To Love & To Protect Page 6

  “Baby we are so glad that you are home, we know that you aren’t completely out of the woods yet, but we are filled with joy for your safety. So, Ethan is going to get you settled in the house that you all will be residing in. Donna is going to come check your bandages and help you with anything and everything that you need. We are going to give you a few minutes with your girls, and then let you get some rest,” Eleanor finished.

  “Doctor’s orders,” Michael spoke from somewhere within the crowd. There was more laughter amongst the group.

  “You know that boy could have been a comedian, if practicing medicine doesn’t work out for him,” Eleanor said, good naturedly. “We all will have dinner, on the second floor of the main house with a view of the beach later if you are feeling up to it,” Eleanor finished.

  “You guys didn’t have to go through all this trouble for me,” Jasmine said getting a little teary eyed. “But, I am so glad you did,” she said smiling through the tears. “I love you all from the very bottom of my heart,” Jasmine said placing her good hand over her heart for emphasis.

  She received a chorus of, “We love you too.”

  Chapter 14

  Ethan liked all the togetherness and family love. He never had that. His parents were killed in a motorcycle accident. He had been raised in a series of foster care homes and group homes, so all of this was foreign to him. He knew that Trenton’s parents were well off, but this was unreal, he thought as he looked around the estate.

  Ethan opened the door, of the driver side and settled back into the car. The twins climbed into the backseat. Michael held the passenger door open and helped Jasmine in. He told her that he and Donna would be around in a little while to check on her, and then closed the door. Luke pulled away from the curb, Ethan followed then Trujillo did the same.

  Ethan opened the front door to the villa that they would be occupying. He carried all of Jasmine’s belongs into the villa.

  Jasmine was happy and in a good place, but she could see the shadows in Ethan’s eyes. She didn’t know whether to comment or what. So she just stayed silent.

  Eleanor had the place cleaned and aired out. There were fresh flowers on the table. The cabinets and the refrigerator were stocked. Jasmine was filling fatigued, but she wanted to spend some time with her girls.

  Ethan watched as Jasmine sat down and her girls sat on either side of her. She reintroduced him to the girls. She talked to them about their day. She asked them what the best part of their day was and what was the worst part of their day. Both girls agreed that the best part of their day was their mother coming home. The worst part of their day was home schooling. They both missed their classmates and after school activities. Jasmine reminded them that it was a temporary situation. They just had to endure it for a little while and count their blessings along the way.

  “Have you enjoyed playing with Dennis?” Jasmine asked. Before they could answer, Jasmine continued with, “Haven’t you had fun playing with Lindsay and just being here on the Blake-Moore Estates?” Jasmine finished.

  “It hasn’t been all bad,” Alyson said.

  Amber nodded her head in agreement. “Mommy, are you getting better?” Amber asked.

  “Yes, I am baby,” Jasmine said as she lowered her head and kissed her forehead.

  “It still hurts though doesn’t it?” Alyson asked curiously.

  “It doesn’t hurt all the time, but yes, sometimes it hurts. We have to focus on the positive girls, it’s healing. I will probably start physical therapy this week,” Jasmine said reassuringly.

  “Do you want me to kiss it and make it all better?” Amber asked so sweet and innocently.

  Jasmine and Ethan both chuckled. “No not right now, baby, but thank you,” Jasmine replied.

  “Mommy go ahead and take a nap,” Alyson said.

  “I will but, Donna is coming over to change my bandages,” Jasmine responded.

  As if on cue, Donna knocked on the door and came in with her medical bag.

  Jasmine greeted her warmly and then said, “Look at you looking all refreshed.”

  “Oh I know,” Donna responded. “The estate is so nice, and the ocean waves. Even the smell of the air is different. The bed is so comfortable and the coverings are so soft. I slept like a baby. It has felt like a mini vacation. Everyone is so nice and Dennis is having a ball,” Donna finished.

  “Eleanor always likes to have the best of everything and she’s a gracious hostess. To be so well off they are such a down to earth group of people,” Jasmine replied. “Except for Jonathan, he seems so stiff. Yet he softens up around Lindsay,” Donna added.

  “Jonathan is very serious, but every once in a while he lets his guard down,” Jasmine said.

  “I will believe that when I see it,” Donna said as she helped Jasmine from her sitting position on the chair.

  “Umm, I know you aren’t a babysitter, but can you keep an eye on the girls while my bandages get changed?” Jasmine asked Ethan.

  “Sure, Carina and Marisol are on the way back over here and I will just leave you all in their care,” he replied.

  “Okay, thanks for everything;” Jasmine said really looking at him. She couldn’t read him.

  He nodded his head as a response.

  Once in the room, Jasmine removed her clothes with little help from Donna. Donna checked her bandages.

  “You are healing nicely. I am going to leave the bandages off for a while so that the wounds can get some air. I will come in before dinner with everyone and help you get re-bandaged and dressed. Tomorrow, if Michael agrees you can start some physical therapy on your arm,” Donna finished.

  “Awesome,” Jasmine said.

  “Now get some rest so that you can be refreshed for later. I am going to see if the girls want to come with me while you rest, if that is okay?” Donna said.

  “Sure, just make sure that their security detail stays with them please,” Jasmine said. She walked over to dresser and removed a little white T-shirt and put it on over her undies. She got into the bed and settled under the sheets and fall into a deep sleep.

  Meanwhile Ethan was pacing along the living room of the house that the team had set up as base. Trujillo watched him walk around like a caged animal. Trujillo looked around to make sure that they could talk without anyone hearing them.

  “What’s up man?” Trujillo asked.

  Ethan kept pacing for a little while before replying that he was fine and was just trying to stay focused.

  “Are the Same old demons haunting you brother?” Trujillo asked knowingly.

  Ethan stopped pacing for a moment, “I am grown and I know it’s crazy to long for something that has never been within reach. I wouldn’t know what to do with it if I had it,” Ethan finished with a sigh.

  “Being here, let’s you see how the other half lives huh?” Trujillo asked.

  “Yes,” Ethan said, “And all of all of a sudden I am out of my league again. Do you know how much of a joke it is to most people for me to be dating a State Representative of the great state of South Carolina? I don’t fit in. Never have and never will,” Ethan said with a hint of frustration.

  “Man I know you had it rough growing up,” Trujillo responded, “But look what it has made you. You are a highly decorated United States Marine. You are part of a unit that is a family. You have money were you could lay down some roots if you want too. You really see people; you are incredible at reading people. Don’t let all these material things, the relationships that these people have with one another make you forget who we are?” Trujillo responded.

  “I got to get over my childhood at some point?” Ethan said.

  “Yeah you do,” Trujillo said slapping his friend on the back.

  “Did you know that Trent has a son man?” Ethan asked.

  “I do now,” Trujillo said. “I found out when you guys did.”

  “He would have known about his son earlier if I had made healthy connections with people. Because I had no one, Trent missed out on t
he first three years of his son’s life,” Ethan responded.

  “Man we all have our stuff. Stop burdening yourself down with everyone else’s junk. We all have been home from Afghanistan for two years. He made choices to push his very loving family away from him. He has demons of his own that he is battling. They have nothing to do with you,” Trujillo advised. “Shake this mess off brother before you become so compromised that you can’t continue to take point on this case,” Trujillo said. “Remember, it’s all pretend,” Trujillo finished.

  “I am going for a run, and then I will shower and change for dinner,” Ethan responded.

  Chapter 15

  Ethan change into basketball shorts and started out for a hearty jog. He was half way through his jog when he heard there was a disturbance in the villa where Jasmine was located. He ran as if someone was chasing him to get to her. He burst through the already opened front door and Kimberly advised that it was a false alarm.

  “What in the hell?” Ethan asked trying to catch his breath.

  “She is having bad dreams,” Kimberly said by way of explanation. She was screaming her head off, I radioed it in, and then I went in. She was screaming and crying but she was sleeping. So it was like a night terror, I guess. I called Michael at the main house, he and Donna are on the way,” Kimberly finished.

  Ethan stepped into the room. Jasmine was still dressed in her T-shirt and undies. She turned around when she heard footsteps approaching.

  “I made a mess,” she said about an area of tiled floor she had gotten sick on.

  Ethan stepped closer to her, his instinct was to comfort her but she shook her head no. He stopped in his tracks respecting her wishes.

  “Go start getting cleaned up, and we will clean this up for you,” Ethan said.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Jasmine said completely embarrassed.

  “Go,” Ethan said as a single word command.

  Jasmine nodded her head again this time in submission and throws the words thank you over her shoulder as she walked into the bathroom.

  While Ethan was cleaning up the mess, Michael, Donna, Nicole, Antonio and Renee came in.

  “Jasmine had another bad dream, but it must have been real to her because she was crying and screaming in her sleep. She was so upset by it that she became physically sick. I told her to head into the shower while I cleaned this up,” Ethan supplied.

  Donna and Renee walked into the bathroom and left the others with Ethan.

  Nicole stood with her hands on her hips, “You don’t like to wear clothes do you, Ethan,” she asked.

  “I was out for a jog trying to clear my head when this incident occurred. I will finish cleaning up this mess…”

  “No, no,” Nicole said, interrupting and reaching for the mop. I will finish cleaning this up. Go finish clearing your head, and get dressed for dinner,” Nicole encouraged him.

  As Ethan walked passed Nicole she patted his back in a comforting manner. When he looked back she just winked at him. As he was leaving he radioed that all was clear and started back running. He pushed himself even harder because having seen Jasmine in that T-shirt, his mind was anything but clear. Then he remembered the look in her eyes of hurt and emotional pain, and his heart actually hurt.

  Jasmine showered and toweled dry.

  Renee asked, “Jas what is going on? What was the dream about?”

  Jasmine secured the towel under her underarm and moved to the sink and picked up her toothpaste and toothbrush. She turned on the water and began to brush her teeth as she had not heard her sister’s question. When she had finished, she turned around and looked at her sister.

  “I have dreams about mom and dad sometimes; they are so real. I remember everything in vivid detail. The feelings that I felt on the day that we lost them rush in on me and a volcano of emotions erupt. I am forced to feel emotions and feelings I try so hard to suppress. It’s unbelievably real. It has become worse since the shooting. I don’t know,” Jasmine said.

  “I am sorry sis,” Renee said as she walked over and hugged her close. She rocked her back and forth to comfort her. After a few minutes, Renee released her hold on her sister. “Are you going to be okay enough to go to dinner?” Renee asked and then added, “If not everyone would understand.”

  “I have to eat, so I should do it with our family and friends. Besides, I haven’t spent any time with Antonio since he got here. I need to do some catching up,” Jasmine said.

  Jasmine smiled, as the color flushed into her sisters cheeks. “Hmm,” Jasmine asked, “Anything that you want to tell me?”

  “Jasmine,” Renee uttered on a sigh. “I am using him for comfort sex,” Renee admitted then dropped her face into her hands.

  Jasmine looked at Donna with her mouth opened and shaped into a large O. She burst into a fit of laughter at her sisters words.

  “Girl you are grown, and I am pretty sure that you both are enjoying each other’s company. I thought you two had something going on once before…” Jasmine trailed off then she said, “…you know.”

  “No, Antonio has always been a good family friend. He always has shared his abundance with us,” Renee said. “I am pretty sure that its pity sex,” Renee said.

  “I would like some pity sex,” Jasmine said with a bubble of laughter. Not with Antonio,” to be clear, Jasmine added.

  Donna was finishing, her new bandages and added, “Me too.”

  The ladies burst into laughter.

  Nicole knocked on the door and entered when she was told to come in. She had a beautiful yellow strapless dress slung over one arm and beauty supplies in the other. “I am here to get this young lady dressed for dinner, so I suggest that you two run along and do the same,” Nicole said. Nicole gave Jasmine privacy to get dressed, and then returned in a few minutes.

  “Thank you Nicole, this dress is beautiful, fits me well and enhances my skin tone,” Jasmine said happily.

  “Oh I knew that it was prefect for you when I saw it. It is both sexy and conservative, the way you like them,” Nicole responded.

  Jasmine smiled at her teasing.

  Sit down while I work some magic on this hair. Nicole oiled and moisturizer Jasmine’s hair and scalp. Then went to work with her flat iron and curling iron. Her black hair with natural red highlights fall down across her shoulders and down her back in an exotic array of curls. Jasmine used a facial cleansing wipe. She applied a caramel foundation to even out her skin tone, one of her favorite lipsticks called Earth, and a light brown eye shadow that had gold flakes in it, and black mascara and eyeliner.

  The woman that was staring back at her looked like she had it all together; she longed to be that woman.

  “Thank you so much for all that you are doing,” Jasmine said as she added accessories that Nicole was reaching to her.

  “Girl, I love you,” Nicole said. “We are going to make it through this. You are not alone. You don’t have to be strong all the time. Allow yourself to break and put yourself back together better than you were before. Learn from every situation. As long as you learn something then the experience itself wasn’t a total waste,” Nicole encouraged.

  Jasmine just nodded in agreement. “Are my girls dressed and ready for dinner?” Jasmine asked.

  “I helped Eleanor with them before coming over here. So they should be good,” Nicole answered. “Jasmine?” Nicole said her name as a question.

  Jasmine turned to face Nicole, “Yes Nicole?” Jasmine asked with one raised eyebrow.

  “Why Ethan can’t keep his clothes on around you, girl,” Nicole asked teasingly.

  “Oh my God, I was mortified when he walked into the room earlier, looking sexier than any man has the right too. His dirty blonde hair, curled from sweating, his muscular chest with that light dusting of curly hair across his upper torso. It was all I could do to keep from fainting. Then to add to it, he cleaned up my vomit. He probably sees me as a super needy princess,” Jasmine finished as she made her way to the door.

 
I don’t think so, honey,” Nicole said as she followed behind Jasmine.

  Chapter 16

  They walked to the main house with Kimberly who was dressed in a lightweight slip dress. The main house was a two story mansion. The second level held a huge wrap around balcony with some of the most beautiful green lush trees, dripping with Spanish moss. Tonight the balcony had several linen covered tables that were combined as one. Beautiful candle lit center pieces. Beautiful chinaware at each seat. There was an incredible seafood buffet set up. Everything looked so beautiful.

  Eleanor and Jacob came over and greeted her with a hug and a kiss.

  “Thank you so much but you have out done yourselves,” Jasmine said.

  “We love you, you have gone through a traumatic situation, and have made it back home to us. We are happy and wish to celebrate,” Jacob replied.

  He pulled her to him again and kissed her forehead again. Eleanor glowed with joy.

  “Thank you,” Jasmine said humbly.

  Jasmine looked around and a smile touched her lips as she observed all her family and friends gathered in one place to celebrate her life being spared. She was richly blessed.

  Eleanor asked everyone to grab their seats which had been assigned. Everyone shuffled until they were in there seats. Ethan held out the chair for Jasmine as they were seated right next to one another. Amber was to her right and Alyson was across from Amber on the opposite side of the table. Directly across from her were Renee and Antonio. Alena and Trenton sat closer to the top of the table with Trevor in a high seat between them. Chandler and Nicole were seated together. Alena was placed with Jonathan and Lindsay. Donna and Michael were seated with Dennis. Claire and Trujillo were seated together. Luke, Ricardo, Marisol, Carina, and Kimberly were in the center of the table.

  Eleanor cleared her throat, “Jonathan and Chandler both wanted to say grace over our table before we enjoy this delightful meal. So one will share a few words and the other will say grace. I would like to also remind either of them to be too long winded, I am ready to eat,” Eleanor said before taking her seat.