Chapter 5
Jessica
Once again Jessica is awoken by the popping sounds of Michael shifting back to his normal self. She hoped he wouldn’t be shifting every night. She doesn’t know how she will ever get any sleep if he does. After two nights of running after her little pup she is exhausted to say the least. Jessica needed to talk to Alexander, now.
She fed the twins and got them ready to head to the resort office. Jessica didn’t know exactly what she would say to Alexander but she needed to gather all the information she could on shifter children before they head back home. Thoughts of home came rushing in on her. Jessica covered her face for a moment and took a few deep breaths. Living in a townhouse in a gated community with barely any yard to speak of didn’t seem like the ideal place for someone like Michael. A wolf running around in the neighborhood will definitely be noticed. She may need to put her house on the market and find something else, like a place out of the city with a big yard. The bigger issue is how is she going to explain this to her mother? Her mother has never liked animals. She even told Jessica that she was allergic and that’s why Jessica had never had a pet when she was growing up. For the time being this is probably best left hidden. It’s going to be hard to hide this from her but Jessica will do whatever it takes to protect her children at all cost, even from her own mother.
Jessica was relieved that Madison had awoken feeling much better. She is in a cheerful mood. Jessica had a feeling that Madison will continue to get sick. So anytime she is feeling better is a blessing. Today Madison seems to be feeling good enough to run around with Michael. You wouldn’t know by looking at Madison that she has been sick the last two nights.
As she opened the back door of the car for the twins to get in Jessica remembered Michael shifting in his car seat. Looking at Michael’s car seat she groaned to herself. The right shoulder strap is ripped in half.
“Ugh, that’s not going to work.” Jessica looked at Michael. He had his sad look on and Jessica couldn’t get mad. “It’s okay baby. We can get you a new one.”
Jessica pulled out as much slack as she could from the ripped strap. After Michael got in she tied the two pieces in a knot. She knew this is only temporary, and the resort isn’t too far. Jessica drove straight to the resort office to see if Alexander is around today. There were a few vehicles in the parking lot. When Jessica parked the car, she started getting nervous. What if Michael shifted in front of someone? Should she even take him in? She couldn’t leave him out in the car but how would she explain it if he did shift. She thought for a moment about going out to the zip-lines, but there is no guarantee that Alexander will even be out there. Jessica looked in the rearview mirror at Michael before turning around to face him.
“Okay Michael, you need to be on your best behavior. No turning into a wolf.” Jessica warned him. “Remember no one can know how special you are.”
“Why?” Michael replied with his favorite question.
“Because if someone found out, they would take you away from me. That would make momma really sad. You don’t want someone to take you away from me, do you?”
“No momma.” Michael said sadly looking at his knees.
Jessica was nervous not knowing what her three-year-olds may say. She took a deep breath before opening the door and getting the twins out of the car. To her surprise, Michael didn’t try to run off. He is usually the first one to leave her side. Instead, he stayed right behind her. If he were any closer, he would be trying to climb back in.
“Back up a little Michael.” She told him since it was hard to walk with him right up under her.
“Smells,” he said scrunching up his nose.
Jessica took a deep breath in. Smells like fresh air to her. Was the smell of the city that much different? She shook it off and continued walking. Madison stayed close behind also, she made no sound just followed. The closer they got to the door the closer the children came. By the time they were walking in the door, the twins were clinging to her legs. There’s a tall bar separating the waiting area and the office. A cheerful young woman popped up from behind the bar. She was breathing deeply like she’s trying to find the source of an odor. Jessica knows that face well as it mirrored her own when she would try to find out which twin had the dirty diaper. Thankfully the twins are potty-trained and haven’t had an accident in months.
“Good morning,” the woman greeted as she came closer to the bar. “My name is Chloe. How can I help you?”
“Hello Chloe. Is Alexander working today?” Jessica asked. Chloe cocked her head to the side as if she didn’t understand her or she is wondering why Jessica wanted to know.
“He is out on the mountain right now.” Chloe said after a moment. “Would you like to leave him a message? He should be back in a few hours.”
“No message, I just needed to speak to him.” Jessica was about to turn and leave when she decided to take a chance and leave her number. “On second thought, here’s my number.” Jessica slid her number across the counter. “Will you make sure he gets it?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks,” Jessica said turning towards the door.
On the way out, the twins stayed glued to her legs. Michael kept looking back at the office. Jessica had a feeling that Chloe is watching them. When she opened the door for the twins to get in she glanced back at the office and sure enough Chloe is standing at the window watching them. Are Chloe and Alexander together? Jessica is starting to regret leaving her cell phone number. She doesn’t want to come between Alexander and any relationship he may have. All she wants is information for her children. She isn’t going to demand child support or anything. This is just a whole new ball game for her. Jessica doesn’t like the unknown.
Driving back to the cabin Jessica noticed Michael acting a little strange. He’s trying to stretch around in his seat to look behind him. At first, Jessica didn’t pay it no mind, but after he did it seven times she became curious.
“What’s wrong Michael?”
“That lady smelled.” Michael wrinkled his nose.
“I didn’t notice anything,” and she hadn’t. Chloe didn’t seem to be wearing a strong perfume.
“She smell like me.” Michael said looking worried.
“What do you mean?” Jessica asked but Michael just shrugged and grabbed a toy off the seat.
Nothing else was said as the kids played with their toys the rest of the way to the cabin.