Chapter Fifty Two

Stephen

Once the kids were tucked in, I spent the next few hours spilling everything to my wife. I told her everything, just like Lachie had instructed me to. The shock, horror, fear, and anguish on her face told me she didn’t remember any of it. I had to do this, though. I had to tell Lachie because it was crucial to the case. But the pain I saw in my wife’s eyes as she sobbed in my arms was almost unbearable.

Her cries were like a knife to my heart, and soon, I was crying with her. I cried because I couldn’t take away her pain. I cried because she had to relive the horror all over again. And I cried because I had to be the one to tell her all this, knowing she didn’t remember this part of her life, of our life, of our family’s life.

As she clung to me, her body shaking with sobs, I found myself matching her cries. I couldn’t control the pain and fear I’d been bottling up over the past few days.

We sat there for what felt like forever, crying together, holding each other, trying to make sense of how our lives had ended up like this. Eventually, her cries subsided, and I felt her relax slightly in my arms. As she tried to get up, I pulled her back into me.

Stephen - Don’t go. Stay here, please, in my arms.

Trinity - I need to ask you something.

Stephen - Anything.

Trinity - Why did you tell me all this? Why now? We could have waited for these memories to come back on their own.

Stephen - I wanted to wait, baby, believe me. Ask Clint, Dave, and Benji. They were all there. But it leads me to the next thing I need to tell you. The FBI agent handling your case said I had to tell you.

Trinity - What is it?

Stephen - You could be called to testify in front of the grand jury for your trial any day now.

Trinity - How soon?

Stephen - We don’t know, baby. They’ll call a day before. That’s all we know.

Trinity - But what am I supposed to do, Stephen? I don’t remember any of this. To me, this part of me doesn’t exist.

Stephen - And that’s why I had to tell you, baby. I had to be the one to tell you what they were going to say. I couldn’t let you hear it from a stranger. I love you too much to put you through that kind of pain.

Trinity - But, didn’t it cause you pain to tell me?

Stephen - This is why I love you so much. You’re the one we should be worried about, and yet you still find a way to put everyone else before yourself. What hurts me, doll, is seeing you in so much pain. That’s why I was crying tonight, too. The thought of you in so much pain, pain that I can’t take away, tears me apart. All I want to do is protect you in every way I can.

Trinity - I know, Stephen. I know it’s hard for you, too, because you have all these memories I can’t share with you right now. But believe me when I tell you,

She takes my hand and places it on her heart.

Trinity - I feel you here, Stephen. I always feel you here.

I wrap my other arm around her waist and pull her into me, kissing her soft lips. I feel tears falling down my wife’s face again as I kiss her harder, desperate to suck the pain from her through our kiss, to ease the ache she’s feeling in her soul right now.

Stephen - I promise you, momma, I won’t let anything happen to you. I’m your king, and I’ll protect you as such.

Trinity - What will happen with this trial? I’m really scared, Stephen. I don’t know what I’ll do.

Stephen - Baby, I had to tell you because you’ll have to meet with Lachie tomorrow, okay? As I said, we don’t know when you’ll be called to the stand, so we have to make sure you’re ready. Lachie is very good, and he’s someone we can trust, okay, baby? I promise you. He spoke at length with me today, and I know he’s going to protect you up there when I can’t. You’ll be okay.

Trinity - Promise me.

Stephen - I promise you.

I stand up, still holding my wife, and carry her over to our bed. I gently lay her down, push our bedroom door slightly closed—leaving it open enough for the twins to come in in the morning like they do now—and check that Jay’s monitor was switched on when we came up earlier. Then I turn off the light and climb into bed with her. The moment I wrap her up in my arms, I feel her start crying again.

As I hold her head to my heart, cradling her, wrapping her up in me, and holding her through her tears, I find myself joining her, crying myself to sleep for the first time I can remember.

When I wake up the next day, my head is pounding from the emotional turmoil of the night before. When Trinity wakes up beside me, I can see she isn’t feeling much better.

Stephen - Stay here, babe. Let me go get you some water and some painkillers.

Trinity - Can you just...

She reaches out, touching my arm.

Stephen - What is it, doll?

Trinity - Can we just lay here, you know, hold each other for a while? Just be in our little part of the world, so to speak.

I stiffen at her words, and she must sense the change in my expression.

Trinity - What’s wrong?

I quickly climb back into bed with her, holding her tight as I kiss her cheek.

Stephen - Why did you say that, baby?

Trinity - I don’t really know. I just felt like I didn’t want you to leave yet. I wanted you to stay so we could just be us for a moment before we face the world.

I kiss her again, repeatedly, across her cheeks and nose. I can’t help but smile for the first time since early yesterday. She looks at me curiously, but I notice a sparkle of amusement in her eyes.

Trinity - What’s gotten into you?

Stephen - What you just asked me to do is something we’ve done every day of our lives together. It started on a holiday we went on with Mia and Clint skiing. One morning, we decided we just wanted our piece of solitude each morning before we faced the world together. We’ve done it every day since. Even after our babies came along, if they woke up, we just brought them into bed with us for that time.

Trinity - Really?

Stephen - Really, baby.

I slide back around her as we just lay there, listening to each other breathe and gently stroking each other’s skin. After some time, we both get up, feeling surprisingly better just from having that moment together. We quickly shower and dress in turns, one of us always keeping an ear out for the kids.

Mia and Clint were set to arrive at eight in the morning. They’d agreed to watch the kids while Trinity and I went to meet Lachie. We made sure everything was ready for Jay’s feeding, which would likely coincide with their arrival.

When Clint and Mia showed up, we expressed our gratitude, gave them a quick tour of where everything was, and showered the twins with kisses and cuddles. We promised we wouldn’t be gone long. Jay, as usual, threw a fit when he wasn’t in his mother’s arms, but after a bit of fussing, he accepted Mia as a temporary substitute.

“Thanks, Mia,” Trinity said. “We won’t be long, hopefully.”

“Don’t worry about it, hun,” Clint reassured her. “We’ve got you covered.”

“All good, babe,” Mia chimed in. “Just take care of yourself, okay? We’ll see you soon.”

“Thanks, guys,” I added. “See you soon.”

Trinity and I hopped into my car, and I drove us to Lachie’s office. I held my wife’s hand the entire ride, letting her know I was there for her every step of the way. The whole situation was intimidating enough without her memories, let alone the feeling of being alone.

After finding a parking spot, we started walking towards the building. As we got closer, I noticed her gaze drifting upwards, taking in the towering structure. Her grip on my hand tightened, and her other hand clutched my forearm. I glanced at her, checking if she was okay.

“I’ve got you, okay?” I reassured her.

“Are you sure I’m going to be okay?” she asked.

“I promise you,” I replied.

“I’m scared, Stephen,” she admitted.

“Baby, you’re the bravest person I know,” I told her. “The way you’ve fought for our family...you’re unstoppable. We’re unstoppable together.”

I leaned in to give her a soft kiss.

“You got this, little momma?” I asked.

“We’ve got this,” she affirmed.

As we stepped into the building, I spotted Lachie waiting for us.