Chapter 73 Going home
“You‘re really leaving us?” Adriana asked, stopping by to see Serena before her shift ended. Serena smiled. “You got my time off request?” she as ked. Adriana nodded. “I did,” she said. “I‘ve got to admit, I‘m not all that surprised.” “I‘m sorry it was sho rt notice. Why isn‘t it a surprise?” Serena asked, falling into step beside Adriana as they headed to the l ocker room. It was the end of the day, time to shower, change and go home. “Your work with Logan wa s top notch, but I imagine it was pretty stressful too,” she said. “I can see why it would be important for you to step away, visit your family, spend some quality time with your kids.” “Yes, I think it is needed,” S erena said, smiling at her friend. “Honestly, it is more than that. There has been some drama with Holly and Logan, especially with Holly being pregnant and Logan having a relationshi p with my kids.” “Oh, I think everyone who visited Logan‘s room during recovery is aware of that,” Adria na said with a chuckle. “Anyone that was on the floor during his stay is aware of that.” Serena‘s cheeks reddened in frustrated embarrassment. It just furthered her need to get away for a little while. “What ab out you and Carson, the two of you were spending some time together,” Adriana said. “That didn‘t go s outh already, did it?” Serena chuckled and shook her head. She opened her locker to get a fresh chang e of clothes. Adriana‘s locker was directly behind hers, so they stood back–to– back. “Carson and I were just spending some time together,” Serena said. “It wasn‘t anything serious or romantic. Though, Logan took it very personally. Another reason 1 need to step away. I don‘t know why he feels so possessive over me…” she trailed off. If her suspicions about Logan being her mate were t rue, then she knew exactly why he was behaving that way. Even if he hadn‘t put the pieces together yet , he might know it on a subconscious level, a biological level that he wasn‘t fully aware of. “I don‘t envy being stuck between Logan and his baby mama, or the Alpha and the Beta,” Adriana said with a sigh. “ Hence my need to take a step back,” Serena said. “I completely understand. Don‘t worry about the paperwork, I‘ll take c are of it,” she assured. “Thank you.” Serena said, stripping her clothes off and wrapping herself in a tow
el. “Just, don‘t stay away too long, and please call me and update me on anything and everything” Adriana said. “I will,” Serena said. She headed to the showers to clean herself off and chang e before going home When she was done, Adriana was still in the shower. She called a quick goodbye to her friend and boss before collecting her things and heading out. On her way to her car, she called Dana. “Are you home yet?” she asked. Just getting there,” Dana said. “The twins had a long day and are exhausted.” “Good,” Serena said. If they went to bed early, she could pac k for them and they could all leave early in the morning. “I‘ll get started on dinner when I get there,” Dana said. “That is much appreciated,” Serena replied. “The kids and I are going to be taking a little vacation starting tomorrow.” “Do you need me to c ome along?” Dana asked, a note of concern in her voice. “Not this time,” Serena said. “We are going to visit my parents and brother. I will have more help than I know what to d o with.” “Great” Dana said with a sigh of relief. “I don‘t think the daycare would be able to cover for me.”
“I understand, it is last minute, but the timing just seemed right. I will see you shortly. I‘m on my way home too,” she said. “See you soon,” Dana said. Serena hung up and got in her car. When she got home, the kids were already eating. Dana made up a plate for Serena,
and she sat down with the kids. They looked tired, but they were always able to muster energy for their mom. “So, what did you do today?” Serena asked. “I played hopscotch,” Olivia said. “I drew a huge sco tch board!” “That sounds exciting,” Serena said. “Did your friends play too?” “Yes, but I beat them all,” she said with a satisfied nod. “How about you, Oliver, what did you do today?” Serena asked, turning to her son.
“I drew,” he said. “And I played on the slide.” Serena looked at Dana. From the sounds of it, Oliver still wasn‘t making lots of friends or feeling like he fit in very well. When they were done eating, Serena sent the kids upstairs to play until she was done with dinner.
“Is Oliver doing okay at daycare?” she asked. “He is fine,” Dana said. “He plays with the other kids whe n he wants to, but you know him, he likes to be on his own.” “I know. I just wonder if I should be worried ,” she said. “Not at all,” Dana said as she started cleaning up dinner. “He is the quiet artistic type, but that doesn‘t mean he doesn‘t have frien ds or doesn‘t have fun.” Serena nodded, relieved to hear it.
She got the twins in the bathtub while Dana finished cleaning up and started packing their things. “Rem ember how we talked about going to see Grandma and Grandpa?” Serena asked them. “Are we going?” Olivia asked excitedly. Serena nodded. “Yes, we are going to leave tomorrow,” she said. “B efore you go to bed, I want you to grab any toys, games, books, or art supplies you want to bring with us.” Olivia stood up in the tub, dripping with s oap and water. She tried to get out, but Serena stopped her. “After your bath,” she said, encouraging Olivia to sit back down again. Olivia glared at her mother, but she complied. “Will Uncle Santino be ther e?” Oliver asked. “Of course,” Serena said. “He will want to see the two of you, and he‘ll have lots of games to play.” “Good, he is a lot of fun,” Olivia said with a nod.
Serena finished their baths and sent them off to collect the things they wanted to bring with them. She hadn‘t given Adriana a firm return date, so she knew the kids would need plenty to keep them occupied. Not that her mother and father would let the kids get bored. They would provide all the entert ainment, toys, and games needed.
When the kids were packed, Serena went to their rooms to tuck them in. Olivia and Oliver were so tired , they didn‘t even ask to be read too. Serena tucked them in and kissed them goodnight, grabbing their suitcases and bringing them downstairs. She packed her own bags and set them by the door too. Dana was enjoying a cup of tea in the living room. “I‘m sorry for the short notice,” Serena said. “Please, don‘t worry about it,” Dana said, pulling a knitting project from her purse. “I‘ve got plenty t o keep myself busy.” “Good,” Serena said. She sat on the couch beside Dana. “I heard you had a roug h few days at the hospital,” Dana said, giving Serena the space to talk about it. “Having the Alpha mortally wounded and his life literally being in my hands alone...that was str essful” she admitted. “He pulled through, though, and I know I did everything I could for him.” “Is that why you are taking time off?” Dana asked. Serena sighed. “I‘m due for a break,” she said. “My pa and I‘ve hardly spent any time at home since I returned from the human world.” “It sounds like the timing
Serena headed to bed shortly after. She knew she wouldn‘t start feeling relief until there was enough ph turning while she was trying to sleep, thoughts running through her head. Carson‘s questioning had real want anyone else in the pack to become suspicious of things with her and Logan.
Holly had suspicions. Serena could chalk those up to jealousy, but if Carson was noticing something too she shook her head and rolled over again. She had just wanted to return to pack life, have a normal job, in a particularly volatile situation, between Moonshine, Holly, their baby. His outburst at her had shown just how stressed he was becoming. She didn‘t want to burden him.