Chapter 24 Markus

“Okay, so first we are going to pick out a vase for the flowers,” Vickie said as she moved about the work room. She pulled vases and pots for flowers. “What are we thinking little flower?”

Rose studied the different containers. She then pointed to a short pot looking vase that was a turquoise blue and tan on the top.

“Good choice,” she sat as she put the rest of the vases away. “We will use this to keep the flowers watered. If your mom is in the hospital, she will want flowers that last and look pretty.” Vickie pulled out a green block of foam.

“What that?” Rose asked as she studied the the green block with fascination.

“This is floral foam. We soak it in water and put it in the vase or basket. It keeps flowers watered and in place,” Vickie explained as she cut the foam down to size. “You want to touch the foam?” She then set the foam in a bucket of water.

I forgot how good Vickie was with kids. When the pack would be attacked, she would be on guard duty near where we kept the pups.

Rose nodded her head and took a small piece of foam that was handed to her. Her face lit up in excitement as she squeezed the foam and it crumbled in her hand.

“Now, for the flowers that we want,” Vickie stated as she started pulling different flowers from her extra storage bins. She started to pull different flowers and greenery that she wanted. “Let’s see flowers for love and happiness. We need some for new beginnings. Some for peace and understanding. Oh, this one for care.” Vickie talked to herself as she pulled different flowers and colors.

I had no idea what she was talking about. Who knew that each flower meant something? Evidently Vickie knew what the flowers meant and their colors. The only flower I was able to identify was roses. There were blue ones and white ones. I wondered why not red roses. That would make more sense for love. The more I studied her selection, I realized that red would not have looked right with her bouquet of white, purple, and blue selections.

“Before you leave, I will write out a list of what each one means. This way you can tell your special mate what they mean,” Vickie laughed as she started to cut the stems off. “Okay little flower, I’m going to have you stick these flowers in the foam.” She pulled the soaked foam from the bucket and put it in the vase.

Rose looked excited at being able to help. I set her on the work table. Rose smiled as she gently took each flower and stuck it into the foam. Her smile grew as she handed me a few flowers. I realized that she wanted my help in making a present for her mom.

Once all the flowers were in the arrangement, Vickie stepped back and looked over the bouquet. “Perfect, let’s get this boxed up for you to take back to the hospital for your mom,” she said. Vickie went to a different room for a few minutes. She arrived back with a box, wrapping paper, and ribbon. She then worked on wrapping it. Vickie set the flower vase, filled with flowers, into the box. She finished wrapping the top and sealed it with tape. Vickie worked on putting on a ribbon bow on the top. “Well, little flower, whatcha think?”

“Very pretty,” she whispered in awe.

“Best compliment I could get,” she smiled at the pup. “Now, the list of flowers and their meaning.”

I was about to say something when Cal mind linked me. ‘Get back here with Rose when you can,’ Calyx practically ordered me.

‘What happened?’ I asked, panic lacing my tone. Multiple, worse case scenarios flew through my head. Aziz wasn’t much better.

‘Our psychiatrist is best friends with Marie,’ he told me.

‘What? How did we not know this?’ I demanded.

‘It’s not like we suspected that Ama was here in the pack. Her parents carried on their lives like she had left. Tomorrow we will get a list of their friends and start finding out who knows what. But for today, we comfort our mate and show her that we care.’ He was growling in anger.

‘I can do that. Rose and I made something for Ama. I think we can show her how much we care. We’re on our way back. We should be there in about 10 minutes,’ I said before cutting the mind link.

“Everything okay?” Vickie asked as she handed me the list.

“Yea, we just need to get the present back to her mom,” I said with a forced smile.

“Then go on. I’ll send the bill to the pack house and you can pay us later,” Vickie said as she shooed us out of the back room.

Shoving the list in my pocket, I picked up Rose and the box. I spent a few seconds perfecting a balancing act before I was ready to leave.

“Thanks Vickie, see you later Jimmy,” I said as we left. I sped walked as fast as I could with the present and Rose in my arms. When we reached the hospital, I set Rose down. She smiled and followed me through the door to enter the hospital. Rose then ran on a head, knowing exactly where we were supposed to go. She paused and waited at the door for me. I opened the door.

Rose ran in. “I give!” Rose shouted happily. She turned and held out her arms for the box.

“Alright, but be careful,” I told her as I handed her the box that was half as big as she was.

Rose took the box and almost dropped it. But I was expecting her to almost drop it and steadied the box. I picked the box out of her hands and Rose up. I then set her on the bed and put the box in front of her lap. She was all smiles as she pushed the box closer to Ama and Calyx.