Chapter 18 #2
“That was you they were commenting on. One of them knows you from high-school. He recognized the name when I told them about you. I had to confess about meeting somebody special when one commented that I was actually nice now, and asked what had changed,” he laughed.
“I didn’t realize I hadn’t been nice before.
” He smiled at Daisy, who still seemed a little shaken.
“Daisy, I was going to do this in some kind of special way, but it seems to me, this is the time. There is no one other than you. There never will be, if that’s okay with you.
I want to spend the rest of my days making you happy, protecting you, and sharing every day we’re gifted together. ”
Daisy stepped down onto the first step from the top.
“I love you. I am your mate. The one you were meant to be with. I already asked your dad for permission to ask you, and he gave it. It doesn't mean you have to say yes, but, I hope you’ll consider. Will you marry me?” Charlie asked.
Daisy teared up fully as she hurried down the steps and into his arms.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. Glad you decided to keep him. He knew too much to let him walk away,” Havoc said.
“Havoc, shut up,” Bane said,
“What? You know I’m joking! He knows it, too! I’m joking! Don’t you, C?”
“C?” Daisy asked, her face pressed against his neck.
“That’s his new nickname,” Havoc said.
“I’m gonna tell you what,” Lucien said. “C refused to leave me. I mean, I wasn’t getting left, but he didn’t know that, and stood his ground. ‘I’m waiting for Lucien’, is what he said. That’s my boy, there. I got his back.”
Daisy smiled up at Charlie, her face still wet with tears. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Charlie said, sighing as he squeezed her against his chest. “But just to be clear, that’s a yes, right?”
Daisy laughed. “Yes, it’s a yes.”
“Alright, well I’m out of here. Who’s coming and who’s staying?” Havoc asked.
“My naked ass is sitting right here until you take me home. My Hell don’t like me showing my ass to nobody. Do you know she’s got a jealous streak?”
“Oh, hell, yeah. Me, too. We come by it naturally,” Havoc said.
“Carson is at Havoc’s house having a sleep over with Harley. He’s never had a sleep over before,” Charlie said to Daisy.
“I think…” Daisy started.
“Do what you want, but don’t disturb the boy, he’s learning he can do more and more things every day.
He needs to feel capable,” Havoc said, interrupting her.
“Tell you what. Come on with me and get your car, then you can do what you want after that. But let him wake up tomorrow feeling like a big boy.”
Charlie nodded. “You’re right. He was really excited when I told him that he was going home with Harley today.”
“I didn’t even know he was there. I would have taken him to class if he wanted to go,” Daisy said.
“Couldn’t let you know until we’d finished taking care of business,” Havoc said.
“I’ll be back in a bit?” Charlie said.
Daisy nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”
Charlie kissed her, then walked over to the passenger side front door to get in since Bane wasn’t coming with them. He rolled down the window and leaned on the sill. “I’ll be right back.”
Daisy nodded, but spoke to all of them. “Thank you, all of you,” Daisy said. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough. You cared so much about me that you risked yourselves even though I tried to keep it all a secret. I feel so humbled.”
“What are we good for if not protecting our own. If not for standing up for those that would never hurt anybody ever? You’re our Daisy, and nobody’s going to hurt you and not answer for it,” Havoc said.
“He’s right,” Bane said.
“Yep. I didn’t know you, and could feel how good you are. The assholes of the world will always zero in on kindness and use it for target practice. They deserved even more than we gave them,” Lucien said.
“I will always stand between you and anything that makes you the least little bit sad,” Charlie said.
“I love all you guys,” Daisy said. “And especially you, Daddy, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what I was going through.”
“Don’t thank me, baby. It’s my job, and my privilege to take care of you,” Bane said.
Daisy nodded as her Daddy hugged her with one arm, and watched as Havoc backed up the whole length of the road whooping out the window the entire way until he reached the fork, instead of just turning around and driving out like a sane person.
“I swear to God that boy does shit like that just to have people say, ‘you see what he’s doing now?’, Bane said.
Daisy laughed, though she was still sniffling a little. “You’re probably right.”
Janie stepped away from Bane’s arms and enveloped Daisy in a hug. “I’m so happy for you, my girl!”
Daisy nodded and started tearing up again.
“Why are you crying?” Janie asked.
“I’m just so happy,” Daisy croaked out, wiping tears off her face with both hands.
~~~
“Are you hungry, my love?” Janie asked Bane as Daisy took a seat on the porch to wait for Charlie to come back.
“I’m starving. What do we have?” Bane asked, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
“I roasted a chicken in the oven. I knew you’d be hungry. It’s piping hot and swimming in gravy and lots of carrots and onions and celery with it.”
“Mashed potatoes, too?” Bane asked.
“Yes,” Janie answered.
“Sold! But what are you going to eat?” Bane teased, insinuating that he’d eat the chicken and potatoes himself.
“The key lime pie I didn’t offer you,” Janie said.
“Oh! You know how to hurt me,” Bane said, chuckling. He looked over at Daisy and didn’t like the idea of leaving her outside alone. “Daisy, baby, you want to come inside and eat with us?”
“No, thank you, Daddy. I’m not hungry. I’ll wait for Charlie to come back.”
“Alright. If y’all get hungry, come on in,” Bane said.
“We will.”
Bane paused for a second to watch Daisy staring off into the darkness with the most beautiful smile on her face, waiting for Charlie to come back, before he and Janie went on inside.
“It makes me so satisfied, so at peace to see her so happy,” Bane said once they’d walked in the house.
“Me, too,” Janie said. “Thank you for going to handle all that. I’m sorry it got ugly.”
“Did you really think it wouldn’t? I wanted to shift and tear his heart out, then hand it to him. But I tried to maintain some control, knowing if we could get her to file charges he’d live a life of humiliation. But when he tried to shoot me, Lucien took that decision out of my hands.”
“Thank God!” Janie exclaimed.
“True. I’m relieved about him being dead.
I’m relieved about his wife being terrified and looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life.
I’m so at peace that Charlie and Daisy will be married.
He’s a good man,” Bane said emphatically.
“He really is as good as she is. She’ll never have to worry about where he is or what he’s doing. He’s devoted to her already.”
Janie had been serving his plate while he talked, and set it down in front of him, then poured him a glass of sweet tea, before she made her own plate and sat across from him.
“How are you feeling?” Bane asked.
“The knot I’ve been carrying around in my stomach is finally gone. I can breathe easily,” Janie said.
“I wish I’d have known months ago,” Bane said. “That’s my only regret.”
“We can only address what we know. And we addressed it the moment we became aware.”
They heard the screen door creak as it opened. “Mom, Dad? I’m going to Charlie's.”
“Alright. Text me the address,” Janie called out.
“Have a good evening, baby,” Bane called out.
Suddenly they could hear her running toward them through the house. She leaned over and kissed her father, hugging him for all she was worth. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, Daisy,” Bane said, patting her arms as she hugged him from behind. “Y’all be careful, you hear.”
“We will,” Daisy said, letting go of her father to quickly hug her mother. “I might be late!” she called as she finally ran back through the house. They heard the screen door slap its frame and the engine of Charlie’s car as they drove away.
“And just like that we’re empty nesters.”
“What? I know that’s not true. She’s not moved out yet,” Bane said.
“But it’s only a matter of time,” Janie pointed out.
“And we have grandkids! Brandt’s is due any day. And we have Carson. And I’m sure Daisy will want one really soon. She loves babies,” Bane said. “There is no empty about our lives at all!”
Janie smiled as she watched her husband convincing himself that their lives were still full. “You know what? You’re absolutely right. Besides, it’ll be nice to get a little quiet time to ourselves between visits.”
“Yes, it will. You know? You’re still the prettiest girl in the room.”
Janie laughed. “In this room, maybe.”
“So, want to go spend a little kissy kissy time with me?” Bane asked, waggling an eyebrow at her.
“Why, sir, I do believe you’re flirting with me,” Janie said with a smirk.
“No. I’m promising you, you will be screaming before the night is out. With pleasure, of course.”
Janie took a shaky breath and then a bite of her food. “Hurry up and finish. I’d like to scream with pleasure all night, starting now.”
Bane stood up and strode around the table, scooping her into his arms. “Food can wait until later,” he growled as he carried her toward their bedroom. “My woman wants me now, she’ll have me now!”