
“How long until the party?” Laying her down, I can’t help being in awe at how absolutely, ethereally, beautiful she is. Laying down before me with her hair haloed around her, skin flushed with arousal, chest moving rapidly, and eyes glazed over with desire, need and love, I thank the universe for bringing me to her.
“Three hours.” She whispers, licking her lips and lifting her skirt. Looking down, I can see the wet spot on her underwear. Fucking sweetness leaking out all over her panties, taunting me. Didn’t her pussy ever learn not to tease a beast?
“Mmmm...what do you think baby? Is that enough time for all I want to do to you?” I ask the question, but I am already removing her underwear and lifting her dress over her head. I don’t care if we only had thirty minutes. Nothing is going to keep me from my pussy. I have been without the taste of it all morning. Time for her to feed me.
Four hours later, and an hour late, we are finally on our way. Kea of course is beside herself that we are running late, but I could give two fucks. What man alive is going to forgo making love to his woman and putting her to sleep in lieu of getting ready for a party?
“Come on baby. Smile at me.” She looks so fucking sexy with her arms crossed, trying to pretend she is mad.
“If you really want to blame someone little one, I did try to wake you up for thirty minutes. You wouldn’t budge.”
“If you hadn’t slipped me a cock mickey, I wouldn’t have fallen asleep.” She says smirking.
“There’s my girl. Give me your mouth.”
She leans over the console of the car. I wrap my hands around her neck and nip her bottom lip, before sucking it into my mouth. If we weren’t sitting at a fucking red light in the car, she would be straddling me and sliding her hot cunt down my cock. There is never a moment when I am not ready for her.
“I love you little Kea.” It fucking turns me on every time I call her ‘little anything’ and she blushes profusely. So fucking sweet.
“I love you too, Colt.”
When we finally pull up, I note that the security I hired is in place. I also note that there are a shit ton of cars here. Some of which, I recognize and am surprised to see a lot of them. I note, family I haven’t seen in years, since the last special occasion seen to be present.
Once I open the door for Kea and kiss her once more, I escort her to the door. Noting she is ringing her hands. “Calm down baby. Mom and Tess love you. The rest don’t fucking matter. Now let’s go, so I can show you off.”
As soon as we walk in the door, I zero in on the decorations. They are a bit frilly, but also a bit ...I don’t know ...something ...like soft. I am more confused than ever what this could be about. I look around for my sister or mom, but instead I see Andy heading our way. Kea stiffens beside me and tries to remove her hand from mine.
Fuck that!!!
I squeeze her hand harder letting her know she is not moving anywhere. Andy stands in front of us gives Kea a slight nod and she turns to me.
“Colton. I was hoping we could talk. Alone.” She says, taking a quick glance at my woman. I don't know why it took me so long to see how manipulative and bitchy she is. But fuck if I am going to let her make Kea feel anything less than my everything.
“As my future wife, anything you have to say, you can say to the both of us.”
At the mention of future wife, I can hear gasps from both ladies, and though I want to say something to Kea right now I don’t remove my eyes from Andy. I now see her as she is. Conniving and vindictive.
Before she can say anything else, Kea leans into me on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek before whispering in my ear. “It’s ok babe. Talk to her. I’m fine. I am going to find Tessa and your mom.”
She makes to pull away, but I will not let Andy think she has won anything. I pull her back into my arms and kiss my woman with every ounce of desperation I feel, when I know she is going away from me. Even a few steps. When we finally come up for air, I pat her on the ass.
“Stay where I can see you angel.” She blushes, nods, and walks away. With as much impatience as I feel, I turn to Andy.
“What is there left to say, Andy?”
“Look. I know I was out of line, Colt. But you know me. Her presence just...caught me off guard. Since we were kids, I have always thought it would be you and me. I didn’t see this coming and what do you really know about her?” Is she fucking kidding me right now?
“Andy, I have never looked at you as anything other than a sister. Anything else, you made up in your head. As far as what I know about Kea…. I know what I need to know. I can't breathe without her. I was nothing till I met her and would be nothing without her. I hate to lose a friendship that spans so long, but if you don’t get on board, eventually that is what will happen. Because understand this ...SHE will always come first. Now if you excuse me.”
With that I find Kea with Tessa and my mom cackling away like a bunch of old hens. The sight makes my heart happy. Those three women mean more to me than anything.
“Son.”
“Dad. Hey, old man.” I give him a hug and a pat on the back.
“Good to see you son. Your mom introduced me to your lady. You did good son. She is adorable.” Coming from him, that means a lot.
“So. Can I expect to be a grandfather by early new year?” Seriously. What is with old people and grandbabies.
“We are working on its Dad.”
About to excuse myself to go and get my woman, I hear the clanking of a glass. Looking up, I expect it to be Tessa with the glass since this is her party. But instead it's Luther. Now my bullshit meter is raised. I want to know what the fuck is going on.
“If I could have your attention please.”
Everyone turns around and quiets, equally surprised by the person speaking. I look across the room at Tessa with my eyebrow cocked. She and my mom are both looking at me with worried glances. Those looks more than anything has me on alert.
“Tessa can you come here baby.”
Baby?!? Did that motherfucker just call my little 19-year-old sister baby?? WHAT.THE.FUCK.
I start to make my way closer to the center of the room, which is closer to Luther and Tessa, because if this is going where I think it is, I will have lost two friends tonight. One will be by death.
“Thank you for coming everyone. Tessa and I wanted to bring you all here to celebrate our news. Do you want to tell them baby?”
The blood is rushing to my ears making it hard to hear anything they are saying. The adrenaline I feel building its way up through my veins is dangerous. Betrayal is a hot button for me. In the service it is prevalent and expected that a friend or two to turn into an enemy. But to feel it on my home turf…. fuck no… and from everyone I trusted, because there is no way my parents don�
�t know what is going on. Tessa shakes her head no at Luther. She has a worried look on her face as she is glancing at me. I cannot even pretend to make this better for her.
“A couple of months ago, I asked this beautiful young woman to marry me, and she said yes. But not before telling me, I am going to be a Dad.”
The whole room erupts into applause around me. The rage flowing through me, make it so I hear nothing but the beating in my ears. Before I know what’s happening, I am storming across the room. My face must show everything, because my dad is at my side trying to hold me back. But I will not be stopped.
I can see Tessa is trying to make Luther run, but like a real man, in this anyway, he stands his ground. I can read the remorse from here, but it's not enough. The crowd parts, almost like Moses did the sea, and I feel my fist ready to meet his face. Tessa cries and pleads with him to walk away, then suddenly my vision is clouded by the brightest light and voice of an angel. It is not until she touches me, that I register what is going on. Like I was having an outer body experience and am now coming back.
“Colton, come on. Let’s go. Please Colt. I know you’re mad baby, but here is not the place. Let’s just go.” She coaxes me. I look into her eyes and all I see is sympathy looking back at me. She wraps herself around me, grounding me. I feel my heart slowing down and the more I hold her and breathe her scent, the more I feel like me.
“Ok Angel. I’m ok. Let’s go.” I take a second to look at the faces of the ones I trusted the most to never lie to me. My mom is crying holding her hand over her mouth as my father, remorse covering his entire, tries to console her. Tessa is crying the most. Her mouth moving, I assume apologizing to me, but my ears are still clogged with static. Luther, one of my oldest and best friends, hangs his head. I take a deep breath, close my eyes trying to steady myself and when I look back down, my angel is all I see. I grab her hand and leave. I hear Tessa calling my name as I walk away from my family. Though my heart responds to her cries and pain, right now mine is more prevalent.
