A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(31)

“Shit.” Sid stood, glancing at Duncan who seemed to be oblivious to anything other than Pam. “I’ll go get Damon and Slade.” He quietly left the room.

“So you really think this will work?” Jax also glanced at Pam.

“For some weird reason, yes,” Lana said. “It happens this way sometimes. We get messages or thoughts without having any clue where they come from or who it comes from, but we've learned to listen.”

“How long does it usually take for someone to..” Caroline frowned trying to find the right words. “...change?” This vampire thing was new to her.

“It really depends.” Jax stared down at her. “The problem is Pam was weak before the change.”

The door opened and in walked Nicole holding Daniel, followed by Slade, Damon and Sid. Caroline walked closer, amazed at how much Daniel looked like Pam. His curious eyes looked around the room at everyone, a huge smile on his face. What mother wouldn’t fight to come back to this adorable child?

Daniel turned his head, his bright blue eyes landing on Pam. “Mommy.” His little voice broke the silence, his outstretched arms reaching for Pam.

Duncan’s head swiveled from Pam to his son. His eyes growing dangerously dark as he gently released Pam’s hand and stood. “What are you doing?” His eyes pinned Nicole to the spot. When he took a step forward, Damon also moved ready to protect Nicole.

Feeling that this was her plan, Caroline also stepped forward. “It was my idea.” Caroline cleared her throat nervously when Duncan’s eyes blazed toward her.

“You had no right.” Duncan’s eyes swung around as he ignored Daniel’s pitiful plea to go to him. “None of you had any right to make this decision.”

She felt Jax at her back and swallowed hard. It was do or die time. Her eyes flickered to Pam then to Duncan. Now more than ever, death was close. No one needed her gift to feel that.

“If Pam has a fighting chance to come through this, she needs something to fight for.” Caroline made damn sure her voice was strong with conviction, because Duncan looked like he wanted to kill her. “If Daniel were my son, I would do everything in my power to get back to him. Any mother would and if you would look past your own pain, you would see this is what needs to be done.”

The room was deathly silent. Caroline went to Nicole reaching out toward Daniel who looked away from Pam and reached for her. Smiling at the young boy, she stopped directly in front of Duncan who continued to stare at her.

“Daddy,” Daniel said, his tone more reserved as he looked at Duncan. As if knowing something wasn’t right, his little arms wrapped around her neck tighter.

Seeing something flicker in Duncan’s eyes, she held Daniel out to him. “Make her fight.”

Duncan finally looked away from her to Daniel, then took him in his arms. Father and son stared at each other before Daniel reached up, lightly patting Duncan on the cheek and that was when Duncan broke. He turned away from everyone holding Daniel close to his chest.

Caroline watched Daniel’s little arms reach up to wrap around Duncan’s neck and she lost it. Putting her hand over her mouth, she turned, running right into Jax, who once again, wrapped her in his arms.

Daniel’s little face peeked around Duncan’s shoulder to look at Pam. Then he reached for her. Duncan turned, then sat, scooting the chair closer to Pam and sitting Daniel on the bed.

Taking one finger, Daniel poked Pam in the arm, and then pulled his hand away holding it close to his body before looking up at Duncan, then back to Pam. Surprisingly careful for a three-year-old, Daniel inched his way up the bed and lightly patted Pam’s cheek. He frowned when Pam didn’t respond. “Sleepy?” His little voice broke every heart in the room.

Duncan cleared his throat and nodded. “Yes, Mommy’s sleeping.”

Daniel looked away from Duncan before resting his head on her chest. With his little hand, he patted her softly.

Enemies far and wide looked for a way to bring the VC Warriors to their knees, that much Caroline knew. Wouldn’t they be shocked that all it took was a little freckle-faced boy’s love for his mother?

******

Jill lay on her back in the middle of the floor in Pam and Duncan’s apartment playing airplane rides with Daniel. It had been five days since Duncan had tried to change Pam, two of those days with Daniel being brought in to be with Pam and Duncan. Everyone took turns keeping the active toddler entertained.

Slade walked in and stood over them. He chuckled when Daniel tried to make airplane noises. “How you feeling?” He leaned down, feeling her forehead.

“I’m fine.” Jill grinned at Daniel who was slobbering all over the place while making airplane sounds. “But I may drown in drool.”

Daniel laughed when Jill started to make the noises along with him.

“Don’t wear yourself out,” Slade ordered, his eyes intense as he stared down at her.

“Any improvement?” Jill brushed past Slade’s order.

Slade glanced toward Pam with a confident stare. “Yes, she’s starting to heal herself. The bruising from the needles is gone as are the wounds from being changed.” Slade didn’t say much with Daniel there. “It’s a great sign.”

Relief filled Jill. The past five days have been hell and everything had stopped, except for their vigil over Pam. “I knew you could pull her through.”