Chapter 46

Grace

Charles checked in every day he was gone, but it was never as long or as in-depth as I wanted. It was just enough to ask if we needed anything, say goodnight to Cecil, and stay on top of any issues popping up with Wolfe Medical and the pack.

Then, the day of the first day of the Festival was here.

“We have to wear red!” Cecil cried.

“Red?” I asked.

“Red,” Cecil said, taking my hand. “Please, Mommy? Please?”

“Okay. Red it is.”

I followed her to her bedroom to help her get ready, but she had already pulled out everything she wanted to wear, from the cute red dress down to stockings. I made sure to let her get dressed on her own before going to get Richard ready. In one of his drawers was a stack of red. My lips twitched. This had to be Charles’ doing, organizing things by type and color. I picked out the warmest red onesie I could find, along with the matching hat and so on.

Then, it was my turn, and I realized that I only had one red thing in my whole closet: a red sweater that was a little more casual-sexy than was strictly family-appropriate, in my opinion. I slipped a camisole under it and tied up my hair.

I headed back and smiled at the sight Cecil made.

"Cecil, you look absolutely adorable," I said with a smile as I adjusted the collar of her red dress. She beamed back at me.

“Are we going to wait for Uncle Charles?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly. I crouched down to her level.

“I don’t think so,” I said, checking my watch. “I think he’ll just… meet us there.”

She seemed to accept my answer, but I could tell that she was still wary. I sent Charles a quick message to have him meet us at the Festival if he was still coming before going to gather Richard up and head down. Richard, on the other hand, was a bit fussier than usual as I held him in my arms. It was as if he could sense that something was off.

Jackson was already headed there. The car that had been driving me around since Charles was gone pulled up. We got inside and headed to the community center. The festive atmosphere was in full swing. The air was filled with the tantalizing scent of baked goods, and I could see the preparations for the gigantic baked goods trade taking place. I wanted this Festival to be a joyful experience for Cecil and Richard, a way for them to experience the traditions that Devin had denied them.

Cecil's excitement was palpable as she tugged at my hand, wanting to explore every corner of the Festival. I couldn't help but be infected by her enthusiasm, even as I scanned the crowd for any sign of Charles. But he was still nowhere to be seen.

"Mommy, can we go see the treats?" Cecil asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"Of course, sweetie," I replied, and we made our way over to the display of baked goods. Cecil's eyes practically sparkled as she took in the array of cookies, pastries, and cakes.

As we browsed through the treats, I tried to put aside my worries about Charles's absence and focus on enjoying the moment with my children. Richard's fussiness was gradually subsiding, and he seemed intrigued by the colorful displays.

"Hey there, you three!" a familiar voice called out, and I turned to see Eason approaching us with a warm smile.

Eason's presence was a welcome distraction, and he engaged Cecil in conversation about the different treats, making her giggle with his playful banter. I appreciated his efforts to make the Festival enjoyable for my children, even as my mind kept drifting back to Charles. He hadn’t replied to me. I didn’t see him, and the time for the official start of the Festival was drawing closer. I smiled at the reporters and let Richard interact with the pack. Cecil greeted people as shyly as ever.

After a while, Eason excused himself to attend to some festival preparations, leaving Cecil and me alone. Richard was staring up as the lights were turned on and started to shift and change colors.

"Cecil, how about we pick out a few treats to take home?" I suggested, hoping to lift her spirits.

Her eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "Can we get cookies, Mommy?"

"Absolutely.”

I led her to one of the stands that was separate from the trade, hoping to distract her, but she kept looking around. She wasn’t looking at the case. She looked up at the large clock, frowned, and kept looking around. I knew she was looking for Charles.

Then, she went quiet and still. I noticed the glimmer of unshed tears in her eyes, her lower lip quivering slightly. I knelt down beside her, my concern deepening.

"Cecil, sweetie, what's the matter?" I asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She sniffled and looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of disappointment and sadness. "Uncle Charles isn’t here...”

I bit my lip. “No, he’s not here yet.”

“But the competition is going to start soon, and we have to register and—”

“Competition?” I asked. “What competition?”

She sniffled. “We’re supposed to enter the Daddy-Daughter Cookie Decoration Competition. We practiced and everything!”

She sniffled. “He promised…”

My heart ached. I pulled out my phone. There was still no response, but I also didn’t have service.

“What’s going on?” Jackson’s voice came from nearby.

I explained the situation, and Jackson’s eyes lit up.

“Well, Cecil, I could help you decorate cookies if you want."

But Cecil's lower lip trembled even more, and she shook her head, her tears spilling over. "I want Charles."

My gut turned as I wrapped my arms around Cecil, pulling her into a comforting embrace. I tried to soothe her, reassuring her that everything would be okay, even as I struggled to hold back my own emotions.

“Sometimes, people can’t—”

“There you are.” Cecil gasped, pulling back. Cecil's tearful gaze snapped toward the source of the sound, and her eyes widened in surprise and hope. “I didn’t realize this was a dead zone.”

Cecil broke out of my arms, and rushed to him. Charles scooped her up, rocking her. He was wearing a crisp red dress shirt with his jeans and long coat. Their hats matched, too. I smiled as Richard started to babble happily.

"Hey,” Charles whispered. “Why the tears?”

“Yo-You weren’t here and…” She sniffled.

“I’m here,” he said. “I was looking for you. I’m sorry to worry you, sweetheart.”

A sense of relief washed over me. By the moon, I’d had enough disappointment from lycan men to last a lifetime. To have Charles here just as he said he would be for Cecil made my heart clench with gratitude.

“No more tears, hm?” Charles asked, tossing her in the air. She shrieked with glee. “We have a competition to win, princess!”

Cecil giggled as Charles swung her around. My heart swelled at their interaction, and I couldn't help but be grateful for Charles's presence. As he turned to face me, his eyes met mine, and I felt a mixture of emotions swirling between us. There was something unspoken, a tension that lingered beneath the surface.

"I made a promise," Charles repeated, his words hanging in the air between us.

I nodded, my throat suddenly feeling dry. I remembered that promise he made that night, and my stomach turned. I didn’t know what to say. I honestly wished he hadn’t at this point.

For a moment, the air seemed heavy with the unspoken feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface. But before the awkwardness could fully settle, Eason's cheerful voice broke through the tension.

"Charles, you made it! You won't believe the spread we have set up over there!" Eason exclaimed, his infectious enthusiasm filling the space between us.

“I can smell it,” Charles grinned. “I guess you two were picking out some treats, hm?”

“But we have to register!”

Charles pulled out a pair of plastic bands. “I already did. We have some time. They’ll make a call soon.”

“Then, we should pick out cookies!”

Charles carried her back towards the display. All the joy that should have been in her voice was back as she and Charles debated about which cookies to pick out. They settled on an assortment before the loudspeaker came on.

“The Daddy-Daughter Cookie Decoration Competition starts in fifteen minutes. If you haven’t registered, please make your way to the registration desk. If you have, please make your way to the main hall to get your kits and claim your spots!”

Charles grinned at me. “I suppose we’ll meet up later, hm?”

I nodded. He stroked Richard’s head gently.

“You look after your mom, hm?”

He babbled at him before they headed off. Eason remained behind, grinning at me.

“What?”

He shook his head. “You’ll have family outfits before Cecil’s birthday. Just watch.”