Chapter 34—Jade

Last night was wonderful. I was so excited to see Raine with his Dad. And the resemblance was astounding. Even his personality. You would never have guessed they didn’t know each other until yesterday. I am so happy for them. Raine had been so nervous. But as soon as Zack hugged him, everything just fell into place. Zack looked at Raine like the proud Father I believe he is. Hope and my Dad also handled things very well. I know she loved Zack once. But she was attentive to my Dad’s feelings. And Dad was kind enough to welcome him into our home. He didn’t seem the least bit threatened. Although I'm sure he must have been slightly uncomfortable at first. Zack Alexander is a very attractive man. Almost as good looking as his son. No one is as good looking at Raine, in my honest opinion.

We start off with a really big breakfast prepared by my Dad and Zack. They spent a little time alone talking this morning. I hope they end up getting along well because I know Raine wants him in his life. The day is sunny and so is everyone’s mood. Zack tells us more about his life. He says he spent years mourning the loss of Hope. He had a hard time having real relationships with women. None of them compared to her. And he still wanted to one day find her and their child. But after years alone, he found his wife Danielle, through mutual friends. He and Dani dated quite a while before finally getting married a few years ago. He truly loves her. You can tell by the way he talks about her.

Raine and his dad also discuss music. Zack encourages Raine to take the possibility of a career seriously. Zack told him he would love to do some sort of collaboration with him. Raine of course says he can’t do anything until Ezekiel is put away for good. Then they play together while we all listen intently. It’s like being at a private concert. Raine knows all of his Dads songs and plays along like they have been doing this together for years. You can tell Zack is thrilled by it. They face time with his wife Dani during one song. She is really nice. I got to talk to her myself for a while. She asked me all about my artwork. She is a graphic designer.

Zack and Raine head out to walk for a while. I think they need to spend some time alone. When they get back a couple hours later, Hope and Zack talk out in the backyard. I'm sure they have some things they have needed to say to each other for many years. Hope looks very emotional. Dad is hovering a bit in the kitchen, unable to settle down. I peek out the window and see that they are both crying a little. I'm sure they need to let it all out. There is no reason for Dad to worry. I tell him it will be fine. “I know she loves me sweetie, but they had something special too. I mean, he is the father of her son.” I feel for him right now. “Dad, she loved him 19 years ago, but she loves you now. She is a grown woman. She knows who she wants, and it’s you. She didn’t even consider contacting Zack until Raine decided he wanted to meet him, remember?” He lets out a long breath. “I know, you’re right. I just can’t help but worry a little.” He confesses.

Raine has been in the office since they returned from their walk. I decide to go check on him. He’s lying on the couch, but not asleep. Just staring at the ceiling. He sits up when I come in the room. “Jade, I need to talk to you.” I sit beside him. He takes my hand. “I told my Dad that I'm in love with you. He thinks that we should tell Mom and Jonah. He said that no one should lose the love of their lives. And I'm not willing to lose you.” I'm a little surprised. I wasn’t expecting that. “Raine, I love you too. But you all have a lot going on right now. I don’t think it’s a good time to throw this at them too.” He looks almost hurt. I put my hand on his cheek. “I am not letting you go Raine. I just don’t want to upset our parents right now. I'm in this with you one hundred percent. We just have to tell them at the right time.” He covers my hand with his. “When will be the right time Jade? When they decide to get married? After we have all moved in together?” I look down at my lap unable to answer that question. He’s right, there won’t ever be a good time. “I just don’t know.” I tell him.

We decide to go out in the Kitchen with Dad. Then I don’t have to think about it for a little while. Hope and Zack are back inside. They are discussing the message board that Ezekiel set up. We hadn’t really told him yet about the most imminent threat. We explained that Hope has an order of protection against him. But Zack isn’t convinced that is enough. Neither am I. He suggests we try to throw him off our trail. He said he can have one of his lawyers or his manger post some misleading information that sounds legit. I like the idea. I just don’t know if it will work. Hope tells him, “the police are monitoring the board as well. They plan to track him if he logs in. but since they think he’s on the move, they don’t know if they can narrow down his location before he moves on. They don’t know if he has any idea the compound was raided either. He could have people watching the place while he’s gone. If he finds out they have all been saved, he will surely have revenge on his mind.”

Zack looks at Raine with fear. He doesn’t want to lose him as much as I don’t. Zack suggests that we all come and stay at his place in L.A. Dad doesn’t seem thrilled with the idea. But he says it is a possibility if he feels she isn’t safe here. Zack has to leave tonight. “I don’t want to leave you guys. I just got you back. Maybe you can come down and just spend a few days with me. I want you to see my studio Raine. You could record a couple of your songs. You don’t have to do anything with them yet. Until you’re safe, which you will be, soon.”

We have dinner, and then before we know it Zack is packing up his things. “I want you to call me Son, any time. You have my cell and my home number. I expect to hear from you at least once a day so you can keep me posted. I'm going to talk to a couple of friends of mine and my lawyer to see if they have any ideas about this whole situation.” Hope looks at him with apprehension. “Don’t worry, I trust them. Jonah, you are a good man, I'm glad that Hope has you. Please take care of them.” He shakes Dad’s hand. “Jade, you are a beautiful person inside and out. I hope the best for you.” He says with a hug for me. And then he’s gone.

We all stand in the living room just staring at each other as if we will suddenly know how to fix this situation with Ezekiel. “He was amazing.” I say sadly. I think we are already missing him. He has a presence about him that just makes you feel content. Like nothing can go wrong while he is around. “I didn’t have enough time with him,” declares Raine. Hope grabs his hand. “I know baby. Don’t worry, you will have the rest of your lives together. Ezekiel can’t haunt us forever. There will be an end to this.” I really hope she’s right. They deserve a real life after the horrible one they have already led.

Dad tells us that he needs to go to work tomorrow, and he wants us all to stay at the house together. He doesn’t want to take any chances. He says he will call Detective Bennett in the morning and see if he has any updates. Dad and Hope decide to spend some time alone by the fire pit in the back yard. Raine and I go in the office. He checks the computer again for any new information. We don’t see anything important.

“Jade, I need to tell them baby. Please understand. I have spent my whole life being scared. Hiding my feelings. Hiding from Ezekiel. Now I finally know how it feels to let someone in. I feel free. But I have this thing hanging over my head. I have never lied to my Mom. And I know you never lie to your Dad. I just want to tell them how we feel about each other. I want to tell the whole world. But I can’t do that until I know Mom and I are safe. The least I can do is tell our parents. They will understand. You don’t choose who you fall in love with.”

“I have been thinking about it today Raine. I want to tell them. I really do. I'm just scared. What if my Dad flips out? You know how protective of me he is.” Raine sits on the couch and places me on his lap. He kisses me gently on the lips. I reciprocate willingly. He holds me close as he kisses me. I can feel his heart beating. I want to always feel him this close to me. Why am I fighting him on this again? I run my hands through his hair and pull him in closer. I can feel him smile as I do this. He puts his hands in my hair and pulls me away from him slightly. “Jade, we have to stop.” He tells me, slightly out of breath as he presses his forehead to mine. He’s right as usual. He wraps some of my hair around his finger and plays with it. Then he leans in and smells it. That always me giggle. “It makes me crazy to have you right here in the same house. I smell your strawberry shampoo in the shower and hear you humming while you cook. And I can’t do anything but stare at your beautiful face. I can’t hold you when I see you are stressed. I can’t kiss you when you look like you’re about to cry.”

“Do you think any of that would change if we told them?” I ask skeptically. “I don’t think Dad wants to see me kiss anyone.” His brows furrow together. “If you had a boyfriend and he came over to your house, you would be holding his hand. You would hug him and snuggle up with him on the couch to watch a movie. You would even go out with him on a real date. Am I right?” He’s got me on that one. “Okay, so you are right about that. But Dad is not just going to suddenly decide that since we are dating, we can hang out in this room together alone. Or that we can spend hours in my art studio alone. Or that you can sleep in this house. He is going to insist that you stay 10 feet away from me, at all times, I imagine. Or worse yet, he will decide it’s not appropriate at all and that we can’t date!” I tell him exasperated.

“Okay Jade, you have a point. I won’t push it. When you are ready, we can tell them. But I'm pretty confident my Mom is not going to mind. I think she already believes we like each other.” Then he kisses me again. I can’t think straight when he does that. I just lose my entire mind. He’s got this weird superpower over me. Maybe he really is Superman. No, he’s just Raine, the most wonderful guy I have ever met. This time, I stop the kiss with a gentle hand on his chest. “They will be coming back inside soon. It’s probably best they don’t see us making out in your room.” I say laughing. “Right again.” He says with a little innocent kiss to my nose. I stand up reluctantly and go to my room for some much-needed sleep.