unconditional (BOOK #2) [TO BE PUBLISHED]

Chapter 12

“Oh God!! I- I was so worried!” Camilla sobbed as I awkwardly tapped her on the back a few times, my eyes wildly looking for a way out.

“I woke up and-and you were so hot and you wouldn’t wake up!”

“I thought you were going to die!” She continued on dramatically while I just remained still, until Marx came to save me.

Prying her hands, with a sweet cooing voice, Marx said, “Cami, let her go before you scare her…” too late. I didn’t understand why she would be so emotional. I mean, crying when she should be happy, I was in two minds. Do I ask if she can see, because she ran to me, but I did witness her earlier moving around her home with no unsure movements?

Her tight grip was replaced by my favorite pair of arms, “Finally!” Gabriel huffed once he pulled me into his arms. And I could feel what he felt. What we felt. Off balanced, but at the moment we were close again, everything seem to just right itself.

“You scared the fuck out of me amore mio,” Gabriel mumbled into my neck. My wolves purred. I didn’t speak, I just held him tighter. As his words resonated deep inside me. Squeezed a bit more hoping he understood that while I was sorry for his worry I’d still do everything over again. I know that healing Camilla would be worth it, not sure how or why just yet, but it seemed to be the right thing to do. Between us Gabriel’s phone buzzed – my mind flashed to the text I had received but I pushed it away, today was stressful enough.

 Gabriel slowly pulled away, not to answer. Instead he cupped my face, and searched my face, my eyes, deeply. I was relieved at what I found there, just understanding.

“You ready to head home?” He asked and I just nodded dazed.

“Oh you’re leaving already?” Camilla came closer again at the same time a sweet voice chimed, “Mama,” from behind me. Stepping, but not much away from Gabriel I looked over my shoulder.

There was Ava looking at Gabriel and me with wide wary eyes, and I felt Gabe tense. What happened? I wondered looking between them both. Releasing Gabe- as he did me- I reached out for Ava and pulled her to me. With her, on my hip I noticed she was holding a small bag, and inside were two shiny red apples.

“Apples? Did you have fun picking them?” I asked genuinely interested, but the guys all snorted.

“One for Mama, and one for Ava,” she answered smiling brightly. The guys just laughed. I was missing something. I raised a brow at Casey who was just a few feet behind Ava when she walked in, hoping it said, ‘explain.’

“She searched for 40 minutes, found two she liked then kind of gave up on Apple picking.”

“Ohm!!! Well that’s because my baby picked the best two apples!” I exclaimed exaggerating and nuzzling her still cherub cheeks as she laughed and shifted. From the corner of my eye I saw Marx leave the room, but that couldn’t pull me away from Ava.

Behind Camilla, Gabriel was now loading up two crates with jars and jars of bottled fruit and pickles. The third crate, Camilla filled with stacked pies and brought them near us.

“These are for you guys… you have to put the pickles in the fridge so they get well you know…” she said suddenly nervous, glancing at Gabe who nodded, watching his aunt thoughtfully. He would know what to do; he said he comes here for what she gave us. Did he sense her odd behavior as well?

Jack and Casey each grabbing a crate, left the kitchen.

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Gabriel and I followed and I handed Ava off to Casey to her settled in the booster seat, turning to say goodbye to our lovely entertainers. I mean I’m sure today did not turn out how they planned but maybe it was better. They had kept hospitable and welcoming, the whole time. Plus it was nice to have someone in Gabe’s family not think I’m some sort of Jezebel.