Page 17 of Brax

“I guess you did. I thought it was because I wasn’t family.”

“Honey, what would make you think that? You’ve been family since the day they brought you off that plane. You’re ours, and that means something here. We don’t just love that big, beautiful brain of yours. We love the woman on the outside as well.”

“I guess I’m still learning to accept some of that as well,” she grinned. “To go nearly twenty-five years, at least twenty-five that I can recall, without any sort of love, support, or comfort to all of this is quite a shock.”

“I guess it would be,” nodded Paige. “I was born into this. So was Ryan, in a matter of speaking. He was adopted by his aunt, Ella, and although she adored him and treated him as her own son, he struggled with his identity and feeling different. In fact, he made some pretty terrible decisions in his youth that ended up with the loss of his arm.”

“I remember him telling me about that,” nodded Steph. “I’m glad I haven’t stepped over that line. I’d like to keep all my limbs.”

“It’s perfectly natural to feel different at times but remember that we all have far more in common than we do that separates us.”

“Do you think some of that is because of Matthew and Irene?” she asked. Paige thought for a moment and then smiled.

“I wouldn’t doubt if our entire world is the way it is because of Matthew and Irene. I’ve been so lucky to have grown up with them as my surrogate grandparents. It was wonderful, and Dan had great-grandparents.”

“Well, I know that your parents are pretty amazing. Your mother is the best cook I’ve ever met, and your father,” she blushed, “I hate to say it, but he’s so handsome.” Paige laughed, nodding at the girl.

“I’m not blind to the fact that both of my parents are beautiful people. They gave Julia and I a head start on the genetic pool. We’re very lucky.”

“Wait a minute. If Ryan isn’t actually Antoine’s son by birth, why does he look so much like him? I mean, literally like a twin.”

“Now, that’s a question for my grandmother,” smiled Ryan, walking toward them. “Hi, babe.” He kissed his wife, smiling at Stephanie.

“I think I need to schedule a walk in the gardens with your grandmother,” laughed Stephanie.

“You joke, but it might help you more than anything else. Between her, Ruby, Aunt Claudette, and the other aunts, you’d be in great hands,” smiled Ryan.

Stephanie nodded as they asked her some questions about her work, then walked away to look at the other ongoing projects.

Out of nowhere, she suddenly felt a sharp stab in her head and touched her fingertips to her forehead. Hissing, Doug turned quickly, Thomas staring at her.

“Stephanie? Are you alright?” asked Thomas.

“Y-yes. I think it’s just a little bright in here today, that’s all.”

“Go home,” said Doug.

“No. Really, Doug. I’m getting somewhere on this, and I’d like to continue the work for today.”

“And I’d like you to be able to continue working with us for years,” he smiled. “It will be here when you come in tomorrow. Why don’t you go and talk to Regan like you wanted to or go for that walk with Irene.”

Knowing she would lose this battle, she nodded at the man and walked out to the docks to catch the next boat to the main island. Waiting for her was Trevon, the gentle giant.

“Hi, Stephanie,” he smiled, holding out his huge bear paw. “You feeling okay?”

“Hi, Trevon. Yes. A little headache, but all good.”

Trevon, a former professional football player, had helped the Gray Wolf team to solve the mysteries of a few player deaths. In the end, he retired and was offered a job with the team. Half his time was spent at the bike shop, the other running shuttles back and forth from G.R.I.P.

“You need to take care of yourself, honey,” he said, looking down at the tiny woman. She seemed a bit pale, and he worried that she might get seasick, although she’d never been sick before. Slowing the boat, they enjoyed the soft breeze of bayou.

Stephanie closed her eyes, lifting her face to the sun. While she was doing that, Trevon texted Brax to meet them at the docks. By the time he pulled up to the dock, Brax and Lena were standing there waiting.

“You called them?” frowned Stephanie.

“I was worried about you,” said Trevon. “You don’t look okay.”

“I’m fine, but thank you for worrying, Trevon.” He nodded at her, lifting her out of the boat into the arms of Brax.

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