Come Home

Chapter 47

"It is not time for being silly, Gabriel," Owen stared him down.

"Sorry Sir," Gabe cleared his throat.

"How are you feeling, Alice?" Marc asked as he ran his fingers over the rope on her body, checking the spots and tightness on her.

"Weird," she whispered.

"Good weird or bad weird?" Marc curiously asked.

"I don't know," she admitted.

"Do you want me to remove the rope?"

She shifted slightly and a slight tingle coursed through her veins. She found she actually liked how the shirt rubbed against her skin from the rope, it wasn't irritating and almost like a tickle. "No," she said after shifting some more to see if she got the same feeling and was happy when she realized she did. "It's just weird."

"Here," North spoke gently as he held out two tumblers with rainbow metal straws in them. Luke took one while North held the other one. "It's apple juice." Luke held the tumbler up for Gabe while North held the one for Alice. They both took drinks and the Taylor brothers set the tumblers on the nightstands on each side of the bed.

"You like doing this?" She asked when she saw Marc was watching her.

"Oh yeah he does," Gabe chuckled, "he gets sooo hard–"

"Gabriel!" Multiple men said at once.

Without thinking about it, her eyes cast down then looked back at his heterochromia eyes. Her breath caught slightly at his one blue eye and one green eye, she always was so intrigued by them. "You aren't–"

"No," he admitted while shaking his head. "There is a difference between caring for you and playing with you. This isn't play time, Beautiful and my body knows it. Trust me if it were you would see clearly from the moment you pick your rope but now is not that time. Now it's about me helping you, taking proper care of you, and regaining your trust."

"But–"

"But nothing," Marc shook his head while interrupting her. He reached out and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I love doing this, Alice. It makes me so happy knowing that I am helping you and getting the privilege of getting to take care of you. Just like you take pride and love taking care of that little pony of yours and you did with Jack and those puppies, I take pride in caring for our family and you. You were meant to run this ranch, have us in your life, and care for every animal you see. I am meant to care for our family and you with my skills in Shabari, aiding the others in caring for our family, and making the best damn coffee ever."

"Of course," she giggled, "can't forget the coffee."

"Damn straight," he chuckled, then grew serious, "I promise Alice, it's not a bother and it's not too much. I would be very hurt if I found out you needed this and didn't tell me, I love doing this for both ways." He lifted her so she was looking into his eyes, "We all love you, Alice and we are very sorry for pushing too fast too soon and for not listening to you. All I can say is that we knew that you loved Jackson and Jasper and wanted to be with them as well as with us. We were okay with adding them into the family and we were just trying to show you we accepted them as well. We are very sorry for rushing and not listening and hearing you, Alice."

She burst into tears and he pulled her into his lap. He held her while she sobbed and once she was able to calm down, Corey came over and gently wiped her face. Sean placed some eye drops in her eyes then smiled as she looked up at him gratefully.

"Open Babygirl," North said gently as he held up a spoon full of chicken broth. "It'll help your throat."

She took a few spoonfuls before she started to shift in Marc's lap. "Ready for me to unwrap you?"

"Yes please," she whispered.

"I've already undone Gabe," Luke whispered as Gabe was sleeping.

"How are you feeling?" Owen asked as he helped Marc.

"Sleepy," she admitted.

"Do you want to lay beside Gabe?" Marc asked and she nodded.

"I'll go get your pony stuffy," Silas whispered as he headed for the stairs.

"Wait," she called out, making him stop and turn around. He walked over to her and she held her arms up. A huge smile painted his face as he bent down and hugged her. He refused to let go until she released him. Once she did he placed a soft kiss on her forehead then left the room to go get her black pony stuffed animal. She hugged each of fifteen men before Marc placed her beside Gabe. She curled up beside him and Owen covered the both of them up with the fuzzy blanket. Owen placed a gentle kiss on her temple while sitting next to her so he could continue running his fingers through her hair. She turned to look over her shoulder at him but he gave her a soft smile, "Go to sleep Darling. You've been through a lot and need your rest. We are so proud of you, sleep now."