Seeing Ghosts
Chapter 5
By Dottie
Copyright 2015
She falls against his chest and sobs into his shirt. He wraps himself around her, holding her tightly. She whispers in an agonized voice, "Kevin, you can't do that. I can't turn you into a hermit, hiding for the rest of your life. Not from your friends or family."
He tilts her head back, forcing her gaze to his. "But you...our children...you're my family too."
She touches his face lightly. "Mi adorata, you wouldn't be safe. DJ and Sophie wouldn't be safe with me. Please...promise me you'll take them and protect them."
Tears shine in his eyes. "Don't do this Elena. Come back to me...come home with me."
She sniffles. "I'm...Kevin I'd die if anything happened to you or our children. I've spent the last two years trying to find a way to get them to you. Every sound I hear...every stranger I see is someone coming after me. I love them with every fiber of my being, but they aren't safe." Sliding her arms around his neck, she sobs into his shoulder. "Please Kevin, promise me if they let Sawyer out...if they move me again, you'll take them. Keep them safe."
He holds her tightly. "Mi cara Elena...I promise. If you promise me something. If he stays in jail...you'll come with me. You can be Chealyn Smith...I don't care. I know I can keep you as safe as the marshals do. Please Baby....please trust me."
As the day goes on, they talk about their children. She tells him everything she can about them, but she knows it's a poor substitute for him missing the first two years of their lives. He doesn't seem angry at all though. He understands why she couldn't contact him...he's even worried that them being together now could be dangerous. But he's not willing to give her up. Not yet.
After sharing almost the whole bottle of wine, Chealyn excuses herself to answer nature's call. While in the bathroom, she pulls out her cell phone and dials the one number in the memory. When he answers, she whispers "Grant, are you ready to pick me up?"
He sounds worried when he asks, "Chealyn, are you sure you want to do this?"
She sniffles. "I have to, Grant. A life on the run is no way to raise my children. Kevin will love them and keep them safe. Just...I want to spend this evening with them. I'll sneak out around 2 am. Just be here, please?"
She can almost see him loosening his tie in frustration. "I'll be there, Chealyn. I've already been to your place and packed your things. We'll head straight to the airport."
She whispers softly. "Thank you Grant."
As she's exiting the bathroom, there's a knock on his door. Her eyes meet his and she can tell he's as nervous as he can be. She smiles, going to the door and peeking through the peephole. Seeing her neighbor, she smiles, opening the door.
Thankfully, her neighbor is in a hurry. After a quick hug and promising to catch up the next day, she sprints to the elevator. Chealyn watches her sadly, knowing she won't be catching up with her friend tomorrow...or any other day.
As she's pushing the double stroller into the room, she sees a look of awe on Kevin's face. Smiling, she says, "I don't think they'll bite you." Stepping to the front of the stroller, she murmurs, "Come here DJ...you want to meet Daddy?"
The little boy smiles brightly and baby gibberish flows from his lips. Only one word is discernible. "Dada." She places him on his feet and watches as he clutches his stuffed crocodile in one hand and looks around the room.
As she picks Sophie up from her seat, she watches as DJ's determined gait brings him right up to Kevin's legs. Tears sting her eyes when Kevin kneels down and whispers, "Hey Buddy."
DJ laughs, holding up his crocodile and starts talking a mile a minute. Kevin looks up, laughing. "I have no idea what he's saying."
Chealyn smiles softly. "That's his favorite toy. He doesn't go anywhere without it and he tells everyone he meets about it."
Kevin, smiles brightly, holding his hands out to DJ. The little boy eyes him cautiously for about five seconds before reaching out. Kevin picks him up, his heart swelling with unconditional love and an overwhelming urge to protect his family.
He stands up, DJ in his arms as Chealyn steps forward. "And this must be Sophie."
Sophie clutches her teddy bear and lays her head over on Chealyn's shoulder. Chealyn chuckles, tickling Sophie's stomach. "Sophie is my shy one. DJ is so out going, she never gets a chance." Sophie turns her eyes to her Mama and Chealyn whispers, "It's ok Sophie. That's Daddy."
DJ squirms and demands in a forceful voice "Down."
As Kevin carefully places him on his feet, DJ takes off for the stroller, looking for his other toys. Kevin turns his attention to his daughter. She's watching him suspiciously, her thumb planted firmly in her mouth. Kevin smiles softly. "Hi Sophie. That's a cute teddy bear you have."
Sophie clutches the bear and watches him. When he sees a small smile creep across her face around her thumb, tears sting his eyes. Chealyn whispers, "Sophie, go see Daddy."
She puts the little girl on the floor and waits breathlessly. Sophie clutches her mama's pants leg, unsure of Kevin. He just kneels down and waits, smiling patiently, holding out his hands.
DJ comes running by, laughing. He falls against Kevin's back singing, "Da-da-da-da-da."
Sophie giggles at her brother's antics, wanting to join in on the fun. She lets go of Chealyn's pants and toddles over to Kevin. As she falls against him laughing, Chealyn brings her hand to her lips, holding back the sobs. She's so happy to see her children with their father...and she's devastated knowing this will be the only evening she'll be with them as a family. Then she'll be running away and will not likely ever see them again.
Kevin looks up, tears shining in his eyes. "Mi cara, they are so beautiful."
She smiles. "They already love you, mi amore. As much as I love you."
Author's Chapter Notes:
Sorry I'm slow to update. Holidays working retail SUCK! I'll try to do better. Someone nudge me if I get too far between updates. ;)
Chapter End Notes:
Let me know! :)
