BLEAK

Marked

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Gunner stepped from the shower dressed in a pair of jeans and a black v-neck shirt. He ran his fingers through his long hair and fixed his gaze on me. After waking from the coma, he had been convinced that he had been dreaming. But upon seeing Jeremiah there in the hospital room, his little brother went on to explain the extraordinary story of what had happened.

I could feel his eyes on me the whole time and I couldn't help but stare back. Mariel was growing impatient the longer I waited to get close to him. I knew however, that I had to be strong for both our sakes. I couldn't allow ourselves to lose control so quickly. He needed to hear what had happened in his absence and what things we planned to do so that the Nation took this news lightly.

It wasn't until six hours later that we now resided inside the large Cobalt Mansion. The family gathered to celebrate the return of their lost family member. I had to admit I felt a little strange but welcome nonetheless. I had known this family my entire life and I was grateful to be accepted so easily after the terrible headache I had become.

I would have to apologize to our former leaders for the snotty way I had disrespected them and treated them. I wanted to start over and erase any past mistakes I had ever made. We ate dinner and celebrated Gunner's return by gathering in the family living room to talk about new beginning's.

I also had gotten the privilege to hold baby Daisy. The first girl to ever be born to the Ardent blood line. Jeremiah had admitted that he was relieved the weight of carrying a Nation would no longer apply to his first born daughter. He wanted her to marry without having to know that millions of people would depend on her to lead them. She had beautiful round gray blue eyes and a cheeky grin that went perfectly with her curled blonde hair. She was perfect.

Then it hit me as I held her, I would never have this privilege. The sorrow attacking my most inner emotional feelings was overwhelming as I handed the baby back to her mother. Tears wanted to form but I forced them to stay back. Did Gunner still want children? Would he...reject me once again because I was barren? Maybe I had gotten ahead of myself. I started to question why I was here and why I had worn this stupid dress and uppity hair do.

After everything settled once again Gunner would have time to think and maybe just maybe want to stay friends after all. It tore through me, really tore through me to realize he just might.

Then night fall came and I stood to leave, hoping tomorrow I would have a chance to really speak to Gunner. For now I'd let him adjust to being back and gathering his thoughts. I was certain there was still so much he wanted to know. Gathering my coat I couldn't shake off Mariel complaining as I said goodnight to everyone and headed for the door. I could feel Gunner's eyes on me as I forced myself to offer him a small smile before walking towards the door. Once my foot touched the outside I ran for my car and forced myself to drive home.

I needed to get home and rest, really rest, I hadn't gotten a decent night sleep since I had realized my feelings for him. Now I knew I could close my eyes knowing he was okay and that he was back home. Tomorrow I'd deal with having to speak to him about the way I was feeling and where he wanted all of this to go.

Upon arriving I slipped inside and quickly took off my coat and undid the pins holding up my hair. I had dressed for the occasion once again, hoping I looked decent enough in his eyes. I didn't know were all the self conscious thought's were coming from but I couldn't help but want to look good for him. I dreaded to hear from someone else that he thought I looked too stiff.

Had I relaxed enough? Had I talked and joined in on the conversation enough? I closed my eyes and kicked off my heels. Sitting down in the living room I grabbed a pillow cushion and blew a frustrated breath into it. I was overdoing it, and I knew it.