Chapter 18 #2
Jace placed his coffee cup into the dishwasher and began to wipe down the counters. “We can have a walk out basement. The land is elevated enough and maybe even a small kitchen down there as well. Give them some independence and space to escape from the chaos.”
I turned and raised an incredulous brow at him. “Should we give them that much freedom?”
Jaxson, Troy, Lincoln, and Noah exchanged glances and began laughing.
Noah was the first one to explain. “They’re good kids.
We’ll let them know our expectations and they’ll have curfews and consequences to their actions, but did you forget that Micah can jump.
He technically doesn’t need an exterior door to leave if he desires to. ”
I realized how absurd my original thinking was and giggled, because they were right.
If they wanted to sneak out, they would regardless of where we put them in the house.
I had to admit they would probably appreciate the space, and the guys were sweet to think of them.
I’m sure Alex and Ella would complain about it, but until they were older, I wouldn’t entertain the idea of them having a space so far from us.
“Touché.” I shrugged before bouncing on my tippy toes. “I can’t wait to make our plans more tangible tomorrow. Right now, it all seems so unrealistic.”
“It’s going to be nice to have a place of our own,” Remy admitted before embracing me from behind, cradling my belly, and kissing the top of my head. “Would you like to take a shower before bed?”
I gave him a look of disbelief. “Umm, not really. I’m going to get dressed.”
Jaxson threw away his banana peel. “Why? It’s almost bedtime.”
I shrugged. “I’m not very tired. I figured I can grab my laptop and head down to the clinic too to give Drake some company.
” I saw some of the guy’s exchange glances and I sighed.
“You guys can accompany me to the clinic, but I think I’ll be safe with just Drake.
Plus, I’ve been sleeping for over twenty-four hours, and I would like to get some schoolwork done. ”
Jaxson playfully pouted before Noah said. “I think we’ll be fine if I just accompany you. I’ll stay for a little bit to check on my patients and see if you’re ready to leave when I am.”
I skeptically looked at him. He was dressed in just a pair of basketball shorts with no shirt. He shook his head and gave me a look of indulgence. “I’ll change too.”
I looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost ten p.m. “You don’t have to stay on my behalf, and you have to be up in less than eight hours.”
Noah smirked and shrugged his shoulders. “Not really. I was already going to skip morning training, and I don’t have to meet with my team until ten, so I can put in a few extra hours at the clinic.”
I playfully sighed. “Fine. I’ll get dressed and meet you at the front door.”
The rest of the guys began to discuss if any of the others should accompany us, but I didn’t stick around to listen to them. They were hovering—rightfully, so—and I was going to allow them to do whatever made them feel comfortable. Afterall, relationships were all about compromise, right?
η
Jemmy’s room was quiet when I entered it.
My footsteps faltered when I saw her laying in the hospital bed.
She looked so small lying there and gaunt.
She had only been gone for a few weeks, yet it looked like she had lost at least twenty pounds—twenty pounds she couldn’t afford to lose in my opinion.
Noah had told me on the way here that she seemed extremely dehydrated and malnourished when they found her cowering the cab of the truck.
Once she returned to base, they immediately admitted her and began running blood tests on her.
They had already detected the foreign object but wanted to ensure she wasn’t on any kind of drugs.
While they waited for her blood test to return, they urged them to admit her to get her started on an IV drip to get her hydrated.
She hadn’t stayed awake long after her brief questioning and seemed extremely lethargic.
They didn’t know if it was the object or the cause of her strange appearance or behavior.
Either way they knew we would have to keep a close eye on her until we discovered if she was safe to be around us.
It was sad, but true. We didn’t know if she had willingly stayed away for so long or if she had been forced to.
Gavin’s voice startled me. “Drake just stepped away to get us some coffees and snacks.”
He was sitting on the darkened side of the room.
In fact, only a little light positioned off to the side of the door was lit, save for the machines monitoring Jemmy.
His normally shaven face was sporting a thick stubble, and he was dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants.
He was leaning back on a couch that occupied the far wall.
I jumped, surprised to see him there. Then I made my way over to him to embrace him and asked. “How’s Sierra? And what are you doing here?”
From the guy’s accounts everyone escaped our last mission reasonably safely. From that information I knew Sierra was unharmed, but I knew it had been harrowing on her. I was just glad my babies chose to intervene before she could be hurt.
Gavin winced and I immediately felt guilty for the accusatory tone.
I knew he didn’t have intentions to work on their relationship, but I also knew a part of him would always feel a loss without Jemmy actively in his life.
Either way, I hadn’t meant to sound so judgmental.
Surprise was the better reason for my shock on seeing him there.
Gavin gave me a fond smile before returning my embrace.
“Sierra’s still a little shook up, but she’s going to be fine.
The appointment with Dr. Branch went well and our baby is thriving.
” His pleased smile faded and was replaced with a troubled look, before he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Honestly, I don’t know why I’m here. Merci and Si Si must have felt my restlessness and insisted that I come sit with Jem for a little bit. ”
I took a seat next to him and leaned toward him slightly.
I looked at him sympathetically. “I wish I could give you words of wisdom.
The only time I felt a huge disconnect with the guys was after that Bradford incident.
We understood the importance of communication then, but none of us was actively trying to pull away from each other. We were able to work through it.
“Unfortunately, Jem was dealt a hand she couldn’t deal with.
Not—” I cut him off when he looked like he was going to interrupt me.
“That I blame her. I honestly couldn’t imagine having to share my guys with anyone.
I realize it seems a bit hypocritical, but then again, I believe God made me for them and them for me.
I realize it has to be hard on our connections and I’m sure they’ve all wished to have me to themselves.
The only difference is that they’re willing to get over their misgivings for us.
“I just wished Jemmy would have given you a chance and was less impulsive for once before she just ran away with Tracey. I can only imagine the damage Tracey has done this time to Jemmy,” I frowned.
“Maybe I’m being too harsh. The way Jemmy allowed Tracey to talk about the twins before she left, really brought the mama bear out in me. ”
“Understandably,” Gavin hummed. “I do love her, but I can’t love a person that I feel like I have to constantly reassure or ignore my other women to assuage her demands.
I recognize the fact that she is only eighteen and has a few more years before her brain is fully developed, so maybe it’s best if I let her go for now.
If we’re meant to be and after therapy maybe we can have a future together, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. ”
“At least you’re here for her now.” I squeezed his arm.
Gavin gave me a weak smile before the lights in the room began to surge brighter, causing one of the bulbs above us to shatter before Jemmy’s machines starting making a lot of ear-shattering noises. Gavin and I hopped up simultaneously to see Jemmy sitting up in bed and glaring at us.
She had a sphere in her hands the size of a basketball in her hands.
I was shocked to see her launch the ball toward us, but luckily Gavin wasn’t as shocked.
He had a forcefield surrounding us within a blink of an eye.
The electrical globe ricocheted from it and bounced off to the right.
Unfortunately, the door was thrown open just as the ball reached it.
Dani, Noah’s stalker, was the unlucky one to be on the receiving end of it.
She was closely followed by Drake, Noah, and another member of the staff.
They all looked wide eyed trying to gauge the situation.
Dani fell to the ground screaming while Drake and the other members of the staff attempted to calm Jemmy down.
The lights continued to surge, and Jemmy tried to hurl another electro-ball our way. Gavin wrapped his arms around me and gently placed me behind him as if he feared the forcefield would fail against Jemmy’s attacks.
“Jemmy, calm down!” Drake barked.
Jemmy wildly looked at him and screamed. “I can’t. He’s an imposter! He says he’s Gavin but Gavin’s dead. They told me all about him! That’s Max! Max is working for Horatio. He’s only here to trick you guys.”
The doctor and Drake unsuccessfully tried to restrain her, and I saw it wasn’t working. I stepped forward and commanded her in a hiss. “Jemmy, relax. Stop attacking us!”
The fight suddenly seemed to drain from her, yet her chest still heaved with the pent-up emotions roaring through her. I could see the rage roaring through her, but she was unable to do anything about it. Gavin dropped the barrier separating us and cautiously took a step toward her.
“Stop! Don’t!” A small voice yelled from the door.
Alex was standing in the doorway with his eyes wide in fear. He was wearing a pair of flannel pajama bottoms, and his head of curls were in wild disarray. He appeared as if he had literally just rolled out of bed.
He looked over at Gavin and the frown on his face was troubled. “Don’t go near her. Somethings not right with her mind.”
Drake, Gavin, and I exchanged worried glances. It was Gavin that finally asked. “What do you mean, Al?”
I went over to him and pulled him into an embrace, seeing the struggle in his eyes. His little body shuddered against me. I ran my fingers through his curls and rocked him gently. “It’s okay, little man. Tell us what happened.”
He leaned his head into my belly and absently began to rub it.
“I was sleeping when I heard Jemmy screaming, but it wasn’t out loud.
She was begging to come home and then she woke up and she saw you and Gavin.
Only someone else’s voice, a man’s, was telling her that Gavin isn’t Gavin.
Then so many other voices began to tell her how bad of a man he was.
They were trying to get her to hurt him. They want him dead.”
My eyes widened and I looked over at Gavin. He visibly gulped before Drake suggested. “Maybe it’s best if you don’t come, Gavin, until we figure out how to get that implant removed.”
“He’s Max! Not Gavin!” Jemmy screamed.
“Stop listening to the voices, Jemmy.” Alex whimpered. “They’re lying to you.”
Jemmy snarled. “I know the truth.”
Gavin seemed to struggle before he nodded and turned to leave. “I’m leaving. I don’t even know why I came to begin with.”
For a brief moment Jemmy’s madness slipped away and it was replaced by grief and regret, but the former expression was soon replaced by fury once more.
“I’m leaving too.” I staidly stated. “It’s evident that you’re all worked up and I’m putting Alex back to bed.”
Drake seemed torn and I made my way over to him and pulled his head down for a kiss. “Take care of you sister. I’ll see you later.”
Jemmy snorted from her position in bed. “Of course, your loyalty still lies with him, even if he’s an imposter.”
I instantly felt my hackles rise. I wanted to so badly snap at her.
It was evident that her time away hadn’t changed her in the least. Then I reminded myself that she wasn’t well.
I also refused to stoop to her level. On the other hand, I couldn’t allow her to assume she could continue to spew hate toward me.
I cooly looked over at her. “I’m going to ignore your vitriol. I know you’re not well. Come on, bud, let’s go.”
I paused when I saw Noah still kneeling beside Dani. She was now silent with a fine sheen of sweat coating her forehead. Her scrub top had taken the brunt of her attack and through the hole scorching it, I saw her skin was blemish free once more.
For a brief second, I felt sympathy for her but then I saw the look of near bliss on her face. I witnessed as she seemed to thrust her breasts up higher toward Noah’s outstretched hands. I was confident that she was fully healed and now was trying to get some cheap thrill from his touch.
“I think she’s healed enough. Ready to take us back to our apartment, honey?”
Noah pulled back and looked at Dani. She immediately began to roll around on the ground and began whimpering. “I still don’t feel good.”
Noah sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, then he looked up where two more healers had come, clearly transfixed by the commotion that had occurred. “Letterman is great at his job. Mind tagging me out?”
Dani immediately sat up and frowned. “You’re leaving? Shouldn’t you conduct and examination on me to ensure I’m fully healed.”
Noah scooped Alex into his arms and adjusted him to one side of his body before taking my hand with his free one. “Letterman can help you.”
Alex’s head popped up before he narrowed his gaze on Dani. “That’s my sister and you shouldn’t think mean things unless you want me to tell her about them.”
My initial reaction was annoyance but then I began to giggle, especially after seeing Dani’s shocked expression. It was evident that she forgot about my brother’s gift. I wasn’t even going to ask him what she was thinking about. I wasn’t wasting any more emotions or time on petty girls like her.
Noah began to chuckle too as we left the room and before he could speak and reprimand Alex he blurted out. “I didn’t mean too, but her thoughts are really loud.”
Noah and I exchanged looks before smiling at each other. Our smiles faded at Alex’s next remark. “That’s not Jemmy in there. At least not all the mean things she was saying. We really need to find out if we can get that thing taken out of her.”
I sighed and leaned my head into Noah’s shoulder. Why were our lives in constant upheaval? Why did it feel like every time something was getting removed from our plates, something else was added to it?