Page 17 of Awakening the Beast
Without warning, he lunges at me again, locking his arms around my neck in a strong hug, as if he's afraid to let go. I hold him close, feeling the warmth of his little body against mine, and as I stand, I lift him with me, his head nestled against my shoulder.
“I won’t leave you again, Cree,” I murmur, more to myself than to him, but I know he hears it. I swear to myself that I will do everything in my fucking power to keep him safe and never let him feel this kind of pain again.
As soon as I open my wet eyes, I notice Sara standing at a distance, a very grown-up Phoebe balanced on her hip. The sight of her, with tears brimming in her eyes, tugs at something deep within me. My own gaze softens, the tension in my body easing as I extend my arm to her, inviting her into the moment. Shedoesn't hesitate, rushing toward me with Phoebe, and as soon as she’s close enough, I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in tight.
She breaks down, weeping uncontrollably into my shoulder, and I feel the weight of her emotions in every shuddering breath she takes. I press a gentle kiss to the top of her head, a small gesture that’s almost alien to me. It’s a reminder of all the things I used to take for granted—things like my real family, connection, and the simple act of being there for someone.
For so long, I believed that no one gave a fuck about me, especially my family. Growing up, I never felt valued or loved, at least not for who I truly was beneath the monster I had become. It always seemed like I was only worth something when I was doing the most fucked-up things, getting shit done, proving myself in ways that didn’t really matter, but now, standing here with Sara crying tears of relief, Cree clinging to me like a lifeline, and Phoebe watching us with those wide, innocent eyes, I realize just how fucking wrong I was.
This whole fucked-up situation has shown me that it’s the reverse. People close to me clearly do give a fuck; they’ve all wept for me, grieved for me, and missed me in ways I never imagined they would. I’m not sure why, considering the cold cunt I’ve always been toward them.
I gently place my hand on the back of Sara's head, feeling the soft, silky strands of her golden-brown hair slip between my fingers. When she finally looks up at me through tear-streaked, red eyes, I press my lips to her forehead in a rare moment of tenderness.
“It’s good to see you, sis,” I say quietly, the words holding more weight than I ever expected them to.
She sniffles, her voice trembling, “Where’s Wren?”
I raise my brows before I glance down at Cree, who lifts his head from my shoulder.
“Wren has had the baby,” I tell them with a small smile.
Sara’s reaction is instant—she squeals with delight, a sound so unexpected and loud that it startles Phoebe, who looks at her mom like she’s lost her fucking mind. I can’t help but grin at the sight before turning my attention back to Cree.
“Do you want to come to the hospital with me to meet your little sister?”
A smile slowly spreads across his face, and he gives a small, eager nod. I smile back before setting him down onto the floor, but as soon as his feet touch the ground, he clings to my leg, his grip tight. I place a reassuring hand on the back of his head, rubbing it gently as I look down at Sara.
“It’s going to take some time,” she says softly. “He missed you so much. We all did.”
Her words hang in the air, heavy with the truth of everything I’ve put them through, and I nod, recognizing the pain I’ve caused, even if I didn’t intend it.
“Let’s go see your sister,” I say, ruffling Cree’s hair before we all turn toward the door.
I look back at Sara, catching her gaze as I take Cree’s hand in mine. “I’ll be in touch,” I tell her. “When Wren is ready for visitors, you can come and meet Lumi.”
I gaze down at Lumi as I nurse her, my thoughts racing with worry for Arlo and Cree. The silence of the hospital room feels deafening without any updates since Arlo has my phone.What if something has gone wrong, and I’m left in the dark? My mind spins, imagining every worst-case scenario, and tears start to sting my eyes. The weight of doubt is overwhelming, and my heart pounds furiously in my chest.
But, the door suddenly bursts open, startling me, and my gaze snaps toward it. Seeing Cree sprint through the doorway floods me with immediate relief. I sink back into the pillows, trying to steady my racing hear.
Arlo casually strides in behind him, and when our eyes meet, my gaze softens. He scans the room with a hint of suspicion as he closes the door and sets the bags down. I can see it on his face that he knows something is wrong. This man misses nothing.
I shift my focus to Cree, who stands close beside me, his eyes wide with curiosity as he tiptoes and tries to catch a glimpse of Lumi. I smile at him and gently run my fingers through his silky hair.
Without warning, Arlo leans in and presses his lips firmly to mine. The kiss is intense, catching me off guard, but I can’t help but melt against him.
“What’s up?” he questions his mouth hovering above mine.
I give a slight shake of my head, and he examines my eyes as if he isn’t buying it, then his gaze swings from my face to Cree and then to Lumi. With careful hands, he scoops Cree up under his arms and gently sets him beside me on the bed.
“Be careful of Wren, Cree; her tummy's still sore,” Arlo warns.
My heart swells with emotion as I watch the two of them together, and tears of love blur my vision. I unlatch her from my breast, draping the sheet over myself to give Cree a clearer view of her.
I lift my eyes to Arlo, a silent request in my gaze and he understands immediately, reaching out to take her into his arms. Settling into a chair next to the bed, he cradles her against his chest, adjusting his position so her back is against his front and Cree can see her more easily. I glance between Lumi and Cree, observing his wide-eyed fascination.
“She's very small and has lots of hair,” Cree remarks, full of wonder.
I smile at him. “That's very true. Would you like to give her a cuddle?”
