Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 46

46

PROTECTING WHAT’S YOURS

ONE YEAR LATER

JASMINE

H eath and Nita Truman were sentenced to prison, and we finally got to put that behind us. As part of their sentence, they’re required to pay millions of dollars to Madilyn, Hollie, Cat and Matt and I for the emotional and physical trauma they inflicted.

We opened an investment account with Noah to save part of the settlement money for Simon and our future children.

We’re all settled in our home next door to Hope, Noah and Zuri, their newborn baby girl. And I’ve adopted Simon, so I’m officially his mom.

We want Hollie to always be a part of Simon’s life. He’s growing up knowing he has two moms who love him very much. Hollie has visited us once so far in Colorado, and we send her photos of him.

Also, surprise: I’m three months pregnant with our first baby. Matt and I are thrilled to be adding to our family. I shiver at the memory of the sexy wax play session Matt and I had the night we conceived. I wouldn’t trade our life for anything.

Plus, the foster process is coming along. Last week, we were matched with Rafe, an eight year old boy, and we can’t wait to meet him today.

Sadly, there’s no chance he can be reunited with his parents. There was abuse and drug use involved, and the parents are in jail awaiting trial.

Rafe had a twin sister, but she was tragically killed in a drive-by about four months ago. Apparently, both kids were locked in separate rooms, and Rafe broke his arm trying to bust down the door to get to her. I can’t imagine the trauma and guilt he’s carrying on his little shoulders.

After that, Rafe was taken into protective custody and placed in foster care.

Rafe is, understandably, troubled. He’s gotten in fights at school, and both foster families who have had him so far gave him back.

We asked the social worker if we can bring him a gift when we meet him, but apparently he’s quiet and wouldn’t share what he’s interested in.

“I hope he likes it.” I nervously hold the gift bag while Matt holds Simon’s hand.

“If not, we can take it back and let him pick out something different,” Matt says .

“In?” Simon points to the door. He loves opening doors.

“Yeah, little man. Let’s go,” Matt squeezes my shoulder, then holds Simon’s hand as Rafe’s social worker opens the door for us.

Rafe sits in a red plastic chair farthest away from us at a wooden table, his eyes studying the worn wooden floor. He’s wearing scuffed up tennis shoes, a worn white tee, and light blue jeans. Everything looks second hand.

His shaggy brown hair curls around his ears. I wonder if he likes it that long or if he’d like a trim. I’ve gotten good at trimming Simon’s hair. I bet I could do Rafe’s.

“Hey, Rafe. Your foster parents are here,” the social worker announces.

Rafe says nothing. His hands are balled into fists in his lap like he’s ready for a fight. He barely acknowledges our presence, eyeing our feet warily with his head ducked down.

“What’s up, Rafe? I’m Matt, and this is my wife Jasmine. This is our son, Simon.”

“Hi. We brought you a gift.” I set the gift bag at his feet.

“Go, go,” Simon pulls his hand free from Matt’s grip and walks to Rafe.

I don’t want Simon to spook Rafe. I’m about to scoop Simon up, but Matt stops me with a hand in front of my stomach. I look up at him, and he grins, then nods to the boys. When Simon reaches Rafe, he pats Rafe’s knees.

“Baba. Baba,” Simon chants until Rafe looks up at him.

“Hey,” Rafe says quietly.

Rafe finally looks up, and my breath catches in my throat. He’s got a black eye, and it’s almost swollen shut. His soulful brown eye I can see looks too mature to be an eight-year-old’s.

Rafe must notice my shock, because he looks down again immediately. “A bully was picking on a younger kid at my school.”

I bet the bully was way bigger than him, because that black eye is severe.

I whisper to the social worker. “Has his eye been checked out?”

“Yes. No broken bones, and no damage to his eye. It happened yesterday, and the doctor said the swelling will go down in a couple of days,” she answers discreetly.

Instantly, I want to get him home to put ice on it. It probably hurts like heck.

“You jumped in to help when a kid was being bullied, Rafe?” Matt asks.

“I hate bullies,” he mutters, his eyes downcast. Simon bounces on his feet, patting Rafe’s knees again.

“Same here,” I agree, sitting in the chair next to him.

“I like that you stood up for someone who couldn’t stand up for themselves,” Matt adds, and Rafe looks up, surprised.

Seems like Rafe is a natural protector, just like Matt. They’re a great fit for each other.

“Why do you guys want me? The kids in here say all the parents want babies. You already have a baby.”

“Exactly,” Matt interjects. “We already have a baby. Simon needs a big brother.”

“He doesn’t need a big brother.” Rafe eyes us cautiously. “You guys are just saying that.”

“Actually, I’m pregnant, so we’ll have Simon and another baby. We’re calling him or her Peanut for now.”

“ Another baby? You don’t need me,” Rafe says.

“We want you. We love kids,” I smile.

“Everyone needs someone to protect them,” Matt says.

“Not me,” Rafe mumbles.

“I work sometimes, but I’d love Simon and Peanut to have a big brother. They’ll need a protector when I’m at work,” Matt explains. “We’ve got a house in the country with plenty of room to run around. Nice neighbors, too. We got you a gift. Something to play with outside.”

“Will you take the gift away when you decide I’m not what you want?” Rafe asks, his gaze fixed on Simon while our son checks out Rafe’s worn tennis shoes.

Matt’s eyebrows rise in surprise, but he schools his features. “Nah, man. It’s permanently yours. We hope you want to stay with us. But if you try out our home and don’t like it, you can always come back here.”

Rafe shakes his head, his eyes glued to the floor. “I’m not a great protector.” Then, he adds, barely audible, “I couldn’t save my sister.”

It’s obvious he carries a ton of guilt for not being able to save his twin.

Matt kneels down. “You’re mature, so let me level with you. You’re a great protector. I heard what happened to your sister, and I’m sorry you couldn’t break through that door. That has nothing to do with your ability to protect and everything to do with you being only eight. Give it a couple of years, and you’ll be strong enough to do anything you want. I can help you build your muscles. ”

Rafe silently studies Matt, his eyes flitting to Matt’s muscular shoulders and biceps filling out his blue t-shirt.

When Rafe says nothing, Matt continues, “I love protecting the people I love, so we’d make a great team. We can’t change what happened in the past, Rafe, but we’d love to change your future. We have a safe home. Nothing like what happened to your sister happens where we live. Give us a chance. If we’re not a good fit, we’ll help you find a family who is.”

“You’ll hand me back to the social worker like the other two families did.” Rafe fires back, sitting up straighter and lifting his chin defensively.

“We won’t. We’ll help make sure you find your forever family if it’s not us. Family isn’t only the one you’re born into, Rafe. We’d like to be here to support you if you want, even if we’re not your forever family,” I offer.

Rafe probably feels powerless in this situation. I love giving him the freedom to know that we’ll help him find the family that’s the right fit for him, even if it isn’t us. But, boy, do I hope it is us. I already feel a pull to him.

Over the past year, I’ve gotten better at communicating my feelings and sharing about my childhood.

I take a deep breath, then share with Rafe, “You asked why we want you. The truth is, I had a rough childhood. We want to foster an older kid like you, because I wonder how my life would’ve been different if I’d grown up with a loving family. We want to give you love and protection, Rafe. We want to show you what it means to live with parents who will do anything to keep you safe and love you. Matt was the first person to ever protect me. Let us have our shot at loving and protecting you.”

Whew. That was hard. I shake my hands out, letting the extra anxiety work its way out of my body.

Rafe looks from me, to Matt, then to Simon. “Okay.”

“You won’t regret it,” Matt vows.

Rafe stands. He’s tall for an eight-year-old and very slim.

Matt goes to put his arm around Rafe’s shoulders, but Rafe flinches.

“Sorry,” Rafe mutters. “Habit.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’re here for you. I promise you, Rafe, we’ll never hurt you.”

Matt reaches out his hand, and Rafe stares at it as if it’s a snake.

After a few moments, he looks at me again, then at Matt. My husband nods at him, and Rafe nods back. Then, Rafe slowly reaches out his hand to shake Matt’s.

“Let’s go home, family,” Matt smiles.

This is the start of something excellent. These three are my forever. Well, and the little one growing inside of me.

I pick up Simon, and we walk towards our future together. And you know what? I think it’s so bright, I’m going to need my sunglasses.