Savage Crown II

25. Twenty-five

Natalia

Later on before midnight Callum had climbed into bed after having had taken a shower and checked in on Zoey. He wrapped his strong arms around me brining me in closer to him. My mind and body in a state of half asleep half awake was drawn to the warmth of his body. I curled myself into his arms wrapping one of my legs across his legs and rested my head on his darkened inked chest. I could faintly make out feathers across his chest with a cross at its center. His left arm had more detailed drawings of a clock, roman numerals and roses.

The warmth his body emitted and the steady beat of his heart against my head formed a beautiful song that carried me away back to sleep.

In the early morning I lazily opened my eyes, the room was dark from the black out curtains, Callum's arms enveloped me as he hugged me from behind. Slowly I tried to wiggle away from his arms to head downstairs and get started on breakfast for us, when all of a sudden his arms pulled me in closer to him, "morning love" he whispered lazily.

"Morning amor" I smiled as I turned to face him. "You're a light sleeper now" I giggled as he opened his eyes halfway and smiled at me.

"I got to be there's a little one across from us and this house is huge." He chuckled lightly. As if he had predicted it Zoey burst into the room her little feet thumping on floor as she came into the room running towards the bed. "Daddy I want ice cream for breakfast again!"she begged as she climbed into bed between us.

"Zo no ice cream for breakfast today." I quickly said before she could begin pulling at Callum's heart strings. Immediately her eyes got watery and formed a pout as she looked over to her father for support. He smiled and looked down at her, "not today leanbh"

"Pleeease papa" she asked as she rose to stand on the bed. "No Zoey Maeve, we can grab ice cream later after some real food." He said as he scooped her into his arms. "Daddy can I color on you?" Zoey asked as she looked through all his tattoos. Callum let out a hearty laugh as he looked down at her. "These aren't coloring pages sweetheart"

She began laughing with him, "What are they there for?" "They are tattoos Zo" Callum smiled down at Zoey. "I want one! With a pony on it!" She let out a loud sneeze that make her nose runny. Callum reached to the nightstand for a tissue and wiped her nose.

He observed her for a bit to make sure she wouldn't sneeze again before he answered her idea. "Not until you're older sweety " Callum stood up from the bed with her in his arms, "how old daddy?" She asked as she sneezed again. "Super old Zoey like 54" Callum laughed as he spun Zoey in his arms  "Who's hungry?" He asked enthusiastically. "ME!" Zoey yelled excitedly raising her hands. He turned around and smiled at me, "mo ghrá , shall we" he extended his free arm out to me, his muscles flexed underneath his tattoos as he helped me out of bed.

We headed downstairs and sat Zoey down in the little breakfast nook while Callum and I began cooking breakfast. When it came time to mixing the pancake batter Zoey volunteered to help mix the ingredients together with Callum. The both of them laughing and enjoying their time together, Zoey would get choked up and cough at times which made me begin to get concerned. After they finished mixing the batter Callum helped Zoey wash her hands from all the flour as he lowered her back to the floor from the sink Zoey began having a sneezing fit that made her fall silent afterwards. As she sat back down at the table I quickly noticed her cheeks were lightly red. "Mama I don't feel good" she sighed as she began coughing.

We both stopped what we were doing and rushed to her side. I quickly put my hand to her forehead and saw she had a fever settling in. Callum got worried immediately , "Let's take her to the hospital."

Seeing Zoey fall sick made my heart ache.  For a child she never got sick,  and the few times she'd get sick it was tough. This time was different though, this time she had her father here with her. I tried easing Callum's nerves a bit, "it's probably just a small cold, I'll  call a doctor here and set up an appointment."

Zoey's chirpiness began to deminish as another coughing fit took over and she began to cry. I began to scroll on my phone looking for a pediatrician near by. Callum lifted her up into his arms as she cried and reached for the phone on the kitchen counter with his free hand and called someone. He smiled at me, "the doctor is coming to check on her here, Remember Natalia we have a lot of resources at the tip of our fingers."

Not even an hour later Lana led the doctor to Zoey's room. She was fast asleep in Callums arms  not wanting to let go of him. He had no choice but to place her place her down in her bed and let her cry while the doctor to got a better look at her. Callum rose from her bed and stood next to me pulling me into his arms with a worried expression. It was the first time he'd seen his daughter sick and was trying his best to be patient with the doctor as Zoey continued to be fussy. Callum has killed in cold blood, fought with bare hands, and leads multiple people but he was still learning everything about our daughter.

The doctor took out a stethoscope and placed it over her chest and back listening to her heart and breathing. He began checking her vitals and monitored her for a bit more before rising from her bedside. "She has a cold, I'll leave her some medicine to help  alleviate the symptoms that should help with her discomfort" he smiled at us, "She'll need plenty of rest and fluids, don't worry she'll be back on her feet in no time."

Callum sighed with relief as the doctor began packing his things. "If anything else arises or worsens feel free to call me" the doctor said lightly. "Thank you Doctor... Amir downstairs will handle your payment." Callum said.

"Thank you Mr. Clarke, it's always a pleasure working for you."  He said as he walked out the door leaving us alone with Zoey. I'll push back the meeting with my mother so you can see my brother and father" I said looking over at Callum. Before he could answer Zoey let out another cry, "papa stay with me pwease"she cried out as wiped the mucus from her nose. Callum instantly sat down at her side. She scooted in closer to him and huddled up with him.

"Go see your mother, Natalia. That's something that will greatly benefit our family right now. I'll deal with your brother at a later time."he whispered as Zoey was falling into a sleepy trance.

"What about Zoey? I can't leave her...not when she's sick"

"It's alright, we have doctors on call, and Lana is here and my mother will probably stop by if needed. Right now we have to continue as planned love"

"What exactly is the plan?" I questioned. "I wasn't made aware of what is happening."

"I'm leaving this Saturday to take care of something" He said sternly.  

"This Saturday? Thats in three days" I frowned worriedly. "Yes, mo ghrá  the sooner it's dealt with the better.We'll talk more when you come back." He said as he patted Zoey on her back lightly.

I reached down and gave Zoey a kiss on her forehead, her fever had gone down already. It gave me a bit of relief. Callum caressed my cheek with his hand before giving me a thorough kiss. "Amir will drive you to your grandparents house. Be careful love. There are tools under the seats should you need them."

"I love you Natalia" he whispered as he lowered his hand. "I love you too Callum" I smiled.

I tip toed out the room turning around one last time and taking in the sight of Zoey with her father taking care of her before I finally lightly closed the door behind me.