Chapter 38 #2
“You’re ridiculous,” she says, laughing through her tears. “I may pop a damn stitch if I yell any more.”
“That would probably be bad,” I agree, sighing as I lay my head on her shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Me too,” she sighs. “Since you closed the door, maybe you can give me an update on the more fuzzy side of things, Abbott.”
“Oh like people who are dead, or who’s waiting for you three to be better so you can kill them?” Abbott asks innocently, coming closer to hand the bag to Winter.
My stepsister in turn hands out mints, and starts to rub lotion into Cassidy’s hand.
“Hmm. Do I get special treatment because I’m growing a little human?” she asks, sighing as I carefully begin to lotion her other hand.
“You should get ready to not be allowed to pick up anything heavier than an orange,” Abbott teases her, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Ew. I don’t want that. I take it back!” she says, making me chuckle.
“Okay, here’s the cliff notes, beautiful,” Abbott says.
He explains what happened at the bunker, and how Jake swallowed a bomb essentially, but Cassidy’s brow furrows when Abbott tells her about Avery.
“Fuck. Did anyone check to see if there’s drainage to the sewers or something?” she asks.
“There are. Shiloh looked,” he confirms.
“The bitch is totally alive,” Cass groans. “What about Madam Clara?”
“She’s currently at Pack Mayor’s warehouse,” Abbott says.
“Figured it would be fun for her to wait there until we’re ready to kill her.
She’s currently hanging next to Winchell Rock, the owner of The Hug Project.
Old Winchell decided to help Clara, but only so that she could give him the money she received for selling you. ”
“Why would she do that?” Winter asks.
Cassidy rubs the rest of the lotion into her skin, sighing as she pays special attention to her elbows. Winter was right in asking for the care items she did.
Cass is used to being able to have the finer things in life, and she looks a little more herself as she rubs lip balm on her lips. This is a form of control, and Winter understands this.
“If he’s the owner of The Hug Project, I bet he’s holding Clara responsible for the fire,” Cassidy mutters. “Am I right?”
“You are,” Abbott says. “He wanted to recoup his losses, and gave Clara the use of his bunker, which is now destroyed as well.”
“I have a newfound appreciation for things that go boom,” I say sleepily.
Maybe I did too much by walking down the hallway, but I don’t care.
“So does Ansel,” Cassidy says. “But he didn’t set the bombs, Shi did. Is everyone on our side okay?”
“They are. Our allies all helped to make our rescue mission possible, even though you didn’t really need it,” Abbott says.
“There’s no way I would have been able to haul Winter and Bellamy out of the bunker with a knife in my side,” Cassidy shrugs. “We needed you. Thanks for coming after us.”
“There’s no world in which I wouldn’t come for you,” Abbott says. “Now what’s this dry shampoo do?”
“Nuh-uh. Keep talking, Boss man. It’s to help with the oil in my hair,” Cass explains.
Winter carefully sits up and shakes the bottle, before applying the spray to Cassidy’s roots and rubbing it in. By the time she’s done, Cass’ hair has more life and volume than it did before.
It also appears shiny and clean.
“That’s a cool trick,” I admit. “How come you never use that stuff, Winter?”
“I never let you see me use it,” she laughs. “A girl needs to keep her mystery somehow.”
“I thought that ship had sailed,” I grin.
“I almost feel like a person,” Cassidy groans. “Please tell Pack Mayor thank you for doing so much for us.”
“I’ll let you do it yourself,” Abbott says. “We’re waiting for you to be strong enough to incite your particular brand of torture. Winter and Bellamy said they want to help.”
“What? Winter, you’re pregnant,” Cassidy says with wide eyes before she can help herself.
“So are you,” Winter says smugly. “I’ve been really queasy so maybe I’ll take something before the torture session.”
“There’s nothing that says killing people while pregnant is bad for a baby,” I say helpfully. “I mean, is there?”
“I’ve been doing some research. It’s fine,” Abbott says with a reassuring shrug.
God, this is insane. I give Cassidy and Winter a shit eating grin, while Cass glares at Abbott.
“So you’ve known long enough to research, and you let our omegas break the news?” Cassidy asks.
“Woah,” he says.
Is it possible that pregnancy hormones are already kicking in?
“He didn’t know that Winter and I would tell you,” I reply. “We didn’t even know what we were going to say until it happened. There was no premeditation involved.”
“That’s a very big word to invoke your innocence,” she sighs.
“Oh shit,” I whisper, thinking. “None of us thought to tell my boss what was going on. Ugh, I’m so fired, aren’t I?”
“No,” Abbott says, standing. “I’ll fix it. I should have thought about it. I’ll be back!”
Our alpha disappears into the hallway with his phone, and my lips twitch in amusement. He really is the fixer of our pack.
“He’ll handle it,” Cassidy says, closing her eyes. “How does a nap sound? I know I just woke up, but I’m sleepy.”
“Hmm. That does sound good,” I decide wiggling down until I’m comfortable. “I wish you could come home with us.”
“Me too,” Winter says, snuggling against Cassidy’s side. She’s careful to still give her room so she won’t hurt her.
“Hey Doctor!” Cassidy yells as Dr. Marsden walks past. It doesn’t matter that she doesn’t know his name, his white coat definitely gives him away.
Hiding my smile, I watch as he takes a large step to turn around before coming into the room.
“I see your pack takes bed sharing to a whole new level,” he says, coming inside.
“If you’re looking for an invite, we’re taken,” Cass says drolly.
Winter presses her lips together to hide her own smile, and I make sure not to look at her again. I’ll burst into laughter otherwise. That would be awful.
“That was unprofessional,” Dr. Marsden groans. “I apologize. Can I help you with anything?”
“I want to go home. How do I make that happen?” she asks.
“The risk of infection has passed, and you’ll need to keep your stitches clean,” he muses.
Dr. Marsden stares at her for a long moment as if trying to figure out how much she knows, and Winter decides to put him out of his misery.
“She knows that we’re both pregnant, Doctor.”
“Thank goodness,” he mutters. “I really didn’t want to be the one to tell you.”
“Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?” Cass asks. “You’ve walked by my room a couple of times.”
I was too busy watching her, so it could be true. I quickly realize that she’s right when the doctor’s face flushes hot.
Ha! Oops.
“Yes, well. As far as leaving,” he deflects quickly, “I suppose you can get discharged along with Winter and Bellamy if you make sure to get follow-up treatment with a doctor. I also want you to begin taking prenatals and schedule an appointment for six weeks from now with a ob/gyn. You’ll be able to listen to the heartbeat then. ”
“I’ll do all of that,” Cassidy promises. “So can I go home?”
“Yes,” Dr. Marsden sighs as we cheer.
“Awesome, thanks!” Cassidy says happily.
“I’ll make sure your discharge paperwork is ready,” he says. “I have to suggest that you think about therapy sessions. Even if it’s a group where you just listen. It could help.”
“Ugh. We’ll go if you go, Cass,” I grumble. “I hate people.”
“Same,” Winter mutters.
“Okay, we’ll find something,” Cassidy agrees. I can tell that she’s not excited about it, but what’s the harm in just listening?
“Great,” Dr. Marsden says thankfully. “We’ll have you out of here by tonight. It’s a little early, but you’re through the worst. The paperwork will go over diet and exercise, as well as when you can resume certain activities.”
The three of us understand what he means at the same time and cringe.
“There’s swelling and tears that need to heal,” Dr. Marsden explains.
Abbott walks back into the room, putting his phone away and the doctor gulps.
“I’ll get out of your hair then,” he says quickly, leaving.
“I didn’t say anything,” Abbott smirks.
“You know all too well that you give people the shits, Abbott,” Cassidy smirks.
“That’s quite a feat. Imagine giving people explosive diarrhea just by entering a room!”
“It’s a new super power,” Winter giggles. “By the way, we’re all getting out of here tonight. Cassidy too. She negotiated her eviction.”
“As long as it’s safe, I’m happy with that,” Abbott admits. “I’m ready to sleep in my bed. We’ll need to get you some special pillows so you’re comfortable. Let me text Shi so he’ll make sure to get them picked up.”
“He’s like magic,” Cassidy sighs happily. “I want to do this at home tonight.”
Her fingers move over Winter’s bites on her forearm and my stepsister nods eagerly.
“You got it,” I reply for her.
Abbott’s fingers quickly text Shiloh before he sticks it in his pocket and closes the door.
“I have more tea before you nap,” he says. “Shi made some new friends.”
“The girl who threw me a gun?” Cassidy asks.
“Yes,” Abbott chuckles.
Cassidy makes grabby hands at Abbott with a smile that looks more like her.
“Gimme the tea!”
It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll find our way out of the ugliness of our kidnapping. We already are, even if it is bonding over gossip.