Axel's POV

I felt Brandon's arms wrap around me as I stood looking out the window. "How are you holding up?"

"Not sure how to answer that," I muttered and took a drink of my coffee. "I really want to crawl back in a bottle, but I know that won't help her," I admitted. "Honestly, I feel helpless. Corey has to be right, there's got to be someone pulling strings. None of it makes sense - I mean, fuck, they have more than enough evidence to go after the bastard!"

He pressed a kiss to my neck, "I know, love. I feel helpless too. I think we all do, but she still keeps fighting, so we have to as well." He turned me around and took the mug from my hands. Setting it on the table, he cupped my face and kissed me. I felt myself cracking and tears began to stream down my cheeks as I wrapped my arms around him. We stood there as he continued to hold me while I cried.

When my team was first placed together, I never dreamed I'd fall in love with Brandon. He was so angry and distant. He constantly lashed out at everyone except Corey. For Corey and Raven, it was easy. They knew they loved each other from day one, and neither of them were insecure about their sexuality. Even Marc felt comfortable in his own skin. Apparently, he'd never experimented with women much before Kaylie, preferring his one-night stands to be with men - relationships were off-limits in his mind. My father had been a homophobic piece of trash that drilled in my head how evil it was, all the while making me hate myself for my own desires. I'd avoided, repressed, and denied that part of myself for years which only made me into a horrible womanizer. I wasn't happy and it seemed my life mission was to make those around me miserable as well.

When the Academy put our family together, all my hiding quickly fell apart. Raven had pulled me aside one night and asked why I was so angry. When I stormed off, he'd called a family meeting. They were actively talking about kicking me out as their liaison when I came back. Brandon had gotten up in my face about the way I was raging at his brother and then the next thing I know, I'm against a wall kissing him like he was my only source of oxygen - and at that moment, he was. That was a long night of tears, lots of alcohol, and sex. But when I woke the next morning in bed with Brandon, I knew I never wanted to be anywhere else.

"Feel better," he asked softly as his fingers ran through my hair.

"Yeah," I replied, "thank you." North walked into the room and grinned at us. "Has she woken up yet?" I asked.

"She's in the shower now. Doesn't remember a thing about her nightmares," he replied, shaking his head. "Sean's going with her to her therapy appointment today. He wants to make sure she gets referrals for Houston. Silas and I are headed to get more supplies. We're going to work on the second-level framing today. Do either of you want to join us?"

"I'd like to go," Brandon said, "Any way we can make a pit stop? I need to pick up slugger's gift."

He laughed, "Of course. I haven't even started shopping yet. Fair warning, I'm the lame gift person. Every year I swear I'm going to start early, then I find myself on Christmas Eve at a gas station buying junk." I laughed at the mental picture.

"I tend to buy online and pay to have it wrapped," I admitted. "I'm all thumbs when it comes to wrapping stuff."

Brandon grinned and teased, "Slackers."

"Oh shut it," I joked, "Just because you and Gabe are lost twins doesn't mean you need to brag." North raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, don't let the tough biker-guy image fool you. This man can decorate, wrap presents, match colors, and bake. I swear he's fucking Martha Stewart as a man."

North choked on his coffee because he laughed so hard while Brandon just slapped my ass and kissed my cheek. "Shit, you guys are the epitome of don't judge a book by its cover. So far Raven's the only predictable one - and that alone is terrifying."

I gave a knowing chuckle, "Is Marc a bit more controlling than you anticipated?" North's cheeks blazed crimson. "Watch it, he'll have you on your knees quicker than you can say please. The man may be a switch, but he definitely has some powerdom tendencies," I taunted.

North cleared his throat, "Um, yeah, well, um we'll be leaving in about an hour once we finish breakfast." With that, he quickly headed toward the kitchen.

"You are shameless," Brandon said laughing at me.

"What," I said, raising my hands. "I didn't say anything that wasn't true. I can't help it that my filter broke years ago." He rolled his eyes at me and grabbing my hand, tugged me toward the kitchen and the rest of our family.

"Good morning," I heard her quiet voice behind me. "Sorry, I hear I gave everyone a scare last night." She was wearing an oversized green sweater with a pair of soft cream-colored leggings with her hair pulled into a ponytail. I pulled her into a hug, smelling her strawberry shampoo. She leaned into my embrace and sighed. "I wish I wasn't so much trouble."

"Hey, you're not." I protested and she gave me a look. "Seriously, think about it," I said, "A few nightmares are nothing compared to Raven running around naked - all the time, even when guests come over, Marc trying to make everything coffee flavored, Brandon being a closet home decorator, and don't even get me started on Corey," I teased. "Of course, then there's the mess that is me."

"You're not a mess," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. "You're my safe place." Her eyes met mine and she pressed her lips to mine. It was a gentle kiss, but I can't explain how much it meant to me. Knowing that I made her feel safe, made me feel like I could take on the world. She pulled back and laid her head against my chest, "Don't you know how much I need you? Even back then, I knew you'd keep me safe. You were the first man I ever trusted and you've never given me a reason to take that trust back. I love you, Axel." I kissed the top of her head at a loss for words, then picked her up. She wrapped her legs around me and giggled as she nuzzled my neck. I really just wanted to take her up to my room and make love to her, but we needed to get the day started, and she had appointments.

"Good morning, beautiful," Victor told her as he kissed her cheek. I sat down in a chair, keeping her firmly in my lap as he handed her a cup of tea. "How are you feeling?"

She shifted in my lap as I stifled a groan. "Not bad, no morning sickness to speak of so far. I'm a bit nervous about the amnio test, but then again, I despise needles." She let out a little sigh as she tasted her tea, "Oh wow, how did you find this? I've searched everywhere for Buttermint tea - it's my favorite." She took another sip and wiggled in happiness.

"I remembered," Brandon told her, "Victor helped me find a company that makes it and since it's caffeine-free, Sean said it was a good tea option for you." She gave him a huge smile and wiggled again.

"Angel, if you keep wiggling in my lap, you're going to be late for your appointment," I growled in her ear and squeezed her thighs. She blushed and stopped moving, well mostly. We all chatted about her plans for the day and finished breakfast. Before she got up, I pulled her against my chest and asked, "Can I steal you away tonight?"

Her face lit up, "I'd love that, Axel. Is there anything I should plan for?"

"Dress warm," I told her, then kissed her gently and set her off my lap. "We'll leave about six." She giggled and agreed then headed out the door with Sean, Owen, Corey, and Raven.

"So what do you have fucking planned so I know how to dress her?" Gabe asked.

"Dinner and a sleigh ride through the park," I said with a huge grin. "If you can make sure she has something to cover her ears and gloves, I'll stow them in the car. I appreciate the help," I told him.

"Oh, she'll love that! She was telling me and Luke that she loves looking at Christmas lights. Hell, I was planning on hiring a fucking crew to light up this place so she can look at it," he laughed.

"You should light up the pond area in the back too," Marc suggested. "Then we could see it out the windows."

Gabe's eyes lit up. You could see the wheels moving as he started mumbling to himself. I shot Marc a grin - I think we might have just created a monster. "I'll get her outfit put together, then I need to call my production folks," he said with a glazed look and wandered out of the room.

"Should we be worried?" I asked.

Luke laughed, "You'll get used to it. Honestly, this is the longest he's been home in two years. I think he's channeling all of his creativity into whatever keeps her happy. He's been working with Silas on the nursery design as well. They're going to use the new room upstairs and have it connect to her room with a small passthrough closet."

"Don't tell Brandon, or he'll want to help decorate," I joked.

"I heard that," Brandon called from the front room. I held up three fingers and looked at Luke. 3 - 2 - 1... "Hey Gabe, can I help with the nursery?" We heard him holler up the stairs and then footsteps.

Luke and I burst out laughing.  

Author's Notes: Just a heads up my lovelies, I'm having a downswing in my mental health right now, so I apologize if my updates slow a bit.  Honestly, I'd just like to turn myself into a blanket burrito and cry.