“I’m going to go check on Caleb,” Eli said.
I nodded and then watched him head for the hallway that led to the lower level guest room. I dropped back down in the chair and pulled out my phone, hoping there’d be a text from Jace. I had no idea when he was set to arrive and he hadn’t answered when I’d tried calling him just before Eli had gotten home. At this point all I could do was wait…and hope like hell Jace had some answers as to how we could start putting the young man in the other room back together.
Chapter 10
Hawke
I heldthe door open as a very tired looking Seth made his way up the walkway, a little boy in his arms. Tristan was right behind him holding a little girl’s hand and Memphis and Brennan brought up the rear.
“Hi,” Seth said quietly.
“Hey,” I said softly and I put my hand on his shoulder. “Living room,” I directed.
Tristan smiled at me as he went by and I didn’t miss how the little girl pressed closer to him as they passed me.
Memphis and Brennan each hugged me before entering the house. I saw Zane getting out of his car across the street and sent him a wave. I’d gotten the details of what had happened at the hospital when Memphis had called to see if they could bring the kids over to get some rest. Seth wasn’t ready to be by himself with them after the events of the day and Ronan had stayed behind at the hospital to be with the older girl.
Once I reached the living room, I saw that Tate had already gotten the kids some juice boxes and he’d put some snacks on the table. Both Seth and Tristan were sitting on the couch, the kids in their laps.
Tate and Matty were sitting in one of the oversized chairs. We’d explained to Matty that the children that were coming over might be a little nervous so he was watching them with curiosity, but he stayed on Tate’s lap. Brennan was sitting in the opposite chair and Memphis was sitting on the arm rest. I went and sat down next to Seth and kept my voice low when I said, “The girl?”
“She’s okay. The doctors sedated her after…” Seth’s voice dropped off as he glanced down at the little boy in his arms and I nodded in understanding. He didn’t want the child to know his sister had been attacked.
“Jamie, this is my friend Hawke,” Seth said as he turned Jamie so he could see me.
Jamie was sucking his thumb. His eyes met mine, but he didn’t say anything.
“And that,” – Seth pointed to Tate and Matty – “is Tate and that’s Matty.”
“Hi,” Matty said with a small wave. I saw Jamie’s eyes shift to Matty and interestingly enough, they stayed on him.
“Have they spoken at all?” I asked.
Seth shook his head. “Nicole was signing at the hospital, but she was doing it so fast and I’m still learning so I couldn’t tell what she was saying. She stopped after the incident.”
I glanced at the little girl who had her face pressed to Tristan’s chest. Whatever had happened had clearly traumatized both kids.
“Papa, be right back, okay?” Matty said as he hopped off Tate’s lap.
“Okay, buddy,” I said and watched as Bullet and Storm both got up to follow my son towards his room. I didn’t miss the fact that Jamie’s eyes followed Matty from the room before he turned his head back against Seth’s chest.
“What did Zane say?” I asked.
Seth seemed to understand what I was asking because he said, “He got approval from CPS for the kids to stay with us till they figure out what’s going on. Gene, that’s the uncle, is being held on assault charges. The wife, Alana, was questioned and released…Declan and Zane can’t do much until Willow wakes up and makes a statement. Zane said he was going to file an emergency restraining order against both the aunt and the uncle.”
I put my hand on Seth’s back in an attempt to soothe him because I could tell he was beyond stressed. “Do you want to try to put the kids down for a bit? We’ve got a guest room or you can put them in our room or Matty’s.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Seth murmured, but before we could get up, Matty reappeared followed by both dogs.
He walked up to me and asked, “Papa, can I talk to him?” as he motioned to Jamie.
“Yeah, buddy, but he’s pretty scared, so he might not answer you, okay?”
Matty nodded. “Here,” Matty said as he held out his beloved Spider-man doll to the little boy.
Jamie didn’t respond in any way, but Matty wasn’t deterred and when he moved to sit between me and Seth, I shifted so he’d have room. He plopped back against the couch cushion and began moving the doll’s arms. To Jamie he explained, “He fights the bad guys. See, he’s got these spider webs that shoot from his hands…” Matty pointed to the doll’s wrists. “And he can climb up the sides of buildings and swing between them.”
Jamie was resting his cheek on Seth’s chest, but his eyes followed Matty’s fingers as he pointed out things about the doll. “Here,” Matty said again as he handed the doll to the little boy. Jamie didn’t respond at first, but then he carefully pulled his thumb from his mouth and reached for the doll. Matty pitched forward so he was nearly face to face with Jamie. “He’ll keep you safe,” he whispered. “And you can keep him forever if you want,” he added as Jamie clutched the doll against his body.
