(Willa)
Despite being on edge, I found that being anxious about something besides the exam helped me. I was worried for Emmett instead of myself and found that even though it distracted me, it took the pressure off, and I realized that I did know this. Cali’s words and jokes about these terms came rushing back to me, and I think I did an okay job. If I could make it through the summer term, I knew the next one would be easier and not at such a rapid pace.
Cali was leaning on the wall outside my exam room she fell into step with me as soon as I came out.
“I already know; I talked to the sitter; what can I do?” She asked, chewing on her lip.
I grabbed my phone; I saw a text from the sitter saying that Emmett was okay and another saying that Caspien had come to take him.
Caspien texted me once, saying that he had it under control and not to worry. I sighed, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
“I’m going to get him,” I headed toward the door, “Sorry about our lunch.”
“Stop; your kid is sick; lunch can wait.” She shrugged, “Do you want me to get you a taxi?”
“Caspien sent a car,”
“Of course he did,” She smiled at me.
A black SUV was waiting on the curb, and as soon as we walked out, the air felt charged.
“Looks like a storm,” Cali sighed, “Maybe best we didn’t get lunch. Fate, destiny, whatever you want to call it,” She nudged me.
“Let me give you a ride,” She started to protest, “It’s on the way.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the car.
Vicious dark clouds dotted the horizon; it was the least I could do for her.
“How did it go?” I asked.
“Good, I think, you?”
“Not as bad as I thought.”
“I don’t want to say I told you so..”
“But you do want to say that.”
“I do,” She gave me her wry smile as we slid into the car.
I let Caspien know we were on the way, and he told me that Holden would meet me and show me up. Up, of course, because he probably lived in a penthouse in the clouds. I felt guilty leaving Emmett with a stranger. I had no idea how Caspien and he would get along.
Caspien didn’t seem like the kid type, but we had to breach this somehow. I just wish I could have been there when they met.
(Caspien)
“Get some child things; I’m going to get him,” I stood up, passing Holden, who was sitting across from my desk at my office.
“What do children even?”
I shrugged, “I’m not sure,”
“How old is it?”
“He,”
“How old is he?”
“Four, she said, almost five.”
“He talks, right?”
“I think?”
“Does he walk?”
“He’s not a fucking infant; Google it, I don’t know,”
“Okay, on it, boss man.” He saluted me and leaned back in his chair.
“Out of my office,” He frowned, “Now.”
I didn’t wait to see if he followed I had a few calls to make to get everything ready.
I buzzed the door to Cali’s apartment, and it opened. I wish Willa had something like this; anyone could just walk in. I would have to get one installed immediately.
I knocked, and a slightly older woman opened the door; she took s step back when she saw me and looked me over incredulously.
“Hi, I’m Mr- I’m Caspien,” I held out a hand, and she stared at it for a moment before taking it, “Willa sent me to pick up Emmett.”
“One moment,” The door closed at the lock clicked.
I pinched my brow. Was I even at the right house?
The door opened again, and she took a step back, “Come in,”
I raised my eyebrows, “Everything okay?”
“I had to double-check with Cali,” She wore a smile now but still looked a bit nervous, “Just to confirm.”
“What did Cali say?”
“She said if you were tall, brooding, and looked like you should lead some special forces then you’re the right person.” She gave me a genuine smile, “Her words,” “Sounds about right.” I tried to smile at her.
“I’ll go get Emmett,” She went down a small hallway, and nerves coursed through me.
Before, I was focused on getting things ready; now, I was going to meet my mate’s child. I didn’t know what to do with kids. If he didn’t like me, then that would surely ruin things with Willa; he was her world, the reason she did everything. A child with rosy cheeks came out holding the sitter’s hand; he had tousled brown hair and eyes that were almost the same green as Willa’s.
“This nice man is going to take you to a doctor, okay?”
Emmett looked up at me.
“Hi,” I said after a few moments.
“Hi,” He tilted his head, studying me.
“Hi,”
“You said that.”
“Sorry, hi.” I’m a i.diot. I shook my head.
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.