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“We are going to visit my brothers. Your uncles.” I tell her, rubbing her cute face.
“You have brothers?” little Milo asks, his voice incredulous and confused about why we haven’t seen them before.
“I do. Their names are Axel and Diezal.'' The door is opened from the outside of the car, and I reach for the twins, but Milo’s hand stops me.
“I think it best that we not take the kids in right away,” he says, “It is going to be emotional, and they don’t need to see that. I have asked Lawrence to take them for food and bring them back in an hour or so.'' His gaze shows me nothing and to be honest, I agree with him. I can’t help but feel, however, that he is preparing for something bad, and it makes me uneasy.
“I think that is best.” Kissing each of my babies, I stand up out of the car and my eyes go to the front door, with these two imposing figures standing in the entryway. The tears don’t wait for our first embrace. They start right now. I don’t register Milo coming up on the side of me, until his hand is in mine. His hand in mine is comforting and gives me the power to be brave.
“Let’s go baby.'' The walk to the front door is like the green mile in reverse. My hands begin to sweat, and my knees are shaking. My heart is about to pop out of my chest. The tears are free flowing now and I don’t care. These two men were my protectors. My friends. The only people in my life I ever received genuine love from and then they were sent away, and my life turned upside down, even before I was taken.
“Jesus, Chassie.” Diezal says, his voice choked up. He pulls me into his arms and the feeling of completion is overwhelming. I squeeze him, warp my little arms, compared to him around his grown body and I cry. I let the years of hurt and melancholy soak his shirt. “Little sis, I never gave up on finding you.” he says, holding me. “I know.” I feel another set of hands pulling me back and turn straight into the arms of Axel.
“So glad to have you back, Chas,” he says, engulfing me in his embrace. I hug him with as much vigor as Diezal, so happy to have this moment.
“Thank you for bringing her home. We can take it from here.” I hear Diezal say to someone I assume is one of the agents. I am quickly dispelled from that thought.
“I don’t think so.” I hear Milo say. Oh shit. Pulling back from Axel, I step beside my husband and grab his hand.
“Guys, this is my husband Camilo Valladares.'' The silence in the room is deafening.
“The fuck?”
“You have got to be shitting me,” my brothers exclaim simultaneously. “Your husband? You married your kidnapper?” Axel accuses, his voice angry and concerned.
“He didn’t kidnap me. It’s complicated.” I try to tell them without going into detail right now.
“Bullshit. His father did this to you. He is one of them. I knew that Stockholm Syndrome was a thing but what the fuck?!” Diezal runs his hand down his face and paces the room. “It’s ok. We can fix this. I know a therapist you can talk to help…” He doesn’t get to finish before my husband has had enough.
“That won’t be happening. I understand your concern and I cannot imagine your pain, but there are things you don’t know, and I will let my wife fill you in. But one thing you need to know is nothing will change the love between us. Not even you.” I squeeze his hand, so he knows I am with him. I love this man.
“Love?” Axel scoffs, before moving closer to my husband's face. “What the fuck would your family know about love?” Milo attempts to let my hand go, but I refuse to release him. Instead I speak up.
“Look, I am not the little sister you lost. I am a grown woman with a family of my own. Did you miss the belly?'' I rub it to accentuate my statement. “We have four other children that will be here in a few minutes. You are uncles and I want nothing more than for my children to know you, but it will be on you. You will either accept my husband or we will leave here and once again you will never hear from me.” On the inside I am screaming in agony, at the idea I would have to walk away from them. The mama lion in me will do anything to protect my babies and my marriage. I just hope they don’t make me choose.
Chapter Ten
Milo
These guys are pissing me off royally, but I get it. I really do. I can’t imagine what they’ve been through, but it doesn’t matter at this point.
