Looking between the two of us, Emma smiles, then explains, “I’m his foster mom, Noah.”
“What’s a foster mom?”
“It means”—I turn to look at him—“that Emma didn’t give birth to me, but she chose to take care of me.”
“Are your parents dead too?”
“I don’t know,” I reply honestly. Sometimes I hope they are because the alternative makes me sick. Not wanting your own child is something I don’t think I’ll ever understand. Noah isn’t my son biologically, but I’d move heaven and earth for him.
“Oh. So, is Kash really your brother?”
I guess he has a favorite. “Yes. Kash, Rhett, and Seth are my brothers in all the ways that matter.”
“And just as big of a handful as you were.” Emma laughs, pointing at me. I know what a shit I was as a teenager, but I don’t want Noah to hear all about it. There will be time for that when he’s older.
“Where are your kids?” he asks Emma. His innocent question makes us both freeze. It’s a loaded question.
Sitting sandwiches on the table, Emma joins us and focuses her full attention on Noah. “I didn’t have babies of my own,” she starts with a sad smile. “But I knew I wanted to be a mom, so when I had the chance to take in Atlas and the others, I took it.”
“Like how Cora takes care of me?”
“Exactly like that.” Emma ruffles his hair like I’ve seen Cora do dozens of times. “He couldn’t stay where he was, so I took him in, and now he’s my son,” she says simply, shifting her eyes to me.
I freeze mid-bite and stare at her. I always thought of her as my foster mom, but somewhere along the way, I realized I should have dropped the ‘foster’ part. She’s been more of a mother to me than any other person, including the one who gave me life.
“So does that mean you’re going to be like my dad?” Noah asks, looking at me.
“I’ll be whatever you want me to be, Noah. I’ll be your dad, or your friend. I’m not going anywhere. You, me, and Cora are a unit, and as soon as she wakes up, you can tell her what you want me to be. I’m okay with whatever you choose. Just know that it’s not only me you’re getting, but Emma and the guys too.”
I smile at him and try to pretend my entire world hasn’t just tilted on its axis. It’s clear Noah has accepted me, so now I just have to work on Cora. If she doesn’t hear me out, I’ll just have to kidnap her and keep her until she understands. Maybe I should move my stuff into her house before she gets out. She’s going to need help after all, and I’ll be the best nurse she’s ever had.
“Hey, Noah. Wanna help me with something before we go see Cora today?”
Emma looks my way and freezes when she sees my expression. “Whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I smile, popping the last piece of my sandwich into my mouth.
It’s nearly three hours later when we pull into the hospital. I didn’t think it would take so long to pack up my stuff and move it into Cora’s. Most of the furniture I left behind, but I have plans to get my bed moved over sooner. It’s bigger than hers and more comfortable. She’ll need it for her recovery.
Kash is taking over my lease. I’d get charged a bunch for breaking it, and he needs somewhere new that psycho Bri doesn’t know about—finally a win.
Heading up to her room, I’m shocked to find Matt coming out of it. He freezes in the doorway when his eyes meet mine. “Go ahead, Noah, I’ll join you in a second.” I gesture, not taking my eyes off Matt. He must really have a death wish. I’ve already skinned one guy for her; if he keeps this up, I may make it two.
Seth took care of Aidan’s body for me. Apparently, the old farmer down the road has a pig farm, and he wasn’t too happy to hear about an ex-felon abusing a woman. He simply told Seth to lock the gate when he finished visiting his ‘bacon bits.’
“Don’t say a word. I just need you to listen.” I step closer to him. “Cora is mine. Noah is mine. As long as you get that through your skull, I’ll allow you to continue to breathe.”
“Easy, crazy guy.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “One black eye was enough.”
What a pussy. A black eye would never put me off Cora. Just more proof he never deserved her.
“Dane and Noah are friends, and Cora and I are just friends. I was hoping for more, but I can tell her heart is somewhere else. Don’t hurt her, Atlas.” Stepping closer to me, he leans in. “You may be slightly bigger than me, and covered in tattoos, but you don’t scareme. Just remember, I have access to countless drugs and medications and could make your untimely death look natural.” He steps back and clasps my shoulder with a smile.
Maybe I underestimated him.His threats don’t faze me, though. Pushing past him, I go in and find my Firefly still asleep. When the swelling in her brain went down, the doctors pulled out the medication keeping her under. Now she just has to wake up on her own time.
Pulling up a chair, I grab her hand and squeeze it, letting her know I’m here. “Wake up, Firefly. Let me see those blue eyes, baby.” I kiss her hand, but she doesn’t stir. It’s killing me that she won’t wake up.
“I miss Cora,” Noah says softly.
