She's not sure if she's awake or asleep. She lingers in that half stage, unable to comprehend what's going on. Her limbs feel heavy and sluggish. She hears the voices of the kids as though from a great distance, like she's deep underwater. She feels as though she should wake up, but can't bring herself to it.
Someone brushes a hand over her forehead, gently grazing it in a kiss. A solid weight is distributed into her arms and she curls protectively around Abrielle, knowing the little girl by her smell alone. Her blankets are drawn up around her shoulders and she feels the same pull into the darkness.
She wakes up suddenly, her eyes popping open in a slight panic. The room is dark, lit by a single lamp. The house is quiet and Abrielle is sound asleep in her arms. She shifts slightly so she has a better grasp on the baby then gets up, keeping her level. Abrielle doesn't even twitch.
She sticks her head into the playroom, smiling when she sees the nest of blankets of the floor. Kalli and Autumn are side by side, separated by a flimsy pillow, wearing their matching pajamas. Raimundo is sprawled out nearby, his blankets kicked off. She shuts the door quietly and looks in the other bedrooms. Zane and Isaias are asleep in the bunk beds. She shuts the TV off and closes the door. Neva is fast asleep in her own bed, her phone buzzing on her bedside table. She walks into the basement. Cruz and Rang look over their shoulders at her. Ryder is asleep on the couch next to them.
"Brush your teeth." She orders quietly and they nod, going back to their game. "Where's Abel?"
"He went outside. He made sure everyone was in bed. What were you doing?" Rang asks her.
"Asleep." She says ruefully and they look at her curiously.
"Are you sick?" Cruz asks and she makes a face.
"Please try to be in bed at a reasonable hour." She requests and they snort. She wanders back upstairs, opening the door to the patio. Abel is reclining in one of the large chairs, gazing up at the stars. She sits next to him in silence, nestling Abrielle into her chest.
"The stars are better at home." He says quietly and Willow looks upwards. Though their neighborhood is fairly dark, only the brightest stars are visible.
"Where's home?" She asks and he's quiet for a long time.
"Norco." He says finally. "I lived on a farm there for awhile when I was a kid, before mom got a house in the city, closer to the hospital. On clear nights, we could see what we thought was every star in the sky."
"You and Thomas?" Willow asks and he shakes his head.
"Yeah, me and him and Lucius." He says and she frowns slightly.
"Lucius?" She asks and he inhales a shaky breath.
"Nero's son. He lived with us for a while, but he has spina bifida. He's in a home now." He explains.
"Who's Nero?" Willow asks, mildly confused and Abel sighs.
"He loved my grandma Gemma. So when my dad killed himself, Nero took my mom and us to his farm. He watched over us." He tells her and Willow struggles to place the name in the few mentions she's ever heard of Gemma.
"Does your mom know you're prospecting?" She asks, rubbing Abrielle's back when the little girl fusses.
"She does." He confirms, sounding tired.
"And?" Willow pushes.
"And what Willow?" He responds sharply and Abrielle gives a little whimper. Both falls silent as Willow settles her back into sleep.
YOU ARE READING
First Son, Cursed Son
Fiksi Penggemar“You need to know that if you walk out of this clubhouse with a prospect kutte on your back, you won’t last six months. Boys never do.” She warns him. “Who said I’m a boy, not a man?” He asks, with a charming smile. “I do. You’re all the same. Lit...
