Love.
I received a distressing phone call from my son while I was at work. I immediately called Luis, but he also received it and was on his way to the children's clinic at the school. My heart was despairing as I left my office. I bumped into David, and he drove me here.
While he parked, I rushed inside, and my son jumped in my arms, crying and telling me incoherent sentences.
His sister was hurt and broke an arm. " Don't cry baby, the doctors will help your sister, okay?"
He nodded against my nape. I went to the corridor when I saw him. Ellis was standing against the wall, looking disheveled. The matriarch of their family, Christina Carter, was there. Melody, Jace, Seumo, and Luis, who looked like he could commit murder, were there.
Ellis' eyes met me, and I mumbled, ' Shit,'
My heart was pounding in my chest. I looked at Luis for some contact, but he was too pissed to do anything or come up with a proper plan.
Does Ellis know the truth? What were they doing here?
" Hey, I'm sorry, parking took a long time," I heard David say next to me, but stopped, " Oh my fucking shit,"
Ellis' eyes were ferocious, flashing dangerously as soon as he saw David.
" Can you please take him to the cafeteria for ice cream or something?" I asked David. He frowned but didn't argue as he carried my son. Cayden resisted from my arms.
" You'll be back soon, sweetheart. Go have some ice cream."
I could hear the growls that were leaving Ellis' chest. I inhaled when they left, and I approached the group. I needed to pay my respects to CC first. I smiled at her and kissed her cheek, even though I felt coldness from her. She was mad at me.
" CC, how have you been?" I kept my voice leveled and plastered a smile on my lips.
" As well as one can be when one's grandchildren are snatched from them and raised by strange men," she hissed. Yep, she was angry at me. I only smiled at her.
" I see you are well, " I said. She only rolled her eyes, and honestly, that stung. We were close before I left. Christina Carter even taught me how to cook. I would butter her up later. I faced Melody, and she smiled at me.
" Love, I didn't know you had kids. They are beautiful," she said, genuinely happy to see me. Melody was always kind to me. I only smiled slightly, not confirming anything. I acknowledged the others with a nod and went to Luis.
" Can we have a moment alone, please," I asked. He glanced at the emergency door. Behind that door was my baby. I led him to where we couldn't be heard.
"I'm freaking out," I confessed, and a smile broke on his lips.
" Me too, sweetheart. Why do you think I keep glaring at them? I wanted to be unapproachable," he whispered, and I chuckled. That was seriously his plan.
" What do I do, babe?"
" I told them they were my kids last time, so I don't know if they still think that. They were mind-linking the entire time,"
" Did you hear what CC said about her grandchildren being raised by strange men?"
" I did, that witty old woman," he hissed, rolling his eyes.
" I'll tell them the truth if it comes up, but if it doesn't, I won't," I said with finality. They were just there when the accident and maybe they were concerned about little Lara. That's why they stayed.
" Will you tell them the truth?"
" No, what if he takes me to court, and they rule in his favor? He has power," I bit my lips. I couldn't risk losing my children.
" His cousin is a teacher here. So he might know, or at least suspects," he said. How did I not know this information about Melody Carter?
" I won't confirm his suspicions until he asks," I was resolute. Luis nodded, knowing not to talk me out of it.
' This will backfire. The Carters are not dumb!' Vee shouted. I blocked her out. We went into the group just as David and Cayden were joining them. My son ran to me, and I carried him. He was such a baby today.
Silently, David came to stand beside me. The tension was high. Ellis was glaring at me. Normally, there was no hostility towards me in his piercing gaze, but it was there now, clear as day.
" Love, what is going on here?" Ellis said through his teeth.