Page 45 of Rather: The Therapist

I watched him turn to leave, somehow breaking my heart into pieces. I wasn’t ready to leave them. Two years of preparation wasn’t enough. I needed this lifetime. The whole thing. Unable to watch him go so soon, I summoned the words from my mind.

“Furthermore, a normal guy couldn’t handle me if he tried. I’m not water. I’m not flowers. I’m not sunlight on a rainy day, Teddy. I’m wind. I’m fire.”

“Don’t I fucking know,” he tittered, slapping his hand against the wall as he exited the room.

This time, I allowed him to leave because if I kept him here now I’d try to keep him forever and never board the private jet waiting for my arrival.

I gathered my things and began to make my way downstairs, sure Chemistry would return for the bags. Because our compound was massive, there was a pad for a chopper and a decently sized tarmac strip for pilots who were experienced flyers and could get the wheels up in the air quicker than others if necessary. It ran the length of the compound and was stationed on the back end.

“Hey, baby girl,” I greeted Jru.

She was hanging out on the bottom step unloading and reloading the extended magazine of the toy pistol Rugger had customized for her. Though we all hated to see her grab it, we knew it was her favorite and she was only getting her lesson early.

It was still a lesson she needed no matter what age Chem decided to give it to her. She toted it around like it was a Princess doll and chose it over any toy we tried persuading her to grab instead.

“Hi.”

The rasp of her voice reminded me of Range and Rugger. If Chem wasn’t careful, he’d be raising their triplet. He and Rugger were so parallel it was sickening to witness. Jru was following in those very footsteps.

Water and guns.

Water and guns.

And, though she had balance and was a genuinely sweet girl, she would be lethal. I knew it and so did everyone else around us.

“Want to ride with Tee Rather?”

“Yes.”

Her pearly skin and tiny teeth made it hard not to stare. She was beautiful. Chemistry and Egypt had done well for themselves. Maybe it was a bit selfish of me, but I couldn’t wait until they decided to have another one.

Jru was perfect. She needed a playmate. A brother, specifically, because it was who her father deserved. Having a son would ease those thick, crinkly brows and those worry lines on his forehead. Teddy was surrounded by women. It was time he met his match.

“Come on.”

I bent down and pulled her into my arms. We traveled through my home and into the living room where most of the family were waiting.

“Is it time, already?” Rome questioned, bolting to her feet.

The sadness in her tone had me fearful of her emotional well-being during my absence. She was Chemistry’s heart, but she was the lungs of the family. She kept us strong, breathing, and motivated.

“Yes. Aden and Otis are waiting.”

We’d need two vehicles to transport us the mile down the road. Of course, walking and motorized carts were an option, but they both felt like major inconveniences at the moment.

“Then let’s go, girls,” my mother suggested, ready to round everyone up if necessary.

She was the first out of the door. We all followed her lead. Roulette refused to pile up and decided to take her own car. Rugger rode in her passenger seat. Everyone else used the two available SUVs to get to the tarmac where the plane was waiting for departure.

Goodbyes were never easy, but as Rome’s grip around my body loosened, peace consumed me. More than two whole years of my life had been spent on Chemistry’s island with the people I loved most in the world. However, the idea of getting back to the States was somewhat enticing.

“I love you, baby. Keep Jru warm for me. You know she loves her cuddles and Tuesday nights at Tee Rather’s house.”

“It’s Tee Rome’s house, now.”

“I couldn’t be happier.”

I pulled Jru closer. She wrapped her small arms around my neck and squeezed me tightly. I’d been preparing her for this moment, but it didn’t stop those big eyes from tearing up as she tried regulating her emotions. At only two, she was mature beyond comprehension. It wasn’t surprising to any of us. We were all the same.

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