Chapter Sixty Three

Stephen

A week had passed since Lachie and Benji had witnessed the same things I was now going through with Trinity's returning memory. They'd managed to get the court proceedings moving, arguing that the delay was hindering a swift and fair trial for me, Clint, and Mia. The last specialist had given their testimony, and we were due back in court tomorrow for the judge's ruling.

Earlier in the day, everyone had come over to check on Trinity, and Clint and Mia had repeatedly asked if I was okay too. Now, we were settling down for dinner and getting our kids ready for bed. We wanted an early night before the verdict tomorrow.

Stephen - What's up, baby?

Trinity - You're still awake?

Stephen - Yes, because you are.

Trinity - But how did you know? I was trying to be quiet.

Stephen - You were quiet, baby, but I know you, and I know when something's up.

She turns to face me, and I wrap my arm around her waist. Her hand comes up to stroke my face, and we stare at each other in the dark. She seems to be studying my face, and I can't quite figure out what she's doing.

Stephen - What's up, babe?

Trinity - You, Stephen. You're missing something. What do you need?

Stephen - What do you mean, doll?

Trinity - The memories I have of you, they're of a strong, dominant man. But looking at you now, you seem lost. Did I do this to you?

Stephen - No, baby. I could never be lost with you. It's not your fault. It's just that circumstances we can't control have forced us to change a bit.

Trinity - Can't we?

Stephen - What do you mean?

Trinity - I want us to be us. I want you to be you, Stephen, not what you feel you have to be. Show me, please.

I look at her for a moment, trying to understand what she's saying, what she wants. What I need. I pull her a bit closer to me and gently kiss her shoulder.

Stephen - Trinity, I need you. I long for you. I'm waiting for the day when you look at me again and say, 'I need you, and I need you now.'

Trinity - Why do you need that, Stephen?

Stephen - I need your intent and desire to be clear.

Trinity - How can I make it clear to you?

I rub my hand up and down my wife's back as she softly grips my arm and cuddles into me more.

Stephen - I need your intent and desire to be clear. As you push me to my knees in front of you, I need you to look down at me with those demanding eyes you get, giving me the signal to start, now.

Stephen - I need to bury my face under your skirt, pressing my lips to you, meeting your wetness with my tongue, inhaling the musky scent of your panties in a single breath. I'd grab at the elastic band and tear away the barriers, hungrily lapping, tonguing, biting.

Stephen - My enthusiasm for you, Trinity, sometimes gets painful. But a palm against the top of my head would tell me to slow down and enjoy myself. I need you to be forceful, pushing me away before yanking my clothes off, stripping me bare, and putting me on my back as you strip down to your bra.

Stephen - I need to feel you straddle me, grab my cock, and guide it into you. To slowly slide down my length until I'm fully inside you, and I can't speak. I need you to slowly build, to ride me at an increasing pace, to look me dead in the eye like you are now as your hand circles my neck. I need to understand how badly you want me, to get me off, to fuck me.

Stephen - I need you to make me yours again, to sacrifice everything for us. I need you to own me, as I groan and beg, releasing into you. Spent and flushed, my softening cock slipping out, your body moving over mine until your beautiful pussy is over my face. I need you to push my boundaries like you always have. I need to serve you with my mouth, to taste you while eagerly bringing you closer and closer to the edge of your own pleasure.

Stephen - I need to hear you moan as permission to lick and nibble harder, and faster. I need to feel you shake and bellow as I feel you tense and relax, spasming sensitively across my lips until you dismount, unable to take any more contact. I need to calm my panting breath with yours, to gingerly reconnect, to move closer beside you, wrapped in each other, and dissolved in relief.

I reach up, pulling my wife's face closer to mine.

Stephen - I need to feel how much you need me too.

I know I'm asking too much of her too soon, but my heart aches for my wife. While I know she's here with me, I need her. I need her strength, her courage, her heart. She's the only woman, the only person, who has ever truly understood my soul. I see her staring at me, and I notice a look on her face that I can't quite place.

Stephen - What is it?

Trinity - The first time you fully gave yourself to me was in your office at your club.

Stephen - Yes.

Trinity - You knelt in front of me as I told you exactly what I wanted you to do for me, and you did it. You gave yourself to me completely.

Stephen - Yes. You remember.

Trinity - I remember.

Every time a memory like this flooded back to Trinity, it gave me more and more hope of one day having my wife back completely. We lay in each other's arms, holding each other, making out, talking, and being intimate with each other. I don't know when we fell asleep, but I was woken by the kids and quickly got up to bring Jay back to bed with us while we lay quietly, enjoying the first bit of morning together.

It wasn't long before the twins came in and joined us. After a while, we got up and started getting ready for the day. We were ready and headed to the courthouse by 7:30 a.m. At the recommendation of Lachie and Benji, we'd decided to bring the kids with us today. Clint and Mia and their kids were coming, as were Dave and Felicity, Belle, Luke, and Todd for support.

We waited at a nearby cafe for everyone to join us before we headed to the courthouse and met with Arlo. I could sense Trinity was getting nervous as we got closer, and I held her hand a little tighter, letting her know she wasn't alone.

We had a brief discussion with Arlo about what to expect today. He explained that the ruling would determine what happened next. If Trinity was found unfit to stand trial, her charges would be nullified before the court. Then our cases would commence almost immediately. If she was found fit, then the trials would proceed as normal.

By eight-thirty in the morning, we were all ushered into the courthouse. We took our seats behind Trinity and Arlo, waiting for the judge to arrive and court to begin. I was lost in my thoughts when I felt Livy’s small hand touch my face. I looked down at our little girl, who was the spitting image of her mother. Her sparkling eyes always managed to soothe my soul, just like her mother’s did.

My nerves were on edge for my wife. The fear, anxiety, and guilt I’d been carrying around—knowing I was the reason for all this—came rushing back. I found it hard to breathe. I handed Livy to Luke, mumbling something about needing to use the restroom, and quickly left.

Clint - You okay now, bro?

Stephen - I’m okay, man.

I walked over to the sink, splashing my face with cold water before drying off. Clint extended his hand, offering me a piece of chewing gum.

Stephen - Thanks, mate.

Clint - What was that?

Stephen - Guilt.

Clint - You know she would never have left you, right? Whether she found out sooner or later. That woman will never leave you, bro.

Stephen - I know, and look at what I’ve done to her.

Clint - You two wouldn’t survive without each other. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you’ll learn to live with all this. Remember, you wanted to walk away, to turn yourself in. What did she do? She showed you why she couldn’t live without you. Now it’s your turn, brother, to do the same.

He patted me on the shoulder. I nodded at him, and we walked back out.

Back in the courtroom, I saw her turn around to look at me. I smiled at her as I walked down the aisle, taking our seats behind her. Before sitting down, I leaned over and gave Trinity a gentle kiss, whispering to her.

Stephen - I love you.

Trinity - I love you more.

Stephen - I love you most.

She smiled at me, grabbing my hand as I sat back down. After another twenty minutes, the bailiff finally came in, announcing the arrival of the judge and the commencement of court.

Once the judge was seated, the verdict began.

Judge Sherer - Trinity Joyce Gotti, please rise.

I watched as my wife stood, and I held our daughter a little tighter, feeling my heart start to pound.

Judge Sherer - This case was to determine whether you were unfit to stand trial in the murder of Detective Daniel Rodriguez, operative under the alias of Mike Suarez. After several days of hearing and deliberation, the court has reached a verdict.

Judge Sherer - In the matter of Trinity Joyce Gotti and the City of Chicago over competency to stand trial, my ruling is . . .