Revealing Kane

52 - Healing?

It's been a long 24 hours since John showed up at my parents' house. We've accomplished nothing but fighting, and I'm still stunned Dad beat him up. I get Dad was protecting me, but he didn't have to go that far. John is seriously hurt.

I help John into the house, and we are greeted by Mom and Grammy. It seems they have been worrying about John since we left. They try to get me to bring John into the kitchen for some food, but it is him who shakes them off. He's tired and in pain, so he wants to lie down. I don't blame him. He looks terrible.

I help him up the stairs and into my bedroom. From his crib, Jack lifts his head and sleepily smiles at us. John crosses to the bed and sits on it with a flop, looking at me wearily.

"Let me say goodnight to the little monkey," he says, so I go to Jack, lift him from his crib, and bring him to John.

With his ribs so tender, I'm pretty sure John can't lift Jack, so I gently place our toddler on his lap. John gives him a small smile, so Jack smiles back. Just then, there's a knock at the door, and Mom comes bustling in. She has a pair of Dad's pajamas and brings them right to John.

"Good gracious, that's a terrible black eye," Mom says, looking John over. "I'm so very sorry Richard did that to you. He's promised to stay in our room tonight and tomorrow... well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

"Thanks, Mom. For everything," I tiredly say.

"You're welcome, sweetheart. I hope you two can fix this mess between you. I'm rooting for you," Mom says and starts to leave but pauses. "Did you really cheat on Allison?"

"Mom," I warn.

"It's okay, Al," John says to me and then turns to my mother. "No, I did not. Not physically, anyway. Not even a kiss. What I did do was bad enough. I actively sought out this woman's company, and I lied to Allison about it. I'm an utter idiot for doing it," he explains, and Mom is silent.

"So, emotional cheating, not physical," I clarify, and Mom nods.

"I certainly hope you've learned your lesson," Mom scolds, turns, and leaves the room. "Goodnight," she snaps and shuts the door.

I turn to John once she's gone, and I can see his sorrow.

"I reckon your entire family hates me now," he sighs.

"Not the entire family," I joke. "Thank you for telling her the truth. What did your Mom say?"

"Oh, she called the day the pictures were published. She was none too pleased. She asked me when I'm going to grow up," John tells me, and I bite my lips together. "I know. She's right."

"Do you need me to help you change your clothes?" I offer, and John shakes his head no. "I'm going to use the bathroom. You okay with Jack?"

"I'm okay," he assures me, so I head out of the room.

When I return, John has changed into the pajama bottoms but is shirtless. My eyes rake over his body, instantly full of lust, but I put a quick damper on it. I'm not about to make love to John after all that's happened. Plus, his ribs are taped, so I'm not sure he'd be able to without being in pain. He's changing Jack's diaper in preparation for bed. If nothing else, John is a good father. I step beside him and smile at Jack as John closes the baby PJs.

"All ready then?" I ask, hearing my very British intonation and even slight accent.

John nods as he lifts Jack from the bed. I go to take the baby, but John pulls away slightly.

"Let me do it. I've missed the nightly routine," he says and turns, walking to the portable crib.

I stand there and watch John put Jack down for the night. He's quietly singing something, but I can't quite place it. John tucks Jack's blanket around him, then leans over the
crib and gently rubs Jack's back. I smile at the loving scene and turn to change for bed.