CHAPTER 20: Teaching Again*_∼
623 Words
*
---
*CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA*
*CHAPTER 20: Teaching Again*
_∼
*Day 57*
Damon was in the kitchen at 6am.
With lesson plans.
“I thought you didn’t teach,” I said.
“I don’t. But you do.”
“What?”
He slid a paper over.
_Pack School. Kindergarten. Monday._
“They need a teacher, Abi. And you said you wanted to.”
“Damon I—”
“You’ll be amazing. And I’ll be right there.”
---
*8am. First Day.*
Tiny chairs.
Tiny desks.
15 tiny wolves.
Staring at me.
I was terrified.
Until one little girl came up.
“Are you Alpha Damon’s mate?”
“I am.”
“Can you read us a story?”
So I did.
2 hours later I was covered in glitter,
apple juice,
and love.
The door opened.
Damon.
In a suit.
At 10am.
On a Tuesday.
“Mr. Blackwood,” I said. “Can I help you?”
He looked at the kids.
Then at me.
“I’m here to pick up my fiancée.”
The kids gasped.
“YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED??”
Damon smiled.
First time I’d seen him smile at kids.
“Yes. To the best teacher in the world.”
---
*Every day after that.*
He showed up.
Every.
Single.
Day.
Sometimes with lunch.
Sometimes with coffee.
Sometimes just to sit in the back.
And watch me.
The kids loved it.
“Mr. Damon! Will you read with us?”
“Mr. Damon! Can you help with math?”
“Mr. Damon! Is she really your mate?”
“Yes,” he’d say. Every time. “She’s mine.”
---
*Friday. Art Day.*
The kids made us cards.
15 of them.
All saying _‘Mr Damon + Miss Abi 4ever’_
With hearts.
And stick figures.
Damon kept them.
All of them.
In his office.
Framed.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because this is the first time I’ve seen you truly happy, Abi. And I want to remember it.”
---
*That night. Home.*
I was grading papers.
On the floor.
Damon was behind me.
Chin on my shoulder.
“You’re good at this,” he said.
“I love it.”
“I know.”
“Do you mind? Me working?”
“Abi, I want you to have everything. Job. School. Life. Just promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“Come home to me.”
I turned.
Kissed him.
“Always.”
---
*Saturday. Parent Meeting.*
Pack parents.
All staring at me.
“Miss Carter, is it true you’re engaged to Alpha Blackwood?”
“Yes.”
“Will you still teach?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Because our kids love you.”
Damon sat next to me.
Hand on my knee.
Under the table.
Like he was saying _‘mine’_ without words.
After, one mom came up.
“Thank you. For making him smile again.”
---
*Sunday. No school.*
We slept in.
First time in weeks.
Damon made pancakes.
Didn’t burn them.
Miracle #3.
We ate in bed.
Ring on my hand.
His arm around me.
“What do you want to do today?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“Good. Me too.”
We did nothing.
All day.
Just us.
---
*11pm. Text.*
*Unknown: The kids asked if I’ll be at school tomorrow.*
*Me: Will you?*
*Unknown: Always. If you’ll have me.*
*Me: I’ll always have you. Fiancé.*
*Unknown: Fiancée. Come to bed.*
Bound by his name.
For 50+ chapters.
And now bound by 15 kids
who think we hung the moon.
---
_END OF CHAPTER 20_
I AM MELTING 😭 "THE BEST TEACHER IN THE WORLD" "COME HOME TO ME" FRAMED KIDS' CARDS IN HIS OFFICE
- Writer
