Enlightening Bloom(41)
“It’s your fault.”
Her eyes come to me. “Pike, I was desperate to protect her.”
“You could’ve killed her.”
She sighs. “Sometimes when a person is at their weakest they have to make hard decisions. I made mine, and I have to live with those consequences every day. But she survived, and they didn’t get their hands on her. I’m taking that as a success.”
“In the process you lost the love of your daughter.”
Her face falls, tears fill her eyes, and her hand cups Bloom’s cheek. “It was the sacrifice I had to make for her to be safe.” She removes her hand and looks up at me. “Sometimes as a parent you have to sacrifice things you want for what your child needs. My child got what she needed and I can’t be any happier that you get to be the one to give it to her.”
“Rose…”
“No, Pike. This is how it has to be.” She stands. “Please, let me know when she makes it through.”
“I will.” I answer immediately. She gives a barely noticeable nod of her head, and then walks out. I stare at the last spot I saw her for a long time. Shit! I can’t hate the woman. I want to, but I can’t.
Doc approaches, pulling me from these thoughts. “It’s time.”
“Thank God.” He does the switch, and in no time at all there’s blood flowing into my mate. I let out a sigh of relief. It’s not over, but we’re getting closer. I climb onto the lounger with her, molding myself to her side, my arm wrapped around stomach, my forehead laying gently against the side of hers. “We’re getting closer to that month of seclusion. One hurtle down, only a couple more to go.”
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“Pike.” My name has never sounded sweeter. I tighten my arms around her. “Right here, Darlin’.”
Her eyes flutter open, and she turns her head to face me. “Am I okay?”
I chuckle. “You’re perfect. The transfusion is done. Other than passing out for a few hours you made it through fine.”
“Can I shift now?” She asks, her voice reflecting how weak she really is.
“You need to give yourself a few days to rebuild you strength. We’ll test it out as soon as you’re strong enough. Deal?”
“Deal.” She agrees. Her eyes are drooping. It won’t be long before she’s back to sleep.
“Bonnie made you chocolate chip cookies. Think you can eat a couple and drink some juice before you go back to sleep?”
“Sure.” She says, though her head is shaking no.
“I’ll go grab some just in case.” Bonnie offers, hopping up from her seat.
“Thanks.”
“It’s no problem.”
“How’s Rose?” Bloom surprises me by asking.
I pull her closer to me, positioning her head on my chest. “She’s okay. She went back to her suite.”
“Make sure someone checks on her. She donated a lot of blood for me.” She commands, already half asleep.
“I will.” I promise, running my fingers through her blonde hair.
Bonnie comes back in and hands me a plate of cookies. She keeps hold of the glass of juice since my other arm is holding Bloom. “Darlin’, want one of these cookies.”
Her eyes flutter back open and she looks at the plate I’m holding close to her face. She grabs one and takes a bite. “Mmm. Thanks, Bon.” Her eyes droop again as she chews. I hand Bonnie the plate and she switches it for the juice.
“Drink some of this.” I say, sitting us up better on the lounger and holding the drink with the straw close to her mouth. Her lips latch onto the straw and she takes a couple weak pulls. “A few more.” I plead.
“So bossy.” She mumbles around the straw.
“When it comes to your well-being, always.” I answer firmly.
She drinks half the glass and then burrowing closer to my chest asks. “Can I go back to sleep now?”
I hand the glass off to Bonnie, and position myself with my back to the lounger, both arms wrapped around Bloom, her laying mostly on top of me. “Get some more sleep.” And like that she was out again. I wasn’t tired at all, but that didn’t stop me from lying there with her in my arms.
Hours later I’m still lying there. Bloom’s snoozing away on top of me. Everyone else has drifted away. Not out of the suite, but into the kitchen, giving us a tiny bit of privacy. I’m starting to doze off myself when I feel her body tense.
She sits up fully. Her eyes wide and fear shinning bright. “He’s brought death to our door.” She screams before collapsing back onto my chest like nothing happened.