Her Love Ch. 03

"You got the files," Bob said chuckling.

"Yup, nearly filed up the three gig stick," Char said casually.

Bob shook his head. He knew that what she had was technically illegal, but as it was involving Terry's trust he was sure that a loop hole or five could be found he could exploit. As to the assault, he was unsure of what he could do.

"I'm not afraid of her or the scumbags that work for her as I have three witnesses that will say her actions and those of her husband perpetuated everything that happened. We could also show the abuse that Terry endured and show why I was driven temporarily insane to do what I did," Char said laughing but also with a hint of sadness and solemnness.

Bob sighed on the other end. While he was ecstatic about the bitch and her asshole getting what they had coming to them, he was worried that it would affect Terry by taking away the one person that could keep him safe. As the silence between the two lasted Char decided to break it and put the matter to rest.

"I can meet you tomorrow at lunch and give you the USB. I'm sure once you toss in her face all the naughty things she did with the money that she'll clam up. Hell you may even threaten her with a visit from the IRS," Char said and an evil grin passed her face.

Bob let out a chuckle at that. The latter idea was one that, while very cruel, was all he could ask for dealing with Bernice. The simple logic of using the threat of an IRS audit was a great one and he knew that if he called a few of his friends in that department that he could likely get her to dismiss the assault ideas.

"Meet me at the same place and we'll go over some ideas. I have a few friends that work with IRS tax attorneys who can turn up some heat on her so that may cool her head," Bob said.

"Glad I could help, Bob. See you at noon tomorrow," Char said into the phone.

"Indeed. Good night," Bob said and hung up.

Char smiled as she put the phone away. At last she was certain that victory was near and she wanted to make sure that things would run smoothly. For ten minutes she went over a myriad of plans for keeping Terry away from the bitch, and also keeping him close to her for safe keeping. As she pondered the small things she heard the shower turn off and Terry moving around in the bathroom.

Char went to the bathroom and found the robe he used before. A simple knock on the door and she heard Terry shuffling about. She heard his meek voice on the other side and she opened the door. Inside Terry was covered in his towel, but his bruises still shone on his pale skin. The bruises glared at Char and it took a lot of will power to not get back in her car and head back to his house. Instead she walked to him and opened the robe.

Terry saw the gesture and was confused at first, but when Char lifted the robe in an inviting manner he got off the toilet and walked to her.

"Turn around,' she said and he did.

Char set the robe about him and Terry slipped his arms through the holes. Once he was in she put it around his body and tied off the ties. Terry stood still as she did and looked in the mirror. His eyes were filled with the image of her doing him the simple thing and he couldn't help but feel warm inside. Her large hands rested on his shoulders and dug in deeply eliciting a moan from him. Char heard the moan and smiled as she continued on. For a few minutes she soothed his tension and when she was done her arm found his shoulders and she pulled him along to the bedroom.

Terry saw the room and it was much larger than his old room. His suitcase was on the side of the bed and his box of valuables was on the dresser across from the bed. The room had a large double twin bed and a bookshelf and TV. Terry saw the bed and it looked very inviting and he walked to it and sat down. The comfort of the bed was nearly too much for him as he sank into it and almost fell backward onto it. Char saw his look and smiled as she had used that bed a few times herself. Seeing the present as a good time as any she decided to lay out her plan to keep him safe.

"So Terry we need to talk about some things,' Char began and he looked to her.

"When you are at work I want to make sure you are all right so we are going to get you a new cell phone that only a few people will have the number to,' she began.

Terry nodded his head and Char smiled at his acceptance.

"When you are done with work I really want to make sure you are safe so if I'm at work come to my office and we'll leave together. And then comes the matter of your clothes,' Char said and had a quirky grin on her face.

"My clothes?" Terry asked confused.

"Yes, no more tidy whities!" Char said playfully and Terry broke out into a big smile at that.

"Dear God I will burn those things after we get you some real clothes," Char said laughing and sat down next to him.

Terry put his head down, but his smile was still there. Char's large arm went around him as she talked to him about the simple things to do for his sake. All she offered him was noninvasive and actually set up for his well-being. As they discussed the small things Terry suddenly had a realization.

"How much do I have to pay you to live here?" he asked.

Char smiled and patted his back.

"I think that your health and well-being is payment enough sweetie. Save your money for more important things," she said softly.

Terry looked at her and didn't have an answer for that. Seeing the look on his face Char patted his leg and stood up. She stretched out and yawned loudly. Once that was done she turned back to Terry and smiled at him.

"Yup, but for now how about we get some sleep?" she asked.

"OK," Terry whispered.

Char did something Terry didn't anticipate. She pulled him into her and hugged him close. Terry felt the warmth of the woman all around him and wished deep down he didn't have to let go. Char felt his small hands go around her back and smiled. She truly didn't know why she was being so warm and fuzzy with a near complete stranger. But as his hands found a perch she didn't care. She made a person suffering safe, and in the end that would allow her to walk to her bedroom and sleep each night.

The hug came to an end and Char tucked Terry into bed. She kissed his forehead and his eyes closed and her own eyes grew warm. She squeezed his hand and walked to the side and turned out the light. She didn't close his door all the way so she could keep a tab on him just in case. Softly she padded to her room and began to unwind from the day. The wine in her was still there, but she was barely even buzzed. Char had come to find out she had a very high tolerance of alcohol from all the business lunches and cocktail parties she had gone to. She even shocked Nathan when they went beer for beer and they almost fell over at the same time.

Into her closet she delved for the next day's outfit. It was Monday after all so she decided to look good. She found her favorite black skirt and crimson blouse to match it. A nice cut suit jacket and velvet heels joined the ensemble. The clothes ended up on the hanger and the shoes sat next to her door. Char went to the shower and turned it on. As she stepped in the hot water a strong feeling washed over her. It was a weird one that felt like exhilaration and something she couldn't explain.

The feeling made her feel alive, but at the same time it made something in her stomach fill with anxiety. Char ignored the feeling and washed off. The thoughts of the day washed from her mind, all except for the good ones. The sight of Vonte slamming off the wall made a huge grin spread across her face. The fear in the bitch's eyes was something that made her shiver. Then a new thought filled her mind and it also brought a huge smile to her face. That thought was when she hugged Terry and he returned it. Char couldn't explain why that thought was in her head, but the warm feeling she had made it worth it.

The water turned off and Char stepped out into the steamy room. She dried off and went to the sink. Washing her face Char thought of the next day and the accounts she likely had to look over, but then her mind swam to the time she and Terry slept in her bed. Her eyes looked up at the mirror and she realized that she had just thought of that and she shook her head to clear those thoughts.

"Been too long out of the game girl," she muttered to herself and picked up her towel.

Char pulled her towel around her body and walked from the shower. Once she was in the cool air she shuddered and let out a shuddering exhale. She walked along the hall and as she crossed Terry's room she peeked in, he slept like a baby on his side. She felt better that he was asleep after all that had happened. For a few minutes she watched him and when she was sure he was all right she went to her room. She put lotion on and put on her shorts and shirt for bed.

Char pulled the covers and got into her bed. The warm blankets made her feel a whole lot better. For a few minutes she read her Nook hoping to get through the long chapter of "Game of Thrones". She never could understand why she liked the book, but then she saw the series on TV and she was hooked. As the last sentences of the Nook passed she felt her eyes droop. She put it down and turned off the lamp. As soon as she settled in the bed it felt like her lights went out. The last thought she had were happy ones as she knew Terry was safe.

As it does time began its creep in the lives of Char and Terry. At first their time was spent getting used to their new situation. For Terry it became a new type of routine. At Char's place he was safe and sound, but living with her was something he wouldn't no couldn't have dreamed of. They spent most of their time watching TV after work, a new past time for Terry. Char liked to exercise several times a week and it was in her mind to put some meat on Terry's bones. Char had him doing Pilates with her and the time spent between the two also had a side effect on Terry.

While it wasn't noticeable at first, Char began to see that over the course of the next two months Terry began to open up a bit at a time. His sentences began to take a bigger shape and his words weren't mumbled as often. While she knew it was likely due to her help, she also saw that it was partly his own wish to grow from in spite of his past. Char didn't just help him grow, she began to plant new ideas in his mind that he could succeed at things and when he did she was quick to reward him with small things. From a good movie, to his favorite foods, even time spent alone with her, Char used the small things to try and help him make bigger strides.

Though he made some strides, he also had a lot to overcome and didn't always succeed at things. She saw his failures with talking to people not as what they were, but new obstacles for him to overcome. She also saw that at work he was still mousy at times, but around Nathan he would open up more. She was glad that the comfort he felt with Nathan could be used to help him grow into a more confident person.

Those things helped, but the thing that gave him the biggest relief was his mother was nowhere to be found. Bob used the data from the USB and had her in a very precarious position. The IRS agents he knew paid her a visit and it was that coupled with the threat of a very painful lawsuit on Terry's behalf that made her and Vonte back off. She took the hint and left well enough alone. The money she had pilfered she was allowed to keep, but there was a huge list of things she would lose in the process.

The biggest thing she lost was her access to any of the money she had pilfered from Terry. That made her finances seem near impossible and Vonte's savings had to be drained to help balance their budgets. Jenny watched as the clothes she bought get returned to cut costs. The rest of their fortunes were tied to the house and that was all they had left after the proceedings.

Char was so giddy when Bob told her the good news that she took Terry out for a night of fun. They laughed and had a great time at a miniature golf place, then engorged themselves on bad pizza and wings. Char didn't mind it as she had a fast metabolism and she shocked Terry by eating what she did and not gaining an ounce.

As fun as the time the two spent was, they had a nice moment when Char was woken up at three in the morning by Nathan. The news that Donia was in labor got her up and she snatched Terry from his bed to go with. They spent the day in the hospital and after a long wait, Nathan came out of the delivery room with a huge smile on his face. As Char stood up he walked right up to her and hugged her tight and then hugged Terry as well.

"It's a boy!" he said and laughed as Char hugged him again.

After a round of well wishes by the friends and family of Donia's and his that came to see, Nathan took Char and Terry with to see the little one. The small boy was held by a nurse and Char almost melted at what she saw. His hair was black and thick and his little face was so adorable even as he cried in the nurses arms. Nathan's hand was against the glass as he gazed upon his son and Char could see the tear that slipped down his face.

"What's his name Nathan?" Char asked as she put an arm around his shoulders.

"Gabriel Antonio," Nathan said softly.

"Why those?" Char asked.

"Gabriel is my father's name and Antonio is hers," Nathan said as he watched the nurse put the bundle away.

"He looks like you," a quiet voice said.

Nathan and Char looked over to Terry who had his hands on the glass as he looked at the little one. The way he gazed at the small child was like someone seeing something so wondrous that it left both of them speechless. Nathan smiled at him and put a hand on Terry's back.

"No, he looks like his mother. And let's be grateful for that," Nathan said and turned back to see his boy.

Char smiled at the spectacle and turned to leave. As much as she was enjoying seeing the baby, she wanted to check on Donia. As she walked down the hall she couldn't help the bubbly feeling that was in her tummy at her friends' good fortunes. The smile on her face brightened as she got to Donia's room and looked in. Her friend was on her back asleep and Char decided not to bother her.

"Too good to say hi," a weak voice said.

Char looked up and saw that she wasn't asleep after all. Her eyes were closed, but Donia was awake. After a few seconds her eyes opened and though they were hooded, her friend could see they were happy as could be.

"Seven pounds eleven ounces,' Char said as she walked to her.

"I could have sworn he was more, or at least that's what he felt like in my body," Donia joked.

Char let out a strained laugh and slapped a hand over her eyes. The laugh that the two shared filled the room and both lost themselves in the moment. They spent a long time chatting until Donia actually fell asleep on Char. Char actually tucked her friend in and gave her a peck on the forehead. As she left she hugged Nathan one last time and her and Terry left. That night the both of them had a quiet time in the apartment as they thought of the new happy family.

The next few days were a blur for both of them as they worked and waited for the invite Char had been hoping for. The day it came she and Terry were back at Nathan and Donia's house and along with Donia and Nathan's families they all got to see Gabriel. The happiness in the air was a good thing for Terry as Char noticed he actually started a conversation with Donia. Char was all smiles at that. But she was a fawning mess about the baby. She held him to her for so long that it took Nathan tricking her to let his mom feed him.

Char and Terry got to enjoy a good time and to Nathan's surprise was something he never would have imagined. As the time was wearing down he was coming down the stairs after helping Donia put the baby down and he saw Terry was sitting on the sofa leaning into Char. To make it more intriguing was her arm was draped over his shoulder pulling him closer to her body. A smile passed his lips as he saw that, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

After they had gone home that night Char and Terry spent a happy night curled on the sofa. Char held him to her as they watched a movie called "Stardust". The cute and funny movie had both laughing and a few scenes actually made Char happy for her company. The movie came to a close and when it was done Char took Terry to the shower. She rubbed his neck for a few minutes before he went in and the moans and groans that came from his lips was all she needed to hear that he was enjoying himself. She rationalized that that was a present for talking to Donia so easily.

The shower turned on and Char went to her closet for her next day's attire. She selected a simple pants suit and flats. She didn't want to be too formal as it was a Thursday and she knew that on Friday she had to go to a cocktail party for a client later in the day. For that she could afford to dress for success, and turn a few heads. A silly grin passed her face as she pondered how she would dress for the party and decided to put a few party outfits in the mix. She went further in and spent a good twenty minutes before she selected a winner. It was a solid black skirt with a very classy light pink top with a floral design across the arms. The heels she would wear were her favorite velvet heels and as an added touch she decided on black lace top stockings.

Char set everything in its place then heard the shower turn off. A warm feeling was still in her after the baby's party so she waited for Terry to come out of the shower. He was about to go to his room when she stopped him and had him go to the living room. He waited as she showered and got into her pajamas. Then the shock came as she took him to her room and had him sleep with her that night. For Char it was a nice night because she felt like cuddling some more.

For Terry it was pure heaven. Feeling her warm body draped along his was something he couldn't have imagined. Her large frame dwarfed his, but the way she spooned him was so perfect he didn't get to really savor the moment as his eyes drifted off to sleep in her embrace. Char slept so soundly that night. Her dreams were warm and made the morning feel good when her eyes cracked open. A smile was still on her lips when she felt the new position she was in. she was on her stomach and Terry was on his back with her arm over his chest. For a few minutes she watched him sleep, but then she saw the time.

Char got up and prepared for the day. She dressed quietly in the front of her closet. She slid on her pants and took off her pajama top. Her large breasts were on full display as she reached down for her bra. She snapped it on in front then slid it across her body to put it on. She put the straps over her shoulders and a quick adjust put the girls in their proper places. Once they were secure she put on her shirt and went to the kitchen to get her coffee ready.

Terry was on his back as Char dressed and his eyes were open to the spectacle he never would have imagined possible. Char was dressing and he got to see the spectacle. The sight of her topless nearly made him roll over to hide, but he couldn't move. His hard on sprang to life as he watched her sensuous show and he was glad she left without looking his way. As quickly as he could Terry got up and went to the bathroom to relieve himself. His plans didn't quite work out as trying to pee with a raging hard on was just not going to happen. Terry was about to panic when he heard a knock at the door.

"Don't be too long in there Terry, we both have to be at work soon,' Char said through the door.

"OK," he replied and went to the sink.

He brushed his teeth and during that time he was relieved that the hard on went away. He was able to go and when he was done he went to his room and dressed for work. Terry actually had to pick out a pair of pants to wear as Char took him shopping soon after moving in and got him some new clothes. All his old tidy whities were gone being replaced by boxers. It was at Char's insistence that made the change in wardrobe happen. If Terry was honest with himself, he was happy to oblige her.