Life Straight Up (reposted - feedback wanted)

Chapter Thirty One

Ray's POV

Once Grace had done the X-Ray's and put a cast on my wrist, she sent me on my way with some pain killers. Helena and Alec escorted me back home. Once the tears had stopped I just stayed silent, I didn't want to talk about what had happened. I didn't want to think about it. Silently Helena helped me into my bed, she offered to stay with me, but I just shook my head and she left. I couldn't sleep, I just laid there staring into the darkness, not knowing what was going to happen now. Before I knew it, light started to fill the room from outside. Not wanting to stay in bed any longer, I got up and dressed. Whilst I brushed my teeth in the bathroom, I noticed my phone flashing on the sink. Picking it up I saw I had a message from Chris. Celeste had had the baby, smiling slightly I finished getting myself ready and headed downstairs. Once I got to the last step I glanced at the kitchen, but then just the thought of eating made me feel sick. Continuing towards the front door, I paused for a second by the living room. Cole's scent hit me and made me whimper quietly, not quietly enough as I soon heard movement from the sofa. Knowing I wasn't ready to face him, I moved as quickly as I could out of the door off towards Chris's pack grounds. I could sense Cole watching me, but I knew he wasn't following me. I didn't look back, I just kept moving until the pack house came into view. I tried to rid my body of stress and tension as I made my way up the steps to the front door. I knew they would be expecting me so I just let myself in. As soon as I stepped inside, I couldn't help but notice the sense of excitement and joy that filled the house, the air was buzzing. Inhaling deeply, I quickly caught Chris's scent and followed it until I found him in the kitchen. He stood at the cooker looking a little lost, but his face was plastered with the biggest smile I'd ever seen. Seeing that the omelette he was trying to cook was about to burn I rushed over to him to give him a hand. He seemed to jump slightly as I stood next to him and removed the pan from the heat.
"Oh Ray, I didn't hear you come in," he simply said, as he focused on the bacon and sausages he was also attempting to cook.
"Yeah I just got here, I just found your message. I probably would have been here as soon as I got it but I had a busy night," I replied vaguely, as I grabbed some plates, guessing the food was just for Celeste and himself.
As I placed them down on the counter, Chris stopped and stared at my arm.
"What the hell happened to you? Is it broken? Oh my god are you ok?" he asked becoming the overprotective brother I know and love.
I wasn't sure how to reply, I didn't want to ruin his day by dragging him down with my problems.
"I lost my footing getting out of the bath and hit it on the sink," I lied and prayed he believed me.
"Well I suggest you keep Cole with you when you have a bath from now on," he simply replied, dishing up the sausages and bacon.
"Yeah will do," I said, splitting the omelette between the two plates.
I kept my head down as the thought of Cole and the bathroom made tears sting at my eyes. Thankfully Chris was so high up on cloud nine that he didn't seem to notice.
"Do you want to meet him?" he asked grinning like a little boy, as he picked up the two plates.
I pushed away the tears and looked up at him smiling and nodding my head.
"Of course I do," I said, quickly following him upstairs.
"Oh Ray he's so perfect, I swear I have never seen anything more perfect than my little alpha. He looks just like Celeste but he's got my nose. Oh, Ray I can't wait for you see him," he said excitedly as we made our way to his bedroom.
He pushed opened the door and there was Celeste sat in the bed cradling the baby in her arms.
"There you are Chris, what took you so long?" she asked turning to look at us.
Her face lit up as she saw me walking in behind him. He hurried over to the bedside table and put the plates down. Moving over to Celeste, he took the child in his arms and made his way back to me.
"Well Ray, I'd like you meet your nephew, Rhys," he said, smiling as he placed him in my arms and he was right, he was absolutely perfect.

I sat holding a sleeping baby Rhys, while Chris and Celeste ate their breakfast. They told me all about the birth and how all the pain is all worthwhile. I could tell Celeste was exhausted, but she had a glow to her, she looked so happy. Sitting their holding my nephew just made me realise how much I couldn't wait to hold my own children. To see their beautiful faces, to feel the warmth of their skin, to look into their eyes. I wondered if they'd look like me or Cole. I know what they looked like in my vision, but I wondered if that is how they'd really look. Before I could think about it too much, the door opened. The scent that hit me belonged to the last person I wanted to see right now. He paused in the door and glanced at me before turning back to the happy couple.
"Hey sis," he said before walking towards her and kissing her forehead. "How are you doing?" he asked, as he sat on the edge of the bed.
I sat there feeling incredibly uncomfortable, not really wanting to be in the same room as him. I could vaguely hear him and Celeste talking but I just needed to get out of there. I got up slowly and walked towards the bed. I noticed Cole tense up slightly as I got closer to him. Celeste seemed to pick up on the tension between us, as she looked at us both in confusion.
"I had better hand him back to you before I decide to keep him," I said jokingly, as I gave Chris his son back.
"Are you leaving?" he asked.
"Yeah I'm beyond exhausted," I replied holding up my casted wrist.
"Ok well you know where we are if you want another little cuddle," Celeste said giving a sympathetic smile.
"Definitely," I replied, smiling as I walked towards the door.
I betrayed myself by looking back at Cole before quickly waddling out of the room. I could feel my resolve quickly crumbling away and I knew I had to get as far away from him as possible. It seemed that fate had other plans as sparks shot up my arm as he grabbed my upper arm. I closed my eyes and tried to calm my racing heart. I almost stopped breathing as I felt his chest come up against my back. I wanted to slap him, he was using our bond against me, no matter how angry I was at him I couldn't shut off my body's reaction to him. I gasped as I felt his warm breath against my exposed neck.
"I know you aren't ready to hear me out yet, I know you're still angry at me, but I need you to know I will win you back. I will clear my name and earn your trust and love once more," he whispered, sending tingles down my spine.
I had no doubt that he was going to do everything he could, to get me to forgive him, but he had a long way to go.
"Go see your nephew," I simply replied pulling my arm out of his grasp, ignoring his statement altogether.
With that I left, crying all the way home and finally finding comfort in my empty bed.

I woke up in a panic, panting and my body covered in sweat. I had the most vivid and terrifying dream. I was strapped down to a wooden table as two women, ripped open my stomach and stole my babies. They just left me there to bleed out and die. I screamed at the top of my lungs, but no one heard me. I screamed out for Cole, but he never came. The last thing I remember before I woke was hearing a female voice, the same voice from Devlin's party. It echoed around me as I felt my life slip away from me.
"Everything you love will be gone," It said.
I couldn't shake the feeling that this woman was going to keep her promise. That she was going to take my life and everything I cherish. Trying to calm myself, I slowly climbed out of my bed and walked to the bathroom, stripping out of my clothes as I went. I was naked by the time I reached the shower. I turned on the shower and turned to the sink, running the cold tap and splashing some water on my face. My heart was still pounding and I was still panting. My stomach was aching slightly and the babies were unusually still. I rubbed my swollen tummy as it began to ache again. I looked up at the mirror and saw that it was all steamed up. I put my hand on the cold glass and slid it across it, clearing a patch where I could see my face clearly. I looked pale and tired, I looked old and empty. The happiness and love had left my eyes, I had only looked this bad once before in my life. That was when I lost my baby and I realised I was completely alone. I felt the same right now, but I knew deep down I wasn't, I had my babies. They needed me, they needed me to be strong for them. I took a deep breath and promised myself I would never let myself get that down ever again. I had two beautiful reasons to be happy and it was only a matter of a few months until I'd get to meet them. I pushed myself away from the sink and stepped into the shower, hoping the hot water would help erase my pain and fears. I made sure my arm stayed away from the water, as I wasn't supposed to get the cast wet. I knew a bath would have been easier, but I wasn't sure how I would get myself back out again. I would normally ask Cole, but that was not a possibility this time. Besides there was something soothing about the way the water hit my clammy skin. I reached out for the shower gel when a sharp stabbing pain shot through my stomach. It was so strong and sudden that I couldn't help but scream. As another wave of pain washed over me I lost my footing and slipped onto my back. I stayed there for a split second before propping myself up onto my elbows. Nothing in a million years would prepare me for what I saw. The bottom of the shower was covered in blood, the water running from the shower quickly washing it down the drain. My eyes grew wide as panic set in. Memories of my miscarriage flashed through my mind. This couldn't be happening, this couldn't be happening to me again. What did I do to deserve this? I couldn't stop the tears from flowing, I couldn't lose these babies not now I have come this far along. I faintly heard my bedroom door slamming open and footsteps rushing to the bathroom. Despite my anger there was only one person I wanted to see right now. He'd know what to say and what to do, but it wasn't him that came bursting through the door.
"Luna are you ok?" Greg said before looking at me wide eyed. "Oh my God! We need to get to Grace now," he said, grabbing a big towel and scooping me out of the shower.
Within seconds we were on our way down the stairs.
"I'm going to lose them aren't I," I sobbed.
"Not on my watch you won't. I promise you everything is going to be ok," He said, giving me a sympathetic smile.
"Greg you shouldn't make promises you can't keep," I replied quietly.
We remained silent the rest of the way to Grace's surgery. As soon as she saw us she quickly rushed us to her examination room. She asked me questions, but I didn't hear them. All I kept thinking was, where Cole could be and those terrifying words kept echoing through my mind.
"Everything you love will be gone."