Rejected Mate's Redemption (Freda and James)

Mates 9

FREDA WHITLOCK “Mommy, can I just get my dessert?” Francisco asked in a manner that was so polite, my heart ached at the fact that I was about to refuse. “Oh no baby, that’s not healthy. You have to finish your food and veggies first,” I said in the most gentle manner I could so that he would not be too disappointed. “Oh…” He muttered in response and I bit my lip. “Look on the bright side. You’re almost done with it,” I smiled at him. He nodded in response and excitement filled his eyes as he spooned the mashed potatoes and peas into his mouth. “Don’t go too fast baby, you don’t want to choke,” I told him and he paused before nodding and then slowing his pace. Soon enough, he was digging into his apple cake and I smiled as I watched him as he savored the soft, spongy delicacy. “Mommy, you don’t have to read me a book tonight,” Francisco muttered as I tucked him into bed after his dinner. “Why?” I asked with a small yawn and he gave me a tired smile as he reached up and piked my cheek. “You look tired. You’ve been yawning,” he responded, fighting against his fluttering eyelids. “Go to bed baby, I’ll lead you a story tomorrow. I promise,” I whispered and kissed his forehead. He gave me a small nod 17.06 1288 vouches and I watched him fall asleep. His gorgeous, long eyelids rested on his cheeks and I fell in love with him all over again. I kissed his cheek again and turned down the bedside lamp before heading towards the bathroom that was built into the motel room. I accessed the bathroom. I had not had the time to thoroughly access the facilities and guage whether it was worth the amount I was paying. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

The shower was decent, but it had been difficult to give Francisco a comfortable bath there. I guess it was alright because the motel did not have five year old children in mind as part of their consumers. I sighed and took a long shower. The water was almost ice cold but it was just right for relieving my muscles that were tense from sitting in the car for almost eighteen hours. The cold water was helping to distract me from the chaotic thoughts in my head but I could not stand there for long. I needed to get some rest or even sleep so I would be able to drive for as long as I possibly needed to. I cut off the water flowing through the shower head and stepped out of the shower cubicle. I pulled on the robe that was hanging on the towel rack and then used the second available towel to dry my hair. I was drained. I was so tired. I was not sure if it was just physically or even m**ally. I dried my hair and then walked to the faucet to look in the mirror. I brushed my hair out with my hairbrush and stared into my eyes. 1706 280 Vouchers The emerald color in them were dim. I was stressed. I was not willing to admit it, and I was only saying it to myself, but I was scared. I was a little scared about going home and it was draining me. I bit my lip and stepped away from the mirror. I walked into the room and climbed into the bed that was beside Cisco’s bed. I laid on my side and watched my child. I reached to the bedside lamp that was on the bedside table which was in between our beds and increased the light a bit, so I would be able to keep my eyes on Francisco comfortably. I was relieved when my eyelids started to flutter and I started to feel drowsy. Soon after, I fell asleep. *** *** *** “Mommy, how far is it?” Francisco asked from the back seat and I bit my lip, looking in the rearview mirror for a second before my eyes went back to the road in front of us. “We’ll be there soon,” I said softly “You said that two hours ago,” he murmured under his breath and

i stifled a laugh so he would not grow more annoyed “Yes baby, we are closer than we were two hours ago,”I comforted him. “Really?” He perked up. “Yeah baby,” I glanced back at him. I reached into the glove box and tossed a bar of chocolates unto his lap. 17:06 288 Wouchers “Yay, chocolate!” He grinned at me. “Can I have the iPad too?” He asked in a quiet, pleading tone and I shook my head. “No baby,” I said in the most patronizing tone I could muster. I did not want him to get too attached to it, and I did not want it to affect him in any way because he overused it. “You’ll get it tomorrow, okay?” I told him as I turned into another road. “Okay,” he agreed with a small smile. “Let’s play a game then.” “What game?” I asked, hoping would be able to concentrate on driving and playing the game with him at the same time. “We’ll say the letters of the alphabets and a word that starts with the alphabet,” he explained and I nodded. I could do that. “I hope I’ll be able to keep up with you,” I teased and he responded with a little giggle. “You go first,” I said, relieved that he would be occupied for a while before he asked when we would reach again. *** *** *** “I can’t wait to see you again,” I smiled softly as I set the phone down and folded up the clothes that I had prepared for Francisco to wear the following day. We had been moving faster than I had anticipated. By noon of the following day, we would be reaching the town where our pack was located. “Me neither,” Lyra spoke with a softness that almost melted my chest. Seeing her through the phone was different from seeing

her physically and I had just realized that.