Her Love Ch. 02

The stress of the day was not something the water could wash away, but it still felt nice. Drying off she rubbed her lotion into her arms and legs then stalked to the siren that called to her. The soft pillow met her head and in a few minutes she found sleep was not something that was going to be easily met. Char tossed and turned for nearly an hour before she was finally able to sleep, if one could call it that.

Char's eyes cracked open and she turned over to see the alarm on her clock was three hours from going off. It was barely four and that meant she had maybe an hour and a half of troubles sleep. Something in her made her stand up and walk to the living room. Once there the point was made clear as she saw Terry, on the floor curled as deep into the sofa's leg as he could get. The shaking he was doing was very noticeable as was the whimpers that came from him.

Char watched him for a few minutes, then she couldn't take it anymore. Quietly she walked to Terry and put her hand on his arm. The touch startled him awake. His terrified eyes were not adjusted to the dark and he began to panic. Char saw it and held his arm firmly.

"Hey, hey,hey...it's me," she said firmly.

Terry was breathing deeply as he heard the words and they calmed him down a touch. When he was more focused Char took a firm grip on his arm and helped him stand. The sleep deprived eyes of Terry's barely opened as he didn't resist her as she helped him to his feet. Char didn't know why, but she led him to her room and set him down on her large bed. The moment he was on it he was out cold.

Char wasn't so sure why she was doing this, but for some reason it felt right to her. Keeping him close actually helped soothe her mind of him trying anything rash. To make sure of it she tucked him into the blankets so that if he moved it would disturb her. Char laid down on her back and after a few minutes, her eyes closed and she got some real sleep.

The hours passed both by and when they awoke in the morning it was a fun time. Char took him shopping after they ate and the time spent was very amusing. She took him to a nice store for good clothes. The chore was finding something for him that wasn't too baggy or just plain silly looking on him. He didn't have the body for half of the clothes, and Char wasn't about to make him look like a bag boy. The time spent made her realize another thing, she needed to buy him some new underwear. The tidy whities he wore made her shake her head.

After about three hours of work they got him three new outfits and some boxers. At first Terry tried to protest the change, but Char was adamant. They went back to her apartment and spent a leisurely time watching movies and relaxing. This time Char got to watch what she wanted and surprisingly Terry watched them with her. The two of them watched until about five that afternoon and got changed.

Terry dressed in a nice pair of jeans and a shirt that was blue and actually looked good on him. The buttons of the shirt made it presentable and the shoes he got made him look better than he was used to.

Char dressed in a pair of jeans and a shoulder-less shirt. The long sleeves held up the shirt as did the strapless bra she wore. The knee boots she put on had a slight heel and made her tower over Terry when she walked out to the living room. Once she was out Terry was stunned by the beautiful woman that came toward him. The black shirt with the blue jeans and black boots was an amazing look on her. Her bare shoulders and red painted lips made his heart quicken as he looked at her. The dazzling smile she had only made him weaker in the knees than he already was.

Char put her arm around him and led him to the car. They drove to the beat of her favorite play list. The good music was nothing Terry would expect her to listen to. It was a collage of different stuff, from jazz, blues, and R&B if it was music, it was there. The good music had a side effect of helping him to relax while they drove out of the city itself and into the outer parts of town. Nearly thirty minutes went by before they came to their destination and Terry was surprised when he saw a familiar face greeting them at the door of the two story townhouse.

"Bout time you got here,' Nathan Blake said smirking as he saw Char walking up with Terry.

"Why? I miss something important?' she asked.

"Hell no, but Donia might eat your portion if you're not inside soon," he retorted and laughed at the joke.

His laughter died away as Donia came out and slapped him on the back.

"Bendejo!" she scolded and walked to her friend.

Donia was wearing her favorite blue overalls with a nice red maternity shirt under it. She wore simple sneakers and had her long hair in a tight ponytail. She hugged her friend and looked past after they broke and her face was curious.

"New boy toy?' she asked.

"No, he's a friend," Char replied.

"Finally!" Donia exclaimed suddenly making everyone stare.

Donia walked past Char to a unsure looking Terry. As she got to him she was taller than him and a quirky smile came to her face.

"I'm not the shortest person here anymore!" she laughed.

Nathan shook his head chuckling and Char slapped her forehead as she tried to hold back the laugh. Terry slumped his shoulders at the joke, but the way the bubbly woman came up to him made him look up.

"No,no,no! You can't shrink anymore!" Donia laughed and patted his arm.

Terry was unsure of what the woman was doing, but suddenly he felt secure as the man he knew walked up and patted his back.

"So I get to see you out of work," he said and patted Terry twice on the back.

'Umm...yes sir,' Terry replied.

"How many times I gotta tell you; don't sir me," Nathan laughed and ruffled his hair.

Terry laughed and ducked his head at the playful tussling. Nathan smirked and went to the door.

"I hope everyone's hungry cause it's ready,' he said and entered the house.

Donia followed him in and Char looked to Terry. She held out her hand and he took it. She didn't pull him, but just nudged him on and they entered the house. Once inside Terry was taken aback by the nice house. From what he saw they had a good setup in the living room and the stairs to the upper level held pictures of the two of them, and a few he couldn't see.

When Nathan came back in his shirt rode up his arm enough that Terry saw the tattoo on it. He couldn't place it, but at the bottom he saw what looked like an anchor. On Nathan's other arm he saw something he couldn't place. What he could see was that Nathan, while six foot two, was still three inches shorter than Char. He was amazed at that, but then he smelled the food being set on the table.

The food was beef and chicken fajitas with rice and beans and tortillas. The food looked and tasted great, and the company was fun. Nathan let the women talk amongst themselves as they ate and couldn't help but notice how quiet Terry was being. Terry ate his food and didn't say more than one or two word answers. Seeing that Nathan got a wild idea.

"So how's life these days kid?" He asked after swallowing down a bite of his meal.

Terry looked up to see Nathan giving him a smile. He looked to Char and then Donia, then he looked around the house and realized he was amongst friends and decided to answer.

"Better," he replied truthfully.

"That's good to hear!" Nathan said using his marine voice.

Char heard the voice and looked over to the brewing conversation.

"Am I boring you mami?" Donia teased.

"Please girl, I just needed look away cause I got tired of looking at you in panoramic," Char joked.

Donia laughed at her and slapped her arm making Char and Nathan laugh. Terry saw that and he chuckled to himself. Nathan saw the laugh and for the first time he saw his shoulders relax and he seemed to wind down a little. The table of friends enjoyed the next hour of dinner then broke off to see the new baby room.

The room was in neutral blues and yellows. The crib was the same one that Char had gotten Donia at her shower. The stuffed toys and mobile over the crib were all very cute. The room was definitely ready for the new Blake, but Char had one question they still hadn't answered.

"So what's my god baby gonna be?" she asked playfully.

Donia smiled as she rubbed her tummy and looked down at it.

"We decided to make it a surprise," she said softly.

"Aw! How cute!" Char squealed.

As Char said that Donia suddenly inhaled sharply and her eyes got wide.

"Ai dios mio!" she cursed and suddenly moved quickly to get by Char.

"You OK Donia?" Char asked confused.

Nathan knew the likely reason she left like that and shook his head.

"I think she got kicked in the bladder,' he said and sighed.

"Oh poor thing," Char replied and looked at the path Donia took.

"Is she going to be OK?" Terry asked.

"Oh yeah, she just needs to hit the head or it'll be a messy clean up," Nathan joked.

Char looked back to Nathan and a smirk came to her face,"Now you see why I haven't had any yet."

Nathan laughed, but under it he had a grin. He got the laugh settled and his face became more serious. He looked at Terry and then back to Char.

"When you have everything settled I have a few people that will help you out with moving him from his old house,' Nathan said softly.

Char was unsure of what he meant and Nathan saw it on her face.

"Back when I was in I met a few guys that worked for a PMC. A few of my guys got out and joined up with said company and are actually home for a while. They took it as a favor to me," he said softly and when he heard the toilet flush he stopped talking.

Char nodded her head and as she did Nathan took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. Char put it in her bra and as she did Donia came back into the room.

"Let's hope he's done kicking me for now," Donia grumbled.

"It's a he?" Char asked playfully.

"If it ain't a he, then she is gonna be a helluva soccer player," Donia joked.

"Or she could be a dancer," Terry said softly and everyone looked at him.

"She could indeed," Nathan said and patted his back.

The friends enjoyed some coffee and desert after they were done looking at the room. Their time together was pleasant, but soon it came to an end. Char and Terry drove back to her place and as they did Char decided to talk to Terry about what was going on.

"So do you understand what is going to happen in a few days?" she asked.

Terry nodded his head and looked down. Char realized the subject was one he likely didn't want to talk about. Even though he didn't want to talk about it Char knew they needed to be on the same page when things happened or there would be problems.

"Terry, listen to me. I need you to tell me you understand what's going to happen. It's really important,' she said firmly.

"I do, but....I'm....I'm scared of anyone getting hurt," he whispered.

Char heard that and it made her curious.

"And why would anyone get hurt?' she asked.

"Because...because Vonte likes to hurt people," he spit out and started shaking.

"I'm sure he does, but he won't hurt me,' Char said and her confidence filled voice seemed to reach Terry.

Terry looked up and was surprised by the firmness in her tone. Terry saw her face and the same look she had when she talked to Bob was there. The intense eyes scanned the road ahead as she effortlessly drove them home. Something in her tone seemed to touch his fears and calm them. The sheer force of her will made Terry believe that with her there was no reason to fear Vonte or anyone for that matter.

"If he fucking tries anything with me, it'll be the last mistake that motherfucker makes," she promised and Terry believed every word of it.

They drove the rest of the way in silence. Once they got back to her apartment Char and Terry relaxed and had some hot chocolate. They watched "Rock of Ages" and Terry actually surprised Char by being very into the movie. They laughed and at a few songs they sang along with. The time spent was fun and both found themselves leaning near the other. Char's arm was over his shoulders and they both lounged as the end credits rolled. Char looked at the time and decided to call it a night.

Slowly Char got to her feet and as she did stretched fully. Her fingers, as usual, brushed the ceiling making a giggle come from her throat. Terry watched her stretch and couldn't help but admire the view. He felt a feeling deep in him that wanted to reach out and touch her, but he knew better than to try. Once Char was done stretching she went to the bathroom.

Terry got up and went to the kitchen for a drink of water. As he poured the glass he couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to touch her skin. He sipped his water and his mind wouldn't let go of idea of him and Char. The hard on that sprouted in his pants also was testament to how he was feeling. He put the glass away in the dishwasher and hoped it would go away before she noticed. Slowly he walked back to the sofa and sat down.

Char walked back to the living room and saw Terry on the couch. She shook her head and walked back to the bedroom to change for bed. Similar shorts and a shirt found their way to her body. As she was changing the paper Nathan gave her fell out. She picked it up and opened the paper looking at the contents. What she saw was a name and a phone number to call the next day to make arrangements for the time she was ready.

When the paper was put away she went back out to see Terry was falling asleep on the sofa. Like the night before she took him to her room and tucked him in to bed. That night he slept quietly without whimpering and tossing around. She could guess why and that actually made her smile as sleep washed over her.

The next day was a day Char was ready for, but she was nervous about at the same time. They had breakfast and were relaxing when Bob called her and informed her the papers were ready. Char was amazed that on a Sunday he would have the papers ready and signed by a judge. He proposed to meet her at a market near her apartment and she left Terry alone in her apartment as she left to get the needed papers. Char met Bob in the market and true to his word he had the promised papers waiting in a envelope.

"Now that you have this, the rest is up to you. I strongly suggest you be careful with this and don't let that bitch get her hands on Terry afterward,' he said as they browsed the market after Char took the folder.

"She won't," Char promised then her curiosity took over.

"Why do you hate her so much?" she asked.

Bob took a deep breath through his nostrils and exhaled the same way. He looked at the store and saw the many people meandering about and found his will to speak of the past.

"Terry's father and I were friends for almost thirty years. We went to grade school together, hell we went to all schools together. I warned him about that fucking bitch when he was dating her," Bob said and took off his glasses to rub his eyes.

Char looked at him and noted he looked very disappointed, he was not sure where the disappointment stemmed from.

"When they were about to get married after he struck it big I warned him over and over about her. He didn't listen to me and for a while I stopped talking to him. I came back to his life when he needed help with a legal matter and when it was done I met Terry," he explained and stopped by the counter to buy a soda.

Char refused his offer for one and bade him to continue.

"Terry never had it easy when he was growing up. His father worked a lot and that bitch mother of his didn't give two shits about him. In school he was constantly bullied and teased for being quiet and smaller than everyone. Even when he went to private school it didn't stop. I tried to do what I could for him, but it never seemed to help. Then the shittiest day in his life happened when Dan was diagnosed with cancer,' he said then paused to take a drink.

Bob walked along the parking lot and after he swallowed his soda continued.

"Bernice didn't even bother waiting for him to die when she got her lawyers into gear to make sure she got what she decided she was due. Then the ass fuck named Vonte Davidson came to her life and shit got even worse," Bob spat and stopped so he could swig his soda again.

Char was noticing the pure hatred in his voice and that was all she needed to put a stop to it.

"I will make sure Terry is safe and sound after this is done. You can rest assured that there is no way in hell that bitch or that asshole will ever touch him again," Char said and the look in her eyes showed her full intent.

Bob said nothing other than to extend his hand and shake hers firmly. The contract they sealed at this moment was binding, both knew the likelihood of something going south was there, but both were willing to take the risk. Bob was taking the risk for his dead friend and a chance to make sure his son would be safe. For Char it was the genuine wish she had to make sure people like Bernice and Vonte got what they deserved.

Bob went back to his car and disappeared from the lot. Char went to hers and got in the driver's seat. As she sat she opened the envelope and read the fine print. The signature on the paper was by a judge, likely a friend of Bob's, and all it needed was Terry's signature next to hers. Char read everything and it plainly said she had the authority to help Terry make decisions with his money until his twenty first birthday. The fine print also stated that he was making the decision freely of his own accord.

Char set the paper back into the envelope and put it on the seat next to her. She pulled from the lot and drove back to her apartment. Along the way she prepared her mind for the simple, but life altering task ahead of her.

The long ride up the elevator gave her time to relax enough to make the biggest pitch she was ever going to make. She knew that if he signed the paper there was no going back. She sighed as she heard the ding, then walked boldly to her apartment. A swipe of her card made the buzz sound and she entered into her domain.

Terry heard the door buzz and turned to see her walking into the apartment with a large envelope. She said nothing as she walked along to the table and bade him to come to her. His feet were moving before his mind told them to and soon he was at the table sitting down next to her. He watched as she opened the envelope and pulled out a stapled stack of papers. At the top of them he saw the heading of Bob's firm and that made him look at it very cautiously. The papers were set in front of him and he looked down at them.

"OK, so what we have here is a standard power of attorney form. You sign it and you are free from your mother for as long as you wish to be. For the sake of your trust it will allow me to help you keep it safe from her with no legal consequences," Char explained as Terry absently looked at the form.

Seeing Terry was lost she decided to help him to understand it.

"This means that you can leave your mother's house and move to anywhere you wish. I can help you keep safe from her and you can stay with me for as long as you need to get on your feet,' she explained.

Terry was shaking and his breathing was coming in quick intakes. She knew he was probably terrified to make any moves against his mother and her husband, but for Char's sanity she wasn't going to let him stay there if she could help it.

"I won't make you sign this document Terry, but I can promise you that if you do your life will get a whole lot better," she said and took his hand to try and calm him down.

"I...I...can....I can s..stay with you?" he asked as her hand engulfed his.

Char smiled brightly and nodded her head," As long as you need to sweetie,' she said soothingly.

Terry exhaled a shaking breath through his nose and with the barest of nods he agreed. Char handed him a pen and pointed where he needed to sign and initial. She took the paper and signed next to her spot and when it was done she put it back in the envelope and stood up. She engulfed Terry with her arms and just held him to her. Terry's nostrils filled with the sweet smell of her body and lotion and he didn't want to leave it. Tentatively his arms found a perch around her hips and Char smiled at that.