Bound By The Beta

Josh

Josh Featherington arrived at twilight to take his wife home.

His warm brown eyes softened the moment they landed on Layla. She was fast asleep with her head resting on their mother's lap, looking eerily similar to little Sophia, who slept curled up on the opposite sofa.

Like mother, like daughter.

"I hope you didn't stress your sister out too much," Josh said softly as he removed his hat, then his coat, hanging both on the rack by the door before slipping off his boots.

"I can't promise I didn't," Carmilla whispered, careful not to wake Layla or their dozing mother.

The house was wonderfully quiet and peaceful. She wanted to hold onto this calm for as long as possible. A soft glow came from the fireplace she had lit earlier, complemented by the small lamp she had carried to answer the door.

"Is she at least alright now?" Josh asked, his voice helpless and tender as he gazed at his wife. "She was so jittery yesterday when she heard you'd returned. And she barely rested at all after you went to the Gates' house."

He stared at Layla as though she held his entire world.

"I just hope her feet aren't too swollen from all the running around. She can be as stubborn as you sometimes," Josh said with a fond smile. "But then again, that's the only way she knows how to show her love."

He moved to the sofa and knelt beside Layla, gently rubbing her feet. They were indeed swollen. The moment was so tender and intimate that Carmilla had to look away, her heart clenching.

This was the kind of love she read about in her romance novels. The kind she had convinced herself didn't truly exist. Or at least, would never be hers. She couldn't imagine anyone caring for her so gently.

Her grip tightened on the doorknob. Still, she was glad her sister had this.

Layla let out a soft moan of relief.

"Josh?" she murmured sleepily.

"I'm here, darling. Let's go home."

Layla's eyes fluttered open, as did their mother's. Both women looked up at him.

"You're here…" Layla said, still disoriented from sleep.

"Where else would I be? I missed you." He kissed her hands tenderly.

With their mother's help, Layla rose to her feet. A single tear slipped down their mother's cheek. She was thinking of Father, Carmilla realized. She hadn't seen him in so long and missed him terribly.

"It's getting late and I feel so heavy," Layla said, rubbing her eyes.

"I hired a carriage. It's waiting. Let me take you and our children home, my love."

Layla answered with a sleepy, sloppy kiss. Carmilla rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips.

"You two should leave before it gets any later. I'll carry Sophia," their mother said, standing to scoop up the little girl, who had inherited Carmilla's reckless sleeping habits.

Josh helped Layla to her feet with ease, offering his arm. She took it with the familiar comfort of someone who had done so a thousand times before.

He leaned in to whisper something in her ear. Whatever it was made Layla's lips curve into a flirtatious smile, which he eagerly returned without hesitation.

"Please restrain yourselves with the public displays of affection," Carmilla teased. "It's getting diabetic over here."

Layla let out a deep, genuine laugh and kissed Carmilla's cheek.

"Are you still leaving tomorrow?"

Carmilla had mentioned earlier that she might head to Hilibury and return later. When they asked why, she could only say she was looking for a job. She couldn't possibly tell them the truth... that she was meeting a stranger she had known for mere hours to discuss a marriage contract. Especially not when that stranger belonged to the powerful Reigns family. She feared it might give them both a heart attack.

"Possibly by dawn," she replied. "Thankfully, I haven't unpacked my bags yet."

Carmilla tried to laugh, but Layla's smile was tinged with sadness.

"I barely saw you today, and instead of spending time together, I shouted at you and disgraced you in public. I'm really sorry, Carmilla. Please… find it in your heart to forgive me."

Carmilla hushed her gently, taking her sister's hands. "It's okay. I forgive you."

"Thank you."

Carmilla nodded. "I promise I'll come visit after you give birth to my niece."

"Or nephew," Josh interjected with a soft smile.

Carmilla snorted. "Whatever. Mind your business, Mr. Featherington. The Jackson sisters are talking."

Josh shrugged smugly as Layla hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"He's part of the family now, Carmilla."

"Father…?" Sophia called groggily, rubbing her eyes.

"I tried to carry her while she slept," their mother said with a shrug, "but your voices woke her."

There was her mother, Carmilla thought. Never wrong.

"Carry me, Father. Please." Sophia lifted her small arms.

Josh glanced at his wife, who nodded. He scooped Sophia up easily with one arm while keeping the other linked with Layla's.

"You're awake, princess."

Sophia giggled.

"Let's go home."

They all stepped outside to where the small carriage waited, two horses shifting restlessly. A bald coachman held up a lantern.

"Mr. Featherington, I was starting to worry you'd decided to stay the night and forgotten about me," the coachman joked.

"Forgive my tardiness, Mr. Dowasier."

"It's alright. But we should leave soon. I sense a storm coming. Thankfully, the Jacksons live only two streets away."

Josh helped Layla into the carriage, then Sophia, before climbing in last.

"Goodbye, Car. I'll be waiting for you. I love you," Layla called from the window.

"I love you too. See you soon."

Their mother waved. Josh gave Carmilla a nod.

"Brother-in-law."

"Sister-in-law?"

"Take care of my sister, or you're dead."

Josh chuckled. "You never change, Car. I intend to."

The carriage door closed. With a snap of the whip, the horses lurched forward.

"Goodbye!" Sophia's small voice echoed, growing fainter as the carriage disappeared into the night.

Carmilla and her mother stepped back inside. Her mother gave her a quiet nod before heading to her room. Carmilla retreated to hers, the room she had once shared with Layla, now hers alone. By tomorrow, it would be empty again.

After a bath, she sat at her small desk under the glow of a reading lamp and began drafting her conditions for the marriage contract.