I am so sorry! I have had such a horrible writer's block lately... Thanks for being patient!
Her hold on him was tight, her lips on his collarbone in efforts to drown out the sounds that were coming from her. He had told her earlier that since Jas and Vincent had taken the kids to the beach, she was free to be as vocal as possible; yet, the intangible, nagging fear that right as she let out a sigh or moan would be heard in case they came back early was ever present. His mouth neared her ear, and she heard him whisper a promise to make her cry out at least once. But she couldn't... not now, not with the possibility of being heard. Just as she had shaken her head in defiance, he repositioned himself, finding that sweet spot he was all too acquainted with by now. Her teeth sunk into his skin, a muffled moan dying there... and she swore to have heard the smile spread across his face.
No fair. It was no fair.
"What was that?" he asked, his voice not hiding both his smug pride and the lust he felt towards her. He refused to let up now. "I don't think-" a gasp came from her- "-I quite got that."
"Sh... Sha..." She tried to move away, but he put a hand around her waist, looping behind her back, to pull her to him so she couldn't. With the amount of force he'd used, it caused her teeth to sink even more into his skin, a low hiss coming out of his mouth.
"Careful. You'll mark me," he playfully warned. He looked at the scattered marks all over her body that would be hidden under her clothes, visible only to him later. He deepened his thrusts, using his hand to pull her into them each time. "Then again... fair is fair."
"Sh- uhn... Sh..."
Still barely audible, but he knew she was close. She was always so quiet anymore, and now that they were alone, he needed to hear her. He licked her ear.
"We're alone, Maeve. Just us." She writhed beneath him. "Let me hear you. Please."
He bit down gently on her earlobe, his thrusts unrelenting until her back arched up off the bed, her head threw back, and her entire body quaked. His name echoed off the walls of their home, followed by the cries as she rode that wave out. He looked down at her, a smile on his face before he groaned, spilling inside her only moments later. His forehead then rested on her shoulder, but she could still feel it... that damned smile. Turning her head downward to see it was another matter... He pulled away and grabbed her, making her turn to lean onto his chest, his lips giving a tender kiss on top of her head. He knew and chuckled freely into her hair.
"I can tell you're sulking."
Maeve scrunched up into hs chest. "Am not."
Shane laughed again. "You're just mad I won."
At this, she used her arms to lean herself up so she could look at Shane. "Won what?! There wasn't any compet-"
He reached and poked the tip of her nose. "After all this time, you still get worked up so easily."
She gave him a fierce pout before laying back down on her side, her head resting on his chest. "And if they'd come back? Then what?"
"Maeve, hun, it takes an hour to get to the beach, and who knows how long they'd be there."
She poked his chest. "I wasn't aware of the time. All I knew was as soon as they were out of sight, I was rudely ambushed."
His shoulders moved as he shrugged. "Fine. No more ambushes in the future."
She let out a faux disgruntled sigh. "Seriously, when will you act your age?"
"The minute you start acting yours."
He heard a sound come from her that he knew all too well. It was the pot calling the kettle black, and she made it known she had conceded. Then, she looked up at him and gave him a flashy grin before they both began to laugh. Moments like these didn't come around all that often. They had a family, after all. Then again, Jas wasn't completely blind to the fact that they needed time for each other, so she and Vincent would take Ivan and Linette on some temporary adventure from time to time. Just for them.
It kept them young.
As they laid there, Shane absentmindedly running his fingers up and down Maeve's arm, she began to think about what would happen the next night.
"Hey, Shane."
"Hm?"
"She's nervous."
"Yeah."
"She doesn't have to do this."
"Mm."
"But she won't chicken out."
"Nope."
Maeve could only smile at his simple retorts. "You're worried."
"Possibly."
"That she's forcing herself, right?"
His fingers never stopped gliding on her skin. "No."
"Then...?"
"Yeah."
She nodded once. "She's grown so much, y'know? She and Vincent."
His chest rose and fell as he let out a flustered sigh. "Thanks for reminding me..."
It was Maeve's turn to prod at her husband's expense. "Oh, really, Shane! You knew it was coming. You'd even scared the poor boy not that long ago."
His body shifted, expressing his discomfort. "'Scared' is a harsh term. I only talked to him."
She lightly pulled on some of his chest hair, making him wince a bit. "And 'talked' is the wrong term." She grinned. "Or perhaps not. I guess the prospect of what you'd told him just shocked him."
Shane stopped moving his fingers and held her closer to him. "Yeah."
Maeve rested her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat steady under her fingers. "Remember, we have to be back before eight tomorrow."
"I know."
"They're counting on us."
"I know."
"It's for us, after all."
He kissed the top of her head again. "I know."
She hummed softly. "I can't wait." Then, she started to get up, but Shane grabbed her arm, stopping her. She looked down at him, confused. "What?"
He grinned at her. "I'm not done with you yet."
"Shane, we have farm work to do."
He pulled her down, his hand on the back of her head to bring her closer to his lips. "It's not going anywhere."
Their lips connected ever so briefly before she backed away as shortly as possible. "You're right It's not."
The next few hours were filled with passion that they had been unable to fully experience for a while. And when they were finished, they dressed just as they heard the voices of their kids, Jas, and Vincent returning from the beach. With mischievous smirks, they left the bedroom and went outside to greet them.
XXXXXX
Jas was humming as she gathered the eggs inside the coop, the basket beside her feet as she placed the eggs in it. Maeve and Shane had gone to the mines with Sebastian and Abigail; Robin had received a rather large order from the city and needed help with gathering materials, so the four had agreed to go together and get them for her while the kids were in school. Of course, Jas and Vincent had promised to take care of the farm while they were gone, as well as pick Ivan and Linette up at the bus stop and watch them until they returned that night.
And then, it would be time.
She would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. Nervous was actually a severe understatement. But, Vincent would be there beside her, playing his guitar and helping her sing. They had been practicing for a long time, and they would practice more periodically before the time would come that evening. Vincent had brought his guitar over, and when they would stop for lunch, they would practice then for a while to let their food settle before returning to work.
Jas was grateful for Vincent. Extremely grateful. When she had brought up her wish to him, he didn't think twice about helping her. That was just the kind of person he was. She showed him the lyrics she had written, and he instantly began to write out the melody. Sam would give his advice from time to time on the music, but as far as hearing Jas and Vincent sing, only Elliott and Leah had been privy to this. But, she was ready. She wanted to do this for them.
Shortly after lunch, they went outside on the porch to get some practice in. Just as Vincent had picked up his guitar, his mother had ran up to them, a panicked look on her face as she looked at Jas. She gathered herself before telling them the news.
There had been a collapse in the mines.
XXXXXX
Jas stood outside the mines with others, not knowing what else to do.
Leah and Penny had gathered the kids at the library, keeping them preoccupied in the meantime. Especially Ivan and Linette, and Silas and Sonnet, who were at first beside themselves with worry. Most of the men had gone down in the mines to help get to Shane, Maeve, Abigail, and Sebastian hours ago. Abigail had been found first, and other than being unconscious, she had come out with bumps, cuts, and bruises, relatively unscathed. But that had been around two hours ago, and getting to the rest of them was taking more and more time..
Vincent had gone, too, leaving Jas up on the surface with Marnie and Nathan to comfort her.
She refused to cry.
No matter how worried she was, she couldn't. Not until they were found. Instead, she silently prayed that they would be found alive, and that those in the search would be safe. Harvey had refused Maru to go in the mines with him, as it was too dangerous. Once Abigail had been found, the two of them went to the clinic, where they remained. Jas knew that Maru was readying herself with whatever would happen, preparing the clinic and the hospital in the city, if it came to it, to receive those injured.
Jas wished there was something she could do. She felt so helpless.
"Jas?" she heard Danielle call out to her. She turned to see Danielle and James jogging to her, Danielle's arms extending at once and taking her into them. James was dressed and had gear to go into the mines. He gave Danielle a quick kiss, Jas a pat on her shoulder, before going into the mines as well. Jas felt her lip quiver now that she was in Danielle's arms, but she bit back the urge to cry. Danielle pulled her away just enough to look at her, only to envelope her in her arms again.
"Where are Lucas and Ruby?" Jas asked, her voice muffled against Danielle's shirt.
"At the library," Danielle answered. She let go of Jas and then gave both Marnie and Nathan hugs as well, voicing her concerns to them and asking about updates. She then saw someone walk up from behind her, going towards the mines with gear as well-
"Mason?" Danielle gasped, shocked to see him there. He stopped and turned towards them, his face wracked with stress. "How did you find out about this?"
"Robin," he answered. "The order she had was for my boss. He told us right after she called."
Jas knew who he was now that he had shown his face. He and Shane were good friends, after all.
"Ashton and Liam with Eva in the city, or are they here?" Nathan questioned.
"They're in the city," Mason informed hurriedly. "We'll talk more later, yeah?"
"Of course. Be safe," Marnie agreed as they watched him disappear into the mines.
Mason had remarried four years after his divorce from Natalie, to a wonderful woman named Eva. Barely a year after they had married, she had given birth to Liam, and their lives were whole. His friendship with Maeve, Shane, and their family had kept strong over the years, and he was forever thankful for them. Yet, it still surprised them to see him there, having left work to come help in the search.
Marnie wrung her hands a moment before turning to Nathan, who took hold of her hand. "I have to do something... I can't just stand here, waiting. It's torture."
"We can cook for them," Danielle suggested. "They'll be worn out and starving. We need to make sure they keep energized."
"That is a great idea, Dani," Marnie agreed. "Let's go the community center. We'll tell others on the way, see if they want to come and help." She looked to Jas. "Want to come, dear?"
Jas shook her head. "I'm good."
Marnie nodded, understanding. "If you change your mind, you're more than welcome to come."
They walked away, gathering some of the others to help them. Jas stood still, chewing in her bottom lip as she stared into the mines. Nathan put his hand on her shoulder, letting out a deep sigh.
"I know, Jas. I know."
"How are you not going crazy?" Jas asked him, not looking away from the mines. "You're just like Dad. So stoic..."
Nathan shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Doesn't mean we're not struggling, sweetheart. Trust me."
She leaned against Nathan's shoulder, the anxiety in her heart growing stronger with each passing second.
XXXXXX
It was near sundown when the first person emerged from the mines. Jas saw who it was, covered in grime, monster blood, sweat, and dirt. She ran forward, her arms extended, but stopped to see... and her heart ached.
"Vincent," she gasped, her hands gently touching him. A deep, long laceration was from under his ribs to his hip, bleeding badly. She took off her jacket and placed it on the wound, applying pressure. "C'mon. Let's get you to the clinic."
"Wait," Vincent grunted. He looked around until he found Demetrius and made his way to him, Jas keeping her hands on his wound the entire time. "They found Sebastian."
"Oh, thank Yoba," Demetrius sighed. "Is he all right?"
"We couldn't get him to answer us. We made a hole big enough for me to get through, but on my way through, I cut myself on his sword... it was sticking straight up, and I didn't see it." Guilt made him look away from Demetrius. "I'm sorry. Once I get this looked at, I'm coming back. I promise."
Demetrius shook his head. "You've done an amazing job, Vincent. It's fine. Get some rest."
Jas nodded a quick thanks to Demetrius and began to help Vincent to the clinic. He had already bled through her jacket, and the very moment Kent saw his son hurt, he took him into his arms and carried him quickly, Jas closely behind. Once at the clinic, Maru had Kent lay him on the bed, and Vincent looked around for Abigail.
"Where is she?"
"Next room over."
Maru took off Vincent's shirt and prepared to clean the wound. He started to sit up. "Dad, tell her. Tell her we found Sebastian."
"I will, kiddo. Take it easy."
"Lay still now, Vincent," Jas soothed, putting her hand on Vincent's shoulder. She pushed him back slightly until he was flat on the bed. Maru began to clean his wound, which made him grunt from pain. Jas took his hand into hers, holding onto his tightly, her eyes locked onto his.
"They're getting tired," Vincent muttered, talking through the pain. "It's taking us too long, though. Sam is scared shitless... I know he is. Because we can't get Sebastian to talk..."
"Shh, it's fine, Vincent," Kent soothed, combing his fingers through his son's hair. "Just stay quiet and still now."
Maru kept working diligently, not uttering a sound. Jas didn't look away from Vincent's eyes, her hands around Vincent's hand. How much blood had he lost? Would he be all right?
Kent stepped away to find Abigail, and Maru was preparing to stitch up Vincent's wound. She gave him a local anesthetic to the area and started her work. Vincent was fidgety, making it harder for Maru to do her job, so Jas did what she knew she could do.
She began to sing.
It was a random song. A song everyone knew. But she softly sang to him, her right next to his ear, her vocals calming. It wasn't long until he had relaxed, granting Maru the freedom to finish without the threat of messing up. When Jas had completed that song, she went on to another, pausing none. And Vincent was still, his eyes serene and focused on her eyes, his hand holding onto her hands. It was so peaceful, and Maru pretended that she hadn't heard any of it. Yet, she smiled.
Once Maru had wrapped his waist up, she turned to the sink and washed her hands. She then gave him another shot of something, and at once, his eyelids began to droop. Jas still watched, singing to him. Maru leaned to her ear.
"Keep singing," she told her. Jas only nodded. "I gave him something for pain. He'll be out shortly." She then put a chair next to the bed, which Jas sat down in. Jas heard the door open and close, and she knew they were alone.
Vincent blinked several times in succession, trying to stay awake. Jas shook her head once, singing a new song now. He sighed, his body going limp on the bed.
"Jas..." He then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed as she sat there, watching him sleep. Her eyes moved away from his eyes down to his torso, a strong tinge of pain in her chest. She hadn't noticed Kent had come back into the room until he had patted her back, making her jump slightly.
"You should wash your hands."
She looked to her hands that were still holding onto Vincent's hand to see his blood dried on them. As much as she knew she should, she didn't want to let his hand go... but did anyway. She rose up and made her way to the sink.
"They just brought Sebastian in," Kent spoke up as she washed her hands. "They found Maeve, too. She wasn't far from him. They're working on bringing her up."
"And Dad?"
"Not yet."
She turned off the water and dried her hands. "Are they hurt?"
"Sebastian is, yes. I don't know about Maeve."
Jas turned around to see Kent standing behind Vincent, stroking his hair. "Sam got hurt, too..."
"Kent... I'm sorry."
Kent shook his head. "They knew the risks."
"Is he okay?"
"When digging to Sebastian, more rocks began to fall. He covered him." He sighed. "Broke his collarbone and some ribs. Gave him a concussion. But he'll be fine."
"Did you tell Jodi?"
"Yeah. She's still cooking for when the rest either decide to take a break or come back up." He stopped moving his fingers through Vincent's hair and leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. "I'm worried they'll exhaust themselves. It's been hours..."
Maru then poked her head through the door. "Kent."
He stood up and walked to her. "Hm?"
"We need to take Sebastian and Sam to the city... can I entrust this with you?"
"Of course," Kent nodded. He looked back to Jas, who had returned to the chair by Vincent's side. "He's in good hands."
Jas had drowned everything out by now. She hadn't even heard his comment.
An hour passed before Maeve was brought up and taken to the city. By now, Vincent had woken up, and with Jas' help, he washed the grime off him while still in his bed. He moved tenderly, and Jas' hands had been soft and gentle as she washed around his stitches and changed the bandages. He watched her without speaking a word, and as she circled around him to sit back in her chair, he caught onto her hand, making her stop.
"Jas."
"Hm?"
He locked his eyes onto hers. "I'm sorry."
She was confused. "What for?"
"I couldn't do more... and I'm sorry."
Seeing the insurmountable guilt in his eyes ate her alive, and she wanted to take that guilt away from him. "Vincent... no." She sat beside him on the bed. "You did everything you could."
"But I couldn't find them. I know you're scared, and I-"
"Shh." Jas laid beside him and put his head against her chest. "Mom's being taken care of, and I know they'll find Dad any second now. You need to rest and know that you did all you could."
He winced as he felt a surge of pain. "But-"
"No buts," Jas interrupted him. "Just rest now. Okay?"
She felt his hand wrap around her hand. "When they find Shane... wake me up."
"You bet," she nodded.
"Jas?"
"Hm?"
"Can you sing to me again?"
She blushed. "What song?"
He shrugged. "Any song. I just want to hear you."
"You hear me all the time."
"I want to hear you more."
Jas' heart skipped a beat. "'Kay."
"I know it's selfish, knowing how much you're worried... but it helps..."
"It's not selfish."
"Promise?"
"Promise. Now close your eyes."
She glanced down to see that he had, to which she rewarded him with another song.
Around dark, she had received word that they had found and recovered Shane. Just as she had sworn, she woke up Vincent to tell him, and he smiled tiredly at her.
"Go," he urged her. She blinked once. "I'm fine. Go to the city. I'm sure Nathan will take you."
"Vincent-"
He shook his head. "Call me, okay? Let me know how Sam is."
Seeing the resolution on his face, she could only agree. "I will." She then ran out of the room, leaving the clinic to find Nathan.
XXXXXX
J: Sam is out of surgery.
V: Good. And?
J: His collarbone is pretty messed up...
V: Sebastian? Maeve? Shane?
J: Sebastian's skull was fractured. Luckily, there was no bleeding on the brain or anything. His left arm was broken in three places, his middle and ring finger gone to the first knuckle. They've put him in a medically induced coma just to make sure he doesn't cause any other injuries, since his skull was fractured.
V: Shit...
J: Mom broke both her legs. One was a compound fracture. Nasty concussion. Still in surgery.
V: Shane?
J: Internal bleeding. Right arm was, in Nathan's words, fucked. Broke in so many different places, compound fractures, ligaments and tendons torn or severed... He's in surgery still.
V: Can they stop the bleeding?
J: I don't know.
V: I'm coming up there.
J: Don't. You need rest.
V: You can't stop me. I'm coming.
J: I can't, but Maru and Harvey can.
V: I'm sneaking out.
J: Stop it.
V: You need me.
J: Stop texting me and go to sleep.
V: Say it. You need me.
J: No.
V: You're thinking it.
J: Vincent, really...
V: Be there in a bit.
J: Stop. If you get hurt any worse, I'll kill you.
V: How is that productive?
J: I mean it.
V: Jas?
J: Hm?
V: I...
J: You...?
V: …Never mind. I'm on my way.
J: I'll call Jodi. I know she's still there. She'll stop you.
V: Go ahead. Call her. Just know she's the one bringing me.
J: …
V: I'll see you later.
XXXXXX
Vincent slowly walked into the waiting room, Jodi trailing behind. Kent was waiting for them, and he took Jodi into his arms, where she buried her face in the crook of his neck and stifled a sob. They talked between each other, away from Vincent and Jas. Jas hurried to Vincent and tenderly touched his waist. He shook his head and put an arm around her, pulling her into him as he kissed her cheek. She stood there a moment, feeling his warmth seep into her skin. He had been right. She had needed him.
Robin and Demetrius, Nathan and Marnie, and Maeve's family along with Mason were there, sitting and waiting. Abigail was still in the clinic with Maru and Harvey with her minor wounds, just as a precaution. Elliott and Leah, and Emily and Clint had taken in Ivan and Linette and Sonnet and Silas for the time being. Mason and James were filthy and seemed beyond exhausted; they hadn't stayed behind to eat the food that had been prepared for them. Jas had yet to eat, either.
Vincent eased away from her for a bit, only to return moments later with her favorite snacks from the vending machine and some drinks. She thanked him, and they sat down side-by-side, eating together. She thought that her worry would prevent her from eating, but she was surprised that she was starving. She scarfed down one of her snacks in two bites-
"Whoa, there, slow down," Vincent warned softly. "You'll get a tummy ache."
"Sorry," she murmured, her mouth full. She swallowed her bite and took a swig of her soda. "How is your stomach?"
"Sore. Maru and Harvey wanted me to stay, but..." He then smiled at her. "I couldn't."
Jas darted her eyes away, opening a second snack.
"They found out Abigail broke several ribs. She was really lucky, though. She'd been unconscious for a while when they found her."
"No concussion?"
"Nope."
"Thank Yoba."
Vincent nodded toward her. "How you holdin' up?"
Jas tilted her head to the side, showing her confusion. "Huh? I'm fine."
He crossed his arms. "Jas."
She tried to look into his eyes, to tell him she was truly okay, but she failed. Her eyes burned, and she blinked away tears before tearing into her snack again. Midway in her third bite, she gasped, coughing on her food.
"H-Hey! Don't choke!" Vincent panicked, patting her back.
"The animals!" she coughed.
"They're fine," Vincent smiled. "Some of your neighbors went over and put them up. They said until we can come back, they'll be glad to help out."
She stopped coughing after a minute or two, feeling a little more at ease. She exhaled a long breath, Vincent handing her a drink, which she gladly took. She swallowed a few gulps, relaxing into her chair.
"Abigail wouldn't stop apologizing to me..." Vincent whispered. She looked at him, once again confused.
"What for?"
He gestured to his stomach. "She feels like it's her fault."
Jas nodded once. "I can understand why, but it was a freak accident." She then reached put her hand on his knee. "You're okay, though... right? You lost a bit of blood."
He shrugged. "I'm... pretty tired. And cold. But Maru said that's to be expected." He then blushed deeply. "I'm... I'll buy you another one."
Jas chewed her bite. "Another? There's plenty here, Vincent."
"No, not food." He couldn't meet her gaze. "I, uh. I ruined your jacket."
"Oh!" Jas swallowed. "My jacket! Honestly, I'd completely forgotten about it."
"You loved that jacket, though."
"I mean, sure. But it was either let you bleed out or lose my jacket." She smiled warmly at him. "I think I made the better choice."
Vincent's blush deepened. "Think so?"
"Know so."
Vincent turned his head look at his mom and dad. "So, now what?"
"We wait," Jas answered forlornly. "We wait. We pray. We hope."
She felt his hand wrap around her free hand. "I'm not going anywhere."
Her hold tightened back. "I know."