*Mon Seulement Amour (My Only Love)* - [Chapter 9]

I promise you that Eric has no idea as to who you are or where you live,” Camille stated as she stood before Jackie and Harold while Brian loaded their packed suitcases into the back of the black Navigator. “I never really talked to him about my life before him.”

“Well even if he does figure out who we are we can handle him,” Harold assured.

“I could kill him for what he’s done to you,” Jackie added as she reached out and gathered Camille’s hands within her own. “I wish you could have stayed longer, it’s been so long since we’ve seen you…”

“I wish I could stay too,” Camille cut in before glancing down into the Gerry carrier she wore that held Braden. “Maybe we can come back someday. Until then I’ll send pictures and videotape…it’s not goodbye.”

“It better not be,” Harold agreed. “You’re taking our son with you.”

“More like he’s taking me with him,” Camille corrected. “I never would have had the strength to do this without him.”

“It takes an enormous amount of strength to do this period,” Jackie stated as Brian came up in front of Camille and eased a restless Braden out of the Gerry carrier.

“Come on buddy,” he muttered as he rested his left hand against Braden’s head as it rested against his chest. “We’ll call when we stop for the night,” he promised as he looked to his parents. Camille rested her left hand on Braden’s back and rubbed in soft circles as Brian eased himself from foot to foot, hoping that the two motions put together would lull Braden to sleep before the three embarked on the long drive they had ahead of them.

“It’s only about seven hundred miles,” Camille added. “About eleven hours straight through but we’re stopping in Pennsylvania so it’ll be split into about six hours tonight and tomorrow.”

“If you get tired don’t hesitate to stop,” Harold stated.

“I won’t get tired,” Brian assured before turning to look at Camille. “It’s getting chilly out here I’m going to go put him in the car.”

“I’ll just be a couple more minutes,” Camille responded as she set a kiss on Brian’s t-shirt clad left shoulder. Brian nodded in understanding before turning his back to his parents and opening the door that led to the backseat of the Navigator.

“We’ll call,” Camille promised once more as she allowed Harold to gather her in his arms. “Don’t worry I won’t let him drive if he’s tired,” she whispered before pulling back and turning to Jackie.

“You two take care of yourselves,” she insisted. “And that baby.”

“We will,” Camille agreed before wrapping her arms around Jackie. “I love you Jackie,” she admitted.

“I love you too sweetheart,” Jackie responded quietly before holding Camille out at arms length. “You’re a good Mother, you remember that.”

“I will,” Camille agreed allowing her hands to fall to her jean clad thighs before she waved and turned her back to Brian’s parents. She set her left hand on Brian’s back before resting her chin on his right shoulder. “Go say bye, I’ll get him settled in,” she whispered as she pulled herself up into the backseat of the SUV and took over the task of getting Braden situated in his car seat. Brian turned back to his parents as he eased his hands into his pockets.

“Everything will be fine,” he assured. “Don’t worry about us, I can take care of them both.”

“Don’t forget to take care of yourself,” Harold told his youngest son.

“She’ll take care of me,” Brian laughed as he nodded his head toward Camille who was running her right pointer finger down Braden’s left cheek.

“Oh we know,” Jackie agreed before enveloping Brian in her arms. “I’m proud of you baby,” she whispered.

“Thanks Mama,” Brian responded as he set his hands on her back. “I love you.”

“I know,” Jackie muttered as she released Brian from the hold she had on him.

“We’ll probably come back once everything with Eric blows over, I just want to make sure they are completely safe before we come back here,” Brian stated.

“We understand,” Harold nodded. “You better get going if you want to get to Pennsylvania before midnight.”

“We’ll call,” Brian stated as he gave his Father a hug. “You two ready?” he called to Camille who jumped from the Navigator and closed the back door to the SUV.

“Braden’s asleep,” she responded. “And I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Okay,” Brian breathed as he turned away from his parent’s and rounded the SUV. As Camille pulled herself up into the passenger seat Harold set his left hand on the passenger door.

“Be careful,” he insisted as he looked over at Brian who had slipped into the drivers seat. “Let people pass you, pull over if you have to.”

“I will Dad,” Brian agreed.

“Turn off your brights when you see oncoming cars,” Harold continued. “It gets colder the closer you get to New York so keep Braden wrapped in that blanket.”

“Pull over when he needs to be fed and get in the back with him while Brian keeps driving,” Jackie added.

“I will,” Camille agreed before turning to look at Brian. “Let’s get going.” Brian turned the key in the ignition and as the engine turned over he turned to look at his parents.

“You have nothing to worry about,” he guaranteed.

“Yeah, we’ll take care of each other,” Camille added. “And we’ll both take care of Braden.” Harold nodded before closing the passenger door and stepping away from the car.

“They’ll be okay,” Jackie whispered as her husband wrapped his arm around her. The statement fell from her lips wearily; it sounded more like a question than the assurance she’d meant it to be.

“They sure will,” Harold sighed as the car pulled out of the driveway. Jackie waved and smiled when she saw Camille roll down her window and her right hand wave back. “It’s freezing out here,” Harold stated as if the realization had just dawned upon him.

“It is,” Jackie agreed.

“Let’s get inside,” Harold suggested as he led Jackie up the driveway and into the house by way of the garage.