Chapter 40

125 17 12
                                    

After getting another shower, I go downstairs and start making breakfast for the guys. I know that Marsha and her family will be here in about half an hour for breakfast before leaving for home.  Marissa and her boyfriend will be here too. They want to wish Max well on his new journey to sobriety. Marissa will be going with Thane and Max to Souix City. She wants to check out the rehab too. Max knows that I want to go also. But I have to work. He understands that my work is important to me.

He also knows that we will be visiting as soon as we can. I will stand at his side during his journey. Everyone is enjoying the breakfast when mom and dad show up with Jax and Drake. They all want to send Max off with heartfelt wishes.

My house seems so much louder and smaller now. But I don't mind. Mainly because in an hour, it will be just me. At work I can keep my mind busy. But at home it will be so quiet while Thane is gone. So basically for the rest of the week. I haven't slept alone since Thane and my first time making love here.

Mom and dad will leave to take my guys and Marissa to the airport. I will be going to work in half an hour. I just hope that I don't break down in tears at my desk. Much less while performing my duties as law enforcement. That would make me look like a lunatic. I go upstairs and change into my uniform. As I was about to leave the room, Max came in and closed the door. I kissed him as if I would never be able to again. When he lifts his head we look into each other's eyes for a moment.

"I love you so much, baby! I want you to always remember that. No matter what we do and where we are. I love you for always." I tell him.

"I love you too, angel! For all of eternity through everything that life throws at us. We were meant to be together." He replies honestly. His eyes are the clearest that I have ever seen on him. That lets me know that he is being open and honest with me. He is really wanting to make us work out for life. He is ready to get clean for me. But he needs to realize that he needs to do this for himself first.

Max pulls my body to his and just holds me close as we just let this feeling of closeness happen. It will have to last us for three months while he is gone. "This is gonna be the hardest thing that I will ever do.  Not being close to you. Not being able to touch you, talk to you anytime I want. But I have to do this if I am ever to be the man that you deserve. The man that you love. The man that I deserve to be. Those are the only reasons that I am going to rehab, angel. I am doing this for us. You and I. Marissa and Thane and Marsha and the Tucker family are important too. But I must concentrate on myself first. Does that make sense? Am I saying it right? I really suck at speaking my feelings! But I am trying."

I can tell what he is trying to say. I also see that he is getting frustrated at himself. "It makes perfect sense to me, baby. You know that you must work on fixing yourself before you can be happy and at peace with the people that you love." Max's face relaxed as I spoke.

"Yes! That is exactly what I was trying to say! Thank you, angel, for understanding me." Max hugged me tightly again with a kiss to show how much he appreciates me. "You are my everything, angel. I love you so damn much!"

"I love you too, baby." I was about to say more when Thane opens the door.

"I hate to interrupt you guys. I know that you want some more time together, but we need to go or we will miss our flight."

Max sighed deeply and nodded. "Alright, I am ready." He turned back to me and kissed me deeply. Then we walked downstairs hand and hand.

We rejoin the family and I kiss Thane as they were about to leave. Then I hug everyone else. "Marsha and family, you are always welcome in our home. You all have my numbers. Don't be strangers."

"Thank you for making us feel so welcome. We really appreciate that. You are welcome in our home also." Marsha replies with a hug. Then they leave. 

Thane knows to call when they land. I leave for work. A couple hours later, I answer my phone for Max's call. "Hello, my handsome man!"

Badges and BikesWhere stories live. Discover now