Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 113 Making Up

Bastien’s POV

“Much more of this, and I’m going to regret coming back at all!”

I can’t stop hearing Selene say those awful words over and over in my head. They circle round and round, tormenting me every time my mind drifts from my work.

We haven’t spoken since that phone call. When I got back to the apartment last night Selene was already asleep, and this morning she took Lila to the park before I was even awake. It’s clear she doesn’t want to talk to me, and if our situation were any less dire ! wouldn’t permit such avoidance, but the investigation is keeping me busy day and night.

Luckily the eclipse festival will force us into the same room tonight, and I won’t let us go to bed angry again. We’ll talk all this out and keep at it until things are resolved, we can’t go back to bottling up our feelings and I can’t fail Selene again. I won’t.

The only blessing we’ve had since returning is Selene’s good press, and even my own has improved greatly since those first tense days back. Still, nothing is simple. I’m putting out fires left and right, and the more dead ends I reach searching for our enemies, the more stressed I become.

I can only pray that nothing goes wrong at the festival tonight-whether in my marriage, or the pack.

Selene’s POV

“Careful sweetheart.” I caution Lila, “the oven is very hot.”

We’re in the kitchen baking cookies, and in all her excitement to see the gooey chocolate confections come out of the oven, my pup is hovering right behind me as I extract the tray.

“How soon we eat dem?” She asks hopefully.

“They have to cool first.” I remind her, “but it won’t be too long.”

“One mint?” She chirps.

“More like fifteen minutes,” I correct.

“Mommy dat’s forever!” She exclaims.

“Better forever than a burnt tongue, my love.” I laugh.

As I get started on the dishes, Lila sets up camp in front of the cooling rack, hungrily watching the cookies as if she’s worried one might jump off and roll away. In fact she’s so intent, I’m surprised to hear her small voice after only a few moments. “Mommy?”

already

are cool yet.

I think. “We’re not fighting, angel.” I qualify, “just disagreeing. Sometimes grown ups disagree with each other and it can sound or feel like fighting, but it’s

don’ like it.” She

reply. “I

why you do it?” Lila questions, sounding as if she thinks

things and grow.” I explain, choosing my words very carefully. Besides it’s important to share what you’re feeling with the people

advice doesn’t escape me. I avoided Bastien last night and this morning, more out of guilt for lashing out

without asking ‘why.’ “Because when we keep unhappy feelings locked up inside of us, then they stay there and get bigger and bigger.” I say slowly sensing my own unhappy feelings growing even as I speak. “You have to let them out. You just have to be very careful how you do it, how you

Daddy I no

right.” I confirm. Or when foolish mommies tell

Daddy make

a little bit of time or space to calm down or figure out what you’re feeling – so you don’t say things you don’t mean.” Or when you’re a big scaredy-cat who can’t face the bad things you already said. “Like

long it take?” Lila wants to

and Daddy?”

“Yes.” She peeps.

longer.” I answer truthfully. I’m not sure why I’m feeling so moody, but I really don’t want to fight with Bastien. I just have to find

Bastien’s POV

seven to say goodnight, as we all decided she was too young to stay up for the festival. My pup toddles in, her adorable little

always does. Sometimes they’re so alike my heart aches. “There’s my sweet pup, how

me with the same sober expression, “Daddy, I don’ wan’ you ‘n’

but I wasn’t prepared for her to be

up in exasperation. “So make

simple, little orle.” I sigh, kissing her

insists, “just say

black and white as they seem in children’s minds. However, when Lila hears the rolling rumble in my chest, she frowns. “Is

sweetheart, I’m sorry.” Hugging her close, I promise, “I’ll talk to Mommy tonight. You have my

firmly, scrambling down from my lap now that the

her, “I

turns back with a radiant smile and giggle, running back over to

tight, I reply. “Goodnight Lila.

closet, decked out in a black suit and wrangling my cuff links into my sleeves. She leans in the doorway, looking so stunning my heart skips a