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Hallie

"What makes you think I will stay with you? You killed my mother you sick bastard!" I spat at him.

"You have no proof of it," he sneered.

"I know you killed her."

He laughed. "I will kill you too," he sneered. "The only reason you're still breathing is because of my bloody kids."

He suddenly grabbed me and wrapped his hand around my neck. "If you so much as try to leave and take Ty and Michelle with you. I will kill you."

I shot up gasping for air.

Hands wrapped around me and fought it.

"Hey. Hey. It's okay. It's me. You're okay. It was just a dream. A bad dream."

"Damien?" She whispered, unsure.

"Yeah, baby."

I sagged against him.

He didn't ask questions.  He simply held me. I was grateful, because I don't know what I would say to him if he asked. And I know he will. At some point he will.

"I'm right here, sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere," he whispered softly.

I closed my eyes and fought back my tears. I must have done something right for God to send me a man who's done nothing but care for me and my kids.

"Sleep, sweetheart."

I snuggled closer and settled myself in his arms, where I'm safe.

Safe...

A state I haven't felt or been in in a long time.

The following morning I woke up with Damien nowhere to be found, leaving me to think that I had dreamt being in his arms, but the space next to mine and his scent, one that I've grown familiar with and grown to love tells me otherwise. I look over to his pillow and found a note.

You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you. When you're ready, come join me for breakfast.

      P.S. Don't worry about the kiddos. I've grown to enjoy my mornings with them.

D.

A smile formed in my lips. I quickly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up before doing as Damien asked. Join him for breakfast.

I looked at myself in the mirror and almost didn't recognize the person staring back at me. Good rest will this to anyone, I thought to myself. But it wasn't the only thing I saw. I saw excitement in my eyes. Giddiness. The thought of seeing Damien makes my heart flutter and makes my body shiver with joy. If I don't watch myself, I could easily fall in love with him. Something that I could never let happen.

I looked back at my reflection.  "You can't," I whispered.

I quickly finished up and headed to join Damien and my angels.

"I hear mommy," I heard Damien say. "Do you hear her my sweet angel?" He asked.

Michy squeaked happily. "Mama."

"Yes, sweetheart. Your mommy."

Tears filled my eyes. This is what Ty and Michy deserve. A dotting father. A father who will love and protect them. Someone like Damien and not... I shook my head.

"Hallie?" I closed my eyes and forced those thoughts away.

"Coming," I said and took a deep breath before coming into the kitchen.

"Hi, sweetie," I said.

"Mommy!" Ty greeted happily as he enjoyed his cereal.

"Hi, baby," I said and gave him a kiss.

"Hi, bug," I said to Michy.

She squealed happily.

"Morning," I said to Damien.

He smiled at me. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"

I nodded. "I did."

"I'm glad," he said.

"Listen, Bella offered to take the kids and for play date with hers. I told her I'd run it by you first."

I frowned. My first instinct was to say no, but I've already met Bella and I like her. I've pretty much met most of his siblings and all of them have been so kind and welcoming.

"Nate and my sister Lia will come by too. She's eager to meet you. I'm sorry, my family gets a bit crazy. But if you feel like it's too much all at once just say the word and I'll have them back off."

I chuckled.

"What?" He asked, amused.

I shook my head. "Nothing. I just. You're a lot to take in."

He shrugged.

"I was just thinking that it might make it easier if Ty and Michy were around kids and we were alone when we discussed what steps to take next."

I nodded. "You're sure your sister is okay with it?"

He nodded. "More than okay. She offered. Also, my parents have invited us over."

"Your parents!" I squeaked, my mouth dropping open.

"I know," he groaned. "My sister has a problem keeping things to herself."

"I heard that and I resent that."

We turned and found Bella walking in.

"It's the truth," Damien said.

"Dad was wondering why you haven't been by to the house and why you seem secretive during phone conversations and though Mom knows and has met Hallie, she refuses to do your work for you. She thinks you need to introduce her to the family," Bella defended and to my surprise, Damien laughed.

"Alright. You're forgiven."

I looked back at him. "I'm not keeping things a secret. I just want to give you some time. I only got you to trust me," he winked at me.

"I'm not meeting your family," I protested.

"Why not?" he asked, looking as though I've offended him.

"Because!" I squeaked.

"Not an answer, Tesoro."

"What does that mean?" I frowned. It's the first time he called me anything other than my name. Well except for sweetheart.

"What does what mean?"

"Tesoro."

"Oh." He frowned. "It just means woman."

"Woman?" I asked incredulously. Somehow I doubt that's what it means.

Bella rolled her eyes, causing Damien to glare at her. "Anyways. I'm here to pick up the little ones. Allan's just outside, probably leaving a million instructions to Fred. I swear, I love that man with everything in me, but he drives me crazy with his overprotectiveness."

"And I love you too, my most beloved wife."

"Huh. I'm your only wife," Bella retorts.

"One of you is more than I need," he teased.

She narrowed her eyes at her husband.

Allan chuckled. "You and only you is all I'll ever need. My heart. My life. My world. My everything."

"Nice save there, buster."

Allan pulled her close and kissed her.

"Seriously?" Damien groaned. "That's my sister."

"My wife," Allan retorted, before landing another kiss on his wife's lips. He grinned at Damien who groaned. "Nate's on the way, same with Jake and Dave."

Damien nodded and turned to me. "Are you still okay with this?"

I nodded. "Ty, Michy, let's get you both and your stuff ready. You'll be going with..." I looked at her, not knowing what I should tell my kids to call her. I don't want to sound too familiar with her.

"Auntie Bella," Bella interjected and I smiled my thanks. "We'll have a play date. I've got little ones too who are excited to meet you."

"It will be fun," I smiled at Ty and Michy.

"Okay," Ty grinned shyly.

"I've got their stuff ready," Damien said. "They're over there," pointing to the corner of the island next to the refrigerator.

I hugged and kissed my babies goodbye. "Be good. See you later. I love you both."

"wuv you too." Ty responded.

Damien

"Don't worry. My sister will take good care of them," I  assured her as we watched them drive away.

She nodded. "I know. I'm just... this is the first time that," she stopped. "You're right though. This is good for them. They need to be around other kids. God knows they've spent too much in the company of people they shouldn't have."

I nodded. Then just as we were about to head back inside, a car drove in. "That's the rest of my brothers," I said. We may not be related by blood, but those guys and the man inside are as much of a brother to me as Dylan and Derek are. They risked their lives and protected our family too many times to count. We owe them our lives.

"Hey Man," Nate said. "You must be, Hailey?" He asked.

She nodded. "Hi."

"Jake. Dave," I greeted.

"Hey bro," Jake said, clapping me on the back. Dave followed suit.

"This is Hallie," I said.

"Hi, Hallie. It's nice to finally meet you and put a face to a pretty name," Jake winked."

I rolled my eyes. "Now what would Charlie say?" I said, knowing full well that Jake loves Charlie more than anything and would never do anything to hurt her."

Jake just chuckled. "She would say that she married the most handsome man in the world and she's lucky to have a husband who loves her more than anything."

"Most handsome?" Dave cut in. "Really?"

"Most handsome," Jake confirmed.

"She only settled for you, cause she missed out on me," Dave joked.

Hallie chuckled.

"She loves me and only has eyes on me."

"Alright, ladies. Let's get inside, shall we?"

"Yeah, before we lose our dicks and grow vaginas," Nate added.

"Fuck you," Jake said.

Hallie's eyes widened in amusement.

"We've shocked you?" Nate winced.

"Uh," Hallie said at a loss for words.

"She'll get used to it," Jake interjected. "Seems not going anywhere," he added while smirking at me.

"Let's just get inside and get started," I said, and ushered them all in.

***

"So. Where do we start?" I asked.

"I think, I should start," Hallie said. "I... I haven't been completely honest. I... to be honest, I don't even know if I'm making the right decision, but I've gone this far by trusting my heart and my gut, and both tell me that, I can trust Damien."

"You can, Tesoro. You can," he said softly, as he squeezed my hand comfortingly.

"You can trust us, Hallie," Nate said. "And the only way we can help you is by being honest. Tell us everything. Even if you think it doesn't matter, trust me when I say that it does. Every detail counts. Damien is family. You matter to him, therefore you matter to us."

Tears welled in her eyes. "I've never had this," she whispered. "You barely know me and yet..."

"You're important to me. You matter to me."

"Why?"

"I don't think you're ready for that much honesty," I said. If I told you how I feel, you'll be running for the hills.

"But you are," She said.

I frowned in question. "I am what?"

"Ready for honesty?"

"Always," I answered without hesitation.

She swallowed visibly. "Marcus..." she began.

I nodded.

"He is not my husband."

"I know, baby. You told me."

She shook her head. "No you don't understand," she said. "He's not my husband. He's my stepfather."