Dragged To Hell

I got to the airport early, checked in and and got through TSA. Absent-mindedly, I moseyed over to the off-duty store when I saw a glimpse of someone that I wanted to see so badly that it hurt.

I hurried along with the only bags I had, a small duffel and my structured shoulder purse. I walked closely behind the person of interest, hoping to just talk with him. I needed to talk to him to tell him that I was ready.

My face showed signs of distress, and the tears made it more dramatic. Dressed in a boyfriend style blazer, dark skinny jeans cuffed at the ankle, a fitted white tee, and a pair of Tieks, I could have been shooting a movie.

One of the terminals had just released its passengers, and the rush of business professionals darted out along with children on summer vacations dragging their parents to the bathrooms flooded the walkways. I was losing my target, so I pushed until I thought I had him cornered.

I was chasing a skilled killer, one who could off me and hide the body forever. He was also my child's father and the love of my life.

He had walked to one of the many books stores to grab a snack and a coffee as well as a health magazine. I smiled because I never knew him to pick those kinds of things. He was always with fresh fruits and tech magazines, and coffees were a hit or miss.

Placing all of his items on the counter, I smiled as I fished out my wallet to pay for his treats. I missed him, his smell and his smile. The total was given, and I jumped right in, hoping for some sort of olive branch.

"Here, I got it! Let me pay for a friend."

I looked at the cashier, and she laughed at the bewildered look on the man's face. I let my face tilt up and gasped at my bafoonery.

"Payment accepted." I heard the card reading machine announce.

The handsome gentleman smiled at me, His face, eyes, and smile could win over a mutiltude of women, but I wasn't interested. He was not who I was expecting, but he was still so kind. His blue eyes took in my face, and he stepped back from the counter.

"It looks like you need a friend and a hug miss." He held out his arms for me to walk into his embrace. He held me there tightly, just rubbing my back with his hands. When I was done crying on the nice stranger, I took my own step back and thanked him.

"I was looking for a very special friend of mine, and you reminded me of him. I'm sorry for the confusion. Let me pay to get you another hot coffee."

He took my hand in his and shook his head. "That's not necessary. If you're ever in Arizona, call me up. I'd love to have dinner with you." He then pulled up his briefcase, extracting out one of his cards he flashed it before my face.

I took it out of politeness, but I had no intentions of seeing Dr. Dylan J Schneider ever again. I wasn't into dating these days. My son was the only man in my life, and his grandparents were expecting me to get back to him soon.

I left the store with my receipt dangling out of my jacket pocket. With the coated paper business card and my credit card in hand, I was dazed out.

The gate I arrived at had a few people scattered about in the bucket seats, ready to board. I had already missed the call for first class and would need to wait for the gate attendant to notice me.

Once I chatted with her, she let's me on and I find my seat and snuggle in for a long flight. I reclined my chair and sent a text to the waiting party in Arizona. Before I could turn my phone off, I dozed, exhaustion hitting me like a punching bag.

I slept the whole flight and was gently shaken by the flight attendant to wake up. It seems I was last to deboard the plane, I groggily got u, took my two bags, and made my way to the parking garage.

The time difference coupled with the arid summer heat gave me solace. I drove slow and steady to the ranch, anticipating holding my little baby in my arms. I missed him so much and was grateful that he was a piece of me and a piece of him.

Regal, my son had his father's face and eyes, his loose full wavy dark hair, and it seemed at times his temperament. Papa Dietrich and Madre Vassi were too kind to take on the responsibility of caring for the little one me, and their son had left as we were handling different tasks. The doting grands didn't mind a bit.

I walked in with them sitting at the formal dining room inside the ranch's expansive open concept frame. The gooing and gaaing had me tripping over my own feet.

"Oh hey darling! We'd hope you take a few more days for yourself." Madre spoke like a true mother concerned for her child.

I kissed her forehead and moved to kiss Papa on his cheek.

His thick and heavy accent voice boomed. "Is it done?"

"Yes, Papa. It's do. It's all over on that side," I spilled, waiting for his response all the while I was looking down at my lap.

"I think he'd like to know from your mouth. Maybe this will keep him from trying to kill himself."

Madre was placing my son in my arms, and the baby boy smiled big, looking like his Papa and his father. Regal had his grandmother's and his father's hazel green eyes. She then started in on me, too, not caring that the advice she was giving could steer me farther away.

"You can't be afraid of his threats dear, he was mad and said what he knew would push you away. That man loves you and your baby.

"You both are right. Thank you so much for your love and support, and I know it must be tough to see your only son hurt like this because of me."

I took a moment before leaving the table, "Is he home?"

"I am." I whirled around to see the man I had been craving stand behind me looking at the little boy in my arms. He walked over to me with slow measured steps. His gait wasn't steady.

"Are you drunk?" I asked unapologetically. "Reece! You promised you wouldn't be drunk around the baby."

"Yeah? Well, you promised me a lot of those things, and yet here we are over a year later, and all I have is the pain of your betrayal."

"How else am I supposed to deal with the heartbreak, Vee? You chose wrong, but I'm suffering."

He beat his hand to his chest so hard that it startled our son, who had just started to doze.

"Please, let's talk about this in private." My plea escaped as I looked to his parents for help again.

I was hoping they'd take the baby just in case Reece really lost it. Both Papa and Madre departed the room, leaving us to the challenging silence.

He spoke up, disturbing the peace.

"There's nothing outside the care of my son to talk about, and because he's here, I can't really tell you how I feel."

Reece reached up and grabbed the sleeping infant from my arms and stormed out. Great, now I'm also incapable of preventing my drunken baby's father from taking the child.

I followed behind him quickly, and as he went into the guest wing of the ranch home, I knew where he was going. He was entering the nursery. Reece sat with the child in the rocking chair and began tracing the soft hairs on his head, murming to himself and to baby Regal.

"Your mother broke my heart. It's not supposed to be like this." Reece bagan weeping, and he rocked the child in the chair.

I was ashamed of the condition of this strong but broken man, so I left out of the room.

A few days later, I sat on the porch of the house that was a temporary stopping place for me. Swinging myself on the suspended rope and board contraption, I had so much to consider.

In another day, I was headed off to Air Force basic training in San Antonio, Texas.

Having a baby out of wedlock and in the midst of chaos wasn't part of the plan. I was supposed to be in college, or I should have at been at least celebrating my first year as an airman in the military, but none of that materialized.

Part of the trouble started almost two years ago when I met Roman shortly after my first boyfriend, Jonas, cheated on me. They, along with a few other guys, were either loose associates or friends with Reece. I was still in high school on my way to graduating when I came into contact with them all.

My best friend Brody and I had gone to hang out at one of the local spots where the men showed off their cars and big bass systems, and the women showed off their assets. The site's sights were like the set of a bootylicious music video. Ratchet.

After Jonas started to beg me back, I went off to the side to talk to him. He wanted to explain his cheating ways and reason with me concerning our now defunct relationship. I didn't want drama. I had enough waiting at home. And that's when Roman approached us.

"Say man? This your girl?"

The dude spoke up. He had a twang in his speech. It was definitely mid-west. I looked to Jonas for his response. He just shrugged.

"So I thought you told me you didn't want her no more. She looks like the type you take home to momma...what's wrong with you? That chick you was with last night ain't nowhere close to this lady right here." I chuckled. He sounded like Nelly a little bit when he said the last word.

"Say, miss lady. What's your name and where are you from?" he asks while licking his lips, pulling me away from my ex.

"Valiant is my name, and I'm from here. Born and raised." I bounce my eyes between his eyes and his dangling chain.

"Say, I know Jonas, and he can't treat you like I can treat you. Let me get your number, and we can talk. You fine as hell, and I don't know why he cheated, but I'm trying to be your next and forever man." I laughed so hard at the ridiculously overused pick-up line that I was surprised he had any confidence left.

Before I could reply, he had leaned in and kissed my neck in a way I've never experienced. There were so many sparks between us, I thought we'd catch fire.

"I promise if you let me in, I'd eat you like a buffet and fuck you so senseless that you'd sell your soul to the devil to be with me." Roman growled.

He's certainly not a saint.

"I'll give you some time to get to know me and me you. What do you say Miss Valiant?"

Wait a damn minute! What? I felt like I was about to be dragged to hell by this man.