Chapter. 12

{Third person's pov}

Arizona woke up and found the bed empty, She looked at the clock and it was already nine am, she cursed under her breath and got up from the bed.

She was making her way towards the bathroom when the door clicked open and she paused.

There stood her husband, in nothing but just a towel around his waist, water droplets were falling from his hair and travelling all the way down to his chest and abs.

She sucked a deep breath, Her heart was beating wildly, she realised she was staring at him and then she immediately turned around. "I am sorry, I didn't see anything..."

Everett paused the moment he saw her. Not because of her words, but because of the way she turned so quickly, almost startled.

For a second, he just stood there, water still dripping from his hair, completely unbothered… until he noticed how stiff her posture was.

“I would hope so,” he said dryly, grabbing a towel from the chair and running it through his hair, tone calm as ever. “It’s your room too.”

“You don’t have to apologize for existing in the same space.” He walked past her, not too close, not brushing against her, deliberate as always. Picking up a shirt, he slipped it on with ease, covering himself without making a situation out of it.

“You’re late,” he added, glancing briefly at the clock. Not accusatory, just factual. “Breakfast starts at eight-thirty downstairs. They’ll notice.”

His eyes flickered to her reflection for a second, still turned away, still flustered. “Relax,” he said, voice lowering just slightly.

“No one’s keeping score of what you saw.” A hint of something almost teasing but so subtle it was easy to miss.

Then he picked up his watch, fastening it around his wrist. “Go get ready,” he continued, calm and composed. “And don’t look like you’re walking into an interrogation.”

“Walk in like you belong there.” Because whether she believed it or not, she did now.

She nodded and walked inside the bathroom immediately.

After taking a quick shower and dressing in a flowly yellow dress she came out, She looked exhausted, most probably because of the wedding functions.

Everett was still in the room, it seemed like he was waiting for her.

He noticed the small things, The slight heaviness in her eyes. The way her shoulders weren’t fully relaxed. The quiet exhaustion she hadn’t said out loud.

“You didn’t sleep properly,” he stated, not asking.

He stood up from where he’d been leaning against the table, adjusting the cuff of his shirt. "I did, maybe it's because of the wedding functions..." She replied.

“Don’t force energy you don’t have. It shows.” He walked toward the door, then stopped, glancing back at her.

He opened the door, waiting this time instead of walking ahead.

“Stay next to me downstairs,” he said. “You won’t have to answer unnecessary questions.”

“And if you feel overwhelmed again… tell me immediately." His eyes held hers for a second, steady, But not distant anymore either.

“Come.” He said and she walked towards him, he forwarded his hand she stared at his hand and then his face before carefully holding his hand.

Everett felt the hesitation before the touch. Not because her hand was light but because it wasn’t instinctive yet.

His fingers closed around hers, firm but not tight, grounding more than holding.

The staircase led into the main hall, voices already echoing, family gathered, morning tea turning into subtle interrogation sessions as usual.

Everett didn’t slow down. If anything, his posture straightened more. The moment they stepped into view, conversations dipped, eyes shifting toward them.

He didn’t look at anyone else. Just walked forward, Arizona beside him.

“Good morning,” his mother said, a hint of satisfaction in her tone as she noticed their joined hands.

Everett gave a short nod. “Morning.” An uncle smirked lightly, “Late start, hm?”

Everett didn’t even blink. “She wasn’t feeling well,” he replied smoothly. “I didn’t see a reason to rush her.”

He was Protective, without making it obvious. His thumb brushed once against Arizona’s hand, barely noticeable to anyone else.

Then he guided her to the dining table, pulling a chair out for her before sitting beside her. “Eat something,” he said quietly, just for her. “Even if it’s little.”

Arizona nodded, the youngsters of the family were still sleeping. Arizona sat silently as the maid served breakfast for everyone.

"Arizona I hope my son didn't give you a hard time." His mother said and Arizona faked a smile as she shook her head.

"How are you feeling in your new home, Arizona?" His father asked and she looked at Everett, "It's nice."

Everett noticed it, the way she looked at him before answering. Not for permission. But for… reassurance.

His gaze didn’t soften, but it steadied, just enough. His father gave a thoughtful nod, while his mother watched Arizona a little more closely, less judgment, more curiosity.

“And your health?” his mother asked again, gentler this time. “You looked a little pale.”

Before Arizona could feel cornered, Everett spoke again, tone even but firm enough to close the topic.

“She’s fine. She is just tired.”

Then he picked up a piece of toast and placed it on Arizona’s plate himself, simple, quiet, but deliberate.

“Eat,” he said under his breath, not looking at her this time. “At least a little.”

Across the table, one of the aunts exchanged a glance with another, reading too much into everything, as expected.

His fingers tapped once against the table, subtle irritation.

Then he leaned back slightly, his presence shifting, colder, more distant, the version of him the family was used to.

Conversation moved away from Arizona. Exactly how he wanted it. But under the table, his hand brushed hers once, brief, grounding. And definitely not accidental.