Come Home

Chapter 43

Alice woke up and whimpered as her body hurt from crying so much. Her eyes felt like sandpaper and were swollen, and her throat felt like she had swallowed glass. She sat up just as the door opened. "Hey Il Mio Cuore, would you like some warm tea with honey?" Jackson asked as he walked over to her with the teacup in his hand. She pouted and sniffled as he held the cup up to her mouth, "Gently, it's still a little hot." She took small sips and once it was empty he smiled, "Good girl, do you want to try some soup and see if that will help?" She shrugged and he smiled softly, "how about we at least try?" She nodded and he pulled the blanket back. He scooped her up and he carried her out of the room bridal style. The group looked up anxiously as he entered the kitchen and looks of relief crossed their faces when they spotted her in his arms.

"Hey," they said with all their nicknames for her.

"Here Sugar, sit with Silas while I call Dr. Roberts so he can come check on you," Jackson said as he sat her in Silas' lap. "Marc will get you a small bowl of soup, just try, okay?"

"Yes Daddy," her voice cracked as another tear slipped down her face. "Zero?"

Luke chuckled, "he is currently making Justin chase him around the field. He apparently snuck up behind Justin and stole his shirt out of his back pocket and took off running. Justin tried bribing him with a carrot but he would rather make Justin chase him."

She tentatively laid her head against Silas chest and Silas forced himself not to react to having her in his arms and lap again. She clutched his shirt and hiccupped. "Here you go, Beautiful," Marc said as he placed a bowl of potato soup in front of her.

"Here, I'll do it, Angelos Mou," Silas spoke softly as he picked up the spoon. "You just rest." He took a small scoop of the soup, blew on it, then held it up to her mouth. She sniffled and opened her mouth. She thought she heard multiple sighs of relief when she swallowed it then allowed Silas to continue feeding her.

Just as she shook her head when she became full, the back door opened and Justin came in breathing heavily, "That's it, that pony can just keep it," he said in between deep breaths. "I'm done, Bosses. I can't with him." She giggled then sniffled, catching his attention. "Hey Boss Lady, you're awake. Good, your pony—"

She pointed to the door and Silas tightened his grip before carrying her outside. She sniffled then let out her tune. Within seconds Zero came rushing toward the fence. He stopped right at the fence and Silas carried her over to him. She pressed her face against his forehead and sniffled before kissing his nose. He dropped the shirt that was in his teeth and pawed the ground. "Later Sweet Boy," she sniffled as she ran her fingers up and down the bridge of his nose.

He neighed softly and she kissed him again before he took off running. "Thanks Boss Lady," Justin chuckled as he picked up his shirt from the ground. "He sure is a playful one now." She nodded and Silas carried her back into the house. He sat in the rocking chair and began rocking while the group worked together to start cleaning up the kitchen.

"Hey Little One," Dr. Roberts smiled as he entered the house. "How are you feeling?"

"Crap," she whimpered. "Hurt."

"Well, that is to be expected," he said as Kota brought him over a chair so he could sit in front of Silas. Sean brought over his doctor bag while Owen turned on some lamps to give some better light. "I heard you are finally starting to properly grieve."

"Guess," she whispered. "Hate."

"I know you hate it, Little One," Dr. Roberts nodded sadly, "but it's better to let it out instead of keeping it all bottled up. It's what's making you sick."

"Know," she whispered. "Hate."

"I know but it will eventually get better, I promise," he said as he leaned forward to put some eye drops in her eyes. "Were you able to eat?"

"Yes," Silas admitted for her. "She had a small bowl of soup and some warm tea with honey."

"That's great," Dr. Roberts smiled. "Something is better than nothing. Even if it's just ice cream and junk food right now, it's better than not eating. I need to get you to regain that weight that you lost, I don't like how much weight you lost during this grieving process of yours. If you lose anymore I'll have to admit you and I know you don't want that." She shook her head. "Neither do I, Little One. So I need you to tell the guys when you are even the slightest bit hungry and I'm putting Lucian on your sweet tooth cravings and North is NOT allowed to protest even one bit. If he does, I want you to tell me and I'll reprimand him. Promise me, Little One that you will continue to eat and start to work through this darkness now, no more hiding and no more bottling it up, deal?"

She leaned forward and he pulled her into his lap. She sniffled and hugged him as best as she could. She blinked back tears and whispered, "I'll try."

He smiled softly, "That's all I ask for."