Neighbors

Chapter 30

"Darling..."

"Owen?" Liza mumbled as she drifted awake.

"Be a good girl, sit up, and take some medicine for me," he said as he pushed her damp hair out of her face and helped her sit up. "Then we will get you in a nice cool bath."

"No," she pouted, "no bath, need care Kiairi and Kyler."

"Kiairi is currently taking a bath with bubbles and a popsicle. Kyler is at work."

"What?" she asked groggily. "I haven't started yet."

"Darling, we are taking care of our children, you need to be resting," Owen said as he held up the medicine cup to her face. "Now take your medicine."

"No," She pouted weakly, "they need me. Be good wife care for kids." She weakly attempted to push the cup away and get out of bed. "Need care—"

"Eliza Annmarie Blackbourne, stay in that bed and take your medicine right now," Owen said sternly causing her to freeze.

"What?" she whispered looking at him in shock.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" he asked dropping his tone.

"I'm sorry," she burst into tears. "I be good...sorry..."

"I'm sorry Darling," he said setting the medicine down and putting her in his lap. "You aren't in trouble, I promise." He started rubbing her back gently. "Please calm down, Darling. You are very sick and need to take your medicine. Do not worry about Kiairi and Kyler, we are taking care of them."

"Not your job," she sobbed as she tried to pull herself together. "My job—"

"Your job right now is to get better," he said a little stern. "As their fathers, it is our role to take care of them while you get better. A father is supposed to care for his children not just financially but mentally and emotionally as well. Let us do that and show you how it is supposed to be."

"I...s...s..."

"Shhh Darling," he soothed, "you have nothing to be sorry about, you have much to learn. Now can you be a good girl for me and calm down?"

She nodded as she just focused on him holding her and rubbing her back. "There we go," he said softly while looking at Sean with fury in his eyes. "There's my good girl, now take your medicine for me."

She sniffled and slowly sat up, he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and gently wiped her face. Sean came into the room and held up the medicine cup. She took it then made a disgusting face making both of them chuckle.

"Take a sip, Pookie," Sean said softly as he held up a bottle of Propel berry flavored water with a straw in it. She sniffled then took a couple of sips before he sat it on the nightstand. "Now let's get you in a cool bath to help reduce your fever, okay?"

"Okay," she whispered as she laid her head back in the crook of Owen's neck. "Your shirt..."

"Is fine," he said as he carefully picked her up. "I can easily put on another one later. Right now we just need to focus on getting you better."

"I no feel good," she pouted. "Throat hurts."

"I know Darling," he said as Gabe dropped a couple of bath bombs into the tub. "But hopefully this will help make you feel a little bit better."

"Kids?" she asked as Owen sat her on the counter.

"Kyler is at school taking a final exam before Thanksgiving break and Kiairi is in a bubble bath with a popsicle talking to Lucian through the door."

"She better?"

"Yes she is doing better," Sean nodded as he helped Owen take her shirt off. "How is your hand doing?"

"Hurt," she whimpered. "Lot."

"Okay," he nodded. "As soon as you are not running a fever I will take you to the hospital and look at it. Unless you think we need to go now."

She shook her head, "just want seep."

"Okay Darling," Owen said as he dropped her shirt and helped her stand so he could lower her shorts. "Let's get you in the bath while Gabe puts new sheets on the bed then you can go back to sleep."

"Promise?" she whispered scared.

He gave her a soft smile as he sat her in the bath, "I promise Eliza that we love caring for Kyler and Kiairi." She smiled softly as she wrapped her arms around her knees and relaxed as he ran the washcloth over her back.

"Owen?" she whispered in confusion. "You said—"

"Yes, one day you will have my last name," he said as he ran the washcloth over her back softly again. "You will be married to all of us, Darling, but you will have my last name. The whole group is in agreement about it."

"Promise?" She whispered as she fought to stay awake.

Sean smirked, "we will tell you again Pookie when you are better."

"Let's get you back in bed," Owen said fighting back a smile when he saw she was fast asleep.

"Are those fucking scars?" Gabe whispered as he handed Sean a towel.

"Yes now be quiet," Sean whispered. "You can't honestly be surprised."

"Fucking hell," he whispered. "I'm staying the fuck away from North and Raven when they find out."

"Hush," Owen whispered as he helped Sean slip a large tee shirt on her while Gabe slid shorts on her. She whimpered when Owen tried to pull away after laying her down. "Okay Darling, okay," he smirked as he removed his shirt then laid back down with her. Sean and Gabe smirked as they left the room. He covered them up then whispered, "Go to sleep, I have you."