Ties That Bind
13. Second ChancesBeth and Zac emerged from the bedroom, holding hands. Zac smiling widely.
“Sit here baby. I’m going to order dinner.” Zac affirmed as he guided Beth onto the couch gently and walked outside to talk on his cell phone.
Nikki gave Beth a death stare as she sat on the couch.
“What happened to your eye?” Nikki asked sarcastically.
“Zac, hit me the other day.” Beth replied sullenly.
“What did you do to piss him off?” Nikki chuckled.
“I told him he couldn’t see his kids anymore.” Beth looked down at the ground.
“Bad move on your part! You should have known better than to cut off ties from a loving Father like Zac to his kids. He’ll do anything to keep them, as you have already seen what he’s capable of.” Nikki gestured as she spoke.
“If he’s such a bad guy, then what are you doing with him?” Beth asked boldly.
“He’s a bad boy, and I love bad boys. The more bad the better.” Nikki smiled widely as Beth caught her shit eating grin and frowned. Thinking to herself that this girl was as messed up in the head as Zac was.
“I came like you asked, I talked to him, I did everything he wanted. I just don’t think he’s going to let me and the kids go like he promised.” Beth explained a hint of fear in her voice.
“And what was your first clue Sherlock?” Nikki laughed a sickening laugh.
“You want to be with Zac right?” Beth spoke calmly hoping to play the sympathy card with Nikki.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t matter, he wants you not me.” Nikki retorted.
“Help me escape with my kids and you can have him all to yourself.” Beth coaxed.
“And risk losing him forever, because he went ape shit over you and did something stupid? I’ll pass. This will play out however it plays out. You and the kiddies are just along for the ride, so enjoy it and do what ever my man tells you to do. I want to keep him happy and it would be in your best interest to do the same.” Nikki advised.
Just then Zac came back into the cabin and all talking ceased. He walked over and took a seat on the couch next to Beth, putting his arm around her, pulling her close to him and placing a sweet kiss on her forehead. Nikki turned away in disgust.
*
After dinner, Zac suggested a hike in the woods with the kids. When they got back an hour later. Zac played with the kids in front of the cabin while Beth and Nikki sat on the front porch watching. Soon darkness began to fall as Zac ushered everyone inside for the night, to settle down and watch some TV before bed.
By 9 pm, Beth looked over at Zac, who in turned looked back at her with the same blank expression she was giving to him.
“What?” he asked rather harshly.
“It’s the kids bedtime.” Beth looked down at the floor.
“Alright, then let’s put our kids to bed.” Zac affirmed standing up, as he pulled Beth up with him.
“Jake, Jen. It’s time for bed now.” Beth spoke softly.
The twins immediately stood up, looking up to their parents expectantly.
“Come on guys, you get to sleep in the room with - bunk beds!” Zac said excitedly as he crouched down in front of the kids slightly.
Jenifer and Jacob, looked to each other with shocked expressions before looking back to their Daddy with matching wide Cheshire cat smiles.
“You two aren’t happy are you?” Zac raised his eyebrow at the twins.
They shook their heads yes, vigorously.
“Well, let’s go look at those bunk beds before you two shake your heads clean off your shoulders.” Zac chuckled
Zac led Beth and the kids down the hall, past the bedroom he was in with Beth earlier to a door at the end of the hallway, opening it, then turning on the lights to reveal bunk bed’s that looked like they were made out of logs, like the cabin was.
Jacob and Jenifer stared wide-eyed at the sight before them. Never seeing anything like it in their lives.
“Well, what are you two waiting for - stake your claim and pick a bunk!” Zac shouted happily as the twins scrambled towards the beds. Jacob climbed the ladder to the top bunk while Jenifer climbed on the bottom bunk.
“Ok, rug rats! Time for bed!” Zac smiled as he clapped his hands. The twins immediately climbing under the covers in their respective bunk.
“Goodnight Mommy.” Jacob said
“Goodnight Daddy. Jenifer whispered smiling at Zac.
“Goodnight Princess.” Zac smiled back, before putting his arm around Beth and guiding them out of the door as he flicked off the light and closed the door.
Zac pulled Beth into his bedroom, closing and locking the door. As he began kissing her neck, Beth pulled away.
“Zac, we have to talk.”
Zac groaned. “About what?” he sighed.
“The twins and I don’t have any clothes. Is there anyway we can get a few different sets of clothes?” Beth asked, casting her eyes to the ground.
“Of course baby. Whatever you want. I’ll have Nikki get them tomorrow. But for now I need my girl.” Zac whispered his last sentence as he began placing kisses onto Beth’s neck as he undressed her, then himself. Laying her on the bed gently, he whispered. “I love you” as he began making love to her.
*
The next morning Beth awoke, slowly opening her eyes to reveal Zac by her side, both still naked and covered by a sheet from their excursions the night before. She tried slipping out of bed as quietly and easily as she could, careful to not wake Zac.
“Where are you going?” Zac spoke before she even had one foot on the floor.
Beth stopped moving and looked to the ground as she answered. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
“You have five minutes and don’t think about leaving. I’d be on you and those kids before you can even make it out the front door.” Zac threatened, his eyes still closed as he remained unmoving in the bed.
Beth sighed, knowing Zac was right. She could never escape from him. She would have to wait until he was ready to release her and the twins or he was caught - whichever came first.
She took the blanket from the bed and wrapped herself in it. She headed for the bathroom and returned a few moments later, climbing back into bed. Zac rolled over and eased himself onto her.
An hour later Beth and Zac emerged from the bedroom, ready for the day.
The twins were already in the living room watching TV.
“Zac, the clothes?” Beth reminded Zac but kept her eyes fixated to the ground, incase he got upset and wanted to hit her for bothering him. He surprisingly responded in a nice tone of voice.
“Write down your and the kids sizes and I’ll send Nikki to get the stuff.” Zac said as he handed Beth a pad and paper off the side table next to the couch.
“Do you need any clothes?” Beth asked Zac.
“No, I have some in the car. Just make sure you write what you and the kids need.” Zac replied, shifting slightly on the couch as he watched Beth writing.
“What about some food? Might be a good idea to get some.” Nikki spoke up, looking at Zac. He shot her an evil glare back, before turning to Beth.
“Put down what you and the kids like to eat.”
When she was finished she handed the pad to Zac, who ripped off the piece of paper and got up and talked lowly to Nikki.
“Get whatever is on this paper and a few sets of clothes for yourself and get right back here. Don’t draw attention to yourself and keep your sunglasses on!” Zac instructed. Nikki nodded as Zac handed her a few hundred dollar bills from his wallet.
*
Nikki returned two hours later with a lot of shopping bags. Zac got up and walked over to her.
“What the hell did you do, buy the whole store?” he retorted sarcastically.
“No, I only got what you told me to!” Nikki replied bitterly.
“Just put the stuff away.” Zac ordered as he took the bags of clothes and brought them over to Beth.
“Thank you.” Beth whispered taking the bags from Zac and began looking through them.
*
Two weeks had passed. The fugitives had been successful in staying unnoticed. They were still hiding out at the cabin. Zac stood on the front porch with a cup of coffee in his hand. A man approached the porch cautiously. Zac eyed the man suspiciously.
“Howdy, My name is Derek. My family and I are your neighbors for another week. I figured I should come over and introduce myself. I saw you on TV, on the news. They say you’re a wanted man.” Derek divulged as Zac frowned.
“Hey Derek, let’s go take a walk. I don’t want my family to hear us talking.” Zac said as he set his coffee cup down and walked off the porch and away from the cabins with Derek.
“So, what’s the TV saying about me, Derek?” Zac stopped walking and looked at the stranger, giving him an evil glare as he folded his arms in front of him.
“They say you’re a convict, just released from jail a few weeks back. Also saying that you and your girlfriend kidnapped your kids and their Mother and you both are holding them hostage.” Derek explained as Zac was quick to cut him off.
“I’m not holding anyone hostage. My kid’s Mother came to me on her own. I only took my kids because she refused to let me see them. Derek, you have kids - do you know what it’s like to have your kids taken away from you and being told you can never see them again? It’s like having your heart ripped from your chest.” Zac spoke, fighting back his tears that welled in his eyes as he spoke of almost losing his kids. It bothered him every time he thought about that almost real possibility.
“No, never had that happen to me but if it did, I’d probably do the same thing you did. Zac, I am not here to judge you for anything. Just here to be your friend, I sense you need a friend at a time like this. Well, that and some help to stay hidden. I am at your disposal.” Derek affirmed.
“Is this a trick? Are you really a cop or something?” Zac began to pat the man down quickly, looking for a hidden gun or surveillance wire recording their conversation.
Derek lifted his arms while Zac searched him, speaking at the same time.
“I am not a cop, I swear. I just feel for your situation. My brother in law was an ex con like yourself who also got a bum deal from his ex wife and he kidnapped his kids and went on the run with them, but the cops caught up with them, there was a shoot out and everyone was killed. My wife was so devastated. She’s the one that recognized you and suggested we help you and your family out. She watches you interact with your kids and you remind her of her brother and his kids so much. She just doesn’t want your outcome to be like his. So, will you accept our help?” Derek smiled, extending his hand out towards Zac.
Zac stood back, still eyeing the man as he pondered the situation and the offer at hand.
Zac finally shook Derek’s hand.
“Thanks for the offer man, we could really use it.”
“Anytime, my friend. Anytime.” Derek said patting Zac on the shoulder as the two newfound friends headed back to the cabins.