Chapter Fourteen: One Day Off

OR

Wishful Thinking

A.N: Heya. Sorry for the hiatus. Had a lot going on in my life but hopefully this chapter makes up for it. So, you'll probably figure it out, but this chapter runs in tandem with the chapter before it. For continuity sake I need Mick and Tara's chapter to run after Kane and Raven's, but I also need to have certain reactions present later. Ugh. I have to stick to my own rules unfortunately. Either way, enjoy the chapter! P.S Sorry for its length.

Earlier in the Day

MICK'S POV

When I take Cam in my arms, he immediately pushes away and reaches for Tara. I'm not surprised, honestly. He's always been more attached to his parents and the women in our group. He also made it perfectly clear that he does not like Shannon, which honestly makes me laugh. Of all the people we know, he's decided to hate Shannon the most.

Tara takes him out of my arms and puts him on the ground. He takes her hand and starts pulling her off towards the park. The cashier at the Starbucks waves at us as we go past as if to tell us to have a nice day. Tara has our coffee orders in her hand and I have no choice but to follow after them. I want my coffee.

We've spent most of the morning following lead after lead that Shannon gave us to find Stevie. We've been to his offices at the psych ward of the hospital, he wasn't there. We tried his lab on the beach, we were told to move along and that he wasn't there. By the time the sun was practically stalking us from the highest of its high points, we were beyond tired. I just want to o back to the penthouse and nap, but everyone in our group likes to point out I'm mentally an old soul and need naps more than I need to breathe.

I dart after Tara and Cam none the less and get to them by the time they reach a playground filled to the brim with children. It is summer after all, but I'm honestly surprised to see as many children as I do.

"Don't get clucky," I murmur to Tara. She grins at me and lets go of Cam's hand. He darts off for the swings, finally letting Tara and I sit down.

"I honestly can't wait to have a family of our own," she says, handing me my coffee, her eyes glued to Cam. She will be the most attentive mother. I smile and take a sip of my coffee.

"Neither can I." I lean forward. "I hope you don't expect me to be the most active parent," I say. She turns to look at me and gives me an odd look, as if she's seeing the real me for the first time. I roll my eyes and smirk. "Tar, there's a good twenty years between us. I'm pushing forty-five. I'm not in the best shape after doing all the shit I've done, do you really expect me to chase after a toddler?"

She giggles and leans against my arm, holding my hand.

"That doesn't matter to me. You're gonna be the best father."

"Better than Raven and Kane?"

I grin as she nuzzles against my arm.

"Better than them."

I smirk and turn back to watch Cam. He's playing with a little girl in the sandbox. She has black hair and looks to be around his age. Nearby is a dark haired woman I recognize. April Calaway, Mark's daughter and Kane's niece. She's handing the little girl a sandwich and offering one to Cam. He takes it with a smile and sits down next to the girl, tapping his little feet against the sand. He seems happy.

When lunch time hits, Tara and I take Cam back to the hotel where he collapses onto the sofa with a flop and is soon fast asleep. I'm not far behind him, to be honest.

It's just after 11:30am, I'm asleep on the sofa, the remote falling from my hand and Cam is asleep nearby. I think this is the first day off we've had since we got to this damn city. It's nice, I'm actually able to relax.

Why do I get the feeling this entire thing is going to blow up in our faces?

~X~

TARA'S POV

I watch Mick and Cam sleeping for longer than I normally would. Honestly, I can't help but stare. They're so beautiful to me. Mick will be an amazing father. I can't wait to have his babies.

I start giggling to myself, shaking my head. Such a silly thought. We have so much to do before we can even think about it. Mick still has to tell Kane the truth about our future anyway. We plan on leaving the Demon Crew and living far away, maybe New York, to raise our baby without fear of Kane losing his mind. I hope he understands. I really hope he understands and doesn't come after us. I just want to have babies in peace. But when it comes to successfully leaving Kane and his crew behind, that's just wishful thinking.

Due to the incident last time, I can't really look at babies without breaking down, but I can look at children again, thanks to Cam. He loves reminding me that I'm going to be a great mother one day, just by spending time with me. He's going to be a wonderful human when he's older.

Daffney steps out of her room, followed closely by Shannon, looking incredibly disheveled. I grin at her.

"Did we interrupt something?"

She grins and shakes her head.

"You can get that thought out of your head. We got into a fight for my phone."

Shannon grins from beside her. There's a little bit of swelling under his eye. I take it Daffney won.

"I take it Kane needs you?"

"Yep, he wants us to back him up at some hospital opening the mad doctor has going on," she explains, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl. Shannon opens his mouth to speak. Daffney shoves the apple into his mouth to stop him. I grin at both of them.

"Sounds boring."

"I'll say, but any chance to cause that doctor some much deserved pain-" she punches her open hand, sick grin on her face, "-is a chance I'm willing to take. Bye!"

She grabs the irritated Shannon by the arm and drags him out of the hotel. As the elevator doors close behind them, Mark flames into view. It still freaks me out that he can do that and not leave any scorch marks behind, but I'm starting to get used to it.

Mick jerks awake and sits up, blinking away the brain fog.

"The fuck are you doing here?" he asks. Mark looks around the room and sighs.

"Kane's not here, is he?"

"He's at some hospital opening with Scott. Why?" I say from the kitchenette. I come around and sit on the back of the sofa, resting my hand on Mick's shoulder. Mark sighs again and turns to hit his head against one of the ornate pillars.

"Damnit, I'm too late."

"Mark, what's going on?" Mick asks, completely awake now. Cam stirs slightly from his feet but doesn't wake up.

Mark looks at both of us and gives a very pained expression.

"He's at Saint Michael Memorial?"

I nod.

"He and Raven managed to get an invite to the opening. The glamours you gave us are working amazingly-"

"Yeah, yeah. When does he have to be there?"

I look down at Mick's watch.

"In about twenty minutes."

Mark's eyes widen and he flames out again.

When the flames subside, I look down at a very confused Mick. He sits up properly and runs his fingers through his matted hair.

"The hell was that all about?"

He looks up at me and shakes his head.

"I don't know, but I really should find out." He leaps to his feet as fast as his tired bones will let him and grabs his jacket. He takes my hand in his and kisses my knuckles. "Stay here with Cam and don't go anywhere. I'll be back as soon as I can." He steps in to kiss my forehead and I smile.

"What are you going to do?"

He sighs and grabs his hotel key card and phone.

"I'm going to make sure Kane doesn't do something stupid."