Chapter 98 - 2.19

*Heartache warning*

I sighed before standing on the tips of my toes and kissed him quickly. I slipped out of his grasp, "come on, the kids are waiting."

He followed close behind as I pushed Addie's stroller back out of the trail. I moved over to a bench and sat down where Addie could be in the shade. I noticed Marie playing with the kids as Jayden sat directly next to me. He rested his arm across the back of the bench and moved so that he was against me. I put my bent legs up on the bench and leaned back into him. Jayden's left hand held mine as he fiddled with my ring.

"Are you going to contact him for the wedding?"

I leaned into him more, "there's no point in it."

"You miss him. Maybe you should reach out to him so things can be settled."

"I've done so much to him that I can't take back. I should've told him you were the donor so that he could choose. But I knew he would pick possibly dying and I couldn't handle that." I turned so that my face was in his shirt, "I need to focus on our family. Nothing is more important as our family."

Jayden leaned down, "I am here for you, always." I nodded as I closed my eyes, "I'll make sure you are never alone again." He took a deep breath before playfully ċȧrėssing my hand, "especially not tonight. I won't let you get away after this."

I chuckled as I focused on his heart beat and the sounds of the kids playing. Jayden kissed my head before I felt him turn his head to look at the playground. I heard Addie shift, so I opened my eyes and saw she was fast asleep.

My gaze moved up as I felt someone watching me and my heart skipped. Shannon and Hunter stood, staring at me in complete shock. My entire body felt cold as I tried not to shake.

"What's wrong?"

I sighed, "I think she's just tired." He kissed my head before brushing her hair with his fingers.

"Momma!" Archer called and I looked to Jayden. He smiled before taking Addie and I got up. I went to the twins and began playing with them, but noticed their gaze going to where Hunter and Shannon stood. I stole a glance to them and saw they were watching me. Hunter's jaw was clenched just like his fists. Shannon seemed to be trying to get him to relax.

"Catch me!" Ashley called and I quickly looked up to grab her as she jumped off the jungle gym.

I tipped backwards and fell back on the tire pieces with a loud thud. "Will!" Marie gasped as she rushed over. She paused when I began laughing as I laid back and ruffled Ashley's hair.

"You scared me half to death, kid!"

"Sorry, Momma!" Ashley whispered as she hugged me.

"Let me help you up," Marie suggested and Ashley got off of my ċhėst. Marie used her hands to hoist me to my feet before brushing some of the tire pieces off my back.

"Mommy," Willow began as she came over, "can we go home now? Daddy's coming home tonight!"

Ashley nodded, "I wanna show Chase and Emit my necklace!"

"Me too!" Asher sang as he came to Ashley's side.

I chuckled, "okay, let's go home." Marie hugged me as Willow hugged the twins. As they walked off, the twins each took my hand and I led them back to the bench. Jayden put Addie in the stroller before pausing and looking over to the area Hunter was in.

"You should go talk to him."

I looked to my feet and tried not to cry, "I can't."

"Will!" Shannon called and I slowly looked over. Hunter looked away as she gestured for me to come over.

I looked to Jayden and saw his confident smile, "go see them. I will get the kids in the car."

I nodded before looking back to Shannon as she smiled toward me and continued to gesture for me to come over. I slowly walked to them and forced a smile to my face. As I got within a few feet, I stopped and couldn't go further without losing my composure.

"You had the baby?"

I nodded as I fought my eyes from darting away. Hunter looked at Shannon, as she stood beside him, but never to me. My heart squeezed as my body began lightly shaking.

"Yes, she was born a few weeks ago."

"Is she healthy? She came a little early, right?"

I felt emotions welling in my throat, "she's perfect."

Shannon sighed, causing my to freeze, "you don't look so well. Are you alright?"

I couldn't control my emotions and forced them out in a small chuckle before sighing. I rubbed the back of my neck, slightly squeezing it to focus my emotions on something else. "I'm good. Just been pretty busy. Is everything going well for you?"

She nodded before grabbing Hunter's hand, "we're doing really good! Hunter's doctors said he's getting stronger by the day. He's even back to working a few days a week!" She looked to Hunter and he looked away. She sighed again, "have you gone back to work yet?"

I smiled sadly, "uh, no." I squeezed my neck harder, "there really aren't any legal jobs for male Omegas. I promised the kids I wouldn't do anything like my old jobs."

"You aren't working with Elijah anymore?"

I paused and looked at her with surprise, "he's a bright man. He went into hiding a while back."

"From Jayden?"

"He doesn't need to worry about Jayden. I'm the one that will deal with him."

Shannon froze with shock. "But all he did was tell the truth."

I took a hard breath, "you're right," I whispered as I finally locked eyes with Hunter for just a second and then looked down. "But it wasn't his to tell. It was mine."

"And you didn't say shit." Hunter hissed and I bit my lip to keep it from quivering.

"I know...and I will never forgive myself," I whispered before smiling to Shannon. "I should get going. They're waiting for me."

"Will!" Shannon insisted as she lunged and grabbed my wrist. "We should meet up soon. Maybe you two can chat. I know the others want to see you."

I smiled to her as tears welled in my eyes and I glanced over to Hunter. "Its not best to push things on people, Shannon. I...it might be good just to have a clean break." I squeezed her hand slightly as I finally began to cry. "Thanks for everything, Shannon. You really are," I cleared my throat as I looked away, "you really were a good friend." I slid my hand out from her's and rushed to the parking lot. It took everything in me not to collapse on the ground on my way there.

Before I went to the car, I stopped to cry and shake. After a few minutes, I took a couple deep breaths and wiped my face before going to the car. I got in and quickly buckled before smiling to the group. Jayden began driving and kept glancing to me.

"How'd it go?"

I smiled as I looked to my ŀȧp, "it's over."

Jayden let out a deep breath with reilef, "so you two made up."

I sighed, "no." I gulped hard as I felt the twin's gaze on me. "We won't ȧssociate with each other anymore."

Jayden placed his hand on my leg and gently rubbed it, "we can make it through this, together."