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 preparing to tell her

cookies are cool yet. Instead she inquires, “Are you ‘n’

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 not anything

don’ like

silent chuckle, I reply. “I don’t like it

it?” Lila questions, sounding as if she

disagreeing is natural and even healthy. It’s how you learn new things and grow.” I explain, choosing my words very carefully. Besides it’s important to share what you’re feeling with the people you love, even when those feelings

irony of my advice doesn’t escape me. I avoided Bastien last night and this morning, more out

it?” My daughter presses. I’m beginning to think children this age aren’t capable of hearing anything 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

tell Daddy I no like

mommies tell their mates they

make up?”

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

long it take?” Lila wants to

and Daddy?” I

“Yes.” She peeps.

want to fight

Bastien’s POV

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

she snuggles in deep- the exact way Selene always does. Sometimes they’re so alike my

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

words catch me off guard. Selene warned me how pups pick up on everything, but I wasn’t prepared for her to be so tuned in when she hasn’t even seen us together. “I don’t want

arms up

not that simple, little orle.” I

Lila insists,

black and white as they seem in children’s minds. However, when Lila hears the rolling rumble in

know, sweetheart, I’m sorry.” Hugging her close, I promise, “I’ll talk to Mommy

from my lap

I call after her, “I don’t

back over to me and throwing her arms around my

reply. “Goodnight Lila. I

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