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Kane’s POV
The air was still thick with the residue of tense discussions as Tessa and I made our way back down the dimly lit corridors toward the
hospital wing.
The quiet hum of the building felt almost surreal after the weight of the war council’s planning session.
My mind was swirling with strategies and contingencies, but something about Tessa’s presence beside me kept pulling my focus back to
the moment–grounding me.
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We moved quietly, our footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. I glanced over at her; she was steady and calm, though I knew the
storm of uncertainty was never far beneath that surface. That’s when the chaos suddenly hit.
From around the corner, a sharp, high–pitched scream shattered the calm of the reception area
through the sterile silence like a knife.
–
I instantly tensed up, expecting to find some threat or danger, but instead…
an urgent, panicked sound that cut
A small figure burst into view, a boy no older than four, his face scrunched with distress, tears streaming freely down his cheeks. His tiny
hands flailed as he darted between startled nurses, trying to hide behind anything he could find in the room.
Tessa was instantly on him, moving with a swift grace that belied her concern. I followed silently, my eyes never leaving her as she knelt
down, softening her voice to reach the boy.
“Hey… hey… what’s the matter here? It’s alright…” she said gently, her tone coaxing, warm, like a balm to his frightened spirit.
But he just sniffled, burying his face deeper into his hands, avoiding her eyes. It was clear he was terrified, though the reason wasn’t
obvious to me yet.
The nurse nearby was tense, her brows knitted tightly as she watched the scene unfold. She looked overwhelmed and worried.
Tessa’s gaze flicked around, sharp and quick, like she was putting together the pieces in an instant. Then, a light sparked in her eyes- a
plan.
Without hesitation, she stood and rushed toward the reception desk, where a plate of cookies sat temptingly close by- a small ‘help
yourself‘ offering that something felt worlds away from the harsh realities Inside these walls.
She grabbed a cookie and hurried back to the boy, who barely noticed as she extended the sweet treat toward him. His tear–filled eyes met hers briefly, flicking from her face down to the cookie with hesitant curiosity. Though he didn’t understand her English, the gesture
transcended words.
“He doesn’t want a shot!” the nurse sighed, her broken English clear enough, while she motioned toward the needle in her hand.
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Tessa’s brow furrowed in understanding. The boy wasn’t just scared- he was running from the needle, from whatever procedure awaited
him. A shiver passed through me at the thought of a child that young in such fear.
“His mother?” Tessa asked softly, looking around for a sign of a woman who should be here with him.
The nurse shook her head, sighing again, “She’s having bloods done. Can’t help right now. This is his last.”
The helplessness in her voice made my chest tighten. I watched as Tessa gently shifted her stance, her eyes never leaving the boy, as she crouched down again.
With patience that surprised me, Tessa slowly reached out, coaxing him gently away from his hiding spot. She spoke softly, mixing
soothing tones with slow movements, creating an invisible bridge of trust between them. I stayed close, quiet, learning from her.
The boy’s sobs quieted, but he still clung to the shadows like they were the only safe place. When he moved forward to take the cookie
from her hands, she held up a firm palm, stopping him.
Instead, she pointed deliberately at the nurse, then back to the boy, mouthing words as if to say, “If you get the shot, you can have the
cookie.”
The boy’s expression flickered conflicted, torn between fear and desire. His little brows knitted as he looked between us, uncertainty and
hope warring around in his eyes.
Then, as if something inside him shifted, he surprised us both.
He flopped forward suddenly, burying his face against Tessa’s neck and wrapping his small arms tightly around her. I could feel the
tension drain from her as she hugged him back, whispering soft reassurances. His other arm extended out, offering himself to the nurse in
a brave gesture of trust…
The sight made my chest tighten, an unfamiliar feeling being brought to the surface, something warm and… pure?
The nurse’s face softened, a genuine smile breaking through the weariness. She whispered a heartfelt “Thank you” to Tessa before swiftly
wiping down the boy’s skin, giving the injection, and removing the needle- all in a quick, practiced motion that didn’t take longer than
ten seconds.
“All done!” Tessa beamed, lifting the boy gently and holding out the cookie for him. His face lit up immediately, bright and wide, and without hesitation, he grabbed the treat and started munching happily, the fear completely gone now.
Watching that, something settled deep inside me.
Tessa’s kindness was a weapon- one that could pierce through fear and pain better than any blade or bite. That moment, that small
victory, felt like a beacon of hope in the middle of this chaos.
I looked at her, admiration burning in my chest. She’d come through hell and back, but here she was, a calm in the storm, still reaching
out to help even the smallest and most frightened among us.
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And as the boy’s laughter bubbled softly, mixing with Tessa’s quiet hum of encouragement, I realised: this woman was more than my mate
-she was the heart of everything I was fighting for.
One day… we would have a family and this small ordeal only confirmed how great a mother she would be to our own children…
“Thank you!” The nurse whispered with a nod, as we lingered for a moment longer, watching the boy return to the nurse’s side, now calm
and safe. Then, softly, I cleared my throat.
“Tessa,” I said gently, “we should go see Sasha now.”
She nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair back and smiling faintly, still carrying that quiet glow from the small moment they’d just
shared.
As we turned to leave the wing, my mind was already racing ahead- not just to the battle looming, but to the night ahead. To the
promise we had made to each other.
Tonight, nothing else mattered but us, I would make sure of it.
Tessa deserved the world and more and it was up to me now to give it to her, even if it’s the last thing I do.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
