Untouchable by Marii Solaria

–

“ s shoes with his feet at the end of my bed, and blazed past Mom and Neron, leaping into my arms with the biggest hug he could muster. I let out a low groan because of my strength returning to my body, but it didn’t deter me from hugging him back.

“Hi, little prince.” His curly hair tickled my chin as he adjusted himself on my lap. “How’ve you been?”

“Good! I’m glad you’re awake! I tried waking you before, but Mommy said you were in deep sleep.”

“1…” I gave my nephew a small smile while rubbing small circles on his back. “Yes, I was sleeping. I needed it to feel better.”

“Do you feel better now?”

“Much.”

Minus the sour stench of vanilla stuck to my nose, waking up after a long slumber felt surreal. It was like waking up to a different world. Dull aches pulsated throughout my limbs as expected, but the air had shifted. I carried an invisible weight on my back for so long, with the world callously adding more weight each day. The world didn’t care. The weight crushed me like a bug after I revived Neron, sending me into infinite darkness. But Artemis was at my side throughout our healing in our mini white world. We fought my demons for years, and it was our time to relax.

Now, I’m awake and the weight had lifted. I felt lighter than a feather. Freer than a bird taking their first flight from the nest. Halima and San rested within my heart, and now and then, I could feel a minor tug from the center. Were they cheering me on? Were they happy for me? I won’t ever know that answer, but I’m glad that I’m okay.

I’m glad that I get to see tomorrow.

The sound of a chair sliding against the ground made way for approaching footsteps that stopped beside my nephew and me. I lifted my head up to see Raina looking down at me with tears glistening in her eyes, fingers reaching, then contracting like she was afraid to touch me. A faint flowery scent tickled my nose, a complete opposite from Raina’s lavender aroma. It wasn’t until I looked down to see her rounding belly poking out of her maroon blouse was when I got my answer.

Her unborn baby. The baby that saved her life from Lady Sanguine’s deadly blade.

A flood of emotion rushed through me when I reached out my hand to rest on her stomach. Raina gasped quietly, folding her hand on top of my own. I wanted to cry when I felt the life stirring inside, but blinked back my tears. I didn’t want to get emotional. Instead, I looked back up at her, expelling a heavy sigh.

1/6

Buima amovered with a hug, squishing her son in between our bodies. Adonis squeaked but giggled, wrapping bis arms around us, hugging us both at the same time. Raina’s soft sniffing echoed loud in my eardrums along with her whispers of relief that I was okay. I almost couldn’t believe that she didn’t hold an aversion to me, because I could feel and smell the anger and concern coming from Valerian in the distance.

Tim alinghn, baby sis. I was so scared that you’d never wake up.” She whimpered, running her hand through my factened curls.

My arms found their way around Raina, tightening around her frame. Through the unbridled hatred I had felt for this woman, there was that part that ached for her touch. That part of me would never forget the bond I used to have with Raina, but somehow, it felt good to have her here, next to me.

“The baby?”

“She’s good.”

I pulled back, eyes widening with shock. “She?”

Raina chuckled at my reaction and nodded, petting Adonis on the head as he looked up at her with stars for eyes. “Yes. I’ll be having a girl”

Tm going to be a big brother. Auntie Adonis exclaimed, hopping on my lap in excitement. “Can you tell me how she got in Mommy’s stomach? Because she and Daddy won’t say anything.”

“Th” Heat rushed to my cheeks while my mind scrambled for a solution. Jackle snorted beside me. Mom covered her mouth to stifle her laughter, and the men at the door looked away like they have heard nothing. Sighing 1 patted Adonis on the shoulder and answered, “I’ll tell you in five to ten years.”

Adonis disappointed groan was interrupted out of the blue when the door burst open, nearly hitting Valerian in the face. My hospital room got significantly smaller when Kwame, Lorelai, Dad, Anthony, and everyone else sprung in. A tiny voice amongst the adults whined. A smaller body squeezed out from the forest of legs,

unning over to my empty side past Jackie. She hopped in my lap, thus making two children sitting on either

thigh

“Tis! Auntie!” Ximena shrieked, hugging my arm like a koala. “You’re awake! I missed you!”

Before I could answer, a faint growl from my side made me jump. I looked down with wide eyes and jaw dropped to see Adonis glaring at Ximena with contempt. She seemed to notice as well and glared back with the same power her miniature body could hold.

“Auntie Kiya is my

snarled, hugging my arm possessively. “She was my auntie

Uh, oh.

their muffled laughter

Great.

Chapter 92 – Reunion

to leave!”

at me. “Auntie,

from a two–month coma…” I

Get

you

grinned, showing off her white

if I am?!” Adonis scoffed, rolling his eyes. “You don’t

two could break out into a child brawl, a deep rumble echoed through the room. Everyone’s eyes shot at me as I was sure red was bursting on my cheeks, despite my dark complexion. I shined an

“….. I’m hungry?”

was eating their lunches in relative peace, I was scarfing down bowl after bowl, not caring what was inside. The whale needed to be satiated, and I missed the

the same time was a recipe for disaster, but who am I kidding? I’m

for filled with dan dan noodles. “This is your eight bowl of

it out of arm’s reach when I reached for it again, knowing damn well I’d be slow to get out my bed. In

house and home!”

seat next to his wife like a cantankerous old

likes my cooking!” Galen shouted in pride, grinning from ear to ear in his seat. “If there is anyone, I trust to judge my food fairly, it’s our

last of my noodles, shooting a glare at my friend.

held up two full bags of empty takeout boxes and tupperware. So did Abigail. So

mail. So did

lips dropped into a scowl as I crossed my arms and huffed. “Like Mom said, I haven’t eaten in

months.”

everyone’s portions of the

all still

Chapter 92–Reunion

you had that puppy look in your eyes when you want something.” Sapphire rolled her eyes, ducking to avoid the plastic spoon I flung at her. Yeah, I eat a

–

chicken fettuccini, made from Cleo’s lovely hands. My stomach wanted it, but

need

chuckled, only to be silenced by Abigail’s

mind. You need the food more

“… Are you sure?”

lost to me when it came to feeding, even if I look like a deranged puppy. Neron’s gaze lingered on my skin, harboring

donc.

out a small burp, which Adonis and Ximena both giggled to before scowling at one another again. I patted my legs once and yawned. “Well, it’s time for me to move out of this bed. As comfortable as

getting antsy.”

I

away.

fine, I got

two months,” Raina said, looking apprehensive.

I stood, all sensations dissipated, bone turning into jelly. “Oh.” Everybody gasped in fear as I tumbled forward to the floor, but sighed in relief once Neron swooped in and caught me by the arms. I stumbled, trying to move my noodle

laugh, cursing under my breath at

“The bathroom.”

so earlier?” He laughed, carefully pulling me upright. “Just take it slow.

to rush.”

onto Neron’s arms as I took my first steps, gradually regaining feeling in my legs. Relief washed over me like

Out of nowhere, white glazed over his hazels, a definite sign of his mind–link opening.

Chapter 12 – Reunion