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27. Target Practice
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I nod my head, finishing my food, then head towards my bedroom. After my shower, I wrap myself in a towel, then head to my closet. Not sure how to dress for Xavier's surprise. To my amazement, there is an outfit laying on the lounge. It's a cute blue plaid top, with a white under shirt, dark ripped blue jeans, and the cutest beige boots. There's a small box on the side, with a note. I read the note.
'I had found this years ago, and had always intended on giving it to you. Like you, it survived tragedy and hardship. I hoped that one day, I could see you wearing it.'
I carefully open the lid, not sure what to expect. My eyes begin to water when I see it. It's my favourite teddy bear from when I was a child. I can't believe he did this for me. Not only did he risk his life to save me from the fire, but he also found a way to keep me connected to the good parts of my past.
I remember when my mom told me about the meaning of that teddy bear. She told me how aft
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Instinctively, I find my hand reaching up to the necklace Xavier got me earlier. It's as though I can feel her with me. I imagine her at my side, smiling at me."But how is that possible?"I ask, frozen in place."I'm not sure. But I will find out."Xavier comes closer to me, and begins to rub my arm. Quickly relaxing me, and getting my attention back to where it should be- the here and now. I look up at him, and smile. He reaches his one hand upwards, and begins to caress my cheek."I'm curious as to how toned your skills are. I have some ideas that we can run through, if you're up to it?"I find myself smiling back. A new found confidence taking over."You know what? That sounds amazing. For the first time in my life, I don't feel scared, or weak. I feel in control. I'm just as curious as you, to see what I can do."Xavier smiles."Great. Just wait here for a moment, while I
Rising From the Ashes 29. Thank You
He looks up surprised, and smiles at me. Distracted, I look to my left, but not in time. I see Xavier smile, as he takes aim. He fires, but I duck just in time. I run from my spot, and head towards the forest. I take cover behind a tree, as bullets continue to fly in my direction. I run down the ravine, and spin backwards, waiting for Xavier to find me. I watch Xavier come flying through the trees. He notices me, but it's too late. I take aim, and fire at him. Multiple orange spots hitting him at once. He raises his hands in surrender, and I run back from the forest to the range. I stand behind a wooden barricade, listening for any foreign sounds. I can hear the sound of someone scurrying nearby. I silently walk to the side of the barricade, and look to see the source of the sound. I watch as Jax runs towards an old silo, in hopes of getting to higher ground. I quickly release a round of bullets, plastering him in orange paint all over his vest. He mimics being shot, his hands shoot
Rising From the Ashes 30. Getaway
...Later That Week..."Hey, I have an idea."Xavier turns to me, as I continue to graze on the delicious spread that Xavier made for us for breakfast. I glance in his direction, looking up at him quizzically."Hmm.. and what's that?""I want to take you away from here. Away from the city, away from everything that has happened to you. I want you to be able to enjoy yourself."I look at him, the surprise dripping from my mouth from his suggestion."Are you sure? Won't it be an inconvenience to you?"With a brush of his hand, Xavier dismisses my concerns."Not at all, actually starting today, I have a week off, to help you adjust to everything."I look down towards the ground. He says it's not a big deal, but now he is taking time off of work for me."You didn't have to do that." I say to him."You're right I di
Rising From the Ashes 31. Ghosts From the Past
Back at the house, Xavier made us dinner, and it was truly amazing. He could easily be a cook, if he wasn't already so busy with his business. I find my mouth watering whenever Xavier cooks. I know his meals will always be fantastic. Later in the evening, we retreated to the living room. Xavier started a fire in the fireplace, and wrapped me in a blanket. Sitting next to me on the couch, I leaned into him as we spend the night talking. Not once did he pry about my horrible past. Rather instead we talked about things like our hopes, dreams, and ambitions.It was truly relaxing. I had never really taken the time to think about what I had wanted. But soon I found myself drifting off into a dreamland where anything was possible. At one point I begin to feel my eyelids getting heavy. No longer having the strength to fight to keep them open, I let sleep overtake me.I'm transported back to my house. I'm looking out from the backyard. I try to move. I try to urg
Rising From the Ashes 32. Train Me
We head inside awhile later, and head to our rooms to get some much needed rest. As I turn to head to my room, I turn around to look over at Xavier."Major?""Hmm?""Can you stay with me, until I fall asleep?"I ask sheepishly.Xavier simply nods, then heads to my room. He takes his top off, tossing it to the side, as he gets into bed with me. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close to him. I breathe in his familiar smell, and am comforted by his tender embrace. Before I realize it, I've fallen asleep in Xavier's arms.The next morning I wake up comforted by Xavier's embrace. I thought for sure that he would've gone back to his own room, once I had fallen asleep. I didn't anticipate that he would stay the night. Though I'm glad he did.I turn around, so that I'm facing him. I place a quick kiss against his lips, as I snuggle in closer to him. Xavier begins to shift awake.
Rising From the Ashes 33. The Calm Before the Storm
Xavier picks up his momentum, and follows close behind me. We continue running together until we finally reach the cabin after the last lap. My body is so tired, that I immediately collapse to the ground in exhaustion.Without fault, Xavier is at my side, before I can reach the ground. Picking me up in his strong arms. He brings me into the cabin, and takes me upstairs, placing me in the bathtub, slowly removing my clothes. He fills the tub up with warm water to allow my body to relax. Leaving me momentarily to get me a bottle of water.Too tired to move, Xavier carefully tips the bottle, so the water is going in my mouth. He then removes his clothes, and gets in behind me, scrubbing my body with a body sponge. I can feel my body relax from his touch. I begin to sink closer to him, letting sleep overwhelm me. Not too long later, and I've passed out from exhaustion in Xavier's embrace.I wake up a few hours later. I look around, to see that I'm tucked in my
Rising From the Ashes 34. Safe
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Rising From the Ashes 35. What's Mine is Yours
“Baby..” He attempts to stammer out.“That.. that was incredible.”“I’ve never had that much pleasure in my life. How did you know how to do all of that?”He pulls me closer to him, to rest on his chest. I shrug my shoulders as I look him in the eyes.“I didn’t.”“What? But how?” He exclaims in surprise.“You told me how.”I place a finger on his lips to silence him, before he tries to question me. I then go on to explain.“I read your body. Certain movements would trigger you. I discovered a few of your turn ons so far, that’s all. While you may say otherwise, I know you love it, when I tease you."“You’re not wrong there.”He says with a wink.“So you have me all figured out huh?&rdquo
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Rising From the Ashes 163. Out of the Ashes
A few hours later, I am holding our handsome son in my arms. I feel content as I look into his eyes. I smile as I see my green eyes stare back at me. He's an exact copy of Xavier except for the eyes. I couldn't be more proud. I turn to look at Xavier, smiling contentedly as he looks back at both of us. He leans forward and places a kiss on my head."What should we call him?" I ask."Are you sure? Don't you want to name him?" He questions."I've already had my chance. I want you to name him." I say smiling down at our bundle of joy.Xavier looks at the both of us, thinking for a moment."What about... Rainer?" He asks, nervously.I look down at our son."I think it's perfect. Why Rainer?" I ask."Because he's our little Warrior. Rainer means wise army or deciding warrior. Either of which I believe him to be. He beat the odds and triumphed over the darkness." Xavier explains, making me smile.I look down at our
Rising From the Ashes 162. Fired
With Ryker in England, that meant that Xavier no longer had a second in command. A role which needed to be filled as soon as possible, however not just anyone would be eligible for the role. Which is why I talked to Xavier about it."I know who we should make your second in command." I say as I sit on his lap in his office.Ever since I've been released from the hospital, Xavier has all his things from the office transferred to the house. He does everything remotely, as he doesn't want to leave my side. He spends nearly every second of the day with me. At first, I thought it would be overwhelming, or that he would grow tired of me. However, from the amount of time we have missed being together, I couldn't think of any better way to make up for the lost time. Admittedly, he doesn't always get work done, however, I try to help him, to make up for our extracurricular activities.Xavier turns my head, to place a kiss on my forehead."I know as wel
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Rising From the Ashes 159. Retribution
...Lexi POV...I was discharged from the hospital a few days later. Under supervision of Dr Lawson of course. Even though I had been discharged, Xavier didn't allow me to do anything myself. Rather he had become like my personal slave. If I needed to go to the bathroom, he would take me. If I wanted to g outside, he would carry me there. He cooked anything I wanted to eat. Which I can't complain, because he's an amazing chef.Even though I found the attention to be overwhelming at times, I didn't say anything. I still don't remember everything that happened, but I knew from the way he was acting, that he was afraid that he could lose me at any moment. While he had become good at hiding his true feelings, he could never fully hide them from me. Whatever happened, must've scared him shitless. From what I do know about what happened, I can only agree that his reaction is justified. I would be acting similarly, if not the same if our roles were reversed.
Rising From the Ashes 158. Final Battle
Nurses began to run out of the room in a panic. My men followed behind me as we entered Lexi's room. My eyes went wide as I saw one of the Doctors pinned to the ground, as Lexi held onto a needle, threatening to inject the doctor beneath her."What the hell is going on?" I shout.My men seem just as confused as me. It's as thought they have no idea what to do next. They know they can't shoot her, but they also know that if they were to injure her in any way, that they would pay with their lives. So instead, they stand placid, unsure as to how to move forward."We don't know what happened. We believe that she's trying to defend herself, but she doesn't seem to realize that we're just trying to help her." One of the nurses informs me.Instantly, I begin to understand. I've seen her do this once before. She's unconsciously defending herself. Her mind must be blending her nightmares with reality. Defending itself in the only way it knows how. By attacking. As
Rising From the Ashes 157. Restless
...Xavier POV...Shortly after Sienna had left, Ryker was discharged from the hospital. He had grown restless in the time that he had been in the hospital. With Dr Lawson's help, Ryker will be staying at my place for the next couple of months. He'll be monitored the entire time, to ensure nothing bad happens. But it also allows him a sense of freedom and normalcy. Ryker and I are very similar. We both need to feel as though we are accomplishing something. Not doing anything, just makes us more irritable. That alone is one of the many reasons as to why I have an at home clinic. Dr Lawson always said that I'm one of her worst patients. As I always go against her wishes.Matteo and Catherine helped with Ryker's transition to my house. In the meantime Catherine and Matteo are also staying at my house. They might as well, since no one else has been staying there. I've barely left Lexi's side since she came into the hospital. I spend everyday and night with her. Jax br
Rising From the Ashes 156. Anguish
...Sienna POV...It's been close to two months since that horrible night. It was an absolute blood bath. We all thought that Ryker wouldn't stand a chance, considering his condition when we managed to find him. However, it seems as though we all have our parents fighting genes. Cause that's exactly what he is, a fighter. Even the doctors were amazed that he survived.Ryker was placed in a medically induced coma, once they were able to stable him. He had to undergo several blood transfusions. His body took a very bad beating. We still have no idea if he'll ever be the same again. His heart wasn't able to function properly due to the extreme blood loss. The doctors fear that he may have some life altering conditions, if he does manage to wake up.Chloe, or Dr Lawson had managed to stabilize me after I was shot. She was busy tending to Ryker at the time, but once Lexi and I took fire, she had one of Xavier's men look after Ryker, as she came for us. She
Rising From the Ashes 155. Shattered
BEEP.BEEP.BEEP.The constant beeping sound of her heart monitor, is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. The room is silent, other than the noise of the machines in her room that are helping to keep her alive.I lean my head towards her hand, placing my forehead against the back of her hand. I'm a complete mess. I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't make it out of this.Dr Lawson comes in ten minutes later, awakening me from my thoughts."There are some results that I would like to discuss with you." She says. I can sense the apprehension in her voice.I turn to look back at my Little Bear laying unconscious on the bed in front of me. I don't want to leave her, but I can tell that whatever Dr Lawson needs to tell me is important.Before I get a chance to voice my concerns, Elena and Jax walk into the room."We'll stay with her." Elena says, walking over to the other side of Lexi's bed to hold her hand
