Chapter 22

I Just Need My Five

War

Sometimes life sucks, and it really sucks when we're the one who screwed up our life to begin with. And sometimes, a fucking angel decides to shine her light on you, and you're not only saved, fucking forgiven, but also gifted the children that most people can only dream of. So, the shit I was born into, the shit I got myself into, I'm leaving it behind me, because I got 5 bright and shiny beautiful people that I'm gonna give my best, for fuckin ever.

They're gonna get the crazy love from me, all the fun I can give, the protection that will keep them safe from a mean world and assholes who want to hurt them. My 5 are everything, the pride I have in them, knowing that I'm continuing on their parents care and legacy, sharing the love their parents had for them, and showing them every day, that the worst the world had to give them, well, they've already survived that, so the rest is gonna be sunshine, kisses, and birthday cakes.

Shea says I can't promise them that, but I will, because I'll die trying to give them everything, and protect them at the same time. My Shea curls into my arms at night now, curled up against my chest with a heart that was alone and hollow for too long. My arms surround her with love and protection, so she can just be her happy damn self, bringing all the love and fun she gives us and the world.

The kids are all growing up strong, healthy and happy, thriving in school and in their relationships. The boys are almost men now, Shea told the boys they had to try out college for at least 2 years, then we'd reevaluate. I'm so fucking impressed by them, they've definitely got the Lincoln brains, all four of them are smart as fuck, like their parents and aunt, with me they get the brawn, we all have our gifts to give.

Shea and I have talked about having kids, but so far, we're both more than fine with the four we already have, that might change in the future, and if she wants a baby tomorrow, then we'll start tomorrow, but we both feel that our family is complete with the 4 we already have. Shea says she's cool now, that we're busy, she's having fun, she's not sure if she wants more. I want whatever the fuck will make her happy, because she fuckin lights my world on fire. Every damn day, I wake to her smiling face (at least after she's had her coffee she smiles, before that, she's a little rough around the edges), and I look forward to whatever our world brings us.

I got my girl back, I got the four fucking most awesome kids in the world, I don't need more. I'm not a greedy man, I just need my five. My wife and kids are smart, they're the kind of people that change the world, and I'm gonna enjoy the show.

Our Rock is playing football for CAL, he started off as a QB, but ended up as a running back, he's fuckin fast and smart, so he might even have a chance to go pro. We'll see where he ends up, hopefully he'll graduate without a baby, because god knows we've drilled in the condom lesson, Shea has Amazon dropping off boxes of condoms every month, my girl is not up for being a grandma yet.

Tell is finishing out high school, then he's gonna follow his brother to CAL and hopefully the football team as well. Though Tell says he's only gonna play because it makes getting girls easier, damn kid should have known better than to say that in front of Shea, he got a lecture that is still going on, 5 weeks later. Tells destiny isn't in sport though, that kid is a fucking numbers genius, he hacks for the club, tells us where we should park our money, the kid knows finance, and I can't wait to see what he builds. He is definitely gonna do all 4 years at school, he said he's ready to juggle the team and a double major in finance and engineering, he'll do it and he'll succeed. Like I said, Lincoln brains.

Claire is still young, we're not sure where she'll end up, but she sure as fuck will be in charge where ever she goes. The girl is confident, smart and so damn beautiful it's scary. I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted to be a lawyer or president, she'd be doing the world a favor if she did either, she's a fuckin gift to the world.

Our sweet little Tess, she has her mama and her Aunt Sheas tender hearts, cuddly and soft, a little fluffy bunny, until you piss her off, then she's like a rabid wolverine, out for a kill without remorse.

Shea, my sweet, sweet girl, Throughout the years, she's always been it for me, the first time I had her in my arms I finally knew what home felt like. We were young, I was dumb, she was perfect, we figured our lives out, found a path, and did our best. I went of the rails for a few years, but she let me back in, made me work for it, prove to her and the kids that I was the man for them, and then, she took me back into her arms, and I finally was home. Home for good.

My girl leads our family, and we follow her into whatever adventure or chore that she has planned, she has the boys wrapped around her fingers, they love and admire her. They were old enough to realize all she did for them when they lost their parents, they saw her struggles and her pain, and they were there for her when I wasn't. In a way, they became men the night they lost their parents, they stepped in and helped with the girls. The girl were young, and though they understood losing their parents, they didn't see all that Shea did, they just saw that Shea loved them. And she sure as fuck loved them, loved them back from broken hearts and into the happy healthy kids they are today.

"Hurry up guys! We have to get on the road if we're going to make kick off for Rocks game! We can check into the hotel after the game, but I don't want to miss a second!" Shea shouts up the stairs to the girls, she thinks that she's talking to Tell also, but I saw his ass sneaking in around the back of the house a few minutes ago.

"Hey Tell, you wanna come out of the kitchen before Shea catches you in last nights clothes?" I speak quietly so Shea won't hear, and then I see Tell come through the kitchen with a pretend contrite look on his face.

"Stow the smirk, fuck boy, you smell like last nights party, and god knows what fucking else, here's a shirt, go wash up in the bathroom, we're leaving in 5." I throw a t shirt at him, that he catches and he jogs over to give himself a whores bath.

"I hope you're being smart boy, it's all fun and cum until someone calls you 'daddy'." I stare hard at him, hoping he gets it, he and Rock have both been pretty active, but sometimes I worry that Tell is being safe.

"Fuck War, of course I'm being safe, I'm not an idiot! I have plans, school and my job, I don't have a girlfriend or a boyfriend, I just fuck around and have fun, you can see by the condom box in the garage that I'm being safe." Tell gives me a look, waiting to see how I'll react to what he thinks is a surprise to me.  We know our kids and this is no surprise.

"Dude, safety is safety, I don't care if you're with a man or woman.  We just want you to have fun, be safe, be a good person, and love a good person.  We don't care where on the spectrum the person you're with falls.  Now clean yourself up, I can smell you from here. Then run up and grab some clothes for tomorrow. We're only staying tonight in Berkeley, we'll have dinner with Rock and some of the guys tonight, breakfast tomorrow, then we'll head home. I'm glad you're safe bud, I worry sometimes, but thanks for wrapping up your dick." I laugh at his grimace then head out to pack the car.

"Ok, thanks War, love you."  Tell smiles nods his head a few times, then takes off to clean up.

"I love you Tell, and I'm so fuckin proud of you, you're a good man, now for the love of god, clean the fuck up!"

Shea

"I know you were out all night Tell, your bed is still made, and though I appreciate you washing off last nights adventures, you left your clothes in the bathroom." I toss the t shirt and flannel that I found in the downstairs bathroom, the shirt and flannel that Tell was wearing last night when we said good bye to him after his game.

"Um, I'm sorry Aunt Shea, but I did call you and let you know I might be staying at Cams house last night." Tell has the awkward look where he is trying to sell me something, and the fact that he said he 'might' be staying at Cams, lets me know he did not stay there. That he probably stayed at whatever party house he was at last night.

"Teller, we are far past pretending that you're a pure and devout virgin who's saving it for his wedding night." I look into his eyes, making sure he meets my gaze.

"Part of being old enough to have sex, is being old enough to be responsible. I'm the one who resupplies the condom box, so I know how fast you're going through them, I'm glad you're using them, but please, it's not all about avoiding pregnancy, there are diseases out there that are forever, ok? I love you Tell, be safe, ok?" I smile up at him, because he passed me in height a few years ago.

"Well, not all the people I'm with have the equipment to get pregnant Aunt Shea."  Tell raises his eyebrows in a knowing look.

"Guys may not get pregnant Tell, but they sure as hell can get the same diseases that girls can get.  Please just keeping being safe, I love you buddy."  I smile at him, this kid thinks War and I don't know what he and his friends get up to, naive little man.

Tell steps towards me, and pulls me into his arms, resting his chin on my head, I kiss his chest and squeeze him tight. "Ok, lectures over. How are your applications going? Do you need any help? We can work on them tomorrow when we get home." I tap his back and step back, looking into his eyes, so I can tell if he's giving me the straight truth.

"Yeah, I think I'm finished, if you wouldn't mind reading them over, I thought maybe we could press send on all my apps tomorrow?" Tells eyes are dancing with excitement, I know he's ready for an academic challenge that he hasn't gotten in high school. He's a smart boy and he will change the world.

"Yeah buddy, let's do that! We can have a family dinner, invite Dev and the guys over?" I suggest the closest club brothers, because those men are more family than most blood family.

"Great! Make sure that Pike comes, I know he's missing Dog, he won't say it, but I think he's kind of lonely now that Dogs away at school." This is why Tell is such an amazing kid, his brain is huge, but his heart is enormous.

"Aunt Shea, Tess and I are packed and ready, Uncle War said to get a move on, he's already packed the car and he and Tess are waiting for you guys." Claire informs us as she runs out the door with a water and cookies in her hand.

"Tell War we're on our way, I can't wait to get all my kids together in one place!" I laugh as we head out the door.

"Oh fuck no, don't cry Aunt Shea, I swear if you cry again, Rock is never gonna let you visit him! The last time we left you fuckin bawled all the way home, now you're crying before we even leave the house!" Tell is laughing, but he's not wrong, I need to rein it in.

"Whatever, I've got the 4 best kids in the world, of course I'm going to cry when I'm about to see them all together, and I'll cry when I have to leave one behind!" I'm smiling as we approach the car, War is staring at Tell. Turning to look at Tell, I see that he is rubbing his eyes in a fake crying motion.

"Brat!" I say as I swat Tell on the head.

"Love you Aunt Shea!" Tell yells as he rounds the car.

"Love you baby, so fuckin much!" War softly whispers as I get in the seat next to him.

"Thank you for our family, fucking amazing family, thank you baby." War says as he grasps and squeezes my hand, tears in his eyes.

"Love you War." I smile with tears in my eyes.