Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“ELEPHANT - LIVE AT ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH” BY FREYA RIDINGS
LUNA
The next morning, I make my way down for breakfast, a colorful silk scarf wrapped around my head.
Thorn presented me with several, mostly Hermès’ scarves, and to say I was touched by the gesture was an understatement.
He knew that although I was trying to be brave about it, it still bothered me walking around with no hair, so he solved the problem in the way only Thorn can, aka spoiling me.
I can hear the clink of cutlery and low murmur of voices from the dining room as I make my way there.
The triplets already headed down, leaving me to get ready.
My heart flutters inside my chest, knowing that my mom and Richard are in there too.
I’ve not had to face either of them too much, but I can’t help feeling Richard is cross with me about something, and I wonder if it’s the fact the triplets are spending so much time with me.
Or perhaps it’s because they had doubts about one of my medications, one that his company is trialing, and that pissed him off.
Conversation halts as I enter, sending my pulse rocketing. The triplets all give me grins, though they look a little forced, and there’s definitely a tense atmosphere that’s making my muscles bounce up a little.
“Luna love, I adore that scarf. The colors suit you so well,” Mom gushes as she rises from her seat on the left of Richard’s.
She comes up to me, drawing me into a hug, and for a moment, I’m a ten-year-old again, having to face this all for the first time with only her at my side.
I sink into her embrace, and she breathes out a sigh. “Come, let’s get you something to eat.”
Giving me one final squeeze, she takes my hand and leads me to the table, next to her empty seat with Thorn on my other side.
“Morning, stepsis,” he says, his green eyes twinkling when my cheeks flush as I sit down. He whispered that into my ear as he slid inside me this morning, waking me up with a sleepy orgasm.
“Good morning,” I greet back, his grin widening, and I would whack him but I fear that would look suspicious, so I keep my hands in my lap as Blade pushes an already full plate towards me from his place across the table.
A staff member places what I know is a protein shake in front of me as well as another teacup, and Thorn pours me some of the cherry blossom green tea that we both like.
“I suppose what’s done is done,” Richard states, clearly continuing the conversation that was taking place before I entered. “We could use it to our advantage, perhaps a campaign around the new treatment and Luna’s crucial role in its success.”
My eyes widen as all the breath leaves my lungs.
“What new treatment? What success?” I blurt, and his dark gaze finds mine, his eyes narrowing as if he’s annoyed by my questions.
“The treatment you’ve been having, Luna, is one that Banks Industries has developed for the treatment of Hodgkin’s.
The testing has shown that it’s a miracle treatment, and you can be our poster girl, so to speak.
Your results are promising, and the testing we’ve done shows a good success rate.
I thought Dr. Harrison went through all of this with you? ”
I glance at Chase, because he’s been the one to undertake my treatment plan, and his knuckles are white as he clutches his cutlery.
“He failed to mention the newness of the drug, or that we were the ones to make and trial it,” Chase grits out, carefully placing his cutlery down to face his father.
“And I’ve found some concerning information about the trials, that suggest they were rushed, and Blade found research that states not all side effects have been published. ”
Richard scoffs, waving his hand like they’re not discussing anything important.
“I’m impressed you’ve been researching so thoroughly, but if you did find anything, it would have been from the early stages of development.
I can assure you the treatment has passed all the necessary testing and all side effects are published and minimal. ”
I suck my lower lip in, chewing it as I listen. He sounds genuine, but there’s something that I can’t put my finger on.
“So it’s safe?” I ask, and his gaze finds mine again. It softens, but somehow, it feels calculated, sending goosebumps pebbling over my skin.
“Of course it is, Luna. Your mother and I would never put you in jeopardy. You’re part of the family, and we look after our family, don’t we, boys?”
The guys murmur affirmatives, Thorn’s hand coming to land on my thigh. His skin warms mine through the leggings I’m wearing, and I take an inhale. “Of course, but I’m not sure I want to be some kind of poster girl for it. This is my journey, my battle, and I’d like to keep it private.”
There’s a slight twitch at the corner of Richard’s eye, but it’s gone before I can properly register it, then his forehead creases.
“I understand that, I really do.” His head tilts to the side, his eyes imploring me to understand.
“But, Luna, think of all the good you could do for others like you, other young people going through the same thing that you are. You could give them hope, connect with them through allowing them to follow your journey.”
My chest tightens, my palms becoming a little sweaty as his words sink in. Am I being selfish about this?
“I suppose if it could help others…”
“Excellent. I shall have my marketing team come up with a strategy, and we can organize a photoshoot when we announce the treatment. The boys can join you, —showing solidarity with the shaved heads could garner public sympathy.” It’s like I’m no longer even here, because he’s already coming up with all the ways he’s going to splash my cancer across the media, and my breathing picks up.
“Luna doesn’t have to do anything unless she agrees to it,” Thorn interjects, his hand squeezing my thigh, and it’s enough to have me gasping a breath. “If she’s comfortable with a photoshoot, then we can organize one.”
“Of course, Thorn,” Richard agrees. “I wouldn’t push her to do anything that she doesn’t want to, but you heard her, she does want to help others.
Let’s talk options once my team has some ideas.
” He picks up his coffee, taking a sip and dismissing the subject before I’ve even had a chance to think about all he said.
“The next order of business is the start of the academic year. The triplets will be off to Harvard at the end of week, but don’t worry, Lorelei and I will be here to take over Luna’s care. ”
“I’m not sure us leaving is a good idea. Luna still needs our support,” Chase interjects, and there’s that slight twitch again at the corner of Richard’s eyes.
“And you need to look to your futures and get your degrees. It’s what you’ve all been working towards for years. It would be a shame to throw it all away now, especially as Lorelei and I are more than capable of helping Luna through this too.”
Blade opens his mouth to say something, his nostrils flared, but I don’t want to cause an argument, so I speak before he can.
“I’ll be fine. You really should do what Richard says and focus on your studies.
It’s important to keep working on your goals.
” I hold Blade’s dark green gaze, begging him to not make this into an issue.
Yes, I’m terrified about them leaving—they’re part of what’s keeping me going—but I can’t be selfish, especially as we don’t yet know if I’ll even survive.
I can’t have them throw away their futures on something so uncertain.
Blade’s jaw works, but then he gives me a nod, and the tension in my shoulders eases. The rest of breakfast goes by quickly and mostly quietly, my mom talking about the time we will be spending together once the triplets head off with excitement that eases the terror of them leaving a little.
Richard finishes first, getting up and calling my mom to him as he leaves the room to no doubt start the ball rolling on making me his poster girl.
My chair is spun, leaving me gasping as Blade leans over me, fire burning in the depths of his eyes.
“I will only leave on one condition, Goldilocks,” he tells me, and I can’t take a full breath, the intensity of his gaze setting me alight.
“Anything,” I whisper, the word no more than a breath.
His mouth purses, and one of his hands lifts from the arm of my chair.
Carefully, reverently, he places it over my chest, right on top of my pounding heart.
“Keep this beating.” I can’t move as his plea hits my very soul, his tone soft yet commanding.
He’s not asking, he’s ordering me. “Just keep your heart beating for me, okay?”
I swallow, wishing it were just as simple as making a promise. “I’ll try—”
“Not fucking good enough, Goldilocks. You will keep this heart beating because it no longer just belongs to you.” His fingers dig into my chest slightly, like he will break through the skin and bone and force it to keep pumping blood throughout my body.
“It’s ours, pretty stepsis,” Thorn whispers from behind me, his face nuzzling the space where my neck meets my shoulder. Then his hand comes on top of Blade’s, and I know it’s not really possible, but I feel his touch like a burn straight into my soul.
“Just like our hearts are yours, Star,” Chase adds, and I look down to find him on his knees next to me. His hand reaches out and lays atop his brothers, adding to the heat that is threatening to burn me.
“So swear to me you will keep it ticking, because if your heart stops, so do ours,” Blade states, drawing my gaze back to him. “I won’t live in a world without you, Luna. I refuse to.”
I can’t think about his words being literal, because that means if I die, he will take his own life, and I can’t face that reality. I know Blade, know that is exactly what he’s telling me by the seriousness of his gaze, the conviction of his tone.
“Okay, Blade. I’ll keep it beating,” I finally answer, my voice quiet, eyes not leaving his.
“Good,” he whispers, leaning down and hovering his lips over mine. “Because if the only way I can be with you is in the afterlife, I will follow you there.”
All too soon, it’s the end of the week, and the triplets are all packed and ready to go. I have to push my emotions deep down as I wait by the front steps, Richard and my mom there too as we prepare to wave them off.
“I’ll FaceTime every day,” Thorn says to me, casting a quick glance at our parents before he pulls me into a hug. My trembling arms wrap around him, and I breathe him in like it’s the last gasp of air I’ll have. “Every fucking day, Luna. I promise.”
“I love you,” I whisper, and he hugs me tighter.
“I love you too, Goldie. So fucking much.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat as we pull apart, Chase there to wrap me in his arms as Thorn goes over to our parents.
“I expect daily symptom updates, and I’ve set reminders in your phone for your medications,” he tells me, his voice tight as he brushes his lips against my temple. “Every day, morning and evening, make sure you check in, Star.”
“I will,” I assure him, fighting the pricking at the back of my eyes that tells me I’m close to tears, again. Last night they stayed with me, and I cried into their arms even as I made them promise me again they would go.
“I love you, Star,” he whispers, kissing my temple again as Blade takes his place, not giving me a breath as he pulls me tightly against his body.
A part of me worries that our parents will see our relationship isn’t platonic like it should be, but then part of me doesn’t give a fuck, especially when I’m wrapped in Blade’s arms and he’s holding me like I’m the start and end of his world.
“Don’t forget your promise, Goldilocks,” he rumbles in my ear, and I blink back the tears that are now hovering on my eyelashes.
“I won’t,” I choke out, holding him tighter as if that will keep him with me longer. It’s silly really, they’re only four hours away, but it feels like the other side of the world if they aren’t here every day, keeping me company and helping me through this.
“Love you,” he whispers, his lips brushing my forehead as he pulls back.
“Love you, Papa Bear,” I say back, my voice quiet because I don’t want our parents to hear.
“Ready, son?” Richard asks, interrupting our moment, and I let out a shaking breath as Blade steps away.
“Yep,” Blade answers, giving his father a brief handshake before he strides towards the truck. Chase and Thorn do the same, and then before I can even catch my breath, they’re gone.