No Escape

Chapter Fifty-Four

Several months passed and the storm of Weston's corrupt leadership finally settled as Lily and Jackson finished correcting everything that was so screwed up in the Silvercrest Pack. The two were glad that the stress of all that fell on their shoulders from the aftermath of everything was gone. Even though they still had their duties to attend to—paperwork to complete, events to plan, and pack members to oversee—it didn't feel as overbearing as it had before. Days flew by in a breeze as the work they put in and taking care of Charlie kept them busy. Though their routine didn't change much, the two were able to find more time to spend with each other as the work wasn't as demanding as it was before.

Jackson was up early, in their office trying to complete the paperwork that was sitting on his desk. His mate still asleep in their room. Things between them were going so well. He didn't realize how everything that had happened since meeting Lily was affecting him until things settled down and they were able to just be "normal." He was so grateful to have her in his life and he didn't know how he went so long without her; how he was able to continue his day to day life with her just out of his reach.

Tiny footsteps sounded from the hall and Charlie burst through the office door, "daddy! Something's wrong with momma!"

His heart almost stopped in that moment. He was confused by what she meant. He could still feel her through the bond. He got up from his seat, picked her up, and began heading back to their wing. "What's wrong?"

"She's sad. I went to find her and she was crying."  Charlotte said. Jackson picked up his pace after hearing that. He tried peeking into Lily's thoughts, but she must have blocked him out.

He placed Charlotte on the couch in their living room and turned something on for her to watch. He reassured her that he would figure out what was going on, then headed into their room.

Lily was laying in her side towards the big window that the curtains covered, facing away from him. He could smell the saltiness of her tears and see the shaking of her shoulders, even though the room was shrouded in darkness. As he approached her, he saw the framed image of Maisie's ultrasound in her hands. Oh, Lil. He rounded the edge of the bed, crouched down in front of her, and placed one of his hands on her cheek, swiping away some of her tears. "Hey, beautiful." He said and she flinched.

Lily fought the urge to push him away. Knowing that wasn't what she really wanted. She needed the comfort of her mates arms around her, to be so close to him she could practically taste his scent. But her sobs escaped her when he spoke, stopping her from expressing all of that.

Jackson knew. He climbed up onto the edge of the bed, laying down with her, and pulled her into him. He wrapped his arms around her so tightly, they could be mistaken as one person to anyone who might've walked in. "It's okay." He tried to comfort her, but she continued sob and wrapped her arms around him. Jackson mindlinked Adrienne, can you get Charlie ready for daycare and drop her off?

She replied right away, of course. Is everything okay? Jackson formed the image of Lily laying on the bed with Maisie's ultrasound in her hands from a few minutes prior and sent it her way. Say no more. Let me know if either of you need anything else.

Jackson didn't respond, instead choosing to focus on Lily. He began running his fingers through her hair to try to calm her down. They laid there for what seemed like hours with only the sound of Lily's sobs breaking up the silence. Jackson didn't know what to say to help her. He didn't know where this came from and he didn't want to ask to avoid upsetting her more. "It's okay, Lil. I'm right here. I'll be with you through this. Always."

A surge of guilt and sadness hit him like a truck. Lily's emotions tore through his own as she started letting down the wall she built up to keep him out, though she kept her thoughts locked up tight. Jackson held her closer and took in a breathe of her scent, calming himself down.