Forever my Marine

Chapter #41

Chapter #41
Louri’s POV
I am working at the base in my office when a very happy Greg walks in. Does he knock anymore? No he doesn’t unless Scarlett’s here. “Scarlett called, you are needed at Devon’s school. Get in the car, I'll come with you.” He says in a serious tone. “Is he ok?” I ask as I drive like a mad woman. “He is soooooo your son.” Greg bursts out laughing. “You son of a bitch. Don’t scare me like that!” I say slapping his chest as he continues laughing. I slow down since I know he’s not hurt. “Did he hit someone?” I ask since I recently started teaching him how to box. “What Devon? He would never hurt a fly.” Greg says. “He punched me in the back yesterday.” I state. “Yeah well he must have had a reason my nephew and nieces are angels. Why would you think he hit someone?” Greg says. “I’ve been teaching him to box because he wanted to be like his Uncle Chrissy in the Avengers.” I tell him. “You can’t say no to your kids can you?” Greg says. “Boxing is a good skill to have.” I defend because he’s right. I really have a hard time saying no to them. “You can’t say no to Ella.” I tell him. “She’s still an infant, Devon is six.” He says. “I do say no sometimes but I don’t see a problem with him knowing how to box. Plus it gives me more time with him. I missed a lot when he was younger.” I say feeling guilty. “Hey I know that look Devon understands you have to leave at times.” Greg says. “Yeah I know I am glad I was there for his first steps. And I was on a video call with him and Scarlett when he said his first word so there is that too.” I smile at the memory. “Wasn’t his first word fuck?” Greg asks as I pull into the parking lot of Devon’s school. “It was and that might be why he’s in trouble.” I groan. “Scarlett is going to kill you.” Greg chuckles. “Oh no she won’t because she taught him pussy. She didn’t know he heard her but still.” I say just before entering the school. “Why is everyone staring at us?” Greg asks. “We are in full uniform.” I tell him after I check us in and head to the principal's office and Scarlett is in full Mama bear mode with her arms securely around our son. “Hey what happened?” I ask. “Your son called my son a bitch and shoved him.” A snarky woman says. “I didn’t ask you, I asked him.” I say in my work voice. “Devon, did you call him a bitch and shove him?” I ask using my mom voice. “Yes Mama.” He sniffles. “Why?” I ask and Scarlett’s jaw clenches. “He asked about my tags.” He says normally Devon is proud to tell people so something else must have happened. “I don’t understand Devon, you said you love to tell people what they are and why you wear them.” I say. “He called you a bad Marine. Because Uncle Devon died. So I called him a bitch I’m sorry Mama.” Devon says with tears in his eyes. “Scarlett take him home. I will take care of this and Devon next time use your words not the adult words though ok?” I tell him and he nods. “I took an uber. Since you drove him to school today.” Scarlett says. “Ok here are the keys to the truck Greg and I will be out shortly.” I tell her and turn to the mom and her son. “Ok you heard your Mama grab your bag let’s go to the car.” Scarlett says to Devon. “Look I know my son shouldn’t have pushed or called your son that and I will talk to him about it. He’s never done something like this. But Ma’am please tell your son never to say anything about Devon’s uncles ever again.” I tell the other boy's mother. “I didn’t know my son said that. Don’t worry I will have a talk with him.” She tells me. “Thank you and I will have Devon apologize.” I tell her. “Thank you. Derren lets go.” She says and they leave. “Colonel.” I hear the principal call to me as Greg and I start to leave. “Go ahead Greg you will have to sit in the back though.” I tell him. “That’s fine it means I get to spend some time with my little Dev.” He says and leaves. “Yes Mrs. Mullens?” I say. “Devon is suspended for the rest of the week. We have a zero bullying tolerance policy. I hope you understand and Darren has been suspended as well. This can not happen again.” She says. “I understand Mrs. Mullens. And it won’t happen again.” I tell her and she nods and we say goodbye and I head to the truck.  

Scarlett’s POV
Devon never acts like that and I can see he feels bad soon Louri and Greg come out of the building and to the car. “Looks like I’m sitting next to you little dude.” Greg says to Devon as he gets in the back seat and Louri gets in the driver's seat. “Greg I am going to drop you off at the base since it’s on the way to the house. Tell the general I am taking the rest of the day off.” Louri says. “Well you weren’t really supposed to be working anyway since you are still on medical leave.” He says. We get to the base and drop Greg off and make our way home. “I’m sorry.” Devon says as he starts to cry. Louri pulls over; she never dives if the kids are crying like this. She gets out of the car and then into the back seat and undoes the buckles on Devon’s car seat. “Shh Devon I know you feel bad and you will have to apologize to Darren but please don’t beat yourself up about it.” Louri says as she holds him on her lap. “When he called you a bad Marine I got so angry. I saw the video you saved Mommy.” He cries. Fuck I forgot he somehow found the footage of what happened on the beach. “You are a good Marine! You are my hero.” He cries and Louri just holds him closer. “We are less than five minutes from the house I will drive so you can hold him.” I tell Louri and she nods.

Louri’s POV
We pull into the driveway Devon cried himself to sleep. “Louri.” Scarlett says quietly but her voice is filled with something I can’t quiet point out. She points to the porch where my Ma is sitting and crying. “Take him in through the garage and I will talk to her.” I say and Scarlett nods. She gets the sleeping Devon and takes him in through the garage and I march towards my mother. “What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to stay calm. “I’m sorry I am so sorry. I hurt you and Scarlett. I heard that Devon is having nightmares because of me. I hurt the ones I love. I am so sorry Louri I will leave but I just wanted to tell you in person that I love you and Scarlett. I should never have even thought of the things I said. I am going back to Boston on Friday. I just couldn’t leave without telling you. I will give you all the space you want even if I can’t see you and Scarlett. I am proud of you and I am proud of Scarlett. She is an amazing partner for you. I know you will be ok because she will always take care of you. I did some research on trauma and I learned that some people use humor to cope and I realized that’s what Scarlett was doing. I love you and I am proud to call Scarlett my daughter-in law. I will go now just know I love you and I am a phone call away if you or Scarlett need me.” She says and as she goes to leave I engulf her in a big hug. “I love you too, Mama. I am still a little mad about what you said but I forgive you. Please come in.” I tell her and she breaks down in my arms. “I expected you to yell at me and say you hate me. I didn't think you’d say that.” She sobs into my shoulder. “You are my Mama and I will always love you. I might not like you at times but I never stopped loving you.” I tell her as I lead her inside. “I heard what you said, Lisa. I am still upset with you but I do forgive you. Please stay for dinner.” Scarlett says. “Can I hug you?” Ma asks Scarlett and she nods and gets off the couch and her and Ma hug. “Where is Devon?” I ask. “I put him to bed so he could keep sleeping.” She says. “Is he ok?” Ma asks. “He got in a fight at school and pushed another kid and he feels really bad about pushing the kid and it was just so overwhelming for him that he cried himself to sleep.” I explain to her what happened. “Oh poor baby.” Ma says.

A/N
Poor Devon. And yay Louri and her Ma are working on rebuilding their relationship. Anygays see you in the next one.