Chapter Five

Stephen

I woke up before Trinity this morning, deciding to let her sleep in. I headed downstairs to the kitchen to get some coffee brewing and to confirm our travel plans with Clint for later today.

I also needed to check in with Dave before we left, just to make sure everything was set.

I was in the middle of making coffee when Clint walked in.

“Morning, bro.”

“Morning, man.” I slid a mug his way.

We shared a knowing grin, both of us aware of the wild night our girls had.

“I won’t spill if you won’t,” I said, a playful tone in my voice.

We both laughed as I filled him in on today’s plans.

I’d arranged for a few days at Alpine Ski Resort in Wisconsin, now that the weather was getting colder. It was the perfect setting for cozying up with our girls in front of a fire, drinks in hand, just relaxing.

“Sounds good, man. I won’t complain if Mia needs me to keep her warm.”

“Ha! You’re like a teenager.”

“Says the guy who couldn’t even make it to his room last night,” Clint shot back.

“Please!” I laughed. “Like you and Mia haven’t done the same.”

“True. Next time, at least have the decency to invite us to watch.” Clint wiggled his eyebrows, laughing.

“Well, if Mia wanted to watch, I'm sure she would have asked me,” Trinity said, sauntering into the kitchen. “We could have worked something out.”

“Ha! This might be your best idea yet, man,” I said, clapping Clint on the back.

“Perverts,” Trinity said, rolling her eyes. She moved around the island to stand next to me. “Morning, baby.”

Clint and I both laughed, but we couldn’t deny the same wicked thought had crossed our minds.

“Morning, love,” I said, giving her a chaste kiss. I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

“Good morning, Trin. You ready for today?” Clint asked. “It’ll be nice to get away for a bit, all of us.”

“Get away?” Trinity looked at me, confused.

Clint threw his head back, laughing. “You were too busy getting some, you forgot to tell her, didn’t you?”

“Damn, man, really?” I laughed with Clint, then turned to Trinity. “Sorry, babe. I meant to tell you. We thought it’d be good to get you girls away for a few days after everything that’s happened.”

“That sounds great, but I’ve got work.”

“Oh, I’ve already decided to call Luke and tell him you’re really sick and Dr. Stephen's orders are strict bed rest, preferably with me.” I winked at her.

Mia walked into the kitchen, laughing. “~Dr. Stephen~? Really? That’s what you’re going with?”

“Good morning to you too, Mia,” I said. “And yes! I could have sworn she was running a fever last night in bed.”

“And on the couch too, I bet,” Clint added.

“Oh my God!” Trinity’s cheeks turned pink. “Would you guys stop already? You're acting like teenagers.”

Clint and I burst out laughing, remembering our earlier conversation.

“So that's a yes then, Trin?” Mia asked, hopeful. “Come on, it will be fun! By the way, Stephen, where are we going?”

“Alpine Resort in Wisconsin.”

“Oh, that does sound nice,” Trinity said, her voice dreamy. “Alright, I suppose ~Dr. Stephen~ better call in sick for me while I grab some coffee and get packed.”

The girls headed upstairs to get ready while I called Luke to let him know that Trinity was sick. I promised to keep him updated over the next few days.

He was understanding and told me to send his love and that he’d cover for her.

After that, I called Dave, who confirmed everything was ready to go.

Realizing it was already midday and we needed to leave soon, I sent a quick message to Clint and dashed upstairs to shower and get dressed.

Half an hour later, we were all at the front door, loading up our suitcases.

Clint and I had taken the suitcases out and were waiting for the girls to hurry up.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Clint’s expression when he saw Mia coming out. He looked like a predator, a look I knew all too well.

“See something you like, baby?” Mia teased.

“Always! Why do you think I ~wifed~ you?” Clint said, reaching for her as she dodged him.

I laughed.

Their relationship was something I’d always wanted for myself, and I was just realizing that I’d found it with Trinity.

“What are you laughing about, mister?” Trinity asked as she approached me. “You're no better when you get started.”

“Where do you think I learned it from?” Clint asked.

I laughed harder. “Don’t blame me, man. You've been a creeper for years!”

“Yeah, he is my little creeper, isn't he?” Mia said, ruffling Clint’s hair.

We all laughed and headed out.

I noticed Trinity was unusually quiet, so I took her hand, pulling her close. “What is it, doll?”

“Nothing, baby, I’m fine,” she said, but I could feel the tension in her touch.

“Baby?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Tonight, baby, I promise we'll talk, okay?” Trinity said softly. “Let's keep things light for now so we don't ruin it for Mia and Clint.”

“Promise me?”

“Always, baby, I love you.”

I kissed her softly and pulled her close, holding her as tight as I could. It scared me that she was so worried right now and I couldn’t take that stress away from her.

I could only hope that the plans we’d put in place would keep her safe.

Deep in my heart, I know I’d risk my life before I’d ever let hers be in danger. I need her to understand that.

I lean in closer to her, whispering, “Honey, I know you’re scared, but trust me when I say, you’ll never be in harm’s way.”

“If it comes to it, I’d give up my life before I’d let you feel anything less than safe. Once we get there tonight, I’ll tell you everything, I promise,” I assure her.

“I couldn’t risk talking about it at home, just in case. He was a cop, sweetheart, they could be listening, watching, anything. Keeping you safe is all that matters right now, okay?”

Trinity looks at me, studying my face. “Why do you love me so much? What did I do to deserve you?”

“Sweetheart, we deserve each other. You lift me up when I’m down, you give me strength, you love me despite my flaws, and I’m a better man because of you. I can’t wait to call you my wife.”

“I’m a killer,” she whispers.

I see the tears start to fall and I pull her close to my chest. “Shh, sweetheart, you’re my angel. You’ve saved me three times now.”

“Three?” She sniffles. “How?”

“You stood by me the night I fell apart thinking I’d lost you forever, you picked me up when I had no strength left, you shot Mike to protect me, and you saved me the day you walked into my life.”

“I can’t wait to be your wife,” Trinity says, a soft smile on her face.

“And I can’t wait to be your husband,” I reply, pulling her even closer. “Tonight we’ll have a nice dinner with our friends, relax by the fire with a drink…”

“Then, I’m going to take you to bed and make love to you over and over until there’s no doubt left in your mind about how much you mean to me.”

“And then, only after I’ve shown you how much I love you, we can talk as long as you need, sweetheart, and I’ll tell you everything so you know how loved and protected you are.”

“Okay, my love. Sounds like just what I need right now,” Trinity purrs. “My mind hasn’t stopped racing.”

“I know, sweetheart, it’s a lot to take in. Now relax and close your eyes for a bit. We have about an hour and a half before we get there.”

I wrap her in my arms and stroke her back as she falls asleep in my arms.

I keep looking at her beautiful face as she sleeps and decide right then and there that after we’ve talked about this Mike situation, we’re going to talk about our wedding.

I’m not waiting another year to marry her.