After Lyric had survived being shot three times a year and a half before, they’d decided to have a child together. While they were going through that process, they’d met Dakota, the woman who, as a teenager, had actually taken care of a teenage Cody during her early time on the streets. Savanna and Lyric had felt an immediate need to take Dakota in and care for her as well, even though she was an adult. Especially when they’d found out what had been happening in Dakota’s relationship with Cassandra Billings. Lyric and Cody had both been involved with rescuing Dakota from Cassandra’s mansion. It had seemed natural that they add Dakota to their family too.
“So what is a Craftsman?” Lyric asked Dakota.
“Here,” Dakota said, pulling out her phone and showing Lyric the pictures she’d shown Jazmine.
“Nice…” Lyric said nodding. “I’m betting the house doesn’t look that good right now?”
“No,” Dakota said. “It’s in a major state of disrepair right now, but that’s what’s cool about it, I get to bring it back to life.” Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
Lyric nodded, smiling. “I get it. How much you charge for something like that?”
“A lot,” Dakota said, grinning. “But it’ll be worth it once it’s done.”
“Oh, I believe that,” Savanna said, smiling. “With the good work you do.”
Dakota beamed at the compliment from Savanna, and Lyric winked at Savanna. Savanna and Dakota had a special connection, much like Lyric and Cody did. Whatever Savanna said, Dakota took as law, so Savanna was always careful to choose her words wisely.
“Thanks,” Dakota said, her look happy.
Jazmine looked on, smiling. She knew that Dakota absolutely adored Savanna. She was the mother that Dakota had never had. It was a good healthy relationship for Dakota, and Jazmine was grateful that fate had brought Dakota to the Falcos.
“I guess this means you won’t have time for a few changes to the baby’s room, huh?” Savanna said, sighing.
“No, it doesn’t mean that,” Dakota said, shocked that Savanna would think that. “Family comes first, you just tell me what you want done, and I’ll do it, Mom. You should know that.”
Once again, Lyric and Savanna exchanged a look. Dakota was fiercely loyal to her newfound family. It was a wonderful trait.
“I just want to do a couple of things, I promise,” Savanna assured Dakota.
“Whatever you want,” Dakota said, smiling.
“Okay, we’ll talk,” Savanna said, winking at Dakota, who smiled in return.
“So what’s going on with you two?” Dakota asked, looking at Cody and McKenna. “Are you ever getting married?”
“Yes,” Cody said, narrowing her eyes at Dakota. “We’re just looking for the right place.”
“Uh-huh,” Dakota said, her look cynical. “She’s stallin’,” she said, winking at McKenna.
“Am not,” Cody countered.
“Uh-huh,” Dakota repeated. “First it’s ‘oh we can’t find the right place’, then it’s ‘oh we can’t set a date.’ ”
“Shut up, Dak,” Cody said, grinning. She recognized the mischievous glint in Dakota’s eyes.
“See? She’s all defensive and shit,” Dakota said, chuckling.
“No,” McKenna said, her tone chiding. “We just don’t know where we want to have the wedding. There are so many options. I heard that Devin and Skyler’s wedding was incredible.”
“You know that Devin makes bank, right?” Dakota said. “I heard that she doesn’t get out of bed for less than a hundred thou… So I’m not sure you should base your choice on what she did for a wedding, sis…”
“Well, I have rich parents who are dying for us to get married,” McKenna countered.
“Yeah, so they can have grandkids,” Cody said, rolling her eyes.
“Ohhhh….” Dakota said, laughing. “Already? Wow!”
“Hey, I didn’t say we were having kids right away,” Cody said.
“You didn’t?” McKenna queried, her look pointed.
“I said we’d talk about it,” Cody said, looking cornered suddenly.
Dakota started laughing.
“Shut up, Dak!” Cody laughed, even as McKenna started grinning.
“Make me,” Dakota said.
“Anytime…” Cody said, narrowing her eyes with a grin on her lips.
“Okay you two,” Lyric said, giving her daughters a quelling look. “No fighting, you’ll wake the baby.”
“I want to wake the baby!” Dakota said. “I need my baby fix for the day.”
“Maybe you should be talking about having kids instead,” Cody said, winking at Jazmine.
“Watch it,” Dakota warned.
“Oh, different when it’s on the other foot, ain’t it?” Cody said gleefully.
“Quit picking on her,” McKenna said, poking at Cody.
“She started it,” Cody said, sounding like a petulant child.
This had everyone laughing.
“So how’s everything with the studio?” Savanna asked Jazmine.
“Great!” Jazmine said. “Natalia’s got her entire class over there now. I’m getting more and more of my old contacts back and they’re starting to come down too. We’re actually thinking about expanding… Which reminds me…” she said, turning to Dakota. “That shop next door is moving out at the end of the month.”
Dakota gave her a quizzical look. “You’re thinking you want to buy that space?”
Jazmine bit her lip. “Maybe?” she said hesitantly.
Dakota did some quick calculations in her head, then nodded. “With what I’m making on this job, we should be able to swing that.”
“Are you sure?” Jazmine asked, not wanting to put too much pressure on their finances.
“I’m sure,” Dakota said, grinning. “What are you wanting to add? Do you know yet?”
“Some smaller rooms for more intimate classes like yoga, and maybe mediation or something…” Jazmine said. “And maybe a room for ballet.”
“Little people or big people?” Dakota asked, already thinking about what she could do in the space.
“Maybe both?” Jazmine said, her look comically cautious.
“Sure, let’s make it harder,” Dakota said, grinning.
“I know, I know, but I know you can help with that part,” Jazmine said batting her eyelashes at her girlfriend.
“Uh-huh…” Dakota said, narrowing her eyes.
“Pretty girls will get ya every time,” Lyric said, winking at Dakota.
“Don’t I know it,” Dakota replied.
“But you love me…” Jazmine said smiling.
“Yes, yes I do,” Dakota said, sighing. “Don’t worry, babe, we’ll figure it out.”
The group was silent for a few minutes then, each away with their own thoughts.
“McKenna is taking her board exams next week,” Savanna said.
“Wait, what does that mean?” Dakota asked, looking puzzled.
“It means that if she passes the exams she can apply to become board certified,” Cody said. “Which means she’ll be able to practice like Mom.”
“Aw,” Dakota said, nodding. “Very cool. So are you gonna open your own practice, or do a home like Mom?”
“I’m not sure,” McKenna said. “I’m thinking about opening my own group home, like Savanna’s, but I haven’t decided yet.”
“Would it be for teens or adults?” Dakota asked.
“Definitely for teens, like you and Cody were,” McKenna said softly, knowing that it was still a tender subject for both of them.
“Regular kids or LGBT?” Dakota asked.
McKenna blew her breath out. “I really think I’d do LGBT kids. It’s not that I have anything against the straight kids out there, I just think our own need more support, you know?”
“Yeah,” Dakota agreed. “Well let me know if you decide to do your own house, I’d be happy to work with you on it. You’ll get the family discount.”
“And what’s
the family discount?” McKenna asked, smiling.
“Free,” Dakota said, smiling. “I can even help you check out houses if you want.”
McKenna looked surprised by both comments. “Wow, that would be great, but I’d have to pay you something…”
“No,” Dakota said, shaking her head. “You’re family. Family doesn’t pay each other money, right Lyric?”
Lyric grinned, loving that Dakota saw it that way. “That’s the way I always see it.”
“See?” Dakota said, grinning.
McKenna smiled, inclining her head. “Well, it isn’t how my family is, but this one does tend to be much more special.”
At that moment, a small cry could be heard on the baby monitor. Dakota and Cody immediately stood up.
“Hey, it’s my turn,” Dakota said. “You had her last time.”
“I don’t think so,” Cody said, shaking her head.
“’Fraid so,” Dakota said, walking toward the back door.
“Brat,” Cody said, grinning.
“And?” Dakota queried as she walked inside.
“That was it, just stating fact,” Cody muttered, even though Dakota had already gone inside.
The rest of the family listened on the baby monitor as Dakota walked into the baby’s room.
Dakota smiled down at her baby sister.
“Well there’s my beautiful little girl…” she said softly.
Anastasia gurgled happily at seeing Dakota.
“Come here, little one,” Dakota said as she leaned down to pick up the baby. “Hello beautiful,” she said, smiling as the baby cooed and focused on her necklace. “What… You want this?” she asked as Anastasia’s little hand closed over the silver angel wing pendent.
“Wait, wait, wait…” Dakota said, laughing as Anastasia lifted it to her mouth. “No, don’t eat that, it’s probably dirty… Okay, but don’t tell mama Savanna or she’ll probably kick my butt.” She laughed softly as Anastasia stared up at her with her big blue eyes, chewing on the pendent. “Ready to go see everyone? Or should we just run away together? Hmmm?”
Everyone grinned at what Dakota was saying. It was astounding to hear how fond of she was of the baby, and how happy she sounded when she talked to her. Cody never would have believed it, but Dakota was a really good big sister and definitely had a soft spot for Anastasia.
“We could just sneak out, Ana…. I’m tellin’ ya… But then you’d miss everyone wouldn’t you?” Dakota sighed loudly. “Okay, okay, you win, we’ll stay here. Come on, let’s go see everyone.”
A couple of minutes later Dakota walked out with Anastasia in her arms.
“There’s my girl…” Lyric said, smiling at her daughters.
“Which one?” Savanna queried.
“Both of them,” Lyric said, winking at Dakota.
Anastasia was still holding Dakota’s necklace in her hands and it was all wet with saliva. Dakota didn’t seem to mind at all.
“What have you got?” Savanna asked her baby daughter. “Are you eating sister’s necklace?”
“She talked me out of it, what can I say?” Dakota said, grinning.
“She could talk you out of pretty much anything,” Jazmine said, smiling.
“Which is astounding since she can’t talk yet,” Cody added.
“The hell you say,” Dakota said, giving Cody a narrowed look. “She talks to me. I dunno why she doesn’t talk to you, probably ’cause yer ugly.”
“Better ugly than smelly,” Cody countered.
“Jaz says I smell good,” Dakota said, sticking her tongue out at Cody.
“She loves you, she’ll lie to you to keep you happy,” Cody replied.
“Does not,” Dakota said, her eyes twinkling.
“Does too,” Cody replied, grinning.
Jazmine and McKenna exchanged glances, rolling their eyes at their women. It was a wonderful evening.
Chapter 4
“What?” Harley asked as she walked back into her office to a look she now recognized as Shiloh’s glowering look.
“Where did you go?” Shiloh asked.
“Uh…” Harley stammered, holding up a can of Java Monster timidly.
“Did you have your phone on you?” Shiloh asked.
“Yeah…” Harley said hesitantly, with a comical grimace. “But I had my headphones plugged in and the ringer off…”
“Harley!” Shiloh gasped, shaking her head. “That’s exactly what we talked about last week! You can’t turn your ringer off or I can’t get ahold of you when you’re plugged in!”
Harley grimaced again, closing one eye like she was waiting to be struck.
“Oh, God, stop it,” Shiloh said, grinning as she shook her head.
“So what did I miss?” Harley asked.
“Just the conference call with Sierra and Midnight…” Shiloh sighed.
“Oh fuck,” Harley said. “Is Rayden on her way down here to kill me?”
Shiloh chuckled. “Fortunately, Rayden is fully aware of your debilitating attention span of a gnat, so no, she’s not.”
Harley gave a toothy fake see? All better! smile.
“Don’t even give me that smile Harley Marie Davidson. I had to tap dance for ten minutes while Midnight Chevalier breathed down my neck.”
“On the phone?” Harley asked her look comically perplexed.
“That isn’t the point!” Shiloh said, trying to keep a straight face in the face of Harley’s amused look.
“Shy, I’m really sorry,” Harley said, moving to lean against her counter, looking sincerely apologetic suddenly.
Shiloh gave her a narrowed look, but couldn’t manage to stay mad at her when she was giving her such a sad look with those big blue eyes.
“You’re worse than a puppy dog sometimes, you know that?” Shiloh said.
“At least I’m housebroken,” Harley said, grinning.
“There is that,” Shiloh said, rolling her eyes. “They are going to call back here in ten minutes. You are not leaving this office during that time, do you understand me? I will handcuff your ass to this chair if I have to.”
“Ohhhh…” Harley murmured playfully.
“Don’t make me smack you,” Shiloh replied predictably.
“Will that be before or after you handcuff me?” Harley asked, grinning.
“Oh my God, you are the worst!” Shiloh said, pushing at Harley’s shoulder.
Harley laughed, nodding her head. “I try.”
“You win at that,” Shiloh said. “And while you were out and about, did you buy yourself lunch, or just more caffeine?” she said, narrowing her eyes.
Harley suddenly looked heavenward.
“And that’s my answer, isn’t it?” Shiloh said, shaking her head. “I’m going to go upstairs and get you food,” she said. She pushed Harley into her chair giving her a pointed look. “You will not leave this office, do you hear me?”
“But…” Harley began.
“No, no buts, Harley. You are going to sit here in this chair and wait for that call.”
“You’re going to leave me here and hope that I don’t wander off again?” Harley asked, a grin starting on her lips.
“That’s it, where are your cuffs!” Shiloh said, reaching towards Harley’s back pocket.
“Okay, okay, sheesh!” Harley said, holding up her hands in surrender. “I’ll sit right here and not move, promise.”
Shiloh gave her a pointed look. “I’m only trusting you because you need to eat,” she said, “but if you wander off on me again, I swear I’m going to fit you for a shock collar and a homing device.”
Harley chuckled. “Yes dear,” she said, pressing her lips together comically.
“I’ll be right back,” Shiloh said.
“I’ll be right here,” Harley assured her.
Ten minutes later, Shiloh came back with a sandwich and Harley was on the conference call with Midnight Chevalier, the Attorney General for the State of California, and Sierra Youngblood-Marshal, the head of t
he Criminal Division for the AG’s office.
“No, ma’am, it isn’t that,” Harley was saying as Shiloh walked in. “That program isn’t capable of that level of detail… No ma’am, I did evaluate it, and that’s what I found.”
Shiloh handed Harley half of the sandwich and put a bottle of water down next to her, pointedly moving the can of Java Monster and finding that it was already empty. Harley could consume caffeine at an incredible rate. Shiloh held the can up and shook it, giving Harley a shake of her head as she rolled her eyes. Harley merely grinned as she took a bite of the sandwich, even as she began nodding again.
“Yes, ma’am, I mean Midnight, yes, I can build a program that would do that, but it’s going to take time because of my other priorities.”
Shiloh stood listening with her hands on her hips.
“It’s going to take at least a month of straight programming,” Harley said. “And that’s if I can find a COTS program that’s customizable to that level… COTS means customizable off the shelf, ma’am… Right… And yeah we’d have to pay for that, and then all the time it would take to customize… Sure I can write a program but that’ll take even longer.”
Shiloh was shaking her head, the last thing Harley had time to do was write a whole new program for the AG’s Criminal Division. She pulled out her phone and walked out to her desk so she could call Rayden to let her know what was happening. Rayden asked for the phone number of the conference call. The next thing Midnight, Sierra, and Harley heard was Rayden and Jericho clicking onto the line. Harley’s eyes widened as she looked at Shiloh. She put her hand over the mike on her headset.
“Did you call Rayden?” She whispered.
“Yes,” Shiloh said. “They’re trying to poach all of your time and I thought Rayden should know about it.”
“You do get that Midnight is everyone’s boss right?” Harley said with a grin.
“Yes, I get that, but Rayden is your boss.”
“And Jericho is hers, and she’s on the line now too… And oh boy…” she said, widening her eyes and taking her hand off the mic. “I’m here, ma’am. I… well… yeah… but… I… Last night? Um… like… three hours… Why?” She winced and Shiloh could hear someone’s voice raised through the headphones. “Really, ma’am, I don’t need that… But I really… I… no… yes… but…” Finally, she blew her breath out loudly as she shook her head and rolled her eyes.
Everything to Everyone Page 7
