“Okay, Dad.” Nathan says squeezing his father tight.
Noel listens from the kitchen and wipes her eyes. The scent of pecan pie fills the air. She bakes when she worries, and she is worried. Her grandchildren are showing gifts that have been extinct for centuries and when she talks to Nick about it, he puffs up with pride. Crazy man. This family has a large secret and she is not sure how Michael will react, when she tells him. She kneads the pie dough pulling and pushing and presses it out, making two crusts. As she pours the filling into the crust she hears her boys enter.
“Just in time for the bowl!” Michael says high fiving Nathan.
“You better get if before your Pop does.” Noel suggests to Nathan, then laughs at the look of shock on both boys’ faces when Nick appears, snags the bowl and ports back out.
“I warned you! You two are slow!” she bursts out laughing at them. “Where is Sincere,” she asks quietly.
“He is reading to Serenity, again. He has slept beside her for the last two nights.” Nathan replies.
“I was hoping to have the boys stay with us tonight, the Northern Lights will be at their brightest and lowest point tonight! I thought we could camp up on the mountain and enjoy them?” Noel suggests.
“Yes! Can we Dad? I can bring my camera and get some great pictures.” Nate begs.
“Of course, now we have to convince Sincere, to leave our guest.” Michael says dipping a finger into the pie and licking it clean.
Nate laughs and runs out of the room, “I’ve got this!”
The boys enjoy a family dinner before leaving with Nick and Noel. Nathan told Sincere that if the lights dropped low enough, they could catch some in a jar for Serenity, and it might heal her faster! That is all it took for him to practically drag them out of the house. Michael promised to call if anything changes and watches his boys leave.
Dr. Chow returns and says quietly, “No change. It is amazing, you say she just started healing?” She stares hard at him, waiting for an answer that he does not give. “I am not sure how long she will sleep, Michael. You should consider sending her home to her own family. I am sure they are worried about her.”
“Her family has been told that she is on a trip for another audition. They are fine. She will wake soon. Thank you for coming out again.” Michael says urging her to the door. He breathes a sigh of relief when she leaves and heads to the back room. He settles into the chair beside the fireplace and leans his head back enjoying the dance of the flames.
Serenity dreams of a big brown bear, protecting her from a pack of hungry wolves. She doesn’t know who to be more frightened of, the wolves or the bear! His growl turns ferocious as the wolves attack him, tearing chunks of fur and flesh. His roar of pain has her screaming for him, “Noooo!” she screams tossing her head back and forth.
Michael jumps at the sound of her scream and rushes to her side. She is trapped in a nightmare and he can’t wake her. “Serenity! It’s okay you need to wake up!” he calls to her.
A small brown cub runs up, followed by another brown cub and they all look at each and roar. As they roar they shift from animal to human. Michael’s muscular naked body is beautiful. The boys laugh, whipping the wolves with ribbons of rainbow colored lights. Michael laughs and reaches up grabbing his own larger ribbon and when he strikes, the wolves turn to stardust.
Serenity hears him calling her name, “Come back, its okay. Sincere is safe, you did well. Come back to us!” Slowly her heart calms and her eyes start to flutter open. Rich, chocolate colored eyes stare into hers and a smile curves her dry lips. A shaky hand lifts to his face, stroking his beard. The room is dark, except for the flicker of the fireplace, and he inhales slowly at the beauty of her eyes. “Serenity? Can you hear me?”
She stares in awe as her fingertips trail to his mouth, and she smiles softly when his eyes darken. She nods her head, unable to speak because her throat is suddenly, very dry. He jumps up and grabs a glass of water with a straw and helps her sit up. Pillows are propped and she stares quietly at him and looks around. The sudden change of position has her head pounding. Closing her eyes shut against the pain, she remembers a little boy with beautiful dark eyes.
“Sincere?” she asks in croaky voice opening her eyes once more.
“He’s fine. We will have one happy little boy when he returns and finds you awake. You had us all worried.” Michael says scratching his beard. The pounding eases and she smiles suddenly remembering him as a bear.
“What is your name?” she asks yawning.
A slow smile spreads, “That’s right we have not been introduced. I am Michael, father of Nathan and Sincere, son of Nicholas and Noel.” He offers her his hand and she smiles in response, grasping his larger one.
“It’s nice to meet you Michael, I am Serenity. Can you tell me where I am, and why do I feel like I have been beaten with a board?”
He laughs and drops her hand. “That is a long story. You probably would like a bath and some dinner?” he asks.
Pleasure lights her face, “Yes, bath
