Game of Revenge

Chapter 13

Kiernan

“And how did that make you feel?” my therapist Shelly says with a gentle smile.

Sighing, I recline back in my chair and stare at the ceiling of her office, thinking.

After Brian was born and Carrie came out of her medically induced coma, I checked myself into a mental clinic.

I've been here for the last month, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave yet.

Looking at Shelly, I shrug. “I hold a lot of guilt. I know that seems absurd, but if I never chose to date them both, maybe things would have been different.”

Shelly turns off her tape recorder, then leans forward. “Kiernan, your heart is so big, and there is more room to grow. You shouldn't have had to choose. What Michael did was out of jealousy combined with being very ill.”

“I know he was sick, but how did we never catch the signs? Why couldn't I see that he was a monster? I know monsters, but he fooled me. He fooled us all.”

“A mask is just that. A mask. Some are better at hiding their true selves than others. Why don't we talk about your current love, Tray. He's agreed to do a family session with me. He wants to bring Francis too. How do you feel about that?”

“I'm happy for them. I know that he loves me too, and I'm fine with sharing him. I think a family session would do us all some good. He was so strong holding me together after Brian died, and I wasn't. I wasn't there for him to grieve, Frankie is and for that I will always owe her.”

“I see the progress you are making, Kiernan, and I am so proud of you. I know you're not sure about checking out this weekend, but I think you're ready.”

“What if I return home and all the thoughts begin to spiral again? What if I find myself back on that bridge?”

“Do you still want to disappear?”

I shake my head, and she grins. “You told me you made a promise to fight. And you have been. Every day you have grown stronger, Kiernan.”

“I don't feel strong,” I whisper, crossing my arms and holding myself. “I feel scared. Tray is moving on, and I want to be there for him. I crave it, but what if he decides to leave me too?”

“Taking a leap is frightening, but you never know what might be at the bottom. It could be something amazing.”

“I am so happy you're coming home, Kier,” Carrie says, pulling me into a big hug. Chuck stands beside her, holding Brian and as soon as I'm out of my best friend's clutches, I open my hands.

“Gimmie.”

Chuck laughs, then carefully places Brian into my arms. He's so small and looks just like Freddie did.

“Hello, Brian,” I coo. “Remember me? The one who was scarred for life bringing you into this world.”

Carrie scoffs and moves closer so she can move some hair out of his eyes.

“We owe you our lives, Kiernan. You saved us… Me… again.”

Shaking my head, I bite my bottom lip. “I put your lives in danger. I never should have gone to the bridge. I was just so lost… But I’m better now. Doctor Shelly agreed to continue seeing me twice a week, and I am going to get healthy again.”

“I know you will because we will be there every step of the way. You're not alone, Kiernan. You have a huge family there to catch you when you fall,” she whispers, smiling at her baby boy.

“I see big things in your future, Kier, you just need to accept them.”

Nodding, I lean down and kiss Brian's head. His skin is so soft, and he smells like lavender.

“It's time to go home. I didn't tell Tray. Will you give me a ride?” I give the baby back to Chuck, and Carrie takes my hand.

“Let's go pack your shit and blow this popsicle stand,” she says and I laugh, tossing my head back.

“Fuck, I've missed your crazy ass,” I say, and she gives me a smile before smirking.

“I have some news. It seems that the horrible Massacre that happened on Devil's Night is closed. A man confessed to the killings. He said that the devil told him to do it.”

Pausing, I turn to look at her.

“Seriously,” I breathe, and she winks.

“Total psycho. They found a small shed about ten acres away full of bloody bats and knives. Also a few fresh graves. He also had some vehicles parked throughout the property.”

Damn. I mean I knew we would never be caught, but shit that's perfect.

“Well, hopefully now their families will have closure,” I mutter thinking about Brianna. She's left Jefferson and decided to sell her home and move on.

I suggested Portland, but we will see. I think she and Ms. Kay might move in together. Brian is my family and his mother will always be in my life.

“Honey, I'm home!” I shout after Carrie drops me off at Francis’ house. It's quiet, but I know they are here.

Soft music plays in the bedroom, so I head that way. It's been too long since I've touched or kissed Tray and if they are in the middle of fucking, I'm game.

Pushing the door open, I freeze.

“Welcome home.”

Tray

Four hours earlier

Francis is at the store, and Kiernan is still at the clinic. I was hoping after our family session yesterday he was coming home, but he's not ready, and I respect that.

He has come so far since that night, and I won't risk setting him back.

I almost lost him.

Rubbing my chest, I stand and walk over to the closet. Reaching, I move some shoe boxes aside and pull out the small velvet boxes I've hidden there.

I know this is fast, especially for Frankie and I, but life is short and you never know when time will end.

I want to live the rest of my days in maddening love. I want to wake up between my lovers and go to sleep each night cuddled close to them.

I want us to start a family. I want every blessing that Carrie has, and we deserve it.

It's time to push the darkness away and move into the light.

Now, I just need to get Kiernan home where he belongs so we can start our happily ever after together.

Opening the boxes, I check that the custom rings are still there, then close them and hide them once again.

My phone rings on the charger so I rush to answer it. I will never allow a call to go to voicemail again.

The night Kiernan went to the bridge will haunt me. Frankie and I were joking around with a business associate of her fathers, and I didn't want to be rude.

I ignored the fifteen calls Chuck made. To think if things went differently…

Sliding my finger across the screen, I answer.

“Hey, what's going on?” I ask, ignoring how my hands are shaking.

“Carrie is helping Kiernan pack, then we are bringing him home. It'll be a few hours, but I wanted to give you a heads up. Should we have a welcome home thing?”

Brian fusses in the background, and I can hear Chuck soothing him.

“Let's plan something for tomorrow night. I have a feeling we may have more to celebrate.”

“Finally going to pull the trigger,” he jokes, and I grin.

Meyers, Chuck and I went to the jeweler together. I had a certain design in mind, and they had someone on retainer.

I guess they fuck up a lot and some day I'll need to see Carrie's jewelry chest, but they were right.

The man they use is perfect. I wanted Brian to be remembered on the silver band, and he came through.

“Yeah, it’s time. I have to go prepare. Thanks for the call, man. See you tomorrow.”

Hanging up, I call Frankie and have her buy a few extra things I'll need. She knows I plan to propose to Kiernan, but what she doesn't know is that she's helping to orchestrate her own proposal too.

“He just pulled up. Are you ready?” Frankie says, moving closer to fix my tie. I'm so nervous and I think I might throw up.

“Yes, thank you for everything, this looks perfect.”

Frankie went above and beyond with candles lit all around the room and flowers spread all over the floor. She even picked out some soft music.

“Honey, I'm home.” Kiernan shouts and Frankie giggles beside me. She wanted to give us some space, but she's going to have to learn wherever I am, I'll want her by my side as much as Kiernan.

We listen to his soft footsteps moving down the hall, I drop to my knees, opening the box, and face the door.

Kiernan opens the door with a gasp.

“Welcome Home.”

“Tray… I.”

“From the moment I met you, Kiernan, I knew that you were going to be my everything. You're smart, caring, loyal to a fault and accepting to the wants and needs of others…”

I look at Frankie, and she smiles.

“You're selfless, so brave and strong and the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. We have had our fair share of hard times…”

My throat chokes up thinking of Brian. I can feel him here with me. Watching as I close the end to this chapter and start a new one.

“But it's time for us to have our forever. If you will accept me as your husband. I will love you until my last breath. I will protect you with all the strength in my body, and I will bring you immense joy and insurmountable pleasure. Please say you will be mine.”

Kiernan has been nodding this whole time, but I worked hard on my speech, and I needed to get it all out.

“Yes, now kiss me before I pass out,” he says with a grin, and I climb onto my feet, then grab him and pull his lips to mine, devouring his moans.

When we separate, he looks over my shoulder at Frankie, reaches into my pocket and grabs the other ring.

“I love you Tray, and I'm not going anywhere. It's okay. Let's start our future. Don't waste another second.”

Holding his hand out, I place his ring onto his finger and take the box.

Turning, Frankie claps her hands and rushes to give us hugs.

When we separate, I drop back onto my knees and her green eyes widen.

“Francesca, you came into our lives when we needed you most. You took a broken man and held him as he pieced himself back together. I know this was a huge surprise to us all, but I can't picture life being any other way…”

Kiernan bends down and gives her a smile.

“Will you marry us,” he says with a laugh.

“God, yes, is this really happening? Yes! I will marry you.”

Falling onto her knees she kisses me until I can't breathe, then pulls away and hugs Kiernan tight.

We're all crying and I can't help but to think it's a cleansing of our emotions. We are letting go of the past and opening up for our future.

And I am so fucking excited to see what it holds.