Page 113 of Healed
When they finally came up for air, she smiled at him with tears still in her eyes. “I love you.”
“That’s all I want, forever, and I really, really hope we’re already pregnant. But if we’re not, we’ll make sure we are soon,” he promised.
Daisy hugged him close, as she laughed. “I am so happy!”
~~~
Two days later, Avaleigh had just poured the creamer in her coffee and taken her first sip in the hazy early morning light before the sun had completely risen. Before she’d even poured Daniel’s cup, a soft tap on the front door had her looking in that direction. Keeping her coffee in hand, she started that way.
“I’ve got it,” Avaleigh called out when she heard the comforter and sheets on the bed rustling as Daniel prepared to get up.
Daniel had been still lying in bed taking a few extra minutes to lounge around, but was already on his way to the door. “Let me get it.”
Avaleigh recognized the protective instinct roared to life in her mate and without a second thought, let him take the lead.
Daniel looked through the peephole, then shot her a look that said ‘no worries’, before unlocking and opening the door.
Remi stood there, disheveled, dirty, exhausted, ashamed. He lifted his head just enough to look at his parents, but came just shy of looking either of them in the eye. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Daniel stepped into the threshold of his front door and curved a hand around the back of Remi’s neck, pulling him into an embrace. “I love you,” Daniel said softly. “We both do.”
Remi nodded, but didn’t answer. He was struggling to stop the trembling of his lips, the tears dampening his lashes, though he fought valiantly to keep them inside.
“Come on. Let’s sit for a while,” Daniel said, guiding him fully through the door and closing it behind him.
Avaleigh went to her son, holding him to her with one hand, trying not to spill the coffee in the other.
Remi grabbed her and leaned over, burying his head against her neck. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m so sorry,” he said, as tears began to flow more freely.
Daniel took her cup from her hand so she could hug Remi tightly.
It took a good five or six minutes before Remi finally got ahold of himself, and stood back from Avaleigh, taking deep, calming breaths as he used the bottom of his shirt to dry his eyes.
“I’ve really made a mess of things,” Remi said.
“You have. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be fixed,” Daniel said.
Avaleigh walked over and sat down on one end of the sofa.
Daniel placed a hand on Remi’s shoulder and guided him to sit beside Avaleigh, then he sat on Remi’s other side.
Remi sat there, looking down at his hands, not quite sure where to start.
“There’s a lot going on inside you. Whatever feels like it needs to be said, say it. If something feels too raw to put a voice to, don’t. We’re not going anywhere Remi — never,” Avaleigh said.
“Mom’s right. We might track you down and kick your ass, but it’s with love,” Daniel said.
Remi chuckled and shook his head ever-so-slightly. “I know. I just, there’s so much to make amends for. With you, with my clan, with yours. My behavior has embarrassed so many people that are important to me. I’ve let so many people down.”
“Can I ask what sent you over the edge?” Avaleigh asked.
“So many things, but mainly frustration, rage.”
“Rage?” Daniel asked. “At who?”
“That’s the thing. I’m not even sure anymore. After Cristie came to find me, I spent hours thinking about all the things she said to me. And at first I was indignant. Who the hell was she to even presume to know how I felt? Then I realized, she was probably the only person that had a right to be there calling me on my bullshit. I mean, yes, you’re my parents, but you’ll always lean toward forgiving my behavior. No matter how fairly you’d make me face whatever issue I’ve created, you’d personally forgive me, because you love me unconditionally. Brandt, not at all the right person, because I’d grown to resent him and everything he had, because I didn’t have it. I wanted a mate, a family, a baby. A home that was haven for me and mine. And I thought I’d found the person to build that with in Bailey. I loved Bailey, I really did. Even now I wish her nothing but happiness. But it makes me angry, too. I should have known she wasn’t the mate I longed for, and I think on some level, I did know. I just wanted that so badly. I’d always thought so highly of her that I just, I don’t know, I just said, okay, she has always been drawn to me, I’ve always been drawn to her, this is it. Let’s go for it. Then Cristie came to Havoc’s wedding, and my world fell down around me, while at the same time all the possibilities of what my world could be opened up. I was so confused. My Dragon demanded that I grab Cristie and run, my conscience demanded loyalty to Bailey. Then anger at myself for dragging Bailey into a situation she should never have had to struggle through. So much guilt,” he said.
“All of that is understandable,” Daniel said. “True unfortunately, but understandable.”
