“So did he not mention his motive?” The Headmaster asks. We all shake our heads. “Well, if you haven’t heard by now, I am leaving Edmund’s Academy for a few years to assist in building another academy just like this. This year, I was planning on choosing an Elite to temporarily take over as the Headmaster or Headmistress. I don’t know how Laithe heard about the opportunity, but the power drove him to madness,” he says. I notice that the Headmaster called Laithe by his actual name. He stripped it of any form of respectful title. “But because of your accomplishments, each of you will run your own sectors of the academy while I am gone. If you accept, you will all three be in charge and can remain with us for as long as you would like.”
“Of course,” I answer immediately.
Kole merely nods and Domino jumps up and down excitedly. It is a great honor to receive this position, especially as a twelve-year-old.
“Spectacular,” the Headmaster says. He turns away and walks toward his desk.
Domino tilts her head and looks at Kole curiously. “How did it get shredded?” She asks, referring to the shirt he stripped. She still looks excited, but the distraction calms her. Kole turns in her direction.
“Laithe thought a knife would do damage to my skin,” he begins. I miss the rest of his statement as I look at his marking. The intricate drawings are clear and beautiful with two faceless souls connected in the center. Because I see only the part of his destiny most relevant to myself, I furrow my brows in confusion. What does this have to do with me?
I widen my eyes in realization.
“I’m your soulmate,” I mutter, not trusting my voice. Kole turns to me and smiles. His white teeth and dimpled smile are gorgeous and I stand, staring at him.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” the Headmaster says, understanding the importance of finding a soulmate. He sets a sealed envelope on the sofa beside me as Domino follows him out of the room, giving us a suggestive look. I look at the letter in anguish.
“Open it,” Kole says. I look at him and don’t give my actions a second thought. I rush into him and crush our lips together. I don’t know what I was expecting, but he is so much more. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls my body into him so we are linked together in virtually every sense.
His chest is warm and firm beneath my fingertips. One of my arms circle around the back of his neck as my fingers wrap themselves around dark strands of charcoal hair and pull at the tips. One of my arms remains pinned between us, laying gently on his chest. I groan onto his lips as he lifts me with one arm and presses me into the couch.
His lips break from mine and they deliberately work their way down my throat and onto the most tender sections. His touch sends sparks through me and I enjoy being with him. He pulls back as though it pains him to do so and grabs the letter from the table. “Snow, open it,” he demands. I don’t know what motivates me into listening to his demand with open ears, but I grab the letter and tear it open.
Kole sits in front of me on his knees and I lean forward on the couch, staring at the open envelope for a moment. This is from the people that abandoned me as a child and I don’t know how to feel about this letter. I pull it from the envelope slowly and examine the brown tinted paper. While I still have the nerve to do so, I open the letter and begin reading
My dearest Snow,
Do you know why you are named Snow? Your mother and I had experienced the last snowfall years before you were born. Like many animals and plants in this world, snow became extinct. I’m sure you’ve learned about it, but never seen it.
When your mother became pregnant, we hadn’t the slightest idea what to do with you. She was a mermaid, so she could live in the sea if she pleased, but as an infant, you couldn’t. I am human, but raising a mermaid child would mean death for the both of us, so that was out of the question. We loved you more than you will ever understand, but we had to do what was best for you, and that was Edmund’s Academy for the Gifted. There are schools for the gifted everywhere, but yours is the most prestigious.
Snow, I love you and your mother loved you. Don’t think for a moment that we don’t. Unfortunately, when your mom gave birth, she could not receive medical attention because of her origin. Nobody accepted her kind, so we had to deliver you at home. Your mother did not make it, but she loved you more than you can imagine.
Your mother and I had decided before you were born to send you to the Academy. When people see me walking in with a child, I will no longer be considered human, so as you read this, know that I did all I could to keep you safe. We never left you, Snow. We will always be with you.
I love you my dearest Snow—more than anything.
Love, Daddy
Tears run down my cheeks by the end of the letter and I set it on my lap. “You weren’t abandoned,” Kole comforts. A small smile finds my lips. My parents aren’t here, but they loved me. I want to be saddened that they are likely both dead, but I never knew them. I never even knew of them. I’m happy that I was loved, despite going my whole life believing the opposite.
I lean into Kole. “I had parents who loved me,” I mutter. The realization that I was never unloved is surreal.
“And you have me,” he says, kissing my temple sweetly. I skim the letter once more and look into his hazel eyes. We caught the murderer, made new friends, and found each other. And on top of everything, I now know I wasn’t abandoned. After all these years, my life finally feels right. I stare into his soft hazel eyes and push a strand of charcoal hair from his face. I couldn’t be happier; because for once, everything is exactly as it should be.
“And I have you,” I agreed whole - heartedly.
THE END
Baby Score
Chapter 1
Raedene
* * *
All it took was one eventful and memorable night and here I was, a mother with a four-year-old toddler who refused to speak like other children his age and who believed that he had another family. He compared everything I did to his imaginary mother; from the food I gave him to the clothes I dressed him in. He couldn’t get himself to even call me mom. But here, where Braden lay sleeping, he looked like a real angel. I just wish I knew why he was so different from other children. Everything went for a loop after his second birthday. Initially I assumed it was the terrible-two phase all experts refer to when it came to toddler behaviour, but two years later I wasn’t all that sure. He became progressively worse as he got older and I had no idea how to help him. Every day he would talk about his other mother, the one who died a horrible death after being attacked by white tigers, and his little sister who fell into the ice. And if I dared tell him that it’s his imagination he would throw the worst temper tantrums ever. He believed everything his mind conjured up, it was so real for him that he would spend hours crying about his dead mother and how he couldn’t help his little sister.
“Is he sleeping?” Damien whispered from the doorway.
If it wasn’t for my brother I would be so lost, but I had to start accepting the fact that Damien would soon move away to start his own family.
“Yeah finally, I just wish I knew what triggered him to behave this way,” I said softly while I brushed the brown curls away from Braden’s forehead.
“Maybe you should consider taking him to a paediatrician or a child psychologist,” Damien suggested.
“And tell them that my child believes I’m not his mother?” I piped up and laughed softly, “I mean really, white tigers? Just today he told me how he used to walk in knee deep snow to go collect fire wood for his family, I honestly have no idea where all this comes from.”
Damien came to stand next to me and placed his hand on my shoulder, “You’re going to have to get some expert advice Rae, otherwise you’ll never figure it out. This behaviour is not normal.”
No shit Sherlock, of course it’s not normal, “I’ll make an appointment to get him assessed, but I’m just so scared they find something horribly wrong with him.”
I swallowed at the lum
p in my throat, choking back the tears of defeat. What if my son was odd, what if he was diagnosed with some mental disorder that required permanent care that would eventually result in him never having a normal childhood? The questions were endless. I spent many nights researching all possibilities, from past life experiences to Autism and Schizophrenia, but all that resulted in, was me going more insane every day.
“It will only help you Rae and once you know what’s going on, you will be better equipped to deal with these challenges. You should also consider getting in touch with Caleb; he has the right to know.”
“Caleb? Why would I do that?” I asked shocked, I never told anyone that Caleb was Braden’s father.
“I wasn’t born yesterday. You two were close, hell, you were almost inseparable. And when you came with the news about your pregnancy, I knew straight away.”
Wow, and he kept quiet all this time? “Why did you never say anything?”
“I figured you’ll talk when the time was right, which never happened. But still, you need to get in touch with him.”
Maybe my brother was right, Caleb had the right to know, but how on earth was I going to find him? The last I heard he was in the military, who knows where he was now. And if I did find him what do I tell him? Oh by the way, you left and I was pregnant. Congratulations you’re a dad.
“I wouldn’t even know where to find him Damien, it’s been five years. The day he left, he left for good,” I said and pushed myself up off the floor and walked out of Braden’s room pulling the door closed behind me.
“I have his number; maybe you should just give him a call, test the waters and see how he is. In a week I’m leaving and if you ask me you are going to need all support you can get. Doing this on your own will be no easy task,” he said and hugged me tight.
I was going to miss Damien once he was gone. Over the past few years, he had been my pillar of strength. He was the only one who understood me and even more so, he was the closest thing to a father Braden ever had. The idea of him leaving was almost too much to bear. I couldn’t even bring myself to tell Braden.
* * *
After Damien left, I flopped down on the sofa and finally broke down. This was the only time I could allow my own weaknesses to surface knowing that no-one was around to witness them. I had to stay strong, for Braden. Sometimes when I was caught up in my own thoughts, I felt like the protagonist in my own stage play with the world as the audience. But rather than cheering me on, they flung rotten tomatoes and lettuce at me.
I reached for my phone and scrolled down the list of contacts, compared to how many friends I had back in college to the handful I had now, I was nothing short of being a recluse who avoided social media like the black plague and hid behind books and manuscripts to avoid meeting new people. I paused at Caleb’s name, Damien must have added him to my address book when I wasn’t looking, I realized and my thumb hovered over the message icon.
“Mommy!” it was Braden’s hysterical cry that sounded from the bedroom and I immediately dropped my phone to run to his side.
“Mommy’s here sweetheart,” I said trying to pull him into my arms.
“No! Mommy, I want my mommy!”
He was looking for his imaginary mom again and this was the third time in one day this episode repeated itself.
“She’s not real Braden,” I said trying my best not to over react and show him that I’m upset.
“Mommy!” he kept on as if he didn’t hear a word I just said.
Okay, calm down Rae, just go with it, I told myself and closed my eyes then let Braden go. He flopped down on the bed and in one motion rolled onto the floor kicking and screaming. Tears stung my eyes as I tried to keep my wits about myself, but it wasn’t easy.
All I was left to do was lie down on the bed and watch him eventually cry himself to sleep. As soon as he was asleep I got up and pulled a blanket over his small frame. Exhausted I decided to stay in his room and finally fell asleep on his bed.
Chapter 2
Caleb
* * *
I was ready as ever, adrenalin pumping through my veins as sweat dripped down my face. All we needed was one drop kick over the posts and we would win this game and walk away as the undefeated champions to win the Inaugural Season. I glanced at the clock –seventy eight minutes and counting. The ball came flying my way and I caught it mid-air, and without a second thought I drop kicked the ball and sent it sailing right between the goal posts. The sound of the crowds as they cheered was one of the best feelings any rugby player could ever experience. It was a sense of achievement.
The final whistle blew and the game was set with the Denver Stampede winning by 39 to 33 against the Ohio Aviators, it was a close one to say the least, but we did it.
After the game, instead of joining the guys for a night out to celebrate our victory, I headed home. Despite the excitement that still flowed through my veins I felt irritable and the text from Damien did not help at all. That was a part of my life I laid to rest a long time ago. Why on earth did he think I wanted to touch base with Rae? The last time I saw her was the day I left to do my civil duty for my country and I never looked back again. Surely she finally settled down with someone who was able to give her what her heart desired.
I gritted my teeth, fighting off the sudden ache that emitted from my chest, we had a good thing going, but we were still so young. And after my father decided that my mother wasn’t good enough for him and he hooked up with miss-priss, I realized then and there that love was nothing but a pain in the arse. It was an overrated emotion that just brought pain and disappointment. It was the one thing I would never forget. The look on my mother’s face when my dad arrived home with Leandra on his arm as if she was stuck to him like an appendage. If he could have his way he would have opted for a polygamous lifestyle, one where he could have multiple wives and father a multitude of children, but then again he didn’t care much for children. I knew that.
I dropped my duffle bag on the ground and went straight for the bourbon; I needed something strong to calm the anger that raged deep in my soul. I’ll sleep off this sudden annoying feeling and wake up in top form, ready for the ride up-country. My ass and fingers itched to get on my bike and just be one with it and be free.
I was about to settle down when my phone rang, it was Joanne a most welcome distraction at the best of times.
“Hey babe,” I said answering the phone and just as I thought she wanted to hook up again. The convenience of being in the national rugby squad was that women, more specifically cheer leaders would throw themselves at you shamelessly without expecting the strings that usually come as part and parcel of any relationship.
“I’m having an early night, but why don’t you come around over the weekend and we can head out to the club?”
There was an evident disappointment that lingered in her tone, and as much as I needed a distraction, I wasn’t really in the mood for company.
“Why don’t you send me a teaser, and I can keep it as a reminder of what to expect when I see you again,” I suggested with a smirk.
I didn’t need to do any convincing on my part, she was more than willing to share the occasional sneak peek that most men could only dream of seeing, but even though I asked for it, I knew it would do nothing to any part of my anatomy.
I finally killed the call after she tried again to convince me to see her and told her that I will only be back in town by the weekend.
The morning arrived with promise and regardless of my bourbon induced hangover I knew that once I was on my motorbike it would disappear instantly. A long hard ride would also silence my conscience that kept nagging me to call Rae. The past was just that – past tense – it had no place in my future. Past experience taught me that valuable lesson. The moment you allow the past to command your future you may as well kiss your ass goodbye.
I clicked the remote and the garage door slowly rolled open. There it stood in all its glory, my Harley Davidson, chrome polished frame and
its complimentary blue and diamond ice finish. It was nothing short of a majestic piece of machinery that made me crave the open road. My leathers crunched against the leather seat and as I started her up she became an extension of my own body.
I finally hit the open road and opened the throttle, and as the wind whipped past me I could sense the different aromas as they passed me by. It was never the same, each time I rode my bike it was new smells and sounds that kept me alert. But unlike other times where it was just me and my bike, Rae’s face kept flashing in my mind’s eye.
That last day before I left for the military, there was a sadness in her eyes, it was as if she knew I was never coming back and although I didn’t explicitly tell her or break up with her, she sensed it. When I was out on detail, I received two letters from her and I never responded to either one. For days after her first letter to me, I contemplated the future, trying to figure out where she fitted into my life. By the time I got the second letter, I was elbow deep in desert sand fighting for a cause bigger than my own and time simply won. It was the time to let go, let go of the past so that I could work on my own uncertain future. I never intended on looking back, until now.
Chapter 3
Raedene
* * *
I hated doctors’ rooms like I hate creamed spinach, the smell of disinfectant always reminded me of death, but I had no choice. Damien insisted I seek help to try and figure out what was wrong with Braden. Scattered magazines lay across the table in the waiting room; next to us was an old man whose face mapped the years of hardship he must have endured in his life time. I couldn’t help but wonder what brought him here today.
“Miss Callaway, you can come through,” the receptionist said, standing with our file in her hand.
Cowboy's Fake Fiancée: A Single Dad & A Virgin Romance Page 36