Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,95
Your uncles are not you. You are the woman pulling out all the stops to save every Alpha-Bit still out there. You’re the woman showing love to all the Alpha-Bits because you know what no love feels like. Not one fucking Brother here sees any more than that in you.”
She nods and loosens her hold on me. “I’m glad I didn’t like chemistry.”
I laugh then kiss her. I have to tell Alder what she said. Fucking Lexi.
~*~*~
We have a fleet of choppers and bikes going back. The bikes will leave once the house is secure and the choppers set off. The amount of Brothers here is crazy, there has got to be more of them than Alpha-Bit Brothers. Alexia has a list and checks every Alpha-Bit from Cage’s list. I don’t tell her the As and Leads get a list from Alder of who is on what chopper. She needs to help so I help her with names as she checks the choppers.
When she’s done, I pull her to our chopper. Justice is flying us back. Alder is on with us, Garren, Michael and Carmen. I figure he’s riding back with Justice. They’re close now that they’re partnered on Ops. I like the partnership and am glad Alder has another Brother that’s different close. He says I’m weird. I can’t deny it. I smile watching him talk to Alexia. He’s a little weird too. I’m in good company.
We set down and I take Alexia’s hand. The Alpha-Bits are all waiting by the road for us. We’re the last chopper in, I thought we were, a chopper flies over slowly. I guess more are coming here. Alder stands and Justice powers the chopper down. “You’re staying?”
He smiles at me. “Surprise to you. Alpha-Bits excited. I say our Web now. My Web not accurate.”
I bend and hug him. “I’m always yours and you’re always mine. You’ll never be too old to be mine, Brother.”
He nods. “Always. My Web no show purpose of you to Alpha-Bits. Our Web teach all, Brotherhood, family, honor. I share no problem.” He waves his hand.
I laugh. “I’ll take it.”
Lexi smiles and hugs my cute little Brother. “I’m excited too, Alder. Web teaches me but I don’t think he knows how much. Let’s show him.”
We walk the compound road toward home. I’m glad we have only backpacks. The little Brothers are quiet. I point out the newly painted houses. They look familiar but no one says anything. It’s a strange walk until I see our house. It isn’t the white igloo we left. Télia’s painting catches my eye. It’s a picture I saw. Their house sort of matches. Seeing Boston, the Golden Gate Bridge and New York, I laugh. “You had it painted the places I loved. I love it.”
Lexi smiles. “We left Salt Lake City out.”
It was a disaster trip so I’m not sorry. I nod taking it all in, the pictures look real. I go closer, then around the whole house. “It’s amazing. Thank you. Télia painted it?” It’s so detailed, like real pictures on the walls.
Garren nods. “Télia made pictures of your favorites. She did Hamp’s for their house. The same but...”
“Different. Like us. I love it.” With a hug to him I'm back to staring at each bus tour picture. In the front I stop. I want to go around again and spend the time on each picture but my little Brothers are here.
“Alpha-Bits buy bus tour. One ticket every month. You teach us share to world. You share to Boss Alexia you favorite place. Pres Cort have dates, Security schedule to you.” Alder hands me an envelope. I open it and see the tickets. They booked bus tours for me to take Lexi. I bend and hug him not seeing a fucking thing. The Alpha-Bits do the cool chant making me laugh.
Wiping my face, I hug Alexia then face the incredible little Brothers. “It’s very cool, Brothers, thank you. I’m so fucking honored and proud you’re all mine.”
They cheer with Michael and Garren making me smile. My family is so fucking special.
~*~*~
Alexia
Bear’s face and eyes smile when we walk in. I don’t remember him waiting for us before. Today there are two tables set up. It’s a lot of seats. Maybe he missed us. “Alder gave me a heads-up. We’re ready, Brothers.”
I like that he calls me Brother too. It feels good to be included. Web nods and pulls my seat out then helps the little ones into highchairs. They’re all here today.