I shook my head, "that's never going to happen," I replied quietly as I watched Addie balance. "I mean that they will see him again. I don't want to selfishly take away their chance to know their father anymore."
We all paused as the twins rushed out to us with swimsuits on. "Pool!"
I smirked, "alright, let's go."
"Can you all come with us?"
The adults in the room smiled before standing up, "sure." Sean replied happily.
"You too Momma! And Addie!"
I nodded before they led me to my room and I changed myself and Addie into swimsuits. I made sure to put on a tshirt even though it didn't cover much of the scarring. We went out to the pool and noticed that everyone else had moved to sit out at the chairs near the pool.
I looked over and locked eyes with Cam as his brimmed with tears. His eyes moved to the bite scars on my legs and arms that had not showed before. I brought Addie into the pool but looked up as Sean lightly whistled.
"You want a beer, Will?"
"Yeah, thanks!"
Elijah stared at me slightly and I gave a small smile, "it's fine. I'm not pregnant, I've been checked." I took the beer as Sean brought it over. I began playing with the twins but they were delighted when, one by one, everyone else went in and changed. They joined us in the water, where Shannon took Addie so I could have time with the twins. After a while, I rested on the side of the pool and felt relaxed somewhat.
I was surprised when Asher came over and sat at my side. I snuck a glance when he watched the twins doing tricks while jumping into the pool. He was even hotter than when we last saw each other. His bare chest was making my body slowly heat up and become restless. I kept remembering how we were in the past, before the kids.
When his glance came down to me, I quickly looked at the others playing in the pool. "I feel like it's been years since you left."
I scoffed, "we've only been gone for a little bit."
He let out a deep sigh, "I've been so worried about all of you. But now that you're back, I'm frustrated."
My muscles tenses, "frustrated?"
He nodded before taking a sip of his beer, "I should feel better now since I can see you and keep you safe with my own two hands. But I also have no control over what could happen with that monster. Just like the past, I can't keep you safe."
I smiled slightly, "I don't want to get everyone's hopes up, but I am very confident that this medication is working." Asher's surprised and hopeful gaze came to me as I looked to my lap so I wouldn't blush. "I am beginning to show signs that my bond is possibly gone, or at the very least has faded."
When his hand was lightly placed on top of mine that was planted behind me slightly. His warmth crept up my arm from his touch and I felt my hormones running wild. Thank God I took some suppressants before we left today, otherwise he would be able to notice. I knew I should not get his hopes up and move away from his touch, but I couldn't move my hand as my body craved his kind gesture. "That makes me feel so much better," he whispered in a deep sigh.
I fought out a question I wanted to ask, even though I feared the answer. "So how have you been since we last met? Did you find a mate yet?"
His pause made my stomach drop and ache as his gaze stared off to the beach in the distance.
"I've been struggling, honestly." His thumb and smallest finger lightly moved to wrap around my palm. "I've barely been able to rest or sleep. I kept having nightmares that Jayden somehow got to your place in California and attacked you and the kids." He gulped loud enough for me to hear it easily, "I couldn't focus at work either. All I could think about was going to that bas**rds place and beating him to death for everything he did. When I read the hospital report..."
I whipped my head to glare at him, "that's my personal buisness, Ash. You didn't have a right to look at that."
He sighed and met my gaze with guilt, "I know and I'm sorry. I couldn't control myself. I had to know what was so bad that it made Elijah snap."
I sighed and nodded, "well its all in the past now." Asher's gaze turned to disapproval and annoyance, "I have to focus on what to do now, not pity myself and focus on my fears. It's not healthy for me or the kids."
His hand squeezed mine slightly as his gaze turned to sadness, "for the other part of your question, I found a mate long ago." His fingers lightly caressed mine and I couldn't fight the obvious shiver that took over my entire body. "I only want you, Will. Every single day reaffirms my feelings towards you. Recently, I can barely be affected by Omega's pheromones yet the moment you came near, I felt like a kid that couldn't keep their pheromones in check." He leaned closer to me and I had to fight my instincts to shiver again, "when everything is finalized with that Alpha, I want you to really think about our relationship. I will always be here for you, as a friend, but I desperately want to be more if possible. I love you and only you, Will. But I promise, I will not force you to respond to my feelings nor will I insist on an answer from you immediately. I've waited a long time for you and will wait for as long as I need to."
"Uncle Asher!" Archer cheered before coming over and grabbing his legs that were hanging in the water. "Come play!"
Asher laughed deeply before hopping in to the water and grabbing Archer. He put the small child on his shoulders and began carrying him around as they swam to chase Ashley. I chuckled before taking a drink of my beer and sighing deeply. I jumped slightly when my phone abruptly rang on the small table near me. I quickly got up and answered, "hello?"