by Honor James
“Oh, I’m sure that he’s not. It was silk.” She laughed. “I’m sure that the red Kool-Aid that I had just finished drinking didn’t help things either.” She admitted. “So yeah. Always a good time, right?” She smiled as she spoke.
Chuckling, he pressed a kiss to her shoulder before resting his head against her arm. “It’s definitely entertaining around you, my dear. Nothing like a bit of excitement to keep our lives from becoming dull and bland. Though I have to say, I much prefer the excitement of you and your puking than this asshole that’s stalking you.”
“Well I’m glad that I’m able to entertain you darling.” There was a small pause and a heavy sigh before she said, “Yeah, I am rather pukey joe right now, aren’t I? I really hope that this whole pregnancy isn’t me being sicker and sicker with each passing day. I rather love that we are going to have a baby but I honest to goodness don’t know if I will be able to handle being ill all nine months.”
“Six and a half months,” Ansell said. At her look he grinned and nodded. “Luhpyne pregnancies are shorter than human ones, darling. ’Course this will be a half-human child so it could be a little longer but I doubt it. You only have five months and a few days to go before Junior pops out.”
“Holy shit, are you for real?” Lacey’s shock was obvious on her face. “Oh hell. We don’t have a lot of time to get a baby room ready on both sides of the Veil, and yes I want one on both sides so that means we will need to find a home on the other side and…” She rubbed her temples. “Oh hell. There is so much to do.”
“And you don’t need to do any of it,” he said. “We have a place on the other side of the Veil. It’s on Zhubin’s parents’ land, out near a little pond with a dock with a cute little boat you can row around in. It’s well inside the borders and yet far enough away from them that they wouldn’t be there every day. And I know, for a fact, his mother is in there getting it suitable for a woman’s presence. Here all we need to do is some online shopping and then me and Z spend a couple hours putting whatever you buy together.”
Lacey grinned and then began to giggle. “Oh, honey, you have obviously never assembled anything together, have you? Trust me, babe, at times it is far more trouble than it’s worth. You will be spending more than a couple hours doing it, I’m sure.”
“Not if the items are purchased from a place that doesn’t translate their instructions into every known language before getting it translated into English. We buy from a reputable place and, if all else fails, make them come in and put it together. Besides, I have put stuff together and I actually don’t mind it. Zhubin on the other hand should never be left alone with anything that has more than two pieces that snap together.”
“Really? And why is that?” Now she had to know. Ansell was sneaky like that. He knew that her curiosity would never let her leave a puzzle unsolved so now she simply had to know why Zhubin should never be left with puzzles or things that needed assembly.
He shrugged, dragging out the moment of telling her. He would tell her, eventually, she just had to wait for him to feel the moment was right to impart whatever he knew. Harassing him didn’t work, just made him dig in his heels longer. Finally he looked at her and grinned. “Zhubin has a hate-on with your world’s instructions of anything. Says that it looks like some foreigner translated it from another foreign language before passing to another foreigner for another translation before going to someone whose first language wasn’t English for the final translation into English. So he never reads them. Thus how we ended up with a coffee table that was supposed to be a desk.”
“God you are so right there. You are so completely and totally right there. I swear that I think that he’s right about it all. I think that they hire engineers to create the template and then they ask someone else to come in from another country to put it to words and then from there it gets convoluted time and again. Weird, right?”
“Personally I don’t see it,” Ansell told her. “I have zero problems with any sort of instructions. Z says that I’ve got a twisted mind so I can work through all the weirdness. You don’t want to know what I said to that, especially with Junior in the room eavesdropping. But let’s just say that it wasn’t anatomically possible for any being in any realm to achieve.”
She snickered. “Well I think that it’s seriously funny because you can do it and he can’t. I know that I couldn’t do it. I hate trying to put things together. I’ve never been very good at all in putting things together. I have always sucked at putting things together I guess that’s why I love to work puzzles so that I can overcome that inability to put things together.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” He shrugged and wrinkled his nose. “Though the coffee table was likely his best project, it was also his last. After that he got everything preassembled no matter the cost. Which I just don’t get. Won’t even let me put together a bookshelf anymore, says I’m way too happy at it. Now, tell me, does that make any sense at all?”
“Yeah, it kinda does.” Lacey was giggling now. She couldn’t seem to help herself. “I mean come on. There has to be something that he’s better at than you are that drives you nuts, right? Shooting maybe?” No they both were amazing shots. “Well something, I’m sure. Maybe that’s why he won’t let you do it?”
“Cooking is likely the only thing that comes right to mind, though I’m sure he has a list.” He grinned. Shaking his head Ansell rolled his eyes. “But yeah, he’s definitely a lot better off in the kitchen than I am. I can make the basics but have zero interest in getting all fancy with a meal. He seems to just naturally have that gene that lets him know, without tasting mind you, what to add to create something amazing taste-wise to any dish.”
“Yeah and that’s just weird by the way.” Because she couldn’t cook to save her ass. “But at least he can cook. It will keep us all well-fed and I’m sure by now he’s already trying to figure out the best diet to put me on so that Junior here will get everything he needs.” She patted her belly gently. She was honestly very happy about the pregnancy, she was just scared shitless about it as well.
“Exactly, he actually thinks of that stuff. Me, I figure, it’s food, what’s the big deal?” He looked at her, eyes wide. “Really, I’m asking here, what is the big ass deal? If you’re eating all your food groups in a nice balanced manner for a human, wouldn’t that be enough?”
“Well I have to also ensure that I’m eating enough for a Luhpyne baby as well,” she said softly. “And since I honest-to-goodness don’t know what to eat to ensure that our child gets all that he needs, I’m glad that someone is looking after me and my diet.”
“Meat,” he said and shrugged. “Luhpynes are pretty simple beasts at heart. Give us a nice thick, juicy and bloody steak and we’re happy. Throw in a beer and we’ll pretty much lick your boots. Not really, since that’s gross and the Gods only know where they were or what you stepped in but you know what I mean.”
“I do but I seriously doubt that a growing babe needs beer. The meat I can understand, but I don’t think so on the beer.” Lacey did however laugh and added, “However if I recall correctly you have a fascination with my ankles, calves and thighs, right?” she asked with a smile. “And everything between, right?”
“As long as you are naked, yes.” He nodded. Grabbing one of her legs he bent over it and nibbled on her ankle as he bared it, laughing as he did so. “A little light on the meat, but I’ll make do,” he teased with a grin her direction.
“Yes, I happen to be naked with you as often as I possibly can because you always make life so very, very interesting. I happen to truly love when you get creative with your nibblings and touchings. I happen to truly love when you touch me, and nibble on me.”
“You just plain love me,” he said, sitting up once more. Leaning in he hugged her close and pressed a light kiss to her cheek. “You can admit it, no one else is here to hear you,” he added in a not-even-close-to-a-whisper tone. “Hell, you should stand up and announce it for the world to hear. No, don’t
do that, cause then I’d have to let you go and I much prefer you in my arms even if you are dressed.”
“Oh, honey, I don’t care who knows how much I love you. It’s pretty obvious to anyone that has ever seen me with you or with Zhubin that I’m utterly smitten.” Well now that she’d accepted their bond, that was. Now that she had accepted them and stopped running everyone could see what these men meant to her.
“That is true. I’ve heard a few comments on just how tightly we’re wound around your little finger so obviously it’s mutual.” Pressing a kiss to her lips, he settled back with a grin. “Not sure how wound around your pinky we might be but I do know I’d do anything for you. Well, almost anything, I still have a bit of pride left after all.”
“I know that you do, honey. It just means that I would do anything for you just as you would do anything for me. Just as Zhubin would do anything for us as well. You know it as well as I do. Admit it honey.” Lacey knew, just as Ansell did, that they would all move the very Earth for each other.
“Course he would, so we would.” He chuckled. Hugging her close, he looked around. “So, what exactly are we doing today? Should we start shopping for Junior’s arrival?” he asked with a grin. “Because, as you pointed out, we shouldn’t really waste a lot of time. And you’ll want to get it done while you’re feeling good, relatively speaking.”
“Yes we likely should start to shop for his arrival so that we are able to have everything ready.” She hated, really hated to think that their child would be coming so fast, so soon. She just prayed that he would be healthy. “He will be healthy, right? Even with him coming so early? When should or when can we go to a doctor for him? One that specializes in Luhpyne pregnancies?”
“We can go any time you want,” he said with a shrug. “We’ll have to go through to the other side of the Veil for the doctor that specializes. But for most things Briar could likely help you out. It’s up to you, darling. And yes, junior is quite healthy, no residual issues from whatever was done to you.”
“Thank the Gods,” she whispered. “I love Briar to death but yes, I want to go to the other side and ensure that he is okay. I just need to have someone that has delivered many Luhpyne babies before. I need to make sure that he’s good. If possible I want to see him as well, even if it is just a fuzzy spot on the photo. I just. I’m worrying too much aren’t I?” she realized.
Chuckling, he shrugged. “Who am I to say one way or another, Lacey? You’re pregnant, for the first time and because we like to make things interesting. It’s a Luhpyne baby instead of a human one. You are allowed to be whatever you need to be to get through this. If that means you fly off the handle, redecorate a dozen times, eat six tubs of ice cream at a sitting or worry, so be it.”
“Oh god, just thinking of ice cream is making me sick to my stomach.” Very much so. She felt like she was going to hurl with the thought of ice cream. Gagging, she wiggled. “Bathroom. Gonna be ill.” And she was. Damn, all it took was just him saying ice cream and she was ready to be ill. Wonderful.
Ansell scooped her up in his arms and took off running for the main floor bathroom. Easing her to her feet he backed out of the room and tugged the door shut. Not that he would have gone far but both her men knew better than to hang out in the can with her when she wasn’t feeling well.
Lacey hated to be sick. Thank God Ansell hadn’t stayed behind because she likely would have gotten grumpy with him and it wouldn’t have been his doing in the least. Finally after losing what little she had in her stomach, again, she washed her mouth out and cleaned her hands twice before stumbling back out of the bathroom. “Okay, so I think that maybe I have it all out of me again. For now. Give me five and I will likely be there again.” She all but fell back into Ansell’s arms and sighed. “I think maybe a nap. How does a nap sound to you?” Poor guy drew the short straw and had to stay home with her today.
“A nap works,” he said with a smile. Lifting her up in his arms, he headed for the stairs. “I’m sorry I mentioned the you-know-what. I forgot how sensitive you are to mere suggestion right now.” Walking toward their bedroom he slowed just inside the door and nudged it shut with his foot.
“It’s okay.” Her head was on his shoulder and she sighed. “I hate how sensitive I am to everything. Maybe some more of Gennette’s tea would do me some good?” God love that woman, she knew what it was to be pregnant with a Luhpyne child, she would know how to help Lacey, right?
“Why don’t you rest first? We will relax, let your body reset itself and then we can worry about getting some tea and other things into you later. I’ll also call Briar later and see if she has any anti-nausea medication, all-natural of course, to assist in helping you keep food down.”
“I think that sounds like a good idea. The nap and then the anti-nausea medication. Anything to help keep things down would be wonderful. I know just how much our child needs in order to grow and I need to be able to keep down as much as I can so that he has just what he needs to grow.” So it was going to be one of those battles, she was sure.
“Don’t worry, Lace, we’ll get it worked out.” Setting her on the bed he tugged the blankets up and over her. “Get comfortable while I give Briar a call about the meds. See if she knows of something that we could try out and that I can have delivered.”
“I know we will.” She nestled into the bedding and closed her eyes. Her hand reached out and touched his, fingers twining together. “I love you, Ansell. I just need and want you to know that.” He wasn’t a second choice, he was her mate just as Zhubin was. Yes, it was odd that only Z could give her children, but it didn’t mean she loved Ansell any less.
“I know you do, sweetheart.” Sitting on the bed he held her hand and stroked her hair with his free hand. “Just let yourself drift off,” he advised softly, his voice a low rumble of sound. “I love you as well, Lacey, now and for all time, little mate.”
“That’s a very good thing.” Lacey yawned once more and sighed as she did so. “I will drift off as long as you are here.” She whispered softly and rubbed her cheek to his hand once more. This was nice, she relaxed measurably and then very soon was sound asleep.
Chapter Eighteen
“Holy shit,” Zhubin breathed out. He got up from his chair and moved to the large conference table. Sorting through everything he found what he was looking for and his head went back and forth fast between the sheets of paper he held. “Holy shit.” He rushed to Ansell’s side and passed the papers over. “Tell me I’m not hallucinating,” he demanded.
Taking the papers Ansell shot up from his reclined position in his chair. “Are you fucking kidding me?” He got to his feet fast, the chair zipping back and into the wall. “How the fuck did we miss this?” he asked.
Everyone in the room, herself included, stared at them as they went back and forth some more. They checked some more details and then raced out of the room. Zhubin did run back in to grab her with an apologetic look, but still.
“Okay, fill in the obviously clueless one here please. Come on, what the everloving name of hell is happening?” It was killing her that they hadn’t told her anything, just grabbed the pages and raced out. Nope, not happening. She wanted to know what they knew, dammit.
Shaking his head he kept tugging her along until they reached the Captain’s office. Urging her inside he shut and locked the door. Nodding to Ansell, he pulled out a chair for her to sit in.
“We found the connection and how he’s been tracking, Lacey,” Ansell said. Passing the sheets over to the Captain he waited for a second. “It’s a former agent. You worked with him briefly when everything became settled and after the AEDA formed. He got fired because of using excessive force with a suspect. From what we can find, you told him that you hoped he found something else, and good luck. Like you probably would for any other agent.”
Zhubin stepped up then. “He went private sector then but ended up getting fired once again after some more rather excessive behaviour. This time with a girl who was a wi
tness, he thought she was giving him signals and acted on them. Let’s just say the fact he’s not in jail is a mystery right now.”
“The girl looked just like you, Lace,” Ansell told her quietly. “So did the others he went after for a time. Then he started working to get closer to you, creating cases that would pull you out into the field because of the oddities. Cases that would make you curious. Cases that he could sit back and watch you work.”
Zhubin took the sheets from the Captain and handed them to her. One had a picture with some information and the other was a listing of each and every case they’d worked on the last while. As well as a little chart linking the cases to her and the freak out there. “He’s been paying two cleaners here on staff to gather intel. And to also keep an eye on you. One on the day shift and one on the evening shift.”
“Son of a bitch,” Lacey whispered and leaned in to look over the files. “I remember him. He was an ass of truly epic proportions and he did not know the meaning of the words ‘no’ or ‘stop.’ He did as he damn well pleased and to hell with everything else. I’m the one that helped to get him fired. No one knew of course, but I had gathered what I could and sent it to IA and they went from there.”
“Well, that’s your freak,” Ansell said. Moving in closer he put a hand on her head and stroked her hair gently. “Now all we need to do is lure him into a setting of our choosing and take him down. You up for a little play-acting when the night shift cleaners get on?”
“Hell,” she muttered and rubbed her belly. “I’m hungry,” she blurted out. “Feed me first and then I will be ready for some play-acting,” she assured them. “But food first, then maybe a nap and then I will be clean and refreshed and ready to catch a bad guy.”
