Once Rejected, Thrice Accepted
Chapter 70

"I know I shouldn't have said anything. That you weren't ready for more of the family to know." Jackson said as he pulled his seat closer to my hospital bed. "I was just so angry that something had happened to Britt and I wasn't close enough to even do anything. I hate being so helpless." 'And yet he doesn't apologize for being a jerk to you. How did I not know how self-centered our dad was?' Britt linked glaring daggers at our dad.

'I am sorry you have to deal with this. You did nothing wrong.' Erin linked as he slapped Jackson on the back of the head.

"Where did I go wrong with you?" Erin scolded Jackson. "You have two damn daughters even if one was lost to us for years. You think you have any right to treat one better than the other? To worry less about one or to treat one like shit even after making your no promises and warning you shit may go down? Get over yourself and see Gemma. See that no matter who raised her or where she grew up she is still your blood, our blood."

Jacksons gaze dropped to the floor. "I know that. I know I have two daughters who are just as important." He growled out in frustration. "But I didn't get to watch Gemma grow up and experience life. I didn't see all her bruises and cuts from falling down. I didn't get to see what made her cry and what made her laugh. I didn't see all her firsts and lasts. Its different."

I couldn't do this right now. "Get out. Jackson, just get out." I stated calmly keeping my eyes on the wall. "I just can't do this right now. I am weak from all the blood the doctors took and my wolf is in a deep sleep. All I want is to be surrounded by my loved ones and right now you aren't one of them."

"I do love you. You are my daughter. I just..." He ran his hand through his hair grabbing it roughly. "Just give me time to come to grips with it. My wolf already has and he hated being away from you."

"Dad, just go." Britt stood up and walked to the door opening it for Jackson. "She asked you to go. Maybe this will jog some common sense into your brain. I really am disappointed in you. I never met her before she came back and I instantly knew who she was to me."

He just nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Britt dissolved into tears and fell into my side. I pulled her onto the bed with me whispering comforting words.

"Let's give them some time." Duncan instructed everyone.

"I would like Olivia and Cherry to stay, please." I looked at them both to make sure they agreed. I got a small smile and a nod. "And can you have some good food sent to us? I am craving a big fat bacon burger with loaded fries and a sweet tea." Lucas laughed. "I love that you eat. Be strong, baby girl." He looked over at Olivia with a frown. "I am trusting you in here with them. Don't make me regret it. And text us what you all want to eat asap."

"I will stand outside the door." Tiberius stated and left without a reply. I did catch a smile on Lindy's face so I had to hope things were going well.

Once everyone was gone it felt like I could finally breathe. Between the doctors, nurses, pack members, and loved ones I never got a moment alone. Being with my girls was the next best thing which I was fine with. It will still hard sometimes to be around people who want an actual reply to something when I was so used to my small, confined places where silence was my only friend other than my wolf. Now it was her who was silent and everything around me was loud.

"Gemma, are you ok?" Lindy asked from her own hospital bed. "That was rough. I had secondhand embarrassment and rage."

"Let's not focus on me. How about you tell me how things are going with Tiberius?" I winked at her causing her cheeks to go pink. "I told you so many times that your mate would be an awesome guy who would do anything for you."

"You were so right." She sighed. "But I am so sorry he gave shithead any information about your pack. I ripped his a*s."

"You should have heard it. I was dying laughing." Olivia stated sending off the text for our food. We always got the same thing from burger joints. "She told him off while apologizing and being excited about replaceing her mate. She was smiling some of the time, growling the other. She even smiled, growled, and cried at the same time for a bit of it."

"How is that even possible?" Cherry asked completely confused. "I feel like you would either drown in your tears or your growl would sound like a laugh."

"It is possible." Britt added in turning toward the group. "Been there, done that. Also, Olivia can you add on a big ass thing of mozzarella sticks? I need me a good cheese pull."

"Added. And now I think it is time for some girl dishing time." Olivia smiled finally seeming relaxed. "I need something to distract me from the last bit of pain from the rejection."

"I am so sorry Hun. How is your wolf handling it?" I asked hating that I hadn't checked in sooner.

"Already telling me to get under a wolf to get over the last one." We all laughed. "This pack has so many hotties."

"Right." Britt shouted before giggling.

"Ok, so tell me who is free and who is attached?" Olivia looked at Cherry. It didn't take her long before starting in on all the tea.