Chapter 213

Strings of Fate 213- Managing and marrying Bellamy is breathing heavily and I am staring up at him, completely bewildered. I think back over my words and realise what’s wrong.

“Bellamy, I didn’t mean our red thread. That hasn’t changed.” I reassure him. I scrunch up my nose.

“You really think I would leave you like that? And what, I waited until we were in bed together on the day we took in a child to do it?” I point out. Bellamy flushes red, he is still tense and leaning over me, but the panic is fading. I think I really scared him. Oops?

“Well when you put it that way, no. But I just… well. I was… concerned.” He forces out awkwardly. Still bright red and still leaning over me.

“Bellamy, I have no intention of leaving you.” I tell him, a promise in my voice. He leans in and k*sses me lightly before moving back. He ends up on his side and I turn to face him.

“Okay, what were you trying to tell me before you gave me a heart attack?” Bellamy jokes.

“Something about our threads changing?” He prompts.

“Uh, yes. We each have a new one. Green ones connecting us to Kiara.” His eyebrows fly up.

“The mentor ones? I mean that does make sense I suppose.” He comments mildly.

“Well yeah, but why are they suddenly there? They weren’t before! My whole life I have never seen anyone’s threads change and now mine have changed twice and yours have changed too. What the hell is happening?” Bellamy can hear the anxiety in my voice and he pulls me close and strokes a soothing hand up and down my back.

“Shh, it will be okay. We will work it out. I’ll ask Alex if he ever found out more about Ananke and we can keep researching.” He reassures me. I take deep breaths to calm myself down. When I feel steady again I comment.

“You know, as much as we rely on Alex he should probably get a pay raise or promotion or 213- Managing and marrying award or SOMETHING. Seriously, I feel like we ask him for help constantly.” I joke. Bellamy laughs and I can feel it vibrating through his chest.

“You’re not wrong. But I wouldn’t worry about his income. I am fairly sure he makes more than all the rest of them combined. He’s a force to be reckoned with. If he was just a little more confident he would be unstoppable.” Bellamy says this with a completely serious expression. I know he means it.

“I agree, it’s a good thing he isn’t the ‘take over the world‘ type. Still, we should thank him somehow. I think he might have worked even more late nights than we have.” I remind him.

“That’s true. We will think of something.” he assures me. Something crosses his mind and he’s slow to speak.

“Did you talk to Kiara? You know, about seeing a professional at some point?” He queries. I nod.

“Yes. She wasn’t super thrilled but she did agree. I’m not sure she really knows what to expect, but she trusts us so she’s going with it for now. I think as long as we find the right. person it will turn out okay.” I explain.

“Right, we will have to start looking into options tomorrow, maybe meet with a few people.” He says thoughtfully. I can’t help but smile as I think back to how sweet he was interacting with Kiara during dinner and how adorable the sight of him holding baby Mikaela was.

“You know, you make a good father.” I comment impulsively. I must be slow tonight because for the second time, I have no idea why Bellamy tenses up. Moments later he has his lips. pressed against mine.

I don’t know how much time passes before he comes up for air, but when he does I realise that his right hand has made its way up the back of my shirt and his left is completely tangled in my hair as he holds me close. I am completely breathless and more than a little.

dazed.

“Uh… not that I’m complaining… but that was… I mean… huh?” I stammer out. Bellamy laughs, apparently elated.

213- Managing and marrying “I’ve proven I can take care of your family.” He says pointedly. I stare in confusion and he waits for my brain to catch up. It takes probably a little longer than it should, but if he wants. me to use my brain he shouldn’t have k*ssed me like that.

“Oh, you mean the third Shifter courting thing?” I clarify and he nods happily.

“Yes. By taking Kiara in and providing for her I’ve finally managed it. I’ve cared for your family.” He is so thrilled and his hands are basically glued to me.

“I mean, you definitely have. Although realistically I feel like that should have been counted as done ages ago. I might not have realised it until recently, but Maggie and Logan are as much my family as you and Megan are. I just didn’t realise because I was too caught up in thinking about actual legal, biological connections.” I explain. Bellamy laughs.

“Maybe, but I also haven’t really DONE anything special for them. I might have if I had considered that though. Either way, it’s done. I’ve finally managed all three traditions, you.” I can feel a deep, vibrating purr of contentment starting in Bellamy’s chest. It is ridiculously soothin have “I suppose we have. Does that mean anything special? Are we meant to commemorate it somehow?” I ask. Bellamy grins at me and I narrow my eyes suspiciously. Why do I feel like he was waiting for me to ask that?

“Well my love, usually when both Shifters have completed the rituals, that is about the time their families would start making wedding preparations knowing that a proposal can’t be far off. No one in the families can object to the union, both parties having proven themselves so clearly.”

He smirks and I stare at him wide eyed, deer in headlights style.

“Uh…” I am completely lost for words and I am fairly sure that he is loving it. I stare at him, tongue tied and not sure where to take the conversation from here. Is he proposing right now? I don’t think he is…

At least he probably isn’t. So what is he trying to tell me? I continue to stare and stammer out unintelligible sounds until he takes pity on me.

“Oh alright, don’t worry, I’m not proposing, not yet at least. I won’t, not until I’m sure yo you’ll say yes. I’m not going to push my luck right now.” He promises, leaning in to k*ss me on the forehead. I’m still completely speechless and he must realise it because he laughs.

213- Managing and marrying “I’ve broken you. Completely broken. Come on now, unless you have any other bombs to drop. on me, we should try to get some sleep. It’s late and we will both feel like crap tomorrow if we don’t get at least a few hours rest.” Bellamy reaches and turns out the light, then moves. me around until I’m positioned in his arms comfortably. I thought I would be awake all night. after that conversation, but between the purring in Bellamy’s chest, his warmth and my exhaustion, it doesn’t take me long at all to drift off to sleep.

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