Not Us 3: Odette & Ford

Chapter 15

Odette's POV

Ford had his first week of work starting Monday, and each night he came home from work, he would see the kids for bedtime because he was learning what to do, and he wanted to learn everything he could, he was very motivated and stayed late at work each night to learn from whoever was still there. He never missed a bedtime though. After bedtime with the kids, he would go back to Briggs and Jac's and I would see him carrying bags and a few boxes to the pool house. Every night he carried a little more over there. I watched as he slowly moved into the pool house. They assured him it was fine and that they were happy to help in any way they could. He seemed lighter and lighter each night as I watched him move in. His face just seemed at ease. He would sit in one of the patio chairs in front of the pool house door and he'd have a beer, smiling at the sky. Just one beer, never more that I saw. He really seemed like he was changing for the better. And I do, truly, hope life gets better for him. I hope that it stops being so hard on him.

April floated by so quickly and before we knew it, it was the twins and Sutton's first birthday party. Thankfully we thought to order a large tent for over the pool and patio area in case it rained. The weather was warm but could turn chilly the minute rain tried to come along. It was still spring after all. Ford watched the kids for me while I was next door last night helping Jac with the three balloon arches and getting the tables where we wanted them, and where the signs needed to go. There was so much left to do, but we were happy with how it had turned out. We finally all four, agreed on a theme for the three of them.

For Koa, we did a football theme, of "First Year Down" which the guys loved and happily took charge of. Briggs and Ford quickly said that he needed to have his own party theme that was not girly. The girls can have the same theme until they get older and like different things. So, we went super girly and really cute and did a 'Wild One' theme with wildflowers. We ordered a shit load of wildflowers to decorate the patio, the tables, the cakes, the highchairs. We might have possibly, also ordered wildflowers for Briggs, Ford, Bodhi, and the three boys. We also may or may not have ordered cute wildflower flower crowns for all of us girls, Romee included. We may, or may not, have gone a little overboard. But...it was the cutest theme we could all agree on. And we even ordered matching mother/daughter outfits.

Today was going to be the best day! And we were in a larger area, with not as many guests, so hopefully, it wasn't too bad for Ford. I saw him helping set food out on the tables and walked up to talk to him.

"Hey, Ford. If it gets too much," he stood up and put his hand on my lower back.

"I know, babe. I'll be taking frequent steps outside if I need it. Can we get a few family pictures before everyone shows up?" I smiled at him, grabbing his hand and going to wrangle our brood. I pulled him along going to find the boys. He grabbed Archie and Asher while Jac brought over Sutton.

"Could you guys get some pictures of us before everyone shows up?" I asked, handing Jac my phone. She smiled, passing Noa off to Briggs so she could get some pictures for us. We took one with all of us. One of just Ford and the kids, one of him with each kid by themselves, then one of me with the kids, and one of me with each kid by themselves. Then we took a couple of Ford and I together. As we wrapped up the last pictures, people started showing up. I went to grab Sutton, but she wrapped her little arms around her Daddy. He looked at me, tears in his eyes. It was the first time she clung to him like this. He picked her up and she snuggled into him. The boys stayed close to me. I noticed Ford starting to look around at all the people coming, and I put my arm around him, rubbing his back.

I leaned in close to him and whispered, "If you need a break, you're good to go out. I'm right here though. And it looks like Sutton needs you too," I smiled up at him and watched his chest puff out. He was definitely the proud Papa. I felt him lean into my touch as I rubbed his back.

Ford's POV

The rest of the party went great. Sutton or one of the boys stayed close to me the whole time. It was like they knew I needed the strength. I don't know how they knew, but they did. Everyone thought it was cute that Sutton would only sit with me and would reach for me. I was hoping someone had gotten a good video of us opening presents and singing Happy Birthday to my girl.

I did take a few breaks outside when too many people approached me at once. Odette was great at fielding questions and people. She also stuck by my side like she promised. It made me feel better. There was one guy who seemed to try to hover around Odette whenever I stepped away. I saw the way he looked at her. He was definitely interested. Very. Interested.

I was outside after the party ended and I looked inside to see this guy still hanging out. She was looking very uncomfortable and she saw me looking. I took a deep breath and walked inside. I walked up to her, head held high.

"Hey babe, I think the kids are getting tired. You ready to take them home?" I tried to focus solely on her so she'd know I was most concerned about her and making sure she was okay, but I also wanted to knock this asshole out. She was very obviously uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat, "I was in the middle of talking to Odette," he said like he had some right to make my girl uncomfortable and she had to put up with it.

I turned and put myself in front of her, "Go grab the kids babe. I'll meet you outside." She squeezed my hand and hurried to find the kids.

"Listen. I don't know what your problem is. I saw you at the little boys birthday party skulking around the outer edge. Creeping on the kids. You really should find someone else," I just stood there, staring at this guy, "You don't even know who those kids belong to. You really want to take on that responsibility when I know you've got mental issues?" My brows furrowed together at that and I glared at him.

"I saw you push her after the party." I took a deep breath before I punched him for talking about her and my kids that way.

"Mine."

"Excuse me?"

"They're mine. Her. The kids. All three. They're mine. I served this country and was gone longer than I should have been due to unavoidable circumstances. I'm back now. And my kids know I love them. Back off my woman."

"Your woman? Ha! She was with that tall giant at the eldest's birthday party just a few months ago!" I turned my head to the side and saw Bodhi glaring at the fucker in front of me.

"That's because he's the other person who has been asked to step up for my kids while I was away."

"He's back. Like I told you he would be. And he's a better man for Odette than you could dream of being. And he's the kids' Dad. A better Dad to his kids than you'll ever be. I suggest you fuck off," Bodhi's deep voice came from behind me.

The guy was fuming. Grinding his teeth and clenching his hands at his sides like a child who just got told he couldn't play with his favorite toy. He looked back ready to say something as I saw Odette walking up to me. I looked at him, then looked at her. She looked so worried. I strode over to her, grabbed her face, and kissed her like my life depended on it. I had missed her lips. Her kisses, everything. I was claiming this woman in the most caveman fashion. I felt her fall into me as I kissed her. When we broke apart, I looked at her.

"I've missed that," she blushed furiously at my words but smiled.

"Me too."