Page 33 of Healed
Emmalyn sniffled and hiccuped, while giving an effortless shrug.
“I see one of the strongest females I’ve ever known. Of our generation, you’re the strongest. And I see your parents… how many times have we been told the stories of their badassery? Nobody has a story like theirs. And Barron… wow, he is the most calm of all of us. And stronger than most. You know how I know that?”
Emmalyn shook her head.
“Because he tamed you. You knew that he was strong enough to allow you to let down your guard and let him in. You know he’ll never let you down. Right?”
Emmalyn sniffled and nodded.
“The love you two have for each other is enviable. The both of you have this passion for each other that just screams that’s my person and I’ll destroy any who even think otherwise, andthat faith you have in each other makes you stronger and helps you grow to be better than you were yesterday, everyday. So, what that tells me is that the same love you two have for each other is what created this child. It’s going to grow up surrounded and supported by that. You’re going to cover that child with endless confidence and the purest love, and they will never, ever doubt who they are and what their place is in this world.”
“What if they end up like me?”
“What, stubborn and a pain?” Daisy teased.
Emmalyn huffed a quick laugh.
“If he or she does start to close herself off because she thinks it makes her stronger… you’ll recognize it immediately because you lived it. And you’ll know how to guide them through it. You’re going to be the best mommy.”
“You really think so?” Emmalyn asked.
“No, I don’t. I know so! And when you get overwhelmed, because you will, every mom does, you’ll overcome it and know the absolutely right thing to do about it, because that’s who you are. You never let anything win, but you.”
Emmalyn laughed through a fresh set of tears as she nodded.
The entire time they’d been talking, Daisy had been holding Emmalyn’s hands in hers, and by the time she’d finished, most of Emmalyn’s nausea had subsided, and her panic had calmed.
“You okay?” Daisy asked.
“Yeah. I’m just so tired and so weak.”
“Here, slide down here on the floor by me, and we’ll eat some frozen grapes and watch some T.V. until your dad has your food ready. What are you watching?”
“I don’t know.”
“We’ll find something.”
“Okay.” Emmalyn slid from the sofa onto the floor and cuddled up with her head on Daisy’s shoulder, bundling hercomforter around them both. A few minutes later, Emmalyn lifted her head and looked right at Daisy. “Is there a particular reason you came by. Did you need something?”
“Nope. Not a thing. I just felt like you missed me,” she said, smiling brightly and not confessing at all that she was having her own issues.
Emmalyn chuckled and leaned her head against Daisy’s. “Will you get sick because I was sick?”
“Nope. Some of it was because of the baby. Some was because of your anxiety. I took enough to make you feel better, but not enough to flood my system.”
“Smart,” Emmalyn said. “Oh! Ghosts! Let’s watch that!”
Chapter 6
By the time Brandt pulled up in front of his house, Tempest was already standing out on their porch, looking down the staircase at him. She’d felt the pain swirling inside him, then his intense need for her, so was waiting for him when he arrived.
He raised his gaze to hers and she simply opened her arms to him. He jogged up the steps to her and she immediately enveloped him in her embrace, kissing his neck and ears as she held him. “Show me,” she whispered.
He opened his mind and let her see the replay of the entire encounter between himself and Remi. He threw in the encounter earlier that morning and the condition he’d found Remi in at Vince’s. He held onto her just as tightly as she held him, soaking up all the love, all the comfort he knew she’d give him.
When Tempest finally let go enough to ease back and look into his face, she saw that his lashes were damp and he was trying so hard not to get too emotional. This was the hard part of being an Alpha. At least it was for Brandt. He loved all his family, every single one of them was absolutely necessary for his happiness. And he did his absolute best to make sure everyone was safe and had everything they needed so they’d be happy in the clan they all shared. But being an Alpha also meant that sometimes it wasn’t enough. If one of your members was really struggling, sometimes the best thing for them was a little tough love. And as in this case, it sometimes went further if the tough love didn’t produce the desired affect. “He didn’t leave you much choice, my love,” Tempest said. “But I promise you it’s going to be okay.”
“I’ve trusted and admired Remi all my life. How did it come to this?” Brandt asked.
