“I’ll share, just take it slow, okay?” Tiny tries to guide.
The room erupts again, “Hooyah.”
“Hooyah,” Alexa replies and then smiles at Eve.
“Evie, would you like to dwaw with me? I have lots of colows and papaw and I have so many books, I can wead you a story if you like?” My little love says getting straight down to business.
Eve wriggles wanting to get down and Tiny’s face is proud but also wary, and I can see he doesn’t want to let Eve go but he does hesitantly. Eve turns to face Tiny and when she looks up at him and smiles wide and Tiny’s face radiates... love.
“Thank you, big guy.”
We all chuckle because she’s parroting Alexa, it’s so stinking cute and they’re not wrong, Tiny is a big guy being 6’7 and built.
“Weady, Evie?” Alexa asks grabbing Eve’s hand.
“Ready, Lexi,” Eve giggles.
Alexa gasps in surprise, “You just gave me a nickname, like my Mommy has a nickname, I loves it, thank you, let’s go.”
Alexa’s presence adds a new layer of comfort and familiarity to the atmosphere, further easing Eve into the new environment surrounding her and the room fills with an air of anticipation as Alexa guides Eve toward the hospital bed. There’s a gentle familiarity in the way they interact, as if a strong bond is already forming between them. Once they reach the bed, Alexa helps Eve up onto it, ensuring she’s comfortable and safe which warms my heart at my beautiful little lovebug.
Alexa maneuvers the hospital table into place, transforming it into a makeshift drawing station, knowing what she’s doing because she’s had a lot of practice over the last couple of months. Alexa carefully spreads out pencils and sheets of paper on the table, setting up a colorful array of choices for Eve. Eve’s initial shyness seems to melt away with the distraction of art supplies, her eyes lighting up at the array of colors in front of her.
Dad steps over and quietly introduces himself, “Hi Eve, my name is Davies, but if you like you can call me Pa, just like Alexa does,” With the warmest smile spreading across his face when Eve nods shyly.
Eve’s smile widens and I see Caroline shining brightly, “Hi, Pa, I’d like that.”
Together, Alexa and Eve start drawing, leaning over their artwork, exchanging soft words we can’t hear and occasionally giggling over a silly drawing. The scene is heartwarming and serene, portraying them not just as newfound friends but as best friends sharing a quiet, joyful moment. The simple act of drawing together helps bridge any gap between them, allowing Eve to feel even more at home and secure in this new and unexpected environment.
I have tears running down my face because my little girl is such a kindhearted welcoming soul and I couldn’t be prouder, I can see these girls being very close and growing up together, sharing adventures and it so beautiful and heartwarming. I can’t wait to speak with Caroline, I’m nervous with anticipation and just hope that she will see what we see and welcome her baby girl with open arms.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
ALEXANDER
As we all step into the holding room below, the stench emanating from Trickle nearly makes me fucking hurl, the sight that meets my eyes stirs a potent mix of emotions, revolt, resolve and rage being at the forefront of my mind. I see a broken and barely clinging to life Trickle the man a source of so much pain and suffering for Lily, Caroline, and little Eve, hangs vulnerable before me, and Despite the grim scene taking center stage, a smile edges onto my face, not one of joy but of a dark deadly satisfaction. It’s a complex, unsettling feeling, the anticipation of retribution for the atrocities this son of a bitch committed against those I care deeply about but it’s time and fucking well overdue. I’m going to take great pleasure in ending his sorry existence.
Approaching this filthy piece of shit, I’m driven by thoughts of justice and seek revenge. The room feels smaller, the air thicker and my brothers are here circling this animal because that’s exactly what he is, he’s not a man and doesn’t deserve the fucking title. I stand over him, each breath I take heavy with the weight of what I’m about to do can be heard by all, everyone in this room is going to enjoy seeing me end this asshole’s life. In this moment, I’m not just seeking punishment; I’m a harbinger of the karma he’s evaded until now. My next actions will be calculated, deliberate, fueled by a righteous anger that demands balance be restored for the wrongs inflicted on my angel and her loved ones.
Just as I’m about to step over to the bench and grab my blade there’s a loud knock on the door and it has every single one of us swiveling our heads, wondering who the fuck is here. The team is all here, Davies, Cuddy, Reid, Blake, Jackson, Tiny and Doc.
‘Boys, you better let me the fuck in or so help me God I will reign hell down on all your heads, you hear me!’
Betty... I’m not surprised, but Davies groans in aggravation.
“Fuck me, that woman is a pain in my ass!”
We fucking bellow out a laugh, because Betty is a fucking gem and we all love her crazy ass, including Davies.
‘Alexander James Harrington, if you don’t open this God damn door, I will maim you so you can’t produce any more beautiful babies, now open this fucking door. Granny Mae has come to play!’
The boys all holler in laughter and I see Trickle starts wiggling, with all the ruckus we’re making, he can’t even hold his fucking head up anymore because he’s that far gone, but he knows that his time has come so his body is giving the last little kick it is capable of.
I shake my head resigned in my decision to allow Betty inside to witness Trickles demise and nod for Tiny to let dear ol’ Betty in. He opens the door with a massive grin and Betty taps Tiny’s chest in thanks, then charges into the room and clips Davies shoulder before waving her finger in his face.
“I told you Davies, I was not missing out on this cunts death!” Betty bellows.
She swings around to me next, looking me up and down with such ferocious anger, “You, boy, are fucking lucky my cupcake loves your ass and that you’re injured or I’d really fucking have at you. I told you I wanted to be here for this and I fucking meant it.”