Chapter 167: Fur baby reunion
Kayden
The rest of the meal went on for a few minutes in silence and after we finished eating, I felt a little stronger and the walls of the hospital were starting to feel too stuffy. "Can we take a short walk outside? Just for some fresh air?"
Rhys nodded in agreement. "Of course. But if you get tired, tell me right away."
He helped me up again, wheeling the IV pole beside us as we slowly made our way out of the cafeteria and through the quiet hospital corridor until we were outside.
The evening air was cool and crisp and I couldn’t help but sniff it. We stepped outside into the small garden area behind the building.
A few lampposts cast a soft golden glow over the path, and the distant sound of the city hummed in the background.
We walked slowly side by side, my steps careful but steady with Rhys’s arm lightly around my waist for support.
Eventually we found a wooden bench tucked under a tree and sat down. I let out a contented sigh and leaned my head against his broad shoulder, breathing in his familiar pine scent.
Rhys was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "What you said to the reporters earlier... It really moved me. Hearing you thank me like that, calling me your captain and saying I’ve always had your back... I’m really glad you said it."
I smiled softly and reached for his hand, bringing it to my lips to press a gentle kiss against his knuckles. "I meant every word. I’m so glad we have each other and those words aren’t all about you being my captain only. It’s also as my lover."
Rhys’s fingers tightened around mine and I could feel him smiling even without looking up.
Then he let out a small breath. "My grandfather called earlier today. He wants me for dinner at his estate. He’s planning to announce my engagement with Elian during the dinner and he wants you there and also the whole team."
I sighed, the warmth in my chest dimming a little. "I hate it... But there’s nothing we can do about it right now. It seems he wants me there so he can humiliate me."
"You don’t have to be there. That will ruin his plan. What do you think?"
I heaved a deep sigh and inhaled the crisp air. "I’ll think about it. We’ll just have to keep pretending until the season ends."
Rhys nodded, his thumb gently caressing the back of my hand in slow, soothing circles. "Yeah. The season will be over soon. Then we can figure everything out. No matter what my grandfather plans, just know that I love you."
"I love you too," I replied.
We sat there in comfortable silence for a moment until Rhys suddenly turned toward his right, his body tensing slightly beside me.
"Is that... Starlight?" he asked, surprise clear in his voice. "With Rhoda and Gabriella."
I raised my head from his shoulder and looked toward the path.
Rhoda and Gabriella were walking toward us, both smiling as they carried a familiar cat carrier.
Through the bars, I could see Starlight, our fluffy Maine coon kitten with her big emerald eyes and wild tufts of fur sticking up from her ears. Her silver tabby coat looked extra soft in the evening light, and the little purple collar with her name tag was peeking out.
A big smile spread across my face. "Mom," I said warmly, then turned to Gabriella, "you both brought Starlight?"
Rhoda chuckled softly, adjusting her grip on the carrier. "It seemed like Starlight missed her parents too much to be left alone any longer. She’s been pacing the house and meowing at your door every single night."
Gabriella nodded, her eyes warm with that familiar motherly concern. "And it looks like you’re doing a lot better already, sweetheart."
I nodded, still leaning comfortably against Rhys. "Yeah... it’s all thanks to Rhys. He’s been taking really good care of me."
Rhys’s arm tightened gently around my waist.
Rhoda’s gaze softened as she looked between us. "Well, that doesn’t surprise me one bit. This big alpha of yours hasn’t left your side since the moment you got here. That’s why I accept him as my son-in-law."
"Mom," I chuckled as heat spread through my body and I hid my face on Rhys’s shoulder.
Gabriella smiled and lifted the carrier a little higher. "Someone’s been very impatient to see you two. Should we let her out for a minute?"
"Right. She is dying to meet you two," Rhoda added as she carefully opened the carrier door.
The second it clicked open, Starlight shot out like a fluffy rocket. She made a beeline straight for us and jumped right onto my feet, her little paws kneading excitedly against my hospital slippers.
I laughed softly, the sound bubbling up before I could stop it. "Hey, baby girl."
Starlight immediately started purring loudly, her big green eyes blinking up at me as she rubbed her head against my leg.
Rhys leaned down and gently stroked her soft silver-tabby fur, his large hand looking almost comically big against her tiny body.
She arched into his touch with a happy trill, clearly loving the attention from both of us.
"I think she misses us so much," I muttered and reached down, running my fingers through her fluffy coat, scratching behind her tufted ears the way she liked.
Starlight climbed a little higher onto my lap, her loud purring vibrating against my thighs.
Rhoda pulled out her phone with a warm smile. "Hold still, you three. This is too precious not to capture."
Rhoda snapped a few pictures of us with our fur baby curled happily on my lap, Rhys’s arm still around my waist, his hand resting protectively on my side while he continued stroking the kitten’s back.
The soft evening light made the whole moment feel even sweeter.
"Look at that," Rhoda said, showing us the screen. "My two boys and their little fur baby. Perfect."
Gabriella leaned in to see the photo, her eyes widening in awe. "You both look so happy together," she commented.
Starlight chose that moment to climb even higher, stretching up to bump her head against Rhys’s chin, making him chuckle.
"Yes, I missed you too, my love."