A Warrior Wedding (12 page)

“Is it Pam?” The worried tone in Sid’s voice rang true. His body became suddenly tense as his eyes shot to Duncan.

“No,” both Lana and Caroline reassured him.

Relief shadowed his features, but then he frowned. “Then who are you talking about?”

Jax had walked over and was standing over them. “She needs something to fight for.” Caroline looked at Nicole who also joined them.

“And that something has been sitting at her side without moving an inch for three days,” Sid replied, his frown deepening.

“A woman would walk through hellfire for their man, but a mother would fight the devil himself for her child.” Caroline looked back over at Pam and knew she was right, or at least knew whoever put that thought in her head was right.

“Duncan won’t allow it.” Sid shook his head.

The three women looked at each other with determination. “I’ll get Daniel.” Nicole stood, but stopped when Sid grabbed her leg. “Let go, Sid.”

“Did you hear me?” Sid hissed. “Duncan will not allow this. You’re going to upset him and he doesn’t need this shit right now.”

Nicole jerked her leg away. “This isn’t about Duncan,” she hissed back. “And I’m not going to lose my best friend because it might upset Duncan.”

“Shit.” Sid stood, glancing at Duncan who seemed to be oblivious to anything other than Pam. “I’ll go get Damon and Slade.” He quietly left the room.

“So you really think this will work?” Jax also glanced at Pam.

“For some weird reason, yes,” Lana said. “It happens this way sometimes. We get messages or thoughts without having any clue where they come from or who it comes from, but we've learned to listen.”

“How long does it usually take for someone to..” Caroline frowned trying to find the right words. “...change?” This vampire thing was new to her.

“It really depends.” Jax stared down at her. “The problem is Pam was weak before the change.”

The door opened and in walked Nicole holding Daniel, followed by Slade, Damon and Sid. Caroline walked closer, amazed at how much Daniel looked like Pam. His curious eyes looked around the room at everyone, a huge smile on his face. What mother wouldn’t fight to come back to this adorable child?

Daniel turned his head, his bright blue eyes landing on Pam. “Mommy.” His little voice broke the silence, his outstretched arms reaching for Pam.

Duncan’s head swiveled from Pam to his son. His eyes growing dangerously dark as he gently released Pam’s hand and stood. “What are you doing?” His eyes pinned Nicole to the spot. When he took a step forward, Damon also moved ready to protect Nicole.

Feeling that this was her plan, Caroline also stepped forward. “It was my idea.” Caroline cleared her throat nervously when Duncan’s eyes blazed toward her.

“You had no right.” Duncan’s eyes swung around as he ignored Daniel’s pitiful plea to go to him. “None of you had any right to make this decision.”

She felt Jax at her back and swallowed hard. It was do or die time. Her eyes flickered to Pam then to Duncan. Now more than ever, death was close. No one needed her gift to feel that.

“If Pam has a fighting chance to come through this, she needs something to fight for.” Caroline made damn sure her voice was strong with conviction, because Duncan looked like he wanted to kill her. “If Daniel were my son, I would do everything in my power to get back to him. Any mother would and if you would look past your own pain, you would see this is what needs to be done.”

The room was deathly silent. Caroline went to Nicole reaching out toward Daniel who looked away from Pam and reached for her. Smiling at the young boy, she stopped directly in front of Duncan who continued to stare at her.

“Daddy,” Daniel said, his tone more reserved as he looked at Duncan. As if knowing something wasn’t right, his little arms wrapped around her neck tighter.

Seeing something flicker in Duncan’s eyes, she held Daniel out to him. “Make her fight.”

Duncan finally looked away from her to Daniel, then took him in his arms. Father and son stared at each other before Daniel reached up, lightly patting Duncan on the cheek and that was when Duncan broke. He turned away from everyone holding Daniel close to his chest.

Caroline watched Daniel’s little arms reach up to wrap around Duncan’s neck and she lost it. Putting her hand over her mouth, she turned, running right into Jax, who once again, wrapped her in his arms.

Daniel’s little face peeked around Duncan’s shoulder to look at Pam. Then he reached for her. Duncan turned, then sat, scooting the chair closer to Pam and sitting Daniel on the bed.

Taking one finger, Daniel poked Pam in the arm, and then pulled his hand away holding it close to his body before looking up at Duncan, then back to Pam. Surprisingly careful for a three-year-old, Daniel inched his way up the bed and lightly patted Pam’s cheek. He frowned when Pam didn’t respond. “Sleepy?” His little voice broke every heart in the room.

Duncan cleared his throat and nodded. “Yes, Mommy’s sleeping.”

Daniel looked away from Duncan before resting his head on her chest. With his little hand, he patted her softly.

Enemies far and wide looked for a way to bring the VC Warriors to their knees, that much Caroline knew. Wouldn’t they be shocked that all it took was a little freckle-faced boy’s love for his mother?

******

J
ill lay on her back in the middle of the floor in Pam and Duncan’s apartment playing airplane rides with Daniel. It had been five days since Duncan had tried to change Pam, two of those days with Daniel being brought in to be with Pam and Duncan. Everyone took turns keeping the active toddler entertained.

Slade walked in and stood over them. He chuckled when Daniel tried to make airplane noises. “How you feeling?” He leaned down, feeling her forehead.

“I’m fine.” Jill grinned at Daniel who was slobbering all over the place while making airplane sounds. “But I may drown in drool.”

Daniel laughed when Jill started to make the noises along with him.

“Don’t wear yourself out,” Slade ordered, his eyes intense as he stared down at her.

“Any improvement?” Jill brushed past Slade’s order.

Slade glanced toward Pam with a confident stare. “Yes, she’s starting to heal herself. The bruising from the needles is gone as are the wounds from being changed.” Slade didn’t say much with Daniel there. “It’s a great sign.”

Relief filled Jill. The past five days have been hell and everything had stopped, except for their vigil over Pam. “I knew you could pull her through.”

“It had nothing to do with me,” Slade replied before Daniel turned toward him blowing drool all over his jeans making his airplane noises. “Hey, mister!”

Daniel and Jill laughed loudly. Slade pulled him off Jill’s feet and tossed him in the air, making Daniel squeal.

“This little airplane is the miracle worker.” He tossed him again and Daniel squealed louder in delight.

Jill sat up and laughed. She then looked over at Duncan who still sat in the same spot he had been sitting in for the past five days, next to Pam, but this time, he was watching his son with a small smile on his face. Her eyes moved to Pam.

“Oh, my God.” Jill jumped up, running toward the bed. “Pam!”

Pam looked up at Jill, her golden eyes bright. “I want to see my son,” she whispered in a weak voice.

Slade hurried over, handing Daniel to Duncan. Taking their son in his arms, Duncan first leaned over, whispered something to Pam and kissed her lips softly. He then sat Daniel next to Pam, his own tears running freely down his handsome face, not caring who saw him.

Daniel reached out, touching the corner of her golden eyes. “Purty.”

Jill heard sniffs, clearing of the throats and sighs, but her eyes were glued to the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. Slade took her hand leading her away and they followed everyone else out of the room to give Pam and her family their privacy.

Caroline stood next to Jax, tears wet on her cheeks. “Is she going to be okay?”

“Because of you, yes, I believe she’s going to be okay.” Slade reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything.” Caroline blushed. “Daniel did it. Pam hearing her son for those two days did wonders.”

“But without your insight that wouldn’t have happened,” Jill replied hugging Caroline. “So thank you.”

Slade pulled Jill down the hall away from everyone. “I’m going to stick close because I do need to check her out after things calm down.”

“Okay.” Jill nodded. “I’m going to find Adam and Steve and tell them the good news.”

Slade pulled her into his embrace, holding her close. “And then you rest.”

“Then I rest,” she agreed, but she had a lot to do and rest was the last thing on her mind. If she was going to save herself, keep Duncan from losing his position as a VC Warrior as well as going to prison, she needed to step it up.

CHAPTER 14

Caroline sat behind Jax, loving the feel of him and the motorcycle between her legs. It was pure heaven and after the past few days, heaven was what she needed. She was exhausted beyond anything she had ever felt before, but so happy with the outcome. Now it was back to reality of getting her house together before school started in late summer.

Slowing down, Jax pulled into her driveway and Caroline actually felt a sense of home, a lonely home, but home nonetheless. Once he stopped, she slid off, feeling a little awkward. What they had been through the past five days had been intense, but this was the first they had been alone. He sent her so many mixed vibes she was afraid of showing him any of her feelings to just have them thrown back in her face.

“Thanks for bringing me home.” Caroline held her bag of dirty clothes.

With ease, Jax slid off the bike and gave her a single nod. Silently, he stared at her in the way only Jax Wheeler could. He made her feel like her clothes were going to melt clean off her body and she’d be standing there completely naked. Why in the hell couldn’t she be more like her sister and have plenty of witty things to say, but nope, she had to stand there like an idiot with absolutely nothing smart to say.

“Well, thanks,” was the very best she could come up with. She did an about face and headed toward the house. Climbing the steps, she carefully skipped over the broken boards. Standing in front of her door, she realized she forgot the new keys for the new locks. “Well shit,” she cursed, knowing that Jax was still there since she didn’t hear the motorcycle start up.

“Such language for a teacher,” Jax said from directly behind her making her jump a mile high.

“How in the world can you sneak up on somebody as big as you are?” Caroline peered around her shoulder to look up at him.

“You looking for these?” He dangled the keys in front of her before stepping closer, his front pressed to her back to unlock the door. “You need to keep them somewhere you won’t forget them again.”

Mortified that she actually leaned back into him, Caroline practically ran into the house, tripping over her own feet once he pushed open the door. Rolling her eyes at her own clumsiness, she finally turned around to face him.

“The front window doesn’t lock so I can get in that way,” Caroline replied without thinking.

“What?” Jax growled. He made his way to the window, locked it and gave it a try. When the window opened easily with a loud squeal, he turned to glare at her.

“Nobody knows about it but me and well, now you.” Caroline crossed her arms.

“If someone wants in this...place.” Jax’s eyes scanned the room. “They’re going to try every damn window until they find one that opens.”

“And they could break it if they really wanted in,” Caroline argued, thinking she made a good point.

“And that would give you time to get your gun because you will hear it,” Jax countered.

“I can’t get my gun because you still have it.” Caroline felt pleased with herself until Jax stalked toward her like she was prey. She actually took a step back.

“Do you enjoy pushing my buttons?” Jax crowded her space.

Loaded question alert. “Do you like pushing mine?” She cocked her eyebrow and felt pretty good about standing her ground with him.

His eyes darkened as they skimmed over her from head to toe. “Most definitely.” His voice was deep and dark as he stared down at her with a promise of something, but then he moved and walked right past her.

Caroline focused on the spot where Jax had been standing, before he vanished, leaving her hot and itching for his touch. He passed her again carrying a piece of wood, sticking it up in the window he measured it then broke it with his bare hands. Tossing the other piece on the ground, he wedged the piece of wood in her window, then tried to open it. Stepping back, he stared at his handiwork.

A sudden longing hit Caroline right in the gut and if she were being completely honest, in the heart also. To have a man by her side as she made this place her home—their home—was something she yearned for, and Jax Wheeler was the man she wanted it to happen with. Staring at his back, his long black hair a beautiful contrast to the white shirt he wore, she sighed.

“Do not forget your keys again.” Jax turned around, catching her staring at him. “Because this window cannot be opened.”

The silence was deafening. She didn’t know what to say and was actually afraid to open her mouth for fear of what might come out. So instead, she nodded and turned away to do something, what she wasn’t for sure. This man definitely wasn’t good for her mind because he turned her into a total idiot.

“The scent Hunter picked up on was a hunter.” Jax continued, not realizing where her mind was.

“Oh, okay.” Caroline just wished he would leave. It was so hard with him within arm’s length and knowing what she wanted was so far out of her grasp.

“Which means you need to put no trespassing signs and no hunting signs on your property.” Jax sounded closer.

“I’ll do that.” Caroline closed her eyes tightly, yearning burned in her chest.

Jax grasped her arm, turning her to face him. “Thank you for what you did.”

She stared at his chest, not wanting to look into his golden eyes. “It was nothing,” she replied.