Page 48 of Uproot

After a few calls I also got a driver to take me from Redland to Upwood even though it costs me a ridiculous amount of money with the car service to order it last minute, and in the middle of the night.

None of that mattered though.

Not even how tired I am.

I packed up my shit faster than I ever have in my life. I made sure I went into Dragana’s room and got her more clothes andanything else that she may need to stay an extra few weeks. I’ll sleep on the plane, and then on the drive to Upwood.

I just want to get back to everyone as soon as I can.

26

Beckett

Afew hours later, I’m opening the door at the cabin and smiling as I walk inside. The house is quiet and dark, and I leave the lights off, taking the suitcases with me as I go to check on everyone.

Dragana is peacefully asleep in her room, so I leave her suitcase inside and head down the hallway to Edisons room. His projection night light is on, and his ceiling is swimming in stars, and planets, while the glow from the moon outside filters in through one of his windows.

I walk inside quietly and smile when I see him sleeping peacefully with Ruffy tucked under the sheets with him. My heart swells with pride looking down at him, seeing how content and safe he feels now. I know that I am going to do everything I can to make sure he feels like that for as long as I can.

I finally make my way to the primary bedroom and my pulse speeds up as I stand outside of the door. I hear the muffled sound of music coming from inside and pause with my hand on the doorknob.

I crack open the door and notice the light shining from the tv on the wall, and see Selah sitting on the bed, still wide awake.

She’s wearing an oversized T-shirt and some pajama shorts that are peaking through from the bottom of them. Her hair is wrapped in a brightly colored scarf that I’ve never seen her wear before. Her legs are folded underneath her, and she is eating something from a bowl in her hands.

When I look at the tv, I see Strawberry Shortcake playing.

I push the door open further and she shrieks and fumbles with the remote, quickly trying to shut off the tv as I step inside. She sits up on her knees, moving the bowl to the nightstand beside her and looking over at me.

“Beckett?! I um..I thought you were c-coming in the morning?” she sputters, pulling down the bottom of her shirt.

“I caught an earlier flight,” I respond, stalking closer to her as she backs herself up higher on the bed.

She keeps going like she believes she can somehow go through the headboard and disappear. Her attempt to turn off the tv failed, and her show is still playing in front of us, making her glance nervously at the screen.

I step next to the bed, my eyes scanning over her bare legs, and traveling over the “Upwood Elementary” t-shirt she’s wearing. “What are you watching, angel?”

She rubs her arm, avoiding my gaze. “I.. couldn’t sleep, so I got some grapes to eat, then I was looking for a show and.. nothing was on, really. So I ended up watching some cartoons for a while. You know, just to pass the time until I could sleep again,” she rambles, her eyebrows pinching together.

I tilt my head at her, smiling at her obvious lie. She’s embarrassed and thinks I don’t remember the fact that I found her Strawberry Shortcake doll at her house. I stare at her until she finally meets my eyes, her expression guarded.

“I don’t care if you like to watch cartoons, Selah. You can like whatever you want, Angel. I told you that at your house, remember?” I ask, running my fingers over her leg.

She slowly nods, the corner of her mouth lifting, “Yes, I remember,” she responds quietly. “I’m glad you’re back.”

I lean down to give her a kiss, my body relaxing finally being reconnected with hers. I cup her face with my hand and nibble on her bottom lip before letting go. “I’m glad I’m back too, sweetheart. I’m going to shower. Just watch your show and I’ll be right back.”

She settles herself back under the sheets, watching me as I go into a drawer to grab some briefs, then go to the bathroom.

I shower quickly and brush my teeth, then pull on my briefs. When I open the bathroom door, she’s still sitting in the same spot I left her, but the tv is off and she is sitting there looking nervous.

Her eyes scan over my bare chest, and arms, turning away quickly when she gets to my briefs. It’s obvious how happy I am to be back with her.

She rubs her eyebrow, “I-I can go sleep somewhere else if you’d like. Now that you’re back I don’t have to-“

“No,” I respond, tossing the sheets off of her legs and moving closer to her. “You stay right here with me.”

She presses her thighs together and whispers, “Ok.”

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