Capture Her Heart

Chapter 13

Audrey pulled up to her house and sighed, she was so exhausted and ready for a nice hot shower and then bed. A quick glance at the clock on her dashboard told her it was nine at night and she had to get up at five to prepare for tomorrow's day at the center since she was expected to be there at six.

Opening her front door, she stepped inside and sighed again, "Rebekah? How's the pup?"

"Stable," she said as she emerged from the room next to the front door. "I have pain meds and nutrients going through her and tomorrow we should be able to set the leg. And you–"

"Oh good, you are finally home," North said as he suddenly appeared, wiping his hands on a hand towel before casually tossing it on his shoulder. "Come, let's get you off your feet for a bit. I'll heat your dinner and while you're eating, Gabe can draw you up a nice relaxing bath. Rebekah, please allow a couple of us to drive you home since it's so late."

Rebekah blushed and nodded, "Thank you, I appreciate it."

"What?" Audrey asked shocked that he was standing in front of her. "You–"

"Are still here, yes," he nodded, internally smirking at her shock. "I can't very well give you an update without you here, now can I?"

"You could have just told Rebekah," she mumblingly pointed out as he took her hand in his and started pulling her towards the kitchen. "Still have long drive."

"We like driving at night," North chuckled as he pulled out a chair and gently pressed on her back to get her to sit. "And sorry but policy restricts me to only report to my boss, i.e. you."

"Not your boss, client," she mumbled as she picked up the spoon and looked at the stew in front of her. "What's this? Looks like hamburger stew but smells like tacos."

"It's taco stew, Baby," he chuckled, "Now eat, it's late and you need your rest."

"Hey Marc said Doc is home," Gabe said as he came into the kitchen. His eyes lit up and a happy smile formed when he saw her taking a bite of the stew, "Hey Pretty Doc, you're home. I'm going to go draw you a bubble bath," he leaned up and kissed North on the cheek. "Now you can quit worrying."

"Oh my goodness, you are a wizard," she moaned happily as she took another bite of the stew, "This is amazing. Are you secretly a chef too?"

North chuckled and shook his head, "No, Baby, Marc, and Lucien are the main chefs of the family. They helped make dinner and there are more in the fridge and freezer. We are used to making large meals so there is plenty for you for a while."

"Damn you being gay and taken," she mumbled under her breath before taking another bite.

"What was that?" North raised an eyebrow as he started unloading the dishwasher.

"Nothing," she squeaked before taking a drink. "So how's the barn coming along?"

"The frame and most of the walls are up," he smiled at her cuteness. "We should be able to finish tomorrow. Axel spotted some repairs on some fences that needed to be done and we got those fixed as well. Sort of as a way to thank you for letting Doc spread his need to help others and as a way to help you with the community. No charge so don't even try," he pointed his finger at her. "Now, eat, Audrey Baby."

"Do you call all your clients nicknames?" she asked as she twirled her spoon. "As popular as you are, I bet it's hard to create so many names. Let me guess, all the women are Baby or Baby Girl to you, huh? And the guys are probably Cutie or Handsome or oh Sexy."

North burst out laughing, making her smile. "Not happening," he shook his head once he was able to regain control of himself, "My clients do not have nicknames."

"But–" She frowned in confusion.

"You are fucking special," Gabe smirked as he walked into the room. "Now, are you fucking ready for your bath or are you still goddamn eating?"

"Gabriel," North growled as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Now, now, Papa Bear," Audrey smirked as she patted his chest as she went to walk past him and stand next to Gabe, "If Baby Bear can't watch his mouth then he will just have to go to time out. No need to growl the house down."

"Oy, I'm not a fucking baby bear," Gabriel pouted as he crossed his arms over his chest.

She smirked as she raised her eyebrows, "Then I'm not special, and no more nicknames. Now, I hear a nice warm bath calling my name. Excuse me, Gentlemen. Goodnight."

She left the room while yawning as Gabe went and stood next to North. "Not fucking Baby Bear."

North chuckled as he pushed off the counter to grab her bowl and start washing it, "whatever you say, Baby Bear."

Audrey felt herself falling asleep so she forced herself to get out of the relaxing bath and get dressed in her favorite short black shorts and Sailor Moon shirt.

"What are you doing up?" Silas asked as she came down the stairs yawning. "You should be in bed fast asleep, Angelos Mou."

"Huh?" She asked, rubbing her eyes. "Water. What doing here?"

He smirked as he pulled her hands away from her face, "Don't do that, you'll hurt your eyes," he murmured as he started to pull her towards the kitchen. "Here," he handed her a water bottle out of the fridge then followed her out to the staircase, "And we were just about to leave."

She looked at the grandfather clock and frowned when her brain registered it was nearly eleven at night, "so late." She shook her head, "It's too late for you to drive, stay."

"What?" multiple men asked in disbelief.

"Might as well," she shrugged, "you said you were coming back here early to finish the barn and it's already so late. Makes most logical sense to just stay the night. Save you a long and pointless drive this late at night. I have a few spare rooms, I'm sure you can find enough blankets and stuff for tonight."

"Are you absolutely sure, Miss Emerson?" Owen Blackbourne asked.

She shrugged, "Sure. Save yourself a trip and just crash here. Just know I get up really early and don't be surprised if someone tries to bang down my door at different hours with emergencies."

"Very well," he nodded, "thank you."

"Sure," she waved her hand in the air then yawned again, "Alright good night."

The men watched her walk up the stairs before saying, "Sweet dreams."

Gabe looked at Luke and chuckled, "Well this is going to be fucking interesting."