Chapter 25

The moment the door closes, my legs tremble a bit as I make my way to the bed. Everyone moves out the way, ready to catch me if I need it. Pulling Silas from me, for a moment, I settle him in the bed, after letting him get some of my blood.

Thinking I've made it through heaven's gates, they seem to slam shut in my face, as Grant stand in front of me, anger evident on his face.

"Drop them," he demands, tone not giving room to disobey, but I don't.

"I'm fine, just a hot bath will do," I reason, standing up, making my way to the bathroom. Hands lightly skim over my back, shocking me to my core before my legs give out. I catch the wall, gasping for breath. I was not prepared for that.

"Fine my ass," Grant hisses, picking me up carefully. "Let us help you, dammit. You can't do everything by yourself."

". . . I can sure as hell try," i mumble.

"We won't let you," Elizabeth steps forward, hands on her hips.

"Now just let us take care of you," Lilith steps beside her. "Just let go and let us in."

Huffing, I relax, although a bit stiffly in Grant's arms, letting him hold me as the get the huge tub ready.

"It's going to sting," Grant warns.

"I know." is all i give him, before he lowers me into the tub. This part is always to worse part than actually getting the lash themselves. I clench onto his arms, taking a deep breath, before giving him a nod. Theo holds me in his lap, softly washing the body from my body, while Katherine gives me a shoulder massage, Lilith massaging my feet. Grant slips into the tub and has Theo to turn me around. Just relaxing as best as I can, Grant lightly washes my back, but the pain hits harder than I thought. I clench anything my hands can grip--thankfully the tub walls-- and squeeze, only the sound of something crumbling coming to my ears.

"Deep breathes," Theo coos. "Deep breathes."

Tremblings travels my body, as Grant takes his time to check the wounds and wash them carefully. He comes to my lower back last, shushing me softly. he kneeds my back, slowly going down. He goes from my thighs up to my butt, easing the whole area from tension, but that doesn;t make it any easier when he lets water run over the wounds. My back arches, toes curling as I hold my cried back. Unbeknownst to me, little crack appear on some of my inner walls.

There spread running all around, before it just falls in, letting the pain I was holding it the whoole time, out. Everyone tenses, and instantly hands are on me, giving me more comfort. Sweet words, lull me to this soft place, numbing the pain from my mind for a bit. Soft touches on my body, giving me some relief, pushes me deeper into that light place.

I want to fight it, want to rebell, but my body doesn't want to listen to me.

"Just let us take care of you,' I hear Lilith, faintly.

Deeper and deeper, that nice place takes me and before I know it, I'm just cruising. My mind floating, nice and free.

Grant POV

Rowan's body completely relaxes in our hands, his body becoming putty, a small smile resting on his body. If I didn't know any better I would have said he just had a wonderful day, hanging out, outside with some friends. Rinsing him off one last good time, I pick him up, getting him out. Theo helps me dry him off, softly ruffling Rowan's hair in the towel.

Rowan purrs, snuggling into me.

"He's deep," Lilith concludes.

"I figured as much," I remark. "He doesn't even hear us."

I carry him to the walk in closet, and dress him in a silky, baggy sleepingpants, and a silk black bonnet. WIth everyone dressed, we pile onto the bed, curling Rowan and Silas in the middle.

"Since tomorrow we won't be doing anything, someone can get some clothes for Rowan, while the others can help watch him," I suggest. " Try seeing if he can age up a bit so we can understand."

I get nothing but soft groans, but each send a agreeing feeling through the bond.

I guess that's goo enough for now.

...

What to do with them? I internally chuckle.

This isn't so damn bad, maybe without all the rollercoasters though.

Yawning, I rub Rowan's stomach, soothingly, letting sleep take me as well.

***

THe first thing I notice is the jumping weight on my chest. LIghtrays blind my eyes as I open them.

"Wh-"

"Wake up," a Rowan voice squeaks out, softly. Leaning up a bit, I can clearly see him now. He has fresh bandages on, a little blood on his lips. He must be a bit numbed, if he's not in pain. Rowan hops on my leg again, a little frown on his face.

"Wake uppppppp," he groans. "I'm hunry."

Seems like they left me with him by myself, i sigh.

"Okay, little man," I start. "First we got to talk."

Rowan pouts, slumping with his arms crossed.

"How old are you Bubs," I question.

". . .Even. . Seven," he says holding up eight fingers.

"Oh, so we have a big boy on my hands," I tease, tickling his sides a little.

"Yep," he giggles, a big smile on his face. "Can we go now?"

"For now," I nod. "We still need to talk, Little Man."

"I'm not little," Rowan pouts, scooting off the bed. He gets ready to stand, but as he puts all his weight on his feet, his legs buckle. "Ahh!"

I reach out, quickly catching him, "Be careful," I scold. " You're still healing."

Rowan nods his head. Sighing, I gets us both out the bed, holding Rowan on my side. Walking through the halls, he burries his face in my shoulder, hiding away, the shy thing. Coming into the kitchen, I gently place him on the counter, digging in the refrigerator.

"Want some pancakes," I peek at him.

"With lots of meat," he beams, his eyes lighting up.

"Then that's what we'll eat."

He gives a little cheer. While I cook, I ask him little questions here and there, getting a feel for him. He probably still doesn't notice, given that this could be his first time dropping like this.

"What's your favortie color?"

"Hmm...I like alot. Blue, green, black, red, orange, white, grey, purple, yellow..." He tilts his head to the side, trying about anymore colors he likes.

The bloody pancake batter hits the hot pan, instantly fill the kitchen with a delicious scent. Rowan looks at the cooking food, and dlike in a trance, tries to reach for it, licking his lips.

"No," I tap his hand. "This is hot. Wait until they get done."

Rowan slams his hands on the counter, a pout on his face. The counter cracks under his fist. "I want them now."

"You were being such a good boy," I sigh. "Don't start acting up, Little Man. You'll go into time out."

"I'm hunry now!"

He hits the counter again and again, making the counter start to dent in. Taking the now done pancake from the pan and putting the pan to the side, I pick him up, dragging a chair to a corner close by me. Turning it to face the wall, I plop Rowan into the seat.

"Don't you move until I tell you," I reprimand, giving him a look. Walking away, I go back to cleaning, glancing at Rowan every now and then, but a third glance and he's not there. Instead he's behind me, staring up at me.

"Go back to your seat, Little Man," I command.

"No," he shakes his head, a frown on his face.

"I won't say it again, Rowan," I sigh.

I don't here him move his feet. Just a few more minutes and breakfast would be done. I can tell I'm going to have an impatient one on my hands. Setting everything to the side for a moment, I grab Rowan, walking him back to his seat. He twitches around, stomping his feet to stop, so I pop his butt, giving him 3 smacks. He jolts up, grabbing his behind.

"Now sit down," I point at the seat, looking him in the eye.

He looks around, trying to escape. I arch my brow, daring him to try it, pointing again at the seat. He holds his butt, shuffling into the seat, huffing and muttering under his breath.

"And be quiet," I call back, quickly finishing cooking. I hear nothing else, and soon I'm placing Rowan's and my plate of food, on the dinning table.

"Come on," I nod my head over to me. "Let's eat."

Rowan gets up from the chair, still holding his behind, small tears falling from his eyes. A frown scrunches his face, and his lips wobble, holding his lips shut.

"Oh baby," i kneel in front of him. " You did so good, taking your time out." I pull him into a hug, picking him up. His arms wrap around my neck, his head hiding back into my neck. I sit us down, and start to feed him and myself, getting some food in us. On our second late, Rowan yawns, head falling onto my shoulder.

The boy must be tired already, adjusting to this all. Rocking him gently, I leave the food there, instructing a maid to clean the mess for me, and walk back to our room.

"Okay, let's get some rules down, bubs," I set him in the bed gently, kneeling to his level. " You will be open and honest with me at all times, while still being respectful, even if I may not like the answer. Respect others above you, but speak uo if you feel that something is wrong. No killing. No swearing, regardless of the situation. Use your manners, and that includes sitting properly at the dinner table. Know when enough is enough

You will be in bed at a reasonable hour, unless I say otherwize.

Always eat no less than two meals a day, with a little healthy snack in between."

Rowan nods his head slowly.

"Repeat them for me, Bubs," I hold his hands in mine.

"Always be honest, respect peowle, no sweawing," he yawns a little. "Use manners, bedtime, eat healthy, and no killing."

"Good enough for now," I chuckle. "Now if you don't do those rules, you'll get a punishment. "

Rowans sits up a bit more straighter, eyes trying to clear up a bit.

"Spankings. Timeouts. Early Bedtimes. Washing your mouth out with soap. No touches. Writing lines. No sweets, " I hold his eyes. "Depending of the rule, there may be multiple. "

He stiffens a bit, but nods his head.

"This is for now," I explain. "But these rules and punishments can change. I may add a rule or take one away, but I will always tell you that, before giving you any punishment."

"Okay," he mumbles and another yawns comes from him. "Papa, I's sleepy."

Awww he's so cute. I get into the bed with him, curling him into my side, rubbing his back.

"Take a nap. I'll wake you up when everyone gets back," I assure. In seconds, rowan is out like a light, he never stood a chance.