Hope

Chapter 21

Pyrus's POV

Qin and I had come home to assist with the children and be there for Cindy. We were honestly expecting Cindy to have a freak out but instead she's handled this better than we all expected. She was in her office, Mira attached to her chest feeding, as she looked over one of the forms. "Hey," she said as she looked up at me as I went in. I held up a plate, "You're such a hypocrite." She blushed, "Oops. I'm sorry. For the most part I've been on the phone and I lost track of time." When Mira was finished, I took her so Cindy could eat. "How are you doing," I asked her. "I'm taking it all in stride I guess you could say," she said with a soft sigh. "I'm doing my best to sort through my emotions and act accordingly. I know at times my emotions have gotten the best of me, and I've done some stupid things I regret, but I'm wanting to be better this time. It hurts that I'm about to lose them, but I know I have everyone's support. Yes I want to be angry that the fates have dealt this hand, but I've accepted it." She looked at the time on her computer and sighed, "I need to meet the planner and get to my dress alterations appointment." She stood and grabbed her purse. She gave Mira and I each a kiss before leaving. 

I carried Mira and Cindy's half eaten lunch. I took the plate to the kitchen then took Mira to the media room where Qin, Drake, and Alice were with the others. "Cindy leave already," Alice asked me. I nodded, "Yeah." "She's going to crash and burn," Qin whispered. I nodded in agreement. "We have to be sure to be there for her once that happens," Drake said with a sigh. "Right now though, I'm scared when that's going to happen," Alice confessed to us. "She's always so emotional to the point it can be overwhelming, but this time we're not getting that. It's like she's suppressing her emotions which isn't healthy. Especially for her." 

"She said she knows that she has a habit of letting her emotions get the best of her and she is wanting to be better," I shared with them. "We just need to give her time. It's not every day you find out you're about to loose your parents and get thrusted a whole list of responsibilities all at once that you have to navigate through." Maybe if Cindy had siblings then she'd be able to delegate things like the funeral planning to lighten her load, but she's an only child. Since they were her parents and we knew nothing about the genie kingdom, we couldn't really be much help. She had Alice's help with picking her coronation dress, Alice took on the responsibility in getting the kids their clothes as well as our oldest children their attire, including Rohan since he was now an official part of our family, to help lighten her load by a smidge, but we knew that was just a minor detail. Her coronation was just a couple of days away so soon that would be off her plate, but I just know something is going to come in and take it's spot. I just hope Cindy can handle it on top of handling her own grief. 

Cindy's POV

It was late by the time I got home. After meeting the planner and getting my dress altered I had to meet with the Lords to continue the meeting we had to put on hold due to the twins. My feet and back were killing me. My mates were all asleep so I did my best to be quiet. I was in the bathroom, taking down my hair when Alice came in. "I didn't mean to wake you," I said softly to her. "You didn't wake me sweetie," she said sweetly with a soft smile. I began to take off my jewelry, "How was your day?" "I got all of the kids' clothes picked and bought for the coronation. Mania will be going to the island to bring Shyrah and Rohan here so we can get them their attire tomorrow then all of our children will be taken care of," she shared with me. I nodded, "Thank you." 

"How are you doing," she asked me. "I'm doing as good as I can with everything that's going on," I told her with a sigh. I began taking off my makeup. "What do you have planned tomorrow," she asked me. "Not much until lunch," I shared with her. "I basically scheduled myself the chance to sleep in before going to meet the funeral planner. After that I plan to spend the day trying to get as much paperwork as I can done. Although I scheduled myself to sleep, I don't know if I'll get much. Lately every time I try to fall asleep, my mind just runs rampant with reminders of everything I still need to do. It's infuriating to be honest." One good night sleep, that's all I want. I need to be able to rest so I can do what I need too. 

"I can help you with that," Alice said to me. I smiled softly, "I'd appreciate that." I took a quick shower before dressing for bed and joining everyone. She wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her face in the crook of my neck. I felt her place a kiss before letting her fangs enter my skin. I bit back my moan, not wanting to wake the others. I began to feel so incredibly tired as she fed. I let my eyes drift close, enjoying the silence in my mind. 

When I woke up, I was the only one in bed. I felt incredibly well rested. I looked at the time and saw I still had two hours before I had to meet with the planner. I got out of bed and followed the bond and found everyone in the dinning room having breakfast. "Good morning," I said with a slight yawn. "Good morning Cindy," Shelton said with a smile. "How'd you sleep," Alice asked me. "Wonderfully," I said before giving her a kiss. "Thank you." 

I sat down in my usual seat and grabbed a little bit of everything from the platters that was on the table. I was starving. I missed dinner and didn't get to eat all of my lunch yesterday. I was such a hypocrite and I needed to get better for not just my mates and children but myself too. If I don't eat then I'm not gonna have the energy to be able to tackle everything that I need to. 

Mania then appeared with Shyrah and Rohan. I noticed the dislike Nathaniel and Qin suppressed. "How's the work," Pyrus asked them as they joined us at the table. "It's slowed slightly due to the massive heat wave. We mostly work at night once the sun has gone down," Rohan shared with him. "Any issues come up," Qin asked him, not looking at him as he grabbed another roll. "No," Rohan said simply. Shyrah scoffed, "He throat punched one of the Lords." "What for," Pyrus asked while pinching the bridge of his nose. "For not keeping his eyes to himself," Rohan said as he grabbed some bacon. "Shyrah was in a bikini on the beach and he was full on staring with a hard on." The guys all nodded, as if they approved of his actions. 

"Any issues with Andre," Nathaniel asked them next. They shared a look that was slightly suspicious. "He's been persistent," Shyrah shared with us finally. "He won't stay the hell away from our tent, that's for sure," Rohan grumbled. "He's going to earn himself an early grave." "No killing the Lords," Pyrus said like he was scolding a child for trying to eat dirt. "Not like anyone will miss him," Shyrah said while crossing her arms. "I know the perfect place to hide his body," Mania offered. "We also know how to ensure not a single trace is left behind, no one will even know," Karla threw in. Pyrus shot them a look, "Behave yourselves." Karla and Mania both huffed. 

After I finished eating, I dressed to take on the day, praying I can really get through this. One step at a time, I remind myself. I can do this.