Stephan(31)

Stephan’s parents were cracking up with laughter now. I sank lower into the bed praying I’d turn invisible.

“I love her, Stephan. Isn’t she just adorable?” his mother said. What the hell? I was a lot of things, but adorable wasn’t one.

“Yes, dear, she’s perfect for Stephan.” His father patted Stephan’s mother’s hand.

Stephan’s mother came forward to the bed. “Hi, Jade. I’m Evelin Silverman. And the clone behind me is Lucas Silverman. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I just wish it was under better circumstances.”

“Um…nice to meet you too.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “Thanks so much for all your help. I’ll never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done for me.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. Crap. I couldn’t stop them.

“Sweetheart, it was our pleasure. You’re a part of the family now.” Evelin picked up my good hand and kissed it. She brushed hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. “I heard some good news, you get to come home tomorrow if the doctor gives the go-ahead in the morning.”

“Yeah, about that…” I wanted to make sure they didn’t feel any obligation to help me. I could look after myself. “If it’s a problem me coming and staying with you, I’m sure I can find somewhere else to stay. I’ve looked after myself for almost seventeen years.”

Lucas came next to Evelin and patted my hand. “Don’t be silly. You would have come and lived with us sooner or later. If Stephan had his way, he would have had you living with us the day he meet you. I had Evelin in my house twenty-four hours after meeting her. It would have been sooner if she didn’t waste time arguing for those twenty-four hours. You women seem to think you know what’s best for you.” He shook his head like it was shame we were stupid.

I giggled when Evelin hit Lucas. “We do know you jerk.”

Lucas raised his hands in surrender and winked at me. A huge weight I didn’t know had been holding me down lifted, and I felt hope things could work.

*****

He was dreaming if he thought I’d be moving into his room. Standing at the entrance to his room I shook my head. “I don’t care what you think. I’m not sleeping in your room with you.”

“Fine. We’ll sleep in another room.”

“No. We won’t be sleeping in the same room at all.” I slowly walked toward the stairs only to be lifted up and brought against a hard chest.

“Are you trying to hurt yourself? You’ve just come back from hospital and were about to attempt to go downstairs. Jade, the backs of your legs are covered in stitches.”

Was he for real? I know I have over thirty stitches in my legs. The muscles in my calves pulled every time I walked. “You don’t think I bloody know? The only reason I was going to go downstairs was so I could get away from you, find your mother, and see if she could talk some sense into you.” I was yelling now, but didn’t care. I probably sounded like the brat my grandpa accused me of but again, I didn’t care, I was grateful for everything Stephan had done but he was suffocating me.

“Mum doesn’t need to talk sense into me. You need to listen and stop arguing.”

My anger was rising and I struggled in his arms but he just held me tighter. Stephan carried me down the stairs and still didn’t let me go when we reached the bottom.

“I can walk now.” I wiggled to get out of Stephan’s hold.

“I know. I like you in my arms though.” He walked to the games room were his mum sat on the sofa with an eReader.

Evelin glanced up and smiled. “How are you settling in?”

Stephan placed me on the sofa next to Evelin. “Good thanks. I would be doing even better if you would tell your son I’m not staying in his room.”

Evelin raised one dainty eyebrow in question to her son. Stephan crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. I rolled my eyes heavenward praying for patience. Evelin sighed. “Stephan, I did the room up right next door to yours. I really think you should let Jade stay in there. You won’t be far from her and you’ll see her every day.”

“Mum, she belongs with me.”

I chewed on my lip and looked to Evelin hoping she wasn’t going to fall for his crap. Evelin stared at me for a while and she must have seen something because she cleared her throat and stood so she was almost toe-to-toe with her son. “Stephan, I won’t ask you again, I’ll tell you. Jade is staying in the room I did up for her. When Jade chooses, she can move into your room.”

I felt like doing a fist pump and sticking my tongue out at Stephan, but the stare he sent my way had me sinking into the sofa and quietly enjoying my victory. I liked Evelin. She was my ally and I felt bad for using her but I intended to use her as much as I could. Stephan was just too tempting and hard to fight.