Chapter 2 Support

• ~Paul~
• When Nikki said she needed to get some air, I had a feeling she would end up at her former home. She’s been taking the news pretty hard, and I get it. I don’t know what I would do if one of my boys ended up gone. The devastation is something I don’t even want to think about, let alone feel.
• As soon as the sun shone through the window, I popped up and checked the bed. Nikki’s side was cold, and she wasn’t there. I jumped out of bed and threw some clothes on to go find her. Now I’m standing in the doorway, watching Nikki and Stuart asleep. The moment Nikki senses me, her eyes pop open and land on me. She sits up quickly and detaches her hand from Stuart’s. Goddess! I’m so sor- This isn’t what it looks like. I….I just….
• Nikki, stop. Do you honestly think that I would read anything into this? We are fated mates, so I would have felt that if you had been unfaithful. You and Stuart have children together, and you have lost one. I don’t fault you in finding comfort in him.
• But I should only be comforted by you. I can’t help but smile. She’s so caring, and I’m so lucky. I open my arms wide, and Nikki scrambles off the bed, falling into my arms. I wrap her up in a tight hug and breathe in her scent.
• “Uh, nothing happened?” I look past Nikki to see Stuart sitting up in the bed, looking at us. He looks fearful, and it’s almost funny.
• “We’ve come a long way, Stuart. Trust me when I say that I understand what this was. This was a one-time thing, though.” Stuart looks relieved and starts to get up from the bed. “Why don’t we go eat something. I’ll cook.” Nikki nods and detaches from me, keeping our hands entwined. Stuart gets up from the bed and stretches.
• “Count me out. I need to go see Tia and Kian. I just need to hold them right now.” I nod and lead Nikki out. We walk hand in hand back to our place.
• “Was it helpful? Was seeing Stuart helpful?” Nikki sighs.
• “It was, kind of. We spent the evening grieving and reminiscing. It was good to remember Adela’s life.” I stop and hold Nikki in front of me so I can look into her eyes.
• “That’s why I’m okay with you two having the night. I know you can’t have those moments with me because we don’t have that past together. You needed to be with someone who could walk down memory lane with you, and I’m glad you could do that with Stuart.” I kiss her forehead before pulling back again. “I meant what I said…. one-time thing.” I wink, and Nikki chuckles. I grab her hand, and we continue to walk to our place. This is going to be a hard road, and it will only get harder later. I’m almost certain that Aida will have to be ended, and that will be another blow to Nikki’s heart. I just need to make sure I’m here to help her pick up the pieces.
• ~Jenna~
• Running a pack is a never-ending, tough job. It’s been a really long day, and I can’t wait to get in bed with my love. Things have been great between us, and I still can’t believe Mark accepted me. I was a complete ass to him and everyone else. It would have served me right if he had told me he never wanted to see me again. I’ve been doing everything I can to be worthy of Mark’s love each and every day.
• I sit on the bed and take my shoes off. The bathroom door opens, and Mark stands in the doorway with a towel around his waist. He’s leaning against the door frame, looking me up and down. I can hear music coming from the bathroom, and I already know where this is going.
• “Just give me all your lovin’/Girl, I’ll do all the rubbin,’” His hips go left to right on the beat. “That’s all I ask of you/I’ll kiss you anywhere/Yes, love even there,” more hip action, “That’s all I ask of you.” I place my hands on my belly and smile.
• “There goes your daddy. You will have to get used to this when you get here.”
• “Kissin’ you is not enough for me/You know I’m a big boy, and big boys have desires.” Mark makes his way over to me, dancing to the music. “Makin’ love is what I want to do/But I need a true friend to make me come together.” One thing about Mark is that he loves his music. He loves putting on a show while he listens to his music. I love watching him enjoy life like this.
• Mark continues singing as he dances around me. He’s caressing my face and my body, turning me on to no end. “I’m not tryin’ to put you on the line/But I got to tell you what’s exactly on my mind, girl/My big heart leads me right to you…”
• “Mark, you are such a mess. Maybe you want to dry off or something.” Well, that was the wrong thing to say. Mark lets the towel drop to the floor and smirks as I take his body in.
• “Every time I close my eyes/A vision of your face always pops into my mind, girl/I would do anything to receive love from you/So show me the way that this could happen soon.” I reach out and place my hands on my dancing mate. I’m not sure if I ever really thought about how love would be, but this probably exceeds anyone’s expectations. Mark suddenly stops moving, and his eyes gloss over. When he refocuses, he has a worried look on his face. “Get everyone to safety. We have a breech.” Mark kisses my forehead and runs out of the room.