Chapter 2 – God Father

As the reality that Ezekiels confession would remain unanswered Ezekiel actually felt a small intense jab in his heart. Something akin to disappointment.

And yet....What Ezekiel felt even more then the disappointment was the sick swirl of frustration with himself. Ezekiel was not a child, or a young boy head over heels in amour. He was a grown man that had attacked a situation with all the finesse of a lumbering fool. His words and feelings for Brandon were not diminished or untrue....but in his delivery Ezekiel had to accept that he had perhaps been hasty and uncouth.

What did you expect!? You just threw that shit in his face after he was attacked and brutalized.

Ezekiel hissed in his mind.

Still....Ezekiel had not uttered the words falsely....or without feeling that there was definite reciprocation on Brandon’s end.

Ezekiel saw it in his eyes...and felt it when they kissed. In fact Ezekiel was sure that Brandon not only desired him and cared for him...but that Brandon loved him too, but Brandon was not at a point mentally to even have this conversation.

So where did this leave them? And what did Ezekiel do with the cold lump in his heart that no amount of rational thinking could undo?

Fortunately...or perhaps unfortunately as both Brandon and Ezekiel started to get up and sit on the edge of the

 bed, Ezekiel’s bedroom door was suddenly thrown open and without an ounce of guilt or hesitation on their faces Nate, Erin and Drin all danced into the room.

“Hey! HEY! You could have knocked before comming in dammit!!” Ezekiel found himself growling in useless frustration as his cousins and his brother steadily intruded deeper into his room, only to step a few feet from the edge of the bed.

“Yo!” Nate called as he sauntered into the room at the head of the small group. Nate looked much better then he had only a few days ago. It was instantly apparent that his brother had fully healed from the grievous wounds he had received from Jacob. He was freshly dressed down in jeans and a whit-tee, and his eyes black and white eyes were full of vibrancy and mischief.

Erin and Nate also were dressed down. She was in a soft sun dress and sandals, while Drin was sporting jeans and a jacket. But unlike Nate, Ezekiel’s cousins still sported a few fading bruises and some bandages. It was odd to see them still sporting wounds, but seeing as they were younger and had only just experienced their first Shit, they Leopards were far less adept at healing them then either Nate or Ezekiel’s inner beasts.

Erin’s face though did not look the least bit encumbered by his tone, instead she looked down right frustrated herself. And as she walked up to the bed his cousin stamped her foot and growled. “You were supposed to tell us when he woke up Ezekiel. We’ve been worried sick about him for days!”

“Sorry for barging in like this Ezekiel.” Drin said with a small wave of his hand. “We were coming to check on Brandon, and Erin heard him talking and the next thing you know we were storming the room.” Drin softly hedged on their behalf, with a sheepish smile as Erin dashed past him, and Nate, before she unceremoniously dropped down into the bed, between Brandon and Ezekiel.

“Brandon I so glad your awake!” Erin exclaimed, and with a genuine smile she swiftly leaned in and encased Brandon in a bear hug.

“Whoa!” Brandon flinched in surprise as the Leopardess embraced him without permission or hesitation.

Sensing that Brandon’s discomfort came not only from the sudden touch, but because he was still stiff from sleeping off his injuries Ezekiel grabbed his cousin and unwound her arms gently but firmly with a small admonishment. “Erin stop that....he just woke up. Be Gentle!”

With a full on snarl Erin slapped away Ezekiel’s hands and said. “Let me go! I have something to say! Brandon! Brandon make him stop!”

Brandon, who looked like he was enjoying the annoyed look on Ezekiel’s face allowed her to resist for a moment. But almost instantly heeding Erin’s words Brandon put up a hand and gestured to Ezekiel with a soothing look. “Let her go Ezekiel. I’m fine.”

Ezekiel sighed and released her. “What is it Erin.” He asked her as his cousin once more settled down on the bed between him and Brandon’s as if she belonged in that small space.

“It’s not for you Ezekiel!” Erin hissed, rolled her hazel eyes and turned to Brandon. Once more she turned to Brandon, but instead of embracing him she only took his hands into her own and shared a slightly teary gaze with him.

Forestalling her words Brandon softly inquired of the Leopardess. “How you guys doing....how’s the...the baby.” His voice hitched on a small emotion as he looked at Erin then glanced over at Drin. It was obvious from his expression that he was deeply relived to be sitting with the couple after the events of the attack.

“We’re all fine.” Erin answered, a breathtaking smile spreading across her face as she glanced down at her stomach. She squeezed Brandon’s hand and explained. “After the attack there was some blood and pain....but Glen gave me a clean bill of health. She said our son was strong. So I had nothing to worry about.”

With a sure swell of tears in his eyes and a soft beautiful smile of his own, Brandon swallowed and said. “It’s...it’s a boy?” Brandon coughed slightly in surprise at the information

Drin nodded. His chest was puffed and prideful. “Yup. We’re having a son.”

“Everyone else was informed after her last checkup...” Ezekiel murmured as he watched Brandon tried and failed to quell the obvious happiness that this information grew in his green eyes.

“That’s wonderful.”

Silence fell, then with a small clearing of her throat Erin said “Brandon I really need to tell you two very important things. First? Me and Drin we want to tell you....Thank you.”

“Don’t.” Brandon tried to reply, and with a guilty flush on his face Brandon tried to pull away from her. “Erin don’t thank me...I put you guys in danger.”

“No.” Erin swiftly and sat closer to Brandon and flashed bright yellow eyes at him for a second, compelling his silence and attention. “You need to listen. Thank you....for trying to protect us.” 

Erin expressed so deeply and clearly that Brandon couldn’t seem to interrupt. “Thank you for saving our lives. I heard you standing up to Hovel on our behalf after he threatened to kill us.” Erin blinked as water gathered along her hazel gaze. 

“I honestly don’t believe either of us would be here if you hadn’t fought so hard....So thank you....” Erin stopped, and without another word, she slowly took Brandon’s hand and put it on her stomach. 

Brandon froze like deer in headlights as if he was afraid to even breath. Erin “Now....the second thing I wanted to do...was tell you that we want you to be named as sixth God Father to our Son.”

“Ummm....Sixth God Father?” Brandon asked looking like he was floating.

Suddenly Nate broke in saying “Well, First God Father is Mantilo of course. Second is Walter. Third is Lander, even though he bitched about it.” Nate paused to point at himself. “Fourth is yours truly and Fifth is Ezekiel.” Nate shrugged and smirked. “I’m telling you this kid is never going to have any fun.”

“Oh....” Brandon breathed. His eyes locked on Erin’s stomach and his expression thoughtful. Finally he glanced up at Erin and said. “Erin...I....That’s beautiful. I don’t know what to say...”

Erin laughed at the pale and obviously overwhelmed look on Brandon’s face but before Erin or anyone else could speak more....Brandon’s face transformed. A pal of pure agony stole over his face, and with a small shout Brandon snatched away from Erin and curled over himself.

“Fuck! No...No!” Brandon cried as he bowed deeper into himself and then he was screaming as if there was a sudden fire in the room. “Ezekiel...The Flame just woke up!”