New Beginning: Tortured by the Past, Haunted by the Future

Brothers and A Sister: Chapter 25

  John kisses Tracie before he heads to the front door to see who it is.

"Hey.." Tracie calls out to him as she is sitting on the edge of the couch in her office watching him walk towards the door.

John turns and looks back at her as he reaches for the doorknob of her office door.

"In your heart, I have found my love, in your soul I have found my mate." Tracie says to him, reciting his marriage vows to her.

He smiles at her and says, "Mrs. Gage, you are my love and soul, the only woman I want forever.." pausing, "but I am still going to answer the door." Than turns, walking out of the room, closing the door behind him so she can finish getting dressed.

John goes to the front door and looks out the side window and sees that it's Larry, Danny and his niece Grace.

He disarms the alarm and unlocks the door to let them in.

Smiling, he says, "Hey Danny, Larry come in. And look at this beautiful little girl."

Danny and Larry walk into the house, each one giving him a brotherly hug before John takes Grace from Danny and is hold her in his arms..

"How is she doing John?" Danny asks him as he hands Grace to him.

"If you mean have we talked about these past few months, no we haven't." John says to him, as he shifts Grace to his left side.

Danny looks at him quizzically, before John says to him, "I don't want to push her, she will tell me when she's ready."

Larry says to them, "He's right Dan. You know Tracie, she doesn't like to be pushed and put into a corner. Let her tell us in her own time."

Danny nods his head in agreement and for once agrees with them, "I know she doesn't and you're both right. I don't want to push her away. But I just need to know."

Tracie comes out of her office and hears both of her brothers talking to John. She takes a deep breath and tells herself, "You got this."

Larry sees her walking towards them and he splits from them and meets her half way, giving her a huge hug.

Tracie returns the hug as tears begin to form in her eyes at the site of her brothers and niece.

Larry says to her, "Kiddo, you look good. We missed you."

Danny and Tracie both look at each for a few seconds before he gives her a hug and says, "I missed you Bug. And I'm glad you are home safe."

Tracie hugs him and says, "You haven't called me Bug since we were kids."

Danny says to her, "I know but you're always going to be my little Bug. No matter how old you get."

John is standing there watching the family reunion between Tracie and her brothers when he hears Marissa start to cry.

Tracie is about to go when John puts his hand on her tiny waist and says, "Gracie and I'll go. You stay here baby." He than kisses her lightly on the lips. "Let's go see why Rissi is crying Grace."

Tracie feels a slight tingle from their lips touching, she says, "Are you sure?"

Johnny smiles and just nods his head yes and then turns heading towards the stairs going up to check on Marissa.

"Do you guys want anything to eat or drink?" Tracie asks both of them nervously, looking between the two of them.

"No I'm good Trace." Larry says

"I'm ok for now." Danny says.

"Great, why don't we go into the living room and talk." Tracie says to them as both men follow her.