The Erinyes's Bond (Wolfguise)

Chapter 24-Eska

Shade and Ramona had gone upstairs to start putting the beds together. I heard them swearing and cutting up with each mistake. It was nice to hear Ramona cheerful instead of shitty. I could still feel the tension though. Tobin had come home to the surprise of children he barely knew in his dinning room. He and Othella had gone outside to keep from frighting the little ones.

Beezus sat with me as we went through all the clothes. Madeline had loved everything I had picked out and insisted on putting on a fashion show. We ooed and aahed with each outfit change. Arthur had taken his clothes to the wash room and started a load without any help. Once he had finished he grabbed a book and sat down at the table to read.

"This is the last one Auntie Beezus! It has sparkles." Madeline came around the corner and swirled in a sparkly pink unicorn dress.

"It's beautiful Madeline. Why don't we get everything together so we can wash them once Arthur's clothes are finished?"

"Okay!" She ran back around the corner. I could hear her grabbing all of the discarded outfits.

Othella and Tobin came back inside. Tobin looked at the disaster that was his table. "Seems someone went shopping today."

"Oh yeah, I had an absolute blast. Usually I have to stick to registries and buy ugly stuff for other people's babies. I had a master shopping buddy too. Arthur knows what he likes and that makes it way easier." I touched Arthur's arm gently and he smiled but kept reading.

"Nana said you came to the rescue on the shopping. Can't believe she sent Shade on his own." Tobin planted a soft kiss on Beezus's head then sat down next to Arthur.

"Whatcha reading there son?" Tobin kept his voice soft.

"Its a book about plants. Shade said I could get it." Arthur handed the book to Tobin.

"Othella looks like you'll have another gardening buddy in no time." He looked the book over and handed it back to Arthur.

Nana came over and placed a tender hand on Arthur's head. "I'm excited. Shade up and found himself a mate, I don't know that he'll ever help me again."

She winked at me. Arthur remained quiet. "What's up bud?"

"I don't want us to be a burden." He wiped at his nose, fighting a sniffle.

"I'm going to take Madeline and Amelia up for a bath. Let the four of you talk." Beezus smiled at me and collected the baby.

"What about my clothes Auntie Beezus?" Madeline's arms were full of her new wardrobe.

"We'll drop them in the laundry room." She guided the girl through the kitchen and out of sight.

I moved down a chair so Othella could sit beside her grandson. I really wanted to go up and help Shade but I couldn't abandon Arthur. He was so sad and lost. He needed someone that seemed to understand him.

"Now son what makes you think you're a burden?" Tobin placed a large hand on Arthur's back.

Arthur took a deep breath, on the verge of tears. "I don't think father ever wanted us. I heard him say something to mother once. That having so many children was a burden. You've all been so nice. We have clothes, books, the girls have toys. You even got us all beds. That's so much."

"Now you listen to us son. Nana and I are gonna take care of you and your sisters. You're our grand-babies. We're gonna take care of you just like we took care of your big brother and sister. I don't want you to ever think you're a burden."

"Gramps is right, you'll love it here. Shade and Ramona are a walk away. You'll get to know your big brother and sister. Plus Gramps is right, I need a new gardening buddy. I could even use help with dinner. Lets go get that started. I'm sure you've worked up quite the appetite after all that shopping." Othella stood and held out her hand.

Arthur grabbed her hand and let her lead him into the kitchen. I looked at Tobin and watched the rage drain from his face. This had to be frustrating for him. The second time he's raising his son's children.

"Eventful first time meeting the family. Sorry you're dragged into this mess." He wiped his hands down has face and dropped them to the table.

"I wasn't exactly dragged."

He laughed. "True. Still, you two deserved more time to be together uninterrupted. I know my grandson. He's going to assume responsibility of those three."

I nodded. "He has. I don't know much about his family history. I've seen enough in the last 6 hours to know that he's a man of integrity. He wants them to have the life you gave him. I have to learn to adapt. I'm walking into a world I only have the faintest dealings with. The one thing I do know, is family  trauma. We've all got it, and we've all got to deal with it. Maybe this is the start of healing."

Tobin looked at me with understanding. "We should probably go up and check on those two and make sure they're not breaking things."

I chuckled and followed him upstairs. "Or hitting each other. I could see them doing that."

Tobin's laugh echoed through the house. "Gods girl you have them pegged."

He led me down the hall and we passed by a coupled of bedrooms. It looked like they already had the frames put together for Madeline and Arthur. We found them in a smaller room working on a crib. Shade held the instructions and Ramona was sanding in the middle of the constructed crib.

"What did you do?" Tobin's voice held humor.

Ramona gestured at the bed angerly. "This part is supposed to go down and it won't go down. Shade read the directions wrong."

"I did not." Shade did not look up from the paper. He mouthed the steps over and over.

I covered my mouth to hide my grin. "The crib is upside down. You built it upside down."

The both looked at me with the same glare. Tobin and I burst out laughing. Shade stood and picked the crib up. Setting it down correctly. He nodded and looked back at me. I shrugged.

"I've built that particular crib for Ronka's sister before. Good crib." I didn't hid my smile this time.

Shade growled in annoyance but still smiled. "Smart ass."

"Did the stoic Shade swear at me? His little mate. Shame." I clutched my chest in mock shock.

Tobin clapped his hands. "Alright children. Get finished up. Nana is making dinner and Beezus is giving the girls a bath. It will be time for bed soon enough."

That reminded me. "I'm gonna go text Ronka and let her know something came up. We'll reschedule, they'll understand."

"No, we will be finished soon. There should be enough time to go out." Shade slid the metal springs into their respective slats.

"I need to shower and change. I don't have clothes here. I'm wearing the ones from last night. I'd have to go home and that's a forty minute drive. Plus if we eat dinner and help with the kids then it will be late and it would be easier to stay here again." I felt surprise through the bond.

"What did I say?"

Shade drew closer and pulled me to him. "You would give up time with your friends to help with my siblings?"

"Of course. I thought that was the plan. You needed my help I came." I hugged him.

He kissed the top of my head. "Thank you. I will make it up to you."

I laughed. "Oh I know you will. Now finish this up and I'll go help Nana and Arthur set the table."