Page 15 of Ma Belle Marguerite
As much as I want anything other than to stop, my head decides now is the time to start pounding again. “I will do everything I possibly can to prove to you how much I love you. I can show you the letter, it is at home. I missed you, and I’m not letting you go again. Whoever did this was will pay. I promise.”
Bella looks me in my eyes and says the words I’ve been waiting to hear. “I’ve missed you, too.” Sighing, she adds, “But I can’t just let go of the last thirteen years. They have been an important part of my life and gave me my children. That is something that you will have to come to terms with.”
Taking a moment to choose my words carefully, I say, “I get that. I’m anxious to meet the twins. I can’t say how I feel about your deceased, um, other person, though.” I clear my throat. “Actually, fuck it. You are mine, and no other man should have had the chance to touch you. I should have been there to kill anyone who tried. I wasn’t there, and I do acknowledge that. It will not happen again.”
Bella cuts me off, “You don’t get a say in who touches me and how. You gave that right up thirteen years ago. This possessive bullshit may have flown back then, but don’t think I’ll put up with it now!”
“I won’t apologize for that; youaremine. Always have been and always will be. From here on out, I will kill any man or woman if they so much as look at you the wrong way.” I don’tcare how long it takes, but she will realize that she will be mine, til death do us part.
I’ll make sure she knows this is not something I will budge on. I now have the backing of my own ‘business’ behind me. I will use it to protect what is mine how I see fit. “You’re back in my life, and I intend to keep it that way. So you will have to deal with that.”
Chapter 7
Isabella
This man has got to be kidding me. I’m his? No man tells me what I can and cannot do!“Seriously, Rex, not happening. I suggest you watch what you say to me. I will choose, and you will deal with it.”
Taking a deep breath, I decide to keep going, and I may as well get it all out there now. “Listen, I’m sure you had your fun and whatever else while I was gone. I was heartbroken and found a way to make life bearable without you. Adrien wasn’t just somerandom guy. I loved him. He was there for me when I was falling apart because you weren’t around. I refuse to apologize or feel guilty about that. You’ll need to get over your shit. We arenotback together. I have changed, and so have you.
“If I decide to give you another chance, it will be on my terms. You will agree, or I will continue my life without you. My children are number one now; the sooner you realize that, the better. No one can replace their father.”
I know I’m all over the place with my thoughts but it is just so much to process. I hoped for this moment for so long, but I can’t just act like nothing happened. I’m going to get a headache thinking about all of this. Why can’t my life just be simple?
Rex puts me out of my misery. “Ma Belle Marguerite,I would never try to replace their father. I want to become a part of your life and theirs. I want to see how I can make up for all the lost years. If it takes starting as your friend, then that’s what I will do. I would die for you, so don’t underestimate what I would do to make things right.”
His face is filled with a look of determination, jaw clenched and narrowed eyes. He really isn’t planning to back down from this discussion. Looking into his eyes, I can see he means every word. Why is this man so frustratingly perfect? I want to kiss and smack him at the same time. I don’t know how this will work, but I owe it to myself to try. I can feel my heart slamming at the wall I built around it, trying to break it down. There is just something about this man that is so hard to resist. I need to be careful. I need to think of my kids, not just myself.
Standing up from my chair, getting ready to leave, I make a decision. “I’ll be back tomorrow before my shift. I will consider what you said, and we can talk further then. You need a shower, too, by the way.” I turn and rush away before he can say anything else. If I linger, I’m scared he will be able to see past my feigned strength and break through.
I make it to my SUV without running into anyone—a small mercy after whatever that was just now. I don’t even know where or how to start processing everything. I will need proof of whatever letter he claims he got from me, that is for sure. As much as I want to believe him, I just don’t know what is real anymore. The last thirteen years of my life have been a lie.
I let myself have a quick cry and mini meltdown before pulling out of my parking spot. I don’t even know how I feel besides being overwhelmed. I will need a wine and whine session with my girls soon. Well, no, I need onenow.
The drive home is quiet and quick, with only a few people up this late in a small town. It’s so different from Stinson. Driving through town, you don’t see lines at clubs or drunk people staggering around. The local bar is open, but only a few cars are parked outside. I didn’t miss the drama associated with this place, but I did miss the tranquility of it.
The kids should be in bed, but they will most likely have guilted their Matante into letting them stay up late again. At least it’s the weekend tomorrow. They have two more days until they start at their new school. They already got to do a tour and meet some of their potential classmates. I can’t wait until Sunday; I will have a day off to spend with them.
Pulling up to the house, I only see the faint light from the television in the living room window. So, when I enter the house, I try to be quiet, just in case they are asleep. As I suspected, Giselle and the twins are watching a movie in the living room. “Hey guys, what are you watching?”
“Mom!” Remi yells excitedly, almost spilling his bowl of popcorn in the process. “We’re watchingFast Five.”
Brielle looks at me with an eye roll, “He won rock, paper, scissors. I wanted to watch50 First Dates.”Annoyance fills her voice, and I have to suppress a giggle and possibly annoy her more.
“I won fair and square!” Remi sticks his tongue out at his sister. They argue like they are still five years old, except they don’t pull hair and call each other ‘poopy heads.’
“Okay, brats, time for bed. You said you just wanted to stay up until your mom got home. Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed.” Giselle tells the twins. Waiting for them to leave, she looks at me and asks, "How was your shift? You look horrible.”
All I say is ‘Wine and Whine time,’ and immediately, Giselle is up and walking to the kitchen with her phone out. Asking for this means something is really wrong, so she’s probably calling Camille to come over. “I’m going to go make sure the kids are getting ready for bed,” I call out to her. All I get back is a thumbs-up.
The kids hear me coming up the stairs and come out of their rooms for their nightly hugs and kisses, something I hope they never grow out of. This is the innocence Rex and I had wanted for our family. Yet here I am back in the middle of this crazy world I call home.
Remi reaches me first. I squeeze him tight and kiss his forehead. “Goodnight, baby. Love you.” He’s always been my boy and can never get enough cuddles.
Brielle is impatient and pushes her way between us “Goodnight, Mom. Love you more.”Of course, she can’t be shown up by her brother.
“Hey, I was hugging Mom!” Remi pouts. “I love you the most, Mom.”
Shaking my head at their antics, I kiss Brielle on her cheek and say, "I love you both. Go get some sleep, please.” They take off running and arguing towards their rooms.
