43 — Noah Foster
“You are the light, you are the night
You are the color of my blood
You are the cure, you are pain
You are the only thing I want to touch”
Love me like do — Ellie Goulding
When we arrive home, we are welcomed by everyone we love. Dom, Erik and Gael are practically camped here, the only one missing is Beni, who upon learning everything that happened — we called him two days after the rescue — explained his indignation, called me an asshole, threw all kinds of of insults on the planet, he announced that he would return when he got a release and that he expected nothing less than an engagement ring on the day. Little does he know that the ring has been with me for some time, the same one that belonged to his great—grandmother Foster.
As soon as I announced our departure from the hospital, I informed her that Catarina would need to rest, however, Victória insisted that we have at least one informal dinner to celebrate her daughter's return and try to convey joy to her, after all the tension we went through last year. week. My father informed them about the baby and the whole situation.
Fortunately, Otávio is six feet above the ground, I smile briefly as I remember the video that Gael — as promised — sent me that morning, after finishing his fun, his words. And I confess, I enjoyed watching that worm's blood flow.
“ I was in agony, waiting for my girl to get better, but as soon as we arrived at the hospital, my cell phone vibrated with an incoming message. When I saw what the contents were about, I left the room, telling her that I would take a walk around the hospital garden and be right back, I didn't want her to absorb, even in a coma, any sound coming from that unfortunate man.
I sat on a bench further away and opened the video. I can't deny that I actually smiled at my friend's speech.
— So, brother, ready for some fun? — he said, positioning his cell phone in a place where I would have a clear view of what was coming next.
Dread was present on Otávio's face, at the same time as he shouted incomprehensible words, probably asking for him to be released or spared, however, I was wrong, as I deduced, thanks to Gael's words, that the bastard was actually cursing him.
— Do you want to repeat that I am a son of a bitch? Is that really what I heard? — approached Otávio. — I'm going to show you a 'few' things I learned in places you would never have the courage to enter. I'll make you drown in your own blood, you piece of shit! — He squeezed his neck, looking into his eyes. — Today, you'll get a glimpse of what it's like to be fucked mercilessly, straight to hell. — walked away, leaving him completely cornered.
Then, he took pliers and a scalpel, leaving them close to where he was and I noticed J. entering the room.
— Ready to start, Mr. Gael? — my security guard asked.
— Definitely, take off your underwear, it's probably all stained by now.
J. did as my friend instructed and the agonized screams of “stop, please, hand me over to the police” that came shrill from Otávio’s throat became music to my ears.
— You know I'm going to make you pay for every beating you gave Victória and for every time you dared to breathe near Nina. — took the pliers. — This will just be a free sample. Don't worry, I won't kill you, I'll leave you to the rats.
Gael started pulling out the bastard's nails, with a dark and dangerous expression. Meanwhile, J. held that unfortunate man, who was struggling and crying, like a sissy.
— And now, let's mark that stinky skin. — He dropped the pliers to pick up the scalpel, leaving Otávio even more terrified.
J. dunked the idiot's head in a bucket of cold water to keep him awake. Gael started to make slow, shallow cuts enough for the blood to drain slowly.
After having my entire body bathed in his blood, my face filled with compulsive crying, as if we were going to have mercy, the scene continued in a bloody torture, being a sight for sore eyes, and I appreciated the shit without some teeth, which were ripped out.
— The ending, can you handle it, you piece of shit!? — Gael's voice was cutting, as well as threatening.
He picked up the scalpel again, moving towards that idiot's cock, cutting it in a single movement. The room was filled with more screams from the unfortunate man, contrasting with the laughter of J. and Gael, who walked towards the camera.
— Now, the trash doll over there will bleed until it dies and then we will disappear with the body, after all, the rats don't need to contaminate themselves with this shit. Mission given, mission accomplished, friend! ”
The said negotiator from Canada, who Logan brought, we discovered was one of the heads responsible for trafficking in women. I heard that they tried to obtain information about Travis' sister, however, it's as if she had disappeared from the map.
— Did you notice that Erik activated the drooling father mode, for the boy? I think the biological clock, which women talk about so much, affects men too — Dominic breaks me out of my thoughts.
Really, our friend has been feeling sentimental the last few weeks, but with so much going on, we haven't had time to talk. I still remember the day we rescued Nina and I came home, for a moment, to reassure everyone and, above all, to check on the boy. To my surprise, Erik was with him in my room, watching over his sleep. When I asked if everything was okay, he told me that the boy was only asking about me and the blue angel.
— I noticed. However, for Tyler, I hope it's just an uncle he can count on in his life. Not just him, but all of you.
— Is that what I'm thinking? Are you sure about this? Think about it, because it's not fair to use a child to make up for a loss, Noah.
— So, I already had that thought, since the day he arrived. I don't know how to explain it, she's stronger than me, but I was afraid that Nina wouldn't accept it and, after what happened, the fear of her rejection doubled. However, she is getting stronger and stronger and, honestly, I don't know how she does it, but she overwhelmed me with her words today, before we left there. She even told me that I should embark on this, since I loved her. — Dom laughs along with me. — I intended to talk to him in a few weeks, but it seems that fate pulled some strings.
— Apparently, in addition to being the passionate lover of the group, he will inaugurate the “quality daddy” seal. You can count on me for whatever you need. Just think about what I said, you need and should, like anyone else, go through grief, to be one hundred percent ready for it.
— Of course, next week I will go with her to therapy, I asked Norah to leave an appointment.
—What are you whispering there? — Gael approaches.
— Noah will be that little boy's daddy over there, and we will teach him the good things in life, like the exemplary uncles that we are.
— Fucking shit! Bowl I see that I will sleep on the couch for a few days because of you! — I reply.
— Oh, come on! We are the best! In fact, I'm already pulling some strings! — Gael blinks.
Honestly, I can't deny that everything we've been through in the last few months has only served to cement the admiration I have for them. They are the best I could have with me.
Dinner went well, light and peaceful. I noticed that they chose not to bring up the subject of the baby, something I mentally thanked. Tyler never let go of Nina and I was completely captivated by seeing the two of them together. The boy has no idea about our plans, but in the future he will be a Foster, in the same way that I became one. Those green eyes, filled with fear and insecurity, became my inner strength.
Oh, I can't forget Lynn and John, people I admire more and more, unfortunately, they couldn't come to dinner, but they made a point of calling Nina. Surely, tomorrow they will be here, pampering her as always.
— Hi Life. — Catarina hugs me. — Mom just left and I believe we have to put our boy to bed.
“Our boy”
I really hope he is, but I need to talk to her, preparing her for everything we may face by requesting permanent custody of him, I talked to my father and he also thought it would be possible for us to try to do this legally, however, if we don't succeed, he will do the same way he did with me in the past, even though it is against the Law.
— Come on, it's late and you need to rest too. Remember what the doctor told us? Ten more days to be 100%, ok? — she pouts.
— I'll behave. —Kiss me until you reach my ear. — These will be the longest and most tortuous days of my life — he whispers, lightly nibbling on the earlobe.
Holy shit! May divine forces help me.
I don't have much faith in her agreement, as it will be ten days without sexual intercourse. I know I can take it calmly, for her, but the problem is that, knowing exactly how her head works, I'm sure this devil will tempt me.
— Ty, buddy! — I call him close to us. — Nina needs to rest and so do we, so what do you say we put on our pajamas and watch a movie, the three of us?
— Cool!! — vibrates, but stops for a moment. — But you need to sleep... I'm going to the other room, and I think I can leave tomorrow.
Catarina pulls him into her arms, stroking his hair with teary eyes.
— My little one, you will never leave here again, if it depends on us. Yes good?
— Let's talk, the three of us. He'll end up getting confused, love.
I carry Nina in my arms to the bedroom, with Ty at my side. I realize, at this moment, my heart being filled with an immeasurable sensation of love, we are three souls wounded by the past, that destiny has brought together, and together, we can and will be each other's foundation, the strength to move forward.
— Buddy, clean yourself up and wear the pajamas that Iaiá left on your bed. I'll come get you right away, okay? — I warn him, placing Nina on our bed.
— Yes — he answers and goes to his room.
— Baby, did you notice his lost look? We must tell what happened to us, and also about our baby, so that he does not feel that he is just serving as a substitute. We both know how much this can affect our psychology, do you agree? — Nina asks.
— I agree, but are you sure we should do this now? We both know the pain is still here, my angel. — I intertwine our hands. — With dedication, we will be able to get through this calmly, we have overcome so many things throughout our lives. — Sigh.
— Yes. Now, I just want him to see in us the security of a family.
— I love you my love! Come, I'll help you get dressed and I'll pick you up. — We continue to the closet .
After we get ready, I lay Catarina on the bed and head to Ty's room. Yes, that will be your room at Grandpa Foster's house, because I have plans for us. I knock twice on the door and enter.
— Ready, buddy? — I watch him sitting on the edge of the bed. — Hey, what happened?
— I like it here, but now that everything is fine, I'm going to need to go — he answers, like a punch that hits me in the stomach.
— Come here, let's talk to you — I say, kneeling in front of him, holding his hands.
I pick him up, even though he's not used to it, I know he just needs affection — exactly the same affection I received from my father at that age — and I go towards our room, as soon as I enter, I see our girl waiting for us.
— How beautiful — he says with eyes full of emotion. — I want a hug like that too.
We go to her, I place Ty, who until then was clinging to my neck, next to her and I join them in a single hug.
I dare say, the best hug ever, as if I were hugging my own heart.
— Good, Ty. Nina and I want to tell you some things that happened, until we get to today, okay?
He nods, sitting next to Nina, who has her arms around his shoulders. A scene to remember forever.
I start by revealing to him how I got to this house and some moments I went through, leaving the strongest parts aside, this is something we can talk about when he is old enough to understand that adult life has its details. I see his little eyes widen as he realizes that he, at this moment, is a version of me today.
— In fact, I was born in the same neighborhood as you. So, champion, I know all the difficulties.
— Wow! I thought Mr. Foster was your real father.
— And is. Father goes beyond our blood, father and mother are those who love us unconditionally. Does not agree?
— Yes, I think… I only had my mother and she was very good to me.
— I have no doubt about that, my little one. — Nina says with a choked voice.
— Well, you already know what happened in the last few days, but we want to tell you something. Remember when you thought she was expecting a baby? — agrees. — He ended up not resisting and went to stay with his heavenly father, however, as much as it hurts, we know that everything has its moment and nothing happens by chance. — I see a tear run down your cheek. — So, champion, daddy from heaven brought you to us and, even without us talking, we already knew that we wouldn't let you leave, ever again. — Nervousness starts to take over me, wondering what we will do if he doesn't agree.
— What he's trying to say, my little angel, is that we both, even though we met you at different times, loved you as soon as we saw you and, if you agree, we want you to be part of our family. In other words, we want to be your father and mother, but that doesn't mean you have to forget your biological mother, she will always be here — Nina places her hand on your chest — in your heart, guiding and protecting you.
— Do you really want to be with me? — His tears now bathe his face. — I can go for school again? I promise I'll behave and I won't give you any trouble, I swear.
— Calm down, my little one. You will be able to do anything, you will live like a child your age. And honestly, you can stop behaving like that, we're going to drive Noah crazy, my love.
Nina hugs him and I stop myself from crying like a sissy. I promise that I will be for him what Jackson Foster was, and is, in my life, my example of a person in this world.