CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Erica raced toward the cafeteria, holding Jennifer in one arm and the umbrella in the other. Despite wearing the right clothing and having the right protection, they were still getting soaked. The wind was blowing sideways at them, soaking their clothing to their bodies.

The little girl squealed with delight, laughing as she bounced along on her mother's hip. Seeing her coming his way, Trevor ran into the rain and grabbed the little girl.

"Thank you," said Erica, dripping on the mat inside the door. "But now you're soaked."

"It's okay, honey. No matter how hard I try to convince my beautiful wife that I'm made of sugar, I'm not." Erica laughed, watching as Jennifer squirmed from his arms and ran toward a new ‘uncle' today. Keith.

"She's learning sign language, thanks to him," smiled Erica.

"We all learn it," said Trevor. "It will serve her well later in life. How are you doing? Feeling okay?"

"I'm actually feeling great. I find that I need a nap in the afternoon, but other than that, it's been wonderful. I love being able to play my music on the property and not having to leave Jennifer. My entire world has changed."

"I can identify with that," smiled Trevor.

"Right, you recently adopted one of the children." He nodded, smiling at Marilisa.

"Yes, we did. But that's not what I meant. Have a seat," he said, pointing to the chair. "Are you hungry?"

"Famished," she smiled. Trevor waved at Chris and Fitz, signing to get her a plate of food. They both nodded, filling a man-sized plate for Erica.

"Can I tell you my story?" he asked.

"I'd like that," smiled Erica.

"I was a cocky, arrogant asshole, Erica." She went wide-eyed, staring at the man who had been nothing but kind and gentlemanly toward her. "My parents dumped me on the doorstep of a fire station when I was a kid. I didn't know it at the time, but it was because they didn't have a choice. I bounced around the foster system and not the good kind. And believe me, I know there is a good foster system out there. We work hard to ensure it. I just wasn't that lucky."

"I'm sorry," said Erica, gripping his hand. Chris and Fitz set the plates down then took their seats beside her.

"When I became a SEAL, I saw it as my license to fuck my way through the female population. Excuse my language, but it's a wonder my dick didn't fall off."

"He speaks the truth," said Chris, nodding at the woman. Erica just giggled, then sobered.

"A woman that I thought was just going to be a one-night stand for me turned out to be something else."

"Ashley?" frowned Erica.

"Oh, hell no. I wouldn't have been ready for her at that time. No, this woman was certifiably crazy. She had a sex change, became a powerful government figure, and exacted revenge on every man who ever slept with her. Including me."

"I'm so sorry."

"Not as sorry as I am. She kidnapped Ani, and I couldn't let her harm my teammate's woman, my brother's sister. So, I found where she was and traded myself for Ani. Then she started with her knife. She took one of my testicles."

"God," whispered Erica. Trevor shook his head.

"No. I deserved it. I deserved that and so much more. I regretted the way I'd treated every woman I'd ever used, slept with, left behind, and that's what I was doing. Using them. Leaving them. My doctors realized that I was suffering from childhood trauma and forced me to see a child therapist at the hospital. I was sitting in the room with these beautiful, brave, amazing children who had been through ten times what I had. Then, my Ashley walked in the door."

"She saved you," smiled Erica.

"She did, but I had to save her as well. See, she'd gone through her own trauma from an ex. He mutilated her, Erica. Destroyed my girl's spirit, and I wanted her to have it back. All those women I'd been with, beautiful, sexy women. And the one I wanted, I never thought I could have."

"But you got her. You got the girl," said Erica.

"I did. I got my girl. I saved her. I held her. I smothered her. I swore I would never be that man again. Ever."

"Why did you tell me that?"

"I see you struggling with Moose and all his attention, his suffocating," laughed Trevor. "That man loves you so much, honey. I can see it. We all can."

"He's right," smiled Fitz. "He's crazy about you."

"I-I know," she said, nodding. "I'm still feeling a bit scared, I guess."

"It's okay to feel scared but don't let it overrule what you know to be true. That man loves you and Jennifer more than his own life. He will risk everything to save the two of you." Erica stared at the three men, their serious expressions confirming what Trevor had said.

"I've never been able to fully trust anyone," she said softly.

"We know, sweetie," said Chris. "There are a lot of people here that had that same problem. There's something about a Belle Fleur man. And believe me, there's something amazing about a Belle Fleur woman."

"I'm not a Belle Fleur woman," she said, shaking her head.

"You damn sure are," said Claudette, coming up behind her. "The moment you stepped onto this property, you became one of Mama and Pops' children and a Belle Fleur girl. You're ours, Erica. Ours and Moose's."

"I don't think I knew how much I needed to hear that. I'm glad you found Ashley, Trevor. I'm happy for your family now."

"Honey, you have no idea how happy I am every fucking day. I love that woman so much it pains me to leave her even for a day. Sometimes, I'll just sit in the waiting room of the clinic so that I can be near her. I just need to catch a glimpse as she comes out to call back a patient. That's all I need."

"Are your stories similar?" she asked Chris and Fitz.

"Not exactly. I was a lot more reserved than Trev," said Chris. "I came here for an event and met Elizabeth. Her parents were using her as a pawn in a money and property game. I decided the moment I held her in my arms on the dance floor that she was going to be my wife. I was a lot older than her, but I didn't give a damn, and lucky for me, neither did she."

"She's lovely. I can't wait until Jennifer can attend school and be in her class."

"She's a great teacher and an even better wife. She's my whole fucking world," he said, smiling at his wife across the room.

"And you?" she asked Fitz, smiling at him.

"Zoe is everything to me, Erica. We had a rough start, but it was because she was trying to do something good but with some very bad people. I chased her halfway around the world and brought her home, and home is where we've stayed."

"You adopted Nigel and Spencer," she grinned.

"They're a pair. Can't separate a pair," he laughed. "We have a lot of love to give, and I've never seen a woman more naturally inclined to motherhood than Zoe."

"You're all so lucky to have this. To be in the midst of all of this love and admiration is truly remarkable. I've felt so alone for so long. Even when my mother was alive and with me. She always seemed so careful. Distant."

"That's understandable," said Chris. "She was probably looking over her shoulder her entire life, waiting for your father to come for her. I'm curious, though. Why wouldn't your grandfather have stepped in?"

"I don't know," said Erica. "I didn't even know that he was my grandfather. Another mystery that I'll probably never figure out."

"Well, you won't have to. You and Jennifer are going to have an amazing life here, with us and with Moose. Of course, when Bear comes along, it's going to get crazy in your house." She laughed, nodding at the men.

"Yes, I feel certain that this little boy is going to be a handful." Trevor reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze.

"You have no idea how happy it makes all of us to hear you laugh. Keep doin' it, honey. You're due a lifetime of laughter."