Dominic:
Watching her sleep on me caused me to smile happily to myself, her snores sounding as adorable as she was. Focusing on the numbers at hand, someone was skimming off the top. Clicking through the departments' financial records, I focused on the head of each department. The leaders had credit cards, my anxiety swelling with each passing second of a lack of clues. Stopping at the engineering branch, a raw fury boiled in my veins. Mumbling under my breath, my fist banged on the desk. Snakes always had to find their way towards me, Remy stirring in my lap. Settling back into a normal sleep, a sigh of relief poured from my lips. Another bit of raw fury burned in my eyes, the fact that someone thought that they could cheat me was comical and frustrating.
"Son of a bitch!" I shouted venomously, Remy not waking up. "Thank goodness." Searching through the evidence, the printer hummed to life as I printed out the financial records for that department. Groaning bitterly to the tall pile of paper, she stirred awake. Sitting normally, she scooped up a highlighter. Taking half the pile, she used her teeth to uncap the yellow marker. No, she needed to rest. Her body had been put through hell and she always chose to act like everything was normal. Hiding her pain with another one of her trademark bright smiles, she didn't need to be a part of this.
"What am I looking for?" She chirped cheerfully, rubbing her eyes. "I will help you. I find it's best to trap the snake before it bites you." Confusion dawned on her face, slumber was what she really needed. Insomnia plagued my yellow rose, the effects always showing on her face. Black bags haunted the space underneath her eyes, her paleness speaking of the extreme morning sickness and a particularly nasty flare up. Please go back to sleep and rest, my little yellow rose. Knowing that she wouldn't give up, a tender blush rose to my cheeks at her desire to help me.
"Miscellaneous charges, food and travel are the usual suspects." I answered irritably, my anger not directed towards my wife. Bowing her head, she began to scan line after line. Highlighting as fast as me, her sharp eyes had the task done within an hour. Finishing up not long after, her slender hand pulled out about fifty pages. Doing the math in her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. Perhaps the years of editing her own work had given her quick eyes, my hand sliding down to her bump.
"Whoever is in charge of this account managed to steal about one hundred grand over the quarter. I understand how you could overlook it with the smaller charges but these caught my eyes." She explained calmly, starring two twenty thousand charges. "Your secretary was trying to sink your company from the inside. What is the head of this department's name? I know how to hack into her social media account. I will have to do it on my own computer of course and then I can erase my trail. Such large amounts of money always lead to a vacation or something else." Her intelligence seemed to prove to be my trump card in getting her arrested and punished, my breath hitching at the way curiosity made her glow brighter. Leaping off of my lap, she limped upstairs. Coming back in, her bright smile spoke of the immense pain she was in. Opening up her computer, a fit of laughter burst from my lips at a naked picture of me. Scarlet stained her cheeks, her eyes averting to the ground. Surely she didn't think that I was disgusted by her actions or at the very least she thought I would yell at her. How cute was she when she was embarrassed?
"When did you take this, my thorny rose?" I teased playfully, her tongue sticking out. "I think you owe me one." Climbing onto my lap, she read Lucille Layfeather's name. Quit avoiding the subject and explain why you needed me all over your screen. Moving my computer over, she entered all the social media sites at once. Typing in her name, blocked profiles greeted her. Watching her with wonder, she made different male accounts to ask for a friend request for each platform. Had she done this before or was I seeing things? Unable to look away, her skills had me entranced.
"When I am feeling better I will pose for as many pictures as you want in whatever you want me to wear." She promised with a wicked grin rubbing her palms together. "People like her always take the bait. She is still single, correct?" Ding after ding went off, her profiles coming to life. Scrolling through, the flirtatious messages back and forth were enough to make any woman blush. Well, I guess she wasn't a romantic writer for nothing.
"Is this legal?" I questioned with an odd look, her head shaking. "How is it n-" A message popped up through her Chad Bookwick account stating that she had come across a large amount of money. A snarl curled across my lips, the next one pissing me off. Calling me a stupid boss, she was going to get it! Placing her hand on my shoulder, she arranged a date to meet tonight for dinner. Dialing up Ashley, the conversation led to Ashley being there on a date with Lucas. Deleting every account but Chad's, she deleted her trail with ease. Checking on her phone, Lucille wouldn't stop messaging her. Arranging the papers into an orange folder, she set her phone to the side. How could she be so calm and collected at a time like this? Marveling at her serene expression, this was her secret talent.
"You have found your wolf among your sheep. We can get her to leave with her paying everything back. She keeps bragging about a rich uncle and such things." She uttered simply, snuggling into my chest. "Is your secretary available?" Texting him our plan, a thumbs up was the immediate response. Curling into a ball, my arms held her tightly. Falling back asleep, I couldn't resist kissing the top of her head. Picturing her in different costumes, my cock grew stiff. The one getting me the hardest was the cowgirl one with a tied up plaid shirt and booty shorts, my grin growing wider at the thought of her having pigtails. Time passed too fast, my alarm going off. Waking her up too, it was time for the plan to go into action. Setting her down on the couch, she waited patiently for me with the evidence. Throwing on my new black Italian suit, my shaking fingers fixed my hair. Fixing my scarlet shirt underneath, my fingers settled on an onyx skinny tie. Putting it on the way down, Remy was humming away while writing down some ideas. Struggling to her feet, her purse dangled in her hands. Her hands shook, her tired expression exposed more of her raw depression. Hoping that she was okay, we had a plan to execute.
"Ready to go, Domy!" She announced with her genuine smile, her appearance would be a shock to most people. Running up to her, her laughter twinkled in the air as I spun her around. Seeing such peace on her face caused my heart to flutter, the adventure brought some color back to her cheeks. Walking out to the car behind me, I yanked her close to my side. Remy belonged next to me, not behind me. Helping her into her seat, she clutched everything close to her chest. Sitting in blissful silence, she couldn't stop smiling. Pulling up to the school, Lucas climbed in. Happy to see her, his face lit up. Concern laid buried underneath his crooked grin. We were in the same boat, the two of us understanding each other.
"How was the appointment, Mom?" He asked with his real smile, his face falling at how tired she looked. "You look like Hell." Shrugging her shoulders, we picked up Ashley. Wearing a lilac summer dress, Lucas couldn't piece anything together. Taking a quick stop at my office, Dustin was in my car. Parking in front of the restaurant, Remy yawned groggily. Climbing out of the car, she messed up his hair. Ashley couldn't stop staring at him with love struck eyes. Sending him in first, Lucille sat at a table in an expensive scarlet red velvet dress. Playing with her straight golden hair, her gray eyes lit up at the sight of my secretary. Pushing her scarlet glasses onto her face, my eyes rolling. She was going down, low growls rumbling in my throat. No one bit the dragon and didn't expect to get burned.
"Calm down, tiger." Remy taunted playfully, holding my arms. "Dustin is wearing a recording device." Kissing the top of her head, her plan had so many risk factors in it. Coming in after them, we were sat a couple of tables away while Ashley and Lucas were right behind them. Ordering a salad and pasta, I was happy Remy was eating. Watching from a distance, Ashley couldn't help but to watch on with jealousy. Laughing to herself, the kind waitress set down my plate of salmon and rice. Eating our food, the date went on for way too long in my opinion. Lucas began to work on his homework, the academic unable to resist. Lucille cried out in disdain, all eyes falling on her. Wine was about to hit the recorder that Dustin was wearing, Remy crying out as I leapt in front of him. Fright rounded her eyes, the orange folder from earlier trembling in my hands. Charging at me, Ashley knocked her to the ground. Winking up at Dustin, his eyes couldn't leave her. Fantastic, another couple had been made. Taking off his recorder, he dropped it into the bag. I wasn't sure if it could be used in court but at least I had the confession. Red and blue lights illuminated the restaurant, Lucas joining Remy. Helping him with his homework, the chaos wouldn't have mattered between the two of them. Officers dragged her out, a triumphant grin dancing across Remy's determined face. Waving goodbye to her, she deleted the account while erasing all tracks. Returning her attention to Lucas, the illusions of hours passing had been just that. Only ten minutes had passed, Ashley taking everything from me. Her next words were music to my ears, her eyes flitting between Dustin and me.
"Good job, Dominic. You caught a financial criminal that is wanted in twenty states." She proclaimed with her million dollar smile, her hand offered to mine. "What's wrong? You insured the money didn't you?" Struggling to find the words, I didn't want to incriminate my wife. Concerned by the legal matters of it all, we needed to make sure a jail cell wasn't in our cards.
"She did all the work by creating a profile and arranging this whole thing." I protested honestly, her head shaking. "She isn't going to get in trouble is she?" Smiling softly to herself, she placed her hand on my shoulder. Feeling uneasy, I needed to know where this was going. Will someone tell me what the fuck was going on?
"She is an honorary part of the police force. We use her every now and then for such stings. Everything will hold up in court." She bragged with a wider grin, dropping her hands to her side. "Is Dustin single or what? I might want to actually go on d-'' Dustin walked up to her with his business card in his hand, the courage wasn't coming to him. Nudging him in the shoulder, he swallowed the lump in my throat. Come on! Be brave my dear friend.
"I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies or something." He stammered nervously, a deep crimson coloring their cheeks. "I am sorry that I am not as smooth as my boss h-'' Cupping his face, the passionate kiss said it all. Swiping the card, she slid him hers. Spinning on her heels, she blew him a kiss as she left with her colleagues. Leaving the two of us standing, his dazed look wouldn't leave his face. Snapping my fingers in his face, a loud yes burst from his lips. Everyone looked over at us, Remy snapping her head up. Yawning groggily, the day she usually crashed from not sleeping was today. Laying her head on the table, I paid the bill for everyone. Placing Remy on my back, Lucas held her purse along with her bag. Getting into the back, my yellow rose was already sleeping again. Buckling her into her seat, Lucas started dejectedly out the window. Climbing into my seat, his worn expression met mine.
"Does she not sleep or something like that? I don't think I haven't seen her without dark bags." He inquired with deep concern for his guardian, his hand running through his hair. "She started to fall asleep when she was helping me with my homework. I only want her to be okay." Smiling at him the way my father used to when I was upset, his expression softening. Gripping the wheel tighter, we had the same exact concerns.
"I think the nightmares scare her away from sleeping." I suggested seriously with a sad smile, turning back to him. "Are you holding up okay? We can get you a therapist if you need it. Would you like that? I don't want you to suffer in silence as well." Biting his lips, he didn't want to admit that he needed help. Like Remy, all he wanted to do was help others.
"Do you think she would go with me?" He replied cautiously, biting his nails. "I will only go if she does. Then we can heal together. I can be her shoulder and she can be mine. Is that a deal?" This kid had a business knack without knowing it, the whole thing sounding like a good deal to me. The trick would be to convince her, my fear of losing her to suicide still in the back of my mind. We would be lost without her.
"Okay but it is up to you to convince her. As close as we are, I don't stand a chance with her. Taming her is like breaking a wild horse. I don't mean it like that but I mean getting her out of the destructive habits she has." I exhaled with an exhausted smile, my mind falling on the fact that it was Christmas next week and we would be away from the area. "I have to go Christmas shopping at some point. Is there anything that you want?" Shaking his head, he went back to staring out the window. The engine roared to life, his headphones going over his ears. The silence was torture, Remy not waking up as we pulled in. Scooping her up, her purse hung off of his hand. Wishing him a goodnight, he kissed the top of her head.
"Night, Mom." He whispered softly, leaving the room. "Tell me if anything goes wrong. I can't stand on the sidelines anymore." Leaving in a brisk manner, something was eating at him. Laying her down, my strong hands tugged off her boots. Tucking her in, her body curled into a ball. Running back into my office, I needed to know more about my wife. Typing in her name, horror mixed with sadness at the harsh articles written about her. One caught my eyes, the image of her bandaged up at thirteen broke my heart. Instead of caring, the article questioned if she helped. Going further down the rabbit hole, I typed her name into my background check program. Nothing illegal popped up, her medical records from her psychiatric hospital visit were available when they weren't supposed to be. Counting the attempts, the number was alarming. Five slit wrists, twenty hangings, and at least five more attempts beyond that. Sinking back into my chair, silent tears stained my cheeks. It was almost as if the universe didn't want her to die, my breath leaving my body at the sight of her raw neck. Her face was puffy from crying, salty tears having slid down her cheeks. So broken by life, the medical reports showed how little they did to her. Continuing down the rabbit hole, an article featured a picture of her at nineteen. Her beauty knew no bounds, my heart skipping a beat at the way the sunlight bathed her dainty features in the photo. No smile was on her face, only the numb look she had half the time. Looking up, Remy hovered in the door with a tissue held to her nose. Cocking her brow in my direction, she stomped out of the room. Running after her, she spun on her heels. Shit! Did I screw up?
"I can't believe you typed me into your stupid program!" She barked venomously, waving her hands around. "I wish that you would have asked instead of tiptoeing around. I am not as broken anymore, Domy!" Frustration brewed in my mind, my fingers tapped on the wall. Keep your cool or you might lose her, I told myself. Struggling to keep my cool, she had to hear my piece.
"You don't talk!" I snapped hotly, gripping the door frame. "You don't talk to anybody! Lucas keeps asking me if you are alright! What do I fucking say! No son, she isn't going insane like his mother!" Instantly regretting my words, angry tears flooded from her eyes. Her fingers curling around a vase that my best friend made me, my wet eyes stopping her. Sinking to her knees, she buried her face into her palms. Teardrops hit the floor, her fingers bleeding from the constant rubbing on the marble. Glancing up at me, the corner of her lips quivered.
"The doctor who ran the program refused to give me medication and the hallucinations wouldn't stop. The hallucination of my father kept telling me to kill myself, and then my mother would chime in. Sometimes, I would be back in those woods running for my life. Sometimes, I would be in my mother's room watching her cut me up and move my skin back. Then she would stitch me up like one of her victims." She sobbed brokenly, her wall coming down. "No matter how hard I tried to kill myself, it never worked. Time and time again, it would stop everything. Then one day I heard the whole staff saying that I should die next time. I decided that day to prove them wrong. Then I saw you on the television and it made me want to go out into the real world. So I did. Day after day, another person tried to murder me or would write slanders on my doors. I would move again, and the same shit would happen. Eventually I got to my latest apartment, and I was nineteen with thirteen novels and interesting characters. No one would represent me and it got so bad that I set up a chair underneath that beam. I climbed onto it and placed a noose around my neck. The frayed edges of the rope felt like a warm embrace compared to the cold world. The ringing of my phone saved me. All of this shit lately is weighing me down, and my shoulders are aching. All I am to you is a bu-" Clutching her close to my chest, her emotions soaked my shoulder. Salty tears soaked the top of her head, her confession breaking me to my core.
"I am so sorry that this all happened to you." I wept as hard as her, my heart knowing how hard it was for her to tell me. "Your thorns are mine, so let me take the weight off of your shoulders every now and then. I want you to bloom brighter than they could ever imagine. Show them what you are made of with my protection, of course." Glancing up at me, her loving gaze matched her sad smile with ease. Cupping my hands, she began to hum one of her favorite songs. Dancing around with her, the sadness couldn't taint her beauty.
"Why is it when I am with my boys I feel alive?" She chuckled lightly, letting me spin her around. Stopping in the middle of the room, she guided my hands to her bump. Holding my hands, her real smile illuminated her features. Bang! Bang! The sound of my heart beating uncontrollably made the moment all that much sweeter.
"The little bud growing in me is what I always wanted. The white picket fence and husband were all I ever wanted in my life." She admitted shyly, a dusty pink rising to her cheeks. "This child is my chance to do it right and with the greatest man in the world. I am the luckiest girl in the world. I love you." Stunned by her words, honesty shone in her eyes. The simplicity of her wish made sense to me. If you grew up where everyone hated you, the idea of a family would be Heaven to anyone.
"Remy, what am I going to do with you?" I growled huskily, her fingers wiping my tears away. "That is supposed to be my job, not yours." Rolling her eyes, my Remy was back. Kissing her on the forehead, the feeling of her arms wrapping around my waist sent chills up my spine. Wishing that this tender moment would never end, her head rested on my chest. Her bump rubbed up against my abs, scarlet painting my cheeks. Struggling to believe that I helped create that child growing in her womb, a sense of pride glimmered in my eyes. Being with Remy was like a roller coaster ride, all of riding her high and lows. Please let there be more highs than lows.