Immediately, Kyrrian and Mrs. Shue felt as if they had interrupted a very important moment as they opened Lauren Hale's hospital room after knocking.

Lauren Hale was a bright red, her flush creeping down her neck. Kaddian stared intently at the sheriff, as if Kyrrian and Mrs. Shue had never entered. His mouth was slightly agape, he sat on the edge of his chair, his hands clenched into fists on his needs. He was looking at Lauren as if he was waiting for her to... Answer him. But what had he asked? Kyrrian was dying to know.

"Visiting hours are almost over Kaddian, but I am coming back tomorrow if you want to join me" Kyrrian said quietly. She heard the very subtle sound of a growl in his chest before he nodded and stood, collecting the cooler.

Mrs. Shue waddled up to her daughter, "goodnight love, I'm headed back to the hotel to get some sleep". She kissed her daughter on the forehead, then rubbed her nose on her daughters slightly smaller one. The interaction was probably the cutest thing Kyrrian had ever witnessed.

Mrs. Shue bustled out of the room after giving two overly encouraging hugs to the twins. Kyrrian turned and watched her go down the hallway with a slight chuckle. When she turned back to the room, Kaddian had moved to the side of Lauren's bed. He was leaning down slightly, whispering something imperceivable to her, before he leaned down further and placed one kiss on the top of Lauren's head. Lauren fidgeted nervously with a string from her hospital blanket, her blush growing even brighter. She never once looked up.

Kyrrian had been wrong... The small, subtle, silly grin on her brothers face as they left the hospital was the cutest thing she had ever witnessed.

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"Oh, and fresh fruit! Do you think he likes fresh fruit? I mean, everyone likes fresh fruit, right?" Kaddian watched his sister unload and reload the cooler he had already packed this morning for the third time. She was... Fussing. Over a man. It was a very enjoyable moment got him, seeing his sister this way. Kaddian was impatient to get to the hospital but could appreciate his sisters fear of not pleasing her mate. He himself had laid in bed for two hours before going to sleep trying to plan out a perfectly balanced meal that would provide nourishment for Sheriff Hale while also tasting good.

"Lauren" he corrected himself under his breath. He knew now it was ok to be familiar with Lauren, but habits were hard to break.

"What? Oh, yeah... I know, you're right, we need to go" Kyrrian said my, shaking her had as she loaded ALL of the fresh fruit into the cooler. Kaddian stifled a smile.

Kyrrian made it to the car and Kaddian went searching for Porter, hoping to check in with him and apologize for his absence. However, when he found the man sitting outside in a rocking chair reading a book to a sallow faced Sarai, he choose not to interrupt them. He watched them for a few moments. Sarai was curled up in another rocking chair sporting a sweater as bright white as her hair. She had her eyes closed, but there was peace on her face, even if it was a little gaunt. She clasped a steaming cup of tea in her hands and Kaddian realized Porter had been awake before him to make her the drink. Porter was reading The Count of Monte Cristo in soothing tones, occasionally stopping to turn a page or sip tea. Kaddian watched, and slowly he realized the image was shifting, and he could not help but wonder if one day he would be reading the book and Lauren Hale would be listening intently.

With a shake of his head, Kaddian turned and left, silently listening to his sister fret and mumble to herself all the way to the hospital.

Although Kaddian was intent on seeing Lauren, he knew his sister was in more need to see her mate, so he carried the cooler to Reik's room.

Scottlin flashed his brilliantly bright smile as the twins entered the room.

"I like you in yellow" he said immediately, before either twin could say good morning.

Kyrrian gulped and fingered the bright yellow scarf wrapped around her neck. Kaddian recalled her mumbling something about a "touch of color" this morning as she had run back up to her room prior to leaving. She still wore her customary black, a pair of leather pants, camisole, and leather jacket, but she had added the scarf and seemed to be quite enjoying the change.

"Thank you" she murmured. "I brought you fruit" she said quickly.

With a smile, Kaddian sat the cooler down and unloaded food for his sister while she chatted pleasantly with the Alpha. Quietly, so as not to disturb them, Kaddian snuck out of the room with the rest of the food and headed to Lauren Hale's room.

But she was gone.
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"She's right here Mr. Grayson" the small nurse said, opening the door to the recreation room where Lauren Hale sat with her vivacious mother. They were both violently yelling and laughing, watching The Price is Right.

"Oh Bob! You let me down!" Mrs. Shue yelled in disappointment.

Kaddian's heart rate slowed when he finally laid eyes on Lauren Hale. It had rapidly sped up as he had briskly made his way to the he nursing station. Now he breathed easy as he watched her interacting with her mother, until she got too excited and threw an arm up a little too high, causing her to quickly drop her arm down and subtly grab her stomach. He walked over to the two ladies and placed one hand on the back of Mrs. Shue's chair and the other on Lauren's shoulder. Lauren tensed slightly, no doubt knowing she was in trouble, but Mrs. Shue turned excitedly when she realized who it was.

"Kade! There you are, come join us!" she said, eagerly looking toward a spot next to Lauren.

Lauren Hale turned slightly and looked up at him. He gave her a pointed look, and she mouthed 'I'm sorry'. He sighed and gave her a soft smile before saying "I certainly will" and taking a seat next to Lauren.

They watched the show for thirty more minutes before Mrs. Shue excused herself to use the "little girls room".

As soon as she was gone, Kaddian leaned forward and lifted hem of Lauren's cotton t-shirt. She immediately smacked his hand and he growled instantly, shooting her a look. She put her hand down but gave him a frustrated look.

"You could at least ask" she murmured, a blush beginning to show at her collar.

"You could also avoid injuring yourself" he replied. He looked at the four claw marks. Only one was slightly irritated and raised, the rest looked relatively sedate.

She sighed, assertively but more gently pulling her shirt down, blocking his scrutiny. "You're right, I just get excited watching this show".

"I can tell" he answered, satisfied with the brief glance he had received.

"You're telling me you can watch The Price is Right and not get excited?" She asked with a challenging look.

"This is my first time ever watching it" he replied.

Her mouth dropped open as she begin to shake her head vehemently, "well that's gotta change".

He smiled and then responded, "I like it when you spend time with your mother".

"Why?" It was her turn to cock her head curiously.

"Because it makes your accent stronger".

"Oh... Sorry about that" she muttered.

"Do not be... I honestly like it" he said right before Mrs. Shue returned.

Again Lauren Hale was left blushing in nervousness as someone interrupted a moment between her and Kaddian.

"Are we ready for the next round?" Mrs. Shue yelled.

"Always!" Lauren cheered back.
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"Tomorrow? That's kind of early don't you think?" Anxiety flitted across Kyrrian's face as she watched Scottlin eat his breakfast.

"No, I'm doing much better. I think spending time at the Grayson house will do me quite a bit of good. I must confess, I miss walks down that winding path from your front porch" Scottlin remarked as he enjoyed his hot oatmeal and toast.

"Are you sure you're better?" Kyrrian asked, scooting her chair closer to the bedside.

"Yes" Scottlin Reik assured her with a laugh.

"Alright" Kyrrian murmured. "But if you're not and you hurt yourself, I'll kill you".

"That's a little counterproductive don't you think?" He asked with a smile, offering her a bite of oatmeal. She hesitantly stared at the spoon then took the proffered bite.

She had never been fed by anyone before... And she sort of liked it.

"But effective" she mumbled around her bite.

He smiled then offered her a bite of toast.

"You know I'm a grown adult with capable hands... I can feed myself" she said, but her tone didn't quite have her usual bite, "in fact, it should be me feeding you".

"I know you can, but just because you can doesn't mean that you should. I like doing it" he responded. She glared at him but took the toast bite anyway. He chuckled and leaned over to get his water. Kyrrian watched him as he opened his straw gracefully and put it into the cup. Kyrrian was captivated with the way his lips touched the straw, and the way his throat moved with the drink. When he set the cup down and turned back to her, she quickly leaned forward and gave him a swift peck on the lips.

Shocked but pleased, Scottlin gave her a curious glance, but offered her more porridge. She quickly took the bite and avoided eye contact, but felt his happy eyes on her all the same.