Chapter Seventy Seven

Stephen

Life had finally started to resemble the dream we’d once had. After the lie detector tests, the shocking revelations, and the arrests of Chief Walis and Captain Grounds, we were finally free. Thanks to Lachie and Arlo, Mia, Clint, and I were cleared of the murder charges. The evidence and reliable sources had shown that we were victims of blackmail, self-defense, and police corruption.

But it wasn’t over. We still had to testify in the upcoming trials of Peters, Grounds, and Walis. And Detective Grounds was still facing a murder charge for Maddie's shooting. Lachie had pressured him enough to get the information needed to indict the Chief and Captain. He said they’d likely cut a deal.

Grounds was looking at ten years for attempted murder. Once the Crown Hearings started for the Chief and Captain, it would come out that Maddie hadn’t died. She’d provided evidence and testimony for the state case. DA Carson was the biggest obstacle, and that was still being worked on.

Any charges against her could lead to retrials for all the cases she’d been involved in. This was a big deal, considering the high-profile nature of her cases, including some that were on Death Row. Lachie had to make sure the legal side was covered before any charges were laid. There would be a flood of cases back into the court. Benji seemed excited about this prospect. In the meantime, Carson had been suspended without pay.

We’d all taken some time to process everything that had happened. Dave and Felicity were expecting their second child, so they’d taken a couple of weeks to visit Felicity's family across the country.

Luke and Todd were still the same, spoiling our kids and securing their places as favorite uncles, much to Clint's chagrin. We were thrilled when we heard they’d found a surrogate to start their own family. Livy made it clear they had to have a girl so she could play dress-up with her.

Benji and Maddie had gone overseas for a month. It was advised for Maddie to be away while they prepared for the case. They’d be called back when she was needed to testify. Since they never got their proper honeymoon, Benji decided to take her to the Greek Islands. They could charter a yacht and go off the grid for some quiet time.

That’s what inspired me to do the same. A week after I talked with Clint, we booked the tickets and accommodation before telling our wives what we’d done.

Their first reaction was surprise that we’d done something without them. They wondered if this was how all family vacations would be. But they quickly realized it made sense. It allowed us to have backup so I could take Trinity out one night on our own without the kids, knowing they were safe with Clint and Mia, and vice versa.

So here we were, waking up on the first day of our three-week break from the chaos that had been our lives. When Clint and I first discussed this idea, we quickly realized there was one place that held a special spot in our hearts. It was the first place we’d taken our wives on vacation. Now we were back in Montego Bay, Jamaica, showing our children where it all began for us.

I woke up and saw that Trinity was already awake. I checked on our kids and saw them all still sleeping soundly. I then made my way down to the lounge and kitchen of our suite. I stopped in my tracks when I saw my wife.

She was standing near the balcony, the sun glistening off her beautiful skin. She looked like a goddess. I was reminded of the first morning I woke up with her as my wife. She was standing on the balcony of our wedding suite in a robe that clung to every inch of her body. Her brunette hair flowed in the light breeze. She was lost in the moment, just like I was now.

I walked closer and she turned to look at me. The smile on her face told me that everything I’d been through was worth it because it led me to her. She reached out her soft hands for me and I pulled her into me. As we stood there, pressed against each other, she looked up at me with a beautiful smile.

Stephen - Hi

Her smile widened when she heard me speak.

Trinity - Hi

Stephen - I love you

Trinity - I love you bigger

Stephen - I love you most

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer. I leaned down and kissed her, claiming the lips she always offered me.

Her mouth opened to meet mine. Our tongues danced together, a perfect balance of give and take. My hand moved up her spine, gripping her skin tightly but gently. I reached the back of her neck and tangled my fingers in her hair.

After a few minutes of passionate kissing, I gently pulled her head back. I nipped at her bottom lip with my teeth. She looked up at me, my doll, my goddess, my queen, giving herself to her king. I brushed her hair back from her face and looked into her eyes.

Stephen - So I guess we are doing this trip a little differently to the first time we came here

Trinity - That we are, baby. Who would have thought then, we would be back here one day like this, with our children

Stephen - Would you change anything?

Trinity - Not one thing, because I am completely Sold on You.

^The End^