Chapter 167: Around Chicago
*Eighth General Order of the Navy – To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder*
Wednesday was spent sightseeing around Chicago and the lake. The wind was cold and blustery. There was a reason why this was the Windy City, and she showed the visitors exactly why.
There were plenty of things to do out of the wind and everyone used the babies as an excuse to stay inside. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel restaurant, the large group took several vans to the Field Museum. Dean had expressed an interest in seeing the art museum, but they were closed on Wednesdays. Instead, Reese bought them tickets for Friday so that JD could join them.
They were all amazed at the size of the dinosaur skeletons and other fossils. Entertained by the 3D movies and other exhibits. They took a break and ate at one of the museums’ cafés and then went to the neighboring aquarium.
As always, even so far away from home, a few of Neo's guards followed at a distance, looking like a group of friends out exploring the city.
While the others ate, Reese went and picked up the tickets and passes for graduation the next day. There was a limit of only four people allowed per graduate. Those that would attend the graduation ceremony would be Helen, Jaxon and Jolene. And of course, Dean.
The rest of the extended family would watch from the hotel as it was streamed. They already had reservations at a local restaurant to celebrate his graduation.
At the end of a full day, the vans took them all back to the hotel. Helen leaned into Reese and spoke softly so that she did not wake the triplets and Gigi did not hear her.
“I’m worried about Dean.”
“So am I, Kitten. I’m going to take her and have some time alone. Maybe, she’ll open up to me.”
“For so long, it was just you two. Even when Mary was here, she always knew you were there. And now, we’re here.”
“Don’t worry about taking me away from her. If you weren’t here, she wouldn’t have JD. And to be honest,” he gave her a light kiss, “I don’t think she would have survived this year without him.”
“I think you’re right.” Helen agreed as the van pulled up to the hotel.
With a promise to return for dinner, Reese took his niece to watch the sunset from the Skydeck. Throughout the day he had watched as she slowly withdrew into herself. By the time they left the aquarium, both Helen and Reese were worried about her.
As they stood on the ledge in silence, watching the fading sun surrounded by protective glass, Reese wrapped his arms around Dean and pulled her against his chest. Slowly, the area around them emptied giving them the privacy that he was looking for.
One of the last to leave was an older couple that eyed them and spoke softly among themselves. Reese paid them little attention as he focused on his niece. Later, he would realize what they saw and why they did what they did.
Resting his chin on her head, he gave a soft command. “Talk to me.”
“I’m scared.”
“About what?”
“What if he doesn’t love me enough?”
“You know he does. Whenever he got to call home, he called you just as much as he called Helen.” He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tightly. “Tell me your real fear.”
The sob was soft and barely audible. The tear that landed on his bare arm was hot with emotion.
“What if he leaves me?”
“Didn’t we just decide that he loves you? He’s not going to leave you.”
“Mom loved me.” She whispered. “She still left me.”
Understanding clicked in his mind.
She wasn’t scared that he didn’t love her. She wasn’t scared that he would willingly leave her. She was scared that he would be taken from her. Just like Mary had been. Just like her father was.
Dean was so young and had already lost so much. Had endured so much. And no matter how strong he believed his seventeen-year-old niece was, he knew she was not strong enough to endure another loss this year. He knew it when she had tried to push JD away just before he left for boot.
Dean turned in her uncles arms and wrapped her arms around his waist. Burying her face in his chest, she gave into the tears that she had been fighting. Stroking her hair, he held her close and offered soft words of comfort.
And then it happened.
He wasn’t like Neo and didn’t have the instinct to always know what was around him. He had a crying princess in his arms, a teenager still grieving the loss of her mother and learning to live with a partner in the military. He was focused on her and not on the security guard and cop that approached them.
“Sir, I need you to step away from the *child* and keep your hands where we can see them.”
The voice drew Reese out of his bubble and looked towards it to see a Chicago police officer with his hand resting on his gun.
Reese held his hands out and tried to step back. “Dean, you need to step back and let me go.”
“NO!” she screamed as she tightened her grip on his waist.
“Denise.” Reese said calmly and his tone along with her real name cut through the haze she was in. “Call Helen. Tell her to bring Cheryl and Neo. Tell Helen I need your folder.”
Sniffling, she let go of him and she pulled her phone out of her pocket.
“Ma’am, who is he having you call? Are you in danger? Is he holding you against your will?” the security officer asked.
“My aunt. And no, you fucking idiot.”
The security guard grabbed the phone out of her hand and when she reached back for it, he slapped her hand away.
“Princess, are you wearing your crown?”
“Always.” She replied angrily and reached up to pull the D out of the tiara on her necklace. Within seconds, her phone was ringing. “You might want to answer that.”
“Who is IGYS?” the guard asked looking at the screen.
“The company that I contract with for private security.” Reese replied as his phone began to ring. “If neither of us answer, they will report an unresponsive distress call to the police.”
His phone fell silent, and Dean’s began ringing again. Both phones were ringing when the police officers radio crackled to life. The dispatcher notified all available officers of a nonresponsive distress call through a contracted private security.
The description of both Reese and Dean were then given and the guard and officer looked at them in shock.
“She’s your niece?” the police officer asked.
“Yes, and I have guardianship over her.” Reese replied calmly.
“Because I’m an orphan you moronic piss ant.” She grabbed her phone back. “Should fucking charge you with assault on a minor.”
“I’m sorry.” The officer said after he reported that he was with the two and they were safe. “We had a couple report that they feared a young woman was being held against her will.”
“I need to speak to your shift sergeant.” Reese said as three IGYS guards swarmed area with weapons drawn. “Childs, please report that we are fine and we’re waiting for the shift sergeant.”
“Where the hell were you?” Dean asked curiously as Childs called Neo and one of the other guards stepped over to reset her necklace and replace the D.
“We were stationed a few floors below. The rest of the team is still at the hotel.” Joshua explained as he tapped on the app on his phone and reset the alarm. “You’re all good now.”
“Thanks, Joshua.” Dean said as she continued to ride on her emotional roller coaster of the day.
“Anytime, kid.” He replied softly.
*Please forgive me for taking so long to get these next few chapters out. I ended up watching several Navy Boot Camp ceremonies to make sure I got it right. If I messed anything up, forgive me. I tried to get it as authentic as possible. Amy*
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