So here's a cover made by _universal  tell me what y'all think!? It's far enough in the book. Do you like the softer side of this cover or do u like the darker side?

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Hummingbird.

Sage's locket had a humming bird in it. My brain became overwhelmed with all these facts being thrown at me, left and right. First Eros tells me his truth, now I catch my mother and Dr. Finley arguing. Something is definitely off about that. Why did he call her Hummingbird? Is that some sort of pet name he gave her? I guess they are the same age. Maybe it was from when they went to school together. I vaguely remember my mother and father talking about high school memories. Finley must have been in their class or they at least went to school together.

Still baffled by the side show my body slumped against the bumpy textured wall. Releasing my muscles to the point of shut down, I just sat there holding my knees; processing. I needed to find a way to get answers from my mother, without drawing too much suspicion. I needed to keep her guard down to collect every tidbit I possibly could. But how? How would I bring up the humming bird nickname, without setting off alarms? Would she even tell me? Maybe I can bring up the locket and ask her about it somehow that way.

My hands, palmed the cold tiled flooring, probably covered with more germs than a toilet. Pushing myself off the wall and away from the ground. I stood revealing myself behind the snack cart. My mother's head popped out of the room, looking right to left scanning. As if a child was looking both ways before crossing the street. She spotted me, causing my heart rate to jump to an ungodly pounding, to which I felt, all the way in my ears.

"Rose, Sweetheart. What are you doing?" Her questioning gaze, suddenly finding myself dumbfounded. I opened my mouth for zero words to fall out.

"Seriously? Rose. Do you need to be eating right now?" She smacked. Looking at the snack cart in front of me. I glanced down grabbing a cookie. Before my eyes locked with hers, a small smile at the crease of my lips.

"Sorry, mom. I just saw sweets and wanted some." I played off, hoping she didn't realize, I might have been standing here during her spat. 

"It's ok dear, come here, we need to talk." She said, stress tinted in her soft voice.

I felt a little worried but, surely my mother would talk to me out here, away from my brothers, if she had suspected I was eavesdropping. Without any hesitation, I walked to my father's room. Where he lay, still sleeping from his enduring heart surgery. My brothers perched in the chairs by his bedside. The oldest Dominic sat on his phone, while Dean just stared at my father. Wanting desperately for him to wake. My mother's hand slipped into mine, stepping beside me her other hand rubbing my upper arm, her slim fingers wrapping around my bicep. She squeezed just a little, as if a small hug to ease her pain or mine. Her lips gently touched my hair, kissing with love, only known by a mother.

"Rose, I know it hasn't been easy for you recently. I know what is happening with you now, will be a fight. Now that your father is out of surgery and the Doctor says he is fine. I would like you to return to normal activities. Go to school, hang out with your friends. I need you to keep fighting, with your demons." She spoke softly, gently her grip on my arm tightening. If only she knew. My mother's beautiful blue eyes looked down upon me. Her blond hair tucked behind her ears.

"With your father's accident, Damion is going to have to do more work at the shop. Dean will be helping more around the house, so your father can recover. But I need you to go back to your everyday life as if nothing has changed. You need normalcy . I want you to go to school do homework and hang with friends. Don't think I haven't heard about your PTSD, attacks." She was loving but somewhat scolding me at the same time. I looked at my brothers both staring daggers through me.

"Tomorrow school." Damion nodded. His look was as stern as our father's.

"Yep, back to being a teen." Dean chimed. Winking at me playfully. He was always the party animal.

My mother's hands gently rubbed up and down on either side of my arms. A warm embrace, enveloping me as she squeezed, pouring all her love into us. Without a word I just nodded my head, against her chest. My brothers resumed their activities. My mothers touch, left me to take her place by my sedated father. Her words spoke truth as they left her lips.

"I'm here Joe. Come back to me." She whispered close to his ear. Kissing his temple in the process.

I just stood there at the foot of his bed, taking in all that has happened to me, what I know, what I've heard, what I've seen. A small PTSD creeping into my veins, I'm standing where my brothers stood looking down upon their nearly dead sister. A shutter, strikes my nerves jolting my body back. Unnoticed by my surrounded family, I took a deep dreary breath, slowly calming my heart and my head. Then it hit me! I know how I'm going to ask mom about the Hummingbird!

Hours had past and my father still lay sleeping. My brothers dozed off their heads resting on one another. Leaving my mother and I solely awake and somewhat free to speak.

"Hey mom, can I ask you a question?" My voice calmly breaking the silence.

"What is it Honey?" She said smiling down at me.

"You know the girl that was murdered? Sage?" I spoke softly as to not sound alarms.

"Yes, I remember her Dear. She was a sweet and beautiful girl. She had a very promising future." She said, as if it pained her to think of the young life lost, forever.

"Well we are doing a mural for her, and someone mentioned that she loved hummingbirds." I tried to act as cool as could be. My mother's facial expression twitched just a bit, showing a hint of worry. "Well I was wondering what a hummingbird means or signifies? I am drawing the rough draft and want it to be perfect." I said, sounding a little more convincing. I could visibly see my mother's tense shoulders release.

"Well the Hummingbird means many things dear. They appear out of nowhere and spring joy into the hearts of many. Floating in the air gives their majestic flight in that moment a fleeting of  serendipity. Iridescent colors shimmering in the sunshine, revealing her beautiful shell. She is not only a symbol of all things good, but pure joy." My mother spoke these words as if rehearsed. She didn't look at me once as she spoke, her eyes only lingering on my father's features.

"Wow, mom, that's beautiful. Sage's nickname was Hummingbird. Sounds a lot like her." I smiled cheesing as best I could. When my mother's eyes darted to me.

"Really? Hummingbird was a name given to me once before." She smirked a little.

Gotcha. I dangled the hook, with that delicious bate and bam! I caught me a big one!

"Who called you that?" I said trying to sound uninterested.

My mother's eyes flashed to realization. She darted her furrowed brows at me.

"What did you hear!?" She whispered deeply stern, as if to not wake my brothers. I was a little taken aback with her sudden change in demeanor and I didn't know how to respond.

"I-Um-I just-..." before I could utter another word my mother interrupted.

"Spit it out Rose." She hissed.

Fine if she wanted to catch me red handed. Bring it. You're going to tell me all as well.

"I saw you." Taking a deep breath regaining my composure. "You and Dr. Finley." I started to sass.

My mother looked at me, glaring. She did not want to talk about this, but she was going to tell me. I don't care anymore. She wants normal, well here's the snarky teen I am.

"Why did he call you Hummingbird? Why is he trying to comfort you? Are you cheating on dad?!" My questions filled the air, my tone not so quiet as to almost wake my brothers. With a swift movement my mother's hand snatched my arm, her vice like grip tugging at my flesh. She dragged me to the glass door throwing me into the hall.

"Keep your voice down." She snipped. "No I am not cheating on your father. He is comforting me because we are old friends. That nickname is from a long time ago and I never want to hear it again." She was so angry her words laced with venom as deadly as a cobra. Momma bear was out and she was angry with me.

"Why are you so angry with that name? Why did you yell at Dr. Finley? What you're saying, sounds like a lie mom!" My voice in a hushed yell. I was not taking her lies she was holding back. My mother has never been this way towards me. Ever.

"Enough! You will drop this." She spoke, commanding me.

From the corner of my eyes, Dr. Finley started to approach. He walked rather hastily, stepping between my mother and I. I hadn't noticed how close we became, our noses almost touching. Finley's hand rested on my left shoulder, pushing me back.

"That's enough you two. Joy she's old enough to know. For God sake just tell her, or I will." His eyes bounced back as forth from hers to mine. What is he talking about?

"Fine." My mother spoke breaking the heated atmosphere. Her eyes softened just a hint, revealing hurt. "Dr. Finley, Jack, he's your father."

WHAT!? WHAT THE HELL IS SHE TALKING ABOUT!!!!

My face most likely looked dumbfounded. What on earth is she saying to me. My dad is Joe. There is no way Finley is my dad! My eyes searched their features for any hint of a lie. This can't be true. Why? My mother's face looked defeated. While Finley's beamed with adoration. I was so pissed. She wanted me to return to normal. He thought it was a good idea to drop this bomb on me now. What the hell is wrong with them.

I took my left hand smacking Finley's hand off my shoulder. My face coated in hate, betrayal, hurt, and anger. Without a word, I stormed off down the dimly lit hall. My stomping feet the only sound breaking silence.

Jack's my father. My mother's a cheater.

I'm a bastard.

The Hummingbird's Bastard.

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Hey loves! Sorry it took me so long to post another chapter! I have been busy lately with events of summer and my little! I hope your enjoyed this chapter! Please vote, comments! Share with your followers! I would love for more reads and comments it helps me to write more!

Any who thank you to those who are reading because they love the book! Not just read for reads! I appreciate your views! All my chapters are unedited. I'm just trying to get my thoughts and ideas out. Not really focusing on spelling or grammar! Just so everyone knows!

A gain thank you all! Loves from your girl!