To Love & To Protect Page 7

  “I first want to apologize for not making it to the hospital to see you Jasmine, but you was definitely within my thoughts and prayers. I know that it is May, but it feels like Christmas because my brother Trent is home with his whole family. I would like to also thank all of his military family for dropping everything to help us in our hour of need. If you need anything please do not hesitate to ask,” Jonathan said then continued, “Without further a due, Chandler.”

  “Please bow your heads and close your eyes. Father thank you for each and every person around this table for they are indeed a blessing. Thank you for our home and this sweet fellowship we will enjoy tonight. Thank you for the homecoming of both Jasmine and Trenton. Lord thank you for this food that we are about to receive. Please bless it to our bodies so that we may be nutritious enough to complete the good work that you have started within us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen,” Chandler finished.

  There was a chorus of Amen. Eleanor directed everyone to follow behind Amber in a single file line to fix there plate. Jasmine got two spoons full of grits and added butter and American cheese, two pieces of fried flounder, two salmon Patties and one sweet roll. Amber got pancakes eggs and sausage. Jasmine looked over at Ethan’s plate to see what he was eating; fried popcorn shrimp, grilled tilapia, home fries, and coleslaw.

  “What,” Ethan asked as he noticed that she was looking over at him.

  “Nothing,” she said then continued. “There were so many choices for food, I just wondered what you selected,” she said.

  “Oh, well how did I do?” Ethan asked.

  “You did fine,” Jasmine said, “I love breakfast food and seafood so I just didn’t know what to get,” Jasmine shared.

  “I know what you mean,” Ethan said, “Mrs. Blake-Moore really went all out.”

  “Yes, I am super lucky. You clean up real nice by the way,” Jasmine said. His hair was combed neatly. He had dressed in a Teal button down dress shirt and black dress slacks. He smelled, wonderful as always, Jasmine thought.

  “Oh these old things,” Ethan said and was rewarded with laughter that reached all the way up to her eyes.

  “You look very beautiful tonight, Jasmine,’’ Ethan said more seriously.

  “Thank you,” Jasmine said.

  “You smell good as well,” Ethan complimented her as he continued to devour his meal.

  “Thank you again,” Jasmine said turning back to her plate.

  The rest of the evening went by well. They engaged in conversation with those sitting around them and made sure to include the girls. Amber and Alyson were really curious about Mr. Ethan.

  Dessert was turtle cheese cake and/or a bowl of fresh fruit.

  Jasmine sat back in her chair, she was stuffed.

  Ethan smiled in her direction, displaying double dimples. Then he asked, “Would you like for me to get you a wheelchair,” in a teasing manner.

  Jasmine laughed at his joke then replied, “No, I think that I can make it.”

  The breeze wrapped around Jasmine. She closed her eyes and tilted her face to enjoy it. Again the ocean air smelled so good.

  “Do you want to walk down and dip your toes in?” Ethan asked.

  “I could go for a walk,” Jasmine replied. She asked the girls to come along.

  Jasmine removed her shoes, and walked barefoot along the beach alongside Ethan, while the girls ran and played in front of them.

  The wind blew and the rich fragrant smell of honeysuckle blooms filled the air. Jasmine inhaled and smiled to herself.

  “You are happy,” Ethan said.

  “Yes, in this moment I am happy. I am choosing to focus on what I have rather than what I have lost. I am blessed,” Jasmine replied.

  “It’s easy to get caught up in the past?” Ethan said. He looked off into the distance as if he had stumbled onto an old memory.

  “Go on,” Jasmine encouraged.

  Ethan opened up to her about his childhood, growing up in group homes. How joining the Marine’s had given him access to travel the world, learn new skills, and have the family that he never had.

  “Can I ask you something?” Ethan asked.

  “Sure,” Jasmine replied.

  “I don’t want to put a damper on a really good night, but I was wondering if you are having night terrors, so to speak about the shooting?” Ethan asked.

  Jasmine stopped walking and faced Ethan. She ran her hands through her curls to move them out of her face.

  “No,” she said. She hesitated for a moment only to recall how much he had shared with her.

  “The shooting is bringing up another unresolved issue in my life. My parents were killed in a tragic automobile accident. There was body dismemberment, just a lot of blunt force trauma…” her voice trailed off. “Renee was in a state and wasn’t able to deal with what had happened, so I had to identify the remains. The only good thing that I can see from this experience is that they went quickly, they didn’t suffer,” Jasmine finished. There was a brief moment of silence before Jasmine continued. “I still miss them and my heart hurts for them sometimes.”

  Ethan wiped a tear that had escaped from her eyes, with the pad of his thumb.

  He pulled her in close and wrapped his arms around her and just held her. Jasmine turned around in his embrace, so that she stood with her backside to his front side. She encouraged him to continue to hold her as she stared out into the sea.

  Ethan closed his eyes and enjoyed the weight of her against him, the sweet scent of perfume, mixed with the scents of Shea butter and Cocoa butter. While Jasmine enjoyed his warmth, as well as the ocean waves crashing into shore, the bright stars that twinkled and blinked in the sky, and a few feet away her miracle and her blessing played together happily.

  After a few minutes, Jasmine said, “We need to be heading back. I have to get the girls settled for the evening. Thank you for this,” Jasmine said, “It’s nice to have someone to talk to and lean on, even if it’s for a little while.”

  “I know what you mean,” Ethan said. Jasmine motioned for the girls to come along. It didn’t take long for them to reach the villa. Jasmine told the girls to go in where Carina and Marisol were seated.

  She closed the door and told Ethan that she had really enjoyed getting to know him tonight.

  “Oh same here,” Ethan said preparing to turn and walk away.

  “Ethan,” Jasmine called. She looked around and seemed really shy. “Ethan I know that there aren’t any cameras around, but I would really like to be kissed again, please,” Jasmine said afraid to make eye contact.

  “I agree, that would be a great way to end the evening,” Ethan responded. Ethan stepped closer to her and used one finger to raise her chin to meet his lips in a passionate kiss. Jasmine kissed him back hungrily and passionately. Jasmine wrapped both her arms around his shoulders. She pressed her soft curves against his hard edges.

  Ethan broke off the kiss, when he finally needed to come up for air.

  “Oh my goodness woman, you are starting something,” Ethan said.

  “I certainly hope so,” Jasmine said. Her voice had changed because she was clearly aroused.

  Chapter 17

  Later on that evening after Jasmine had got the twins settled down in bed and was walking back towards her room, when a conversation in the other room caught her attention.

  Kimberly was saying, “I bet by tomorrow tonight, which is Sunday, that Ethan will be kicked off the case and Trent will be back at point.”

  Carina responded with a question, “Why you say that?”

  “Because he is clearly compromised,” Kimberly stated matter of factly.

  Marisol responded, “He is undercover. We are Marines, going undercover is something new for him. He probably feels like it has to feel real to be believable. You say compromised, I say committed.”

  “Moreover,” Carina interjected, “Trent is compromised. His booty call before deploying ended up pregnant and he is an instant father. He is trying to figure his life out. H
is head is not in the game. Besides, she is like family to him anyways. He was compromised from the moment we got the phone call.”

  “There was an alternative to him having to go undercover as her boyfriend,” Kimberly smarted off.

  “Like?” Marisol asked.

  “To keep her out of harm’s way, they could have told the public she died. Put her in a safe haven until we figured out who made the attempt on her life,” Kimberly said.

  “Yeah that would have worked out great for her kids and sister. I don’t even think this concern that you have is even about the case. I think you are compromised and probably always have been,” Carina said in a direct manner.

  “Watch your mouth,” Kimberly said standing.

  Carina threw her hands in the air and responded, “I am just keeping it real.”

  “No you are just being a ….” Kimberly stopped before she completed the sentence. “I am going for a walk,” she said and grabbed her light weight jacket and went out of the front door.

  Jasmine hugged the wall, so that she would not be seen. After the door shut behind Kimberly, Jasmine walked the rest of the way down the hallway.

  “I am calling it a night ladies,” Jasmine said. “Thank you for all that you both are doing to keep my family safe. Do you need anything before I go to bed?” Jasmine asked.

  “No thank you,” the ladies said in unison.

  “Well I know how you all seem to love coffee. I will make a fresh pot before going to bed.”

  She turned and went into the kitchen and prepared a pot of coffee and then went to bed.

  She lay there looking up at the ceiling for the longest time. What was she doing? Not only was she risking her heart, but the hearts of her children too. This was too messy. She shook her head from side to side. She would love nothing else to get lost in a fantasy with this man.

  She had been celibate for three years, not even using toys for sexual pleasure. Ethan had lit a fire using wet wood as far she had been concerned. At the end, was any of it worth it? She had to acknowledge that she didn’t know much about him, but what she knew she liked. She had never dated outside her race, but maybe it was time to try someone new. Her heart was so heavy. She decided that tomorrow she would go to church then eat dinner at her Emerald Grove location; come back and start working on the Memorial Weekend Charity event.

  Using voice commands she was able to send a text message to Trent. Her arm was still very weak and she felt like she was starting to lose muscle tone in it. She was ready to start physical therapy. She felt like she was damaged goods all over again. She really hated it. If she was having a hard time coping with this how in the world are her girls dealing with this? Jasmine tossed around on the bed, trying to get comfortable.

  Deciding to do something that she should have been done, she prayed. She gave thanks, asked for healing and guidance. A little while later she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 18

  When Ethan got back to the villa where the rest of the team was staying, he was greeted by an excited Michelle.

  “Ethan the reason we don’t have a clear picture or picture at all on who the shooter is, is because the video has a feedback loop virus that was embedded in it. It runs for a few hours and repeats. At the time of the shooting, the monitors were not set to record but to play. I believe that the shooter works for the University or has access to the security room. I have started combing through employee records of the school. I also asked the FBI to get access to employees who work for companies that the University uses to outsource businesses too or independent contractors,” Michelle finished.

  “There’s something that you are neglecting to tell me Ethan said,” because he knew her so well.

  “I got tired of waiting for them to respond to me,” Michelle said. “So I hacked the University to get the records and retrieved the information myself. I was careful and no one will even know that I was in there,” Michelle finished ready for Ethan to explode.

  Ethan just stared at her for a few moments. He knew that Michelle had been feeling disassociated from the rest of the team and probably needed encouragement rather than more correction.

  “So what did you find out?” Ethan asked finally.

  Michelle walked over to her desk. Her limp was very noticeable tonight. As she gathered the folders that she wanted to share with him, he messaged Michael and asked him to come take a look at Michelle’s leg.

  She had pulled three people she thought where likely suspects, all three had previous jail time for drug related offenses. Only one had previous military training. Samuel Clark had been dishonorable discharged after he had been arrested for purchasing prescription drugs.

  “Good job Michelle,” he said and meant it sincerely. “I noticed that you’re limp is more pronounced today. Are you in pain?” Ethan asked.

  “Ah, you are welcome. I have learned to push through the pain, sir” Michelle responded.

  “Why is it sore? Ethan asked truly puzzled. At the VA Hospital they said your leg had healed nicely. I know that you have some everyday maintenance that you have to do, but …” he trailed off waiting for Michelle to fill in the blanks for him.

  “I don’t wear my prosthetic leg as much as I should because, it pinches in spots. The skin on my stump is very fragile and easily infected. We have been on the go a lot since taking on this case, so I have pushed through the pain and wore my leg.”

  Ethan was kicking himself for not noticing earlier. “I already contacted Michael Blake-Moore and he is on his way over, probably with Donna to have a look at your leg. Michelle, I know sometimes it seems like you don’t fit in with us, but you are very much part of this family, as any of the rest of us are. If you are having a problem, then you have to speak up. Issues with your leg can cause you to have a major setback and we need you happy, healthy, and whole,” Ethan finished.

  Michelle dropped her head. She was the last addition to the team. Her kind heart had caused her to make a horrible mistake that had affected the whole team. Losing half of a leg was a small price to pay. She had always thought it doesn’t cost anything to be kind. Yet being kind, had cost the whole team physically, some more than others. When you brought mental scarring into the picture, the price was too high. This experience had changed her right down to the core, and she never wanted to give anyone that much power over her.

  A knock sounded at the door, just as his phone chimed to notify him that he had a message. He went to open the door and allowed Michael and Donna inside. He thanked them both for coming and led them to the sitting area.

  He gave them some privacy with Michelle. He checked his messages and there was a forwarded schedule of events from State Representative Jasmine Anderson for tomorrow. He responded to Trent by informing him of the situation with Michelle and advised that they needed a face to face meeting to discuss the progress of the case.

  He turned his attention back to Michelle. Michael was putting on a pair of gloves. Donna had taken the prosthetic leg and had begun to clean and sanitize it. As Michael examined the leg, he was talking to Michelle about what he was seeing.

  “Michelle, how long have you been feeling discomfort?” Michael asked.

  “Ever since I started back wearing my leg on a regular basis, which has been since we started working this case,” Michelle answered.

  “You have some sores from your prosthetic leg and apparently your leg is irritated and pinching the skin around the stump. You have some necrotic or dead skin on your stump, and there are also signs of ischemic tissue or tissue with a low oxygen supply. I am going to need to clean your stump really well with some warm water and a mild soap then I will apply an antalgic cream which will numb the area and act as a pain reliever. The cream will also prevent bacteria from being introduced to healthy skin. I will wait roughly ninety minutes before I start debridement. After I get the dead and dying skin from around the stump, I will wrap the wound with a dry dressing for a full day to control the bleeding. After that I will wrap it with a moist
dressing to promote healing. I may have to do a second debridement, or even a third. When you have healed enough I would like to have you go back through physical therapy, and I want to make sure that your prosthetic fits correctly to prevent situations like this from reoccurring. If the infection had spread into your bloodstream this could have been fatal,” Michael warned.

  Michelle nodded her head because she had heard all of this before. Like when she had left the VA Hospital.

  Donna walked over with a cleaned and sterilized prosthetic. She looked at Michelle who was clearly an intelligent woman. She was trying to figure out why she would let her leg escalate to this point.

  As if she could read the question in Donna’s expression, Michelle asked, “Have you ever tried to put yourself back together with pieces missing? Lethally and figuratively. I felt like if I came back to my unit, with people who had experienced what I had experienced it would be easier to cope. But, it is not. I still have dreams about what happened. A part of me that is not even here anymore,” Michelle said gesturing towards her leg, “Still hurts. I thought that I was being brave by pushing through and trying to go on with my life, now I think that it’s probably braver just to face it and get some help. I think that I, like many people in my unit might I add, am suffering from PTSD.”

  Donna smiled warmly at Michelle. “Michelle you can’t focus on the others in the unit right now. You have to focus on getting you back healthy, physically, mentally, and emotionally. What happened to you all over there will always be a part of you but doesn’t have to control you. You may have stopped counseling and treatment too soon. Michael could probably check with your doctor and get you started on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, to help with feelings of depression and get you back into counseling. You have survived the worst of it, you can and you will survive the rest of it.” Donna was holding Michelle’s hand and crying with her at this point.