"If you're together try to keep one hand on her at all times, you never know when she'll just topple over." Caspian added.
"Never, ever let her in the kitchen, ever. There are too many ways something can go wrong." Gavriel could almost see Broderick shuddering. He took notes quickly.
"We have a squire living here at the Alpha estate so she shouldn't have to go to the kitchen often," he said.
"Thank the Gods," Caspian murmured.
"Don't let her order fish too often; we had a scare when she choked on some bones that were supposedly removed," Broderick continued.
"Bathrooms are dangerous too, but, well, we had to let her on her own in there for obvious reasons; but you aren't restricted in that area," Caspian said then cleared his throat.
"Garages, hardware stores, warehouses, and workshops are especially hazardous." Broderick went on listing the places his mate couldn't go.
Gavriel paused in writing the list. "We have an armory on premises."
"Oh. My. Gods," Broderick whispered.
"No. Just, no! Not only do you need to lock the door you need a biometric sensor to keep her out!" Caspian sounded like he was hyperventilating.
"Easy my love, breathe," Broderick said.
"She isn't stupid enough to play with weapons!" Gavriel said heatedly. His mate was not immature or reckless.
"Of course she isn't! She's a mature, responsible and grounded woman. But she will somehow find herself in a situation where she has to go in the armory and then once she's inside something horrible will happen." Caspian said between gasps.
"Gavriel, Beth isn't klutzy; she literally has the worst luck I have ever seen. She'll walk into the armory and for some unknown reason a stack of crates holding grenades, that haven't moved in years will suddenly come tumbling down. In the process several pins will dislodge and she'll be trapped under the fallen boxes." Broderick paused. "I don't suppose you watch human movies?"
"Meryn has been having us watch them more so we can understand her."
"Have you ever seen Final Destination?" he asked.
"Oh fuck," Gavriel whispered.
"Yes, that about sums it up." Broderick sounded defeated.
"Do they make bubble wrap body suits with tracking devices?" Gavriel joked.
"We could start on a prototype," Caspian offered immediately.
"I'll just keep her in our room," Gavriel said putting the pen down. That was the only way to keep her safe.
"That's just it, you have to let her walk out on her own. You'll watch her trip and tumble. She will break bones and scrape her skin off. You'll want to cry for her as she's getting bones set and skin stitched back together, but you have to let her fall," Broderick said.
"Why in the hell would I do that?" Gavriel practically yelled.
"If you are constantly holding on to her and guarding her every step she won't have the strength or confidence to stand on her own. If you tell her how and where to step she won't be able to walk through life, and if you don't let her walk, you'll never see her fly. And when she is confident and flying through life, she shines." Broderick's voice sounded reverent.
Gavriel felt a deep sense of admiration for these two men. They had been strong enough to watch the one person they loved more than life struggle through so much pain to become the strong woman she is today. "It must have been so hard watching her grow up. I don't know if I'll have the strength to watch her get hurt," Gavriel admitted.
Both men laughed. "Growing up? Gavriel, that was last week watching her recover from crashing out of that office window. She fell out of her wheelchair and broke her other arm." Caspian laughed along with his mate.
Gavriel pulled the phone back and stared at it in horror. His mind raced. How could he keep his mate alive? He put the phone back to his ear.
"So, what kind of a timeline were you thinking of for that bubble wrap suit?" he asked.
The men just continued to laugh.
Shit!
CHAPTER EIGHT
Beth heard the study door open and close, then the sound of a tray being placed on the dresser. Seconds later the bed dipped down. She opened her eyes and looked at her mate. He looked exhausted and worried. She reached up and pushed his hair away from his face.
"Whatever is worrying you, it will be okay," she whispered.
His smile was forced. "Are you hungry baby? Colton left a tray for you."
She shook her head and snuggled closer to him.
"Go back to sleep baby, you need your rest. I'll wake you up for dinner." He pulled the blankets up around them and curled up behind her pulling her close. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of him. Out of nowhere the thought hit her that this was her home now.
"Gavriel?"
"Yes, love?"
"Would it be okay if I had my uncle send my things?" Now that she knew she would be living here she wanted the rest of her wardrobe with her.
"Of course, I'll clean out a part of the closet tomorrow." He kissed the back of her head.
Part of the closet? That's so cute. Oh well, he'll find out soon enough.
Smiling, she let herself drift off and return to her nap.
*****
"Beth, honey, time to wake up." She felt a hand on her shoulder. Blinking, she looked up. Her mate was standing beside the bed looking dapper as usual, whereas she could almost feel her bed head.