Soulmates

Chapter thirty-four

I got to spend time with Alexis while Devon and Erica had a night to themselves. I can't believe how much in common Alexis and I have. I know I missed out her entire life and I can never get the time lost back, but I can make up for it now.

We camped out in a fort we made in the living room. We stayed up late getting to know each other and she bonded with the twins until Kelly and Claire took them to bed for the night. She said good night to Kelly and Claire and I kiss them both good night.

I woke to someone shaking my shoulder and look up to see Erica. I look at her confused as why she was waking me. She just motions for me to follow her and I do. I follow her passed the others and they all looked confused. I shrug, rubbing sleep from my eyes.

Devon walks up to Erica and asks confused, "Where you going?"

"To talk with Jennifer over coffee. I'll be back in an hour," she says giving Devon a kiss. "Maybe two."

"Don't forget me while you're gone," Devon jokes with her and Erica laughs. Devon playfully hits her shoulder and says, "I'm serious."

"Impossible, nothing could make me forget about you," Erica says in a sincere tone and they share one more kiss.

It was clear how much she cared about Devon and I'm grateful she was there for her and our daughter, well their daughter. I kiss Kelly and Claire and make my way out to Erica's car. I'll admit, hearing them joke about forgetting hurt. I know Devon and I weren't together long, but I did love her.

The ride to the coffee shop was in awkward silence. The moment she parked I was out of the car before she could cut the engine. She had to jog to catch up with me and I was thinking about what she could possibly want to talk about.

I sat at the back corner of the café and waited for her to bring coffee. Tears roll down my cheeks as I remember seeing the car speeding towards me, taking my memory. How they could just joke about it, I didn't know. I wipe my eyes as I saw her walking towards me and lower my eyes to the table.

She lets out a sigh and says in a choked whisper, "Twelve years. Twelve years I watched her wait for your memory to come back. Twelve years I helped raise a child that constantly reminded her of you. Twelve years I helped her cope. Twelve years I've waited for her."

"I'm sorry," I choke quietly and look up at her. "I know it's not enough to erase twelve years of pain, but it's all I have to give."

She smiles lightly and says with a wavering whisper, "We tried a relationship, while she was pregnant with Alexis, but she said she couldn't stay in it because she felt wrong stringing me on when her whole heart wasn't in the relationship. She didn't want to hurt me when I was the only one there when she needed someone the most.

"I told her I didn't care as long as I had her, but she ended it. I stuck by her because I loved her. I helped her get through the pregnancy and grew attached to a child that I grew to love as my own because I can't have any.

"But I didn't bring you out here to talk about the past, well not mine with Devon," she says clearing her throat.

"Why did you bring me out here," I ask curious as I wipe my eyes.

"What I'm about to tell you stays between us. You can't tell Devon, not if you want to help protect her," she says in a protective tone and I knew it was something serious.

"I promise not to say anything," I say in a serious tone.

"You have to promise to listen and not say anything until I tell you everything," she says in a serious tone and I nod. She lets out a calming breath and runs her hand through her hair. "I know why Jessica did all the things she did and I need you to believe me, because this means life or death for Devon, Alexis and your family."