Falling for the Fallen Angel

Chapter 6

Noelle’s POV

Once the doctor released me, I was taken to a black SUV in a wheelchair with Jacob pushing me. Daniel went ahead of us to meet Becca and the boys at the house and try to explain to his nephews what he could for the time being. The ride to Jacob’s house, home as it now would become, was quiet but comfortable. Jacob held my hand, caressing the back of it with his thumb. He had a calming effect on my nerves, but I kept wondering if that would continue once the new wore off and I was in the middle of the madness. The MC is well known and the fact that they have a hand in the criminal activities is known, but no details are known. I knew I would have to find out everything in order to know how to best cope with the information and keep my children safe. This was guaranteed to be a learning experience. 

Twenty minutes later, we pulled up outside his beautiful  house. It was all white with black trim and black shutters. The porch wrapped around the entire house and all around the porch were beautiful flowers of all types and colors. Rose bushes on either side of the steps leading up to the front porch were bright red in color and beautifully kept. This was not the home you would expect to see the VP of a MC living in, but Daniel had told me his mom had chosen the house and done all the work on the flowers surrounding it. I admired his close relationship with his mother and wondered how she would feel about me and my children and how fast things were moving with Jacob. I pushed that thought aside as Jacob opened my car door and helped me out. A second later, my two youngest boys, Bryson and Chase, came running out screaming “mommy” at the top of their little lungs. 

“Mommy, did you see the big house we are moving to?” “Mommy, why are we moving here?” “Mommy, who is he?” “Mommy, where is daddy?” 

They both began asking the questions as soon as they reached me in the driveway. I took a deep breath as they continued to ask questions and toddle around. I knew these questions were coming and I had prepared myself to answer them, appropriately to their ages. Bryson being 5 and Chase being 4, they would accept my answers without knowledge of any difference and I would tell them the truth when they were old enough to know. It was the best I could do for now and I knew it, they would eventually find out the truth, but I didn’t need to ruin their childhood right this moment by finding out their father is a monster. 

“Boys, let’s go in the house and mommy will help you understand a bit better, okay?”

“Okay mommy!” They yelled in unison and Chase grabbed my hand, toddling toward the house, while Bryson ran ahead to Daniel on the porch and into the house. 

Once inside, with Jacob’s help, as I was still weak and recovering from major surgery and broken ribs, I sat on the couch. Jacob sat to my right and Daniel to my left and placed the boys on the floor in front of us, so we had them within reach and had their full attention. 

“Boys, we are going to live here now. It’s a bigger house, so Jacob and Becca can live here and help me out with you guys and Aiden. There will be lots of people around all the time, so you will never be alone or bored, and you will never have a reason to be scared. You are safe here and none of the people who come around will hurt you. But, this is very important, so listen carefully, no matter what, if you see your daddy anywhere, you do not go to him. OK? Daddy has done some bad things and is in a lot of trouble. Hopefully, one day he will make better choices so you can see him again, but for now you are not safe with daddy. I know this is confusing and scary, but you always have mommy and I will answer any questions you have.”

Bryson was the first to speak with tears in his eyes, “Did daddy make your face look like that mommy?” He was a very observant child and very in tune with the pain of others. I knew I couldn’t lie to them.

“Yes, Daddy is making a lot of bad choices right now and he hurt Mommy, but remember everyone can choose to turn their lives around from what it is and make better choices, right?”

They both nodded and sat thinking for a few minutes. Suddenly, Chase turns to Bryson and whispers in his ear and Bryson nods his head while I look at him questioningly. 

“We decided we don’t like Daddy. He hurt you Mommy. Making better choices won’t change that. We don’t want to see Daddy anymore.” 

I wasn’t sure what to say and turned to my brother for help. I didn’t want them to hate their father, but at this moment, that seemed inevitable. Daniel confirmed my thought when he shrugged at me letting me know he wasn’t sure what to say to help the situation either. It was Jacob who spoke up, “You boys have a right to feel how you choose to feel right now, but you also have a right to change your mind later. If you ever do and your Daddy makes better choices, all you have to do is tell us and we will take you to see him, okay?”

“Okay. Can we go play now?” Chase asked with a twinkle in his little eye. So easily distracted and for once I was thankful for that. I nodded and watched Bryson help Chase up three stairs before Daniel caught him and picked him up. Chase still didn’t do well with stairs. I would need to put the gate up to keep him from trying to get down there and falling. 

“That went… as well as can be expected I guess.” Jacob finally spoke. 

“It did, but I do not wish for them to hate Jordan. He is their father no matter what, I just am not ready to feel safe enough to have him around them yet.”

“Noelle, baby, that’s normal. It’s also justified given what you are still recovering from. I hope you understand that as long as you are here with me you are safe.”

“My brain understands that, but my subconscious is eating at me and keeping me always watching over my shoulder. I wish I could make that part of my brain shut off.”

“Princess, this will be a healing process both physically and mentally. You should prepare yourself for that process and be ready for it. I just want you to know I will be here every step of the way and I won’t falter at protecting you and those kids. Speaking of, when will Aiden be returning?” 

“I am not sure. I will call Michael when I get the chance and find out. I know he is scared to bring him right away. Aiden is older and will likely understand more, so seeing me in this condition is not in his best interest right now.” I sighed and looked down at my hands. I already miss my sweet boy and the separation from him hurts, but I know his father will keep him safe at all costs and bring him home as soon as possible. 

As I am lost in thoughts trying to choose how best to handle everything that I have to deal with, my brother returns to the room and he and Jacob are lost in a conversation. I have apparently missed a large chunk of the conversation because when I look up they are both looking at me expecting an answer. 

“I’m sorry. I was lost in my own thoughts. What were you asking me?”

“My sister, always in lala land. We were asking what you would like for dinner? The boys have requested McDonald’s, of course.” 

I laugh knowing, given the chance that it is always their go-to. “Okay, so McDonalds for the boys and I don’t know about the two of you, but I could go for a huge juicy steak right now. How about Rico’s to go?”

“That sounds like a great idea baby. Daniel, call them in and grab the food and some beer. What do you want to drink, baby?”

“Just soda for me, the boys need their mom sober and I just had surgery yesterday. Daniel, my debit card is in my wallet. Could you grab it for me?”

“No! Your money is for you and the kids to spend on whatever you wish for, baby. I will pay for the food.” Jacob stood up, got his wallet out, and handed Daniel cash.

“On the topic of money, I need to call the office and explain my absence and let them know when I will be able to return.”

“Yeah, babe, about that, Daniel, and I think you should give your resignation.”

I wanted to fight and yell, but I first needed to know the reason behind their sudden agreement on this. I took a deep breath to calm myself and looked Jacob in the eyes. “Why?”

“Well, there are a few reasons, but the top of that list is your safety. Jordan knows where you work and, while he may be too cowardly to do anything at all, I would rather be safe than to be sorry when he hurts you or worse.”

“Okay.” I waited as he looked at me. “You said there were a few reasons, I would like to hear all of them.”

“Okay, these reasons are the ones I need you to keep an open mind about and give me a chance to get it all out.” He paused, letting me know he was waiting for confirmation that I would give him his chance. I motioned my hand for him to continue, letting him know I would listen. 

“Noelle, I have more than enough money to take care of you and OUR boys. You don’t need to work. You simply need to be a mom and enjoy your time with the kids, enjoy their childhood. Also, please be open-minded about this one, because you are with me and I know you won’t be in the dark about the things we do in the club, your place will be with the club. None of the spouses work outside of the club. We have a job lined up for you to do the books at the shop since it’s gated and secure and on the same lot as the club house.” He looked at me with fear in his eyes. Fear I would disagree, fear I would fight, and maybe even fear it would be too much and I would leave. My heart broke for him. The man who fears nothing, fears my rejection. I thought for only a few moments before I gave him the answer he had been hoping for. 

“Well, I guess I need to call the office in the morning and let them know what’s happened, that I will not be returning, and that I will be sending someone to collect my personal effects from my office.”

He instantly took me in his arms, hugging me so close I thought he was trying to make us one person, then pulled back slightly to place his lips on mine. “Thank you, baby. You don’t know how much of a relief it is for you to agree.”