Perception

Part 88

Sang POV

Holy croutons! I can't believe I had the guts to say that. Hearing that all of my boys love me and that they are also willing to allow me to date them all was a one-two punch of 'holy ship they all love meeeee!' I think and want to dance with glee, and 'holy sandwiches, this will could work, but not without the potential someone getting hurt if we are careless with each other'. Heh! The look on Mr. Blackbourne's face though!

My sassiness lasts only long enough to get me to the top of the stairs. Rushing the last few steps, I almost stumble when I see Dr. Sean watching me with a gleam in his eyes.

He seems to want to say something to me but I just can't trust what will come out of my mouth right now. Instead of allowing him to talk, I stride to him silently, and kiss his cheek. Hearing him inhale deeply, I smile and scuttle over to Silas' side before Sean can speak.

Silas is watching me with a bemused smirk on his face, having seen the whole interaction from the kitchen entryway. I send a smile up to him, and reach for a hug as I normally do. He scoops me up and I have a moment of absolute bliss, just being comforted in his strong arms.

Above me I hear the controlled steps of Mr. Blackbourne walking through the hallway toward the stairs. I'm tapping urgently on Silas' arm by the time the footsteps reach to the top of the stairs.

"Let me down, Silas," I murmur. He looks sad, but I kiss his cheek and smile in encouragement which lightens the disappointment in his eyes as he tenderly lowers my feet to the floor.

I pretend not to hear Mr. Blackbourne saying my name as I continue into the kitchen. Swallowing a giggle, I hear Dr. Sean draw Mr. Blackbourne's attention to himself allowing me to escape. I pick my way between the male bodies scattered throughout the room.

The boys are hanging around the trays of dessert that North made for everyone. The lumpy round chocolate covered berries are deliciously cold, having been placed in the freezer to allow them to set. It was torture seeing all that prep-work and not being allowed to eat them until they were cold.

"What's the rush, Peanut?" Nathan chuckles, as I skid to a halt next to him. "We weren't going to eat them all before you could get any."

I send him a wide grin, but instead of answering, I grab a small paper plate and scoop a selection of the berries onto it.

"Miss Sorenson, I must speak with you," Mr. Blackbourne says as he enters the kitchen with Sean following behind him arching his brow at me and making a shooing gesture.

Sliding over to North, I use my free hand to tug his shoulder down. North obliges by ducking down and I kiss his cheek to thank him for the treat, but don't hang around long enough for Mr. Blackbourne to catch me.

"Can't stop now! I'm going to take a bath," I tell the amused boys before dashing back out of the room with the sound of Mr. Blackbourne's repeated request trailing off behind me.

I am a woman on a mission. A mission to avoid Mr. Blackbourne's inevitable 'talk' that my frustrated words will have prompted. I cut down the hall heading to the bathroom. Reaching the bathroom I shake my head and open the door; I just can't believe they're still doing this.

They're keeping stuff from me after all we've gone through, I fume as I stare at my flushed face in the vanity mirror. That was the one thing that I thought I had gotten their promises to stop doing before. I don't need to know about their missions, but anything to do with my life? Yes.

Setting the plate of treats on the small towel shelf near the tub I walk back to the door and lock it. Of course I know that won't really keep anyone out. I just want that extra bit of warning should someone decide to intrude on my bathing. Turning the water on, I plug the tub when the temperature is right.