Prince

by Cambria Hebert

  “Would you like some ice? A heating pad? More blankets? Are you hungry?” She worried. “Henry, make a list,” she called out to her husband who was standing at the foot of the bed, face pale, wide eyes fixated solely on the bundle in my lap.

  The stark concern in her voice made Fletcher lift his head. “You would do all of that?” he asked, befuddled. I thought back to his early definition of love to me, how he said that person might worry about him.

  Having Samantha clearly worrying over him now must have felt surreal.

  “Of course,” she hurried to say. “I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

  “But you don’t know me,” he objected. His voice was not unkind. He was just confused.

  “I would like to,” she whispered, swiping tears from her cheeks. “What do you like to eat? I’ll get it for you.”

  Fletcher's fingers found mine, giving a gentle tug so I would release his waist and let him hold my hand. “I’m really okay. I don’t need anything.”

  Another sob left her throat. She reached out to cup his cheek. “You are just beautiful. Better than I ever could have imagined.”

  Fletcher didn’t say anything, just watched her curiously. When she reached out with her other hand to fully hold his face, he did not flinch away. “Oh, Alexander. How I longed to find you.”

  “Is that his name?” he whispered.

  Her eyes were so hungry on his face. She had the look of a starving woman who was finally offered a meal. Nodding, she answered, “Alexander Graham Cossgrove.”

  “That’s really fancy. My name is Fletcher.”

  She smiled. “Okay. Fletcher, then.”

  “I might not be him.” He cautioned her, and I couldn’t help but feel as though he were telling himself that and not her. I had a blinding moment of fear that he would grow attached and then find out he wasn’t Alexander after all. The hurt that would cause him, having loving parents ripped away…

  “You are.” Her voice rang with conviction. “I know you are.”

  “I think it’s best if we know for sure.” I reasoned, giving Fletcher’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

  “Will you agree to a blood test?” Henry asked, finally speaking up.

  Fletcher glanced at the man. “Okay.”

  Samantha started crying again, her hands finally back at her sides.

  Both of them looked wiped out and rumpled as if twenty years of heartache and misery had finally shown up on their faces. Lack of sleep, Milly’s appearance, and now waiting for confirmation for something we all pretty much knew to be true was quite the strain.

  “I’m sorry,” Fletcher said suddenly, taking us all aback.

  Samantha gasped. “Sorry! What in heavens for?”

  “That I made you worry for all this time.”

  Henry made a choked sound, no longer able to control his emotions. “This is not your fault. This is all my fault. If only I’d protected you better. If only I’d never met that woman.”

  “We’re sorry, Al—Fletcher,” Samantha whispered, reaching out to take his hand. “We’re so sorry we couldn’t find you.”

  When Fletcher said nothing, Samantha spoke again. “How awful was she to you?”

  Gently, he tugged his hand from hers. Without waiting, I put my other arm around him, enclosing him in my embrace.

  “She wasn’t that terrible. I’m fine. So don’t feel bad, okay?”

  I don’t know how he said that lie without it getting caught in his throat. I hadn’t even spoken, and I was choking.

  Across the room, the family that had quietly filed in shortly after Samantha and Henry all averted their eyes. The muscle in Earth’s jaw jumped violently, and Neo’s face remained shuttered. I wondered if they knew how bad Milly was to Fletcher. I thought not. I thought if they truly knew the depths of her abuse, Earth would truly have killed her by now.

  This boy—no, this man. This person to whom my heart belonged had been wronged and mistreated his entire life. He had every reason to be angry as hell with the people who should have protected him, who should have moved heaven and earth to find him, though he did not rage or lay blame.

  He offered reprieve instead, choosing to offer forgiveness and trying to take away some of their pain.

  Fletcher was the flower that impossibly grew from a crack in the concrete. He was the tree that did not suffocate in a raging forest fire. He was the rainbow that stretched over the sky in the center of a rainstorm.

  I would love him evermore.

  The room stayed quiet, emotion swelling to the ceiling, until Henry spoke again. “How did you know that song?”

  “It’s just always been inside me. I always heard it when I needed it most.”

  Their emotional reaction seemed to overwhelm Fletcher, his body curling back into mine for shielding.

  “I think maybe that’s enough for today,” I said, kind yet firm.

  “But—” Samantha’s protest died when Earth stepped forward to escort them out.

  “Thank you for coming,” Fletcher said, softening his brother’s intense presence.

  “We will notify your doctor about the blood test. We already gave our samples,” Henry told him.

  Fletch nodded. “I’ll get mine before we leave.”

  Earth went to the door, pulling it open.

  The Cossgroves hesitated.

  “Don’t worry,” Fletcher told them. “I won’t disappear again.”

  Samantha sniffled, and Henry led her out. The second they were gone, Fletcher’s entire body went limp against mine.

  “That was very generous of you,” I murmured, stroking his hair.

  “You’re too nice,” Earth grumped.

  “For once, we agree,” Neo muttered.

  “She hurt them too,” Fletcher argued. “All these years, they’ve missed their son. And now they will find out he’s nothing but a misfit.”

  “What’s wrong with being a misfit?” Earth declared.

  “Better to be a misfit than some stodgy old richie.” Beau agreed. I made a sound, and he winced. “No offense.”

  “Plenty taken,” I deadpanned.

  “I’m not at all who they probably expect.”

  “You’re better,” I whispered against his ear.

  He glanced around from beneath his lashes and smiled.

  “You don’t need them anyway.” Earth decided. “You have us.”

  Fletcher was silent a moment, thoughtfully so. Feeling his dismay, everyone turned to him, his cheeks bright red. “B-but what if I want to know them? You know, if they are my parents.”

  Ivory made a stricken sound. “Of course we will support you! The Cossgroves are very nice people. I’ve known them for many years. They will love you.”

  “Only Ethan loves me,” he whispered. Unable to deny myself, I squished his soft tummy beneath my hands, rubbing him affectionately.

  “Always,” I whispered in his ear.

  “That’s absolutely absurd!” Ivory declared, pinning Fletch with a look. “I love you.”

  His belly pushed against my hand with his gasp. “You do?”

  “Of course! My goodness, isn’t it obvious?”

  “Fletcher needs words,” I told them all, taking a moment to meet their gazes.

  All three of his brothers looked as though they’d swallowed cartons of sour milk. Clearly, declaring their love was not something any of them cared to do.

  Pursing my lips, I glanced at Neo. “Even you have trouble saying it?” I admonished.

  His eyes went to Ivory, softening just a bit before coming back to Fletcher. “No. I love you too, Fletcher. Like a brother.”

  Neo looked at Earth.

  Earth looked at Beau.

  Even with the beanie perched on his head, I knew his face had turned the color of his hair. Scratching behind his ear, he gazed down at the floor. “Of course I do. Why else would I let you wear my shoes and clothes? I even let you play my Xbox.”

  That was his idea of a declaration of love? I pitied the
poor fool who fell in love with him.

  Just then, there was a swift knock on the door, and it swung open, Bree’s blond head poking inside. “Special delivery!”

  “Ah, Bree, come in,” I said, smiling.

  She pushed inside with a huge drink carrier filled with cups and paper bags hanging off her wrists.

  “Kismet!” Fletcher exclaimed, his voice cracking around the word.

  Bustling over, Bree extended the drink holder with both hands and gestured to one of the cups with her eyes. I plucked it out, and Fletch reached for it.

  “Hold on, puppy,” I admonished. He pouted while I pulled the lid off and took a sip, avoiding the piles of whipped cream. Good heavens! Satisfied it wasn’t so hot it would burn him, I surrendered the cup, finally earning a smile.

  “Don’t drink it too fast. It’s rich.” I cautioned him, worrying over his stomach.

  Half his face disappeared into the cup only to come up covered in whipped cream.

  I sighed and wiped it off.

  Bree handed over a coffee with cream to me and then glanced over at the group of people watching her.

  “Bree.” Ivory waved her over and made the introductions to the three men who I supposed were my brothers now while she handed out the coffee.

  When Earth pulled out his cup from the carrier, it left only one behind, which tipped the entire cardboard tray sideways, the final cup nearly toppling to the floor.

  Bree gasped and lunged forward, but the bags on her wrists only made her more top-heavy.

  Beau’s arms shot out, catching the tray in one hand and her in the other.

  “Oh my…” Bree gasped, blinking up at him.

  “This one for me?” Beau asked, holding up the drink carrier with the cup.

  Bree nodded, her blue eyes wider than I’d ever seen before. After helping her straighten, Beau pulled the bags off her arms and handed them to Neo.

  “That’s food for everyone,” she said, pointing at the bags.

  The three guys descended upon the sack like a pack of angry vultures, leaving Ivory and Bree to watch in wonder.

  “I’ve tried to teach them manners. I sincerely have.” Ivory sighed.

  “Ooh! A blueberry muffin!” Beau popped up, holding a white paper sack.

  Fletcher looked up from his hot chocolate.

  “That’s Fletcher’s,” I announced.

  Bree stepped forward and plucked the bag right out of Beau’s hands. He gasped, trying to grab it back, but she danced away to hand it to Fletcher, who beamed.

  “That was so rude,” he told her when she returned.

  “He’s a patient!” Bree declared. “Get a bagel.”

  Beau made a face but retreated into the bag for said bagel.

  “Earth, I believe you had something to say to Fletcher.” I reminded him.

  “Me?” Earth mumbled. “No. I’m good.”

  “Earth, is it really that difficult to say?” Ivory pressed, a look of disdain on her beautiful features.

  He coughed around his coffee. “Ah, well…”

  “It’s okay.” Fletcher piped up from my lap. There were muffin crumbs all over us both.

  It was entirely adorable.

  “He doesn’t have to say it. Especially since he doesn’t mean it.”

  A stricken look passed over Earth’s usually constipated appearance. “That’s not true.”

  Fletcher shrugged. “It’s okay. Love isn’t really your thing.” Meaning his words, Fletch went back to eating, his lips smacking around a bite as a dark shadow loomed over him.

  Pausing he glanced up to where Earth glowered down at him.

  Fletch didn’t cower into me. He just smiled and took another bite.

  With a grunt, Earth bent, resting his hand on the mattress, steadying his eyes on Fletcher’s. “It’s not my thing, but that doesn’t mean some people don’t get past my defenses anyway.”

  The muffin lowered to Fletch’s lap.

  “You know I love you, kid.” Earth’s voice was gruff and low.

  I took the hot chocolate, and Fletcher flung himself at Earth, wrapping his arms around his neck for a hug. “I love you too, Earth!” He pulled back, beaming from under the white bandage around his head. “All of you!”

  I leaned into his ear. “But me most of all?”

  His face turned shy as his hands wrapped around his mug. But when his eyes met mine, I saw the answer glowing in their depths. Yes.

  Everyone dug into their breakfast, the only talk idle chatter.

  As we finished up, Fletcher grew quiet. At first, I thought he might be tired, but then I realized something was weighing on his mind.

  “What’s the matter?” I asked, drawing everyone’s stare.

  “E,” he complained, avoiding the gazes.

  “Out with it.”

  “Well, what if I am their son after all? I won’t be a misfit then. Maybe you guys won’t like me anymore.”

  “And he thinks he’s not the baby of this family,” Beau muttered.

  Bree giggled.

  “I’m serious!” Fletcher demanded, turning worried eyes on me.

  “I’ll love you no matter who you are. Always.”

  Warm lips that smelled of chocolate leaned in and pressed a kiss against my cheek.

  “We literally just confessed our feelings to you like we’re sitting around some campfire, and that was after you got involved with Ethan,” Neo muttered. “If we didn’t disown you for him, then we won’t disown you for anything.”

  “Straight facts right there.” Earth agreed.

  Ivory gasped. “Ethan is a fine man!”

  Neo smirked. “Then why didn’t you pick him?”

  Fletcher shot up. “Because he’s mine!”

  Everyone recoiled at the fierceness in his tone. Neo held up his hands in surrender. “Just kidding. Just kidding.”

  Fletcher snorted and then crossed his arms over his chest. “Like Ivory and Ethan kissing is a joke.”

  “What?” I gasped as Neo jumped out of his chair.

  It was all fun and games until someone brought up kissing.

  Ivory laid a hand against Neo’s chest, restraining him with the lightest of touches. “Not recently, Neo. I can explain.”

  “Maybe someone should,” I allowed, staring at Fletcher whose face was beet red but with jealousy swirling in his eyes.

  “It was just something that came up earlier with Marco,” Ivory explained, sliding me a look. “Marco wanted to know if you were a good kisser.”

  “And you answered,” Neo growled.

  Ivory sighed. “Of course not. He was asking Fletcher.”

  Ahh, now it made sense. How Ivory recoiled from my standard cheek kiss greeting at the ball, how she slipped her hand to me instead. She didn’t want to upset Fletcher.

  Ivory, Sienna, and Preston all in one night… I was shocked he was sitting in my lap.

  “I’m tired,” Fletcher announced, effectively cutting off the conversation.

  “We should be going,” Ivory said. “We’ll call and check on you later after you get home, okay?”

  Fletcher nodded, eyes slipping to Neo. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Always, little bro,” Neo told him, holding out a fist for Fletch to bump.

  Once he did, Bree, Ivory, and Neo left the room.

  Earth and Beau stood up, bringing their coffees with them. “I’ve got to check on the bar.”

  “And I’m having internet withdrawal,” Beau added.

  “We’ll come check on you tomorrow at Ethan’s place.”

  “It’s his place now too,” I told them. “Not just mine anymore.”

  Earth’s eyes narrowed.

  “Ethan asked me to move in with him,” Fletcher explained.

  “And you want to?”

  Fletcher nodded. “Is it okay?”

  I made a sound. He didn’t need to ask for permission.

  “Sure. Whatever makes you happy,” Beau replied instantly.

  “See you tomorrow!�
�� Fletcher said happily, giving a small wave.

  Earth’s stare met mine. “You better take care of him.”

  “I promise.”

  Earth grunted as though he weren’t sure he believed me, but he didn’t argue.

  And then, finally, we were blissfully alone.

  Squirming around in my lap, Fletcher all but lay down on top of my chest. Chuckling, I pulled the blanket up around him, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

  “Do you need some more pain medication?”

  “No.”

  “Do you need to go to the restroom?”

  “No.”

  “Do you want to tell me why you’re so jealous?”

  “No!”

  I smiled at the angry way he shouted his last answer.

  I thought he’d settled down when, a few minutes later, his small voice filled the room. “Ethan?”

  “Hm?”

  “Please don’t love anyone else.”

  As if there were a sinkhole in my heart, it suddenly caved in. Peeling him back like a rag doll, I had to dip my head so I could peer into his averted gaze. “I could never—will never—love anyone the way I love you. I never loved Ivory as more than a sister, and the few brief kisses we had were tepid at best. Surely, she told you that?”

  He nodded, still refusing to meet my eyes. “I still don’t like it.”

  “I know, love,” I murmured, laying him back onto my chest to stroke his hair and back. “But I didn’t really like it either.”

  “What about Sienna?”

  I made a rude noise. “What about her? I wouldn’t even kiss her with someone else’s lips!”

  Fletcher laughed.

  “I’m quite serious.” I added that on because he thought it was funny when I said things formally.

  It earned me another giggle.

  A heavy silence permeated the room. Then his voice filled it. “And Preston?”

  I caught my breath. I knew this was the one that hurt him the most. I saw the pain in his eyes last night, watched the way he’d disappeared into his violin.

  “I never loved Preston. Never. We had friendship… and a physical relationship.”

  His fingers tightened in my T-shirt.

  “I knew you’d been with others… You’re too good at it not to have,” he said, and I couldn’t help but be flattered that he thought I was skilled. “I guess it was easier to not think about when the others didn’t have a face.”