Her Shield (The Uncut Series Book 1) (16 page)

  “I know,” Sean agreed. “She'll slip up.”

Marc shook his head. “She's on the top of her game Sean.”

  “Let me know if you find out anything,” Sean said as they reached an area reserved for gifts. Marc added the gifts to the already filled area.

He glanced over at Sean. “How many people are here?”

Sean shook his head. “Those are just the gifts the women gave each other and the mothers.”

Marc looked back at the pile. “You all certainly do things your way.”

  When the men returned to where everyone was gathered, Trent and Callie came through the door with gifts.

  “What's up everybody?” Trent asked smiling.

Jordan turned to his brother. “Why are you so damn late?” he asked.

Trent looked at his watch. “Uh, me and Callie were...”

  “Studying,” he said.

  “Sleeping,” Callie said.

They spoke in unison then turned to each other as all eyes looked at them.

  “Yeah, sleeping,” Trent corrected.

  “Yeah, studying,” Callie changed.

Jordan frowned. “How the hell are you sleeping and studying?”

Trent gave Callie a naughty smile then turned to his brother. “We studied until we fell asleep.”

Jordan pointed at him. “Boy, don't make me hurt you.”

  Trent laughed and turned to the women. “Congratulations my beautiful sisters! I can't wait to meet my new nieces and nephews.”

  He connected his gaze with his current niece. “Hey Diamond girl.” Diamond scrambled from her grandmother's lap and ran to her uncle. “Uncle Tint!”

  Trent handed the gifts he was holding to Callie and scooped up his niece kissing her cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on his cheek.

Callie smiled at them. “Hi Diamond.”

Diamond waved. “Hi Callie.”

  Jordan turned to his wife. “You see how well she can talk? We're killing that Moon and Sun God.”

  “It's fine Jordan,” Sage said rubbing her overly extended belly with a sigh.

Marc stepped forward. “Why don't I take those for you Callie, since I know where they go?”

  Callie turned to him. “Oh thanks Marc.” As she handed him the gifts, Trent's mother, Carolyn noticed the shiny band on her left hand.

  “Did you two get married?” she shouted coming over to them and everyone looked at Trent.

  “What the hell!” Jordan yelled.

Sean looked at his brother. “Trent?”

Trent put Diamond down and she ran back to her grandmother's lap.

  “Everybody chill...Callie and I did not get married.” He took her hand as everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “Yet...”

  All heads snapped back to him. “I gave Callie a promise ring because I am going to marry her.” He stared at Callie. “I wasn't going to tell you guys today but since I'm already in spotlight...”

  He looked at his brothers. “I've been asked to intern and head up a project for the West Africa Cooperative Security Initiative for the next two years. I leave in three months.”

  “What!” the entire family exclaimed at once.

Carolyn wrapped her arms around him. “NO! I just got you back. You can't leave!” she cried.

  Callie lowered her head and concentrated on not crying. She'd promised Trent she wouldn't when he told his family.

Trent hugged his mother. “It's okay Ma.”

Carolyn turned to Callie. “You want him to do this?” she asked.

  Callie looked into Trent's dark eyes. “It's a great honor and opportunity for him. They need him and he's the best,” she said slowly containing her emotions.

Jordan and Sean moved to his side. “Is this what you want to do?” Jordan asked.

  Trent shrugged. “I didn't want to leave but Callie's right, it's a great opportunity for me to establish myself. I know I just found all of you, but I know you all will be here for me and it's just two years. I'll have my degree when I get back and I can start my life.” He looked at Callie. “My real life.”

Carolyn grabbed his shirt. “Will you be safe over there?”

  Trent held her hands. “Yes Ma, I'll be working for the government.” He looked down at his mother. The mother who had given him away at birth but now was an integral part of his life. “I know I just found you, but now I know I have the rest of my life with my mother.” He kissed her cheek as a tear slid down her face.

  “Don't cry Ma, we're here for a celebration. Besides you have grand babies to take care of while I'm gone.”

Carolyn touched his face. “No one can replace you honey. You're my baby boy and I love you.”

  “I love you too Ma.” He hugged his mother. “Everything will be fine.”

  “Excuse me...” Callie said quickly before leaving the room.

  “Callie?” Trent called after her.

She kept walking. “I'm fine.”

  Isis watched her go then looked at Trent. “I'll check on her.” She rushed behind Callie and caught up with her outside as she walked down to the water.

Callie turned to her. “I'm fine Isis. You didn't have to come out here.”

  “I can't imagine what you feel right now Callie. I know how much you love Trent.”

Callie smiled sadly. “Everybody loves Trent.”

  “Yeah, he's that type of guy,” Isis agreed.

  “You loved him too?” Callie asked lifting a brow.

  Isis smiled. “No, I didn't love Trent. I liked him... a lot. More than I allowed myself to admit.” She looked at Callie. “But I wasn't in love with him and he certainly didn't love me.”

  “I think I was a little jealous of the way he fell for you,” Isis admitted. “But there was no doubt in anyone's mind that you are the one for him. You make him a better man. He's grown so much, so mature now and that's because of you.”

  Callie lowered her head. “I don't know what I'm going to do when he leaves. He's my baby.” She couldn't stop the tears that flowed.

  Isis placed her arms around Callie. “It's so wonderful that you're strong enough to encourage him to go. He's coming back to Callie, you can be sure of that.”

  Isis looked up and saw Trent approaching. She patted Callie on the back and stepped away as he arrived to take her gently into his arms.

  Isis looked at the pair for a moment. “Congratulations Trent. I know you'll do great things over there.”

  “Thanks Isis,” Trent said holding Callie close.

  “I'll leave you two alone.” Isis turned to walk away and Callie called after her. “Thanks Isis.”

  Isis paused. “You're welcome Callie.” She then continued back to the building where Marc was waiting for her.

  “Is she okay?” he asked.

Isis nodded.

  “Are you okay?”

  Isis glanced back out at the pair holding each other near the water and thought that she was once envious of the way they felt for one another. She looked up at the man standing next to her and knew that was definitely no longer the case. She was happy that Trent and Callie had found love because she may have messed up her chances of finding her very own superhero.

She smiled at Marc then reached up to touch his jaw. “Yes, I'm more than okay.”

  He leaned down to kiss her and she readily accepted. Eventually they began to head back inside and Marc turned to her. “Is this what happens at baby showers?”

  “Not usually,” she answered smiling.

He laughed. “What else is going to happen?”

  They opened the door and heard screaming before they both rushed to the area where everyone was still gathered. Marc took in the worried look on Jordan's face along with a crying Diamond then turned to Ray.

  “What's going on?” Marc barked.

Ray looked at him. “Sage just went into labor!”

  Trent looked down at Callie. “Have you changed your mind? Do you want me to stay?” he asked.

She looked into his beautiful dark eyes. “I'm sorry. I didn't think it would get to me this way.”

  “You know that I'm doing this for us.” He touched her face. “I want to be able to take care of you the way my brothers take care of their wives.”

Callie smiled. “You're so sweet baby. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too sexy girl, you changed my life.”

  “You changed my life too Trent. I never knew someone could be as sweet as you.”

Trent pulled her close. “I'm going to miss you so much,” he breathed.

Callie held on to his strong body. “I'm going to miss you too,” she whispered.

  They both looked up as cars begin to race up to the building. Security agents jumped up and headed inside.

Callie looked at Trent. “What happened?”

  Trent shook his head and took her hand before taking off towards the door. “I don't know, but with my family, there's no telling.”

  They hurried to the building and rushed inside where they found everyone standing around Sage and her mother Silver.

  “Just relax...” Silver said calmly.

Sage looked at her mother. “I am relaxed. Jordan is the one you should tell that to.”

  Jordan frowned down at his wife. “Dammit Sage, don't do this to me! You have two more weeks!”

  “Well you should tell your son that Jordan!” Sage yelled.

  “Relax Sage...” her mother warned stroking her forehead and shooting a glare at Jordan.

  Ray stepped over to his brother-in-law and best friend. “Jay, she's fine. The cars are here to take you to the hospital.”

  Jordan looked at his friend in anguish and nodded. He then knelt down next to his wife sitting on the chair.

  Gently he touched her face. “Pretty girl, I'm sorry. You know how I am about you. I can't stand seeing you in pain.”

  Bright brown eyes looked into his troubled dark ones. “I know Jordan.”  She smiled at him. “I think your son is ready to meet his Daddy.”

Jordan placed his hand on her abdomen. “I can't wait to meet little Mr. Black.”

  “Can we not have this baby right here?” Sean interrupted.

Jordan looked up at his childhood friend. “Okay Sean,” he responded frowning some more.

  “Where's Diamond?” Sage asked trying to see through the people standing around her.

  Trent stepped forward with his niece clinging to his neck. “I've got her. Callie and I will take care of her.”

Jordan looked at his little brother. “Thanks Trent. Let's go Sage,” he said helping his wife up.

   Outside Jordan, Sage and Silver piled into one car; Lily, Lavender, Carolyn and Sean into another, then Ray and Isabelle into a third, another car was waiting for Trent and Callie.

Trent, Callie, Diamond, Marc and Isis watched the cars pull away then turned to one another.

Isis laughed. “I swear this group always has excitement.”

Trent shook his head. “Tell me about it.”

  Another car pulled up and they all watched as the door opened and then smiled as Lily's sister, Lotus exited.

She looked at the group and rushed over to them. “Family! Oh I missed y'all. Man, I'm late!”

  “Hey Lotus!” the group greeted her and she hugged each of them.

Lotus knew the history between the group and looked from Trent to Callie.

  “You two are still together right?” She slid a look at Isis.

  Trent laughed while holding his niece. “Of course, you know Callie has me whipped.” He glanced down at her and smiled. 

  Callie smiled back at him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “And you know Trent is my baby.”

Lotus looked at Callie then at Isis. “You two cool?” she asked.

Isis smiled. “Yes Lotus, Callie and I are fine.”

  Lotus then looked at Marc. “And how do you fit into this equation Agent Graham?” she asked lifting a brow.

Marc slipped an arm around Isis' waist. “I fit in right here.”

  Lotus' eyes widened and locked on Isis. “Well, well, well...I guess fine as hell, sexy and dangerous does appeal to you after all?”

Trent and Callie both looked at the couple in surprise.

Lotus laughed. “I'm so happy to be back. Where is everybody?”

  “Sage went into labor so everybody is on their way to the hospital,” Trent explained.

  “What? I thought she had two more weeks?” Lotus questioned.

  “Mommy?” Diamond said looking at Trent after hearing her mother's name.

Callie looked at Trent. “We should get her to the hospital.”

  “Yeah, we should.” Trent agreed. “Lotus, do you want to ride with us or take another car?”

Lotus grinned. “I'll ride with Marc and Isis.” She turned to them. “Do you mind?”

Isis shook her head and Marc glanced at her before responding, “Sure Lotus. We'll drive you.”

Trent laughed as he took Callie's hand and the trio climbed inside.

  Marc led Isis and Lotus to his car and opened the doors for both women. As he walked around the car, Lotus leaned forward.

  “I think he's even finer than the last time I saw him,” she told Isis.

  “Lotus, please behave.”

  Lotus laughed as Marc climbed into the car. He started the engine and drove off as Lotus leaned forward again.

Gently she touched Isis' arm. “I'm sorry about your father.”

Isis turned to look back at her. “Thank you Lotus,” she said softly.

  Lotus sat back in her seat and watched as Marc reached over and took Isis' hand. She watched as Isis turned and smiled softly at him.

  “So how long you two been smashing?” she asked.

  “Lotus!” Isis yelled turning in her seat.

  “Girl, don't even try to play. It's all over y'all faces.” She leaned forward and looked between the two. “And you look like you ready to get it in right now.”

Marc glanced at her. “Lotus, really.”

Lotus laughed. “Okay, Agent Graham.”

  “I don't understand her,” Isis told Marc.

  “So the last time I saw you two, you didn't even like each other; now you're all in love, so inquiring minds want to know?”

  Isis turned and looked out of the window intent on ignoring Lotus until they reached the hospital. She quickly turned back when she heard Marc's voice.

  “What happened Lotus, is that this beautiful, incredible woman has allowed me into her life.” He stared at Isis from behind his sunglasses. “And I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure I stay there.” Marc brought Isis' hand to his lips and kissed it.

  “Awww....damn. I need to move to Cali. Y'all got some kind of love potion out here,” Lotus said sitting back in her seat.

  When the three arrived at the hospital, they found everyone on a private wing in a large waiting room. Lotus' mother, Lavender rushed over to her daughter.

  “Oh Lotus, I forgot to call you in all the commotion. I'm glad you made it here.” Lavender hugged Lotus.

  “It's okay Mama, Isis and Marc gave me a ride here.”

  Lavender smiled at the couple standing to the side before she walked over to them. Reaching up she touched both of their faces gently. “Oh, you're both actors.”

Isis looked confused. “I'm an actress Mrs. Masters, Marcus is an FBI Agent,” she corrected.

Lavender studied the tall man in the glasses. “The stage is life, isn't that right Marcus?”

  She placed a hand over his heart and gave a little press. “Give this to her,” she whispered. Lavender turned and smiled at Isis before winking, then went to join Lily and Sean where they were sitting.

Isis turned to him. “Mrs. Masters is different, just like her daughter.”

  Marc slowly came out of the trance that Lavender's words had put him in. “Yeah, I guess so.” He could still feel the sting of her hand on his chest as he stood watching Isis.

She placed her hand where Lavender's had been. “Are you okay babe?”

  Marc felt the previous sting subsiding from Isis' touch. “Yes, I'm fine.” He placed a hand on her back and gently led her over to where the rest of the group was seated.

  “How is she?” Isis asked her sister.

  “They took her in the back. Silver and Jordan are with her,” Isabelle explained sitting next to her husband.

  “I'm just glad her husband was there this time,” Ray said. “She almost screamed my damn ear off driving her to the hospital when she was having Diamond.”

  Diamond heard her name and turned. “Uncle Sun God.” She held out her arms and Ray stood before walking over and taking her from Trent.

Isabelle laughed. “I'm glad Jordan's not here. He'd have a fit.”

  Ray frowned. “Nobody cares about Jay. This is my baby goddess.” He kissed Diamond's little cheek.

  “Jordan's already having a fit.” Trent laughed. “Dude is so emotional.”

  “That's why we're having an underwater birth with everything planned out, so no one will need to have a fit,” Lavender announced and Carolyn looked at her.

Sean turned to Lily. “Who is she talking about?”

Lily smiled. “Momma, I haven't really talked to Sean about alternative birthing techniques yet.”

  “And Sean does not even want to hear it,” he told her. “That is not even an option.”

Carolyn nodded. “I agree. Is that even safe?”

  “It's very safe, Sage was even considering it if she made it to full term,” Lily told them.

  Sean took Lily's hand. “It does not matter to me what Sage was considering, although I'm sure she had not mentioned that to Jordan at all, but we're having our babies in a hospital with doctors and equipment.”

  “I'm not taking any chances with you or our sons,” he told her gently.

Lily smiled at him. “It was just something the women were discussing.”

Ray turned to Isabelle and lifted a brow. “Water birth?”

  “I just listened mostly. Your mother was a proponent of both underwater and acupuncture,” she told him.

He smiled. “Did it scare you?”

She nodded. “Very much so.”

  Ray laughed and pulled her closer. “There's also natural home birth,” he told her holding his niece on his lap.

  “We can talk about that,” Isabelle agreed smiling.

  “I can't believe all of you are having babies at the same time,” Trent said shaking his head.

Ray looked at him and Callie. “As long as you two aren't trying to join in, we're cool.”

  Trent grinned. “Nah, not yet.”  He looped an arm around the back of Callie's seat. “But when I get back...”

  “Trent! You need to slow down,” his mother told him.

  He turned to her. “I'm cool Ma.” He winked at her and she shook her head. Trent was now a grown man and Carolyn had missed so much of his life. He was leaving her life again and she wasn't sure how she was going to handle it. She'd had therapy to deal with the guilt of giving him up but what was welling up in her heart was worse than any pain she'd ever felt.

  Sean watched his mother and saw the emotions playing over her face. “We'll talk to him and make sure he's okay Ma.”

  She turned to her oldest son. He was her rock and always had been. He took care of everything that needed to be handled. “Thank you Sean.”

Callie turned to Isis and Marc. “What's up with you two?” she asked.

  “They can't wait to get out of here to get down to business,” Lotus answered and every head turned to her.

  “Lotus!” Lily admonished while everyone looked at the two couples.

Lotus shrugged. “It's true, ask them.”

Isis still had the shocked look on her face. “You still talk too much Lotus.”

  “So to answer everyone's lingering questions, Isis and I are dating and involved. Outside of that, there's nothing else to say,” Marc explained and Isabelle smiled happily.

Silver appeared in the doorway and everyone stood as she approached.

  “Well it looks like we're having a baby sometime today,” she announced happily.

  “How's Jordan?” Sean asked.

  Silver shook her head. “I'm about to make the doctors give him a sedative as well as Sage. He loves her so much, it's like he physically feels every pain she feels. I hope this little boy makes his entrance soon.”

  “They wanted me to check on Diamond,” she told them.

  “She fine,” Ray said cuddling her. “She's with family.” He looked around at everyone and they all nodded.

  “I'll let them know she's taken care of and I'll be back when I have more news.”

  She disappeared and everyone sat down and prepared for the wait. Trent and Callie sat cuddled in one section with Isis and Marc in another. Ray and Isabelle entertained Diamond while Sean and Lily sat on a sofa. Lotus sat with her mother and Carolyn while they all sent positive energy to Jordan and Sage in the birthing room. The excitement for another family member was palatable in the air.