Chapter 13

"I almost don't know where to start." "Well babe until we finish eating why don't you start about the right now basics." "Ok honey that sounds easier to start with. Well dad first how long are you in town." "Until the storm passes and the planes can fly again so it's looking like a few days sweet pea. Kane said it was ok to stay here with you, is that ok?" "It is after all this time I would to have you here." "I mush rather talk about you." "Ok well I moved here about two years ago with Ricki, we were in another town about five states away closer to home actually. Ricki got a better job offer and thought it would be safer to move. I was working at the hospital on a double shift, than Jason came. Ricki and his parents have been telling all of you they didn't know where I was but only Ricki really knew. So when Jason came and saw no proof of me ever being there and of course not being there because I was working just looked like Ricki was telling the truth especially since he had him stay to prove further his point. In truth that apart came fully furnished and all of our stuff was moved the day before if that was by luck I don't know what is. Anyway we came out here and met Callie and Neil Medina and they became my first set of friends and of course Dylan my neighbor. Than a few months after I left before I came here actually I started writing to the a solider some flyer I saw and Ricki and I thought it would be a fun hobby to have a pen pal therapists said it could have been a good thing to. So I wrote and got assigned Kane never paid attention to the last name and than I started writing to his friends and we've stayed close ever since almost three now as of Jan 11th so close enough. I was working at the hospital E.R hours really lots of double it was starting to feel like it was killing me, I was also helping the Medinas see their son was deployed and they could have used some more hands me and Ricki once in a blue moon Dylan. They are like a second set of parents to me I spent half the week if I could helping them hardly sleeping. Than Eddie Johnson offered me an opening at his practice and I took it for the last I think ten or eleven months which was wonderful it was only about eight hour shifts and I could still get out to the farm and have every Thursday with Ricki just like back home. Kane and the boys came home turns out they lived here, and Kanes parents are the same wonderful people I have been besties and helping out since I got here. What a small world right? Anyway Dr. Johnson has retired recently-ish and I am now working in Dylan's practice now and still working with the Medinas out on their place and have dinner every Sunday. Kane and I rotate from sleeping here to his house on the property with the guys. Overall I'm really happy. Oh I forgot to tell you nurse I am a nurse that's what I do, that was my major." She said the last part a little sadly. Remembering how bad her graduation day was. They finished eating Kane gathered the dishes as they kept talking refusing help. "You know sweet pea I have so much to apologize for, but I think your graduation day should be in the top five I am so sorry for how your mother and I reacted to what happened, it was your day and you basically killed yourself to achieve our degree. All that hard work, that strain form all of us and our expectations, I am so sorry we never stopped to hear you out. I am sory we never asked what it is you wanted. We knew how socially anxious you got and I still allowed your mother to pull those stupid stunts hoping one day you could grow out of it. I am sorry you never felt like you weren't being seen. I see you now honey and I just pray that it ain't to late. I should have stuck up for you more I should have made my way to you. I should have wet with my gut and did more. I am so sorry baby girl" Caleb said with tears rolling down her eyes. "I'm sorry too. I should have told you. It was difficult I did try a bunch of times but it didn't turn out so well." She said looking down at her hands remembering the beatings she took and the smacks in the face form her mom to just let things go. "I should have been more vocal and everytime I tried it was just too late down that path. I saw a chance and I took it. I was working from high school through past college and the money you sent me without mom knowing it was my ticket out. Jason had that conference and I got food poisoning the night before so I took three ubers out to the middle of nowhere changing my appearance each one and met Ricki with a car and he just left with me. We moved twice scared we were close enough for Jason to be able to reel me back so we finally found an area that would make that close to impossible. I have no debt, no tickets, no nothing back home so there is no reason to go back there even to go to court so I have no reason to ever go back except you, but since you are opening out her and are now literally across the country we can still have contact when your out here. I know Jason is till trying to find me but I can't be near him dad. I have PTSD form all the beatings, whipping, beltings, broken bones, fractures. He really put me through it and so much more dad the only thing that seems to calm all of it down is …Kane . Just being near him, or his hoodie with his smell. I haven't had to have meds since before he came home. That's it dad that's my story. Jason, his parents, and mom are why I can never go back there. I don't ever want to see, hear or know anything about them. It was when I realize how close Kane and I were getting that I came out and told the family I made for myself here the truth of why I am here. It was because of Papa Neil that I reached out to you I'm tired of missing you, and I'm tired of running so I am going to be sending a restraining order to Jason probably by Monday I have friends who are in law here who have medical records for evidence I still have scars. The medical reports even suggest abuse from the barky boyfriend. Yes that is quote the hospitals sent everything to Dr. Johnson and he's willing to stand witness. SO I am taking my life back slowly but surely." "I am very proud of you. SO proud of you. You are so brave and amazing my love bug you are strong in a way you should have never had to be. You should wait til after Christmas to send out all four of those restraining orders. It gives me time to leave your mother pack my shit and come around closer to you where I belong. If it's to much for you I can go few hours away I'm just sick of missing out, I just want to be in your life Marie I swear I won't repeat the same mistakes as long a we can be open and honest with each other you give me til the 27th I'll be here the 28th. " "Ok I will set it up and send it out to be served by the 27th. You can stay in town or anywhere near here it won't be too much. I'll be fine." Marie said hugging her dad tightly too her. "Are you really going to divorce and leave mom though?" "You bet your ass, she's lied to me for years, she's failed you she had one job to take care of you and I would give her everything look what she did to you, to us. I took the work load so she could care for you I ran both businesses for the last fifteen years Marie if anything is to happen to me you are the CEO you own everything just please keep it all going hire who you want to run but keep it for you and my grand kids you never know if maybe they will be meant for it. Millions of people right now depend on me to keep them employed so please just keep it going even I you just check in twice a year." "I will I promise it will stay in the family." "Are you going to be pushing charges on Jason for everything he's done he belongs behind bars what if he does the same to another woman." "Dad it's well past a year to file charges but I can still get restraining order. Yes I am getting them from his whole family and mom. I also don't know if I could press charges because since it all happened at home, the trail would be there." "We all now just how well that would go." Kane said taking a drink of his sweet tea just finished cleaning the kitchen. "That is true. He would walk." Caleb said turning re with anger knowing there was little they could do to make this right. Jason would have to come and fuck up over here which he and everyone else know he would. It was no a wait and see game. "I am so happy you are here dad, but if it's alright it has been pretty emotional and I had the longest day I just want to run a bath and go to sleep I will see you in the morning please help yourself to anything here. The only thing you need to know is I spend my Sundays with Kanes parents." 'They actually know he is here and have invited him to dinner." Kane said looking at both of them. "Was I the only one who didn't know?" "Besides Ricki." I'm too tired to even pretend to be mad, but by tomorrow morning be prepared for Dylan and Bar to be walking through that door for time out, and hope you like being sweaty because you will be doing lawn work for all three houses." She said smiling. "How you think that?" Caleb laughing really hard. "I'm sorry for laughing it's just that I thought you met Ricki clearly you have yet more to learn about that man. Goodnight." Caleb said to them as Marie walked off to their room as well. "Wait baby what's that mean." She took her bath and cuddled into Kane for a good nights sleep. She finally felt like she could breathe.

It was about seven am on Saturday as some yelling could be heard waking Kane up alone. He looked around the room quickly got dressed and ran out to the kitchen just in time to see not only Dylan and Bear; but Ace, Colt, and Tank. All walking in with their heads down walking into certain parts of corners in the kitchen and living room. Than came in Ricki livid as hell the quiete kind of angry which was scary. He gave Kane a look that made him feel bad to his soul. Ricki popped both hand on his hips, he was a mountain of a man just like Tank, Bear, Caleb, and himself. Caleb and Marie were in the bar in the kitchen looking at all of them. "Well boys I think you all have something to say to our Angel don't you." He said cold and flatly. It was in perfect unison. "We're sorry we with held information from you Angel. Darlin'. You could hear Dylan draw mixed in there. "And." Ricki said. "We won't do it again." They said with sorry eyes. "Now give her a hug introduce yourself and than get your sorry asses out there and you clean all three of our yards thinking about what hurt you could have done and maybe I will think about feeding you!!" Ricki said. Wow Kane thought wish he could have had him as boss in the army he laughed to himself. They all went up and hugged Marie with a kiss to her forehead. Shaking Calebs hand and accepting his thanks for looking over his daughter and reminding them to hose of the sidewalk or it'll make Ricki even more mad. Ricki came up hugging Caleb. "I missed you dad." "I missed ya son. I am proud at how well you did for yourself. Also quite a man you got there. Be easy on the guys Ric they were just trying to do what they thought was right. It's going to be ok." HE said hugging him one more time. "I know but it's just nice to know I still got the power every now and than to whip they ass in line. Remember that me and baby girl run this." The three of them laughed catching up. Cooking some chicken enchiladas, rice and beans. Calling the guys to come clean up and eat. As Marie watched her father interact and get to know her adoptive family it finally felt right. This is how it should be, this easy. She looked forward to ma and pop meeting him tomorrow they hopefully will be more forgiving. According to Kane he has already spoke to the on the phone. Now they meet tomorrow. The night ended so quickly she was sad at how fast the visit was going. Kane had run her dad back to the hoe to check his messages and check in at home. They came back quicker than she thought they would.

They next morning they spoke about business about his accounts at the bank Marie stayed out of it, it was not her place she thought of his money and assets that was not her place. She went to rickis for a few minutes until they were ready to swing by the hotel to check in earlier this time and head over to the Medinas. "Ok I have the papers drawn up that you wanted. Are you sure you want to do this?" Caleb asked. "Yes I am no one can change my mind about this. Marie will be wife and mother of my kids. This should happen as soon as possible. I don't even have to think about it. "Ok so sign here, here and here. You know I'm going to need her to sign too. How you going to do that?" "I'm just going to be honest and tell her that my parents and I need her signature as a just in case of emergency thing. It's not lying." "You're right it's not lying, it is just in case of emergency something happens to you and she gets every damn cent your family has ever earned in their entire life. How does your parents feel about this, this is their home and lively hood too." "Hell they were the ones who helped me draft this. They put their home in this not me." Kane said. "Ok here's everything you need form my end to finish up your will on my end. I can't believe you Tank and Bear are notaries but hey at this point I'm running out of things to be shocked about." "Ya Tank gonna seal it for me. Marie is actually done with her will Bear sealed it last week. It's weird for her to tell me we should have this all ready in case anything happens. The only thing she shared with me about hers is if we or she ever ahs kids they get almost everything and if we ever have them than we get to connect our wills together with god parent amendments. It's weird to do this but at least it's done. Being an adult is weird." They both laughed it really is but at least your with someone who makes sure everything for and with you will be ok. That's a good sign of love to make sure the one you wake up for is going to be ok.�� "Ya. You ready we gotta run by the hotel first than head over to my parents. I'll text Marie to come out to the car you go ahead I'm going to get her purse and lock up I didn't see her take it out." " You know seeing you with her, the way you to act and be with each other. You really are leaps and bounds better for her. It should be the way it is wit you guys it should be easy as breathing. You should have small fights, big fights, you should be the only one to calm her down. I'll gladly call you my son in the future." "Thank you Caleb really means a lot to me." Calabe started laughing . "You know it sure is a sad shame to see Dylan want up that tree so bad though. My heart breaks for the man permanently in the friendzone." They both laughed. "That brother better keep his ass there too, I hate to have to walk his ass back to that zone personally." Laughing out the door . They drive was nice and peaceful. Once they completed checking in he found out he has to leave in the morning and he hired out a driver to get him there so no cameras can pick up any sign of them. When they got out to the ranch Neil and Callie welcomed him with open arms literally squeezing him tight thanking hi for the gift of their lovely shared daughter. They talked and joked about marriage with all of Bear and Ricki and Kane and Marie, and grandkids. It was the perfect evening to end the perfect visit. The next morning Maire and her dad teared up a bit but he assured her that he already bought the four bedroom three bath ten minutes away from the Medina farm Neil helped with the sale and signed off on it before he left Callie actually ordered all the furniture her dad wanted to be delivered on the 26th. With the week off she figured with the guys they could piece together quickly. She had the week off for Christmas through New Years she and Ricki were staying on the ranch. Christmas was lovely Marie made big plushy blankets that had pictures of everyone and their little family with pillows like tank had pictures of his real family and the guys and of all of the now. Bear and Ricki pillows was a great couple picture and the blankets had combined both of their friends and them together. Kane was the same way. They all loved it. While they were laying in Kanes bed he was playing with her fingers "I still have one more gift for you baby." He said with a big smile and kiss. "I told you already I don't need anything else. You've truly done enough to last a lifetime." She giggled back. "Well let's hope so." HE said slipping a silver ring with a nicely size diamond on her hand. "I don't want you to freak out because I know you are probably not ready for all that yet, this is a promise ring baby. To show you I'm in this for the long haul, I'm so in over my head drowning in the deep in for you I just needed to let you know my true intentions with you baby." "Honey it's beautiful. You didn't need to do this. I know you're here to stay. No one else could do any of the things you have done for and with me, if that person wasn't meant for forever right?" "That's right sweetheart." "I want it to mean more, because we've been feeling strong for over almost three years now, I just didn't want you to feel pressured." "I don't ever feel those things with you. That is a big step; but it doesn't scare me as much as I thought it would. You're right we have been building this for almost three years it's not rushed or scary." She looked at the ring on her finger. "Kane if you want this ring to mean more than a promise. Than I think I'm honestly ready for that. Everything in my life is taking huge changes and honestly as long as I have you there on my side I'm ready to take on all of them. I'm not that scared woman who has to bring breather in a bag when she hears a guy talk to loud. Or starts violently shaking if she hears a belt or fabric crack sound. I'm ready for a future and I'm ready to start living it." Kane face held a tear slowly rolling down his face in shock he never thought those words would leave her mouth so soon. Taking her hands to his mouth kissing them both. "Marie Alderman would you honor me and be my wife." HE stared at her deeply. "Yes." She said softly back kissing him deeply. He meet her back with the same passion they pulled away breathing deeply laughing a little. "This happening, this is really happening?" Kane asked happily. "Ya, it's really happening." They held each other close for the rest of the night not speaking just simply being with each other until they fell asleep."

Christmas felt the same way it had for the last two years, without his daughter with them. Caleb took his drink finishing and placing it down. "Is it all done?" "Yes sir these are the bill of divorce, this will be the trial date and the real estate agent will have the house on public listing by the 27th. Thanks to the prenup she signed she is only entitled to five million dollars, but seeing as her daughter has a restraining order that is technically already filed she broke parts of the her prenup only leaving her with two million dollars, her clothes, and her car. She lost all rights to any properties for abuse and neglect on Marie which was clearly in the contract." "Good I want her black listed from everything and anything. I want her to have to flee this town like my daughter did to earn anything for her damn self. Every major business we have any deals with black list her. She needs to go through what my kid did, only way to hit her where it would truly count is through the wallet and society." "I agree to bad we couldn't pay someone to beat the crap out of her." His best friend Seth said. "As much as I want to Marie would frown upon that. I want to do right by her best I can. It's only a matter of time before she's engaged to that soldier anyway." They both laughed. Caleb told Seth everything. Being one of the best lawyers around for over half the country he made damn sure to pin Jennifer where it would hurt in every way they can. "Well I got to go show face at the Morgans. I have all my stuff packed and sent it all out this morning Jennifer still has no idea. I only packed my clothes and files. She only goes into her closet not mine. It's going to be fun to see her face when she comes in tonight and see all of her things in the U-HAUL and house ready to sell." "That would be price less you are better than me to have rented her a house for six months." "Ya I felt it I should still do that it's a small two bedroom. " They both laughed again as they walked out. Caleb got into his car and made his way to the party that awaited them. He was truly delightful to everyone in the room. Every single person who had lied to him everyday for almost three years, every single person who helped put his daughter through hell. He only was able to get through it smiling knowing everything that is about to happen. As the truth comes out they will in time get theirs. He couldn't even bring himself to feel bad about never seeing Jason again. Knowing he was like a second father figure to him but can't mean that much if he was abled to lay his hands on his baby. Taking everything in him not to beat this boy to death in the hug. "Well we thank you for a lovely night. We should head out. Thank you for everything Merry Christmas." Jennifer said hugging Jason and his parents. Caleb followed suit and made his way to his car Jennifer to hers. As she followed him home. Jennifer was ignorant to the small trucks. Caleb got a text from Kane saying the Morgans have been served their restraining orders form Marie. Apparently they just missed the sheriff. He needed to be quick before they get to their house. "Jennifer I have something to tell you I think you'll be interested to hear." "What would that be my love." She said with a smile. "I got a call from Marie last week she reached out on her birthday." "Oh my god." She said with her hand going from her mouth to her heart. "Is she ok? Is she close is she going to come home? Why did you wait so long too tell me? Why didn't you say anything at dinner don't you think Jason has been through enough do you know what that information would do for his poor little heart?" She said in shock. "I not only talked to her, I got to spend three whole days with her at her home while I was away on my trip I didn't stay at the hotel I stayed at her home. Funny thing is she had a lot to say. She had tons to say about Jason beating the crap out of her in torturous little ways. How she tried to get help but Jason and his parents and even you made it difficult for her. Anything you want to tell me? You now like maybe the damn truth. It would be nice to hear some bit of truth come out of your mouth after years of nothing but lies." Caleb asked her arms crossed over his chest. "I did what any good mother would do. She choose him, and he loves her. Every couple has bad moments Marie had some little accidents we both know how she could be I was just doing what was best for her. The Morgans and I gave her a place in society she was about to run the whole damn city and she was still behaving like a child. We want nothing more than for her to come home and take her rightful place. Please Caleb you need to tell her to come home and everything will be different Jason will be better we can all take family counseling and get past this together. We can build a better future as a whole of a family. We can have everything we wanted for her, if you can just talk her into coming home. Please Caleb bring our baby home." She said crying and sobbing. "Not only will she never set foot anywhere near this damn forsaken state but she has sent out restraining orders against the Morgan family every single one of them, and she also sent one for you. She never wants to see or hear form any of you ever again. I have actually bought out a whole chain of new banks and firms all over the country so I am actually selling the house it is currently on the market all of our things are boxed up yours is actually I a truck with three nice men who will take you to your new house I rented for you for six months. I am going to go be as closeish as I can get." "Are you serous right now? Your just going to up and leave after all these years?" "What are you shocked did I not tell you I would toss your ass out hard if I found out you had anything to do with her running away? She ran away from people not person but people beating her and dragging her through fucking hell stripping her life , and dignity away from her for your own self gain. You are nothing but a selfish bitch whose lied to me and tortured my kids to running away. Marie is the one thing in this world I can not replace and it was your job to help me protect her. GUESS WHAT JENNIFER WE BOTHED FAILED. I don't care how old she gets she is our daughter she should be able to come to us no matter how old, or what time she should be able to come to us when she's scared that her grown ass boyfriend is beating on her and you think that she's behaving like some spoiled little five year old child. It was you and Jason putting your sick twisted fucking hands on my baby girl, and his twisted ass parents keeping you both protected well that shit end today. These are the divorce papers. Thanks to the prenup you get five million only or at least you would have. See thanks to the medical reports with your signature and comments given to the reports you broke contract for not protecting or helping Marie that was your only job and thanks to all the proof and restraining order you have failed so legally you only get two million dollars, your clothes, and your car. I have rented you a place for six months. You have crossed the wrong man by screwing with my kid Jen you will get your karma. Good luck getting a job by the way. I have already decided to make a public release of our divorce over your lies and secrets to media so be ready for that." Jennifer was fuming at this point. "How do I know you're telling me the truth I haven't been served shit Kane but your divorce papers." That's when they heard a knocking on the door. "I think it's for you Jen." She opened the door to see a man in uniform holding papers. "Hello Merry Christmas I'm looking for a Mrs. Jennifer Alderman." "I am her." "Well Mrs. Alderman you are being served a restraining order. It is stating you maynot ever be with at least or up one hundred feet near a Ms. Marie Alderman at any given point or time. You are not to reach out or have any contact with her or you will be picked up and will be in doing some time in jail. Please sign here notifying that you understand the terms and have been served." She signed the papers. Holding them in shock tears rolling down her face. Feeling her heart break never did she think her daughter would not only run away, but get legal help to actually force her out of her life." A ding went off Calebs phone. "Huh look at that. You know after all the years of marriage I will give you one kindness. This is our daughter who is newly engaged to her soon to be husband who has done more for here in the amount of almost three years than we have almost her whole twenty-eight years of life. She's going to e getting married moving on with her life without you by her side, you wont help her get ready to degrade her every step of the way. When we finally do get the grandkids we always wanted you won't be there. The best part is She is getting someone who deserves her and not that pathetic piss ant Jason. All of you have done nothing but lie to everyone everyday to our face. You should be ashamed, but I don't think you know the difference between right and wrong anymore if it doesn't some how help you along the way. You need to get out it's time to leave. I have a plan to catch and security will escort you off my property now. I'll see you in court for the divorce, than just like our daughter I never want to see or hear form you again. You need to leave now." He said signaling the security to get her to her car. "Caleb. Caleb!!! No wait please. Don't do this we can fix this. I have been faithful for nearly forty years you can't do this. I know you love me. We can fix this. We can talk to her and make her understand the error of this way." She yelled. "The only error she made was not be able to do this sooner. I did love you, you were faithful but only for yourself. I really did love you. But I love my kid with everything in me and she will always trump you. No matter how old our kid gets she'll always know that at least one parent is going to do everything he can to step up. Don't worry about her not like you were, She already has a great mother role model and she as hell ten times better than you. Get this out of my sight." Caleb said as he got into his car. "Airport." He said to the driver. Caleb blocking the Morgan family in every way shape and form n every device known to him and his company. Dialing his phone waiting for the other person to answer. "Hello said a groggy voice." Sorry for waking you I almost forgot your three hours ahead. Look I'm on my way to the airport I should be in town by morning I won't be catching up with you guys for maybe two days I still have business to finish. Everyone is served I was only there for Jennifer, I threw her out and gave her the papers. Just to slam that nail in the coffin I did show the picture you sent of you two and that ring. She is pist and shattered so honestly best Christmas ever. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials Kane please continue t take care of my kid." "Always." "I guess were family now. "I guess so old man." Kane said they both laughed. "Don't push that old shit." They laughed harder. "I'm going to go before Marie wakes up I'll have her call you later. I'm sorry for the way everything went down tonight. I know that couldn't have been a easy thing to do." "After what I learned it was much easier than you thing, not snapping some necks was difficult." Caleb said cold a ice tone. "See you guys in a few days." "See you soon Caleb." Caleb looked out the window felling million times lighter.

Kane looked at Marie and smiled as she slept peacefully. Everything is going to be different. It was going to be weird to decide on the some choices tomorrow the hardest thing is going to when they make this public tomorrow because he is not holding this back, and it gets out to the public and media around them and have Jason see it. He had made an appointment to get Marie a class for gun, and taser so she could get her carry permits. Whatever was going to be coming he was making sure they would be covered in any way he can she was his world and he was going to everything he can to keep it spinning safely. It was going to be long fight ahead of them.