Fifty-nine

When I wake up later, it was late afternoon and I was laying on the ground in blankets. Around me, I hear voices murmuring and trees rustling. I snuggle into the warmth of the furs and open my eyes, seeing Roan and June just a few feet away talking. Beyond them is Aspen holding a small bundle. I smile at the sight of one of the babies, then sit up.

I stretch and crawl over to my brother, sitting beside him. He smiles at me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. I lean against him, content to listen to him talk. After some time, someone comes up beside me and sits. I sit up and look to see Cat, holding a bundle similar to Aspen. She smiles at me. "Would you like to hold Jed?"

I nod, reaching out and taking the small body from her, careful to not jostle him too much. But Jed opens his eyes anyways, big and blue, but dull with sickness. I lean down and kiss his brow, giving him the love he deserves from his mother. "You're going to be okay," I whisper to him. "You will get through this."

Roan lightly squeezed my shoulders. "I think this is the first he's opened his eyes."

"Really?"

"That boy hasn't really responded to anyone."

I look at my brother. "What about Inara?"

He chuckles. "She has screamed mostly, if June's information is correct."

"It is," June confirms from the across the fire. "She's very loud."

"But Jed hasn't done anything?"

June shrugs. "He's cried, but it was very little. He mostly slept. He hasn't really eaten much, and doesn't like to play like a normal child."

To her response, I glance down at Jed and lightly run a fingertip down his nose. Jed sneezes, then gives me a small stare before giving me a giggle. I smile. "Do you think he just missed me?"

"It's possible," June replied. I look at her, but she has a doubtful look. When she notices my frown, she sighs. "I'm just worried, that's all."

I nod.

"Do you want to feed him?" Cat asks.

"What are you giving them?"

Cat stands and goes over to Willow, who hands her something. Then she returns and holds out a bottle. "It's milk, but Willow put some medicine in it. Jed doesn't seem to mind, but Inara makes a fit."

I take the bottle and begin to feed my son, seeing him taking the milk without complaint. I watch, smiling into his big eyes. I notice he's grown since I've seen him last, and there's a bit of hair on his head: blonde.

"Are they any better from when Lucas showed up?" I ask.

June shrugs. "Maybe a little. But they're both too light for their age. And too skinny."

I furrowed my brows and stare at Jed's form. He was mostly wrapped in blankets, but I did see how his cheeks weren't as plump as before, and his skin was paler. There were dark circles under his eyes, something a baby should never have. "Is he going to be okay?"

"I'm sure they'll be alright once they properly get everything they need," Cat says with a smile. "We just have to keep a close eye on them."

I nod.

Then I hear screaming. I flinch, looking around for who was hurt. But don't see anyone. Then, Jed begins to whimper. I tighten my arms a little, trying to rock him soothingly, but the scream was too much. It gets louder and louder. Cat takes Jed so I could cover my ears, but Aspen appears and holds out something for me. I see it's Inara, her face red and her mouth open in a scream. I take her and gently wipe the tears away, cooing softly. She doesn't immediately stop, but she does slowly go into a sob, then soft whimpers. Soon, she's holding onto my finger tightly and closing her eyes.

"Maybe you should take care of all the children from now on," Cat says with a big grin.

"Damn!" Aspen hisses, rubbing his ears. "I'm glad you know how to calm her down. I think she made me go dead in one ear."

I smile, blushing a little, then turn my attention back to my daughter.

Some time later, the sun was almost setting when Lucas slowly approached and sat beside June. He watched me for a moment as Roan and Aspen stood on either side of me and I stared back. What Leilani had done with Lucas's form was in my mind, my body feeling the pain in memory. I lean away from him and tighten my arms around Inara.

Lucas opens his mouth, but Aspen interrupts and says, "She isn't a miracle worker. Don't demand instant results."

"I was just going to say how happy I am to see her alive and recovering."

Aspen snorted, but I relax a little. "I thank you for whatever you did to help, but I'm not helping the children for you."

Lucas frowns. "I didn't think you would."

"I don't want you around them," I say, a little harshly.

"They're my children!"

"And they almost died in your care," I reason. "But I will allow you to see them. I just don't want them going home with you."

Lucas crossed his arms. "And if I do?" He smirks. "What are you going to do about it?"

Instantly, I back down. His form doing hurtful actions to me flashing behind my eyes.

"Zahra, look at me."

I begin to tremble.

"Zahra, it's okay. You're safe."

"I don't want it to happen again," I whisper shakily.

"He won't hurt you. He promised to not touch you again."

I shake my head. "But he will."

"Zahra, Lucas can't hurt you while you're with me." I blink and the images of the pain faded as Roan's face came into focus. "He will never hurt you again."

"What the hell!" I hear. I try to look around, but Roan is hiding my face. "I haven't done shit to her!"

"Shut up. We don't need you-"

"Aspen, I haven't done a single thing! Why is she acting like this? What is going on?"

Roan caresses my face. "It's okay," he whispered as Aspen hissed something I can't hear. "I won't let anything happen to you."

I nod as someone takes Inara. I reach out and hug my brother, finding comfort. "I'm safe," I whisper.

"You're safe."

"I am not that cruel!" I hear Lucas growl.

"Then how do you explain Inara and Jed?" June asks him.

I tense, straining my ears for his response. When it comes, it isn't what I thought. "When she was with me after her change of maturity, she came to me. I did not force her. I did nothing but accept her offer."

Bile rose in my throat and I jerked away from my brother. Lucas couldn't be right, could he? Why would I go to him? How could I when I knew who he was and what he wanted?

There was silence all around. No one spoke. No one moved. All I could do was replay his words in my mind, and stare into space.