Married and Trying to Keep it Together

Chapter Sixteen

Today was finally the day of the barbeque and things couldn't be crazier. When I planned this day things were supposed to be happy and smooth, not filled with worry. There was so much on my mind that I couldn't even rest. The one thing that kept worrying me is what would happen with Noah's dad. In my gut I knew he would never willingly give up Noah. An abuser would never relinquish their power over their victims.

I stood in closet trying to find something to wear but my mind kept wondering. I felt someone wrap their around me and instantly fell into him. He laid his head on top of mine sighing. "Everything will be okay beautiful," he said kissing my cheek.

"How do you know that? They have found his father, nothing good come from this."

"Probably not, but we are in the process of becoming foster parents and our lawyer is doing everything he can."

"We have to tell Noah. I don't want him finding out somewhere else."

"And I agree but let's wait until after the party. He deserves to have some fun."

I turned around facing him putting my chin on his chest. He bent down kissing my nose and smiling.

"Being an adult is hard." I pouted burying my head deep in his chest now. He re-wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me closer.

"Trust me I know. So who's coming today?"

"Well, Grace and Trinity. Denise and her boyfriend, Chase. Your grandparents, and my mom her boyfriend, Jameson." I felt Cordell stiffen up as his muscles trapped me in. I peeked up his face and he was frowning. His eye were far away like he was contemplating something.

"Why that face?"

"It's nothing." He let go of me turning away and walking out. I didn't know what to do or what had gotten into him. He only had that face when something serious was happening or when he was in protective mode. I just didn't know who he was protecting.

I knew not to go after him when he got this way I better leave him alone. He was not reasonable when he got this way. I just wished he would tell me what was going on. He was not the kind of person that liked to talk about his feelings. Instead he would bottle them up until they spilled over to something deadly. I just hope he would talk to me before he let it become deadly.

I sighed finding a pair of high-waist jean shorts and a plain red V-neck t-shirt. I put my hair up in a messy bun and put on my matching red converse. I was going to try and make the most of this day.

I jogged downstairs smelling the fumes from the grill. I could hear everyone laughing and the kids yelling as they played. When I finally got all the way down I spotted Noah by the backyard screen door watching the others. I walked over to him until I was by him.

"Why aren't you out there?"

"I don't know anyone out there except the twins and Sapphire. This is not my family."

"It could be." He looked up at me from his observing. I could tell he didn't believe me. I mean I was him. I didn't trust anyone after what happened to me. After my first divorce I assumed everyone was out to hurt me. I guess that's why I attached to Noah so quickly, he was me.

"How? I'm not a part of your family, I'm just some stray. The twins and Sapphire grew up in this world, not me."

"Actually that family out there is two families made one. It took everyone out there sometime to be that close, especially Sapphire. Sapphire in 5 years had to learn how to have a mother, how to have siblings, and how to trust people. She's not that different from you. She gave this life a chance you should too."