Jamal's POV
The drive back home was usually silent, but my brain was humming so loudly, it felt otherwise. I had taken a huge step. Desperate yes, but then desperate situations called for desperate measures, and the situation was indeed desperate. Every second Methis spent away from us, from me and the kids, was wasted. Moments we should be spending together as a family were washing down the drain and if I let it continue, if I let that Xander figure get closer than he already was, it was inevitable that irrevocable damage would be done. I needed to end this charade and I needed to end it now. But was this the only way? Did I really have no choice?
I parked the car at the usual spot on the street and hurried upstairs, clutching the burgers I bought on my way home on one hand and the drinks on the other. It was my way of apologizing to them for wasting all day, visiting what was essentially a soothsayer to help get their mom back but then again, a man had to do what a man had to do.
As I approached the apartment, I heard some noises coming from within the room, the television was on apparently.
"Dad is on his way."
It was Autumn, and he said that quietly, as if he wasn't exactly sure. No way he could have heard me over the television.
Not thinking too much about it, I knocked gently before pushing the door open having to steady myself as I felt Summer throw herself at me and wrap her arms around my waist, squealing in pure delight.
"Woah, woah." I said, gently dropping the burgers on the floor next to her and squatting to hug her back, "Someone missed me."
The rest of the night was spent over the dinning table, eating the fast food. As I watched my children gobble it up, fighting over the remaining fries, I couldn't help but feel something was missing. Something very important, a last piece in the puzzle that was our family.
They needed their mother.
There was no denying it. It was like an itch that needed to be scratched, and no matter how happy the kids were, I knew they would be happier with Methis around, with us as a complete family, even if they didn't seen it yet.
I clenched my fists. I was going to bring her back, no matter what it took, even if it meant doing whatever the Watcher wanted.
I was going to bring Methis back to me.
Methis POV
I had always wondered what kind of life my stepmother was living now.
I had grown up hating her for what she did, but also feeling curious about her. Was she happy with her new mate? Did she ever miss us? Did she regret her decision? And most importantly, did she even want to come back?
I had tried to find some answers by searching for her online, but I never found anything. She had changed her name and moved to a different country, probably to avoid any contact with us.
But then, something unexpected happened.
I had decided to go to visit Xander, see how he was doing, but I had also felt nervous and anxious. I had not seen Xander since the day he left my room after the fight with Jamal, which was two weeks ago. I had missed him terribly, since he was not only so close to me over the past few years, but also my friend and my confidante, somehow even closer than Sophie..
I had decided to take the risk, and to follow my heart. I had packed a bag with some clothes and essentials, and I had taken a cab to the airport. I had bought a ticket to his sister's apartment, where Xander was still recovering. I had also called Sophie, to tell her that I was on my way but she also hadn't picked. In fact, just like the past few weeks, she was avoiding all my attempts to reach her like I carried the plague or something.
It hurt, possibly even more than Xander's, and I desperately wanted to tell her how deeply sorry I was she got roped into my drama, but I knew her. She hated the entire shtick. She preferred retreating into her own self until she was ready to talk to anybody. I had to let her be.
I had arrived in apartment after a long and tiring ride.
I had felt my heart pounding in my chest, as I had walked down the corridor. I had wondered how Xander would react when he saw me. Would he be happy or angry? Would he welcome me or reject me? Would he love me or hate me?
The door was open and the apartment was clean. Sophia's doing. She went into a cleaning mania whenever she was really mad, it helped her relax. I smiled as I remembered all the times she had snuck into my room, desperate to help me do my laundry because a boy had annoyed her and she was done cleaning HER room.
I wondered where she was, or where Xander had stuffed himself into. I had found out soon enough, as I had entered his room. He had been lying on the bed, with bandages covering his left eye. He had looked pale and weak, but he had also looked handsome and brave. He had smiled when he had seen me, and he had said my name in a soft and tender voice.
"Methis."
I had felt a surge of emotion, but I forced myself to remain calm, now wanting to betray how much I had missed him, especially given the circumstances with which we separated. "Xander."