Norman’s face turned red. “Well…uhm…what we did…you know…Kieran’s room.”
Jackson was once again reminded of the life these boys had led. Shaking his head, he said, “If you’re referring to your reaction to Kieran’s leaving…then nope, one has nothing to do with the other. I won’t be punishing you by taking away your trip to Scotland with Lizzie next week, but I expect both of you to be responsible for your actions and take the appropriate steps to make it right. Norman, everyone makes mistakes. The difference between being a child and an adult is what you do about the mistakes you make.”
Talking through their mind link and coming to agreement with Theo, Norman said, “We can pay to replace everything and whatever else needs to be done to Kieran’s bedroom.”
“Good. That’s a start. But what are you going to do about controlling your reactions to news you don’t like?” asked Jackson. Then waving his hand as he saw Theo and Norman hesitating, he said, “No, I’m not looking for an answer from you right now, but I’d suggest you talk to Cody and see what ideas he has to help you.”
“Zane, I’m pretty sure Kieran and Logan will be heading over to Scotland from Ireland, so please pack a suitcase of additional clothes for Kieran.”
“We can do that,” exclaimed Theo. “We’ve already talked about it and know what Kieran wanted to take with him.”
“Fine, have it ready to go within the hour. ‘Operation Find Kieran’ has begun!” Jackson rose, then said to the group, “As Kieran would say, ‘chop, chop’!”
As they all headed out the door, Oracle spoke. “Jackson, I would like a moment with Logan…alone, please.”
Glancing at his brother, Jackson saw a tiny nod. “Here, use my study. Bro, I’ll see you in the great room within the hour,” he said, patting Logan on the shoulder before he left with Steel to go to Daniel.
Oracle sat next to Logan, smiling gently. “Congratulations on finding your Fated Mate.”
“Thanks, but you might be a bit premature unless I can convince Kieran I didn’t reject him.”
“I understand,” Oracle said, then pausing. “Would you mind if I offer you some advice?”
“If it will help me get my Kieran back, then no, I don’t.”
“While I cannot tell you what Kieran is, I can tell you he is unique. The Fates picked him and challenged him his whole life and he passed every test no matter how hard it was. He has an inner beauty and glow that no amount of pain can extinguish. Logan, he needs you as much as he needs the air to breathe and his heart to beat.”
“But if heisunique, why did the Fates give him me? I mean, I’m hardly special.”
“You are wrong. When you talk to Kieran, listen with your whole heart and soul…not only the part that you are willing to risk.”
Logan, embarrassed that Oracle knew that about him, looked down and murmured, “I don’t know if I can do that. What happens if he leaves me forever?”
“I agree. It is a risk you would be taking, but do you think you could ever be happy if you knew every day Kieran would be sad, knowing that all of you did not belong to him?”
Tears flooded his eyes as he thought about his pink-loving twink, with his joy of life, and knew Kieran wanted all of him. “I’m afraid,” whispered Logan.
“Oh, honey,” Oracle said, giving Logan a hug. “I know. It is a big risk for you, especially, but on the flight, please think about taking it. It might help to erase the ghosts of the past.”
“Maybe, it’s just that I don’t know how to begin. What if Kieran walks away again? I don’t think I could survive this twice.”
“Maybe he will, but I think he deserves the chance to decide for himself, hmm? That is what he wanted from Jackson, right? To make his own decisions?”
“Yes. I know I should tell him everything but what if…”
“Have you considered it can happen to him, too? What if he tells you everything about himself and you walk away? He is taking the same risk, right?”
“I would never walk away! I’ve been waiting for him my whole life. Nothing he could tell me would ever change my mind about my mate…I love him!”
“Then I think you have your answer. Now, go and bring Kieran home.”
~/~/~/~/~
“Norm, do you think Ki will come back home with Logan?” asked Theo while they were picking out clothes to pack.
“I don’t know, but I hope so. At least we may be able to talk to him in Scotland next week. But if he won’t come back, then as far as I’m concerned, we stay with him.”
“Yes! I was thinking the same thing. Our place is with him, wherever that is. Should we pack his kilt outfit?”
