Page 89 of Returning to Everton

“Please. I don’t want it here,” she shudders in obvious disgust just looking at the thing.

“It’s okay, Sugar. I’ll get it out of here and test it for you,” he assures her.

“How...” she gulps, “how long until you have answers?” she asks him nervously.

Hudson runs his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. It depends on the test. If it turns out there’s no magic in it, that’ll be the end of it. If I detect magic, it may take longer to connect it back to its original source. We’re obviously hoping for the latter.”

Rowe nods her head in agreement. “Yeah, okay.” She subtly wipes a tear from her eye, but I saw it. Hell, I think we all saw it by the look on everyone else’s face.

“I’m gonna call Dr. Johnston tomorrow and find out when he can see you,” Hud informs her. “Whenever we can get you in, I’m gonna go with you and Ayden will work the bakery for us.”

Her head snaps in my direction. “You’d do that Ayden?”

I roll my eyes at her lack of faith in me. “Of course, I would Rowe. Why wouldn’t I? I would do absolutely anything for you.”

She gives me a watery smile. “I know that Ayden. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way,” she looks down so she doesn’t have to see whatever look she expects me to give her.

“Hey,” I gently grab her chin and lift her head up, “Don’t do that. I’m not mad at you, Doll.” I reassure her before gently kissing her lips. She leans into the kiss, and I can’t help but slip my tongue inside her mouth. I had meant for it to be a sweet reassuring kiss but she had to push me.

I slide my hand from her chin to the back of her head and deepen the kiss. Unfortunately, we’re interrupted.

Declan coughs to get our attention. “Hey guys, sorry to have to break up whatever you have goin’ on there, but the kids are comin’. It’s time for us to go home.”

I pull away from Rowe with a sigh. “To be continued,” I demand.

She chuckles, “Definitely.”

“Alright, so I’m going to take this home and run some tests on it. I’ll call Doc in the morning,” Hudson reviews the plan and everyone nods their heads. “I’ll see you after you get Violet off to school, right?”

She rolls her eyes, “Yes, Hudson, I’m coming to work,” she huffs in exasperation, and we all chuckle.

“Just checking, Sugar. If you wanted to take the day, you could, you know.”

She shakes her head. “No, I need to work. It helps me take my mind off of everything,” she insists like we knew she would.

Just then the kids come barreling into the house laughing and joking with each other.

“You ready to go Logan?” Dec asks his son, who pouts in response.

“Not really, but I guess,” he groans, and Violet giggles at his dramatic display.

“Alright, well tell Violet good night. I’m sure you’ll see her at school tomorrow,” Declan instructs.

Violet gives Logan a hug and I hear her whisper ‘thanks’ to him... I wonder what that’s about. We play pass the Rowen until all of us have gotten a goodnight hug and a chaste kiss.

“Night Violet. Have a good day at school tomorrow,” I tell my favorite little girl as I give her a hug goodbye. Each of the guys follow my lead and give Violet some form of encouragement about her first day of school, as they hug her goodnight.

I'm sure she’ll have a great time. Especially if Declan ends up being her teacher. I just hope Emma doesn’t turn out to be a mini-Britney and terrorize her. Though, after witnessing how well she uses her magic with little experience, I have no doubt that Violet would be able to take care of herself.

34

Rowen

Today is the day! My little girl starts school in just a few hours. I woke up early today, so I could make her a good breakfast and make sure we get there early. We weren’t told who her teacher would be for some reason. Normally students get their schedules weeks before school starts, but not this year. I just got an email last night with her room number on it, so I’m going to walk Violet to her class and meet her teacher.

Violet is so excited to start school she was up and dressed before me. I find her sitting in the kitchen waiting for me.

“Hey Bug! You all ready for school?” I ask her with a smile. I know she is because after the guys left last night, we got her new backpack all packed with her school supplies and laid her school clothes out, so it wouldn’t take long for her to get ready this morning.

---