Love Above All

Chapter 4: Re-living the past

"Stop it! don't take my children! please... take me instead.

What do you want from us??" I said as a man that looked like My uncle, grabbed Darren. I heard a gunshot as I stopped and fell to the ground with my knees. Darren was on the floor bleeding uncontrollably; his brain had been shot and blood was streaming out.

“What have I done? Tell me!!! Why did you shoot my son!” I yelled, I looked at my hands and blood were dripping from them.

The man walked away pulling Jody I tried stopping him and he turned around he pulled the trigger before, it hit me....

I woke up!

“Darren!!! J..Jody” I screamed running to their rooms, I forcefully opened her door and she wasn’t there, then I ran to Darren’s I couldn't find him too.

I couldn't find them even in the theatre room, nor their playrooms

As I was about to call Catherine since she was nowhere to be found either. They walked in the house, ... I ran and squeezed them tight as a tear fell down my cheeks.

“Mommy are you okay?" Jody said as she pulled away, held my red cheeks and looked into my eyes.

“I'm fine sweetheart. I don't want to ever loss you two. Ever!” I exclaimed

“Aunt' Catherine took us out for Breakfast mommy” Darren said looking confused. “I

“I'm sorry I didn't know it was a problem mam', I thought I should take them for breakfast since you were sleeping and I didn't want to wake you up but I left a message on your phone and on the kitchen counter.

“bad dream Catherine, it’s okay. I'm just so scared I'd lose them. I... I get so worried when they are out of sight. I just get flashbacks...”

“I understand mam', should I make you breakfast.” she aske

“Yes, while I take a shower.” I said rushing to my room.

I came down in My boxers, sports bra and wet curly hair...

I heard someone knock on the door. Catherine went to go open it and I saw Tina and Ty at the door. I got up to sneak upstairs to go put on some clothes on but I saw her and I stopped dead in my tracks. She had on a short black flowy dress this time.

Catherine welcomed them in and Tina hugged her.

Ty ran up to me hugging me and Then ran to Darren's room. I’m glad they came unannounced I would have tried too hard to impress or acted unnatural.

“lil man” I said laughing before he disappeared.

I walked up to Tina whose eyes were locked on my abs. I hugged her and her body fit into mine like a missing puzzle. “You look... You look Good!” still staring.

“Thanks mama, you look drop dead gorgeous, please come in” I said, I saw that smile I was waiting to see. “you just made the house brighter” I complimented her, waiting to see an even bigger smile.

“So, what brings you here?” I asked as we walked to the living room.

“Ty kept on nagging me to come here. I tried calling you. you didn't answer so I thought I should bring him.” she finished feeling no need to explain further. I thought I was the reason she came here but Darren is a good enough reason too.

“yeah awesome. sorry let me put some clothes on, make yourself at home” I said hugging her and I kissed her cheek.

I could see she loved seeing me half naked but I had to make sure she isn’t tempted just yet. I ran upstairs and put on a white and black plaid shirt, boy shorts my blue and white Supras and let my curly hair out. I walked down stairs and she gasped. I saw her reaction but decided to ignore it. I want to play this very well and carefully so I don’t loose her.

“Want to go grab treats for the kids?” I asked breaking the awkward silence.

“Yea, sure” she said getting up

“We'll be back Catherine” I yelled.

“Okay sweetie!!” she replied.

We jumped into my Mercedes and headed to The South Mall. “You don’t seem like you take a lot of walks” she commented and I looked at her curiously.

“You have an amazing body yes-”

“You think I have an amazing body?” I asked cutting her off. I couldn’t let this one slip because it’s rare to have this woman admire my body.

“Oh gosh, am I ever gonna heard the end of this?” she asked covering her face

“Never! TINA SAID I’M BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!!” I stuck my head out and yelled that out.

“Would you stop” she said pulling me in. I refrained and smiled confidently.

“I was saying, you don’t seem like you walk... anywhere” she finished.

“I do, when I have the time” she didn’t look too please with me and she looked to her side. I couldn’t tell her my business demands 12-15 hours of my day and any time I get I spend with my children.

“I live here” she said pointing at a mansion just 3 blocks away from mine.

“what?? For real? I’m confused! How have I never seen you?”

“You don’t have the time to walk anywhere” she said passionately. I looked to the road and I heard her laugh, it made me feel better because I’d hate if we would argue so soon.

“let’s just grab Doritos and some candy.” I suggested and we did just that. We finished missioning and we decided to head back

“Oh s**t, I forgot my business phone, can I run it quickly?”

“yes defs, I’m coming with you” I said locking the door and walking behind her

Her house was painted in a grey green colour and I particularly loved what she did with her garden, she sectioned all the white roses and pink roses of the other side. The sunflowers were the centre of the garden and blossomed so beautifully.

“Where the f**k have you been b***h?” I heard a voice ask, stopping me in my trance.

“I... I” I heard a slap before I could run in and see Tina fall to the ground, I looked up and saw a female towering over her.

When I saw Tina on the floor, I saw my uncle as the female standing there and My mom as Tina. He slapped her everyday while I was locked in my room. Screams and cries was all I heard. I couldn’t protect her despite how hard I tried. He objectified her in every way.

I ran in, clenched my fists and with all my strength I swung my fist and knocked her out. I don’t know who she is or what transpired but I hate seeing the people I love being hurt. I picked Tina up, she couldn’t stop crying and I kept looking at her wiping her tears. Anger was all I felt, no one deserves to be slapped like that especially not her. I parked outside my place and took Tina in the house.

“Who is she? Why did she slap you? What's going on Tina?” I questioned looking at the red bruise across her face. “Catherine please get her ice” I requested.

“Her name is Rachel, my abusive ex-girlfriend, I broke up with her a month ago and she keeps coming to my house. She is obsessed!” I barely know Tina but I trust her, my gullibility is going to get me killed one day but something is genuine about her.

“I'm so sorry, she won't hurt you ever again I promise.” I said looking into her eyes.

She slowly kissed me, I felt weird kissing back but I picked her up and she had her legs wrapped around my waist, I slowly walked to my room not breaking the kiss; trying to be gentle and opened the door and threw her on my bed. I watched her untie her soft curly hair while I stood at a distance admiring my view, she adjusted her position and looked into my eyes anxiously. Slowly approaching her I reassured her that she is safe. I was expecting her to be distrustful and timid. I planted my lips on hers gently kissing them with every gesture I was careful. Her lower lip was fuller and felt cold and moist so I closed my eyes and locked her smooth upper lip between my lips pulling her body close to mine. Carefully lifting her shirt, I looked into her eyes and with the slightest blink and sigh I held her heart, feeling warm and content. We passionately started kissing and touching each other. I held left boob, she moaned in my ear and I kissed her further down, something gently scratched my lip, I paused and checked what was wrong. Fresh bruises and scars covered her body and I immediately pulled back and got off her.

“I'm so sorry, I just wanted to…” I got up and sat on the edge of the bed.

“It’s Rachel she did all of this. Don't be sorry I am...” Tina said, I could see she felt embarrassed because the bruises didn’t look a day older than two days. I was getting myself into something bigger and I was willing to go all in.

She was the little spoon and I was the bigger one. I was playing with her hair and I watched her sleep, she looked so peaceful. After a few hours I woke up and Tina was still sleeping so I covered her boobs with the blanket and walked downstairs.

I leaned on the door and saw the credit scene rolling, Jody fell asleep on Catherine's lap in the theatre room. I carried Jody and tucked her in bed, I checked the time before tucking her in and it was 20:00. “I love you my angel” I whispered.

The boys were peacefully asleep in the TV room but I had to carry them to Darren’s room.

“Thank you” I heard Tina say when I got back in bed.

“I tucked all of them in, get some rest.” I suggested and she went right back to sleep cuddling me even harder.