Hunted

Chapter 30: 24 Hour Sleep-a-thon

I woke up with the sun beaming on my face. I groaned and rolled over to cover my head but instead of rolling over onto the pillow I rolled right on the floor. I made a louder groan as I rubbed my hip. The noise I had made seemed to have woken up the whole house. I heard my name being called by every member of my family and Dr. Colleen.

My dad in the lead burst open my door and saw me laying on the floor in a tangle with my blankets. He stopped and just started to laugh. “Honey what are you doing?” He asked coming over and helping me untangle myself from the blanket. I sighed and sat up once I was free.

“I was trying to roll over and I fell off the bed.” I gave a small chuckle and shook my head. My dad laughed at me and then kissed the top of my head. “It’s almost dinner time. You should come down.” It took me a second to process that.

“Wait what?” I asked looking up at everyone. Hope pushed through her parents and waved at me a little before coming to join me on the floor. “You’ve slept like 24 hours.” She poked my shoulder and shook her head. “You kinda scared everyone.” She gave me a look. I felt terrible. I can’t believe I slept for that long. Why would I have done that?

“You slept because you needed to recover Emmry.” That was Dr. Colleens voice. I couldn’t see her through my uncles but I could at least hear her voice. I nodded and leaned against the bed. Hope couldn’t stop the chuckles that were continuing to come out. “I can’t believe you fell out of your bed.” She said through a fit of laughs. I groaned and pushed her slightly. This was not that funny.

Now that they had realized I was just fine everyone left from the hallway I guess going downstairs to get ready for dinner. It felt weird that I had slept most of the day. I couldn’t believe I had been asleep for 24 hours. I looked over at my cousin. “There are no surprises downstairs right?” I asked her giving her a nice stare to make sure she wasn’t going to lie to me.

Hope shrugged and got up. “I don’t consider it a surprise.” She said as she walked to the door. “You should wear something other than your pj’s though.” Hope gave me a wink and then walked out of the  door. What was going on? Was she just teasing me? I couldn’t really tell.

I got up and got dressed because she was right I did need to put clothes on. Though the other part of me wondered why…it was already dinner time it wasn’t like I was going to do anything or go anywhere. I was just going to eat dinner and probably watch a movie before falling back asleep. I still felt exhausted even though apparently I had slept for such a long time. I went downstairs, it smelled like Chinese food and it smelled delicious.

On my mom’s birthday every year she would bring home Chinese food from town to celebrate. All my aunt and uncles were sitting around the table getting plates together and pouring glasses. Hope and Aaron were sitting in the living room talking to people who I couldn’t see yet. I saw my dad in the kitchen bringing containers and containers of food to the table. This seemed like we were having a celebration.

I went into the living room plopping down next to Hope. Delilah and Jackson had also come over it was nice to see them. Everyone had been so busy working lately that we really hadn’t gotten together in a long time.

“Emmry we have an idea.” Hope said looking over at me. “Yes?” I answered giving her a look.

“Well I heard it’s your birthday next week.” She gave me a big smile and I groaned. I never really liked celebrating my birthday. It wasn’t that important to me…especially since it had been right before my birthday when I was attacked. Hope sighed at me and rolled her eyes.

“We were thinking that since you really love the ocean we might take you to have a beach party. It’s not far from here.” I could tell Hope was really excited about this idea. I can’t remember the last time I actually celebrated my birthday. I don’t think I ever celebrated it with friends.

“Fine…as long as I don’t have to plan any of it.” I pointed at her and then shook my head. I didn’t realize we were close to the ocean here.

“That is a done deal.” Hope said grabbing my hand and shaking it. “Now you can’t back out. I have witnesses.” She joked sending me a wink. I shook my head at her.

“You are sick.” I told her giving her a fake glare. Maybe it would be nice to celebrate my birthday this year. I had more people to celebrate it with.

“Who are you inviting?” I asked looking at all my friends. Hope started naming off people that I had mentioned from work and some people that they went to school with. She even mentioned Savannah, Colton and their whole crew. I wanted to say no. I wanted to refuse to invite him but I had to be the better person. Just because he was being a jerk didn’t mean I had to completely be the same. Though I doubt he would come anyway.

Why would he attend the birthday part of a girl he thought was disgusting? So I kept my face the same and nodded as she continued down a list. “Did you make this list before asking me?” I couldn’t help but laugh. Hope gave me a knowing smirk before shrugging.

“I will neither confirm nor deny that.” She looked away from me.

“I hate to interrupt kids but come on it’s dinner time.” My Aunt Sam said from behind the couch. Everyone got up and went to the dining room. It was the only place big enough for us all to sit. The Chinese food was great. Hope brought up the idea of the birthday party to my dad. I could tell he was a little nervous about it.

“Are you guys sure?” He asked for the 6th time before taking a drink.

“Yes Uncle David. It’s going to be fine.” Hope laughed and then looked at my Aunt Sam. “You can even send whichever security detail you want. We just want to have a fun time by the water okay?” Everyone seemed to calm down after they realized there was going to be some protection. I would have to say that having 50 some shifters on the beach was going to be protection enough but my father did not agree.

After dinner everyone went home including Hope she said she had invitations for the bonding ceremony and the birthday party to make now. She didn’t want to fall behind. Instead of going to my bed I went into my dad’s room and climbed up into his bed. He was sitting in his bed looking over papers. I swear this man never stops working.

“Were you always like this with work?” I asked him curling up on the other side of the bed. He laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t think I was when I was with your mom. But then when she left…and I had a giant hole to fill I decided to fill it with work. It’s habit at this point.” He said slipping the file onto his nigh stand. “You okay?” He asked running his hand over my hair. I nodded and gave him a small smile. “I’m tired but I don’t want to sleep.” I told him closing my eyes a little.

“Do you wanna stay here tonight?” He asked I could tell he was smiling.

“Yeah can I dad?” I opened my eyes to see him laugh. “Just this once you’re too old for this nonsense.” He teased me and got under the covers. I was really proud of myself and my dad. I don’t know how but we had learned to become father and daughter. Even to the point where I could sit next to him and he could accidentally brush against me and I wouldn’t flinch. I would say that is pretty good progress. Now all I had to really worry about was this party.