Not Mine

Chapter IX

Everyone was still in a bit of shock as the time passed. John talked to the Markcus in hushed tones at the tree line and Jocline, Brenny and Rob all stood in place, silent, as the cool wind blew past them. There was barely any movement apart from the slight sway of the trees. Finally, Jocline had to sit down on the porch steps, too upset to do anything else. Seeing Tobias, a young man she had started to think of as her very own son, so distraught was hard, and knowing that it was because of her daughter who was suffering far away, was even harder. John and Markcus stopped talking, and looked over to the woman. They watched her sit, on the verge of tears, and then at each other. It didn't take words for the Alpha to know to give the pair some space. They headed back closer to the house.

"I'll stick around until they return." Markcus sighed, rubbing his tired eyes as they reached the steps.

"Of course." John nodded, looking down at his wife in distress. He looked up and around at the others. Brenny snapped back into action. She cleared her throat.

"How I go make some tea?" Brenny offered, looking at Jocline quickly, before looking at John and then the Alpha.

"Oh you don't have to do that, Brenny." John chuckled, but his eyes were grateful. Brenny shook her head.

"Oh don't be ridiculous John, I could really use one, and I am sure that I am not alone." She laughed gently, looking at Jocline, who remained still, looking at the grass hopelessly.

"I'll help." The Alpha offered. Brenny smiled and walked up the stairs with him. John watched them disappear into the house before he looked down at his wife. He sat down next to her slowly, and then remembered Rob, who was still stood a few metres away, staring out into the woods. He looked to where Tobias and Patrick had disappeared and seemed lost in his own thoughts. John cleared his throat, and then louder until Rob looked back at him. John made eye contact and then subtly jerked his head towards the house, telling him to get lost in the nicest way possible. Rob almost scoffed and said something stupid, but he caught himself before it passed his lips and he choose to swallow it instead. He shook his head. He didn't have the heart to muster a childish rebuttal, while Jocline, a woman much like his own mother sat in misery.

"Whatever, I'm going back to bed." He muttered, and went back inside.

After they were alone, Jocline couldn't continue the false appearance of 'being okay'. Her body started trembling, and silent tears began to stream down her cheeks. John's heart broke and he felt weak, seeing her in such grief. He wrapped his arms around her protectively and she instantly melted into his embrace.

"Aw Jo..." He sighed as he gently stroked her hair and held her tight. He knew that he couldn't say much to comfort her. He couldn't tell her lies about the future, that everything was going to be okay, or they would get Carter back soon. He couldn't pretend that everything was fine either; their baby was suffering, so they too were suffering. He took a deep, shaky breath, and tried to dismiss his own tears before they fell. There were days when she was strong for him, but today it was one of those day, when it was his turn to be strong for her. He swallowed and kissed her temple softly.

"Jo, you know our girl, she is strong...She will take care of herself..." He whispered.

"She shouldn't have too!" Jocline sobbed. "She shouldn't have to deal with all this...this bullshit, John!"

"I know, Jo, but we didn't- we don't have a choice. It was those bastards who took the choice away from us, and from Carter... And they will pay for it, but for now, love, we have no other options but to trust her to be who we know she can be, and let her take care of herself."
Jocline pushed out of his embrace, moving and turning away from him. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and folded her arms. John frowned and touched her arm, which she ripped from him.