Chapter 10: Jericho
The nurse said Mason needed a few stitches after the incident, but he was free to leave the hospital. Ken promised her he would look after him at home.
Everyone had wished Mason and I well. He was tired and wanted to be at home with me and our pups. That was understandable. He had two pups delivered via c-section, almost got abducted, and lost his best friend all in the same day. It was only natural he’d be exhausted.
He sighed as he leaned back on the couch. He held our son in his arms while I held our daughter. We sat next to each other in comfortable silence.
Mason leaned on me. “What would I do without you, Jericho?” he murmured.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I could say the same thing about you, too, Mason.”
He smiled weakly. “So much has happened today,” he said with a sigh. “But I’m glad to finally be home with you… With our family.”
I smiled back and kissed his hair. “Me too.”
Suddenly Mason frowned. “Why did Beth have to do that?” he asked quietly. “I just don’t understand.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. But I don’t think you should feel sorry for her.”
Mason looked at me. “Why?”
“Beth knew what she was doing,” I said. “She had a goal and was willing to die for it - and she did. I think… if she didn’t go after our pups, and ran off like Hector did, she wouldn’t ever be happy.”
Mason’s eyes fell. “I guess so…” He sighed unhappily. “I don’t know why she didn’t want to live here with us. It’s not fair.”
“I know,” I agreed, kissing his head. “But she told us that wasn't what she wanted, anyway. I don’t think you would've ever been able to change her mind, as much as you wanted to. Don’t feel bad about it.”
He nodded. “You’re right… As usual.”
I smiled then asked, “On a lighter note, have you thought of any names for our kids?”
Mason tilted his head back and forth, looking between our son and daughter. “Honestly?” he said. “I have no freaking clue.”
I chuckled. “Me neither.”
“Okay,” he said with a nod. “It’s settled then. This is Thing 1, and the other one is Thing 2. How about that?”
“Perfect. Love it.”
“Good.”
Mason rolled his eyes at me and grinned. “You know, you should be glad you’re hot and strong.”
“Why, ‘cuz I lack a brain?” I asked.
“Sometimes, I really do wonder.”
I chuckled. “Okay… How about this. You name one, and I name the other. Deal?”
Mason raised a brow. “As long as you don’t choose something ridiculous… then, sure.”
“When have I ever done anything ridiculous?” I said with an unhidable grin.
He blinked slowly at me. “Do you want a list, or…?”
“Okay, okay.” I cleared my throat and looked down at the bundle in Mason’s arms. My son was tiny and fragile and my chest ached with adoration for him. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched his tiny pink cheeks inhale and exhale. “For our son… What about Michael? We can call him Mikey as a nickname.”
Mason paused, then he nodded, smiling down at our baby. “Yeah. Michael. Little Mikey… I like that.”
