Chapter Fifty One

Trinity

Stephen, Clint, and Dave had just left for a meeting, leaving Mia, Felicity, and me at home with the kids playing outside. We were sitting, sipping tea, and chatting. The conversation flowed naturally, but it felt strange to me. I knew it was hard for them too, as they were used to this with me, but I was struggling to keep up.

Mia seemed to sense my struggle. She looked over and gently touched my arm. When I looked up, she was smiling at me.

“Are you okay, babe?” Mia asked.

“Yeah, thank you for asking. It’s just been a big few days and my head is a bit sore,” I replied.

“I can imagine. Is there anything we can do to help?” Mia asked.

“Just let us know, hunny, we are all here to help you,” Felicity chimed in.

“Thank you, I appreciate that so much. There is something you could do,” I said.

“Anything,” Mia replied.

“Tell me about us please. All of us. I want to know. I am finding certain things are triggering my memories, and if that is working I want to keep trying,” I said.

“Where do you want me to start, babe?” Mia asked.

“Wherever you want,” I replied.

“Oh gosh, well I still remember the first time I met you. I had gone to Capulet with Clint to meet the boys as usual and we walked over and I saw you with Luke and Matt from your work sitting at the booth. I knew immediately you were someone special because Stephen didn't even notice me and my friend walk in. He couldn't take his eyes off you the whole night, it was as if none of us were there,” Mia said.

“I remember your excitement when I said we were going on a date the next day,” I said.

“Because he never dated! Ever! But oh my gosh from that day on, you don't know how happy you made us all that you came into his life. Clint would repeatedly tell me you brought his brother back to him. And oh my gosh your wedding, it was the most magical thing I have ever seen,” Mia said.

“I remember saying to Dave I wondered if our love would ever be like you two. You were made for each other,” Felicity said.

“Even Stephen during your pregnancy. The night we all found out you were pregnant,” Mia said.

“Oh god, you are a more patient woman than I am. I would have killed Dave,” Felicity said.

“Hahaha right! Clint would have been in the dog house,” Mia said.

“What happened?” I asked.

“You and Luke had an awards for work and you had not long found out you were pregnant with the twins and Luke kept buying you scotches so Stephen was drinking his plus yours to hide the fact you were pregnant without drawing suspicion to it yet,” Mia said.

“Oh dear, that sounds deadly,” I said.

“Mom,” Nathaniel called.

“Hi Nate, what's wrong?” I asked.

“Jay is eating sand,” Nathaniel said.

“Oh dear, let's get him then, baby,” I said.

I excused myself from the girls and went over to find our youngest trying to keep up with the other kids and he's covered in sand. I picked him up, dusting him off as he tried to grab a handful of my hair, putting sand everywhere.

“Hey you cheeky monkey, now we will both need a wash,” I said.

I went back over and put Jay down on the floor in front of him, watching as he went over to look at Mia and Clint's youngest, Maddie, and pulled himself around us girls trying to get everyone's attention.

“So what did he do anyway? The night you found out about the twins,” I asked.

“Oh, so he came home wasted, to Clint and my house, it used to be Stephen's until you guys bought your new house, we all lived together. Anyway, you were trying to get him to bed but he was trying to get lucky,” Mia said.

“Like every drunk horny male,” I said.

“Exactly haha anyway he blurted out about doing the double pump and filling you full of two babies,” Mia said.

“Hahaha wow! No filter on that mouth,” I said.

“None whatsoever but damn did you handle it like a champ, babe. You definitely have that man under your spell, he is mesmerized with you,” Mia said.

“He seems like an incredible husband and father,” I said.

“Hey, you are an amazing wife and mother too, babe. You two were made for each other,” Mia said.

“Thank you,” I said.

The girls and I spent a few hours outside letting the kids have a big play before bringing them in to sort them lunch. As we were sitting down with the kids having lunch the guys came back and joined us for something to eat.

Sitting down next to me, Stephen leaned over and gently kissed my forehead.

“Hi doll, are you okay?” Stephen asked.

“I am, are you though?” I asked.

“I am fine, why do you ask?” Stephen asked.

“You look a bit worried, babe,” I said.

“We can talk later, beautiful, it's fine. Did you have a good morning?” Stephen asked.

“It was nice, the girls were telling me a bit about our lives,” I said.

“That's nice, baby, I am glad. And what do you think? Regretting picking me yet?” Stephen asked, trying to smile it off but I could still sense the fear behind his eyes.

“Not even a little, although we will talk about that double pump comment again when I have all my memories back,” I said.

“Hahahahahahaha so that is the kind of things you girls talked about, hey. Thanks, Mia, I owe you one,” Stephen said.

“Hahaha hey, she asked! I will never lie to my girl,” Mia said.

“Be selective hahaha,” Stephen said.

“No don't, I want to know it all,” I said.

“Oh okay, so did you get on to the Barney comment then?” Stephen asked.

“Hahaha shut up or I will bring the brain source up,” Mia said.

“Hahahahaha,” Clint laughed.

“Okay slow down, I am sure this all means something to me too, but remember I am a little in the dark right now,” I said.

“Baby, I promise these are memories I will tell you at a later time,” Stephen said.

“Hahahahahahaha pussy,” Dave said.

“Why?” I asked.

Stephen leaned over and whispered in my ear and the other four cracked up laughing and I looked at them curiously.

“Baby, you used to have your best ideas when we were, you know,” Stephen said.

“Know what?” I asked.

“When we were making love,” Stephen said.

“Oh,” I said.

He leaned in closer to my ear and whispered softer.

“So we used to joke it was because you were plugged into your brain source,” Stephen said.

“Oh my god! Stephen!” I exclaimed.

“Hahahahaha,” Stephen laughed.

After lunch, everyone headed off and Stephen and I got the kids settled for an afternoon nap while we sat down in our living room and he pulled me into his lap, holding me tight. As I sat across his lap while he watched the television, I felt his hand softly stroking my leg and I buried my head into his chest, holding him tighter.

“Are you okay, baby?” Stephen asked.

Trinity - I feel so secure when you hold me.

Stephen - I’m glad, sweetheart. I’ll always keep you safe.

Trinity - Because you’re my king, right?

Stephen’s posture straightens in his chair as he looks at me.

Trinity - Did I say something wrong, darling?

Stephen - No, but there’s only been one other time you’ve called me that. Do you remember why you said it then, darling?

Trinity - I’m not sure, because you are? You’re so protective of our family, and I feel so drawn to you, so safe with you. It just feels like no matter what happens, we have to protect each other.

Stephen - Always. Sweetheart, I had a meeting this morning and there are some things I need to discuss with you. Some of it might bring up unpleasant memories, but I need you to know so I can keep you safe, okay?

Trinity - Okay, Stephen. I trust you.