I wake up at some point in the middle of the night and realize that there is someone lying next to me. Molly and Wes must have come home anyway. It’s just like Wes to worry about me and ignore what I have asked him to do.
“Wes, I’m fine, I just needed some time to myself.” I put my arm around him and then realized that THIS IS NOT WES! I start to panic. Who is in my bed?! Why is there a strange man in my bed with me?
Then I hear a gravelly voice whisper in my ear: “So it’s common to wake up and find Wes in your bed, huh? I thought we talked about this already!”
I instantly felt relief. Now that my heart rate is down to normal, I am going to beat the crap out of him.
Whack!
“Ouch! Dang, girl, you pack a punch even though you’re so tiny!” he complains.
“Dexter, what on earth are you doing in my bed? You scared the life out of me!” I yell at him.
“You mean after you figured out I wasn’t Wes? Really, Roz, you promised!”
“Um, well I promised I wouldn’t go in his bed anymore, which I haven’t! I said nothing about him in mine, but that is beside the point. What on earth are you doing here?”
I sit up and turn on the light to look over at him. My heart aches by just looking at him.
“Masters was worried about you, and when he told me that the ban is over, I needed to come here for myself to make sure you are okay. Masters said he’s never seen you so upset and pale and it’s not like him to exaggerate so I came right over. Once I got here and found you asleep, I didn’t have the heart to wake you, but your bed looked so inviting so I was just going lay next to you for a bit to make sure you really are alright, but then I fell asleep!” He looks like a sheepish little boy, and I can’t help but smile. I throw my arms around his neck and give him a big hug.
“Thanks, Dex. I can't believe you actually came.”
He looks down at me, completely serious now. “Of course I did, Roz. Whenever you need me, I will come.” His statement warms my heart. After how weird we left things off, I am not sure what to expect. I still don’t, but I’m not going to worry about it and just enjoy the fact that he’s here now, next to me…while I’m wearing my ratty pajamas. Drat!
“Where is little mouse?” It seems weird that he would leave her overnight. I know he has a lot of help, but he’s still so protective.
“I brought her with me. She is sleeping in your guest room.” Ah, that makes more sense now.
“Oh good, I’m so glad. A day with her is just what I need.” He raises an eyebrow at me.
“Just Grace? Should I have just sent Grace back with Masters then?” he asks, sounding like a neglected boy.
I hit him again.
“Oh stop mister! Pouting is not attractive, especially on such a big man like you.”
“So now I’m unwelcome and unattractive. Wow, babe thanks a lot!” he sneers at me.
“I never said you are either. You know you are always welcome and I’m not even going to start on how attractive you are because your ego doesn’t need any help.”
He grins at me now. “Oh I don’t know. After getting called by another guy’s name in your bed, it has probably obliterated any ego I have left,” he says with a chuckle. But then, he asks me directly: “Really, Roz, are you okay?”
“I don’t know. It’s a lot to process. What about you, what do you think about everything?”
He starts running his hand through my hair and playing with the strands.
“Honestly, I think it could have gone a lot worse. According to Masters, everyone seemed on board; they’re just nervous about taking on too much at once. This is a very valid point, Roz. The fact that they have lifted the ban is a sign of good faith. Maybe they will follow through with the rest of it. They just need time…and maybe a little incentive.”
“So you think this is a good thing?” I ask him, unsure.
“Yea, I do. Was it ideal? No. But they only tabled it when they could have motioned to get rid of it all together. Just take it a step at a time.”
“I know and you are right; it’s just that I really started to feel so strongly about everything. Before I had even found out about you and the OC, it was so upsetting to me to find out about how closely we are being watched and I wanted to get sick when I saw my file. It’s not right to take away someone’s privacy like that, not without their knowledge Dex.”
“You’re right. That has always bothered me. It wasn’t why I left, but it was part of it. I needed to be free of the Ministry and all of its ties. I just wanted to take Grace and raise her somewhere without all that, where she could have fun and be a kid.” I can hear the sadness in his voice. I know he feels like he has failed Grace, but he hasn’t.
“She will have fun and be a kid, Dex. She’s still young. She has a lot of pain to get past, as do you, but you will do it together. She can be happy again, I know it,” I assure him.
“You make her happy,” he says, nuzzling my ear. “You make me happy too.”
As much as I want to, I am not going to turn this into a fight. This man is like a Yo-yo; it's always up and down with him. He wants me, then he doesn’t. I am not going to go there, not tonight. So I don’t say anything and just lay there and let him snuggle with me.
Eventually, we both fall asleep. I wake up to tiny little hands on my face again and the first genuine smile I’ve had since I have last seen those big brown eyes.
“Well, good morning, little mouse.”
She smiles down at me. She is so tiny that I didn't even feel her climb up on the bed, but at some point, she must have because she is well snuggled in between us now.
“I missed you. Did you have a good time on the train?” I ask her.
She nods and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Well, let’s go find you some breakfast, shall we? We will let your brother sleep in a bit while we go and cook.” I get out of bed and she grabs my hand and follows me. We make some eggs and toast and I give her a glass of chocolate milk. She is a girl after my own heart and guzzles it down with a huge smile on her face.
“You are going to be the one to take her to the dentist since you have created this monster, you know?” Dex says as he comes up behind me and takes the milk out of my hand and downed it in one drink. He then makes a disgusted face.
“Hey, I was drinking that!” I whine at him.
“For goodness’ sake, that is disgusting! How can you drink that? Bleh!” He makes gagging noise.
“Clearly, you are delusional. It is delicious, isn’t it, Grace?”
Grace nods her head up and down while licking her lips. I give her a high five and Dex rolls his eyes at me.
“Going to work today?” he asks.
“Nope. Grace and I are going on a hike, and then on a boat ride in the lake. Aren’t we, Grace?”
Grace nods her head up and down enthusiastically again.
“Well do I get to come too, or is this a girls only trip?”
“What do you say, Grace, should we let him come? We will need someone to do the heavy lifting so I guess it might as well be him.” Grace starts tapping her finger on her chin like she is thinking and I burst out laughing.
“One day and you’ve turned her against me already! I knew you were a bad influence!” He starts tickling Grace until she giggles herself nearly to death and then nods her head that he can come.
“Sit down and eat so we can get out of here. Did you bring her some play clothes?” I ask him.
“Sure did. They are in the bag.”
“Perfect! You guys go change while I clean up and pack us a picnic lunch, and then we can take off.”
We all eat, clean up and get ready to go. We spend the entire day out in nature, and it is such a beautiful sunny day with a light breeze. The water is still too cold to swim in, but it is perfect to stay in the canoe and feed the ducks. I can’t remember the last time I have had this much fun, and have felt this relaxed. Probably the last time was when I was with Dex and Grace in the O.C.
We are so exhausted from being out all day that we ate some leftovers and spent the night laying around the fire and watching movies. Dex and Grace go to bed in the guest room while I go upstairs.
Chapter Thirteen
The next day, we lounge around the house and try to find something to cook that will be edible. I feel bad about sending Wes and Molly off so that I can be alone when technically I haven’t been alone. So I send them both a message saying that I am sorry and that they are welcome to come back if they want. I also let them know that we have a few house guests. They both come home after work that night. Molly seems a little annoyed until she meets Dex, and then she just gives me that you-are-forgiven look.
Wes, however, is a lot less impressed.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to move into staff housing? That way, you can have YOUR house back to yourself so you can be moody and sulk and have house guests whenever you want?”
I excuse us and take Wes to my room, dragging him by the arm.
“Look Wes, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings. I just really had a lot going on and needed some time to myself. I didn’t know Dex was going to come. Masters asked him to come and check on me because he was worried about me so he just showed up.”
Wes raises his eyebrows at the mention of Masters being worried.
“Are you alright? Masters doesn’t seem like the type to over react,” he asks now.
“Honestly, I wasn’t at the time. I do feel better now, but there is a lot going on, a lot that I can’t talk about, although I will say you would have made my life so much easier if you would have taken the job slotted for you.” I am not sure if Wes was supposed to be a Council member. I'm just testing the waters but judging by his reaction, I am dead on.
“But how did you…who told you…when did you…” He is pretty flustered and I feel bad for bringing it up.
“Nobody told me, I just guessed. You are the only one who got to pick your position and the Council really would fit you well. I just put two and two together.”
“I’m sorry, Roz. I didn’t realize that turning it down would make things harder for you. Should I try and get it back?”
“Really, Wes, don’t worry about it. I don’t want you to take the job for any reason other than you want to. It won't matter now anyway because you will still have to train before they will let you take your vows. I’m just teasing you.” He doesn’t look too convinced.
“Seriously, don’t worry about me, okay? The job just happens to be a lot harder than it looks, much more stressful than I had thought, but everything will be fine.” I am hoping it will anyway, but no need to freak Wes out. We decided to head back down stairs just as the door opens and Miriam walks in.
“Miriam, bless you!” Wes says as he walks past her and into the living room.
“Miriam, what are you doing here?” She isn’t supposed to come back for a few more days.
“Wesley let me know that everyone was coming home tonight and that you have guests. He said and I quote 'a child’s nutrient value hinges on whether I can come back and properly feed her.' I am happy to come back anyway and I am glad that he called.” Freaking Wesley. He just doesn’t want to eat my cooking. And here I thought I was getting better.
“Well thank you, Miriam. I’m sorry to spring it on you,” I apologize to her.
“Nonsense, it’s my job. I’m just going to pop in the kitchen and whip something up.”
Her version of “whip something up” is braised chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans with almonds, fresh rolls and a huge salad. Bless Wesley Sanders and his big mouth.
The next morning, Dex comes into my room and kisses my forehead. I’m so not a morning person, but I can get used to that kind of wake-up.
“Is everything alright? Is Grace okay?” I mumble still half asleep.
“Everything’s fine, she’s still sleeping. Molly and Wes just left, and I want to double check if you are planning on taking all day off today still.”
“Yep, I’m not going back until tomorrow.”
“Perfect. Would you mind spending the day with Grace? A few things have come up that I need to see to. I can take her with me and see if I can find someone to watch her if you have plans already,” he offers.
“Oh that’s silly talk. I love spending time with Grace; she is my only plan today. Go and do whatever you need to. Is everything okay though?”
“Yea, it’s all fine. Hopefully, I will be back around lunch. If not, I should be home before dinner.”
I get a goofy smile on my face.
“What?” he asks, looking confused.
“Oh nothing, you just said home. I liked how it sounded.”
Great, I sound like a silly girl now. I instantly start blushing and I try to hide my head in my pillow.
“Oddly enough, I do too. I’ve had such a great time with you in the last few days. I thought it would hurt much more being back, but I’ve enjoyed it very much.” He plants a kiss on my forehead and says that he will see me later.
I get up and start to make some breakfast for Grace. We have a fun day of baking, playing dress up and going on a nature walk. I show her how to make pet rocks and we even make a few dolls out of some scrap material. I haven’t realized how late it is until Molly and Wes walked through the door, but still no Dex. I hope everything is alright.
Around eight thirty, he comes walking in, looking exhausted and sheepish.
“Well you missed dinner,” I say with more attitude than I intend. I was worried, and now that I know he’s alright I should be more understanding.
“I’m so sorry, Roz. I know I said I would be back earlier, but I wasn’t expecting it to take this long. I’m so sorry. Was Grace alright?”
“She’s fine, and she’s already in bed. Come on in and I’ll reheat you some dinner. Miriam even made apple pie.”
He grabs me and pulls me into a hug. “You are too good to me, you know that?”
“Yeah, I know, but If I don’t put up with you, who would?”
He laughs and gives me a soft kiss. “No one, you and Grace, that’s all I’ve got Roz.”
I was just kidding but his admission breaks my heart. I grab him and give him another kiss, just as Wes walks by, mumbling about if he had known I was going to be playing house he might have stayed in the staff housing.
“Don’t mind him. He’s just jealous because Andi had lunch with someone else today. Couples are setting him off.”
“Is he okay?”
“Of course he won’t even admit it upset him. I don’t think it was a date or anything, but I could tell he was annoyed. I’m not sure if it was that she was with someone else, or the fact that he cared in the first place that annoyed him the most,” I tell Dex in a low tone.
“I’m off to bed you, guys. Have a good night.” Wes said, wiggling his eyebrows.
I warm up some dinner for Dex and tell him all about our day. He laughs at how much trouble Grace and I can get into after I tell him about her getting more cookie dough on her than on the pan. It is getting late by the time we are done and he looks exhausted so I say goodnight to him and go upstairs.
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning, everyone is gone by the time I come down stairs. I hadn't realized how late it was until I look at the clock and see that it's past ten. I see a note from Dex saying that he has taken Grace and that they will see me later.
I take a quick shower and put on one of my power suits. I use a little extra time on my hair and make sure that I am put together. After being MIA for the last few days, I don’t want people to think that I have fallen off the crazy train. I walk to work and stop in to see Masters before I make my way up to the Council. Natasha just happens to be in there, going over something and she lights up when she sees me.
“Roz, I’m so happy to see you! I have been worried sick. Is everything okay?” I can see Masters shaking his head slightly behind her as if to tell me he hasn’t told her anything.
“
Yes, everything is fine. It’s been a very hard week and I’m having a few issues with the Council, that’s all. It’s nothing to worry about,” I convince her.
“Are you sure?” she looks between me and Masters.
“Yes, I’m sure. Really! I just came to thank Masters for all his help the last few days.”
He nods. “I hope I wasn’t over stepping.” He is referring to Dex, but I can tell that he doesn’t want to go into details because Tash is here. I appreciate that about him.
“Not at all, you have done everything perfectly! I don’t know what I’d do without you, but I can’t stay because I have a ton to do. Tash, we need to catch up soon, maybe do lunch in a few days once I’m not so buried down with work?” I turn to her.
“Sounds great to me; just let me know.” She agrees and I leave after giving her a hug.
I head straight for Judy’s office as soon as I reach my floor.
“Good morning, Miss Roz. I hope you are feeling better.”
“Much better, Judy, thank you so much for holding down the fort. You have been a life saver indeed.” I hug her.
She beams at my praise. “I have all your calls and messages on hold. Would you like me to send them through now?”
“Yes, please do. I’ll be in my office, trying to catch up, but no privacy is needed.”
I spend the next few hours going through all the department updates and everything I have missed. It is so overwhelming how much I have to catch up with. It's already after one when I get a call from Peter, asking me to meet with the Council. This is odd. I wonder why they want to meet with me again so soon. I wonder if they are upset that I enforced the lift of the ban so quickly after the vote. I can’t imagine why they would wait for several days to confront me on it, but maybe they know that I need to cool down.
I make my way to the Council room and I am surprised to see that Aspen isn’t at her desk.
I scan myself in and I notice that everyone is looking a little off. I can’t put my finger on what it is, but everyone seems a bit flustered. Annabelle offers me a smile and Amira gives me a half smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. I look at Samuel to gage his reaction, but he looks just as happy as ever.
Divided (The United Trilogy Book 2) Page 17
