“Emmett is special, he’s different. I know I don’t have many children to compare him to, but I know he’s destined for something I can feel it.”
I studied Caspien, his jaw was set. He was completely serious, not saying it to appease me. I always thought he was destined for something, but I was his mother. Parents always think their kids were special.
“He was meant to be, Willa. The Moon Goddess wanted him on this earth for whatever reason. It sucks what you had to go through to get him, but he was worth it. You were never destined to end up with Nolan, you were destined for me. But I wouldn’t have been able to give you Emmett.”
I thought about it.
“Those are pretty words,” I said.
“They are, and they’re even prettier because they’re true,” He gave me a genuine smile, one of my favorites of his that had a hint of playfulness beneath it.
“You might be right,”
“I am right,” There was no room for argument, “So stay here for the night, you can put Emmett to bed here and I’ll get anything else he needs. I put the toys and clothes Holden got him in his room for you to go through, he wasn’t interested in playing today.” I nodded and chewed my lip.
“Say yes, Willa. Just one night, plus it’s storming.”
“Okay, I said and his eyes widened slightly, “Just because it’s storming.” I raised my eyebrow and he shook his head.
“But I can’t sleep in your room.”
“I understand, you can choose a room, besides the one that Emmett called dibs on, or you can sleep with him.” “Thanks,” I tugged at a loose strand of hair, “For everything.”
“That’s what mates are for, right?” He shrugged, “To be partners, to help each other, pick up any slack.”
“I think you might be right.”
“I told you I usually am.” He flashed me another one of those smiles, and it made my stomach tighten. Goddess, I wanted this man.
Willa)
I put Emmett to bed in the room he chose, the bed felt like a cloud, and I almost fell asleep next to him. He seemed to be alright, but not one hundred percent, and it worried me. A cold didn’t seem like the right explanation; it felt like a blanket statement, Caspien trusted him as the head doctor of their pack, but even he seemed worried.
“Mama?” His voice was thick with sleep.
“Yes?” I kissed his forehead, still warm, brushing some thick brown locks from his face.
“Can we stay here?” He asked, “Forever?”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I liked that he already felt so comfortable, but I still had apprehension about the situation.
If I chose this it was permanent, final; no going back.
I knew now that I wanted that but I had to make sure that he was good for Emmett and that Emmett wanted this for longer than a night. I knew too well how children’s fixations could be flighty.
“Let’s take it one day at a time,” I tucked him in and kissed his forehead.
“And paint my room blue,” He murmured, halfway to sleep.
“That too,” I ruffled his hair, I knew I wore a sad smile, but he didn’t see it.
I wanted this that I knew. It was more evident every day, and I knew that Caspien would take me in whatever capacity. Even if I decided to continue my education and work at the diner, he would accept me as I was and stand beside me as I worked through who I would become.
I thought about all the implications that today would have as I walked back down to the first floor. The smell of garlic and butter and spices wafted through the air.
“You continue to surprise me,” Caspien had his back turned to me, standing over a pan. It might have been the sexiest thing that I had ever seen.
“I hope only good things,” He looked over his shoulder with a smirk.
“Yes, actually.” I admitted, “Thank you again for today. I owe you.”
“No,” He shook his head, “You don’t owe me anything ever. We’re partners; I hope we are, at least.” He shrugged.
Partners, I liked that.
“Can I do anything to help?” I asked, feeling slightly guilty watching him work.
He grabbed two large wine glasses and filled them both with red wine from a decanter. I barely had two matching cups, but no matter how parallel our lives were he never made me feel like I didn’t belong here.
He set a glass in front of me, “You can sit there and relax,” He brushed his lips against my forehead and I closed my eyes leaning into the brief touch.
“I can help.”
“I know you can but I want to do something for you. You’ve had a long day and suffered through enough Pokemon,” The corner of lips pulled up slightly, “Now relax.”
“Okay,”
I found it easier said than done. The past few weeks have constantly been going, I found it hard just to sit and do nothing; I felt like I had to do something.
Caspien laid out placemats and silverware before setting a plate in front of me. Steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus were neatly placed on them.
“Wow,” I inhaled deeply, “This looks amazing.”
“Hopefully, it tastes good too,” He took the seat next to me, “I thought you could use some comfort food, and this is mine. I should have maybe asked what yours was.” He frowned.
“This is absolutely perfect,” I grabbed his hand and squeezed it; he visibly relaxed at my touch, “Lasagna, by the way, but only when my mom makes it. If I have to make myself comfort food, I would go with mashed potatoes and fried chicken.” “At least I got part of it right,” He smiled.
“You got all of it right,” I took a bite; the steak was buttery and delicious, “Wow,” There was nothing this man couldn’t do.
We ate in comfortable silence; he told me about his day with Emmett and asked about my upcoming schedule.
“I’m actually off tomorrow. Cali insisted I took a day after our exams I said no, but she made sure I wasn’t scheduled.” “She’s right, you need a break.” Caspien looked at me with sincerity.
“I know.”
“You don’t though, you think you can keep going, but you need time for yourself too. I know too well how easy it is to slip into constant work and how hard it is to get out of that.”
I couldn’t stop, though; even though he gave me the loan, I wanted to pay him back as soon as possible.
“I know I’m not getting to you,” Caspien noted, it surprised me how well he already knew me, but I guess I knew him too. I knew what he was feeling by his smile and small gestures.
“I’m sorry, I just can’t stop right now. Maybe when the next semester starts.” I shrugged.
“There’s always going to be an excuse,” He sounded serious, “Promise me you’ll cut down at the restaurant, just one shift a week at least.”
I took a deep breath, “That sounds doable.”
“Think about it,” He stood up, taking my plates, “Don’t say you’ll help either,” He cut me off before I could open my mouth to protest, “This is part of you relaxing,” He smiled at me before putting the plates in the sink and topping up my wine. “Join me by the fire?” He raised an eyebrow reaching a hand out to me.
“I don’t think I would ever say no to that.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.