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REINER
Rebecca didn’t speak to me for the next three days outside of what she was obliged to because of the kids: and even in that context, she was lapidary and hasty.
Because of my stupid mouth, our relationship had deteriorated even worse than when we had met in New York: I’d evoked some traumas, offended her, and now she didn’t want me around.
Of course, that only made me more determined to help her. I couldn’t stand to see her so broken, so in pain – it physically hurt me. I’d been unable to sleep ever since our fight, because I could feel her pain even while she was sleeping.
At one point, I’d even decided to go and talk to Ravi, to try to understand what had happened four years ago, but discarded that idea: he wouldn’t tell me anything, out of respect for Becks‘ privacy. And while that was good, it was also tremendously unnerving.
At least, though, the children weren’t catching up on the tension between me and their mother: when all four of us were together, Becky would shove all the hurt and anger inside and put on the mask of the cheerful, fun mom.
I could feel, through our bond, how much it cost her – how doing it became harder each time.
I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door. It was Thursday, so I had to take the kids to
kindergarten.
As soon as I made to open the door, however, I heard a loud knock – and my son’s scent.
“DADDY?” I heard him shout. “DADDY OPEN!”
My stomach clenched as I flung the door open. The kids were not allowed out of the house, neither mine nor Becks‘, not even to visit the other parent – what the hell was Jim doing there? And why did he look so worried?
“Jim!” I exclaimed, picking him up. My concern only grew as I noticed how scared he looked. “What’s going on?”
“M–mommy and Vi are sick,” he said quickly, scared and stumbling over the words. “Can you help them?”
I swallowed, trying to keep my worry at bay.
My mate and daughter …
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8 Points
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of our girls” I reassured him, holding him tight. “Let’s go see what’s happening“.
Just then, the elevator doors opened, revealing a very angry and very, very sick Becks.
James Henderson,” she hissed, holding on to the elevator wall. “You need to stop running away, do you understand?”
“Becks, it’s okay,” I said, hurrying to join her in the elevator and holding her up. I could tell she was really sick when she didn’t resist me. Considering the current state of our relationship, I’d have expected a slap right across the face. “He came to tell me you and Violet are sick. You’ve done the right thing, kid” I smiled at him. As much as he had done something he wasn’t supposed to do, which was running away, he had done it with a noble purpose – to take care of his mom and sister.
I couldn’t help but be proud: he’d behaved exactly like the little Alpha he was. He’d taken care
of his pack in the best way he could.
A big smile appeared on James‘ little face: just like his sister, he loved compliments.
“Holy sh…”
Becky swayed, and I felt her hand tighten around my arm. On instinct, I put Jim down and
picked her up: her skin was burning like hell.
“It’s okay,” I reassured her. “I got you, don’t worry.”
“Don’t… there’s no ..” she tried to protest. “I–I’m fine…”
“Becky, please,” I sighed, taking James by the hand as the elevator opened on their floor. The
door was open – Becks must have run after him – and Moses stood guard at the entrance.
At least he didn’t glare at me when I walked in.
“Daddy!”
“Hey, princess!” I smiled at Violet, trying not to let it show on my face how much hearing her voice so faintly had worried me. She was snuggled on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, and
with a kids‘ bottle of warm tea in her hands: she was pale, just like Becks, and I had no doubt
that if I touched her forehead, I’d find a temperature.
Good. Mom and daughter are down. Dad springs into action.
“Daddy we have to go to school!” Jim tugged at me. “There’s the trip today!”
I gritted my teeth. Right.
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The trip to the library. James and Violet had been looking forward to it – almost more than Christmas.
“Are you at least feeling well?” I asked.
Jim nodded – and after making sure he didn’t have a fever, I glanced at the clock: we still had thirty minutes before kindergarten closed – and of course, Jim was not ready.
“All right,” I said. “Go get dressed. I’ll take care of the rest. Don’t worry, we’ll be there on time.”
As Jim sprinted to his bedroom, I brought Becky to her room (why the hell was the bed still made?) and helped her get under the covers – then went to get Violet from the living room and put her next to her mom.
“You stay here,” I said, looking them both in the eyes: Thankfully, both of them nodded.
I hurried back to the kitchen, shoved a sandwich and an apple into Jim’s lunch box, filled his water bottle, and stuffed everything neatly into his backpack.
Water, snacks, tissues … ok, he’s got all he needs.
“Jim, you ready?”
“Coming!”
Luckily, Jim had managed to dress himself – with all the clothes on the right side. We rushed
out of the house, with him almost dragging me to go to kindergarten.
At least he likes going to school, I thought. That’s not for everyone. Settle for it, Reiner.
–
“All right,” I said, crouching down in front of him as I brought him in. “Be nice – and if you don’t feel good, tell the teacher, okay?”
Jim nodded, “Okay Daddy.”
“Okay – have fun, kid,” I said, and hugged him. “Love you.”
“Love you too!”
I followed him with my eyes as he walked into his classroom, and then I set off to go home to
the girls.
When I went to Becky’s bedroom, however, I found only Violet in the bed, busy trying to change
the channel on the TV.
“Honey, where’s Mom?”
“There,” she said, pointing to the bathroom. “She had a tummy ache …”
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Just then, I heard the sound of a gag.
“Poor mommy… I think she’s sicker than me” Vi commented.
Yeah–she’s not half Alpha, I thought, then mind–linked Becky.
Can I help you?
Her answer came immediately.
Don’t worry, just stay with Violet.
I felt her nausea fade – which allowed me to devote myself exclusively to the kid a little more
peacefully.
“So? What’s up with this princess?” I smiled, tickling her tummy and making her laugh.
I
“I woke up and … and it was still dark … and I was vewy vewy cold and evewything hurt … and
so I went to Mommy and she said I had a fever … and then she gave me the medicine and I
was okay… but now I think I’m cold again…”
“All right,” I nodded, pressing my lips to her forehead. Indeed, her temperature was rising. “Did
you have breakfast yet?”
“Some tea but I wasn’t hungwy …”
“How about a couple of cookies?”
Violet nodded – and after tucking her in, I went to get her cookies, the thermometer and some
fever syrup.
Becky had come out of the bathroom when I returned: she was sitting next to Violet, dabbing something on her face. There was a delicate rose aroma in the air – it was probably some
toner, to refresh her forehead.
“There you go,” I smiled, setting the tray down on the bed. In addition to the cookies, I’d also gotten her a slice of apricot pie, her favorite, to lift her spirits – and next to her plate, there were a couple for Becky and me as well.
I settled in between the girls – and keeping a deadpan look upon realizing that Becks hadn’t protested and let me do it was very, very hard.
She must be really sick not to be kicking me out.
“Can we watch Frozen?” Violet asked.
Becks nodded, leaning in to stroke her hair. “Whatever you want, baby.”
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All happy, Vi started the film – and my day as a nurse began.
”
North Wave
Hi guys! I hope you liked the chapter, I know last one was a bit controversial 🙂 Now, another little clue for what you’ve been waiting: 2!
