Chapter Nine: The Next Best Thing
Seajae sat on the front porch of the big old house she was born in. She lit a cigarette and looked over the expasion of land in front of her. Elliot was safe and sound. They had found him in the warehouse on 86th street just like her mother had showed her. Having the power she had was strang and magical on days like today. The visions that came sometimes haunted her. She was learning to live with it every day. The screen door opened and Bailey stepped out onto the porch.
"It's getting late. Dad's putting the kids to bed." Seajae turned to look at the boy who was so much like his father.
"That sounds so right."
"What?"
"You calling Bosco 'dad'." The boy smiled shyly.
"I never had anyone to call that before."
"Not even Anthony?"
"It never felt right." He sat down next to her. "I'm sorry for what they're doing to you and Bosco."
"Who?"
"My mom and Anthony. Even dead they're causing trouble."
"It's not your fault Bailey. Don't ever think that."
"I just wish when they died so did their problems."
"They will. Give it time. As soon as we get this all figured out we can get back to our lives."
"You don't think they will find us here?"
"They may find us but they can't get us. Jackson has the place wired so tight a deer couldn't get within a mile of this place." She pointed to the stand of trees that sourrounded the house and out buildings. "And in those trees I suspect are men that know more about protecting people then even me or your father.
"Jack works for the government?"
"I guess so. I never really asked what he did. All I know is he's been watching my back even when I don't know it."
"That's nice to have someone around like that."
"Well you have lots of someones who be around for you like that. Your father and I have lots of friends who have our back if you haven't noticed." She looked at the setting sun. "They'll be there for you too."
"I'm a stranger."
"Your family. Our family." She looked at the boy and wondered how Bosco had suffered at his age with his father's constant beatings. Seajae couldn't imagian what her husband had been though. The screen door opened and closed again and she Bosco came to sit next to her and Bailey.
"What going on out here."
"Just talking. How'd the kids go down?"
"Like rocks. I think all that shopping a horse back riding did them in." Bosco looked at his son and his wife. "You guys okay?"
"Yeah. Just wishing the family reniounion was on better terms." Seajae took Bosco's hand. "I was telling him about the rest of the family."
"You could be here all night." He smiled. "They're going to love you Bailey." Bosco sat behind his wife and cradled her between his legs. It had been along time since they had been together like this. Just the family. Plus they had a new addition. Too bad every damn orginized crime family on two coasts wanted them dead. He felt safe here. Safer then he felt in a long time. Baily looked at his new found father and step mother. He felt closer to them in the last few days then he had to Jordan and Anthony his whole life.
"I'm going to say goodnight." Baily stood up. "I want to thank you again for taking me in like this."
"Taking you in was the easiest thing in the world." The boy smiled and headed into the house. Bosco hugged Seajae close. "You okay sweety?" He wispered. Shaking her head she closed her eyes and let the warmth of her husbands arms around her seep into her bones.
"I wish I could wake up tomorrow and this would all be a dream. Except for Baily." Bosco smiled and stroked his wife's hair.
"Yeah but unfountunately this is our life." He looked out over the Texas land Seajae was born on. "Why did it take so long for us to come here?"
"Our lives have been pretty busy these last ten years I guess." Seajae opened her eyes and looked over the country side with her husband. "I was afraid of the ghosts."
"She's not so scarry now is she?" Seajae smiled.
"I forgot how much I missed her." Bosco hugged her tighter.
"I betcha her and my ma are making plans. Telling stories. We could be in a lot of trouble you know that."
"Who would of though. Maurice Boscorelli believing in ghost and all that goes along with it."
"You tell anyone outside this family and I will have to silece you." Seajae turned and looked at her husband.
"And you plan on doing this how?" He pulled her up and kissed her. She moved in his arms and deepened the kiss.
"Do you two ever give it a rest?" Jack came out on the porch with a cup of coffee. Bosco kissed his wife one more time soundly and looked over at her uncle.
"Jelouse old man?" Bosco smiled. Jack smiled back.
"Kinda." Seajae turned and sat back on the step. "I wish it could always be like this. Everyone safe and sound and together."
"It does have a nice ring to it doesn't it." But they knew that soon the phone would ring or an alam would sound and the real world would slide back in and take over. Until then the family would relish the time they had here together.