Chapter 26

**THEO**

I only saw Arthur once, the day he came for Elena. And even though I don't know him, it still hurts my heart to see him in this state. Since we arrived, he only calls Elena, Moira, like his sister. He asks her questions about James and the baby.

She is so strong, she answers him as if nothing had happened even though this situation affects her. He contributed a lot to make her become the woman she is today.

Caleb and I came out of the room to give them some privacy and wait in the hallway. A woman in her fifties approaches us.

"Which one of you is Elena's mate?" She asks us curiously.

"We both are." Caleb replies and she giggles.

"Well she's very lucky."

"She's actually very, very lucky since she has a third one but he couldn't make it." I add and her cheeks turn red.

"Well she needs at least three to support her, this little one. She looks so strong on the outside but it's not easy for her. Arthur was like a second father to her and he is deteriorating rapidly." She sighs. "She's going to need you over the next few weeks because I don't know if he'll last very long." She looks behind us and gives a big smile. "Matthew I didn't know you were coming."

My jaw tightens just hearing his name. The last time he saw Elena, he told her he wanted to distance himself from her and the first chance he gets to see her again he shows up.

Caleb is the first of us to turn around.

"Caleb." He introduces himself and Matthew simply nods.

The nurse is clearly uncomfortable and she tells him. "Elena is with Arthur."

"Alright thanks Martha, I'll join them." He bypasses us, knocks once on the door and goes straight into the room leaving the two of us in the hallway again.

Martha skipped out as Matt entered the room. Caleb's fists clenched and his eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't like it either but we don't really have a choice."

"I know." He replies with a mumble.

Finn kept texting us to see how things were going here, so I keep him updated regularly. My phone vibrates and I answer it.

"What the fuck?" Finn asks me.

I sigh. "What more do you want me to say? You're the one who wanted me to keep you in the loop on everything."

"How long have they been in there?"

"Sixteen minutes and 35 seconds." Cal mumbles.

"Did you hear that?" I ask Finn and he groans. "Well, I'll leave you to it and I'll let you know if anything comes up."

As soon as I hang up with Finn, Matt and Elena come out of the room at the same time. He hugs her and Caleb and I go rigid.

"You call me if there's anything and I'll let you know if there's anything, okay?" She nods. "I put trustworthy men outside the institute and everyone here knows he has no visitors other than the two of us."

"Thanks." She tells him and he rubs his hand on her arm.

"Go home and get some rest."

She joins us and she cuddles in my arms. Caleb comes up behind her and kisses the top of her head.

"Come on let's go home, we'll hit the road in the morning." She announces to us we take the direction of the exit.

**ELENA**

Arthur was always a confident, strong man who exuded incredible masculine energy. I always saw him as a strong pillar in my life. So to see him like this, letting go and weakening, it breaks my heart. He had a moment of clarity when we were just the two of us. He recognized me and told me not to waste my time at his bedside and to go live my life. When Matt came in, he immediately mistook him for my father, as usual.

When we pass the door of my house, Caleb and Theo remain glued to the entrance. I wave to them to invite them into the living room and they follow me.

"I expected you to live in a place like this but it's even better than I imagined." Theo tells me as he walks around the living room.

"It's very beautiful, he's right." Caleb adds.

"Thank you." I reply and head to the kitchen. "I'm going to get a drink. What can I get you?"

"The same as you." They answer me at the same time.

I pull out a bottle of whiskey and three glasses. Then I open the bay window to the terrace, they follow me again and are blown away by the view.

We sit down each one on a long chair with our glasses in the hand.

"Are you sure you want to go home tomorrow?" Theo asks me after a moment of silence.

"I miss Finn and this is my place now. Arthur told me to live my life and not waste time on him." They exchange a wary look. "He had a moment of clarity." I add so they understand.

"We're glad you're coming home with us but we would have understood if you wanted to stay." Caleb tells me. "If you want you can come back on the weekend and we'll take turns going with you."

I nod. I can't formulate my gratitude and tears fill my eyes. I am going to lose the only parent I have left right after meeting my mates. It's as if he made sure I'm not alone.

Theo is the first to get up, he takes my glass from my hands to put it on the small table. Then, he pulls me slightly the arm so that I get up and he embraces me. Caleb does not delay to come behind me and to take me in his arms too. They are two, I am completely surrounded and yet I cannot help but feel an emptiness in me. Finn is missing to complete our foursome and make us complete.