<b><i>Grd’s </i></b><b><i>POV</i></b><b><i>: </i></b>
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I could tell by his expression Kai was shocked at my revtion. It’s not everyday you hear your fiancé was stolen as a baby.
I spent the next 30 minutes giving Kai the cliff notes version of my life. He listened in silence never once interrupting me, but I could tell his face tensed when I spoke of some the things I’d went through with the Rochesters. When I finally finished, he remained silent for an additional few minutes before speaking.
<i>“</i><i>I </i><i>see</i>.<i>” </i>
It was something about the way he spoke…I wasn’t sure, but it seemed as though his whole demeanor changed. Like he went from being light and happy to scowling; as if he were furious with the Rochesters. I decided that would be enough of them for the day, I didn’t want those people ruining what should be a joyful celebration. Just as I was about to tell him everything was fine, the rest of the Christiansens came back with food.
<i>“</i><i>We’re </i><i>back</i><i>!! </i><i>And </i><i>we </i><i>brought </i><i>delectable </i><i>delights</i><i>!</i><i>” </i>
Ka beamed as she walked over to therge table in the room. Both Kai and I nced at each other smiling. His gaze was so intense it made me blush. Not to mention I was still reeling from the fact that he was the boy from my childhood. All the littlements and gestures Ma has been making these past few days now all made sense. She’d always known who I was.
Ma and Ka made their way over to me and Kai while Teddy and Theo moved the table to be closer. As everyone sat down, Ka had this mischievous look on her face.
<i>“</i><i>So</i><i>, </i><i>have </i><i>you </i><i>two </i><i>lovebirds </i><i>been </i><i>getting </i><i>know </i><i>each </i><i>other</i><i>?</i><i>” </i>
The room fell deathly quiet as Kai, and I looked embarrassed. Why’d she have to word it like that!! I could see Kai’s ears reddening as he scowled as his little sister.
<i>“</i><i>I </i><i>finally </i><i>wake </i><i>up </i><i>after </i><i>a </i><i>six </i><i>month </i><i>in </i><ia </i><i>and </i><i>here </i>you <i>are </i><i>trying </i>to <i>send </i><i>me </i><i>back</i>.”
Kaughed joyously at her big brother as she hugged him tightly. Ma began fixing everyone’s tes, while Theo and Teddy began catching Kai up on everything that’s been
happening with the family and businesses since he’s been sleep.
<i>“</i><i>Oh</i>! <i>I </i><i>called </i>Grandma–<i>Roana</i><i>, </i><i>she’s </i>cutting <i>her </i><i>trip </i><i>short</i><i>, </i><i>she’ll </i><i>be </i><i>here </i><i>tomorrow</i>!<i>” </i>
Kai’s face lit up with joy, I hadn’t had the chance to meet Grandma–Roana yet, but from what Ka told me, she sounded absolutely amazing. She was currently in Lakeford for the grand opening of a children’s home and hospital. I was excited about meeting her myself. Ma handed Kai his beef broth. As he began to eat, she looked at me, smiling
passively.
<i>“</i><i>Gracie </i><i>dear</i><i>, </i><i>you </i><i>should </i><i>eat </i><i>something</i>.”
I was so busy paying attention to Kai that I nearly jumped when she called my name. I was just about to protest and say I wasn’t hungry, when she walked over to me with a te of pork belly and white rice. I nodded in obedience realizing she wasn’t taking no for an answer and began to eat. The rest of the afternoon was filled withughs, conversations, and catching up. This was the happiest I’d ever seen the family. It was also the happiest I had ever been since the passing of my mom. We all stayed at the hospital until about 9pm. Originally, I was going to stay with Kai, but I noticed he didn’t eat much of the beef broth. After questioning if anything was wrong, he told me the broth was okay but that he preferred chicken broth. Ma originally got the beef for the heavy protein. I decided to head home that night and make him my special broth and dumplings.
In my previous life, whenever the Rochesters or Jonathan would get sick, I would make them all medicinal chicken or beef both with dumplings.
As we were saying goodbye, I noticed Kai’s expression looked sadden. It almost reminded me of that day at the beach when my mom called me toe home. I figured he was probably sad about the family leaving. Smiling, I walked over and sat beside him.
<i>“</i><i>Don’t </i><i>look </i><i>sad</i>. <i>Everyone </i><i>will </i><i>be </i><i>back </i><i>tomorrow</i><i>! </i><i>Plus</i>, <i>you’re </i><i>cuter </i><i>when </i><i>you </i><i>smile</i><i>.</i><i>” </i>
I winked and smiled brightly as I held his hand. Suddenly, he looked at me with an intense stare causing my heart to flutter. His silence felt like forever as he gazed into my eyes. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was about to kiss me! Finally, he spoke.
“Will
<i>you </i><i>be </i><i>here </i>too?<i>” </i>
I was slightly taken aback by his question; he sounded almost worried like he was going to wake up and I would be gone. There was a longing in his tone with hints of fear. What
could he possibly be afraid of? As if reading my mind once again, he answered.
“I’m <i>afraid </i>I’m <i>going </i><i>to </i><i>wake </i><i>up </i><i>tomorrow </i><i>and </i><i>you </i><i>won’t </i><i>be </i><i>here</i>.”
<i>‘</i>Dummy.‘
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Didn’t he know how I felt about him? Didn’t he see how my heart raced every time I
looked at him? Smiling, I stood up.
<i>“</i><i>I’ll </i><i>be </i><i>here </i><i>bright </i><i>and </i><i>early</i><i>…I </i><i>promise</i>.”
We headed home after getting caught up by Kai’s doctors and nurses. They all said the same thing, apart from thea, Kai was otherwise healed and healthy. They would keep him one more night for observation, after that, he could go home. The family was ted; Teddy called Grandmother–Roana to let her know the good news. I could hear her cheering on the other end about throwing Kai a party.
After I showered, I made my way to the grand kitchen. The Christiansen’s kitchen was more stacked than a mini grocery store. I was sure I’d find all the ingredients I needed for my chicken and dumplings with homemade broth.
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<b><i>Kai’s </i></b><b><i>POV</i></b><b>: </b>
I lied in my bed looking at the pictures I’d taken today with my family today before settling on the single picture I took of Gracie. She looked so beautiful, her smile was
of radiant. As I looked at her delicate face, I couldn’t help but feel a surge
anger. Gracie informed me of her life with the Rochesters, and I had a feeling that was the light version. The thought of her being mistreated, being abused sent waves of fury through me like electricity. They would know what the price was for making my beloved cry. I opened my contacts and decided to call my best friend Tyler. It was time he learned of the change in my condition.
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<b>24 </b><fn3d21> For original chapters go to find?novel</fn3d21>
<b><i>Gracie’s </i></b><b>POV</b><b>: </b>
I finished my dumplings around 1AM. After doing a small taste test, I determined my they wereplete. I needed to get some sleep if I was going to arrive at the hospital before
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