Chapter 12 Gut Feeling (Jamie's POV)

Monday morning was long enough for Marie to keep the kids all to herself. I'd missed those little rascals just as much as her, and couldn't wait to see them all again. I knew Marie needed the day to herself with the kids to reassure herself they were ok and there.
Marie told me of the abuse she and the kids were put thru at the hands of their father. Not all of it, but more than she wanted to give. Or so her face said as such on the few occasions we talked about it. I understood her fear and the need to coddle them, but damn it I wanted to do it to.
Before the kids left for the month I asked them for their permission to date their mom, and they'd both agreed. With the only exception coming from Bree, but she just wanted proof that I was making her momma feel special and pretty.
I could do that.
I promised them I would come over when they got back and tell them how it all went. Weather bad or good along with all the pictures.
Before Marie joined us at the picnic I had just told the kids once they saw how happy their mom was in the pictures I wanted their permission to ask Marie to be my girlfriend. They both agreed and now was finally the day he was one step closer to getting what was his.
Four months ago if you told me I was gonna be madly in love with a woman and her two kids I would have called you crazy. But the day I walked into that diner and spotted that short curvy brunette running around that place I knew I was done for. The pain and loneliness reflected in her eyes called to me. I was the only person who could make it all go away.
I made a fool of myself and stooped to a tactic so bad it's not worth repeating just to get the woman to look twice at me. I know using her kids was a dick move, but I'd ran out of lines and options days before. Short from getting on my knees in front of everyone and begging, which was my next choice if the kids backfired.
But it did and we had a blast. Bree was smart and loved color and drawing. She was good at it too. She'd shown me some of her sketches of the animals in the zoo. You'd never believe a ten year old drew them. Then there was Alex. That kid is all boy! I know that might not be the best thing when trying to get him to pay attention at school, but he reminded me so much of Brandon and myself at his age.
I enjoyed taking them new places, and playing till we all gave out. I loved that I was the reason they had those smiles on their faces. Their momma bear was no different.
The month that we'd had to ourselves was one of the happiest times of my life. Marie finally stated to let me in little by little. She started to crack jokes with me, and give me a sarcastic reply back without thought. She started to kiss me more and seek my touch whenever we were together. She had a love that was made of the strongest hold, and a kindness and compassion for others most didn't possess.
She has an inner strength and light that no matter how much darkness she has to face in her life, it will never go out or away. And I love her more than words itself.
She's the only woman I've ever dreamed about growing old with. How big our family would be and where that might be. If I told Marie all that though she'd run for the hills screaming though.
I'm not clueless, I know she wasn't looking for anything when she came to Bolton Tennessee. I can tell she wants to trust me completely but with her demons it's hard to. She's told me about some of the things that asshole did to her, makes me want to kill him even more. I know she isn't ready for more in our relationship yet, at least as far as I'd like to go skip it all and head straight to wife, but girlfriend is all I get for now and I'm more than fine with that.
I got up early and went to the diner and order breakfast for Marie, myself, and the kids then drove to their trailer. When I pulled up Marie's car wasn't in the driveway, but I figured they'd just passed me and should be on their way back anytime. The kid's surprised party was this afternoon and I know Marie wouldn't disappoint the sisters by not showing up with the kids, so I waited.
After four hours and two soggy bags of food smelling up his truck and no sign of Marie's car coming down her driveway, I started to worry. I tried to call her on her cellphone a few more times, but each one going straight to voicemail.
Out of all the talks they'd had somehow Marie had still managed to keep the name of the city they were from a secret from him. Other than stories I didn't know who I could call to get in touch with her if something were to go wrong while she was with Dewayne.
My gut screaming this is wrong finally gave me a push to do something I didn't like to do. I wanted Marie to tell me all this in her own time, but this was an emergency.
By noon I said fuck it. I picked up the phone and called the one person who always helped me out in a jam. My big brother Brandon picked up on the second ring.

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Sorry it's another short one. They should go back to normal length soon. Who likes Jamie's point of view?
Show of hands who wants to slap some sense into Marie right now, and cuddle Jamie in a bear hug?
You dirty perve I heard what you thought. Taking the poor man and not even offering to by him dinner after it! Shame on you. Your momma taught you better than that!
Now leave Jamie a comment telling him how sorry you are!
Just a momma bear protecting her cub,
Callie

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