Chapters:

The First Forever

A COUPLE OF FOREVERS – MICHELLE DE LEON (SAMPLE)

A Couple of Forevers

By Michelle De Leon

Copyright 2016

A Couple of Forevers was an idea gifted to me by God through my husband, Joseph.  He gave me a basic foundation for a story that can only be divine inspiration!  I put my patented twists and turns to the plot, but the nuggets of reality that are infused in between the pages are what makes this book a true labor of love.   The Lord knows which parts are fact and which are fiction, but I hope it moves every reader to trust that unconditional love does indeed exist and how it can truly conquer anything.

THE FIRST FOREVER

CHAPTER ONE

        Family and friends were gathered around a table topped with dish after dish of Maggiano’s best offerings.  Food and fun is exactly what Ethan Aragon wanted as his circle came together to celebrate his accomplishment.

        Dane Briggs, his literal partner in crime, came over and greeted Ethan with the brothers’ hug.  “Yo, this is what’s up!  Look at this spread.”

“What took you so long?  This celebration is for the both of us, man.”

“I know and I’m truly touched, E.  You know my people ain’t hitting on nothing so…”

“We are your people, Dane Briggs.”  Ethan lifted his diet cola and toasted his friend.

“Can you believe we made detective?”

“Hell yeah, I can believe it.  We busted our butts to get these promotions.  Congratulations to us!”

“I know nobody but Bria is responsible for this shin dig,” Dane said as he piled lasagna, angel hair pasta and eggplant parmigiana high onto his plate.

“She knows I hate parties, but love Maggiano’s so she reserved this room so we could get loose without having a bunch of strangers all up in our business.”

“Where is Bria?” Dane asked as he looked up and down the table.

“She’s humoring Warrick’s girlfriend in the ladies room.  She wanted to put make up on Bria.  She doesn’t even need it.  My wife is beautiful just the way she is.” Ethan told his partner with genuine pride.  

“She most definitely is.  Hope she doesn’t run into Jerrae in the ladies room.”

“Wait; what?  Jerrae?”

“Yeah, bro.  I saw her downstairs with a few folks from the InterCon waiting to be seated.  You would have thought they would have gone to the Maggiano’s on Peachtree instead of coming over here to Perimeter.”

“I could care less about running into that ancient piece of history, but I don’t want Bria’s night jacked up by having to see Jerrae.  Why are you just now telling me?”

“She completely slipped my mind until you mentioned make up.”  Dane could have kicked himself.  “That chick was rocking way too much.”

“As per usual.”  Ethan was undecided.  He hardly wanted to give Jerrae Tate any of his attention, but he wouldn’t have put it past her to start something  just because.  He called his eighteen year old son over.  “Hey, Jerrae is downstairs.  I think we may need to run interference to keep this event civil.”

“You know Ma is too classy to get tangled up with her brand of drama, Dad.” Warrick’s face scrunched up like he had a bad taste in his mouth.  “You already know my opinion on that whole chapter.”

“I’m not trying to revisit all that, Warrick.  Trust me, I regret separating from your mother in the first place, but my getting caught up with Jerrae showed me what I couldn’t see at the time.  Your mother is my home and my heart. It just took more years than I would have liked to come to that conclusion.”

“Y’all killing me.  Are we going downstairs or what?”  Dane hated emotional conversations.  

“Yeah, let’s get this over with.”  Warrick rolled his eyes.

Jerrae was busy chatting it up with her friends, but from the corner of her eye she saw the trio approaching; Ethan, Warrick and Dane.  She saw Dane when he first came in, but had no idea he was there to see her ex-fiancee.

Ethan spoke first.  “What up, Jerrae; can I speak with you for a minute?”  He acknowledged her group with nods and a quick handshake to a couple of the guys he knew.

“Sure, Ethan.  Excuse me, people.  I’ll be right back.”

They stepped a few feet away.  “Hey there, Warrick.  You are looking all the way fine.  How have you been, sweetie?”

“I’m good.  Tell the kids I said hello.”  Warrick was as smooth as his dad.  He made his point with his stance.  It clearly read ‘I’m a gentleman so I’m going to speak, but know that I’m not here to entertain you’.

“I’m upstairs with my friends and family celebrating.  Everything’s good, but I just wanted to tell you it’s not necessary for you to come up to me and Bria.”

There was a long pause.  “What are you celebrating?  If you don’t mind me asking so I can congratulate you, too.”

Dane chimed in.  “We’re celebrating our promotions to detectives with the APD.”

“Oh, wow!  That’s great.  I know that’s the career path you’ve wanted for a long time.  I’m glad you made it.” Jerrae made a move to hug him, but suddenly stopped.

Bria had joined them.  

“Hello.”  Bria extended her hand to Jerrae.  

Jerrae tried not to stare at Bria too hard.  She’d seen pictures of Ethan’s wife, but never had a conversation with her in person.  To Jerrae, Bria had seemed mousy and average.  It hadn’t shocked her that she’d lost him.  But this woman she was looking at now was simply gorgeous.  

Bria was just below average height, but as she stood in the middle of the men and faced Jerrae, she appeared to be regal; almost statuesque.  She was in no way shook by their run in.  Jerrae was almost disappointed. She took Bria’s hand. “Hello.  Ethan was just sharing his good news, but I see our table is ready so I’m going to rejoin my party.  It was nice seeing you all again.  And tell Rafer hi for me, too.  Have a good night.”  

They watched her saunter over to her dinner group and sit down.  Bria took her husband by the arm.  “Ready?”

Dane and Warrick walked ahead of them. “We were trying to head her off at the pass.”

“I figured that, but it wasn’t necessary.  She’s powerless.  Truthfully, she’s always been.  We couldn’t stay apart because we weren’t meant to. As big as Atlanta is, it’s small too.  We might see her again.  Who cares? I don’t.”

“You look beautiful.  Warrick’s girl did a nice job.  She accentuated your features, she didn’t cover them up.”

“I couldn’t go through this ritual every day, but I do think I look kinda hot,” Bria laughed as she squeezed Ethan’s hand and winked.  “Come on.  Let’s finish dinner so I can go home and really feed you.”

Mornings were getting hectic.  The boys had to hustle to get ready for school.  Warrick was working part time during his senior year because he wanted to save money for college expenses.  After getting off late at night, he sometimes dragged when he woke up the next day.  Rafer was in middle school and overflowed with energy.  The energy wasn’t always directed where it needed to go so he often was busy doing everything but getting prepared.

“All right you Aragon men.  I will NOT be driving anyone to school so get the lead out.” Bria announced as she went around the house cleaning up messes.  She intended to spend her day off in peace, but there was always something that needed to be taken care of.  Bria could hear Ethan down in the basement working on his music.  

“Dad should have been a producer,” Warrick said as he stopped to listen to the beat his father was creating.

“He still can be.  You never know where life will take you.  An education is a great launching pad, so kudos to you again for earning that scholarship, Warrick.  We’re so very proud of you.”  She gave her son a hug and then a shove towards the front door.  “Now get on up outta here!”

Warrick laughed.  “Yes, Drill Sargent!  Later, Ma.”

Bria then turned her attention to Rafer.  Her youngest was a beautiful child with huge challenges.  Diagnosed with Autism, he was brilliant at some things and struggled with others.  He was always in good spirits and kept the family in stitches.

“Did you finish your breakfast, Raf?

“I did, Ma.  Can you sign my permission slip?”  He handed her a crumpled sheet of paper.  The field trip was scheduled for that morning.

“Why didn’t you give this to me before, Rafer?”

He shrugged his shoulders and grabbed his back pack.  

She shook her head and reached for a pen.  “You’re lucky.  Go on and have fun.”

“Thanks, Ma.”

Just as she signed it, the school bus pulled up in front of the house.  She hurried him out the door and waved to the driver.

Bria went down to the basement and flopped onto the couch.  Ethan was in the zone so she just laid there and listened to the hard hitting beat.  

Ethan was aware of his wife’s presence even before he glanced back and saw her lying on the couch.  He first started experiencing it while they were still dating.  It used to bug him out, but it was one of the ways he knew she was the one.

He waited until he got to a good stopping point and then went over to join her.  He lifted her legs and put them on his lap.  He began to caress her thigh.  “What did you think of the track?”

“I was digging that.  The rhythm got me thinking about a fight scene I’m working on in the book.  Sometimes I wish you’d pursue the music career more.  I support your dreams; all of them.  But the public’s relationship with the police these days…”

“I know it’s rough.  I didn’t really encounter much tension when I was an officer.  Now that I’m a detective there’s even less exposure to that hostility, but it still can be dangerous.  You know I’ve seen all kinds of horror growing up in Brooklyn.  Worse than anything I’ve seen here.  But I know as a wife you have your concerns.”

“I know you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself but it’s not easy knowing your man is in harm’s way all the time.”

He rubbed her inner thigh and made his way up her shorts to the lacy panties she was wearing beneath them.

“Are you trying to change the subject, Ethan?”

“Were we talking?”

He slid off the couch and knelt down between her legs.  Bria instantly began to squirm as his skillful fingers found the warm spot he was seeking.  He pulled the lacy panty to the side and kissed her passionately.  Ethan loved every part of his bride.  He loved her scent, her taste, her involuntary reaction to his touch.  

“You’re off today, right?”

“Why?  You’re going to call out?” She asked in a husky whisper, waiting for him to take her to the next level.

“No, but I don’t have to be in until later.  The boys are gone right?” He pulled off Bria’s shorts.

“Yesssss.”

“Good.”

He stood up and slid down his sweat pants.  He was about to continue showering Bria with attention when she deftly took him into her mouth.  His legs quivered and he had to steady himself.  An incredible rush took over his body.  It was hard to maintain control.  Ethan would gladly surrender to Bria.  Physically she demanded it.  Her every movement was a statement.  I want you.  You are mine.  I’ve earned you.  But it was Ethan really who had to earn their marriage back.

He moaned lowly.  “I love you.”

She looked up and smiled.  “Love you, too.”

Ethan sat down and pulled Bria on top of him.  He kissed and held her to him close.  Her kisses were like making love.  Intimate; invasive.  But she worked diligently to put him inside of her.  A deeper attachment.

“There was many a time I missed this, Bria.  Our rhythm.  It’s like creating a beat.  The notes just connect and the sound is powerful.”

“I hated it, but the time apart forced us to see what our feelings were really made of.   I mean I already knew, but you had to figure it out.”

“And once I did, I knew what I had to do.”

Bria lowered herself as low as she could so she could feel all of Ethan.  His sharp intake of breath pleased her immensely.  She’d always had a crazy desire for her husband.  A desire that drove her to do things with him when more common sense should have guided her away.

She gyrated her hips and gripped him as tightly as she could.  Her movements were slow.  And tortuous.  She enjoyed taking charge of the moment.  And she believed her husband enjoyed it, too.  

She played with his ear lobe and felt him grip her ample bottom.  But she never stopped moving her hips.  She never got off beat.  She danced and grooved and hit the base hard.  Ethan muttered obscenities under his breath like lyrics.  

“You ready?’

“Not yet.”

“Are you sure?”

“Please don’t stop, Bria.”

So the dance continued until she reached the climax.  And as she rode it out, she reached under and began to fondle Ethan.  He was full and ready to burst and as she caressed him, he released and nearly knocked her to the floor.

“Now that is what a good morning is all about,” Bria said as tried to catch her breath.

Ethan grabbed the throw and the cushions from off the couch and tossed them on the floor.  They wrapped their bodies around each other and drifted off to sleep.  

Ethan began to dream.  He found himself on an old familiar battlefield so he already knew he was going to see “him”.  He’d often have this dream when he was with Jerrae.  It’s like the drama and turmoil he’d experienced with her manifested itself in his unconscious thoughts.  There was never any conversation.  Just war.  The demon would take the field and start his assault.  Ethan would fight him with all that he had, but there would come a point when the demon would get the upper hand.  His strength would drain and he thought he’d lose his soul.  

The dream would come to him at least twice a week for months.  But then Bria began to show up.  The demon would tremble with fear as she wielded a sword.  The weapon was sharp and illuminated.  Ethan always thought the light was from heaven because when Bria struck the enemy with her blade he would back off wounded.  He’d come back other nights, but Bria would deal with him harshly and without hesitation.  During one dream, Ethan grabbed the sword and together they drove the blade into their heinous opponent. Victory at last.  But now here he was having the nightmare all over again.

His phone went off and woke him.  Ethan jumped up.  

Bria untangled herself from around him.  “What’s wrong?”

He grabbed his cell.  He didn’t recognize the number and let the call go to voicemail.  “Nothing.  Just time for me to get up and get ready for work.”

Bria could tell Ethan’s mood was slightly different.  “I’ll run up and fix us something quick to eat while you’re getting ready.”  She kissed him before heading to the kitchen.

Between his music and the lovemaking, Bria was ready to spend the rest of her day off working on her manuscript.  She’d be beyond glad to finally be able to quit her day gig.  Insurance was not her passion.  

Bria threw together an entrée salad with grilled chicken, spinach, tomatoes, shredded cheese and walnuts.  She topped it with raspberry vinaigrette and looked for something else to make the meal more hearty.  She remembered there was turkey chili in the fridge and warmed that up.

She was going through her email when Ethan joined her in the kitchen.  “You know I’m hungry.  Sex is like smoking weed, you get the munchies afterward.”

Bria laughed.  “Well eat up then.”

They went over some budget issues and talked about the kids.  Ethan finished his meal and went to put on his holster.  Bria was not particularly fond of guns.  Ethan carried even before he made the career move into law enforcement.  He was teaching Warrick how to handle a weapon.  She was not particularly fond of that idea either, but once when she joined them at the range, she had done better than her child.  All head and neck shots.  They never let Warrick live it down.

“Okay, I’m out.”

Bria walked with him to the door.  As was their custom, he bowed his head and his wife laid her hands on him.

“Father, we thank You for your constant protection and grace as your son serves and protects Your people.  We thank You that no hurt, harm or danger shall come upon him and that he will not have to inflict harm on anyone else today.  I seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus and declare it is so.  Amen.”

“Amen.  I’ll call you later.”  Ethan kissed his wife deeply and remotely opened his car.

“Be careful.”

“Always.”

CHAPTTER TWO

Ethan and Dane made their way through the news crews and the crowd which had gathered outside the InterContinental Buckhead.  Their old director waited for them outside the employee entrance.  “Aragon.  Briggs.  This way.”

They shook Walter Abbott’s hand and then Ethan guided him into the security office.  “Good seeing you, man.  Not under these circumstances though.  What do you know so far?”

“Not a whole hell of a lot.  The victim, James Parr, checked in a couple nights ago.  He’s some kind of big wig in the financial district.  He owns a huge company.  Filthy rich.  You know the scenario.  He was found by a housekeeper with a bullet between his eyes.”

“You reviewed the cameras?”  Dane asked.  Abbott looked at him as if he had two heads.  “All right, I get it.  So did you find anything after reviewing the cameras?”

“No.  Just normal comings and goings.  Jerrae went up and spoke to him.  Maybe he had a complaint about the front desk or something.”

Ethan did not want to have to interview Jerrae, but she had spoken to the victim so she had to be questioned about that conversation.   “Where is she?”

“Probably in her office.”

“Come on, Dane.  We’ll be back, Walt.”

“Murder in Buckhead.  I know the press is taking this and running into the end zone with it.”  Dane said as they made their way to the lobby area.

“I know.  The pressure is going to be on the APD to solve this quickly and quietly.”

Jerrae was exiting her office as they approached.  “Hey, Ethan; Dane.”

“Hey.  Walt said you went up to James Parr’s room.  Was there some sort of problem?” Ethan asked.

“I remember James Parr from when I worked at the Ritz Carlton.  He was never a problem guest.  But he recognized me too and we struck up a conversation in the lobby.  He was expecting a brief to be delivered to the front desk for him and he asked me would I personally bring it up once it arrived.”  Jerrae explained.

“Why would he want you to do that?” Dane asked her.

She hesitated.  “I think he was attracted to me.”

Ethan sighed.  “Still seeking special attention from guests?”

“I never sought anything from anybody!”

“You know you enjoy every glance, every comment, every come on.  Was James Parr crossing any lines with you?”

“I wouldn’t allow that.  I mean he was a nice man and I didn’t mind bringing it up.  Plus, I have a man.  I don’t need special attention from anyone but him.”

Jerrae locked eyes with Ethan.  He knew she was searching for some kind of reaction to that news.  “Congrats.  I hope it works out.   Did Parr have any company?”

“Not while I was up there.  He was staying here due to a convention.  He’s the registered guest and no one else is on the reservation.”

“Does anything or anyone else stand out to you?” Dane inquired.

“Not right now, but if anything comes to mind I’ll give Ethan a call.”

Ethan bit his tongue.  “You do that.”

Ethan walked off.   Dane started after him.  “Later, Jerrae.”

They went off to interview the housekeeper who found James Parr deceased.  She didn’t have much to offer either.  When he didn’t answer her knock, she entered and found him on the bed with a hole in the head.

Ethan and Dane headed back to the car.  “We’re going to have to dig up some dirt on this guy.  He pissed somebody off and we need to figure how and who.”

“Do you think Jerrae knows more than what she’s telling?  She did say she knew the cat from before.” Dane pointed out.

“I don’t know yet.  But she’ll be calling.  Trust.”

Jerrae was pacing her living room as she waited for Jax to show up.  She was wondering what was taking him so long when she heard the key in the door.  

“I got your shrimp egg foo young.  Break out the Moscato.”  Jax set the food down on to the dining room table.  When she didn’t move, he turned to look at her.  “What’s up?”

“Ethan and Dane are working the Parr case.”

“So I’ve finally crossed paths with your ex.  You look worried.”

“Well, it’s a little nerve wracking having people you know so close to…”

“Just keep cool.  This may work to our advantage.”  Jax removed the cartons from the bag.  “Damn, not enough duck sauce.”

“What?  How?”

“We’ll have insider info on what’s going on; if they’re hot or cold.  As a matter of fact, I want you to feed your dude misinformation.”

“Are you crazy, Jax?”

He stopped.  “What did you just ask me?”

“I mean why draw any attention to myself?  Won’t that appear suspicious?”

“Just make him think you’re still wanting to hook up with him.  That shouldn’t be too hard for you.”  Jax said with a dash of sarcasm.

“Ethan is once again happily married.  He’s not thinking about me.”  

“And that disappoints the hell out of you, doesn’t it?”

Jerrae felt like Jax was trying to catch her out there.  “Please.  He had his chance.  You know I’m all about you, baby.”

Jax laughed.  “Of course you are.  Just keep in touch with homeboy.”

“Do you really question my loyalty, Jax?”

“Jerrae, I question everyone.  In my line of business you have to.”

She went into the kitchen and got the bottle of Moscato from the counter.  She so didn’t want to have to talk to Ethan.  Not about the murder or anything else.  She had broken things off with Ethan.  It was like the man was too good to be true and she was sure she was being played.  He didn’t immediately get back with Bria which surprised her.  He was always talking about her while they were together.  She knew things between them were very amicable.  And not just for the sake of their sons.  She sometimes wondered why they even separated.  She didn’t have that kind of relationship with her children’s father.  Her relationships were not friend based.  

“You’re thinking about him right now.”

“Yeah because I’m trying to figure out what I’m supposed to tell him.”

“Let me know what you come up with.”  Jax took the bottle from her and uncorked it.  “Let’s eat.”

The Aragons were heading back to Atlanta after visiting the University of Georgia in Athens.

“What did you think, Dad?”

“I know you’ve got the academics down packed because you’re smart like your mother.  But I did like what the athletic department staff had to say.  When I was in high school I had wanted to go to Syracuse University.  I really wanted to get into the NFL.”

Warrick sat up closer.  “Ma is always talking about how good you were as a tight end.”

“Man, I’m not even going to be modest.  I was crazy good.  That’s how I know I could have made it in the pros.  Your grandparents weren’t very supportive and then I had to leave school altogether.”

Bria rubbed her husband’s knee as he drove.  “If you had went to Syracuse and then the NFL we would have never met.”

“Then y’all wouldn’t have me!” Rafer chimed in.

“I don’t believe that.  You guys ARE my life and even if things had gone down differently, you still would be my wife and you two would still be my sons.  I honestly feel like that.”

“You’re right.  There are no coincidences.  Everything happens for a reason and is orchestrated to be carried out just as it was preordained to.”

“I hope I’m destined to be an all-star player.” Warrick flipped through the paperwork he received from the school.

“I do, too.  But you know as your mom I’m not happy about the potential for you to get seriously injured.  Ugh, the concussion rates alone…”

“I know, Ma.  But I’ve got to stay positive and not worry about that kind of stuff.  I could get hit by a Marta bus, but that can’t stop me from crossing a street.”

“Hmm; you may get being smart from me, but being a smart mouth is your father’s doing all day.”  Bria and Ethan laughed.

“I think I want to be a singer,” Rafer said.  The youngest member wasn’t trying to be left out of the conversation.

“I’ve heard you sing in the shower.  Nah, bruh.” Warrick teased and playfully punched his brother in the arm.

“Hater!”

They all laughed.  “It’s okay, Raf.  You keep practicing and you just might become a singer one day.  I’ve always wanted to learn how to write lyrics.  I can be your ghostwriter.”

“Serenity loves that book of yours you gave her.  She says you’re now one of her favorite writers.”

“Your girlfriend’s trying to score brownie points?  I’m just kidding! Please tell her I said thank you.  I like Serenity.  She’s a good girl.  Are you guys going to the prom?”

“Yeah.  She’s been looking for a dress since freshman year!”

“What college is she going to?”  Ethan asked as he looked for a parking space at IHOP.

“She got accepted a few places, but she’s going to do Kennesaw State.”

Ethan’s phone rang.  It was Dane.  “What up, my dude?”

“Come on, guys.  If he’s talking to Dane, this could take a minute.” Bria and the boys got out of the car and went in to wait for a table.  

“I’ve been looking into James Parr.  He seems to be above board, Eth.  A few of his business partners have murky pasts, but nothing funky stands out currently though.  There was nothing unusual about the convention he was attending either.  Some kind of Japanese trade commission thing.”

“Was he married?”

“Twice.  The exes are on opposite coasts.  One’s in New York; the other’s in L.A.  He has a grown daughter with the New York wife and she’s a dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.”

“Any bad blood there?”

“Not really.  No cheating or abuse.  The L.A. wife turned out to be a lesbian so that was the end of that.”

“So the key to this is not going to be laid out in plain sight for us I see.”

“Of course not.  But I did catch a break in that other case.  The homicide over on Piedmont.”

“Good.  We need something to come together.”  Ethan gets out the car.  “The fam is waiting for me inside IHOP.  We’ll talk more shop when I get to the office.”

“Roger that.”

Ethan, Bria and the kids laughed while they chowed down on pancakes and omelets.  Afterwards, he dropped them off at their house and made his way to work.  His phone rang again.  He didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Ethan; it’s Jerrae.”

He rolled his eyes.  “What’s up, Jerrae?”

“Would you be able to stop by the InterCon any time today?  I think I have some information about Mr. Parr that might help.”

“Is there a reason why you can’t tell me over the phone?”

She paused.  “It’s been a long time and now our paths have crossed twice.  I just thought maybe we could talk over a meal.  I can treat you to Southern Art.”

“I can’t do that while on duty, but I’ll see if I can meet you in the lobby.  I hope you do have something that can help, Jerrae.  I don t have time for games.”

“Why would I be playing games?”

“Why is a good question.”

“I’ve already told you I’m seeing somebody.” Jerrae said without disguising her frustration.

“I didn’t say anything about you playing games with your man.  Are you?”

“Look, just come by and I’ll tell you what I heard and what I remembered. Bye.”

Ethan shook his head.  He often wondered what he ever saw in Jerrae.  She is a gorgeous woman, but always tries to get over in one way or another.  He doesn’t doubt she remembered something about the victim, but it’s not above her to use it as an opportunity to see him.  Although she was the one to break it off, Jerrae honestly expected him to shrivel up and die over it.  Or be like all her other exes who tried their best to stay in the picture even while they were together.  She’d entertain their foolishness, but Ethan wasn’t the one.  He often had to call her out on her need for attention.  Yes, the break up hurt, but mainly because he still wasn’t over losing his marriage.  It just felt like one defeat after another.

Ethan went to Dane’s desk as soon as he made it to work.  “What you got?”

“The suspect’s mother has finally given us some information.  Initially she didn’t want to give her son up, but the gang he’s affiliated with is allegedly coming for him.  They think he snitched.  She said she’d rather see him in jail than in the grave.”

“So what did she volunteer?”

“That he has a white girlfriend in Griffin.  She thinks he might be hiding out there because his crew doesn’t even know about her.  The mother’s not liking her isn’t because she’s white , but due to the chick trapping him by getting pregnant.”

Ethan looked skeptical.  “Since when is pregnancy a trap for a murderer?”

Dane nodded in agreement. “Apparently this thug has a heart of gold and doesn’t want  his son not to know his father.  How about not being a gangbanger?  I think that would make a better impression on your kid.”

“Do we have the girl’s name?”

“I already called Griffin P.D. Carrie Bell works at a Waffle House.  She’s been picked up in the past for shoplifting Pampers.”

“Yeah, he’s Dad of the Year.”  Ethan glanced down at a text message. Bria left him a racy message.  He couldn’t help but smile.

“Someone just brightened up your world.  Let me guess; Bria?”

“Yep.  She’s the sun, but this morning I got a call from the dark cloud. A.K.A. Jerrae.”

“She’s got some information?”

“So she says.  But I have to go to the InterCon to get it.”

“What kind of bull is that?”

“Dude, you already know.” Ethan ruffled through his desk for his Parr notes. “I hope whatever she’s got to say gels with what we already know.”

“You want me to go with you?” Dane asked.

“No, I think she’ll be more forthcoming if it’s just me.  That’s her main motivation anyway.”

Jerrae wore a pretty wine colored suit to work that day.  She paired it with an off white silk blouse.  The pencil skirt was just the right amount of tight and the split was barely acceptable at work. She remembered Ethan liked the professional, but sexy look.  It bothered her that Jax had encouraged her to dress up for him.  He wanted Ethan to think Jerrae wanted him again.  It was supposed to throw him off.  

She recalled the day she met Jax.  He had such a commanding presence.  Tall, dark and chiseled like stone.  They literally ran into each other at New Birth.  She laughs about it now because Jax Rollins is no holy roller.  He was at the popular church to humor his grandmother who was being honored for her service to the community.

“Excuse me, sister.”

“No, it was my fault for not looking where I was going.” Jerrae smiled sweetly at him.  “Are you a member here?”

“Not at all.  My grandmother attends services here.  She grabbed me by my ear and made me come.”

“Somehow I find that hard to believe.”

“Okay, she didn’t pull my ear, but if you know Margaret Rollins you know not to turn her down.  Plus she’s receiving some sort of award today.”  He extended his hand.  “She would get me for not minding my manners.  I’m Jaxson Rollins.  Pleasure to meet you, sister…?”

“Jerrae Tate.”

“Pretty name for a beautiful woman.” Jax held onto her hand longer than necessary.  

“Thank you.  Are you here with your wife and children, as well?”

Jax grinned.  “Just get straight to it, huh.”

Jerrae had to laugh at her own transparency.  “Why waste time if you’re a husband?  I’d like to conversate some more with you. You seem very interesting and I want to know if I’m right.”

Interesting was only the beginning when it came to Jax.  To say it was a whirlwind romance wasn’t accurate enough either.  He kidnapped her emotions and held her body captive.  She was consumed and happily so.  Sometimes his intensity was overbearing, but that was his way.  Deep. She considered herself lucky to have a man like Jax Rollins.

Jerrae jumped when she heard the knock at her office door.  “Oh, Ethan.  Come on in.  I was daydreaming.  Have a seat.”

Ethan started to remain standing, but then thought it was better to just play nice.  “You’re looking nice.  How are the kids?’

Jerrae wasn’t expecting the small talk.  “They’re good.  My ex-husband has them with him.  We do joint custody.  They ask me about you sometimes. I’ll tell them you said hello.”

“Please do.  And I’m glad they’re okay.”  He pulled out his notepad just to have something to do.  “What you got for me?”

“When I bought the package up that James Parr was waiting for, he had gotten a phone call.  I started to just leave it on the desk, but he signaled for me to wait.  I don’t think he expected the conversation to go the way it did because he lowered his voice.  I couldn’t make out the words, but his tone was very angry.  He spoke for maybe another minute and hung up.  He apologized and said it was his partner.  I think initially he wanted me to wait so he could maybe flirt a little, but that call killed that.  He tried to give me a tip, but I wouldn’t accept it.  Then I left.”

“Do you know which partner?”

“He didn’t mention his name to me directly, but just before he lowered his voice I heard him refer to the caller as Dewey or Davey.  Something like that.  But I’m leaning more towards Dewey.”

“Did you see him after that?”

Jerrae took a minute to answer.  “I don’t think I did, but one of the girls up front said she thought he may have had too much to drink because he was a little unsteady as he passed the front desk.”

“Okay, that’s a worthwhile tip.  Anything else?”

“Not that I can think of, but then again I didn’t remember all that the first time you asked me about him.”

“Well, just call me if you or anyone else has any more details.”

“We’re happy to help.  Some of the staff is still shaken up that this could happen here. Maybe if you were still running security it wouldn’t have.”

“Security isn’t the same as the police.  We wouldn’t have had any way of preventing this.  It’s very unfortunate that it happened, but it seems to be an isolated case.  Not some random act of violence.”

“Really?  How do you know that?”

“I can’t discuss a case Jerrae, but thanks for the info.” Ethan told her.  He stood up.  She looked like she wanted to say something else, but stopped herself.

“Sure, Ethan.  I get that.  I’m still getting use to the idea of you being a cop.”

“I used to talk about it all the time.”

“Yes, you did.  Congratulations again.”

“I have to check out another lead.  See you, Rae.”

She almost forgot he used to call her that.  “See you.”

Ethan left and Jerrae closed the door behind him.  She thought about how different he and Jax were.  Ethan was also tall and very handsome (even though he never thought he was).  Another strong male, but their ideals were very different.  Ethan hated injustice.  Jax could care less about what was just.  To him only the fittest deserved to survive.  Jerrae understood what kind of man she was in love with.  She just wondered where that love would lead her.

CHAPTER THREE

        Bria was tackling her current work in progress.  She had written seven books including a play, but was still trying to break out.  She’d enjoyed writing since elementary school and felt that it was her true calling.  But she wasn’t trying to be a starving artist so she kept her regular job.  She tried squeezing in writing time between overtime, family time and gym time.  She was rubbing her eyes when Ethan came up behind her and massaged her shoulders.

        “Tired?”

        “No, not really.  I’m working on an exciting scene.  I’m just resting my eyes.”

        “Are you hungry?  I was going downstairs to fix a choke and slide.”

        “That sounds like a good idea.  And don’t forget the milk.”

        Ethan laughed. “You forget who you’re talking to?  When have you ever seen me eat peanut butter and jelly without a tall glass of milk?”

        “My bad!”  He started to leave the room, but then Bria called him back.  “You never did tell me how that interview with Jerrae went.”

        “She remembered hearing James Parr mention the name Dewey or Davey.  I checked it out and James Parr has a partner named Malcolm Dewberry.  They do call him Dewey.  It was a relief that what she said could be verified, but there’s still something off about the whole thing.”

        “Your instincts are never wrong.  Why do you think there’s something more to it?”

        “I don’t know.  Yet.  Did I tell you I had that old nightmare again?”

“She shows up and so does that dream.  Coincidence?  I think not.”  Bria joked.

“You laughing, but I gotta wonder, man.”

“I can see why.  It definitely felt real the way you described it.   I was always fighting the enemy off during those days.  I covered you then like I cover you now.  Prayer changes things for real, for real.”

“You know, I know.  But Jerrae herself isn’t evil.  She just let herself be used by the enemy.  And of course I fell for his mess myself so I get it.  But when I tell you something is up…”

“She said she’s with somebody now?”

“Yeah, she made sure to stress that.  I don’t know who it is.  And I wasn’t about to ask.”

Bria got up from her desk and lay across the bed.  “So no coming on to you?”

“Not overtly, but Jerrae seems to always search for some weakness in me.  Like she’s looking to see if there’s some residual spark.  More to feed her ego than anything else.  She could be happy with this new cat, but still wonder if I want her.”

“Drama.  But if you feel some sort of way, just stay on guard.”

“No doubt.  But right now I’m on a mission to get to the kitchen.  Are you done writing for the time being?”

“I think so.  I’m no longer in the mood.”

“What are you in the mood for?” Ethan asked with a sexy grin.

“If you make my sandwich a triple decker there’s no telling what kind of mood that will put me in.”  Bria winked at her husband and he jokingly took off running.

Jax rolled off Jerrae who was breathless and spent as orgasm after orgasm rocked her to the core.  Sex with him was like taking a hit off a pipe.  The high was extreme and the crash was hard.  He stood up, glistening, but not flustered.

“Where you going, babe?”

“Don’t worry, we’re not done.  I’m just going to get us something to drink.  How about a Fireball?”

“That sounds delish.”

Jerrae swung her legs off the bed and waited until she felt steady before standing.  She went across to the master bath and freshened up.  She was back on the bed before Jax returned with two glasses.

“We need to find out if the nugget you gave Mr. Detective served its purpose or if he’s whack at his job and didn’t follow up.”

“I’m sure he’s good at his job.  He made detective rather quickly.  And he’s a smart man.  I gave him basic information.  Easily confirmed.”

Jax laughed.  “Go on, sing his praises.”

“I’m just saying.”

“I know what you’re saying, sweetheart.  It’s all good.  The po po need to focus their attention on Malcolm Dewberry.  I did the job I was paid for, but I don’t need this customer coming back.  He’s too sloppy for my taste.  He paid his money.  Now he can pay the price, too.”

“How do you know he won’t give you up?”

“My reach is far.  He already knows that I can have his whole family wiped out if my name even comes up.”

Jerrae was momentarily stunned.  Yet she shouldn’t have been.  She knew Jax Rollins was a killer for hire.  It was foolish to believe he wouldn’t murder whoever if it meant him maintaining his freedom.

She looked down and Jax was brick hard.  Jerrae regained her composure.  “I see you’re ready for round three.”

He didn’t even respond.  Jax just flipped Jerrae over and took her from behind.

CHAPTER FOUR

        Dane was sitting outside the nail salon waiting for Aracely to be finished with her mani-pedi.  She was a fun girl he’d met at The Vortex a few weeks ago.  They had struck up a conversation while waiting for their friends to arrive.  They both were stood up and decided to dine together since they were already there.  Aracely modeled (Dane had seen her portfolio), but he also suspected she was a stripper on the side.  She was tri-gorgeous and definitely had the body.  However, Dane figured he would wait for her to admit it just in case he was wrong.  But he was seldom wrong.

        “Okay; all done.  Thanks for waiting, Dane.”

        “My pleasure.  And it certainly was worth it; those nails are fierce, girlfriend.  Where do you want to go today, my Latina Lovely?”

        Aracely laughed.  “You know you’re corny, right?  But I love it!  I’m flexible.  Whatever you want to do is cool with me.”

        Aracely looked at him with a hint of lust in her eyes. Her shoulder length hair was jet black and her skin like creamy toffee.  Dane would love to indulge, but he was all about slowing his roll these days.  Too many fly by night ‘relationships’.  Deep down he really wanted what Ethan and Bria had.  He knew he was not likely to obtain that with a modeling stripper.  “I kinda feel like doing something touristy.”

        “I haven’t done something like that in a long time.  What about going to the Georgia Aquarium?”

        Dane looked at her.  He was truly expecting her to veto his idea.  “Word?  I like the aquarium.  I’m with it.”

        “I’ve never been so I’m down.”

        Dane headed downtown.  He glanced down as his phone buzzed.  “Damn.”

        “Hey, no texting and driving.”

        “Sorry.  I wasn’t going to answer it, but you’re right; I shouldn’t have even looked at it.  It’s an update on a case I’m working on.  We’re closing in on the location of one of our murder suspects.  That killing on Piedmont that was all over the news.”

        “The one with the gang banger?  What’s the kid’s name?  Antoine something?”

“No, it’s Anthony Ames. His girl lives in Griffin, but he’s not been seen there.”

“Solving crimes is pretty exciting.  And dangerous. Do you ever get scared?”

“Don’t you see this S on my chest?  I don’t have time to be scared.”  Dane smiled at his beautiful date.  “Honestly, I’d be a fool not to acknowledge the danger involved and the fear it causes.  I just stay focused so everyone can stay safe.”

“I grew up in Jersey City.  I know danger.” Aracely told him.

“Really? I’m originally from Newark.  What up, neighbor?”

“That’s what’s up.  No wonder I like you so much.”

Dane found parking at the aquarium and then made a quick phone call back to the station.  Aracely touched up her lipstick and checked her make up while he followed up.

“So word is he’s holed up somewhere in Buckhead?  Why the hell would he come back?”  Dane reached past Aracely and grabbed his note pad from the glove compartment.  He wrote down an address.  “Let me know what else you find out.  I’m going to enjoy the rest of my day off.”

Dane was putting his pad back when Aracely grabbed his face and gently kissed him.  “I really, really like you, chocolate Papi.  Thank you for bringing me here.  A lot of people pre-judge me.  For a lot of reasons.  And you may have your opinions, but you have never treated me less than a lady.  I appreciate that.”

“It’s a shame you have to thank a man for that.  It’s my pleasure, Aracely.”

“You don’t know pleasure yet.  But you will.”

Ethan ran into Lenox Mall to check out if the Invicta store had any of the new watches he’d seen online.  He might also get a BBQ chicken pizza for lunch from California Pizza Kitchen while he was there.  He heard his name being called.

“Hey, Ethan!”

“What up, man?”  Ethan gave his friend Zachariah the combo handshake-hug brothers did.  “I ain’t seen you in a minute.”

“I’ve been working, man.  Enjoying my family.”

“Speaking of family, I’ve seen Jerrae a few times lately.  What’s going on with your cousin for real, Zach?”

“You know Jerrae.  Sometimes she’s in her own little world.  She’s with some new guy.  I don’t even know a lot about him except the kids don’t particularly like him.  Truthfully, I can’t even tell you what his name is.  I’ve not met him.”

“Why don’t the kids like him?” Ethan was curious.

“Not everyone is good around kids.  They say he doesn’t take time to talk to them except for hey and bye.  They still talk about you and how they thought you were so cool with them. My cousin messed up big time, but you obviously belong with Bria.  She’s a cool lady.  Now that I have my own I feel you.  There’s no place like home.”

“No doubt.”  

“Where did you see her?”

“I had to go down to the InterCon to investigate that fatal shooting.  She was familiar with the guy.  She later called me with some information she’d forgotten about.  Somehow I expect to hear from her again.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Zachariah laughed.

“I was going to check out some watches.  You got time to grab some pizza?”

“Sure.  I was in the area and thought I’d come in to get a birthday gift for wifey.  I don’t even know what to get so maybe food will help me think better!”

Ethan and Zach had a good time catching up and made plans to double date with their wives before leaving Lenox.  He drove to work and was about to check in for his shift when Jerrae walked up to him outside the police station. “Your ears must have been ringing?”

“Why?  Were you talking about me?” Jerrae grinned.

“I just left Zach.  We were indeed talking about you.  You remembered something else?”

“I’ve asked around, but no one can remember anything else specific.”

“You came down here just to tell me that?”

“Yeah.  And I wanted to know if you figured out who Davey is.”

“I already told you I can’t discuss cases, but I will let you know that your tip did lead to the name of his business partner, Malcolm Dewberry A.K.A. Dewey.”

“That’s great!  I’m glad that panned out.  He was heated on the phone.  I wonder if this Dewberry character is involved.  I can check to see if he’s ever been a guest.  Would that help?”

Ethan stood looking at her for a moment.  “You know I don’t have anything against you, but this buddy buddy thing doesn’t work for me either.  It just feels like you’re purposely trying to keep in contact with me.”

“Yeah, for this case.  You asked me to tell you if I recalled anything.”

“But you’ll only give me the information in person.  Look, maybe I’m wrong.  Either way I appreciate your assistance.  Let Dane know if you have anything else.  I’m running late.  Peace.”

Ethan didn’t want to dismiss Jerrae, but he didn’t have time for her brand of drama.  Contact with her just brought bad vibes.  And bad dreams.

Bria was surprised Warrick asked her to go shopping with him for a tux.  She just adored her son.  He was responsible, respectful and too fly for words.  Sure she was biased, but he never gave them a day of trouble.  He was a good student.  A talented athlete.  He was Bria’s rock during the separation even though he was a younger teen then.

“Do you know what color Serenity is wearing?”

“I think she said coral.  That’s a color?”

Bria laughed.  “Indeed it is.  It would be nice if your tie and pocket square matched her dress.”

“I was thinking about doing a bow tie.  What do you think?”  Warrick asked.

“You could definitely pull that off.”  She fingered her son’s locs.  “I miss my long hair.”

“You’re mad cute even with your short hair, Ma.”

“Why thank you!  Are you buttering me up so I can pay for this tux?”

“No!” Warrick laughed.  “I got this.”

“Are you and Serenity going to break up once you go to college?”  Bria flipped through the tie rack while Warrick tried to decide between a black tux or a gray one.

“We don’t plan to.  I mean we’re both still going to be in Metro Atlanta.  Kinda.  But Athens isn’t that that far away.  It took a long time finding a girl like her.  Females can be so petty.”

Bria raised an eyebrow.  “Females?”

“You know what I mean, Ma.  Some girls are all about themselves.  They don’t even make good friends forget about girlfriends.”

“I do know what you mean.  Sometimes I feel sad when I think about all the things Rafer may miss out on due to his challenges.  I want him to be as independent as possible, but I can’t always protect him from a girl rejecting him or things like that.”

Warrick held up a black ensemble.  “Don’t worry.  He’s a pain in my butt sometimes, but I’ll be talking to him as often as I can and of course I’ll be back and forth between home and campus.  He’s a funny dude.  I’m going to help him out.  He’s my little brother.”

Warrick waited for his mom’s opinion about the suit and realized she was tearing up.  He set the clothes down and gave Bria a hug.  “Thanks, baby.  I don’t mean to embarrass you in the store.”

“I could care less about what anyone else thinks.”  He busts out his Tupac impersonation.  “Dear Mama.”

“Just got an anonymous tip.  Anthony Ames is on Pharr Road.  Someone just saw him in the parking lot of a shopping center.”  Dane grabbed his jacket from the back of his seat.

“Let’s roll!”

Ethan hoped Ames would be apprehended without any fanfare.  It was supremely stupid to be in the area still, but sometimes these young people think they’re invincible.  It’s not like he was from Buckhead.  He was from Bankhead.  

Ethan pulled into the lot.  There was definitely something wrong.  He saw two black guys nervously looking around.  They had on the colors of Ames’ gang.

“Do you see what I see, E?”

“Yes, I do.”

Ethan drove up to them with his guard up.  From the corner of his eye he saw Anthony Ames approaching oblivious of the trouble he was walking into.  He was looking down at this phone.  He stopped the car in the middle of the lot.  “Be easy, Dane. Radio for back up.”

“Got you.”

They eased out of the vehicle with their weapons drawn.  “Stop right there, Ames.  We’re the APD and I’m going to need for you to lay flat on the ground with your hands up where we can see them.”

Dane addressed the bangers with his gun pointed at them.  “So far you’ve not done anything for us to take you in for, let’s keep it that way.”

They voluntarily held up their hands.  “So why are you detaining us, Mr. Officer?’

“Just want to chat about our friend here.  He is still your friend, isn’t he? He still down?”

“Down with what?” The taller man mean mugged Dane.

“Down with O.P.P.  Man, please.  We already know your affiliation with each other.  But he didn’t talk about your activities.  He just told on himself by leaving one solitary print at the scene.”  Dane hoped divulging that tidbit would prevent the gang from retaliating against Mrs. Ames or anyone else in her family.

“Is that right?”  The second man grinned.  “Nigga, you don’t even know what it is you don’t even know.”

“What the…?”  Before Dane could finish his question, shots rang out.

Ethan had just placed Anthony Ames in handcuffs when he was struck by multiple bullets.  

“Don’t you move!”  Dane kept his gun pointed at the bangers who were trying to duck behind their car.

He tried to ease over to his partner.  Thankfully two squad cars were racing into the parking lot.  The officers barely waited for their vehicles to stop before they jumped out and apprehended the two bangers.  Dane heard another officer radioing for an ambulance.

“Ethan!”

CHAPTER FIVE

        Bria was pacing the hallway as she waited for word from the surgeon.  Ethan had his appendix removed at Piedmont Hospital and she had been pleased with their care and professionalism.  Now she was ready to choke someone if they didn’t bring her news about her husband’s condition.

        Dane had tried to use his influence to find out something, but Ethan was still in surgery and there wasn’t anything they could tell until he was out.   He walked over to Bria and held her tight.

        “You’re not here by yourself, are you?”

        “No.  My sister Lauryl is downstairs in the cafeteria with the boys.  I didn’t want to bring Rafer, but he was having a fit.  She’s going to keep an eye on him along with Warrick.  What happened out there, Dane?”

        “We had apprehended Anthony Ames and two of his fellow gang members.  Everything was under control when we heard shots.  The GBI is out there investigating the scene.  All three had weapons, but they didn’t have an opportunity to discharge them.  These guys aren’t the brightest so there may have been higher level members watching and waiting to kill Ames.”

        “This is crazy.  They shot Ethan aiming at Ames?”

        “These clowns don’t often go to target practice so that’s what we’re thinking right now.”

        “I’m not going to lose him.” Bria told Dane.  “He’s full of purpose.  It’s not his time.”

        “No, it’s not.  I know you’re the prayer warrior, but trust I’m praying, too.”

        “I’m worn out.  I can’t worry and be full of faith at the same time, but this surgery is taking forever and I’m getting anxious.”

        “They’ll be out as soon as they can, Bria.  Do you want anything?  Some coffee; a bottle of water?”

        “No thank you, Dane.  But I’ll let you know.”  Bria squeezed his hand and began pacing again.

        Dane couldn’t stand the waiting either and went and found a quiet spot to use his phone.  He couldn’t help, but think about how he could be the one on the operating table.  It kind of made him sad that there was no wife that would be there praying for him or waiting for word.  He had an urge to talk to Aracely.  No; she was not even close to being his wife, but she did like him and right now he wanted that warm feeling to override the chill of fear.

        “Hello.”

        “Hey, Aracely.  It’s Dane.  Are you busy?”

        “Dane!  I saw you on the afternoon news.  Are you okay?  Is your partner all right?”

        “Yeah, I’m good.  We’re waiting to hear about my boy.  He’s in surgery and I know his condition is critical.  I just wanted to call you and…I don’t know.  Do you think we could hang for a little bit?  I can’t be away from the family too long, but maybe we can grab something to eat or just sit and talk at your place?”

        “That’s cool with me, Papi.  You know I got you.  I can even fix you something here; we don’t have to go out for food.”

        “That would be perfect.  I’ll leave in a few minutes.  It won’t take me that long to get from the hospital to Ashford-Dundwoody.”

        “I’ll start dinner.  See you soon.”

        “Thanks, Aracely.”

        She hung up the phone and turned to her bed companion.  “Sorry, love.  Dane is on the way over.  You’ll have to be gone before he gets here.”

        “Are you going to give him what you just gave me?”

        “You jealous?”

        “You know I have absolutely no reason to be.  I just wanted to know just how far you’re willing to go.”

        “As far as you want me to.  I’m completely down.  You know that.” Aracely caressed his cheek with her long manicured nail.  Her perfectly round breast was peeping out the side of her baby blue tank top.  She made a show of putting it back in her shirt.

        “You say I’ve got to go, but you’re doing everything you can to make me come. You’re such a naughty girl.”

        “And that’s why you love me.”

        “Of course I love you.  You are my ride or die.”

        Jax whipped her breast out in one fluid motion and teased it with his tongue.  He nibbled at her nipple with just enough force to bring pain, but not injury.  He didn’t even have to wonder if her body was ready to receive him.  It always was.

        Aracely moaned.  “Not fair.”

        “Life is not fair.  But you’ll get your reward for a job well done, querida.  Just make sure you change the sheets before I come back over here.”

        Bria was sitting with the doctor in the private patient room reserved for Ethan.  They would be bringing him down soon.

        “Mrs. Aragon, the surgery was as successful as it could be.  Most of the bullets passed through his body, but the one that became lodged in his back had to be removed.  Thankfully it did not cause any spinal damage.  However, he is in a coma.  We cannot say at this point how long he’ll be in that condition.  There is brain activity, but it could be a few days before we know more.  I know this sounds like I said a bunch of nothing, but right now that’s all we know.”

        “He’s alive and his brain is working.  He’s in a deep sleep, but that may not be permanent or prolonged.  You said a lot of hopeful things, Dr. Patel.  I’m a glass half full kind of woman.”

“I can see that.  That’s a wonderful thing.  He’ll feed off your positivity.”

“Can our sons come in and see him?”

“Certainly, but only for a brief visit.  We have tests and things to run soon.”

“Thank you, doctor.”  The surgeon patted her hand before leaving the room.  Bria texted Lauryl so she could bring the boys up to the room.  She turned as she heard the door open again.

“Excuse us, Mrs. Aragon.  We have to set up the machines.  You’re welcome to stay for that if it doesn’t bother you.”

“No, it won’t bother me.  I’m waiting for my children to come up from the cafeteria, but they can wait for you to finish before they enter.”

“This will only take a few minutes.”

Bria looked at Ethan lying in the hospital bed.  No matter how big and strong a man he was, he always seemed so vulnerable at times like these.  Her husband looked like he was sleeping.  She wanted him to rest because there were bad guys he had yet to stop; music he still had to produce; football games he still had to cheer at.    She didn’t like seeing him like this.  Life on pause.

Once the staff was done with their work, they stepped out and let her have a moment alone.  They said they would send the rest of the family in shortly.

She picked up Ethan’s hand and held it tightly.  “You are God’s son and He always takes care of His own.  Just take a break because we have things to accomplish and you’ll need your strength.  But don’t stay away too long because I’m already missing you.”

She bent down to kiss his lips and as she touched him, she vividly saw the dream he’d been telling her about for years.  She didn’t flinch or back away.  Bria tried to study the scene because she knew she was seeing it for a reason.  It seemed familiar to her because Ethan had described it in great detail, but she looked for something new.  The image went away, but she saw her clearly.  Jerrae.

Ethan could hear voices, but he didn’t recognize any of them.  He wondered if he had too much to drink while at the party.  He wasn’t a party animal by any stretch of the imagination, but he had to join his team as they celebrated making it into the playoffs.  His rookie season was becoming greater than he dreamed.  He had been able to buy his mom Celia Aragon and his dad Hampton Hayes their first home together.  That meant a lot to him.  But in this flurry of voices he didn’t know, one voice was making him feel some kind of way.  It was beautiful.  It was authoritative.  It was wise.  He wondered who she was.  And if he’d get to meet her.

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