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Dakota
“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters to what lies within us.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The morning light spills through the windows, casting a soft glow over the room where Spencer is resting, the quiet punctuated only by the soft sound of his breathing. I woke up this morning in Wolf’s arms, knowing I was safe but needing to check on my brother. I don't know if I will ever be able to get the image of his beaten and bloody face out of my head.
Since Spencer's been back, the house has felt fuller, imbued with a sense of safety and warmth despite the shadows that linger at the edges of our lives. It’s been a week since he was released and I dread the moment when he has to leave. I don't want him to go, even though I know he has to. He has a life and a career that aren't here.
But I guess I could move to New York. Now that we aren't officially in protective custody I will have to move out of the house anyway. We could start over again. But that would mean relocating Aiden… again. And he's the one who chose Colorado…the one who has fallen in love with this area.
Taking care of Spencer, and seeing him gradually regain his strength, has been a grounding experience. Yet, even as I find solace in these moments, the reality of our situation weighs heavily on my mind. We can't stay here, not anymore.
And that doesn't even begin to cover the fact that Wolf and I haven't discussed what our future looks like. He’s a Marshal..meaning he is gone a lot. He takes on hard cases that will put him in danger. Who says he even wants to stay here and put up with a normal life? Well, that's not true. I believe fully that he wants to be with me and Aid. But does that mean we have to move to New York? That's where he lives…where his best friends live…where his career is located.
I would go. I would uproot everything we started to build here if it meant being with him. I don't care. I won't waste another moment of my life away from him.
As I'm lost in thought, Spencer stirs, his eyes fluttering open. "Hey," he greets, his voice still rough from disuse but stronger than it was.
"Hey," I reply, moving to sit beside him. "How are you feeling?”
"Better," he says, managing a small smile. "Thanks to you.”
I want to argue that he is in this situationbecauseof me. But then I think about what Maddox said and I know that taking on the blame for this would be wrong. Rodrigo is the only one who can take it and he is gone.
We fall into a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's presence. It’s Spencer who breaks the quiet, his next words catching me completely off guard. "I bought the house for you," he says, a matter-of-fact tone lacing his voice as if he's talking about something as mundane as the weather.
I blink, certain I've misheard him. "You what?”
"The house," he repeats, with a patience that is just so Spencer. Patience I don't feel after the bombshell he's justdropped. "I bought it for you. After everything that's happened, I thought... you deserve a place that's truly yours. A fresh start.”
"Why?" The question is a whisper, a breath of air that carries all the weight of my confusion and awe. He’s already done so much for us. For Aiden and I to feel safe and secure.
"Because you've been through hell and back," Spencer says, his gaze steady on mine. "You, me, all of us... we need a place where we can feel safe, where we can rebuild. And I want that for you, more than anything.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. In a world that's been turned upside down, Spencer continues to be a pillar in my life. He continues to give me his love and strength no matter what. It's just this unconditional loyalty that I know will never fade.
"Thank you," I manage to say, though the words feel inadequate to express the enormity of what he's done.
Spencer reaches out, taking my hand in his. "We're family," he says simply as if that explains everything.
And perhaps it does. In the end, it's not just about the house or the need to escape the past. It's about the unspoken vow we've made to each other, to stand together, to protect and support one another through whatever comes our way.
“I requested a transfer,” he throws out nonchalantly like he hasn't already dropped a bunch of news on me.
“What?” I croak, those tears that had been building now spill down my cheeks.
He smiles at me kindly, “I bought another place. A little closer to Denver where I’ll be working. But close enough that we can see each other every damn day if we want.”
I throw my arms around him, at a loss for words. Spence is coming here. I don't have to uproot us or move. I get to start over with this home as our foundation.
“So…” He starts as I pull back, his brow raising in question.
I already know what he is going to say but of course, being the annoying woman that I am, I play dumb, “So?”
He rolls his eyes at me and chuckles, “You and wolf huh?”
A smile immediately takes over my face as I nod, more tears spilling over, “It's him, Spence. Wolf is my Damian.”
His eyes widen and a huge grin splits his face, “No fucking way.”
