Jade woke up to Alex hugging her back. She wondered how they'd gotten in that position as she recalled she was sprawled across his chest when she fell asleep. Sighing, she decided it didn't matter; having his big body touching hers was good in any position.
Her mood sobered as she suddenly remembered the events of the previous evening. She especially felt sad for her parents. It had been almost five years since she lived at home and as a consequence she wasn't privy to most of her parents' struggles with Russell. None of them could have imagined that he would be involved in anything criminal. Jade just hoped that Mike could at least keep him out of prison. She didn't want to think of the pain and suffering that would cause.
While she was pondering her family's problem, she was unaware that she was stroking Alex's arm where it draped cross her hip, but he was awake and fully aware. He lay still inhaling the clean fresh scent of her hair. The sweet fragrance mingled with the musky aroma of their passionate lovemaking threatening to renew his arousal, but there was something else on his mind as well.
Alex had made an important decision, one that he was keeping to himself for the time being, but after the business with Russell was over, Jade would be the first person to know. From the beginning he'd wanted her to be his wife, however, she and Briana needed time to feel safe and secure in his love. Now there wasn't a single reason to wait any longer.
Jade wasn't aware that Alex was awake until he whispered; "Keep stroking me like that and I'll have to stroke you back."
She chucked and vowed, "That would be heavenly."
Rubbing his cheek against the back of her head, Alex groaned and arched his growing erection into her softly rounded buttocks. She felt damn good and he wasn't beyond being proud that only he had access to her hot body with sexy curves in all the right places.
As Alex caressed up and down her hip, Jade turned onto her back, his hand coming to rest on her belly. He stroked her there and was bending down to kiss her when his cell phone went off.
He uttered an expletive, but reluctantly sat up, his back braced against the padded head board.
"McCord," he answered curtly.
"Alex, hey, it's Mike. I just wanted to give you an update of what's happening with Russell Harris's case. I read what was submitted to the court last night and had a long discussion with him this morning. He's hanging in pretty well, but he knows he messed up royally."
Running his hand through his hair, Alex asked, "What did he say?"
"According to Russell, they broke into the house via a back window and were going through the place looking for valuables when the homeowner arrived earlier than they expected. The guy opened the door and flipped the light switch, that's when he was hit with the butt of a gun by Earle Donaldson, knocking him unconscious."
"Shit!" Alex swore.
"Alex?" Jade said, urgently.
"Just a minute, baby," he whispered in an aside to her, stroking her thigh to sooth her growing anxiety.
"Go on, Mike."
"Well, once the guy fell to the floor, they really panicked, snatched up the items they'd found and got the hell out of there. Unfortunately, a neighbor heard the breaking glass when they were gaining access and called the cops. As they were leaving the scene, two cop cars were rolling up. They saw the cops and fled in separate directions."
After pausing a moment, he proceeded.
"For a while they tried to hang on to the loot, but it was in king size pillow cases, which was slowing them down. As it turned out, it hadn't taken them long to fill the bags because they knew where most of the things were. The Donaldson boys had been in the house several times before; they were friends with the homeowner's kid. They were captured not far from the scene."
"What now?" Alex asked, not as hopeful as he had been, but he'd never let Jade see that.
"Obviously, the gun is going to factor into whatever happens," Mike said. "But as I said last night, there is a detention hearing this morning. Hopefully, Russell will be released to go home until the arraignment. The official police report won't be ready for a couple of days, but the Judge will have the investigating officer's report."
"After the arraignment there's the pre-trial," he continued, "the trial and adjudication phase, if it gets that far. There's a lot to do between now and then though. I'm hoping to get this resolved during the pre-trial stage."
After clearing his throat, Mike said, "That's all there is at this point. I'll give you a call after the hearing."
"Thanks Mike," Alex said. "Have you informed his parents?"
"Yes. I called them a few minutes ago. They're pretty upset.
I gave them as much assurance as I can without giving them false hope. The truth is that I just don't know what will happen at this point."
"Ok, Mike, I understand. Thanks for calling."
Hanging up, Alex turned to Jade, who was nibbling her bottom lip in agitation.
He got out of bed without saying a word and scooped her up in his arms, strolling into the en suit bathroom.
"Alex?" she questioned.
"We're going to have a shower first, get dressed and I'll tell you all about Mike's call."
"But...," Jade started.
"No buts, baby. Just know that Russell is ok."
"All right," she said as he set her on her feet in the bathroom.
She was still worried, but she trusted Alex and knew that he only had their best interest at heart.
Alex turned on the water and set the temperature to his liking before tugging her into the large shower enclosure. Jade sighed as the pelting of the water from the jets started to relax her body.
She and Alex spent a long time in the shower, caressing and kissing, while attempting to wash each other. Finally, she couldn't stand any more and dropped to her knees where she took as much of his cock into her mouth as she could and brought him to a staggering climax.
After regaining his breath and equilibrium, Alex returned the favor giving her sweet moist feminine folds a tongue lashing until she exploded into orgasm, screaming his name over and over as she gripped his slick hair.
They continued their morning ablutions, got dressed and changed the bed linens together. Once that was done, Jade went to check on Briana while Alex made coffee.
Briana was still asleep, so she joined Alex in the kitchen.
Jade sat at the large banquette while he prepared breakfast and related what he'd learned from Mike. She'd known that the situation was serious, but she was trying not to think further than today. If she dwelled on what could be, she wouldn't be able to control her emotions and would be of little help to her parents who desperately needed her strength.
She and Alex decided that they would go over to her parents' home later. There wasn't anything either could do, but at least they could provide some distraction. How they would fare after that would very much depend on the outcome of the hearing.
Just before Alex was through with breakfast preparations, Jade checked on her daughter again. She was still asleep. She was in a strange place, but she gave all the signs of being comfortable with the situation. She hadn't awakened during the night and was over-sleeping her usual rise and shine time. However, it was time for her to wake up or it would be difficult to get her to sleep later.
Jade shook Brian gently, while softly calling her name. Slowly she opened her eyes. As her focus adjusted, she smiled and mumbled as she stretched, "Hi, Mommy. Is it time to get up?"
"Yes, it is, baby. You over slept. Come on, let's get you washed up and dressed. Alex is making breakfast."
Jade got her toothbrush from the overnight bag and led her into the en suite bathroom. While Briana washed her face and brushed her teeth, Jade made the bed and laid out a yellow summer dress and white sandals. Afterward, she brushed Briana's hair and pulled it back into a single ponytail.
"Hi, princess," Alex greeted when they entered the kitchen.
Running to him, Briana threw her arms around his waist. Looking up, she smiled and said, "Morning, Alex. What did you fix me for breakfast?"
Picking her up, he kissed her on the cheek and said, "I have cereal, if you want, but I cooked waffles with strawberry syrup. The syrup has real strawberry slices in it."
"Yum, yum. I want waffles. Can I have hot chocolate too?"
"Yep. I think I can manage that," he said, setting her back on her feet. "Sit next to your Mom and I'll get breakfast finished."
After breakfast, Jade called her parents to let them know that they would be coming over later. They were holding up as well as could be expected. Even so, they said that they would appreciate the company.
When Jade finished the call, she sat down with Alex and Briana to enjoy the meal with Briana's constant chatter a comforting normality in what could be a long day.
*
They arrived at the Harris's just after ten thirty and there was a round of hugs for everyone. Gathering in the living room they talked of mundane things. They didn't go into details about Russell's case, mindful of Briana's presence. She was sprawled on the floor watching television happy to the let the adults talk without interruption.
A couple of hours later Russell, very much subdued, walked through the door with Mike. There were more hugs with kisses and handshaking before everyone settled down.
Russell was the first to speak.
"Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry for all the trouble I caused. I didn't know what those guys were up to at first and when I found out, I just went along because we were friends. I want you to know it's no one's fault but my own. I made the decisions that put me in detention. I'm sorry."
There were more kisses from his mother and crying. Finally, she composed herself.
"I'm sorry too, Son," she said, "but I hope you've learned something. I take that back, I know you've learned from this experience because you're taking responsibility. Your father and I are here to support you, to listen to you, to guide you if you let us."
