Intuition

by Jennis Slaughter

  Nodding her head, Raelin stood up. “Well, let me get cleaned up and I’ll join everyone downstairs.” She went into the bathroom and closed the door. Turning around, she walked over to the mirror and started the healing process on herself but felt that something was missing. Rejected she sat down on a stool to think in silence.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  “This is killing Del,” Kasey whispered after the witch closed the bathroom door. “I mean, that’s a hell of a price for Raelin to have to pay.”

  Jenny walked over to wrap her arms around the taller woman’s waist. “Rae saw it as a fair trade for Del and Ariel’s life. She couldn’t be sure that the FBI could have gotten them out alive, but she knew that she could.”

  “They’ll find their way back to each other. They have to, and all we can do is be there for them,” Kasey said, mostly to herself, and then she looked down into the bright hazel eyes of her lover and smirked. “Just promise you won’t ever forget me. I’m not sure I could handle that. I’m too much of a baby.”

  Reaching up to pull Kasey’s lips down to hers, Jenny murmured, “There is no one or nothing on this earth that could make me forget you. You are one of a kind.”

  “You are darn right. Now let’s get downstairs so I can make sure Del doesn’t burn the kitchen down.” Kasey smiled, stealing another kiss.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Del stared at the bowl as she whisked the batter for the pancakes her mind not quite on the task at hand. She felt lost, hurt, and scared, not to mention that she missed her wife. She looked down at the bowl and realized she’d whisked too long and had to add flour to thicken it up. She poured the batter into the pan and then cursed when she realized she hadn’t warmed it up yet. Rinsing the batter out of the pan she placed it back on burner and started over.

  Jessie walked in carrying Ariel. “Hey...do you need some help?”

  “I’m fine,” she mumbled, cursing when she flipped the pancake over and noticed she’d burned the underside of the pancake.

  “Aunt Delly...Yous wants a hug.” Ariel squirmed to get out of her mother’s arms.

  Calmly setting the spatula down Del turned and nodded to the little girl. Ariel immediately latched onto Delaney’s neck and gasped when she was squeezed a little tightly. Del buried her face into the toddler’s neck no longer able to hold back her tears. “Thanks baby, you give the best hugs,” she whispered into Ariel’s shoulder.

  “Aunty Raden can feel you now...Momma Quinlan told her hows.” Ariel patted Delaney’s head with her hand and thought. “She saids for yous to give hers time, and the rest will come.”

  “Thanks munchkin. It just makes me a little sad because I love your Aunty so much.” She thought back, kissing the toddlers head. “You’re getting pretty good at no talkies aren’t you? You been practicing what Aunty Raelin told you?”

  “Yup, yup...You needs to listened to what I says Delly...She’s feeling you now.” Ariel scrunched up her face. “Yous needs to talks wif her.”

  “I will. I’m just not sure what to say.” Del thought back with a chuckle. “You think she’ll say yes if I ask her to dinner? Or maybe you want to help me? I think I have an idea.”

  “We’s family...I helps you all yous wants.” Ariel beamed as she kissed her Aunt on the cheek.

  “Good girl. I’ll tell you about it after breakfast. Now I think I might have some chocolate chips that I can put in your pancakes if you want?” she said aloud.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Del, Jessie, and Ariel were soon joined by Kasey and Jenny and they were just sitting down to eat when Raelin entered the kitchen. Del paused and looked up into deep brown eyes. “Um, I made you some pancakes,” she said with smile standing from her chair. “And there’s some orange juice in the fridge. Want me to fix you a plate?”

  “That would be nice, thank you.” Raelin smiled at the blonde. This Delaney was certainly a gentlewoman as she held out a chair for the witch to sit in.

  “Sure. Want anything to go with that?” she asked, piling a plate with pancakes and filling a glass with orange juice. “Coffee?”

  “No thank you. This will be fine,” the witch smiled at the blonde. “It looks great.”

  “It does now. I messed up the first three I tried to cook,” she chuckled, setting the plate and glass in front of the witch. “Kasey, have you heard any more from Jacobs?” she asked, sitting down between Ariel and Raelin digging into her pancakes once more.

  Raelin watched the interaction between her friends and the blonde. She could tell that both Jenny and Kasey liked and respected Delaney.

  “Yeah, she’s heading over. She should be here soon,” Kasey answered.

  “Jenny, Kasey, Del tells me you guys are planning a wedding soon.” Jessie smiled across the table towards the young couple.

  “Another marries? Like Aunty Rae and Delly?” Ariel blurted around a mouthful of pancakes.

  Raelin watched the blonde as she looked down at her plate. “Ariel, didn’t you say that you were our flower princess?”

  “Yeps. Also the ring prince cause yous had me carry Delly’s ring.” She grinned, syrup running down her chin.

  Getting up, Raelin dampened a paper towel and went over to wipe Ariel’s chin. “I bet you did a great job.”

  “Yeps, Delly gaves me extra cake ‘cause I was a good prince and princess, when Mommy wasn’t looking. She saids not to say.” Ariel giggled.

  “Del...” Jessie groaned. “It took me forever to put her down that night.”

  Del simply grinned sheepishly. “What? She was the best flower princess and ring prince ever.”

  Raelin finished wiping Ariel’s face and turned to the sink with a lump in her throat. It seemed that she had forgotten more than Delaney and all that was associated with her. She had forgotten happy times, laughter and friendship. And if the feeling in her heart was true, she had forgotten a true love, but she had saved lives so maybe it was worth it.

  Kasey glanced at her watch and sighed. “I need to get into town. Jacobs said she had news about the investigation so hopefully we’ll find out when your suspension is over. You can have your job back, Del.”

  “Gladly,” Del muttered as she started clearing plates from the table.

  “Are you coming into town with me or are you going to stay here?” the Deputy asked her fiancée, rising from the chair.

  “I’ll come with you, if that’s okay. You can drop me off at the house and I can make sure that it’s clean enough for the new set of piano students starting next week.” Jenny grinned as she let her hand caress Kasey’s cheek.

  “Good enough,” she turned her head and kissed Jenny’s palm. She turned to look at the other women in the room. “You guys need anything before we go?”

  Del shook her head as she cleaned the dishes in the sink. “I’m good guys.”

  “I’m fine.” Jessie smiled.

  “You can’ts go untils I gets hugs and kisses,” Ariel exclaimed.

  Raelin turned around and watched the group of women. It was obvious that everyone here cared for each other, and as she watched, she could see that this truly was a family. Quietly, she headed into the living room so that she could be alone.

  Del’s smile faded as she watch Raelin head into the living room alone. She watched as Ariel got her hugs and kisses, and then Kasey and Jenny took their leave.

  “Good to see you in once piece, Delaney.” Jacobs smiled, walking into the kitchen. “Kasey let me in.”

  “It’s good to be in once piece. Although I kind of wish the circumstances were a bit better,” Del said as she wiped the stove.

  “What happened? I thought that everyone got out alright?” The older woman placed her hand on the blonde’s shoulder. “Did Raelin get hurt?”

  “Well, she did get a couple cuts and bruises. Other than that she’s physically fine,” she took a breath then continued. “She just has no recollection of ever meeting me. She doesn’t know who I am period, let alone that I’m her wife.”

  “I’m going
to go get Ariel cleaned up. We’ll catch up with you in a bit Del,” Jessie said, grabbing Ariel out of her chair and heading for the stairs.

  “She what? I think that you need to explain some things to me. I know that you’ve been keeping something from me, but you need to come clean and fast. All of this might come out in court.”

  “Raelin would be able to explain this better.” Del sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Look, Raelin is a witch. A fairly powerful one and she managed to use a spell to teleport both Ariel and myself out of the casino and directly to the glen. A little while later she teleported herself to the spring. The laws of nature require balance, so Raelin had to pay a pretty steep price to get us out of there last night. We’re guessing that price were her memories of me and by extension Ariel and Jessie.”

  “Okay...huh? This should be interesting in court.” Jacobs nodded her head. “It’s a good thing that we have them dead to rights with the recording of the wire. Raelin got them to admit almost everything.”

  Del smiled proudly. “I noticed the wire on her when we changed her out of the wet clothes last night. You guys could probably get them to plead guilty for a lesser charge and still put them away for a good long while. Wouldn’t even have to go to trial.”

  “Yeah we did, and since Raelin is technically the owner of the Casino as the major shareholder, she gave us permission and we went through all the files and found out that Bisanti was a part of the slave ring. Trey Kingsley also caved in and gave up everything,” the older woman admitted.

  “Then it shouldn’t be too hard to cop a deal. Kasey said you had news about my suspension?” Delaney asked, draining the last of her orange juice and leaning against the counter.

  “Well, about that. The reporter Collins, his lawyer is also Bisanti’s lawyer, who used to be the police officer that arrested you years ago. He felt that you should have served time in jail so he decided that you needed to be punished in a different way. I’ve already talked with the Mayor, Chief, and he expects you back at work Monday morning.” Nancy smiled.

  “That’s good news. Thank you for having my back on that.” Del smiled. “I guess you are going to want some statements from Ariel and I aren’t you?”

  “Yes, but we can wait if it’s easier. Did Kasey tell you that Raelin offered me a house on the other side of town?” the older woman asked.

  “No she didn’t mention it. She had one property left she was saving for someone who deserved it. It’s a nice place; the house isn’t huge if you have a big family, but tons of acreage.” Del smiled. It was just like her wife to be so generous. “Heck of a commute to New Orleans for work every day though.”

  “Ah well.” Nancy looked down at the table. “I’m tendering my resignation next week. I need to spend more time with my own family before it’s too late. We have been looking for a new home, and this one came along at the right time.”

  “Must be weird to think about not going to work every day after you’ve been doing it for so long.”

  Sighing, the woman reached out to cover one of Delaney’s hands with her own. “You have a strong wife and a stronger love. You can, and will get through this. Have faith in yourself and in Raelin.”

  Smiling Del nodded. “Thanks. I’ve already got a plan to hopefully woo her back.” She chuckled. “I have to have faith; it’s about all I have right now. I love her too much to give up on her and I know she still loves me, she just doesn’t know it yet.”

  Smiling, Nancy patted her hand. “She may know more than you think. Go talk with her.”

  “I feel like an awkward teenager again.” Del chuckled. “You need anything or you just going to wait for Ariel to come down?”

  “I’ll wait here.” She stood up to pour herself a cup of coffee. “Go woo your wife.”

  Del nodded and headed towards the living room, pausing at the door. “Thanks Nancy, for everything,” having said that, she took a deep breath straightened her clothes and stepped into the living room.

  She spotted Raelin going through a photo album and offered a shy smile. “Hey, which one is that?” she asked.

  Raelin didn’t look up; she didn’t want Delaney to see her tears. Clearing her throat, she whispered, “It seems to be our wedding...um joining.”

  “Mind if I join you?” Del asked softly approaching the couch but not sitting.

  The witch mimicked the blonde. “You’ve never had to ask before. No reason to start now. Or at least I guess so.”

  Del sat down next to the brunette and gave her a half smirk. “No fair using my own words against me. That was a good one. Ariel had somehow managed to smear her icing on everyone, but herself.” Del chuckled, pointing to a picture of an icing covered Mike as he ran from Ariel.

  “She’s your daughter, isn’t she?” Raelin quietly asked.

  Del let out a long breath. “Genetically yes. Jessie is infertile, so I donated the eggs. She was carried, birthed and is being raised by Jessie, that makes her Ariel’s mother in every sense of the word. I don’t consider myself anything more than Ariel’s Aunt. I’m happy with that.”

  Quickly, Raelin wiped at her eyes. “Wow, I stepped into that then with Jessie. Remind me to apologize to her.”

  “It’s fine. She understands, but she will appreciate the apology,” she paused and looked down at the album again and smiled. “It was a nice ceremony; we managed to get perfect weather. You looked beautiful in your dress and walking barefoot, like a wood nymph or something. Completely at home with nature.”

  “I think that a wood nymph would actually be wearing less clothing that that,” Raelin joked. She smiled at the blonde, and then paused at the look in her eyes. “I’m sorry that I’m causing you pain. I guess I didn’t think things through, but I don’t think I would have done things differently. You’re here, and that’s what is important.”

  “I can’t fault you for saving my life and especially not for saving Ariel’s. We’ll get through it just like we’ve gotten through everything else.” She paused, thinking over her next words, “I guess I just don’t want you to feel pressured or obligated to be with me or anything.”

  Raelin turned so that she was facing the blonde. “Do you remember up in the bedroom when I had Ariel in my lap?”

  “Yeah I do. It’s one of her favorite places to be.” Del chuckled, knowing the little girl liked to be cuddled.

  “Well, she was talking to me telepathically. And she told me that my mother said to open my heart...so I did, and now I can feel what I think is you.” Raelin’s eyes filled with tears again. “There’s so much love that it’s almost overwhelming and I want nothing more than to know if it’s all true. I need to know.”

  Giving Raelin a real smile, Del nodded. “That’s me alright. We share a very special connection you and I. I can feel you with me always, and you usually feel me too.” Taking a bit of a risk, Del reached up and swiped away a stray tear from Raelin’s eyes. “I have an idea. You can probably feel everyone else in the house too, so would you care to take a walk with me? I’ll be the only one you feel, and you’ll know for sure. There’s no pressure, just a little stroll to the glen maybe, away from everyone else.”

  Closing the album, Raelin stood up. “I would love to,” she held out her hand, hoping the blonde would take it.

  Del rose and took the offered hand, gently twining their fingers together and leading her out the back door. The breeze was gentle and warm and carried the fresh smell of spring with it and underneath it, the sharpness that signaled rain was coming. “I think we might get rain in a couple days,” she said awkwardly. “Wow, am I really talking about the weather?”

  “What would we be talking about if I remembered you?” Raelin quietly asked. She liked the way that they hands fit together and how automatically her walk adjusted to the shorter woman’s.

  “Anything, everything. We never had any awkward silences or a shortage of things to talk about. Even right in the beginning.” She smiled, swinging their hands together lightly between them. She
led them on a meandering path around the yard heading for the glen but taking her time.

  “Jenny said that we knew from the start that we loved each other. Is that true?”

  “I’d like to think so. Even before we’d been introduced I had seen you in town my first day here. You caught my attention from across the street. I had to ask a waitress who you were. Nearly spilled my coffee everywhere because I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” Del chuckled. “Although when I say it like that, I sound kinda creepy,” she laughed.

  “Just a little, but I kind of like it.” Raelin was quiet for a moment before she asked, “Where did I give you myself?”

  Del stumbled a little at the sudden question and paused. “Wow. You dive right in don’t you?” She nodded her head forward. “It was actually on the other side of this tree line. The same place we got married,” Del said, leading Raelin into the long grass of the glen.

  “I take it that you prefer me to be the quiet one?” the witch joked.

  Del sunk to the grass and sprawled out, closing her eyes at the smell of the sweet grass. “Join me?” she asked holding her left hand up for the brunette to take. Her right landed under her head as she looked up at the witch.

  Reaching out with her left hand, Raelin took hold, but at the moment that their wedding rings touched there was a flash of light and Raelin felt a shock travel the whole way up her spine.

  She saw flashes of what she assumed were memories flashing behind her eyelids, Del sitting in the diner on that first day, their first kiss. Now Del had her head thrown back in carefree laughter, and the last bit she saw was Del looking down at her eyes bright with love and the clear night sky above her as Raelin gave herself to her wife for the first time in this very spot. Everything came back at once, the first time they laid eyes on each other, the joining in this very glen and everything between and since.

  Del cried out, half in surprise and half because her eyes were still a little sensitive. She blinked away the light and looked up at Raelin confused. “What was that? You okay?” she asked, sitting up.

  Never letting go of Delaney’s hand, Raelin knelt down next to the blonde and stared at her for a few minutes, never saying a word but her eyes drinking in the sight of the blonde.