Page 102 of Dubious Match
“Wait! Your mother misses you, girl. We had something good going, didn’t we?”he asks. “You’re a little old for me now, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about anything inappropriate happening. You should come home.”
What he doesn’t realize is that’s never going to happen. I’ll never be caged again, held against my will, and made to feel less. My life’s not perfect, but it’s fucking mine.
He can’t take that away from me as long as I’m free.
“No,” I whisper, stabbing the end button to clear the call.
Tears roll down my face, and I allow myself to feel the pain. Once I’m at the Kelly compound, I’ll pack it all away so I can be the midwife people deserve. I get to choose how I impact the world, I’m in control.
No one needs my trauma raining down on them.
The compound is the next right turn, and I take a deep, cleansing breath. My father hasn’t called again, my constant driving means it should take him longer to find me, and I made a formal complaint about the bond hunters.
Fuck him and his attempts at kidnapping me.
Pulling tissue as I turn right down the snow filled road, I begin to sop up my tears as I drive. I’ll blame any redness on the cold.
Snow falls down as I come up to the house and the gate opens as I drive through it. I’m wearing snow boots today, heavy fleece tights, and a long sleeved dress underneath my coat. I knitted my scarf and mittens, just like I made my dress.
If my father is searching for me, he’ll be disappointed to find that I’m rarely anywhere with cameras unless I’m driving through an intersection. Even then, my schedule isn’t necessarily the same, especially with the post partum care I have scheduled with Katee now. Hopefully, it’ll be enough to allow me to hide.
Swallowing hard, I drive into the garage as I’ve been asked to when it’s snowing, and turn off the engine. My fingers tremble slightly as I pick up my medical bag and my keys. I’m already planning to blame my shakiness on needing to eat after this. My panic attacks have been coming more often recently, no matter what I try to do to ground myself.
Maybe I just need to take a few days off once Katee’s baby is six weeks old. That’s how long I’m contracted to do post doula work for her. She’s been acclimating so well with Addy, and the baby is so sweet and cuddly. I’m going to be staying with her every night so Katee can sleep.
During the time that Addy sleeps, I’ll be doing laundry, housework, and dishes. It’s meant to give Katee the time she needs to bond and rest. I’m also popping in at different timesduring the day to make sure she has someone to speak to, and see how she’s doing.
Motherhood can be so isolating, especially now that she’s a single mother.
Opening the door, I stand as I get out and push the rest of my thoughts away. I want to be fully present. One of Quinn’s alphas opens the garage door, watching as I walk over.
“The snow is getting heavier,” he says worriedly, moving so I can come in and he can hit the garage door button to close it.
People don’t realize that I’m claustrophobic, and I’m very careful about where I go so that I’m rarely triggered. That’s why I freaked out when the gate wouldn’t immediately open where I now consider my home on Pack Ledger’s property.
It may be temporary, but I really do love having my own space where I know I’m safe.
“The roads aren’t bad yet,” I tell Callum as I follow him into the living room.
“I know. We’re going to worry as you head home,” he grumbles.
My lips twitch as I think about how lucky I am this time to have such caring clients. Sometimes, I’m just a tool for some packs and clients.
“How is Quinn today?” I ask. “Is she still having morning sickness?”
“Yes,” he says. “It’s bad all day. I’m worried.”
“I have a saline bag with me with some nausea medication. I’ll set her up if she’d like. It’s safe for her and the baby,” I explain before he worries.
Seeing Quinn, I smile warmly. Linus is running his fingers through her hair as she lays her head in his lap. She looks tired to me, and I’m not surprised since she's in her first trimester.
“Hey, mama,” I murmur. “I think you’re in the perfect spot for an IV. What are your thoughts? It’ll give you a little energy, and help with the nausea.”
Quinn moves so that she’s on her back and her legs are up on the couch as she nods. That’s okay, I don’t need words.
“Do you need anything to hang the bag up?” Duncan asks.
“I’m going to hook it up on the blinds,” I say with a shrug.
