Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

214- Zombies and zen

Despite my late night, I wake up early in the morning. Groaning and mentally pleading for a glass of water and some painkillers to materialise in my hands so that I don’t have to stand up. If my bladder could magically empty itself that would help too. But no such luck. I carefully disentangle my limbs from Bellamy and climb out of bed. I freeze for a second right on the edge with one foot on the floor when he groans and rolls over. But he doesn’t wake so I keep moving. First step, the bathroom. Once I no longer feel like exploding, I head downstairs to get some painkillers and caffeine. For once, no one else is awake before me, not even Megan. On my way through to the kitchen I ch*ck in on Harry, yeah he’s still totally out. I don’t expect he will be awake anytime soon, and when he

does wake I suspect the hangover will be hell. Actually, I suspect all the Shifters are going to have a pretty bad hangover. They’re not used to feeling the effects of alcohol so strongly. Actually, I don’t know if Cam’s concoction will cause hangovers or not, but I suspect it will. I mean, anything that can make

Alex that talkative and confident has got to have after effects right?

I end up in Bellamy’s office at the computer answering emails. I have a few new text messages from some of the Shifter women as well. They’ve been coming in more steadily since I helped the Shifter woman. Usually I would be more inclined to work on this kind of thing in the evenings when I’m properly awake but my b*dy has decided to be awake now and I doubt I will be getting back to sleep any time soon. I still have to set aside a lot of the messages for Bellamy to ch*ck or to ask for more information about. But I can answer a lot of them myself and I’m feeling a lot more confident with it already. I might even be starting to

enjoy it. The whole process isn’t nearly as stressful now that I’m starting to understand what to expect. Although I still am really unsure that emails are the best way to do things. Mayber for some things, less

urgent matters. But a few of these emails could have been a three minute phone call and could have been resolved immediately, while others are just confusing and would be a lot easier with a little back and forth. Something which would take minutes

on a phone call or in a face to face conversation but would take days or even weeks by email

because of the delayed responses. No, what the Shifters need is a way to get in contact at all times, maybe some kind of priority system. Really, they just need to know that they CAN ask for help. Then again, they know Bellamy is busy and I haven’t exactly told them that I’m around, or available. I COULD though… maybe? It would definitely require a lot more of my time and energy than I’m putting towards it right now. I wouldn’t be able to go back to work. I know I told Bellamy that I would be going back once Kiara was safe, but if I’m being completely honest, the thought of going back to work… it just isn’t appealing. I can’t imagine having time to take care of these emails and things AND working shifts at Borderline, or

214- Zombies and zen

anywhere else. But I can’t imagine stopping either. I WANT to help. I want to work with

Bellamy and I WANT to help the Shifters. Not to mention, now that Kiara is going to be

staying with us I need to be around for her. I need a more flexible schedule than shift work

allows. I mean, I’ll have free time when she goes back to school and stuff, but at least for now she needs me around. She has a lot to work through. I suppose I should talk to Bellamy about this, not going back to work. I suspect he is going to be thrilled to hear I don’t want to go back to my old job. I’m suddenly not looking forward to the conversation. He’s going to be so smug. I hate being wrong. I was so sure I would want to go back but I definitely don’t.

Dammit.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Bellamy comes shuffling into his office, rubbing at his eyes and squinting against the light.

“Ugh, that drink of Cam’s packs a punch, it is fun though so I suppose it is worth it. I might have to ask her to keep some of that cure for it handy though if she’s going to bring it by again.” He groans and I can’t help but laugh.

“Is it wrong that I’m enjoying this? Ever since that time I got drunk and Megan just walked it

off, I was

thinking it was unfair that I was the only one who had to suffer after a night of

drinking. This feels like a fair turnabout to me.” I grin at him and Bellamy rolls his eyes then winces. He really isn’t used to the feeling. I suspect this is probably a little worse than a

regular hangover.

“Painkillers are on the kitchen bench.” I inform him, still smiling a little too much. He nods

and shuffles away. I follow him to the kitchen and watch as he downs like six pills which I would find alarming but I already know the dosage for him has to be different to what it is for

me and he would know what he can handle. I look around the kitchen and have to work not

to cringe. It’s kind of trashed. All the dishes, empty bottles and leftovers were all just left out

for us to deal with today. I know that if we asked, someone would come and help us clean,

but this is our home, we can take care of it ourselves. This is part of having friends over and throwing a party I suppose. Wordlessly, Bellamy and I start to fix up the kitchen and dining room. The living room can be dealt with later when Harry is up. Also, I think we might need more than a couple of sets of hands to get that fort apart, it is pretty well constructed considering half the people making it were wasted. We’re just washing the last of the dishes and Bellamy is starting to look much less zombie–like when I decide to speak.

“So I’ve been thinking this morning.” I start. He glances sideways at me from where he is up

to his elbows in soapy water.

214- Zombies and zen

“That sounds dangerous. What have you been thinking about exactly?” He asks causally, although I can tell he’s more interested than he is letting on.

“About work, my job, or my old job. Whatever you want to call it.” I respond. Bellamy pauses.

moment and I can hear the dish he was cleaning clink as it falls back into the sink. He starts washing the dishes again and for a little bit I can just hear him breathing, the slosh of

the water and the clink of the dishes.

“When are you planning to go back?” He asks. His tone is flat and he sounds defeated. Huh, that’s not what I expected. I thought he would have guessed what I plan to say.

“Well… that’s what I was thinking about actually, I don’t think I want to go back. I was going to ask if you had more work you wanted help with here. Kiara needs me around and I don’t want to half–ass the

tasks I have been doing here anymore. I can’t do both, and if I have to choose… well I’d rather be here working with you.” I explain. All at once Bellamy has hist arms around me, I squeak as his wet hands soak the back of my shirt. He k*sses me firmly then looks me in the eyes, delight clear on his face, pushing back the hungover grogginess he was dealing with before.

“Yes. Please. Please stay. We can make this work. We will figure out how to get everything done together. I’m actually looking forward to it. You’re going to be perfect. I’m sure of it.” He gushes. I laugh.

“Perfect seems a little far fetched, but I’ll do my best.” I promise, and I’m happy to say that I

mean it.

Chapter Comments

Deborah Dawdy

it’s about time she realizes way she needs to be doing

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