~ Breaking the quiet stare down, Cory's voice came out strong with authority. "Sally, I want blood work done on you because I wanna another gender test given. If there are more tests that I want done. Then you will do it without a choice! So I suggest cooperating without making a big deal out of this. It will be done fast."
His glare spears at me sharply which made me shudder. Without given choice, I held out my one arm to JJ. He sat down on the bed and I felt a quick pinch following some pressure but then it was done within a matter of minutes if that.
"It's done," said JJ when he got up. Cory nods before he disappeared down the hallway. Crossing pathways with John coming in with Samuel cooing loudly wrapped up in his carrier blanket.
He kissed his son and said. "Alright, little man time to go back to mama. You're still too tiny to hang out with the real men."
Maria got off the bed to get her cooing baby from her husband. And John gave his wife a long passionate loving kiss. I even saw him slip his tongue into her mouth without caring that Cory and I were here.
However, I noticed now Cory was looking at me. Without warning, he leaned in and took my wrist, and pulled me off the bed. I was trembling out of my skin! Just hardly a minute he was quite grim-looking.
But then he did the unexpected and pulled me into his arms for a warm comforting hug. I rested my head just underneath his neck for my ear to listen to his soothing heartbeat. Before I even realized it my shaky body relaxed. Just like that Cory took my nervousness away. I no longer felt panicked but rather calm. So I lifted my head to gaze into his marvelous eyes.
Now he expressed the softer side of him. He cupped his palm on the left side of my face. While he took in a steady breath and curved a pleasant half-smile.
"I'm leaving now to speak with my ally," Cory notified me. "When I get back we are going out to do something special."
The gentle look in his eyes withered my fear as he rubbed my cheek.
"Where are we going?" I softly asked.
"You'll find out," was his given answer but I noticed he had a peculiar half-grin.
He tenderly kissed my forehead before letting me out of his arms.
Now he looked at John who had just finished kissing his wife like nobody was there. "You ready to go, John?" Asked Cory.
John replied, "I'm set, Zion said he'll bring Jake home from training." He kissed his wife one last time. Then he and Cory walked up the hallway and left the room with JJ.
I took a relatively huge breath to feel even better when the men left. Maria went back to bed with Samuel actively cooing. She laid him down on the bed and I unwrapped him from the blank so he could stretch out his legs and arms. And boy, did he ever kick his tiny feet about. I climbed back on the bed, Samuel was kinda in the middle of us.
"Oh, my goodness," Maria lovingly cooed at her baby. "If you could crawl you would be on the go today!"
"He is differently moving those arms and legs," I stated with a bright smile to watch Samuel. "He is ready to go."
Maria giggled and shared. "Oh, yes. I noticed he's starting to become more aware of his surroundings and he loves getting daddy time. Before John ever leaves for work he makes sure to hold Samuel if he's not sleeping or feeding."
"That's interesting, I don't know much about babies," I admitted.
Maria said with a smile. "It's the development of the brain."
I nod and stated. "Sounds like John is really involved with his children too."
Maria shone and said. "John is a wonderful father to his kids. Men take pride in their children. But he has strict rules with his boys. They aren't given a choice but to join the military."
"How do you feel about that?" I asked her.
Maria replied, "I feel they should be able to do what they want. John's father is low-ranked in construction. But John is adamant his boys are only to be in the military. John makes the rules so there isn't much I can do."
"But Cory said it's not a forced law," I told and asked. "Couldn't they just do what they want once they're adults?"
"Yes, once they are out of their father's authority. But by that time it may already be drilled in that they would stay. There are huge benefits to the military. Cory pays well and gives his military men many privileges. Living under the Royal roof gives John and our boys' special privileges over any Low or Medium ranked-military men. Samuel and Jake would only need to pick which Royal to work under." Maria told.
"Wouldn't they work for Cory?" I asked a bit confused.
Maria explained. "Well, yes everyone does but there are younger Royals within Jake's and Samuel's generation. They will need bodyguards and men too. Or they can choose to stay with Cory. But overall, everyone working for Cory can't over-authorize the men who chose to work personality for Cory. He has tons of friends and there are lots of boys who wanna work for Cory like their dads."
"I see," said I. "He did share with me that he has a good relationship with the kids around here."
Maria giggled and explained. "Yup, Cory takes time with the kids and men. Now low-ranked and medium-ranked not so much but he's still here for his people. But to live under the Royals' roof requires a lot of earning. Not just anyone can do that. All of us in this building are Highest-ranked. They earned the trust and loyalty of the Royal family to be here. And most of them grew up with Cory from their long line descendants being in the Highest-Ranked working for Cory's family."
"I can tell his men are very loyal and respectful to, Cory." I said sadly, "I don't feel I'll get the same respect."
Maria asked puzzled, "what do you mean?"