Forget Me Not

Chapter 24

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

ARIS

The entire way to the clinic, I kept Berlynn in my lap, softly combing my fingers through her tangled hair and massaging her scalp. She purred like a kitten and nestled down into me. My heart was still racing as we pulled into the parking lot. Kayson and Garrick helped me slide out of the vehicle so that I didn’t have to release her. Putting her on that bed and stepping back was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do, but it was necessary so that the doctors had room to assess her.

Hamburg came in as the doctor and nurse left the room to order tests. He managed to get his statement before the tech came in to take her to their radiation department where she underwent X-rays, CAT scans, and tubes of blood were drawn at the lab. Through all of that I raged. Dad showed up and gave my ass a good chewing, making me see reason. I’m still not going to let her out of my sight, but my anger and fear has somewhat subsided into a slow simmer instead of the raging inferno it was.

“You were lucky, young lady,” Dr. Emerson says as she goes over the results. “No breaks or tears, just a bunch of nasty bruising. You need to take things easy over the next two weeks, but you should start feeling more like yourself in seven to ten days. Until then, use the Ibuprofen prescription I’m giving you as needed, apply ice, heat, and get an insurmountable amount of rest. If you show any signs of dizziness, fevers, or nausea call the number on top of your discharge papers or go see your primary doctor.”

“What about her headache?” I ask. She’s been moaning and grabbing her head between her palms trying to add some pressure on her temples to ease the throbbing.

“The only thing that’ll help her there is sleep and the use of over-the-counter pain relievers. Unfortunately, it’s something she’s going to have to ride out,” Dr. Emerson explains.

“Can’t you give her something stronger?” I probe.

“I don’t want anything like that, Aris,” Berlynn whispers. “I told her nothing stronger than Tylenol or Ibuprofen. My stomach doesn’t tolerate anything stronger than them, and I’m afraid that if I’m always at the toilet, it’ll make me feel worse.”

“And could cause further injury,” Dr. Emerson tacks on.

“Can we just go home, Aris? All I want to do is sleep in your arms,” my woman begs.

“Okay, baby girl. Let’s go home.”

Two days later, we’re lounging in the living room with Berkley, Addison, and Tracker when there’s a knock on the door.

“Expecting anyone?” Berlynn asks me.

“Kayson messaged me earlier and told me that he and Hamburg would be stopping by with updates on your parents,” I answer as I reluctantly unwind my arms from around her shoulders and go let our guests in.

After greeting them at the door, I lead them back to where Berlynn is waiting for me.

“Hey, guys,” Berlynn says, waving at the two of them. “Have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?”

“I’d be happy to get you a beer,” I offer the both of them, not wanting my woman to get up and play hostess.

“We won’t be here long, but thank you,” Kayson acknowledges. “The reason for us wanting to stop by is to let you know in person that your parents pleaded out. We didn’t want you to find out through the media what their plea consisted of. They’re turning state's evidence against the higher ups in the organization they were a part of. The thing is, that they managed to talk the district attorney into putting them into WITSEC for their protection. They will be forced to wear an ankle monitor so they’ll be tracked by their handler daily since they’re a threat to you and Berkley.”

“That’s bullshit,” I growl.

“But it was expected,” Berlynn adds. “They always manage to dig themselves out of any mess they find themselves in.”

“There’s more,” Hamburg announces.

“Lay it on us, it can’t get any worse than what you just told us,” I state, releasing a pent up breath of air.

“Angelica’s body was found in the lower level of the warehouse. She was deceased. The coroner’s report states that it was a drug overdose,” Hamburg informs us. “We’re not sure if it was by her hand or theirs. Your parents aren’t giving that tidbit up. They’ve brushed over it every time they’ve been asked that question, implying they don’t know.”

“I call bullshit,” I spit out.

“I hope she hurt in the end,” Berlynn says. “After everything she did to my brother, she didn’t deserve a peaceful death.”

“Anyway,” Kayson cuts in and says, “that’s all we have for you for now. We’ll keep you posted if we find out anything new.”

“Appreciate that. Thanks for the house call,” I tell them. “If you need anything to help strengthen your case, call Garrick. He’s been enthusiastic about taking them down.”

“He’s already helped a lot, and so have the files you’ve given us. We’ll be in touch.” Hamburg reaches out and shakes all of our hands in succession before he and Kayson head out.

When I settle back down beside my woman, she laces her fingers with mine and sighs. “It’s time to start living our lives. We’re finally free from our monsters. Now, it’s time for all of my dreams to come true.”

“What’s your biggest dream, baby?” I ask, kissing her temple.

“To marry you, raise a few kids, and grow old together. That’s my new dream, Aris.”

“Then let’s make that come true, baby girl.”

SIX WEEKS LATER

Standing in my backyard with my parents, Addison, and Berkley and a few of our closest friends in attendance, Berlynn and I share our vows before them. I’ve waited a lifetime to officially make her mine, and after today, that has been cemented with promises of infinity. Just as solid and unbreakable as the rings encompassing our fingers.

“I do,” Berlynn says with a blissful smile.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

I tilt my bride backward and lay a scorching kiss on her lips. Hoots and whistles are heard in the background as I claim the woman that’s always held my heart.

“May I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Aris Davenport.” When that declaration is made by the justice of the peace, we walk down the aisle to bubbles being blown in our direction.

I pause at the end of the aisle and pull Berlynn tightly to my chest. Leaning over, I tell her, “I love you, Mrs. Davenport.”

“And I love you, Mr. Davenport.”

“Are you ready to work on the second part of your dream, my love?” I ask. We discussed it and decided that we’d waited long enough for the beginning of our future. We’ve secretly loved each other for more than half of our lives, and we didn’t want to waste another moment by procrastinating.

“I’m ready, Aris. Let’s start growing our family,” she purrs.

“Whatever you want, Berlynn. Always and forever.”

“Take me to bed, Aris.”

I swoop her into my arms and run through the backyard, into the house, up the flight of stairs until we cross the threshold into our bedroom.

“From this day forward, you’ll forget me not, Berlynn. I’ll be by your side no matter what life throws our way. There’s no take backs or do overs, you’re stuck with me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she vows.

Growling, I inform her, “I’m gonna make love to you now, beautiful.”

“And I’m going to covet every moment of it, Aris.”

TEN MONTHS LATER

“More, Aris. Harder,” my wife pants as I pound into her from behind. I rearrange the pillow beneath her to take the pressure off her burgeoning belly. After I feel like my daughter is cushioned and won’t suffer from the effects of the thrashing of my hips, I grip her sides and let loose.

“Fuck!” I holler as her walls clamp down on my dick.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she chants as I shove myself deeper into her channel. “I’m close!”

“Come now,” I demand, clenching my abs to hold off my own release. I refuse to shoot off until she’s orgasmed.

As if her body was waiting for my permission, she detonates. My balls draw up and I erupt inside of her.

When I pull out, I watch as our combined release slicks her pussy lips and thighs. There’s something about that view that has me wanting to beat my chest in satisfaction. I shift us onto our sides where I pull her back into my chest.

“Three more days,” I announce as I stroke her swollen belly.

“I can’t wait to meet her,” she drowsily says. It doesn’t take long for her to succumb to sleep, and once she does, I get up and wet a rag to clean us both.

I toss the cloth to the side and hover over her on all fours. Kissing the spot where my daughter resides, I confess, “You and your mother are my entire world, Ayla. I promise you’ll never feel alone like your mother did. You will always know how loved you are. There will never be any doubt in your mind how treasured you are by us both. Sweet dreams, little one.”