Chapter Twenty

Trinity

So, we did just that. We took a day off to explore our new home, swim with the kids, soak up the sun, and drive down the coast. The fresh air and sunshine were exactly what I needed. Sharing it with my family made it even better.

We went upstairs to get the kids and ourselves ready. We packed a bag with dry clothes, towels, sunscreen, hats, and everything else we might need. The days when it was just Stephen and me, needing almost nothing, were long gone. Now, we packed everything but the kitchen sink.

We got into the cars they’d given us. A car with a detail followed us at a distance. They’d be with us until further notice, along with other surveillance installed around the house.

Stephen asked, “So where to, my love?”

“Wherever you are,” I replied.

He kissed my hand, and we followed our friends. Clint was leading the way. He seemed to know exactly where he was going, so we figured he’d already scoped out a few places.

After a short twenty-minute drive, we arrived at the perfect beach. There was a beautiful rock pool off to the side, separated from the ocean. It was perfect for the kids to swim in.

I put the kids down and changed out of my jeans into my bikini. As I picked up my youngest, I noticed Stephen staring at me.

“What?” I asked.

“I just can’t believe how lucky I am,” he said. “You’ve given me three kids, and you’re still every bit the goddess I first met.”

“I don’t know about that, baby,” I replied. “I definitely have lumps and bumps in places they never existed before.”

“In all the right places,” he said. “I can’t stop thinking about putting a fourth baby in you now.”

“Hahaha, would you quit it already?”

Our daughter Olivia chimed in, “Daddy’s naughty, right mommy?”

“Right, princess. Daddy needs to learn to behave.”

Clint added, “Daddy has never been able to behave when it comes to your mommy, Livy.”

Stephen laughed, and I quickly covered Livy’s ears.

“Don’t tell your niece that, Clint,” I warned.

“You’re naughty, Uncle,” Olivia said.

“Yeah, Uncle Clint, you’re naughty,” Mia added.

Stephen laughed again. Clint offered to take one of the twins. “Want me to take Nate? I don’t think Livy is going to let me go anytime soon.”

“Nate, you wanna come in the water with Uncle Clint, buddy?” Clint asked.

“Knuckles,” Nathaniel replied.

“Yeah, my man, let’s do this,” Clint said.

We all went into the water, and the kids had a blast. Belle clung to Dave and wouldn’t let her dad go. Jay floated away with me, Mia, Willie, and Flick. Livy was having a ball getting her dad to toss her up in the air and catch her. Nate was gripping his nose to stop bubbles from going up it as he dunked under the water with his uncle.

We spent hours in the water and exploring the rock pools with our kids. We relaxed in the sun and tried to bring some normality to our children’s lives after the turmoil of the past few weeks.

As the afternoon wore on, we drove along the coast before stopping in a little seaside town. We got out and bought some ice creams for the kids. We found a park nearby and sat on the grass while the kids enjoyed their ice creams and played on the slide and swings.

I watched the twins race around like little tornadoes. Willie and Belle looked on in amusement while I sat between my husband’s legs, nursing Jay who had fallen asleep.

“Does anyone else feel like this is the calm before the storm?” Dave asked.

“I’m so glad you said it because it’s all I’ve been thinking about,” I admitted.

“Right there with you, bro,” Stephen agreed.

“That’s why I suggested today,” Clint said. “It’s only going to get crazier from here. We need to take these moments while we can so we don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.”

“Holy shit, Clint, look at you getting all philosophical, baby,” Mia teased.

Stephen laughed. “Must be my old age bringing me wisdom since I don’t have a power source to connect into like Trinity,” Clint joked.

“HEY!” I protested.

Stephen laughed even harder. “Oh god, that was hilarious.”

“I still laugh every time I think about it,” Mia admitted.

“Not me!” I said.

“At least that’s something that will never change no matter where we end up. No one can take the memories,” Felicity said.

“Amen to that, babe,” Dave agreed.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the many more we’ll make together,” Stephen said.

“Right on, bro,” Clint agreed.

We relaxed in the park a little longer before the cool afternoon breeze swept in. We decided to head back to the cars and go home. The drive home was a little over an hour. The twins and Jay fell asleep quickly. I reached over and placed my hand on my husband’s lap. He brought his hand down and intertwined our fingers.

“You look tired, baby,” Stephen said.

“A little,” I admitted.

“Have a little nap, beautiful. I’ll wake you up when we get back,” he suggested.

I watched my husband as he focused on the road. My eyes grew heavy, and the next thing I knew, I was being woken up by kisses all over my face. I opened my eyes to see Stephen parked at the house. He was sitting in the driver’s seat, facing me, and leaning over to kiss my face.

“Hi, handsome. We back?” I asked.

“We are, momma. Let’s get our baby peas in and bathed so we can sort dinner,” he said.

“Remind me to speak to the girls later so we can sort some grocery shopping tomorrow,” I said.

“Okay, baby. How about we just get takeout tonight? I’ll look for an Indian or Asian place so we can get a selection,” I suggested.

“No worries, babe. Run it by the others, and I’ll get Clint and Dave, and we’ll go wash the kids,” Stephen said.

Stephen took the boys in, and I carried Livy. I mentioned the idea for dinner to Flick and Mia, who agreed. The boys took the kids upstairs for their baths. We decided on what to get for dinner while preparing the kids’ food.

After the bath, the guys went out back for a blunt while we fed the kids. We got them their bottles and settled them in front of the TV, ready for bedtime.

I went outside and sat on my husband’s lap. I took the blunt out of his mouth and took a drag.

Stephen - “You okay there, woman?”

Trinity - “I’m here now.”

He sneaks in a quick squeeze of my ass, a playful distraction as he attempts to snatch the joint back. But just as he reaches for it, his phone begins to ring. He glances at the screen.

Stephen - “It’s Benji.”

All eyes shift to Stephen, anticipation hanging in the air like a thick fog.