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Chapter 81 - Compromise
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"Is everything okay with you and Ash?" William asked hesitantly.
"I thought after tonight-" Noah began but he really didn't want to discuss that infront of his father, thank you very much.
"We're fine... we just-" Cailen went to explain but then Asher was coming into the kitchen, a confused expression on his face as he regarded Cailen.
Cailen looked to the ground, suddenly very aware that he sort of did throw a fit when he stormed out of the living room.
"Cai, I can't-" Asher started to say, his eyes taking in the audience they had.
"Don't," Cailen said, his blood beginning to boil again because he knew what Asher was trying to do.
He was actually going to try and justify his reasons behind staying a firefighter and Cailen really didn't want to hear it.
"How could you do that? How could you sit there and lie to Zeke? Please tell me because I'm going to need a lesson if we're g
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"Should we get creamy or original?" Cailenasked, holding up two different boxes of macaroni and cheese to Ezekiel.They were in the supermarket picking up some groceries that they found they were in desperate need of after having gone home from Eden's last night.Cailenhad went to go make lunch and discovered they were quite low on food supplies,so they decided to go out for lunch and go grocery shopping afterwards.Asherwas beside him, leaning on the trolley and looking down at Ezekielas he contemplated the very hard decision."Creamy!" Ezekielfinally decided,so Cailentossed it in the trolley and set the other back on the shelf.They were moving on down the aisle when they heard Ezekiel's name being called.Ezekielturned first, then Asherand Cailen, to see a blonde kid rushing down the aisle after them.It was Tripp, the kid from Ezekiel's school that apparentl
A Place To Call Home Chapter 83 - A Call To A Loved One
"Okay Mrs. Cruz, get some rest. I'll be back to check on you later," Cailensmiled at the elderly lady lying in the bed, her eyes already falling shut as he closed the door behind him. He made his way down the hall to drop off Mrs. Cruz's information, then he was to head to check on Mr. Bremontbut something told him he wouldn't be going to do that since he saw Madelinewith the Bat Phone pressed to her ear. Cailendoesn't know how he knows, but he does know that something is wrong as he's headed down the hall, just remembering to smile politely at familiar passing faces before meeting Madeline's eyes. He could tell it was something worse than a mild asthma attack or even a broken arm. She was standing behind the desk, the Bat Phone pressed to her ear as she nodded along to whatever she was being told, her eyes never leaving Cailen's. His initial thought was of course that a particularly bad patient was on th
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Cailendecided to lay back on the bed, the sheets cold and scratchy under his skin.He could feel the tears coming again as he thought about all the other possible ways Ashercould have been harmed.There was smoke inhalation to consider, the blow to his head could have caused some serious damage, any injuries from falling debris when he was knocked unconscious...Cailencould come up with a long list if he let himself but he had to stop thinking about it unless he wanted to become a blubbering mess.Tears were already burning his eyes, one escaping and sliding down from the corner of his eye to be soaked up by his hair.Asherhad to be okay, he had to make it out of this.He had to come home with Cailen. He was going to. He was going to be fine. He was going to come home.Cailenkept telling himself this as he laid there but even as he kept repeating those words in his head,he found it har
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"Shit, Cai,I'm sorry. He's-he's going to be okay, yeah?" Williamsaid hopefully but Cailenwasn't sure if he was trying to convince Cailenof this or himself. "Look, Noah's on his way there, Matt's going to head over after work and I'll be with Zeke, just let me know if you want me to bring him down there or whatever, anything you need,Cai.""Okay," Cailennodded, letting out a sigh. "Have you told him?" Cailenasked hoping he hadn't.He knew he couldn't keep this from him forever but he wanted to be the one to tell him, well... He knew he should be the one to tell him.To be honest, he wasn't really looking forward to explaining to their son about Asher's condition.How did you even explain this to a child?"No, I- I didn't know how or if I even should," Williamadmitted, sounding somewhat ashamed."No, don't worry about it," Cailentold him, knowing he was feeling bad about appar
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Madelineled them from the cafeteria and up towards the ICU in complete silence.The only sound between the three of them was the scuffing and squeaking of their shoes on the floor of the hospital.Cailendidn't know how to feel about this. It could simply mean that Madelinehadn't spoken to the doctor yet and therefore did not know any more than he did and had nothing to say.That's what Cailenwas hoping was making her so quiet. He hoped it wasn't that she had spoken to the doctor about Asherand now she just didn't know how to tell him the bad news and was leaving it up to the doctor.Cailen'sstomach twisted unpleasantly at the thought as he followed behind her quietly, Noahby his side looking just as distressed.If Cailenhad eaten anything today, he was positive it would be on the floor of the hospital by now.Cailenactually started to feel a bit faint the farther they walked
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Cailenturned, still keeping one arm around Noahbecause he really didn't think he could stand on his own yet.Madelinesmiled at him, reaching up to pat at his cheek with a smile."Thank you, Madeline. I know I wasn't much help today.""Oh, hush," Madelinesaid immediately, waving off his apology. "You don't need to apologize for that," she said and then she was really looking at him, her eyes roaming over him. "Are you alright, dear? You look a little pale," she said, now reaching out to feel his forehead."I don't know, I think it's just... I don't know, I feel a bit faint but I'll be fine. I'm just so relieved," Cailenadmitted, blinking away tears but it was no use.She thought on this for a moment as he felt Noah's grip on him tighten at the mention of him feeling a bit faint. Her eyes narrowed at him in suspicion as she lowered her hand."Did you eat?" she asked like she already knew the answer.
A Place To Call Home Chapter 89 - A Voice Of Worry And Concern
"What's happened?" Williamanswered on the first ring as if he had been sitting there staring at his phone, waiting for Cailento call.Cailenfelt a little bad for finishing his sandwich first but he was pretty sure Noahwouldn't have let him go anyway."The doctor said he'll be fine with time. He's a lot banged up, but... He's going to be okay," Cailentold him, smiling to himself with the reminder that Asherwas going to be okay."Oh, thank God," Williamsighed.Cailenlet him have a moment for this to sink in, taking a moment to look up into sky. It wasn't dark yet but he knew it would be in a couple hours."Yeah..." Cailensaid after a moment. "I was wondering if you'd make Zekedinner for me and then bring him down here?" Cailenasked, smiling politely as a couple passed him on the sidewalk."Uh, well... He's already eaten. Arabellamade us dinner," William
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"Hey, hey, it's the superstar, finally making an appearance!" Matthewcalled out when they entered the kitchen.Cailengrinned at this while Williamlooked a bit sheepish. He knew he was never around much and constantly apologized for it, but they all understood and were all proud of their friend."Shut up, I've been busy!" Williamdefended just as the two girls at the counter turned in their stools and gasped.They each climbed their way down from the stools, Aariyahalmost taking a tumble but she caught herself and then they were each latched onto one of William's legs, the older man chuckling."Uncle William!" Maddisonsquealed, squeezing William's leg tight.Williamawkwardly bent down as far as he could without hurting or squishing the small girls, reaching out to rest a hand on each of them."How are two of my favorite girls?" he asked.It was truly adorable how much they each loved
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"Yeah, I love you too," Cailensaid with a small smile before hanging up his phone and slipping it into his pocket.He went to turn around but paused as a man in a suit rushed by him, obviously in a hurry.They were at the airport saying goodbye to Noahbefore he got on a flight to Scotlandand apparently,he was not the only one planning a trip that weekend.You could barely move without bumping into someone and Cailenhad to step away into a corner in order to answer his phone because it was so loud.Once the man had passed,Cailencontinued back towards the small group that was gathering outside the gate Noahwas to go through to get to his flight.They were all there, Matthew, Hazel, and of course Aariyah, William, Asherand Ezekiel, all hugging Noahgoodbye before his departure.He had been in the middle of saying goodbye when his phone rang and he excused himself to answer
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Cailen is startled from his sleep by a sudden weight crashing into him and then a wet nose sniffing at his face.He knows who it is instantly and groans, not caring if he wakes Asher up at this point.It's his dog, if Loki is waking Cailen up, then Asher can get woken up as well.Cailen brought his arms up, having to untangle himself from Asher's grasp in order to do so, and shielded his face from the intruding nose.It's not like this has never happened before, but it didn't happen often.Loki was usually pretty good at just sleeping at the foot of their bed, but recently, he's been cuddling up to Ezekiel in his so it was a bit strange.Either way, Loki was waking Cailen up so he started to sit up, just remembering to be gentle in case Asher's arm or leg was in the right position to get squished."Loki, down," Cailen mumbled, his tone firm.Cailen heard a groan come from behind him and knew Asher was now awake.
