"Meryn, you truly are a treasure. I really needed that," Magnus said, rubbing his sides. The prince had abandoned all decorum and had laughed right along with the rest of them. Ellie had a feeling that the prince needed more joy in his life. He looked exhausted, but at least, for now, he was smiling.
Sebastian looked so pleased at everyone's buoyant expressions, Ellie expected the buttons on his vest to pop. "It's been too long since this house was filled with laughter," he said beaming at his charges.
Ryuu's eyes were dancing as a faint smile curled his lips. "Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served."
Ellie, along with everyone else, said goodnight to Avery, Warrick, and the twins as they left to return to the Unit Level. Ellie was worried Avery wouldn't be getting any dinner, but he assured her tonight was pizza night on the warrior level, and he wouldn't miss it for anything.
To her surprise, Avery told her that her grandmother had declared that she would meet up with both Avery and Warrick for dinner. She had even promised them cookies. But Ellie knew her grandmother too well; she was going to pump Warrick for information. Ellie absolutely adored Avery, but her grandmother took it to an entirely different level. Avery was the grandson she never had, and if Warrick thought her look was fierce, he hadn't seen anything yet. Ellie had learned from the best.
Sitting next to her mate, the atmosphere around the table was lighthearted and warm. Meryn was tapping away furiously on her phone and scowling.
"She really is quite brilliant. She just doesn't think like everyone else," a male voice commented to her right. Tonight, she was seated between her mate and Rex Lionhart.
"I don't really mind what she said. I've never had anyone offer to be mean for me before." Ellie thought the small human was fierce in her affections. It was as if she'd never had friends before and was clutching tightly to those she perceived were hers. "She can claim me all she wants."
Rex chuckled. "She'd do that with or without your permission. She doesn't really take orders well."
"I think that's part of her charm."
"That's the gods honest truth."
"Ellie," Kari spoke up to get her attention.
Ellie looked down the table at her friend. "Yes?"
"I just wanted to let you know I just received a text from Sulis. He was able to secure all the supplies your grandmother requested, including the hospital beds we need. Now, we just need some place to put them."
"I was approached by many of the vendors today," Eva turned to face Ellie. "They will be clearing out the center section of the marketplace for the sick. They've also volunteered to help the warriors walk the level to make sure the parents of the sick children aren't being harassed by the Founding and Noble family members." She smirked. "T
hey didn't put it quite as diplomatically, but that was the gist of it. They are quite taken with the children, and the angry mob put a bad taste in everyone's mouth."
Rex chuckled. "Thanks to my brother, I have been able to get to know the people here in the city more in the past couple weeks than the previous years on my own. Eva is right; the common citizens have fallen for the children and cannot wait to see them up and playing again."
Ellie sat back, smiling. "That's wonderful news. I know it will help the children to feel less secluded." She frowned as she realized something. "Damn."
Magnus leaned forward. "What is it?"
"There goes my theory that it might have been something from the garden. Not only did I not find anything, but Dr. St. John's notes from Carina never mentioned the Royal Gardens."
"You still haven't found anything in the bloodwork?" Broderick asked.
"No, nothing. It's so frustrating because I know they're sick. I can see them getting pale and weak, but there's nothing to explain it. Broderick and I've tested for everything I can think of and everything comes back negative. I feel like I am failing them."
"Don't get too down on yourself," Eva replied. "You've done so much just by being here. More than one parent has said that their child looks forward to your check-ins. They have told their parents you make them feel like everything will be okay."
"She's right," Declan added. "The children know how much you care. I think that's one of the reasons they have been able to stay so calm."
She shook her head. "That's Grant and the Bolivars..."
"No Ellie," Adriel said, interrupting her. "I have also overheard the children. One of the Hamilton boys said that you felt like a 'mom'. I cannot think of higher praise than that."
Ellie stared as the tears fell down her cheeks.
Kari smiled at her. "Oh, honey. You have to know how much the children adore you. They can feel your love, and it makes it easier for them to trust you. It is what makes you one of the best pediatricians in the country."
"We are truly lucky to have you. We could not ask for a better doctor for the children," Magnus agreed.
Beside her, Grant scooted his chair back and pulled her into his lap. For a moment, a familiar panic overwhelmed her. If he dropped her, everyone would laugh. "I'm too big. I'm not little like Meryn." Ellie tried to wiggle back to her seat, but her mate held her to him tightly.