his forgotten mate

CHAPTER 37c

Lost in my own head, my phone brought me back. I knew it was Dad, Nico and Jack though, alerting me of their arrival. I backed out of the room, heading outside, stopping in my tracks when I saw the outrageousness of what Jack had done.

“What…?” I said waving my hands at the nine instrument cases and Jack’s face went red.

He shrugged, “I figured if they were learning, they’d be less afraid of me…” his reply unsure and I wanted to laugh at his expression alone.

“So you bought each a guitar?” I smirked. Jack nodded, turned reaching for the tent. Shaking my head, I just went to help set up. He was a good and true friend to me, doing this for my children meant a lot to me.

The children had spent more than enough time locked inside, so tonight we would be camping outside in the backyard near the fire pit. We had been reluctant to even do this but once we explained to the kids, they seemed excited to be outside again. Which in turn, made me thrilled as well… I had my reservation, no doubt, but was hopeful this wouldn’t blow up in our faces.

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After showers, dressing warmly, the sun already set we all went outside, meeting the women in Logan’s Guardian Crew and Shavons family as well. I settled down next to Rainy, Michelle on my lap, and Nicole on hers. Once Logan got the fire going, he, Abby, Lucy and mom worked on hotdogs and burgers on the grill, while Jack eagerly busted out his guitars. I wasn’t sure any of my children would want to engage with him but I was wrong. Cole, Lily and Michael all took baby guitars, and started plucking away with Shavon’s oldest.

I couldn’t believe that I was this guy now… but as I had Rainy by my side, the kids either playing guitar with Jack or listening and eating I sighed louder than I meant too.

“What’s wrong?” Rainy asked me concerned. I shook my head, “Nothing… I like this,” I whispered looking into her expressive eyes.

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Ten minutes into smores, Dad and Nico came out, “Whose ready for a movie?” Dad asked excitedly and Shavon’s kids cheered, mine? Well they just seemed confused.

Jack started putting away his guitar but was stopped, “One more times?” Lily asked Jack quietly, shifting her whole body closer to Michael as she did.

“Of course Sugar,” Jack said starting his lesson all over again, playing a tune I hadn’t heard, knowing exactly what to stay away from. I swallowed, proud as hell of Lily, Cole and Michael. Jack had them completely engaged, Lily though, her little tongue stuck out as she tried to play what Jack was showing her.

Rainy jerked next to me, pulling my eyes to her form, it was dark but with the light and shadows I could see that she was crying, so carefully I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling my mate to my body. I kissed the top of her head, I never expected this for them Chrissy… She said over the link sadly. My heart hurt inside my chest.

They have it now… they have it all now and they do because you made sure to protect them as much as you could. They have all that and more now because of you, I told her meaning it, hoping she knew that she saved them long belong Logan saved them.