Free Kindred (The Watcher Chronicles #2) by S.J. West

"Please don't do that.  I just never saw myself ever getting married before now."
    "Why not?"
    "I’ve just never thought too far ahead into my future."
    "Well, you love him right?"
    I nod.  "He's the only man I will ever love."
    My dad smiles.  "Then what's there to think about, Buttercup?  Grab onto happiness while you can.  And you have my blessing if you want to marry him."
    "Between you and Faison, I feel like marriage to Mason is a done deal."
    One side of my father's mouth quirks up into a half smile.  "Yeah, that Faison is a piece of work isn't she?  You know she and JoJo have already designed your wedding dress."
    I bury my face in my hands.  "Please tell me Mason didn't hear them talking about it."
    "Well, I could tell you that but it wouldn't be the truth," my dad chuckles.
    I just shake my head in dismay.  I feel my dad pull my hands down from my face.
    "Hey," he says, "he didn't seem to mind it.  He actually looked amused by the whole thing."
    Reluctantly, I smile.
    "He loves you," my Dad tells me.  "Just enjoy the courtship phase of the relationship.  I have a feeling he'll make it special for you."
    "Thanks, Daddy."
    My dad smiles.  "You're welcome, Buttercup."
    "How long can you stay with me?" I ask.
    My dad sighs.  "Yeah, about that.  I need to be heading back.  Souls to make and all," he tries to joke.  I can tell he doesn't really want to go and that's all I need to know.
    "It's ok," I tell him.  "I know you'll come when I need you."
    "Anytime, anywhere," he confirms.
    I give him a hug fully knowing my dad is truly back in my life.

 
    Chapter 7
    I take a long nap after my dad leaves.  When I wake up late in the afternoon, I find Mason lying in bed with me, reading a book.  When he sees me stir, he snaps the book shut and lays it on the nightstand on his side of the bed.  Turning on his side to face me, he smiles, causing my heart to ache inside my chest just at the mere sight of how handsome a small stretching of the lips makes him.  
    "Hey," he says.  "Did you have a good nap?"
    I nod.
    "Are you hungry?"
    I nod again.
    "Can you speak?" He teases good-naturedly.
    I nod but don't say anything, causing him to laugh, a sound I love.
    "And what would you like to eat for lunch?" He asks, knowing I can't nod my way out of his question.
    "Honestly?" I say, raising my self on an elbow and resting my head against my hand.  "I could go for a grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup and a cold glass of milk."
    "Then that's what you'll have." He says, leaning in and kissing the tip of my nose before standing up.  He pulls his cell phone out of his pant's pocket and quickly finds the number he's looking for.
    "Isaiah, come to Jess's house."  And he ends the call.
    "Does everyone do what you tell them?" I ask, wondering why he's always so brusque with others sometimes.
    "Everyone but you," Mason says with a smile.  "But I think we established that fact the first night we met."
    I smile at the reminder.  "Yes, I guess we did."
    There's a knock on the door and Mason phases to answer it.  I hear him and Isaiah speak before he phases back into my room.
    "Isaiah will stay with you until I return with your food."
    "Ok," I say reluctantly, wishing I had just told him to make whatever might be in my kitchen.  I really don't want him to leave.  I feel so much better when he’s close.
    "I won't be gone long," he promises, obviously seeing my reluctance about him leaving.  "And after you eat, I'll get Isaiah to bring Chandler and JoJo over to see you.  They've been hounding me all day to let them come over."
    "I want to see them too," I say, letting him know the feeling isn't one sided.
    "After you eat," Mason promises as Isaiah walks into my room.  Mason winks at me.  "Be right back."
    After he phases, I look over at Isaiah.
    "Glad to see you're feeling better," my one time mentor tells me, coming to stand by my bedside.  "You gave us all quite a scare.  I don't think I've ever seen Mason so