“I know. I’m good with you guys being protective out in the world. I’m terrified he’s out there somewhere, and I do not want to be taken ever again.” I agreed as another shudder shook me. Cole, seeing my fear, wrapped an arm around my back and squeezed a little, reassuring me he had me. “Can we just…..when we’re here at home, can we try to get back to a little normalcy? Can things just go back to how they were before, please? I need that.”
“We’ll try, Cariña, but things are different from before. You’re ours now, and we feel even more protective of you.” Matt answered, his voice soft and calming, as he threw me one of his lazy, sexy smiles.
“Matt’s right, but we’ll try, Beautiful. For you, we will all try to ease off some.” Cole agreed, and Kyle and Kade nodded, though reluctantly.
“Come on now, come and eat!” Keira called from where she, Grant and Evie sat at the dining table.
Kyle moved to pick me up again, then stopped himself and looked down at me with apprehension as he instead took my arm and helped me hop over to the table. The others followed, likely itching to step in as I hobbled around, but none of them did, and I appreciated that they had listened, and seemed to be trying to let me struggle through a little. It meant alot that they had heeded me and my concerns.
Dinner was quiet, Evie dominating most of the conversation as she caught us up on all of the drama and gossip that we had missed out on over the last couple of weeks from her kindergarten.
Keira had cooked, so the guys were all quietly groaning about her dry roast beef and over cooked vegetables, happily reminding me of my first dinner with the family, weeks before.
Though the food wasn’t a patch on Matt’s amazing cooking, I didn’t think it was as bad as they all said. I ate a little, my appetite seemingly having gone back to the non existent state it had been in when I first arrived with Keira and Grant.
I had built up to eating small meals and snacks before I had been taken from the crash, but my days in the hospital seemed to have taken me back to the place where food just turned my stomach. The guys had been worrying about it all week, Matt trying to tempt me with all manner of foods from diners and restaurants around the hospital, but nothing, not even the cakes and pastries, appealed this time.
“Please eat a little more, Princess.” Kyle had pleaded when I gave up and pushed the plate away. I looked up and saw worry in his eyes, on all of their faces, but I had forced down as much as I could to satisfy them, and there was no way I could eat more.
“I’m full Kyle.” I replied as I fought to avoid any of their pleading eyes.
“You’ve barely eaten anything. You need food to heal.” His hand touching mine forced me to look up, and across the table to him.
“I’m trying. I’m eating what I can.” I whispered, as my throat became tight with emotion.
“It’s ok, Cariña. I’ll make soup for you tonight, ok?” Matt offered, so softly and lovingly it pushed me over, and my tears ran free.
“Yes please.” I nodded, and he smiled as my eyes met his deep chocolate ones.
“I can make you something else, Honey.” Keira offered, and when I looked down the table to where she sat, she and Grant were both watching with concern. “How about some eggs…..or we may have canned soup?”
“I could run to the store if there’s something you want, Olivia. It’s no trouble?” Grant offered quickly.
“Thank you, both of you, but I really am full for now. I c-can’t eat any more. If it’s ok I…..I might just head up and rest for a while.”
“Of course, Sweetheart. You go on up. Just let us know if you need anything.” Grant agreed kindly.
“We’re here for you, Honey, whatever you need.” Keira added.
“Thank you.”
“Come on, Love, I’ll help you upstairs and stay with you.” Kade stood and took my arm as I attempted getting to my feet.
“I can manage. You should stay and eat.” I argued, then grinned when he widened his eyes at me. I knew he didn't want to eat, because he hated Keira’s cooking.
“I’m full too.” He pulled my arm a little, and I shakily moved from my seat.
“I’ll come and help too.” Cole offered as he jumped up.
“We should all come.” Kyle added, as he realised what was going on.
“No guys. That’s silly. Kade can get me up there on his own. You all need to stay and finish your meals.” I countered, trying hard not to giggle as they all pulled faces at me, except for Kade who had a self satisfied grin on his face.
“Olivia’s right, boys. She doesn’t need you all up there when she’s trying to rest.” Keira agreed, ending the conversation, and making me giggle even harder as I hobbled out with Kade.
As soon as we got into the entrance hall, Kade burst out laughing and that set me off too. We had to pause at the foot of the stairs because we were laughing too hard to keep on moving. It felt good to just laugh and joke. Everything had been so serious since I woke up. I had missed this childish side of myself, and of the guys.
“Thanks for the save.” Kade said once he finally stopped chuckling.
“I hope you appreciate it. The others are gonna kill me for abandoning them to Keira’s cooking.”
“I’m sure you can flutter those eyelashes and
