If Only They Knew (Book 1.5) (AU Series) - INTERSEX

Chapter Forty-Nine

Elliot

The conversation with Valia had a profound negative impact on Josephine. We had broached the topic before, but never in the presence of the children. I knew that the discussion was challenging for Josie, yet she did not shy away from engaging with her daughter.

That morning, I lay in bed watching Alex, Vale, and Josie sleep until Valiana eventually left the room. Val and her father slept soundly, but Josie was visibly trembling.

Once our daughter left, Josie locked herself in the bathroom. We could hear her sobbing inside and decided to give her some space. Eighteen years of recovery cannot erase the eight years of abuse she endured. No amount of time can truly undo the past, but she learns to live with it and manage the episodes she experiences.

Both Alex and I are in bed while Josie remains in the bathroom. I lie on my side, and Alexandria lies on her back, staring at the ceiling. The anguish Josie is going through affects us all. Alex sighs, and I stroke her shoulder reassuringly.

Through the bathroom door, Josie's low voice calls out, "Papi?"

"Si, Bonita? [Yes, Beautiful]"

"Te necesito [I need you]."

'I need you' is the phrase Josie uses during an episode to signal that she needs to go to the den. She wants to vent her frustrations through the playroom, seeking any form of relief to alleviate her pain. She hasn't used the room in quite a while, but it's available for her and Alex whenever her depression worsens.

"Te estaré esperando, mi Amor. [I'll be waiting for you, My love.]" She leans in to gently kiss me before taking my hand and leading me to the den.

I never participate in their activities when I join them in the room. My role is simply to keep an eye on things to ensure that Josie doesn't... kill our wife. I wasn't always allowed in here, and it took time to adjust to watching my wives in pain. 

It may sound strange, but Josie's anger can sometimes get the better of her in that headspace. She has inflicted significant damage to Alexandria in that room, primarily in the beginning. Nowadays, they hardly ever use this space. I think the conversation earlier was just too overwhelming for her.

Both Alex and I undress.

In this room, Al remains in control, but Josie is the one inflicting pain. If Alex can't bear it any longer, she will speak up, but she never does. Although she won't admit it, she still feels guilty for what happened to Josie with the cartel, which is why I started attending their sessions.

As Alex finishes undressing, her head hangs low. I can see her mind racing. "Hey?" I gently grasp her chin. "Alex, you're in command here. If it's too much, use your words." She leans in, and our lips meet.

Her skin feels smooth and warm against mine. "It won't be," she says as she kisses my forehead before heading towards the X beam. I fasten her wrists and ankles, pausing for a moment to take in her naked form. Her muscles tense as she adjusts her wrist for comfort.

She has numerous scars, not just from Josie but also from her work. Over the years, she has gotten more tattoos to cover them up. Some scars have faded, but others, like the deeper cuts, remain visible, so she conceals them with ink. I touch and kiss each of them before walking away and taking my place in the corner.

Josie enters the room a few minutes later, her gaze fixed on the ground. As I mentioned before, Al remains in command. Josie is completely naked, and her body is just as stunning as Alex's. She has curves in all the right places and a little extra meat on her love handles as a result of giving birth to Valiana. Her C-section scar has left the cutest little pouch, which is my favorite part of her body.