Chapter Thirty Seven

Stephen

I was roused from sleep by Livy, who was trying to climb onto me and tugging at my arm.

Olivia - Dada...

Stephen - Hey, baby girl. You’ve been crying, haven’t you? Come here, princess.

I lifted her into bed with her mother and me, and held her close to my chest. I could feel my doll stirring beside me.

Trinity - Mmm, everything okay, babe?

Stephen - Everything’s fine, sweetheart. Livy just woke up a bit upset.

Trinity - You okay, princess?

Trinity reached her arm around me, snuggling into my back. Our daughter’s head rested on my chest as we both gently stroked her hair and back. We must have all drifted back to sleep because the next thing I knew, I was being woken up by my son climbing onto the bed.

Stephen - Go on, baby boy, climb in too.

I helped him onto the bed, and he nestled between his mother and me, automatically seeking the comfort of his mother’s arms. She held him close, then reached her arm back over me, our baby boy snuggled between us, stroking his mother’s long hair.

Trinity - What time is it, baby?

I managed to pry one eye open to check.

Stephen - It’s 3:30pm, baby. I set the alarm for 4pm to give us enough time to wake up, shower, and bathe the kids.

Trinity - Mmm, let’s leave it for now. It’s nice just lying here, cuddling our babies.

I rolled onto my back, my little princess cuddled under my arm, already back to sleep. I lifted my other arm to wrap around my wife’s shoulders, under her head.

Stephen - It is nice, isn’t it? Come here, baby.

She moved closer, resting our baby boy between us. He was now stroking his momma’s baby belly, sucking his thumb with heavy eyes. My doll rested her head into my neck, and I turned my face to her, kissing her softly. My hand came up to play with her hair as we lay there, enjoying this quiet family moment. But it wasn’t long before the alarm jolted us fully awake.

Stephen - Alright, gorgeous, time to get up.

Trinity - No, you get up. We can stay in bed while you go.

Stephen - Damn! Trying to push me out the door already, huh?

Trinity - Alright, you big baby, I’m getting up.

Stephen - Mmm, funny that, so am I.

Trinity - Behave yourself and get our little princess up.

Stephen - Alright, baby.

We managed to wake the kids, though they were a bit grumpy at first. We put them in our bed with some water and turned on the TV for them while they woke up properly. This gave us a chance to grab a coffee and get showered and dressed quickly before we sorted them out. We had just finished bathing the kids and given them some fruit to tide them over until dinner when we heard Clint and Mia at the door.

Stephen - Hey, guys, how are you feeling?

Clint - Slept like a baby, bro. How about you guys?

Trinity - Slept with four babies kicking me, hahaha.

Stephen - Hey, don’t make me kick you fair up the ass, cheeky.

Trinity - You wouldn’t dare.

She gave me a look, and I raised my eyebrows to let her know I was up for the challenge.

Stephen - Anyway, are we all ready to go?

Mia - Ready when you guys are.

We made sure we had everything and grabbed the baby bag for the kids with their stuff in it, then headed down to the reception to get a car to Phil’s. We didn’t have to wait too long, and half an hour later we were at Phil’s, making our way up to the front door.

Marcella - Oh my, Phil, look! It’s our boys and their babies!

Clint - Hey, Marci.

Clint wrapped her up in a big hug, and she beamed from ear to ear.

Marcella - Oh, look at you, beautiful girl. Mia, you are stunning, my darling. And this must be your gorgeous little man I’ve heard so much about?

Mia - It’s so good to see you, Marci. It’s been too long. And yes, I’d love for you to meet our son, William, Willie.

Marci scooped up Willie, showering him with kisses while he giggled.

Marcella - What a gorgeous baby boy. And Stephen was right, he does take after his momma.

Clint - You prick! I thought we had something special.

Stephen - Hahahahaha.

Marcella - Clint, do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

Clint - Sorry, Marci.

Eduardo - Hey, you little prick! Long time no see, Hijo.

Clint - Hey! How come he gets to swear?

Eduardo - Because everyone loves me. Come here.

Clint - How’s it going, mate? You haven’t changed one bit.

Eduardo - Neither have you, still a boy stuck in a man’s body, I see.

We all laughed.

Eduardo - Sweet Mia, so good to see you, darling. I worry about you putting up with this one. It can’t be good for your mental health.

Mia - Hahaha, hey, Eddie. It’s so good to see you.

Eduardo - And bonita, look at your beautiful belly. Come here and let Papi kiss it.

Stephen - You fuck right off, mate, hahaha.

Eduardo - Such a sook with your toys, Hijo.

Trinity - Aghhh, right here and definitely nobody’s toy.

Stephen - Okay, baby, if you say so.

I winked at her, and everyone laughed, except my wife, who just raised her eyebrows.

Marcella - These babies are all just to die for! Let me see these gorgeous twins. Aren’t they just heavenly, like little Willie?

Trinity - Marci, this is Nathaniel and Olivia. Pea pods, say hi to Marci and Eddie.

They both went shy, and Livy instantly hid her face in my chest.

Stephen - Aww, little princess, why are you hiding?

Marcella - I see someone’s a daddy’s girl.

Trinity - Like you wouldn’t believe.

Marcella - Come on then, my loves. Let’s all sit down and eat.

We headed inside, and Marci had prepared a wonderful meal for us all. We laughed and joked through dinner, catching up with each other. But at the back of my mind, I was itching to confront Chad, who was just meters away in the shed. After all the damage he had caused, I was dying to get my hands on him and sort this out once and for all. My wife, sensing my tension, lovingly stroked the back of my neck and head.

Philippe - Has everyone finished eating?

We all said yes and thanked Marci for the wonderful meal.

Marcella - Kids, I know you have some important business to take care of. And son, I can see your tension radiating. So go get it sorted, then come back, and we can talk and catch up some more. Pop your little darlings in the theater room, and you can put a show on for them. I’m happy to watch them for you until you all get back.

Stephen - Thanks, Marci. Come on, baby.

Trinity - Really?

Clint - Seriously, all four of us are going. He’s messed with all of us, so we’re doing this as a team.

Mia - Are you sure, babe?

Stephen - We’re certain. Now, let’s get moving, you two.

We settled the kids in the media room, then headed down to the shed with Phil and Eddie. Sergio let us in, and we were greeted by him and Paolo. Sergio and Clint had a quick catch-up, but like us, Sergio knew there was business to be handled.

Sergio - Alright boys, let’s get this done.

I walked over to talk to Trinity, and Clint went to speak with Mia.

Stephen - Baby, I need you to listen to me right now, okay? And focus.

Trinity - Okay, babe.

Stephen - You might not like what’s about to happen, okay?

Trinity - What do you mean, sweetheart?

Stephen - This isn’t going to be an interrogation like the cops did with us. We aren’t the law. Do you understand me?

I looked deep into her eyes and saw the moment she grasped what I was saying. She nodded slowly.

Stephen - If at any point this becomes too much for you, walk away, baby. Go back up to the house with our kids, okay?

She just nodded again.

Stephen - I promised you no secrets and no lies, but I don’t expect you to stay here if it’s too much for you, okay?

Trinity - Okay.

Stephen - Promise?

Trinity - I promise.

I leaned down and kissed her softly, the embrace quickly turning passionate as our tongues danced together.

Stephen - Promise me, babe. If this is too much, you’ll leave. I need you to understand that I’m not doing this because I enjoy it. I don’t want to live this life anymore or be this person anymore. But I will protect our family to the ends of the earth. I have to do this so I know you and our kids are safe. It’s the only way I know how to keep you safe.

She reached up and stroked my face, looking deep into my eyes.

Trinity - I love you. It’s okay. We’re in this together, right?

Stephen - Forever.

I stepped back and took off my shirt, and Clint did the same shortly after.

Trinity - What are you doing, babe?

Stephen - I don’t want to get my clothes dirty.

I saw her eyes widen as she realized what I was implying.

Stephen - Say the word now, and I’ll send someone else in. You and our kids come first. If you don’t want me to do this, I’ll step down right now for you, baby.

I watched her as she thought about it for a few long moments.

Trinity - His lies have cost us too much already, nearly cost us each other, our family. I want this over with, baby. For good. Finish it, daddy. Get the answers we need, please.

Stephen - I love you.

I kissed my wife one last time, then nodded to Clint and we headed in.

We shut the door and after a few minutes, turned the lights fully up. I signaled to Clint to go behind Chad, who was hooded and tied up. I let Clint know to pull the hood up on my count. I held up my fingers and started counting down.

One.

Two.

Three.

The moment I hit three, Clint pulled the hood up and I waited a few moments as Chad’s eyes adjusted. It took him a few moments, but eventually he looked up at me, looking like a man who’d seen a ghost. Before he could say anything, I swung back and . . .