love as it comes.

23

Ceasar woke up in his bed , there was noise downstairs, he rushed down.

The little girl took his hand and pulled him to the kitchen " mommy mommy,  daddy is up " Elina turned and Ceasar just froze looking at her " just in time for din..." he ran to her and hugged her.

Elina stood still not knowing what to do , he let her go and turned around " uhmm you go ahead and have dinner I'll be right back " , " you won't you're running away " one of the boys voiced annoyed.

He got up and threw his plate on the floor " I told you we shouldn't come here , he doesn't want us " , before he could run up Carl held him.

" I am sorry this isn't a happy reunion for you all " Ceasar turned.

" for 7 years I've longed to see your mother , I've wondered how she was , if she ate , if she lived , if she died , has she given birth yet , how many you are ? Is she handling everything okay.

I've longed for your mother , I've longed for you , for 7 years,  and she comes back with no explanation,  with you all just appearing and disappearing infront of me with the same face my face.

I am panicking,  I don't know what to say , or how to feel , just yesterday I was drinking myself to death and today I wake up to a full house with my wife back.

I don't know what you expected from me young men but yes I wish to run away.

This house is suffocating me , it was once built with love , then it turned to an empty space filled with loneliness and now it is suffocating me for it is filled with strangers who aren't really strangers.

I would say give me time but time will not bring back the 7 years I've lost , to watch you all grow , your first walks , your first laughs , your first fall , your first run.

It won't bring that back " he looked at Elina.

" you left me with no goodbyes only to come back and fill our home with our children and tell me dinner is ready.

7 years Elina , 7 years " he looked at the little girl wiping her tears away.

" just give me time and stop reading my mind , it's a little puzzled and it won't really say what you think it would.

Clean up that mess you made , and have your dinner , don't break more things out of rage , ask Carl the punishment isn't nice.

I'll let this one slide " he walked out.

The boy quickly cleaned up his mess and apologized.

" why don't you go after him? " Carl asked , " he doesn't need that right now , give him space " Timothy rushed in.

" I smelled the food from my place , tell me its dinner " , " it sure is " Aiden walked in and sat next to him.

" is it funny to have a boy as your mate? " one of the boys asked , " no why do you ask ? " Timothy answered and asked , " would you be fine with a male mate? " , " yes , mates are assigned to us by the Goddess , gender doesn't really matter " Timothy answered.

" then why haven't you accepted uncle Aiden ? " , Aiden choked on his drink , " he's your mate , why haven't you accepted him? " , " what? " , " Boys " , " sorry mom we won't snoop into others businesses again " , " no no no wait you're my Mate ? " , Aiden blinked a few times trying to process everything.

" I mean you did end up giving the bouquet I gave you to him " , " I was wishing him a..." Timothy just pulled Aiden closer.

" euw get a room " the kids all said closing they eyes , " this is perfect " Aiden was still dumbfounded.

" earth to uncle Aiden " one of the boys snapped they fingers " aaah , yes earth " he just answered and the boys laughed.

" congratulations " Elina said , " so now you can officially move in " , " he already lives with youn" Carl voiced.

" well that just as a friend he was taking care of my house now its our home , let's mark each other today " , " Timothy " he chuckled " you should see your face , red like a tomato " they all laughed and had dinner.

Ceasar was walking around and found Sébastien sitting alone near the trees , he walked to him.

" still here? " , " well you did pass out on me before our drink and I am nature so I am always where nature needs me " , " nature? " , " just like one of your sons , I control nature , water , land , forest , who dies , who lives , who can be seen , who can't be " , " one of my sons have that gift? " , " yes ".

" I had to take her , she was unconscious,  when she woke up she gave me an earful , asked many times that I atleast informed you she was alive.

Your children's lives were in danger , I couldn't risk it , it was my fault ".

" you didn't live with her? " , " no I watched from afar and helped where I could , she did it all on her own ".

" so you've never touched her " he chuckled,  " the moment she gave birth she rejected me again, the day your boy saw me was when I accepted her rejection,  I am married with a newborn " , " congratulations " , " thank you , I just wanted to clear things up.

Elina suffered alot these past few years , she was all alone with 8 kids , they almost ran wild.

You're emotional I get it but how do you think she feels ? It must be tiring " , " I just need time ".

" you do , but remember,  so does she " he got up , " she really didn't name them? " , he chuckled " they're number 1-8 , she never not once thought of naming them without you " , he sighed.

" they look so alike how does she know who is who ? " , " they're very different you'll know when you stay with them "he got up.

" will I see you again ? I might need advice " , " where the trees are, I am there just call out my name and I'll come " , " thanks " he just nodded and walked off , disappearing in the forest.

It was quiet late , Ceasar walked back home , the kids were all asleep in Carl's room , all cuddled up , he covered them up.

" goodnight daddy " the little girl voiced in her sleep , he smiled and whispered " goodnight princess " then walked out to his room.

Elina had passed out on the couch,  uncomfortably,  he lifted her up opened up the bed and put her inside.

He took off her earrings,  noticing she still had the anklet he put on her , on they wedding night.

He took it off her noticing the area was bruised he massaged it gently then covered her putting the anklet away.

He got in next to her and pulled her closer taking in her scent and cuddled her to sleep.