Page 64 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

It was a little over an hour before Ben and Henry came stumbling downstairs, neither of them looking particularly well-rested. Ben moved immediately to Vaughn and leaned his head down onto Vaughn’s shoulder. Something had definitely changed during their talk the night before, a bond built between them that was very strong. Vaughn mumbled into Ben’s ear as he tucked the boy into a hug. Ben grinned through a yawn then released Vaughn and went to sit down at the table.

Henry, on the other hand, walked straight to Sam and leaned into him. “Hey, buddy. How are you feeling?”

Henry shrugged and let out a sigh.

“That bad, huh?”

“Just kind of yuck,” Henry muttered.

“Okay. Nana made you some special feel-better-breakfast. You up for eating?”

Henry shrugged again. Sam would have to work on breaking him of the habit, but it wouldn’t be today. He rubbed Henry’s back gently and waited for him to settle. Nana came over to them and, with a wink at Sam, pulled Henry out of Sam’s arms and into hers. He snuggled up and let out a sigh. “Come on and eat, pumpkin.”

“Okay, Nana.”

She got him settled beside Ben with a bowl of oatmeal and he ate tentatively.

Vaughn crossed the room to Sam with a worried frown. “He’s not looking so hot.”

“Yeah. You think he’s okay?”

Vaughn looked him over quickly then turned back to Sam. “I think he’s tired and probably a little dehydrated. Maybe we should reschedule our trip.”

Sam frowned. The kids were really looking forward to it. They’d loved shifting together last time, and it had really bonded them with Vaughn quite a bit. “Henry and I could stay here, and you could take the others. It’s not like we can shift anyway, and they’re really excited.”

It was Vaughn’s turn to frown. “I don’t care that you can’t shift. Either of you.”

Sam snagged Vaughn’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I know that. Henry knows, too. But, just this once, you think it would be a good idea? He’s really pale and is barely eating his breakfast. We can hang out here, and he can help me pick out the homeschooling stuff we’ll do next week. Besides, Nana might need a hand getting stuff ready for the big cook out.”

Vaughn scoffed and Sam couldn’t help but snicker. They both knew she had it all well in hand. She always had everything well in hand.

“Let me call Meshaq and see if he can spare an extra guard for us. He really wanted us to have a hellhound with us at all times.”

“That sounds like a plan. If he can’t spare someone else, then we’ll all stay here. If he can, you guys go.”

Vaughn went into the bedroom to make the call so Sam returned his attention to the kids. A mini dump truck full of building blocks had magically appeared in the corner of the living room courtesy of one of their pack members, and it currently held Ollie and Jack’s full attention. Natasha had her nose in one of the picture books of animals while Emily had a coloring book and a set of colored pencils spread out on the coffee table. Vaughn came back a few minutes later and nodded.

Sam smiled at him, their easy communication giving him a little tingle of pleasure he didn’t want to spend too much time thinking about. He had no idea why knowing Vaughn could read him like a book was so sexy, but it really tripped a trigger in Sam he didn’t know he had.

“Okay, boys,” Nana said. “I’ve got tuna and egg salad mixed up to take on your picnic. There’s fruit and water in the fridge and snacks already packed in the backpack cooler on the counter. I need to head back to the house and check on the slow cookers for tonight’s dinner.”

“Nana,” Vaughn said as he swooped her into a hug and planted a kiss on her forehead, “you are a goddess.”

She scoffed and smacked his arm. “Just for that, I’m going to make you some apple crumble tonight, too.”

He grinned at her and wiggled his eyebrows. “Best Nana ever.”

“Go on. Get the kids ready.”

“Henry and I are going to hang out here,” Sam said. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

She frowned a little at the news and glanced at Henry, who was still sitting with Ben at the kitchen table. “Well, I have broccoli salad in the fridge. If you could give it good stir every hour or so that would be great.”

“I can do that. And don’t frown at me. We’ll be fine on our own for a few hours. Meshaq’s sending us a second guard and the property is warded.”

She made another of her noises. She had a variety of them. This one said he was an idiot. “Not worried about that. Don’t like it when one of mine isn’t well.”

Vaughn tightened his hold on her and she poked him in the chest to retaliate. “That’s why you have a couple of doctors in the family.”