Second Chances (The Extinct Race Series) (9 page)

“Oh yes you did.”
Zach told her

“Well then please tell me what I am in trouble for?”

“No trouble Angel, we were just all in agreement on how much of an Angel you truly are.” Kaiden said as he grabbed some of the bags from her arms. Zoe giggled and kissed him on the cheek.

“Marjorie had everything we ordered yesterday
, except the handmade stuff she is working on. She went to the city and did some major shopping. She is going back tonight and will have everything these two lovely ladies ordered, so I need to take them to the house about four she said. I have to show you what I had her get for you. Oh there is more in the truck too. I had to make Kevin go get the larger truck for everything we got.” Zoe laughed

“Goodness sakes woman
. You are going to be a nightmare when we have children, aren’t you?” Zoe just giggled and shoved him down the hallway to their room.

Zoe spent the next two hours putting away all the new clothes she got and Kaiden put the ones she got him away.
Kaiden then ran a bath for Zoe in the large tub and made her take a long bath. He massaged her feet while she shared her shopping day with him. He in turn told her of the plans to call in a team to build some houses and Zoe loved the idea. She wanted her father to be happy after everything he went through. She also knew Justine would love to surprise her parents with a home of their own after so long. She would just have to get Justine alone now.

Chapter 9

Planning
and Survivors

Mary had once again out done herself for dinner.
There must have been five roasts and three huge bowls of mashed potatoes. The table was set and full to almost over filling. Everyone was seated and helping themselves when Zoe wiggled her phone at Justine and Justine took the hint holding out her phone. Zoe sent her a text telling her that they needed to talk privately. Justine nodded and began to eat. Kaiden had made a call into the contractor that his parents used to build this house and the half-blood houses on the property. He told them what he wanted and the contactor would be here in the morning to go over some previous plans his parents had put into effect when they first designed the house.

After dinner Zoe ducked out of the room and Justine followed.

“So how would you like to meet with the contractor with us tomorrow morning and pick a house out for your parents? Completely hush hush. Now of course they will see it being built, but they won’t know it is for them.” Zoe whispered

“I am in and you know it.”
Justine squealed

“
Shhhh, now I want Gabe to come with you and pick one out for his parents. I want to give Christian a little more time getting to know his, before I have him pick one. Oh also grab Tia. I think she will love this idea too.”

“I am all over it
, what time?”

“Earlier then we usually get up.”
Zoe smirked

“
Ugg, like still dark outside early?” Justine moaned

“Yep like five a.m. dear.
The contractor that built this house still has the original plans Kaiden’s parents had so we are going to look at those and see if they work. And he is also a trusted human and knows all about us. So we won’t have to watch our words with him.”

“That is good to know.
I am getting so used to just talking to everyone here that I might slip around normal people, you know me I don’t think and speak at the same time.” Justine said

“I know it’s why I am telling you now.”
Zoe explained “I miss you too, I feel like we haven’t talked in forever. We need to get some more alone time together and go for walks or our runs, something.”

“Yes we do
, I miss you too. I am really happy though. Little Ben is a dream kid. He loves to read and just talk. He spends a lot of time with Gabe and me. We have also been really getting to know our parents and it feels really good to finally feel complete you know?”

“I do, Kaiden is a dream come true and having my Dad is great.
I spent some time with Iraina and Halina yesterday and they are great too. I still need to get to know my brother a little, but I do feel complete too. It is a good feeling to have.” Zoe agreed

“We better get back before they notice we are gone.
Plus, I don’t want to miss dessert and wine. A girl can get spoiled here with that alone.” Justine smiled and hugged Zoe. They walked back to the table together and took their seats just as pie was being placed in front of them.

After dinner they all watched a movie on the big screen and just enjoyed their down time.
Tomorrow and the coming weeks were going to be long and hard on some more than others.

Tia and John stayed up for another movie, but everyone else went their own way.
Justine and Gabe went to Ben’s room to play a game with him and their parents went to their rooms. Camilla and Sebastian went for a run along the ocean. Alexi and Gosha were talking with Vivi and Christian in a little sitting area off of the kitchen with coffee in all their hands. Marcus and Iraina went for a walk outside. Zoe and Kaiden went up to their suite and found Zach and Halina in the living room. They were snuggled up into each other and just looking out the window.

“Hey bro care for some company?”
Zoe asked

“
We would love some, as long as you don’t make us move. I quite enjoy having this one wrapped up in my arms.” Zach requested

“I know the feeling.”
Kaiden said as he took a seat on the smaller couch and pulled Zoe down into him and snuggled her close to his chest.

“So how
do you like it here so far? I know it is a bit overwhelming.” Zoe inquired

“Honestly it feels like home to both of us.
It feels like I was always meant to be right here.” Zach replied

“Yes it does.
Even when we would go to the ruins of my real home it never felt like this before. This feels like we are where we are supposed to be. Thank you for bringing us home Kaiden and Zoe.” Halina smiled.

“I am so happy it feels like home to you guys too.
This is your home as much as it is ours. Anything you need or want you just have to ask.” Kaiden informed them.

“I don’t think you are leaving anything to ask for here Kaiden.
You already gave us a home which we haven’t ever had, you got us clothing and you feed us, what more do we need?” Zach asked

“You sound like Zoe.
But there is always something you may not need, but have always wanted. Things like that are what I want to know. What do you like to do, what are your hobbies that I can help you continue to do. We all have something. Zoe she plays the guitar and she is stellar at it. I myself, well I don’t even know anymore. So I need to find a hobby myself. Right now my hobby is making sure everyone is found and happy.”

“I do like to paint.
Mainly I used charcoal, but I would love colors.” Halina blurted

“There you go
, so we need to get you some art supplies. Zach?” Kaiden asked

“You really play guitar?”
Zach asked Zoe

“Yes I do
, but really I have only played for Kaiden and Justine besides at the school. I am sort of shy when it comes to me playing.” Zoe mumbled

“W
ell I don’t really know of anything that I like to do. I have been working in the fields most of my life from sun up to sundown. So I kind of need help to find something. I would really love to hear you play sometime though.” Zach said

“I think I can make that happen, but not tonight.
I don’t think my fingers could take the beating like my arms and legs did today.” Zoe smiled at her brother.

“Well I think that if I don’t move to our bed soon I am going to be
falling asleep right here.” Halina blurted.

“Well I am going to take my lovely Angel to bed.
I will see you all in the morning for breakfast and training. Hope you sleep well and Good Night.” Kaiden said

“Good Night.”
Halina and Zach replied in unison

Kaiden walked Zoe back to their bedroom and helped her into some new shorts and tee
that she got to sleep in. He changed into some pajama pants and slid into bed next to her. Kaiden pulled her close and closed his eyes.

“Zoe do you remember that cave I told you about?
The one my parents took me too and I jumped into that huge pool? I would like to find it with you and take you there. I don’t remember exactly where it is, but I know it is on this mountain somewhere. Anyway I want to make some of our own memories there with you.” Kaiden said sleepily

“I woul
d love that Babe. I love you.”

“I love you too, good night Angel.”

“Good night Kaiden.”

Meanwhile downstairs
, everyone had gone to bed while Mary and Mateo sat in the kitchen and enjoyed a cup of tea together. This was their third night together sharing a night cap before bed. They have spent the last couple days getting to know what each other like and want out of a relationship. Mary was new at this. She was only sixteen when they asked her to take Gabe and she hadn’t really dated any men before then. She just wanted to take things slow and see where they went from there.

Mateo was a good man.
She found out that he loved dogs and would love to breed them. His favorite breed turned out to be the same as hers. She had always wanted a German Shepherd. She decided she was going to ask Kaiden if she could have one or two here at the house and maybe her and Mateo could start breeding them in the future. They also make great guard dogs and are very protective of their families. Mateo also loved gardening. He is somewhat of a health nut so he likes to grow his own. This was something that made her very happy because she loved and missed her garden. She knew she was going to have to stake a small plot of land so she could have her special herbs and vegetables here. Some of the ones she loved they had to buy at the store here and they just did not taste the same to her.

Mary and Mateo would make a good match at all the things they had in common.
She was just worried that her looks were too frumpy for Mateo. She heard his night time routine and knew it consisted of working out. She was soft and a little on the heavy side. Her hair had started to gray around the hairline a couple years ago and she never bothered to dye it. She never thought any man would show an interest in her like Mateo has. She was so lost in her thoughts she paid no attention when Charles burst through the back door that was in the kitchen.

“We have Dragons at the border.
There are three of them all male and they have made camp. We need to go check it out. Will you wake the Fury’s, all of them and maybe call Kaiden?”

“I
’m on it we will meet you out front in ten minutes.” Mateo told Charles. Charles closed the door and took off. Mateo looked to Mary and said “I’m sorry dove, but I must go.” He kissed her on the cheek and took off to the stairs.

Mateo burst through the third floor and yelled out “We have visitors at the border please come
!” Doors flew open and they all followed him in their pajamas. Mateo dug in his pocket for his cell and couldn’t find it. “Shit, I don’t have my cell on me. Tia can you go wake Kaiden and tell him we need him?” he looked to the young girl.

“Sure thing.”
Tia answered and ran up the stairs to the fifth floor. She opened the door to the suite and let out a breath. She went to the room at the end of the hall she knew must be theirs and sniffed just to make sure. It smelled like them behind this door. She knocked softly and called out Kaiden’s name. He answered the door soon after.

“Tia what’s wrong?
What happened?” Kaiden asked still half asleep, but worry was seeping off of him.

“Nothing is wrong
Kaiden; we just have some visitors outside the border. I guess they are Dragons and they are making camp. So we are going to check it out. Mateo said to wake you.” Tia explained

“Right let me grab a shirt and shoes.”
Kaiden said

They all met outside and hopped into two jeeps.
They tore off down the mountain and over the valley. There weren’t really any set roads except from the house to the barracks and the small housing area which branched off to the road to town. That’s what the jeeps were for they drove over anything.

“Micah and Seamus are guarding the east tonight and they are over there.
They said the men are a little to the southeast and that is all farming land beyond the border. They wouldn’t be there unless they know we are here.” Charles said

They drove until they
met up with Seamus and Micah. The men nodded at them and then pointed to the campfire in the distance. Kaiden could feel the three Dragons. These men were not half-bloods. They drove over to the area and the three men looked up. Kaiden knew they couldn’t see beyond the border, but they would feel the pull.

Everyone got out of the jeeps and walked towards the camp.
Sebastian and Charles were the only ones to step through the border. Mateo and John stood on the edge with Camilla and Tia sandwiched between them and they made Kaiden stand behind them.

“Hello Gentleman, what brings you to this neck of the woods?”
Charles asked

“We are looking for refuge.
The damn half-bloods have been gone for a week or more and we decided to take off. We have heard rumors of Ireland and the Sect here. That is it the last one left. Obviously we were right and there is magic at play or something, because you just appeared out of thin air even though we can see for miles. Also I feel at least five more of you.” One of the men said

“What are you names and where are you from?”
Sebastian asked

“I am Paulo
, Earth Dragon, this is Jaco, he is a Water Dragon and lastly we have Carmine, he is a Fire Dragon. I come from Peru, Jaco is from Italy, and Carmine there is from France. We have been travelling together, always hiding from those bastards. They killed off our mates and our Sects.”

Kaiden was unsure of the situation.
He wanted Christian here. This was the first time in his life he was unsure about a fellow Dragon and the thought killed him.

“Are yo
u willing to swear fealty to our King and Queen? That is the only way you will make it into our Sect and our lands. You are right about the half-bloods. We are rebuilding the races here and saving ourselves from extinction. Aldrich has done that to us. We are going to fight back.” Charles said