Who Is My Husband
Scene 10

Kailee stared at the table in awe. She was speechless as a cake was set in front of her.

“Happy birthday!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Happy birthday, Kailee.” Lance said happily as he pulled out a seat next to her.

“Thank you. You really shouldn’t have made a fuss over me.” Kailee’s eyes watered at the kind gesture. It was just a cake, but it was so much more to Kailee. It was someone taking the time to even remember her birthday. It was someone who went through the trouble of making her a cake on her birthday.

Lance chuckled. “Nonsense. We are friends. This is the least I could do.”

“You two are friends already?” Reggie sat down across from Kailee and raised an eye towards Lance.

“Do friends button up someone’s dress? Does that categorize you as a friend?” Kailee teased him and his face started to redden.

“Oh? Do tell? I wonder if Trey will think that is what friends should do…” Reggie grinned evilly at Lance.

“I told you we shouldn’t talk about that one.” Lance said in embarrassment. He cleared his throat. “Anyways, let’s try this cake.”

Kailee giggled. She was touched and the happiness inside of her was overflowing. No one had celebrated her birthday since her parents passed. It was tiny. But a little flame inside of her flickered with hope. With the hope that she would have a happy life here.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to… but thank you.” She whispered out quietly and Lance rubbed her shoulder.

“More eating and less thanking.” Lance smiled at her kindly.

“Tomorrow I need to head to the mill and place our orders. Can you keep an eye on Kailee?” Lance asked looking up to Reggie.

“I want to come.” Kailee immediately said. “I mean… is that okay? I haven’t been to town since I was a child.” Her voice trailed to a quiet whisper.

“That sounds like a good plan. I wouldn’t mind walking around town a bit either.” Reggie smiled up at her and then winked over at Lance. “Don’t worry. I’ll put my neck on the line for it. I can see your panic ridden face from over here.” He chuckled and Lance furrowed his brows.

“You try being on the brunt of Trey’s temper for a change and let’s see how your attitude differs.” Lance grumbled lowly.

Kailee took a bite of her cake and excitedly thought about tomorrow. She was going to push the other weird stuff from her head. And she would talk with Sparks the next time she saw him. But going into town was exciting. And she wasn’t going to let anything spoil it.

Cookie walked into the room and looked over at Kailee. “Happy birthday my dear. I hope you are enjoying the cake.”

“It is delicious. Thank you.” Kailee smiled warmly at the older woman.

“How are your wounds? Do you need me to look at them?”

Kailee froze for a second. She was not sure how to answer her. But she didn’t have to. Reggie spoke up immediately.

“I’ll be looking after her and taking care of her wounds. We won’t need the physician to come back either.” Reggie glanced up at Cookie and watched her nod her head.

“Oh… well then I see she is in good hands.” Cookie lowered her head in reverence to Reggie and then backed out of the room.

Kailee looked up to Reggie and then back to Lance. She thought this reaction was odd. She didn’t act like that with Grum or Lance. Maybe it was because Reggie was also a type of lord? It made sense if Trey was that his cousin would be too. Unless they were one and the same? It was cleverly annoying how similar these men were. Even their voices were similar. However, no matter how similar one may look and act, in time she would notice the minor differences.

Later that evening….

Kailee walked back to her room with the two gentlemen following behind her. She opened the door to her room and was surprised to see the two men following her inside.

Kailee quirked her eyebrow at them. “I’m going to bed for the night…”

“I’m staying with you tonight. What if the pain comes back again? I need to be near you just in case it does.” Reggie said simply.

“And I am not leaving you alone with this beast so I’ll also be staying with you tonight.” Lance said.

Kailee looked back at the bed and frowned. “I don’t think we will all fit on the bed.” She turned back and looked at the two men. They looked at her shocked before they both busted out laughing. She immediately felt embarrassed, but she didn’t know what of.

“That is the most innocent, most adorable thing I have ever heard.” Reggie laughed as he wiped his eyes.

“I don’t think Trey would have found it amusing though.” Lance chuckled and continued smiling while looking at Kailee. “We are staying in the room with you. We aren’t sharing the bed with you.” Lance then cleared his throat. “There is a certain line you can’t cross even as a grown married man. Laying with a gorgeous young woman at night is a dangerous temptation, little naïve kitten.”

“I’ll be honest. There is no way I would be able to be a gentleman about it.” Reggie smiled as he looked Kailee over openly.

“Oh… I didn’t realize that it would be a problem.” Kailee said in quiet embarrassment. She really didn’t understand men or how they were. And she had only been with her husband for two nights. One of which she was injured.

“You are a cute, sweet bunny. You are a rare pure gem.” Reggie sighed. “And dammit that you get wasted on Trey.”

“Am I being wasted on him?” Kailee tilted her head to the side a bit confused at what that meant.

“No, you aren’t. Trey is a great guy.” Lance shot an annoyed look at Reggie.

“I don’t know. Seems like such a waste that this flower isn’t always graced by the sun. You are a delicate flower that needs to be watered and nourished. And definitely need someone around to keep the weeds away.” Reggie frowned slightly as he met with her face.

“I have gotten this far on my own. I think I can continue to manage just fine.” Kailee said quietly.

“Once your world opens up more it will be different. You need someone by your side to protect you. You are very innocent of the ways of the world…and men.” Reggie’s voice dripped quietly over the last word.

“I’ll be here to protect her. I’ll be by her side.” Lance said with annoyance to Reggie.

“It’s her husband who needs to be by her side right now.” Reggie then growled angrily.

“And he is. Maybe not all the time but he will be soon.” Lance said, looking away from them and towards the wall. His arms were folded over his chest as a scowl rested over his face.

“Soon.” Reggie scoffed. “The answer is always soon. When will it be enough?”

Lance turned his face to Reggie and shot daggers at him. “Is it enough for you? Are you content? How dare you criticize…” He sighed loudly. “We aren’t going to discuss this now.”

Reggie’s irises flickered with anger. “Don’t you dare ever insinuate that I am complacent over everything. I am only thinking about the future. Trey’s future… And… you are right, this isn’t the time for this discussion.” His eyes glanced over to Kailee as he sighed. He ran his hand through his hair and smiled at Kailee. “Sorry we are keeping you from bed. Go ahead.”

“Well, I know I am just full of naivety and such. But I am pretty sure it would be inappropriate for the two of you to watch me change into my night clothes.” Kailee smirked as she watched Lance’s cheeks heat with red. Though Reggie remained stoic at first and then his own smirk rose on his face.

“If you are offering to change in front of me then I’ll accept.” Reggie grinned widely.

Lance clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Get out and let her change.” He stood up and gave Reggie a tough shove forward. “Let us know when you are decent.”

Kailee stared at the closed door for a moment before she discarded her clothes and threw on a long white nightgown. The drawers and closet had been stocked full of new clothes for her. There were so many she wasn’t sure if she would ever wear them all. It was a novelty for her. She was just about to let them know she was dressed when she heard a sound at the balcony window.

There was a soft tapping sound being heard on the window. She couldn’t tell what it was since the curtain had been drawn. She hesitated for a moment but then walked towards the curtain and opened it.

She should have been met with the dark of the evening sky but instead she was met by a bright orange flame. Sparks was flapping against the window and then he settled on the banister of the balcony.

She opened the balcony glass window door. She took a small step out into the night air.

She looked at Sparks and tilted her head at him with a disapproving look. “Well Sparks I think we need to have a little chat don’t you?”

I’m sorry.

“You know more about me… don’t you.” Kailee watched the phoenix nod his head.

“I have some sort of magic in me that is waking up?” Once again the phoenix nodded his head. “And you know what it is?… Well?”

I’m sorry… I can’t tell you. Sparks said sadly.

“What about that wolf from earlier? It was a werewolf?” Kailee watched how Sparks lowered his head in a small nod. “What did he want from me?”

He wanted to force you to wake up… He can’t do that. It could hurt you.

“So you are going to keep secrets from me then?” Kailee asked with a small frown.

“Kailee, who are you talking to?” Reggie’s voice asked as he came into the room in a hurry. He looked over at the window and his eyes landed on Sparks. The phoenix became agitated seeing Reggie.

“Wait, don’t leave.” Kailee whispered out as she noticed Sparks beginning to flap his wings. The phoenix stopped and looked at Kailee. “He said he is coming back for me…” Her brown eyes looked at the birds. “Is he going to take me away?” Her voice whispered out.

Sparks looked down. Yes, he will try to take you. He isn’t the only one though. Others will try to take you and some will try to claim you. Which is why I allowed you to come here. You are safe here. Stay close to those around you. They can protect you. Sparks looked up at Reggie.

Kailee scoffed and shook her head. “From what? And how? I don’t understand.”

From many things…Don’t worry your new friends are strong, Kailee. And I will continue to watch over you like I always have. I am your keeper and one day soon you will understand more. Sparks then flapped his wings and lifted off into the night sky.

Kailee watched his glow as the two presences walked up closer to her.

“Kailee.” Lance put a hand on her shoulders. “Come back inside, you are getting chilled.”

Kailee let Lance lead her back inside. Her mind was racing. She suddenly felt very vulnerable. The werewolf would be back to try to take her and others would try to claim her. What did that all mean? Why? What did they want with her? Was the werewolf a bad guy? She didn’t get a chance to ask. She didn’t think so but she got the impression that there were those out there who were. And then what did Sparks mean about being safe with these people. How were they stronger than others?

She was trying to get answers and ended up with more questions.