Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 59~

~Raelyn~

~November 30th 2023~

The warmth of the trap house kitchen wrapped around us like a comforting hug as the aroma of Devyn's tostadas mingled with Isa's laughter in the air. I sat, balancing my precious two-week-old Aspen in one arm, while my other hand navigated the delicious mess of my tostada. Despite the fatigue etched into the corners of my eyes from Aspen's aversion to naps, the room's energy was infectious.

"Seriously, Devyn, you need to start your own food truck with these," Jake quipped between mouthfuls, prompting a round of chuckles.

Corey nodded in agreement, "I'd be your first customer every day, babe!"

The day's stress seemed to melt away with each bite, each laugh, each shared glance. Aspen, content at last, began to drift into slumber against me, her tiny hands relaxed and her breaths deepening.

Colby, ever the doting figure, leaned over with a tender smile that reached his eyes. "How's our little Penny doing?" he asked softly.

I nodded, a gentle wave of relief washing over me. "She's just about finished, I think. Could you take her upstairs?" I carefully wrapped Aspen in her blanket, the soft fabric a stark contrast to the day's earlier chaos.

Without hesitation, Colby took Aspen into his arms, his movements practiced and sure. Blake, my energetic seven-year-old, climbed into my lap as I continued to eat, his presence a grounding force.

Katrina and Tara joined in the chorus of adoration, "She's absolutely sweet, but man, those lungs!" they said, shaking their heads with a smile.

Isa and Devyn nodded in agreement. "She'll be a strong one, that's for sure," Isa added with her charming accent.

The guys chimed in, Sam's eyes twinkling as he watched Blake. "It's a blast having a little niece," he said, "and the funnest nephew too."

I couldn't help but beam at Blake, my fingers playfully ruffling his hair. "You're quite the entertainer, aren't you, bud?" I said, my heart full.

~

The clatter of the dishes was a soothing rhythm in the quiet kitchen, the only sound as the rest of the house settled into slumber. My hands moved methodically, scrubbing and rinsing, my thoughts a whirlpool as turbulent as the soapy water.

Colby's presence was a whisper of warmth before his lips pressed gently against my shoulder, a silent question in the gesture. I glanced over my shoulder, a tired smile tugging at my lips. "Hey, what are you doing up?" I murmured, turning back to the sink as he brushed his thumbs across my arms, the concern in his eyes palpable.

"Nothing," I lied, my voice barely above the water's murmur. "Just finishing up here."

He exhaled, a sound heavy with unsaid words. "Rae, talk to me," he urged softly, his arms encircling my waist from behind.

I shook my head, a feeble attempt to stave off the tears that threatened to spill. "I'm fine, really," I insisted, but the tremble in my voice betrayed me.

I sighed. "How's our Aspen doing?"

He smiled as he hugged me from behind, "She's perfect. She's happy, she's healthy and she happily sleeping. She's doing fine baby."

Colby turned me to face him, his embrace a fortress as I finally allowed the dam to break, my tears soaking into his shirt. "I'm just so overwhelmed," I confessed, the weight of my worries about Aspen pouring out with each sob. "I don't know if I'm doing any of this right."

He held me tighter, a rock amidst the storm of my doubts. "You're doing everything right," he assured me, his voice a soothing balm. "Aspen is so lucky to have you. We'll get through this together, I promise."

~

With the dishes finally done, me and Colby made our way upstairs, our footsteps light and filled with anticipation. As we entered the bathroom, a soft glow from the dimmed lights enveloped us, creating an intimate atmosphere.

Colby playfully splashed water on his face, a mischievous grin on his lips. "You know, I think we could use a little more than just washing our faces," he teased, his voice laced with desire.

My cheeks flushed, a mix of shyness and excitement. I reached for my face wash, unable to hide my smile. "I think you might be onto something," I replied, my voice filled with a hint of playfulness.

We stood side by side at the sink, our eyes meeting in the mirror as we lathered our faces. Colby's hand brushed against mine, our fingers intertwining for a moment, sending a jolt of electricity through our bodies.

As we stepped into the shower, the warm water cascaded over our skin, creating a cocoon of intimacy. Our laughter echoed off the tiled walls, mingling with the sound of the rushing water. The steam enveloped us, wrapping us in a world of our own.

Colby's voice was a gentle melody as he reached for the shampoo, his words filled with tenderness. "Let me take care of you," he whispered, his fingers massaging my scalp with loving care.

I leaned into his touch, my eyes closed, savoring the sensation. "I feel so lucky to have you," I confessed, my voice filled with gratitude and love.

We stood under the water, our bodies pressed together, sharing stolen kisses and whispered promises. The steam mingled with our desires, creating an ethereal ambiance as we lost ourselves in each other's embrace.

After our shower, we climbed into bed, our bodies intertwined, seeking solace and comfort in each other's arms. As we settled in, our whispered words of affection filled the room, a sweet symphony of love and devotion that lulled us into a peaceful slumber.

The night had draped the house in a thick blanket of silence, the kind that followed a day so chaotic it left the walls themselves exhausted. My mind was still unwinding from the day's events, the image of Aspen finally sipping peacefully a stark contrast to the earlier hours devoid of naps and filled with the kind of pandemonium only a newborn and a seven-year-old could orchestrate.

Dinner had been a quiet affair, the shower afterward a shared sigh of relief, and sleep had come like a gentle tide, washing over all of us with the promise of rest and recovery. Sadie had come and joined us and slept at the foot of our bed. But that promise was shattered by the sudden, jarring sounds that tore through the stillness of the house.

Gun shots

The breaking of glass

"Colby!" my voice was a sharp whisper, my heart hammering against my ribcage as I jolted upright. The noise... it was like gunshots, a series of loud booms that seemed to come from the very heart of our sanctuary.

Sadie leapt off the bed and ran to our bed room door and started barking violently as she growled. "Sadie, heel!" She immediately came and stood by my side. She whimpered in discomfort.

Aspen started crying as I looked over at Colby in fear as he clenched his jaw and got out of bed, reaching into the nightstand, and grabbing two handguns that we kept on hand.

"Get the gang and hide." He said with determination then tossed me a gun.

"Colby." I said as he quickly made his way out of the room. "Now Raelyn!"

"Fuck." I said then got out of bed and quickly made my way to Aspen as fast as I could. "Shhh...it's okay. You're okay." I whispered and pulled her into my arms before quickly making my way out of the room so I could get the gang. I shouted our code word for danger. "Code White!"

I decided it would be best to bring them to Corey's room.

I just needed to act quickly because I needed all the roommates to be safe.

"Raelyn, what's going on?" Katrina asked as she and Sam stood in the hallway with confusion hand in hand. Devyn and Corey, and Jake and Tara were behind them and looked just as worried.

"Someone's in the house, go back to Corey's room. I need to get Blake." I explained with a serious tone as they nodded and did as I said. They had a nervous look on their faces, but they still obeyed.

Aspen whimpered sensing the tension. "It's okay, sweetie. Shhh." I whispered, desperately trying to calm her down as I went into Blakes room.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" He asked groggily as he woke up.

"I'll explain later love, just hurry up and come on and take my hand." I said as he nodded and quickly got out bed and followed me quickly holding onto my hand. He held onto his storm trooper doll in his other arms as he ran with me to Corey's room.