Chapter 29

Rossalyn and Josiah returned to their home port three months after their departure. Rossalyn was glowing with her sunkissed skin and adventures that she'd never dreamed she'd be able to take. Josiah was blissful with the success of their marriage so far. They had made it through the first three months of their marriage without having any arguments or problems whatsoever. The only reason they'd decided to return was because Rossalyn was starting to get homesick and was wanting to see her family. The reports from the rehab center were mixed, though Roger was being evaluated to be released. Rossalyn wanted to be there for the report and for if her brother was released from the rehab center that they'd forced him into.

"Do you think they'll really release him?" Rossalyn asked Josiah with concern in her voice as they rode back to their home.

"I honestly don't know. The reports haven't exactly been tales of glowing success. I honestly don't think he is ready for release. I think he could be ready for some restrictions to be lifted, maybe let Sarah and the kids have access to him again. I know they miss him and if he is any man at all he will be motivated to do good since being away from them for so long. We don't have kids yet, but I know if I was away from you for three months, I'd work my ass off to not lose access to you once I'd finally gotten it back." Josiah told her, raising her hand he held in his to kiss.

Rossalyn smiled at him, though it quickly faded into a frown. "I just don't know if keeping him in there another three months will do much more than the first three months. Would it even be worth it?" She asked.

"We're scheduled to have a meeting with the center's director tomorrow morning. We'll also visit with Roger to see him for the first time and get an idea of what, if anything, has changed since we seen him last. I think at that point we can make the decision." Josiah said.

"Okay." Rossalyn let the subject drop, though her mind still whirled.

Rossalyn couldn't get the look of fury and betrayal her brother had given her when she told him what was going to be happening to him. She knew what she had forced on him was for his own good, but that didn't stop the fact that seeing how he looked at her had almost hurt worse than what he had done to get them both into the positions that they were in. She wasn't as upset about being backed into the corner he had forced her into that had her marrying Josiah basically sight unseen, but that wasn't thanks to Roger. That was thanks to Josiah and her both doing everything they can to make it work between them. It wasn't always easy, but they always seemed to be able to get things worked out without too much drama between them. But then, they hadn't really faced anything too difficult yet.

"Sarah and the kids will be there for dinner this evening and to hear the tales from the honeymoon." Josiah reminded her, giving her a worried look. He didn't like seeing her brooding and worried.

"Yeah, she said she'd get there around three. That'll give us a couple hours to get cleaned up and be ready for her and the kids. Its really nice out so I thought maybe we could have a table set up outside." Rossalyn suggested.

"That would be a great idea." Josiah agreed then pulled his phone out to text ahead so the staff at the house could start working on getting everything set up.

They arrived home a little less than a hour later and were led into the house by James and Brad. She followed them up the stairs to the third floor, intent on a shower and changing clothes since she was in comfortable clothes from their journey. She knew Josiah would expect her to return to her more formal dress code that he expected her to have since they were home. During the honeymoon they agreed when they were on vacation she could dress however she seen fit, but any other time she'd adopt the same style he kept which was business casual clothes. She couldn't even fault him for that, since he always seemed to be dressed for a business meeting even if he wasn't expecting anyone to be at their house. Though throughout the honeymoon, except when they were on beaches, he always seemed to be dressed in his business clothes.

She expected him to follow her to their room but instead, he stopped at the office and led the men inside. She paused as if waiting for an invitation inside, but he simply kissed her cheek and sent her on her way to their room. Once the door was closed she sighed and went on to get herself ready for guests, though she didn't feel like putting out the effort since it would just be Sarah and the kids coming that evening. Though, she supposed real life started from right then so she may as well get used to it.

She closed the door to their bedroom and went to the closet to pick out clothes for the day. As he had warned her, all her belongings had been moved to what was now their bedroom. She pulled black slacks and a red sleeveless button up silk shirt. She selected matching red heels and a black thin jacket. Once she pulled out her undergarments from the dresser she laid everything out on the bed for when she came out of the shower.

She got ready for the rest of her day by braiding her long hair and twisting the ends into a bun at the nape of her neck. She chose to go light on her makeup with just some light eyeshadow, liner, and mascara. She put her clothes on and made it downstairs to find Jessica and Chelsea waiting for her in the sitting room.

"Oh hey!" She greeted them happily and gave each a hug as they stood to greet her.

"We have come to reclaim our husbands." Chelsea said with a grin as Rossalyn stepped back from them, "You look great!" She enthused giving Rossalyn an eye up and down her body.

"Thank you! I'm sure they're ready to be home." Rossalyn smiled at them and looked over her shoulder toward the staircase as footsteps started decending.

"Usually, we are able to come with them on trips like that, but we didn't want to overrun the ship with our kids. Plus we knew it would be a few weeks and we didn't want to be away from them that long. How was it? Did you guys have a good time?" Jessica asked enthusiastically.

"It was great. I couldn't have asked for a better honeymoon. I've always wanted to go explore the world a little, I never dreamed I'd get to go everywhere I had wanted to go all at the same time." Rossalyn admitted and smiled at the two of them.

"That is wonderful! My honeymoon trip lasted just under two months. Chelsea's was about the same as yours. We will have to get together and hear all about your trip soon. But right now I'm ready to drag my husband home." Jessica said the last grinning at her husband who had just made it to the bottom of the stairs accompanied by James and Josiah.

James made it to Chelsea about the same time as Brad swept Jessica in a huge hug. They had clearly missed their spouses and Rossalyn felt a little bad for keeping them apart for so long since she was the one that had set the duration of their honeymoon. But they had just subtly reassured her letting her know that their honeymoons had lasted a similar duration of time so it seemed that was normal for newly weds in their world. Her introspection was interupted by Josiah slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her close to him.

"You okay?" he asked her when he seen her slightly misty eyes as she watched his men reunite with their wives.

"I feel bad for keeping them apart for so long. It wasn't even something I had considered. I should have thought about their wives and children when I kept delaying our return." Rossalyn muttered, keeping quiet so just Josiah heard her.

"They knew we'd be gone for a while when they agreed to accompany us. I didn't make it a mandatory trip. In fact, they insisted. I was going to take a few of the guys that were single so that there wasn't anyone waiting home for them, but they both insisted so fiercely that I wasn't going to tell them no." Josiah told her, watching the scene before them as well.

"You didn't force them to come with us?" Rossalyn asked, shock clear in her voice. She hadn't expected that response.

"I'm not a monster, Ross. When we were discussing security for the trip, I told them the names of the men I planned to take and they were pretty fiercely against being left behind, especially in light of what happened the week before we got married. They probably would have hijacked a boat to follow us if I'd tried leaving without them." Josiah joked as he pulled her tighter against his side.

"Oh, I didn't know that. I'm glad you let them come with us." Rossalyn said as she looked at the two men who were busy kissing their wives and holding them against their chests. She seen them in a different light, at that moment.

After a few minutes, Brad and Jessica and James and Chelsea bid Josiah and Rossalyn goodbye to make their own ways home. The ladies had decided to not bring their children with them to collect their husbands and told them that there were five very impatient children waiting for them at Brad and Jessica's house.

"Well they left just in time for Sarah and the kids to be due." Josiah said with a laugh as the doorbell rang out through the house, announcing the arrival of their scheduled guests.

"Welcome home." Rossalyn said chuckling as they walked to the front door to answer it ahead of the butler.