Safe Haven - Book Two - New Hope

Chapter 3.

"Am I interrupting?" John asked Marcos as we stopped by to check on him, we knew that he'd be struggling knowing that Lorna had had the baby and he wasnt there.
"No, you're fine" he turned and gave us a smile seeing the small bundles in our arms as we walked in and sat down on the sofa beside him.
"You want to hold him?" I offered and Marcos nodded straight away smiling.
"What's that?" John asked nodding at what looked like a babys rattle on the table.
"Just something for the baby" Marcos said as he got comfortable with Harrison "I know it sounds insane, but I never gave up hope that we'd somehow be together when Lorna had the baby. I even bought that bottle of champagne to celebrate. I ordered the same kind on our first date. Cost more than the meal.
And Lorna just laughed at me. She said, "Marcos, there's nothing worth spending 200 bucks on booze for." He laughed softly at the memory "I was gonna prove her wrong"
"Hey. Hope is a strong thing, brother. Its where this one got her name" John smiled down at our Hope who was fast asleep in his arms "You hang onto that"
"Hope is what's been killing me, man.
I don't even know if they made it out"
"Come on, of course they made it"
"How can you be sure of that, huh? I mean, all we've got is a bunch of bank records from four different continents.
The Inner Circle is up to something.
And my kid and Lorna are gonna be right in the middle of it. It's right there and I can't even see it" he sighs.
"I might know someone who can" John suddenly said making me look up out of curiosity.

***

I woke up in the middle of the night and John wasnt in bed, i sat up and saw him on the sofa with the twins layed out sleeping beside him.
"They okay?...Did they wake up?" I asked wondering if i had slept through their cries. John looked up at me and smiled.
"No their fine, i just wanted them close" "my god your so needy" i teased walking over and sitting in his lap "How long have you been up anyway?" I asked running my fingers through his hair.
"Not long, I'm just thinking. It's okay. You should go back to bed"
"Is it about that lawyer person you're gonna go see?"
"Her name's Evangeline"
"And you think that she can help you track down the Inner Circle?"
"Mm."
"So, why does it look like you're about to have a damn heart attack?"
"She and I have a complicated relationship, I guess" he shrugged, i suddenly felt a bit worried about him visiting this woman.
"How complicated are we talking?"
"Hales, it's not like that. It's not" he chuckled when i raised my eyebrows suspiciously at him "When I was discharged from the Marines, I was really lost, and I was taking a lot of pills to deal with the pain"
"I had no idea"
"That was the second worst time in my life. But she got me through it"
"Well, if she did it once, she can do it again...Right?"
"If she even talks to me after Atlanta"
"Im sure it'll be fine, you'll work your charm on her"
"I think that only works on you" he laughed reaching up to place a kiss on my lips.
"Mmmm good. John?"
"Yeah?"
"You said that was the second worst thing that happened in your life.... what was the first?"
"Thinking id lost you" he replied squeezing me tighter like he was suddenly afraid i would disappear.
"Lets get the twins back to bed and then i want you to come to bed with me. Its lonely without you... and cold" i laughed climbing off his lap trying to lighten the mood.
"Now who's needy?" John muttered under his breath with a smile.

After putting the twins down we got back into bed and John wrapped me in his arms and snuggled his face into my neck.
"If i wasnt so sore right now.... the things id let you do to me...." i teased then laughed at the moan he let out, we laid together laughing quietly for a minute.
"I wish i was coming with you tomorrow.... id feel better knowing I've got your back"
"Me too, but you need to stay here and keep our babies safe til daddy gets home"
"Okay daddy, i can do that" i turned enough to kiss John and then settled down to sleep before it was time for another hectic day!

Clarice arrived at our apartment the next morning with Derek and Marcos.
"Hey, how you doing?" She asked giving me a hug and looking around for the twins.
"Yeah I'm good, their over there" i pointed to the Moses basket holding the two sleeping babies. She gave me a huge grin and headed over to see them.
"Hey mama, you doing okay?" Marcos asked giving me a hug and pressing a kiss to my head.
"Im okay" i nodded "you okay?"
"Yeah of course"
"Oh my god they are so freaking cute Hales, i just want to squish them.... i wont don't worry!" Clarice suddenly laughed as she realised what she said "Derek come look at them! Their Angels"
"Their so tiny...." was all Derek said with wide eyes as he looked into the basket.
"You guys ready?" John asked coming out the bedroom.
"Derek is going to stay here with Haley and the twins" Clarice said giving me a smile.
"Guys i don't need a babysitter....."
"No but he does" Clarice teased making Derek roll his eyes, i couldn't help but laugh. It was clear they didn't want to leave me alone yet, and honestly i was thankful id have some company.
"Please be careful out there John..... you cant be reckless anymore! We need you home in one piece"
"I will. I love you"
"Love you too" i pressed a quick kiss to his lips then they left. I hated being left behind..... i couldn't help but feel useless.

A/N - okay.... so here is a small chapter while i work on a bigger one! Thank you all for leaving comments and voting and sticking with this even though my updates have sucked! I promise to get better 💜