Gray Ghost - License to Kill

Chapter 11 - Welcome Home

After months of recovery and intense training, Gerald and Rob agreed that the time had come. I had reached a place mentally and physically where I was prepared to return to Atlanta. It was time to return and face Command and rid this city of the most treacherous gang it has faced. One last night here in paradise before we head back.

Gerald and Rob planned a barbeque at the house for our last day. Just a time for us all to enjoy the beach and the scenery together. As I walked out of the house, I could smell the aroma of something on the grill. I am not sure what was on the grill, but it smelled delicious.

Rayna ran up behind me and grabbed me, "Mr. Stew, what are they cooking. It smells good."

"Hey baby girl, I don't know but yes it does," I said to her.

I turned to give her a hug and then I noticed. I guess through it all, I had not noticed that she was growing up very fast before my eyes. I took a step back to look at her.

"Wow! Baby girl." I said to Rayna.

"What is wrong?" she questioned as she looked down at herself trying to see what I could be looking at.

I just looked at her. From her feet where she was wearing beach shoes that were a little too small. Her feet were bigger than the shoes. I looked up and saw the development in her legs. All of the days running behind me, she was getting her own personal workout and you could see the change in her body.

Looking at the shoes I told her "I am going to buy you some new shoes when we get home," just amazed at how much she had grown.

I reached up and put my hands on her shoulders and could feel the muscular development. I took a step back to get a better look.

"Wow...just wow." I said again. Rayna looked perplexed as to what I could be thinking.

"Is something wrong?" Rayna asked me.

"Nothing is wrong at all. Just I have been so focused on my recovery, that I have not realized that you have grown about three inches the last few months and have gotten yourself in very good shape." I said astonished that I am just noticing the growth.

She had gone from a skinny pre-teen to an athletic teenager overnight.

"You just look so beautiful...and grown all of a sudden." I told Rayna.

"Mr Stew, yes I have gone through some changes the last few months." Rayna said as Stephanie was walking up.

"Yeah Stew, She has gone through a lot of changes, she has become a woman." Stephanie added.

"Yes, I got my first," Rayna started before I cut her off.

"Whoa, that is enough. I think I heard enough, and I get the point." I said as I had no desire to hear what she was about to say.

"Let's just go eat, geez." I said sarcastically trying to end that subject.

I grabbed Rayna and we started walking towards the beach and the food. As we were walking, Stephanie grabbed my other hand.

I looked down and saw us holding hands, as it caught me off guard. I looked up and our eyes caught one another. It was an awkward moment. I quickly looked away like a confused shy little boy, scared to look into her eyes.

I did not know whether I should pull my hand away, or just keep walking. But we had made it to the beach and I quickly pulled my hand away to hug Gerald and Rob and thank them for everything.

"You guys do not know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me," I paused as I looked back at Rayna and Stephanie. "Done for us." I corrected myself.