Chapter fifteen
We spend the rest of the afternoon messing about in the pool and before I know it, it’s suddenly time to get ready to go to Mr. S’s house to have everything explained.Jax never came back and I really missed him. As soon as I remember what’s about to happen my anxiety, that over the course of the afternoon had almost completely dissipated, thanks to the fun with the guys, returns with a vengeance.
"Hey Sweetheart, it's ok. No matter what happens we are all here for you.” Hunter says gently, picking up on the differing emotions, that I am sure are flickering rapidly across my face.
"Too fucking right, we are." Kai agrees and I roll my eyes, I've learnt it's far more uncommon for him to utter a sentence with no cursing than it is for him to curse.
I find it strangely charming.Maybe that makes me weird? I internally shrug, it is what it is. Simply knowing that the guys are being sincere and having their support manages to settle my nerves somewhat and I send them each a grateful smile.After we’ve all gotten changed out of our swimming things, Jax meets us at the door freshly showered, but won’t look my way as we all bundle back into the same SUV we used earlier. The conversation is intentionally only about light topics as we leave the driveway.My guys always seem to know what I need without me needing to voice it.
It isn't long or maybe it is and because I'm nervous time is just going far too quickly but we soon pull up to a house that is even more impressive in size than the guys home. I once again get a flash of familiarity that causes me to wonder if maybe this is the same house I was raised in as a young child. I step out of the car and look around nervously. I'm about to meet my mother, who I didn't even know existed until very recently.What if she thinks I'm useless and a waste of space like the woman whowas supposedly my mother did?
What if I disappoint her?
What if I'm not enough?
The questions circle my mind like vultures and my anxiety immediately spikes. The guys seem to feel my spike in anxiety as they all take one step closer to me, but before any of them can reach out to comfort me, a beautiful woman with piercing blue eyes and long dark brown hair is suddenly in front of me appearing, out of nowhere. Before me or my guys can react, she gathers me into her arms holding me tightly.
"My Daughter, my sweet Sagely-Wren, you've grown into a beautiful young woman. I'm so sorry I was not there to witness it." I can hear true anguish in her tone.
I can almost feel it coming off of her in waves, underneath that though I can also sense her joy and happiness at having me back in her arms.I know this woman, her soul calls to mine. Her hug is what I always imagined a mother’s hug should feel like.
"Mom?"
"Yes.” Her voice cracks.
With that one uttered word we both sink to the floor clinging to each other as we both let out years of pain, sorrow and hurt, taking comfort from one another.
"Willow!" a male voice yells sounding slightly panicked.
"Busted!" my mom chuckles and pulls away from me, wiping her eyes and then mine.
Her gesture is so mom like and so unlike anything I remember experiencing that it almost brings on another wave of tears.
"There you are. Sorry guys I tried to warn her to take it slow. You probably have even more questions now.” He chuckles.
The newcomer is around six-foot-tall with ashy blond hair and dark brown eyes, he's more-well-built than Thomas and Micha, with wide shoulders and a stocky build.
I get a flash of him tucking me into bed before lightly kissing me on the forehead.
"Night night, Baby Bear.” He whispers.
"Papa Bear?" I question as the small snippet of memory fades and I pick myself up off the floor.
I'm gathered into giant tree trunk arms. This man is built like a freaking bear, I can see why as a child I nicknamed him Papa Bear.
"Hello, my little Baby Bear."
"Whoa, hang on a minute. Did you literally just appear out of thin air or did I imagine it?" I ask as the thought suddenly occurs to me.
I step out of Papa Bears arms. I'm going to have find out his name, it's odd to call him that.I turn to face my mom my eyes wide, however before she can give an answer, I catch sight of Jax with his hand wrapped tightly over Kai's mouth and I can't help the giggle that escapes.
"What?" Jax shrugs, "he was trying really hard to give you and your mom time together but desperately wanted to ask how she popped up out of nowhere, so he asked me to help.” His explanation causes all of us to start chuckling.
"Come on, I'll explain over dinner." My mom says, leading us all into the house.
On the way all of the guys, except Jax, find small ways to touch me, each touch helps to dislodge a bit more of my anxiety, helping to reassure me and calm my nerves. The obvious lack of Jax’s touch causes my heart to clench and I’m worried about the distance he’s suddenly putting between us.My mom leads us through the large but cosy home towards a large dining room, the massive mahogany table already set with multiple dishes of delicious looking food.
Jax chooses a seat as far away from me as possible confirming that I'm not imagining the space he's put between us. The other guys all shoot him curious looks, which he avoids by resolutely staring anywhere but at any of us. He jumps suddenly and glares at Kai, who I’m assuming just kicked him under the table. I watch as he shakes his head infinitesimally darting his eyes my way before he once again avoids looking at any of us. Just as Kai opens his mouth, we are joined by Thomas and Micha who both send me a warm smile.
