Captivated Desires

42

"Yeah- are the kids okay?" I asked gently.

"They're fine," Reign assured you instantly, squeezing your hand. "They're all with Olympia. She's taking care of them while I'm here with you."

"They miss you," he added, his voice quiet. "They want their mom back, healthy and whole."

I started to get emotional "I want my babies..."

Reign's heart squeezed in his chest at the sight of my tears. He knew how much I loved our children, how much I missed them. "I know, darlin'," he said softly, bringing my hand up to his lips again. "I know. But you have to rest and recover first. Those kids need you healthy. I need you healthy."

He held my hand against his cheek, pressing his face into my palm. "Please, just focus on getting better," he murmured, his voice filled with quiet pleading. "The kids will be here when you're feeling better, I promise. Just get better for us, alright?"

I nodded. Reign nodded, relief coursing through him at my agreement. He knew he wasn't a doctor, but he recognized the importance of rest and healing. "Good girl," he muttered, leaning back slightly but still holding onto my hand. "You need to sleep, darlin'. You need rest."

"When can I go home?" I played with his fingers. Reign smiled faintly at the gesture. He could tell I was restless, eager to be out of the sterile hospital environment and back in the comfort of our own home.

"I don't know," he admitted, running his thumb over my knuckles. "The doctors will have to run a few more tests, to make sure you're completely stable. But hopefully, it won't be too much longer."

He paused, his expression turning more serious. "But you have to promise me you'll do exactly what the doctors say, alright? No arguments, no pushing yourself too hard. You need to take it easy for a while, let your body heal."

"I promise," I said gently. Reign smiled, his eyes softening at my promise. He knew I was a fighter, but he appreciated my willingness to let myself rest this time. "That's my girl," he said quietly, lifting my hand to press a kiss to the back of it. "Now, get some rest. I'll be right here."

"I'm scared to sleep,". Reign's eyebrows drew together in concern at my admission. "Scared to sleep?" he repeated, his voice gentle. "Why is that, darlin'?"

"Dreams of the basement... every time," I replied.

Reign's expression hardened at the mention of the basement. He knew all too well the horrors I'd endured down there. "Darlin'... you're safe here," he said firmly. "This isn't the basement, and you're not down there. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

"I'm not sleeping," I protested.

"You need to sleep," Reign countered, his voice a bit firmer now. "Your body needs rest to heal. You can't keep staying up like this, you'll just wear yourself out." He paused, studying my exhausted face. He knew I was frightened, that the memories were still fresh in my mind. But he also knew I needed sleep, desperately. "Just try," he pleaded, gently squeezing my hand. "Close your eyes and just try."

"Promise me you won't go," I asked him. Reign's heart ached at my pleading tone, my frightened request. "I promise," he said instantly, his voice firm and steady. "I won't go anywhere, darlin'. I'll be right here the whole time."

After a few hours, it was 8 am, Lionel's eyes widened when he saw me, his small face immediately lighting up with joy. "Mama!" he cried, his little legs carrying him quickly to my bedside. Behind him, Levi followed his expression more subdued but just as relieved to see me awake and aware.

Willow padded slowly into the room, her eyes wide and frightened. Her pacifier was in her mouth, and she clutched her beloved blankie tightly in her fist. She stopped at the edge of the bed, peering up at me with a mixture of relief and trepidation. Her little voice was soft when she spoke. "Mama...?"

"Hi babygirl," I said gently. Willow's eyes filled with tears at the sound of my voice. She took a hesitant step closer, still clutching her blankie like a lifeline. "Mama... you okay?" she asked, her voice shaky.

"I'm okay baby," I looked at Reign to lift all of them onto the bed. Reign was watching the scene unfold with a mixture of worry and tenderness. "Come on," he said to the boys, gesturing for them to come closer. "Be gentle with your mom, okay?" Lionel and Levi crept up to the bed, their eyes fixated on me.

Reign smiled and gently lifted Willow onto the bed, placing her next to me. The boys followed suit, carefully climbing up onto the bed and settling in around me. They crowded around me, their tiny bodies pressing close as though trying to confirm that I was there and okay. Lionel took my hand, holding it tightly. Levi snuggled into my side, his head resting against my good shoulder.

I gently brought Willow closer to me so she wasn't left out "Did you guys have fun being with Auntie Pia?"

Lionel nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining. "Auntie Pia made us pancakes!"

Levi echoed his brother's excitement. "And we watched cartoons all day!"

Willow's tiny eyes fell on my wounds, the sight causing her to burst into tears. "Mama hurt..." she repeated, her lip trembling. The boys' expressions mirrored their sister's worry and fear, their little faces turning anxious.

Reign's expression was pained, his eyes filled with compassion as he looked at our children's scared faces. He saw the look I gave him, an unspoken plea for help. He cleared his throat, his voice soft as he spoke to the kids. "Hey now, don't cry. Your mom is gonna be just fine. The doctors are going to take care of her and she'll be good as new in no time."

"But she has boo-boos!" Lionel protested, his eyes fixed on my wounds. Reign placed a gentle hand on his head, ruffling his hair soothingly. "I know, buddy. But your mom is strong. She's tougher than she looks. She's gonna heal, I promise."