A Kiss At Midnight (Delilah and Caelum) novel Chapter 103

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A Kiss At Midnight

DEAR JULIET

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I remained locked in Caelum’s embrace, while still sitting on his lap, neither of us seem to care that we were in the middle of the cafeteria.

The small crowd that had gathered earlier when we first walked in had mostly disappeared, leaving only a handful of people scattered around the room.

I wasn’t sure how long we had stayed like thins, time simply had stopped to matter at this point. It had only been when Caelum shifted against me, did I realise he had finally calm down.

His head moves slightly, and his lips brushes softly against my shoulder, while my fingers rested against the back of neck, my thumb gently brushing the base of his head.

“I meant what I said,” I whispered, “I’m here for you, always.” Hstayed quiet for a second as I continued, “whatever you need or your family needs, I’m going to be here.”

The words came easily, even though I knew I didn’t have much to offer, it wasn’t like I couldn’t fix his brother’s heart or take away the fear he was feeling and couldn’t make his family stop hurting.

But I if there was one there I could offer right now, that would be her presence, and support. And right now, maybe that was better than nothing.

“I know,” he whispered against my skin, his voice was rough from crying. “I know,” his arms tightens slightly around me. “I just..I don’t want to lose that.”

My heart squeezed at this. “Thank you, Delilah,” he says again, and I couldn’t count the number of times he had thank me in the span of hour.

I gulped, holding him tightly, knowing I didn’t want to lose it either. I didn’t want to lose him. The thought coming so naturally that it scared me.

But before I could dwell on it, a small cough sounded beside us, causing us to pull apart slightly as we turned toward the sound and found the same nurse standing there, just a feet away.

She still had that warm, understanding look on her face, and the corner of her lips lifts up slight into an unmistakable smile, taking in our position.

I suddenly became very aware that I was still sitting on Caelum’s lap and my cheeks heated as I quickly pull away from him, climbing off his lap and getting to my feet.

My face was burning and I stared down, trying to hide the blush by pretending to adjust my hoodie. Caelum stood too, his gaze settling on the nurse and she gave us a small, knowing smile.

“Have been looking everywhere for you two,” then says softly, before addinf, “He’s awake,” this was all she had to say for Caelum to immediately take off.

I was slightly startled at this, “Thank you,” I say to the nurse, knowing she had taken effort to find us, before hurrying after him. And by the time I had reached the hallway, he had already disappeared through the door to his brother’s ward.

My steps slow before reaching it, knowing he needed this, needed time with his brother. So instead of following him inside, I lean my back against the wall near the door,, my fingers ran through my hair as I nervously tap my foot against the floor.

What were they talking about? What was Leo going to say to him, Were they finally talking about everything they had kept buried, or were they finally going to say the things they had been too afraid to say?

I wanted to know,, but more than my curiosity. I was worried. Sick with worry, actually, that my stomach churned every time I imagined something going wrong again.

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A Kiss At Midnight

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I didn’t realize how tightly I’d been holding my breath until the door finally opened and I push myself away from the wall just as Caelum steps out.

Searching his face immediately. “How is he?”

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Relief softened his features for the first time since the had rushed into here, and he smiles. “He’s okay.”

My shoulders sagged, “Good.”

He steps aside. “He wants to see you.”

My brow furrowed at this. “Me?”

He nods, “He specifically asked that I let him friend Juliet in,” there was a slight amusement in his tone, and would have laughed if I wasn’t surprised by this, but didn’t question it further, as he add. “Go.”

Slowly making my way inside, Caelum follows and gently closed the door behind us. My gaze immediately found the bed resting on Leo’s exhausted face.

His fave was still pale, with dark shadows resting under his eyes. The oxygen tube still remained beneath his nose, the wire attached to his chest led to the monitor beside it, its steady beeping filling the quiet room.

But his eyes were open, and when they landed on me, the corner of his mouth lifts, and a weak smirk plays around it.

“Damn, Juliet,” his voice was hoarse and faint, “I really scared the shit out of you, didn’t I?”

I stared at him for a moment, then let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding the moment I had walked into the ward. And without wasting any more second, I cross the remaining distance between us and carefully wrap my arms around him.

He stiffens, and for a second, he seem completely caught off guard, then his weak voice came. “So I had to nearly die to get a hug from you?” I pulled back slightly and he gives me a tired little smirk, “I’ll take that as a win.”

“That isn’t fucking funny,” my voice cracks, “you scared me half to death.”

His smile faded a little. “I didn’t exactly plan on fainting.”

“Good, because you’re never doing that again.”

“Not in my control, but I’ll try,” he slowly lifted his arms and hugged me back as best as he could.

I stayed there for another moment before pulling away. “Promise me.”

His eyes settled on mine and my vision had gone blurry, I was surprised by my reaction and hadn’t expected to act this way when I saw him.

Quickly, I blink, trying to keep the tears from falling and he notices, as his expression softened. “I promise.”

“Good,” I gave him a small nod as I heard footstep come from behind me, till Caelum,s his settles gently against my back.

“You okay?” he asked softly and I turned toward him, nodding.

“Yeah. I’m calm.”

His hand remained against my back as I turned forward again, that was when I noticed Leo staring at us, his expression was confused for about two seconds, then his eyes widened.

“You..” he looked at me, then at brother, before returning back to me, “you..”

Caelum frowned. “What?”

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A Kiss At Midnight

I felt heat crawl up my neck as Leo’s lips parted again. “You two….”

Clearing my throat sharply. “Leo.”

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He stopped, his lips pressed together, but the amusement in his eyes was impossible to miss, “Situationship.” he finally said.

I gave him a warning look while Caelum glanced between us. “What does that mean?”

Leo’s grin widened. “Secret,” he stuck his tongue out at him and I couldn’t it as I laughed. He joins in with proud smile.

While Caelum continue staring between us like he had just walked into the middle of a conversation he wasn’t supposed to

know existed.

Then a soft yawn filled the room and we both returned our gaze to Leo to find him struggling to keep his eyes open.

“You should rest,” I told him.

“But I just woke up and I want to hear more about your..” he yawned again, “situationship.”

I shook my head. “Not situationaship.”

“That’s what I said,” he smiles sleepily and I scoff.

“Nosy much?”

His lips twitched. “Maybe.”

“Not today.” I pointed at him, “now get some rest, we’re going to be right here when you wake up,” by then, Caelum was already helping him settle back against the pillows.

“Promise?” Leo mumbled, his eyes closing.

“Promise,” I reach down and gently adjust the blanket over him, making sure it covers him comfortably.

His breathing gradually evens out, and for a few minutes, neither Caelum nor I spoke. We simply stood there, listening to the steady beeping of the monitor and the soft rhythm of Leo’s heartbeat.

Eventually, I took a slow step backward, then another and Caelum follows me toward the door. Once we stepped into the hallway, I glanced at him, he had one eyebrow raised, a curious, almost playful look on his face.

“What?” I asked.

He shook his head, “Just surprised how close you two got,” his eyes flicked toward the room, “you’ve only met him three

times.”

I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m easy to love.”

His lips curved, “Yeah you are.”

My breath caught, not expected him to agree so easily and warmth spread through my chest. He suddenly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck as his cheeks had turned slightly pink.

“So..” clearly his throat. “It’s getting late.”

“Yeah.”

“I should probably find somewhere we can spend the night.”

My heart skipped and I nodded. “Okay.”

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“Wait here,” he turned and started walking. In completely the wrong direction and made it several steps before stopping, his shoulders stiffened.

Then he slowly turned around and walked in the opposite direction, his face still pink.

I covered my mouth, trying to hide my laugh..

God

He was cute

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Dragging my feet through the front door, one hand going straight to the back of my neck as I gently massage it.

The hospital bench had officially become my newest enemy, It didn’t matter how many times Caelum had shift around, trying to make me more comfortable. That thing was practically design to punish anyone stupid enough to sleep on it.

And now it was already eleven in the morning

I had taken a cab home to freshen up since my car was still sitting at the mall and Caelum had offer to retrieve it for me, so had handed him the keys before leaving.

At least Leo was okay, he had more color in his face this morning than he had the entire night, which was enough to make some of the tightness in my chest finally ease.

All I wanted now was a hot bath, a little sleep, and then I was going meet Caelum again later in the evening.

I was halfway toward the stairs when a hesitant voice stopped me. “Miss Quinn?” I turned to find the maid standing a few feet away, looking nervous, “where have you been all night?”

My brow furrowed as she continued, “We’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday evening.”

Shit

With everything that had happened at the mall, I had completely misplaced my phone somewhere along the way

I could only imagine the number of missed calls and messages waiting for me.