Chapter 114

Kirstie was now holding Grace in her arms, as she sat on the couch beside Esther. Kevin and Todrick were having a conversation with Esther's Alpha about what he should do if Michael actually shows up. Avi was on the other side of Kirstie, just smiling down at Grace, as he tried to memorize everything about her, for when he'd have to leave again. Esther looked across Kirstie to meet Avi's eyes. "So.. I'm sorry to hear that one of your Alphas got hurt. Do you know when he'll be better? So you can take little Gracie with you?" Avi glanced up for less than a second, looking back to his child. "I'm not totally sure. He should be getting used to the meds any day now. Maybe even tomorrow. Who knows?" "Oh, alright. I just thought I'd ask. I hope he feels better. Give him my best." "I will." Kevin had left the room to walk down the hall to talk to Avi, and Todrick caught him by the arm. "Kev, wait." Kevin turned around immediately. "What's the matter?" "You're upset. I can see it. Talk to me?" Kevin looked around, the two standing very close to where the others were in the living room, and also close to the room they'd left Darien in. "Yeah, um..." Todrick held his wrist and pulled him into the bathroom, before closing the door. Kevin took a deep breath, looking down at the ground. "I just feel... Awful. I feel so bad. It was my fault that Avi tried to leave for his child, and he had every right. He and Kirstie had every right to want to see their kid. I could've taken care of Scott. Avi didn't have to stay and do it." "So why did you tell him to stay?" "Because... I was worried." Todrick waited for him to continue, but he didn't. "Worried about what?" "I thought... If he put me in charge... Scott could get hurt somehow, and it would be my fault. And Avi was already mad at me, but if I let something happen to one of his Alphas, he might hate me and never forgive me again." Todrick frowned, reaching forward to hold one of Kevin's hands. "Aw... Kev, that wouldn't happen. You're a very responsible person. And Avi is reasonable enough not to blame you for something like that." "Well, I know that now. But I was just... I was overly cautious, I suppose." Todrick took a small step forward, giving Kevin a quick peck on the lips. "And that's one of my favorite things about you, babe. Don't feel bad. It all worked itself out, and Avi can have his baby back whenever he wants." "But... Tod..." "What? What's wrong?" "You and I are both smart enough to realize that all this arguing, and all the confrontations Avi had to go through, are all my fault. I'm the cause of each and every argument that happened." "Well if that's what you want to focus on, then I guess we should make sure that Mitch feels awful too. Because it's his fault that Scott was hurt in the first place. And I guess we should make sure that Scott feels terrible for letting Mitch drink. And we should make sure that--" "Todrick, please. Don't give me attitude, please." Kevin begged him quietly. "I'm not. I'm just trying to show you the audacity that you've convinced yourself of. Yes, you said some things you shouldn't have. But it's not like you're the only one that ever does that. Forgive yourself, because you're the only one standing in your way." Kevin finally met his eyes, giving his hand a squeeze. "Okay... Okay. I'll do my best." "Thank you. Are you okay now?" "Yes. Thank you so much, T." Todrick grinned and leaned up to kiss him again. "Good. You're welcome, baby." ********* Back at their house, Scott woke up again and shifted a little, so Mitch would know he was awake. Mitch began running his nails lightly up and down Scott's back again. "Feeling any better, Alpha?" Scott made an incoherent noise in response. Mitch giggled. "Guess not."