Page 102 of In You

"She's a good mom," I growl in a warning voice. My eyes flicker as I stare through the door of our house, seeing Tamryn pacing the living room with Tris in her arms, humming to her.

"Caleb, I know you want to have high hopes, and be positive, but I caution you to not be delusional, alright? No one is trying to insinuate she isn't a good mom, but it doesn't negate the fact she's still switching more frequently than we'd like. If the alters turn on each other-"

I shake my head, refusing to believe.

"If the alters turn on each other," he repeats, hardening his voice. "This could be bad. If she shows any warning signs ofanything,you call me right away."

I blow out a deep breath, tapping my hand to my bicep. "That won't happen."

He tightens his lips. "Caleb, look at me."

Reluctantly, I bring my eyes to his.

"You hired me because you said you wanted the best of the best. And I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if I didn't caution you. I don't condone this, Caleb. She needs to be in a hospital for care.Should have been from the start."

"No way. I'm not abandoning her!" I snap angrily, turning to face him full on. He doesn't flinch, nor cower from me.

From the look of him, he's extremely athletic but I'll take him out any day of the week.

"It's not abandonment. I'm not telling you to throw her into an asylum and then forget she ever existed, Caleb. I'm saying to give her a fucking chance. It might take a while, sure, but isn't that better than walking on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop?"

"I'm not walking on pins and needles," I say quietly, narrowing my eyes. His eyes narrow back in disbelief."I'm not."

"Then what am I here for?"

The tension thickens between us, forcing me to take a step back. "You know what, I don't know. I freaked out and made a judgement call too soon. I'm sorry for wasting your time. I’ll pay you double."

His eyes widen slightly. "No, Caleb, you're not wasting-"

"Please leave-" I say in a hard voice, averting my face.

"Please rethink this. I don't believe you made a bad judgment call.You had reason to call me-"

"Dr. Richardson, I asked you to leave."

"Caleb-"

Taking a step forward, I harden my voice."Get the fuck off my property!"

Alexander's eyes flash, holding my eye contact for a few seconds before he steps away from me and bends to grab his leather briefcase off the porch. He stands up with a sigh, casting a long look through the front door.

"Call me if you need me," he says softly, sliding on his sunglasses and heading down the stairs without a backward glance.

I keep my back to the drive until I hear the sound of his tires fading in the distance and then I head on inside.

"Hi," I say, pulling Tamryn into my arms as I settle into the couch next to her. "How're my girls?"

"We're good, love," she says, tilting her head up for my kiss. "So good. How're you?"

I give her a little smile, placing my hand to Tris' head and putting a kiss to her cheek. "So good, honey."

This time, I don't say her name. She's fine.

38

My Heart

Caleb