Chapter 839: 839-She Wants Me To Sacrifice Myself.
Helanie:
Maximus and I returned home so he could quickly grab the girls while I took care of the babies. After that, we planned to go meet Norman.
When we arrived, I sat in Norman’s bedroom with my babies in my arms. My mom came in and told me Kaye had called. He said Norman wanted to come home, that he thought he’d be fine there because two of his heartbeats were now strong. He felt like he could come home and just wait for things to unravel from there.
I wasn’t certain about it. If we didn’t help the two break their curses, they would die. But Emmet is in a different world and if we woke him up to kill his mate, the poison will erupt in the air and it will consume him. These last two curses were tricky. I smiled down at my babies.
"So, what do you plan to name them?" my mom asked.
"I want their fathers to name them," I replied, passing smiles to my children.
"Their fathers have done so much for me. I’m really glad I found mates like them," I told her.
She gave me an understanding smile.
"That’s why I couldn’t move on from their father either. They’re really good men." my mom agreed as she mentioned her own equation with Lord McQuoid.
I smiled to myself.
"I’ll go prepare something for you and Norman as well," my mom added. "Until we get a miracle with their curses, the least we can do is take care of you both with food."
I nodded, agreeing with her.
My eyes stayed glued to my babies. I couldn’t get enough of them. I would kiss and cater to one while the other slept, then switch when the other woke up. They kept me busy. Jenny, Sage, Lucy, and my mother had all been helping take care of them too. Honestly, I could tell they didn’t want to let go of the babies. I guess I had the best friends ever.
Once my mother left to prepare food, I was playing with my babies when I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," I called, looking toward the door.
Jessica walked in. Of course she was still in the mansion. I didn’t understand why she or Azura hadn’t come out of their rooms during all the commotion.
It was also strange that Azura hadn’t checked on Emmet, even though she must have known he was now guarded by warriors, sleeping peacefully. Her silence made me believe she was afraid of what this was all about.
"Hi, Jessica," I greeted her with a smile.
She came to the bed and sat down, staring at the babies.
"Congratulations, you’re a mother now," she said, smiling wide, but her eyes held tears. I didn’t need to ask why.
"You know, I would die to be in your place," she said with a small laugh.
"It’s just weird because, trust me, I had imagined being in your place before you came. I used to think about having babies with him and everything," she said in a soft, gentle voice. It made me feel a little uncomfortable, so I didn’t respond.
"I’m not saying you have to respond. Don’t worry. I’m just saying what I feel. I’ve also thought about having his babies. But I guess the heart wants what it wants, and he wanted to have them with you instead." She gave me a reassuring look, letting me know she wasn’t trying to shame me for being in the spot she once wanted.
"Do you see me as the reason why he isn’t with you today?" I didn’t know why, but I asked the question anyway.
She watched my face for a few minutes, and her silence gave away how she felt. She did think I was responsible for Norman not being with her. I guess somewhere deep down, she believed that if I hadn’t come into his life, Norman would have eventually chosen her, since he was going to before and never really thought he could love anyone else.
"I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to steal your happiness." I started to respond, but she raised her hand, letting me know I didn’t need to explain.
"Well, you didn’t steal my happiness. He was never happy with me to begin with," she said, watching me put the babies to sleep. "Which one is Norman’s?" she asked gently.
I placed my hand on my daughter’s forehead, the one wrapped in a baby-blue blanket.
"Oh, she has his nose," Jessica said with a laugh, and I nodded. Sitting with her felt awkward.
"I heard what happened to Kesha and Charlotte. The brothers are free from their curses now," she said in a gentle tone.
"I know what you’re thinking, Jessica," I uttered softly.
"Yeah, it’s scary," she agreed. "But if it has to be done, I want it to be done."
"What do you mean?" I asked her in confusion.
"Come on, Helanie. One of his mates has to die to save him," she said, making me uneasy with how directly she spoke. "I have nothing left to live for, Helanie. He doesn’t want me. I’m not the mother of his baby. It should be me."
My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t expected her to say that. It was too big a sacrifice, and I couldn’t let her do it.
"No. Definitely not, Jessica. I’m not going to let you do that," I confirmed firmly.
"And then what? Let him die?" she asked, shaking her head in disbelief. "We all know this has to happen, don’t we?"
This time, she didn’t seem meek. She looked like she had already made up her mind.
"My response to you is the same, Jessica. No, I’m not going to do that," I said sternly. I didn’t sound meek anymore, because I knew what I was talking about.
We locked eyes in a long stare until she finally sighed and nodded.
"Then why don’t you do it?" she asked. I frowned, not understanding.
"Why don’t you ask him to kill you then? Why won’t you sacrifice yourself, Helanie?"
Those words came out of nowhere. I just stared at her, waiting for her to take them back, to say she hadn’t meant it like that. But when she hit me with a harsh glare, I realized she meant every word.