The Life She Couldn't See

by ChaShiree M.

  The drive home is quiet and I’m pensive. The thing I love most about Kea is that she can be quiet with me. She doesn’t try to fill the silence with words or try to tell me how to feel. She is just...in it with me.

  When we make it home, she immediately makes to walk away. No doubt feeling, maybe I need time to myself. In any other scenario, this would be true. But the thing is, I never need space apart from her.

  “Come and sit with me baby.” She sits on me, laying her on my shoulder. Rubbing my back, the whole time, she just gives me the time to collect myself. In-between the disbelief of the night, I also have moments of relief to have her.

  “I want to explain my reaction tonight.” I say. Finally calm enough to talk.

  “Babe, you don’t have anything to explain. I know what it’s like to have family keep things from you. It hurts.” This is why I love her.

  “It's more than that. Three years ago, I was in Special Ops. Unbeknownst to me, Tessa who was only 16 at the time, had been trafficked by her boyfriend. A man by the name of Damien. Luther is the one who found me over seas and told me. I left my regiment to come home and find her. When I did, she was a mess. I still cannot talk about it without feeling like my heart is dying. Then, I vowed to protect her from that moment forward. I left the service completely and started my company. The rest is history.” I take a moment before continuing to gauge her reaction. I can see the tears silently falling down her face. Wiping them away, I kiss her and continue.

  “She has been in therapy since then, and I am happy that she has been able to overcome what happened to her. But, knowing that she has been obviously dodging her detail and lying to me, along with my own parents and best friend. I saw red. I am not proud of the way I let it affect me in the moment, but it is what it is.”

  She wraps her whole body around me, sobbing for my sisters’ pain as well as my own. It cements how special she is and how lucky I am.

  “I am so sorry Colt. For all of it.”

  “Hey baby no tears. Look at me.”

  When her tear glistened eyes meet mine, I give in to the urge to drink her tears from her. I run my tongue up and down her face tasting her saltiness and bringing it into me. She gasps at the first stroke and by the time her face is dry of any unhappiness, she is moaning and moving on top of me. Of course, my cock is poking at her trying to go home, but I have a plan. And I am going to see it through.

  “I know baby. I want you too. But first, come with me.”

  She follows me upstairs, and I open the door and pull her in.

  She turns around in shock looking at the things I have added to the room for Cole, I use the distraction to get down on one knee. When she finally turns back towards me, she stops and puts her hand up to her mouth.

  “Kea. My Angel. My little one. I love you so fucking much baby. From the moment I saw you, my heart made room to everything we will be together. Kneeling in this room surrounded by all the things that make up the start of the life we are going to have, I am begging you to make me whole, and marry me. Will you be my wife baby?”

  “YES!!! Yes ...a thousand times yes!!!!” She falls to her knees with me and makes me the happiest man alive.

  Chapter 22

  KEA

  Stretching, I feel like I have woken from the most wonderful dream. The moment my hand comes down from above my head though, I know it is real. Last night, the love of my life proposed to me and I said yes. OMG! I’m getting married.

  In my wildest dreams I never imagined this for myself. I was hung up on the fact that I would never have a baby and finding someone to spend my life with seemed ...selfish. But he came along and knocked down every wall I threw up. I am so happy he did. He is indeed my destiny. Speaking of… turning over I notice there is a note on his pillow.

  Angel,

  I had to make a run to finish the room for Cole. If you need me, call. I love you. I should be back within the hour.

  -Colton

  The way he has taken to fostering and adopting Cole makes me fall more in love with him, if that is possible. The man is single-handedly making sure everything I have ever wanted, I get. What’s not to love. Suddenly, the bubbles in my stomach that are building, burst out, and I am rolling around on the bed giggling my ass off like a teenage girl. I have not been this deliriously happy in my whole life. I can’t wait to share the news with my brothers and sisters.

  Speaking of. I get out of bed and grab my phone. Without thinking about it, I know who to call first. Calling FaeWren means, she will get everyone else here.

  “Hey Kea. I was just thinking about you. How is everything going? Any residual trauma from the shooting?” I smile. She takes her role as big sister very seriously and I am grateful for it.

  “No. I was a bit scared at first, but once we knew Lucca was going to be ok and the guys upped security, I have been ok. How about you? Are you and my still cooking little niece doing good?”

  “We are fine. She is kicking me like crazy today. My feet are a bit swollen, but Ren has taken to rubbing them every hour. Crazy man.”

  “You know you love it. Women kill for a love like the two of you have. Cherish it Fae.”

  “Every day Kea. Everyday. So, you called, what’s up?”

  “Well, I don’t know what everyone has going on today, but I would like for you all to come over for dinner. You haven’t seen the place and I would like to talk to you guys. Do you think you could get everyone here? Including my nephew?”

  “Is everything ok Kea?”

  “Everything is great. I want to tell you all at the same time. Do you think you can do it?”

  “I am not sure if all the boys are in town, but I will make it happen. What time should I let everyone know?”

  “Can you guys make it say...five?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Awesome. Thanks. Love you Fae.”

  “Love you too Kea. See you then.” I lie there for about an hour when it dawns on me.

  Crap. What in the hell was I thinking? I don’t have any idea what I am going to cook. Booking it out of bed, I run downstairs to see what we have in the kitchen. Suddenly, I am stopped dead in my tracks by the sight of Colt walking in.

  “Hey little one. What’s up?” He asks me as he puts a bunch of bags on the counter.

  I don’t move, because looking at him simply takes my breath away. His face is full of two-day old stubble, which I love because when he kisses me it leaves little love burns. The intensity in his eyes when he looks at me could melt the ice in Antarctica. My eyes continue to sweep my man, and immediately his arms and their strength makes me shiver with my legs squeezing together. I was not lying when I called him Arnold Schwarzenegger. Thinking of the way those arms held me and brought me to ecstasy last night after I accepted his proposal, makes my lips feel dry.

  “You about done eye-fucking me angel? Cause I gotta tell you, watching you lick your lips as you look at me is about to get you fucked on the table. And considering we have your brothers and sisters coming, we need to get cooking. I would think you would be more careful with those ‘come fuck me eyes.”

  Holy shit…. Wait...How did he know?

  “How the hell do you know about the dinner? I just got off the phone.”

  “Apollo called me about something and mentioned it. I realized we didn't have anything to cook, because we have yet to go grocery shopping. So, I went shopping for this and for Cole.”

  Could he be more perfect. I walk over to him on shaky legs, because let's get real, who could walk straight around him.

  “What are we having babe?” I ask as I wrap my arms around him and lean my head on his chest.

  “Lasagna. A salad. And I bought a key lime pie, since I know it is your favorite. But first, I’m going to have my dessert right here.” Before I can register what he said, he has me on the counter. He falls to his knees, his hands holding my thighs wide.

  “I want my dessert first baby. Lean back on your elbows. Legs on the counter. I want you spread as w
ide as you can go.”

  “Colt.” I whine. My hips are aching to move. My body is wanting any part of him to be touching me. It’s crazy how I can be just beneath him or over him hours before, and still be so needy like it's been a lifetime.

  “Mmmmm baby. You smell like MINE.”

  Oh shit!!! His tongue touches my clit. Very tentatively, making it known he is trying to drive me out of mind. As fast as he touches me, his tongue then moves away from the secret spot where I need him. He slides his tongue from the opening of my clit, over and over making sure to apply pressure every time he reaches the little swollen nub. Holy hell. The wet noises his tongue makes with every pass are obscene and filthy. I love it so freaking much.

  “Yes Colton. Please. Feels so good. Oh god.” I can’t form a coherent sentence when he feasting on me like this.

  “You’re so sweet baby, I’m going to have cavities from all this sugar. I want you to move your pussy on and off my tongue little one. Fuck yourself on my mouth.”

  Who am I to argue? His tongue enters my hole, and I can’t stop myself. Over and over I thrust my pussy in his face, taking the pleasure he is bestowing upon me. I know all I need is for him to touch me right there in the middle and I will be a goner. My pussy is contracting around his tongue, preparing itself for the moment I reach my peak and suddenly he moves away, up my body, and kissing and licking as he goes. He pays extra attention to my nipples which he reaches by pushing my shirt up my chest.

  I hear him fumble with his belt as I pant, whine, and beg for him. He slams his mouth to mine as his cock enters me. Tasting myself on him makes it that more dirty. I find myself meeting his every thrust, rushing towards the finish line. The truth is it will never be finished between us. He is my forever.

  “Fuck baby. I’m about to cum. I need you to get there with me. Come on Kea. Squirt that greedy cunt juice all over me.” He shoves his tongue into my mouth sucking mine into his as his fingers pinch my clit, and that’s it. I’m done.

  “COLTON!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!” I shout as my stomach collapses and my muscles release. My mouth is dry from all the shouting and my heart is so full it might spill over. He lifts up and looks me directly in the eye, while his face is intense and covered in sweat. Is it crazy that I want to lick it off him?

  “Love you too little mama. So fucking much. I thank God every day for sending me to find you. I was only going through the motions baby. You brought everything to life.”

  “Colton.” I say, choked up. Words are my enemy right now so I do the only thing I can. I kiss him with every ounce of my being hoping he can feel the words I cannot say. He kisses me back, slowing my need and desperation.

  “I know baby. Me too.” We sit on the floor for a few more minutes holding one another.

  Finally, he breaks the spell. “Come on baby. We gotta get ready for your family. Go upstairs and get ready. I will start dinner and get cleaned up.” I know he is right, but I feel like if I don’t say this to him, I am a bad fiancée.

  “Colton, you need to call your family and friends. They should be coming here tonight along with my family to celebrate with us.” There. I said it.

  “I will eventually. Right now, I have other things on my mind. But I promise I will talk to them. It’s still a little raw. Ya know?” I lean over and kiss him one more time.

  “I know.” Although I do not agree, in the end, I wasn’t the one betrayed.

  “Now if that is all my love, get up and get your sexy ass dressed.”

  Sighing, I do as he says. We spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning, cooking, and preparing. It's a comfortable place to be. The domestic life I have found myself in.

  Before I know it, it is five o’clock and my family is arriving. I laugh because it's like they drove in a caravan or something. They literally all come at the same time. All of my brothers are here. There is a lot of hugging and laughing and such. It’s nice. We don’t have many of these gatherings. We get everyone served around the table, and of course Fae is the one to break the silence.

  “Come on already. Tell us why you have assembled us all here. I am dying over here.” I laugh out loud at her giddiness. I look to Colton not sure if he wants to do the honors, but he waves his hand giving me the floor.

  “Well, we wanted to tell you a couple of things. First, Colton asked me to marry him. And I said yes.”

  I barely get the statement out when my sisters are up out of their chairs yelling and screaming. I notice my brothers all get up to congratulate Colton, and my heart feels very full. Having my family here celebrating this moment, makes it that much more magical.

  “Wait. You said two announcements. What’s the other one?” asks Phoenix.

  “We are fostering a little boy named Cole, with the hopes of adopting him as soon as a few things get in order.”

  “Oh my God. That’s amazing.” cries Fae. Oh boy. Being pregnant, everything makes her cry.

  We spend an hour talking, laughing, and conversing. I ask Phoenix how she is feeling, and how the pregnancy is going.

  “Have you heard from Mikhail?”

  “Are you kidding me. Every freaking day I come home to another gift, either for me or for the baby. There are flowers, chocolates, or something waiting for me. Not to mention, the incessant phone calls. It’s exhausting. I wish he would stop. I get the stuff for the baby. It is his baby as well. But….”

  “Phoenix. Are you sure there is not a chance for the two of you? I know he lied to you about being married, but anyone with one eye and half a brain can see he loves you. Can you forgive him?”

  She looks off in the distance pensively. Her face betrays every feeling she has ever had. Always has. I can read the hurt and feelings of betrayal in her facial expressions. But I also see the yearning. That is answer enough for me. She wants to forgive him. She just needs a little push.

  She turns to me. “I honestly don’t know Kea. I miss him so much, sometimes I think I can’t breathe. But then I remember, and I can’t take him back.”

  “It’s ok sweet Phoenix. Your time will come.” I hold her for a little while. We talk about the baby and her fears. After a while everyone leaves, and once we clean up, we get ready for bed. We have a big day ahead of us.

  Chapter 23

  KEA

  I woke up this morning giddy and full of energy. Today is the day. The day Colton and I go and get Cole. Our son. And we become a family. I spent the whole day cleaning, organizing his room, decorating it, and making sure he had everything he needs. By the time we finished, we had just enough time to take a shower and get dressed. The entire drive there I am a nervous wreck. My leg is bouncing up and down, and I cannot stop shaking.

  “Kea. Calm down. Everything is going to be fine. Relax baby.” He grabs my hand to steady me. I know he’s right, but I can’t help but feel something is going to go wrong. No one gets everything they want in life. Do they?

  We make it to the group home and I practically sprint out of the car. I can hear Colton chuckling behind me and know I am being crazy, but part of my dream is about to come true. I am on pins and needles.

  “Ms. Ryan. Mr. Moore. Please come in. Cole has been up since early this morning getting ready for your arrival. Normally in these types of situations we do another hour-long interview, going over the rules and such before you can take him. I know you know the rules and all parties are anxious. I for one, would love to see you all unite. So, let’s go and see Cole.”

  The walk to the children's waiting room is the longest one of my life. When we make it to the room and see Cole sitting on the couch, I finally let go and break down. The tears fall down my face like a waterfall. I don't want to scare him, but finally having it all within my reach is proving too much. Thank God for Colton who takes over.

  “Hey little man. We are so happy to be getting you today. Kea is so happy she is crying. No worries. Ok?”

  “Ok.” Cole says quietly. I know I need to get control of myself to assure him. Wiping my face, I walk over to the couch
and hug him like I do every week when I visit him.

  “Are you ready Cole? Do you want to go home with us sweet boy?” He nods his little head. I wrap him in my arms and pick him up. Colton moves behind me and picks up Cole’s bags. He wraps his free arm around us and starts walking with us out of the building holding our new life in our arms. The rest of the evening goes pretty simple.

  We take Cole to the clothing store and buy him the things he needs. He tries everything on and likes what we pick. For the most part he is quiet and shy although he did engage when asked questions.

  “So, Cole What’s your favorite cartoon?”

  “Well...I didn't get to watch TV at my home, but at the children’s home they had Disney Junior and I got to watch Puppy Dog Pals, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins. Those are the best.”

  Hearing him being enthusiastic about something has me taking note. I make a mental note to make sure those programs are set to record on our TV. That way he can watch them anytime he wants. The rest of the night is more of the same. We ask questions and he answers. Before I know it, it is time to get him ready for bed. We saved showing him his new room until bedtime. I thought it would be more special and less overwhelming.

  “So little man, here is your new room.” Colt tells him.

  We hang back a bit, not wanting to crowd him. Although it is exactly what we both want to do. I have been watching him closely over the past few hours like a mama bear with her cub, and I know him enough to know that he wants to say something or ask something. It's the same look he used to give me when I visited him, and he was afraid to ask me a question. It was either about his dad or what was going to happen to him. I desperately want him to know he can come to us about anything.

  “Cole. If there is anything you don’t like, we can change whatever you want.” I say to him. He stops walking around the room and turns to me, pensively staring. I can feel Colton tense beside me. We are both waiting with bated breath for whatever is coming next.