One More Summoning

Chapter Twenty Three

Katerina

It's been two days since I got discharged from the hospital. Josh is still there, he's improving but they said he has to stay another night or two. The guys have been glued to my side, they take turns so one of them can be with Josh and we all help Liz with whatever needs done. I love getting one on one time with Liz, plus that's the only time the boys aren't fussing over me. She really has helped me since the boys have rescued me. She reminds me of my mother when she was alive.

Today Liz isn't having a good day. I'm really worried and the boys seem to be as well. We have tried to talk her into letting us take her the hospital but she says she isn't dying in no hospital that she would be dying right here at home. I don't blame her. We each take turns going and sitting with her. It's my turn, she's asleep, her breathing is more slower and more labored. I get up from the chair and go sit on the edge of the bed. Sh slowly opens her eyes and looks at me.

"I'm sorry you have met me at the end and are having to see me like this."

"Liz, don't worry about that. I am so glad that I have met you, you are such a wonderful person."

"I want to ask you a favor."

"What is it?"

"Promise me, promise me you will take care of my boys. They are now your boys and they are falling in love with you. Plus they need you. They need someone to take care of them even if they say they don't, and they need someone to fussy over. And Josh, I know he isn't like the others for you, but take care of him too please."

All I can do is return her sweet smile, and nod my head. "Promise."

She closes her eyes and drifts back off to sleep. I sit and watch her for a while before the breathing has almost stopped and I run out of the room to get the guys. We all sit with her as she takes her last breath. The only one missing his her biological son, Josh, he is still in the hospital. After the guys have their last few minutes with her to say their goodbyes we call and get her moved o the funeral home and all of that. Once they have came and took her we load up and head to the hospital. This is gong to be so heartbreaking. I never know what to say in these situations. Josh is going to need his brothers and I'm going to keep my promise to Liz and be there for the boys.

Once we arrive at the hospital I let the boys go in to tell Josh the news of his mother's passing. I head to get coffee for us all. I take my time to give the guys as much time as possible. Once I get to the room Josh eyes are puffy and red. My heart breaks even more. I pass everyone their coffee and take a seat in the chair. We sit in silence awhile, we talk for a while, Sebastian leaves to go make arrangements.

...

Three days later, Josh is home, we all are getting ready for the funeral. Once we all are dressed we all get into the vehicle and head to the service. It was a beautiful service. Each of the guys talked and had beautiful things to say. I decided to get up and just say something short and sweet, Liz deserved that.

"I had just met Liz about a week ago, but she made a tremendous impact on my life. I will save all the details but long story short, I just went through something and as soon as I got out of it I met Liz. She always seemed to know the right thing to say at the right time. She is probably the main reason I've come through it how I have, I feel like if it wasn't for her then I would be in a different situation. Even though I only knew her for such a short time I felt like I've know her for many years. She felt like home, like I could go to her with anything and she would tell me the right thing. She cared for all of her boys, loved them with everything in heart. Before she passed I have a few minutes with her and her only concern about leaving this world was her boys, she asked me to look after them and care for them since her body couldn't do it anymore, I will do everything I can to keep that promise to her. She will be missed by many, but she is no longer in pain, that's something we have to remember. Until we meet again."

...

After the service we go back to the house and I find something to fix for them to eat but there isn't anything. I'm about to ask Cole to take me to the store when someone knocks a the door. It's a neighbor and they have a casserole. That is very kind of them. Many more people drop off food throughout the rest of the day. A lot of people loved Liz and it shows.

I stayed as long as I could in London but I do have to get back to my life. We called Mia and told her everything, her and Josh seem to be getting serious and the boys seem to trust her enough with their identity on my behave. Mis came to London to take over taking care of them while I went back to Chicago. I hate to leave but I have to. As soon as I can I plan on coming back I just have to take care of a few things before I can do that.

I'm back in Chicago at the shop trying to get everything settled. I've hired a new worker, Sara, she has been doing great over the past couple weeks. I've been calling and texting each of the guys. They have been going through Liz's things and getting all of that squared away. I've missed them like crazy but we will see each other soon. I should have everything took care of enough by the end of the week I can go back to London to see them for a week or two before I have to come back. It's hard trying to balance everything but we are making it work.

I'm in my office when Sara knocks on the door before she peeks her head in. I look up o her waiting for her to tell me what's wrong or see if she needs me for anything when all he says is there is a guy that came in saying her works here and started working. I get up and walk to the front of the shop when I see Josh.

"What are you doing here?"

"I've been off work long enough. It's time for me to get back to it."

"Josh you should still be with your brothers and taking care of things, taking time for yourself. There is no rush to come back, your spot will still be here you don't have to worry about that."

"We got everything took care of and all of us decided it was time to come back."

"Wait. All of you are back?"

"Yes. Didn't they tell you?"

"No. Excuse me. Glad to have you back as long as you're ready."

I head back into my office and grab my phone, dialing Sebastian's number. He answer on the second ring. There is a buzzing in the background. He said he didn't think josh would have came to work today with the jet leg, that they wanted to surprise me this evening after my shift. We make plans to meet up for dinner at my place, they will bring the food.

Hours later I leave work, leaving Sara and Josh to close up shop. I get home and jump into the shower. After a quick shower I get out throwing on a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top, towel drying my hair I walk into the living room and stop dead in my tracks. All of my boys stand there looking so good, having smiles on all their faces. I drop my towel and run into all of their arms.

"We have something to show you darling."

I turn my head in curiosity. Sebastian rolls up his left sleeve showing he has something on his forearm right below the bend of his elbow. It a new tattoo, simple one word, black cursive that says darling. My hand comes up to cover my mouth as I gasp. I don't even know what to say. Cole steps forward showing me his left wrist. He also got a tattoo but its of a simple princess crown. Declan steps forward next, turns around and lifts his shirt. On his left shoulder is a tattoo of a bird, is head is red while yellows and greens cover is body. He says its a lovebird, and the reason he calls me that is because of the red hair and says they are one of the kinds of birds that form strong bonds and stay together long term and will grieve the other if one dies. Archie pulls Declan back saying it was his turn. He lifts his shirt and shows me his ribs, it's a tattoo of cat ears, nose/mouth, whiskers, all in red ink. The nose of the cat is a heart.

"We got these to show you that you are it for us. We love you princess."

"Darling you are it for us. We are moving here to Chicago and we will figure all that out together like a team."

I don't even know what to say. My heart is so full it could bust. Tears start streaming down my face. And I pull them all into a hug, giving each of them a kiss before telling them I love them too. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.