Forever my Marine

Chapter #31

Chapter #31
Louri's POV
I didn't mean to eavesdrop but Maya's asleep on the couch and Louisa is in my arms, her head in my neck with a death grip on my tags. I notice that is something she does a lot when she is scared, sick, upset, or just needs comfort. "They prefer Louri singing to them. Maybe it's because she is gone for months at a time or maybe it's just they like her more than me." Scarlett says trying to sound like she's joking but I know my wife and she's hiding pain. "That's not true Mommy. I love when you sing that song about you wanting to be in that place I can't remember the name." Devon says walking in. "Are you talking about "I wish I was in New Orleans?" Scarlett asks him and he nods. "Yeah that one I just don't like when you play music in the background." He says. "You like it when it's just my voice?" She asks. "Yeah you sing really pretty. You sing better than Elsa." He says and that's a big compliment from him considering how much he adores Elsa. "Wow you think I'm better than Elsa?" She asks him. "Yes I do." He says honestly. "Sing and record it on your phone and it will prove me right." He says. "Ok if you say so. Do you want me to sing 'I wish I was In New Orleans'?" She asks. "Yes please." He says. "Ok let me get my phone from the kitchen so I can record it." She tells him and he nods. When Scarlett gets up and goes to the kitchen that's when Melanie sees me and I put my finger to my lips and she nods. I don't want to interrupt this cute moment between Scarlett and Devon. "Ok Devon you ready?" Scarlett asks, walking back into the dining room. I make sure I'm out of sight. Is it creepy the way I am watching them? Maybe but Scarlett does the same thing to me when in moments like this. Scarlett sits Devon on her lap and starts to sing and I can't help but sway to her singing. "Well, I wish I was in New Orleans, I can see it in my dreams, Arm in arm down Burgundy, A bottle and my friends and me, Hoist up a few tall cool ones, Play some pool and listen to that, Tenor saxophone calling me home, And I can hear the band begin, When The Saints Go Marching In, By the whiskers on my chin, New Orleans I'll be there, I'll drink you under the table, Be red nose go for walks, The old haunts what I wants, Is red beans and rice, And wear the dress I like so well, Meet me at the old saloon, Make sure there's a Dixie moon, New Orleans I'll be there, And deal the cards roll the dice, If it ain't that ole Chuck E. Weiss, And Clayborn Avenue me and you, Sam Jones and all, And I wish I was in New Orleans, I can see it in my dreams, Arm in arm down Burgundy, A bottle and my friends and me, New Orleans I'll be there." She sings. "What do you know? He's asleep." She says to Melanie. "Your voice must have soothed him. It put a big smile on your creeper wife over there." Melanie chuckles softly pointing me out. "How long have you been there?" Scarlett asks. "Long enough." I say softly so I don't wake the now sleeping Louisa and Devon taking a seat next to Scarlett. "Your singing helped get her to sleep." I tell her. "Even in her sleep she still holds your tags." Melanie says. "Yeah it brings her comfort I guess." I say. "Where is Maya?" Scarlett asks. "Asleep in the playpen don't worry I made sure there wasn't anything she could roll into and get hurt in her sleep." I tell her and she nods. "I'll go put her in her bed." Melanie says and Scarlett and I nod. "I will just lay on the couch with her because I know the second I try to lay her down and get my tags out of her grip she will freak out." I say. "That is very true. She loves her Mama and being close to her." Scarlett smiles. "Devon is right, you are better than Elsa. And much more beautiful." I tell her, making her blush. "Thank you." She says with a small smile. "You don't really think the kids like me more than they like you do you?" I ask. "Sometimes. Especially Louisa, she always asks for you first. It's stupid just forget it." She says. "It's not stupid. Sometimes I think Maya likes you more than she likes me. Like how Louisa always asks for me first Maya always asks for you first." I tell her. "And Devon asks for both of us. He always says he wants his mommys." Scarlett says. "Baby I'm sorry about what happened with your Ma. You shouldn't have to choose between me and your family." Scarlett says and she clearly feels guilty. "Scarlett I will choose you every time and it's not your fault it's my Ma's she went way too far. I thought it was funny that I was being stubborn about the stitches." I tell her before the door bangs open waking Louisa and Danny and making me jump slighty. "LOURI WHAT THE FUCK!" Chris's voice booms. "Mama I scared." Louisa says crying gripping my tags so hard her knuckles are white. "Can you stay with Mommy?" I say and hand her to Scarlett and she freaks out kicking and crying for me and it breaks my heart. "Chris, what do you want?" I ask angrily that he is causing my daughter this kind of distress. "You kicked Ma out?!" He yells. "Stop yelling you are scaring Louisa, you know it scares her when people yell." I say. "Ma showed up at my doorstep sobbing!" He says continuing to yell. "Ok get in the garage if you are going to yell you are scaring Louisa and probably Devon too." I say trying to get him in the garage when I hear Louisa crying for me because she's scared I don't know where the fear of her and Scarlett, Danny, and Maya will get hurt if I'm not there came from she's only three. "She was being disrespectful to Scarlett. She yelled at her and insinuated that Scarlett finds it funny when I get injured." I tell him keeping my voice at a normal volume. "She didn't tell me that. She just said you kicked her out because you didn't agree with her on something." He says in a softer tone. "Well now you know. You can get Ma's stuff I need to get to my daughter who is terrified thanks to you." I tell him before rushing back to the dining room to see Louisa sobbing into Scarlett's shoulder saying 'I want Mama' repeatedly. "Hey sweetie I'm right here everything is ok." I say rubbing her back. "I don't like yelling." She cries. "I know sweetie." I say as Scarlett hands her to me. "Where did Devon go?" I ask not seeing him anywhere. "Outside with Mom. I couldn't deal with two kids so Mom offered to take Devon." She says and I nod as I sway back and forth and rub Louisa's back, her hand firmly gripping my tags again. "Look Louri I...." I cut Chris off. "Chris right now I am too busy taking care of my daughter that you caused distress to deal with you right now just leave please. You scared her enough I don't need you to do it again." I say angry at him for making my daughter uncomfortable in her own home. "I'll call you later." He says. "Good idea." Scarlett says and he leaves. "What is wrong with my family today?" I question as I sit next to Scarlett with Louisa connected to me like a magnet.

A/N
Idk. Anygays see you in the next one.