"Aww." Harlow chuckled until we switched places. "She's so cute."
"She is."
We emerged a little while later to dress and pull ourselves together. I glanced to the closed door that separated my apartment from my friends while pulling the sweater vest over my head.
"What's wrong?" asked Harlow as she zipped up her knee-high boots.
"Elara's crying." I turned to her and pointed at my bowtie. "Is it crooked?"
"Nope." She grinned as her eyes flickered over me. "You're so adorable. That outfit, Veyda."
"What?" I glanced down at myself. "I always dress like this."
"I've never seen you in an argyle before." She scurried over to hug me, her arms slipping around my middle. "Is this because it's chilly out today?"
"Yes." I laughed and rocked with her as she tucked her hands into the back pockets of my jeans. "It's kind of cold."
"I'm grateful for that." She kissed me quickly, gnawing her lip after. "Quick kisses don't push me over the edge."
"Me either, but you still make me feel all tingly."
"Ditto. I dig it." She smiled and took my hand. "Let's go check on your Baby Boo."
"'Kay." I laced my fingers with hers and we headed off to visit with our friends.
Elara's cries escalated after I opened the door, and I found Audra with her in the kitchen. She bounced her while cooing soft phrases. Audra appeared stressed, with fatigue written all over her face.
"Has she been fussy all morning?" I asked right away.
Audra nodded, her gaze meeting mine with a lingering desperation in them. "All morning. Nalea ran out to get coffee."
"Let me take her. You look beat." I held my arms for the baby, and Audra handed her over right away. I held her up in front of me, nearly melting under the way she curled up her knees and grunted annoyed tones at me. "What's the matter, Baby Boo? Are the nipples too pokey?"
Harlow stroked Audra's back before urging her to sit. "What can I get you?"
"My wife with coffee." Audra feigned a whine. "We need groceries."
"Veyda, too."
I sat down and set Elara on my shoulder. Right away, she grabbed a handful of my hair and her cries quieted to hiccups. Eventually, she calmed down and returned to her usually cuddly self. It took her all of five minutes to fall asleep while I rubbed her back.
"Magical Auntie Veyda." Audra sighed, slouching in her chair. "I'm so tired. I fed her, changed her, tried her in the swing. She wasn't having any of it."
"Her belly is a little grumbly," I said. "Maybe gas?"
"Maybe. Thank you for turning off the loudspeaker in her throat," teased Audra.
"Didn't do anything special. Go lay down. We got her for a bit." I nodded toward her bedroom.
Audra glanced to Harlow who nodded. "We do. At least do something restful."
"I think I'll take a shower first." Audra rose from her seat then smooched my cheek. "Thanks."
"No thanks ever needed. I'm happy to share my alien magic to soothe your kid. Off you go." I flicked my fingers at her, and she chuckled before scurrying off to take care of herself.
I toted Elara to the living room and settled with her on the sofa. Harlow joined us, leaning in close to rest her head on my free shoulder. I nuzzled her while kissing the top of Elara's head. She stroked my thigh while both of us gazed down at the grunty kid.
"You would make a wonderful mom, Veyda," she whispered, and I met her gaze. "You could teach her so much."
"Do you want babies, Harlow?" I reached back to run my knuckle over her chin.
"I'm not sure." She kissed my finger, but quieted after that.
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, and she snuggled closer to me, pulling her knees up to rest on my leg. With both of them tucked close to me, the calmness that began for me last night with Harlow's arrival continued, and the sounds of the new space didn't bother me at all. I listened to their soft breaths, beating hearts, and rumbling stomachs long enough for Harlow to tumble into a doze.
Audra returned a few minutes later, refreshed and wearing a smile as she joined us on the sofa. I winked at her, and she chuckled.
"Two sleepy heads," she whispered.
"Three if we count you. I've got a free shoulder since Baby Boo likes my chest. Bring it in, girl." I nodded for her to join us.
She laughed softly and leaned against me just the same. I smooched the top of her head and she smiled.
"Not overwhelmed today?" she asked.
"Not at all. I feel very cozy."
"Me too. You're so warm and comforting right now." Audra closed her eyes and pulled a pillow into her lap. Her posture somewhat mirrored Harlow's and it made me smile.
"Good. Take a nap, too."
"Hmm," was all she said before she seemed to heed my words.
Three hearts and three sets of soft breaths encased me in a cozy bubble of ease that seemed to settle my raging insides. While they slept, I thought about all the things Harlow and I spoke about. Starseeds, Andromeda, Praxar, Mahrulo's odd idea of Starmates. The war, my mom, my dad, and what it would be like if I had a kid with similar abilities. It didn't overpower me as much as it did previously and so I let my thinking wander.
Nalea returned a little while later, carrying coffees and something that radiated with the smell of fried potatoes. My mouth watered before I even met her gaze. She appeared in the living room, her brows lifting as she stared at us. She held the tray with four coffees and a paper bag.
"Well, this is new," she said, setting everything down on the coffee table.
"We have some sleepy girls on our hands," I whispered despite my smile.
"You have some sleepy girls all over your body." She grinned then leaned down to smooch my cheek before pressing her lips to the foreheads of her girls. "Elara was a nightmare last night."
"I heard all about it, but didn't hear Elara. I'm sorry. I could've helped."
"She wasn't very loud, just fussy, and Veyda, you're allowed to have your own life, too. I'm sure you and Harlow were knee deep in getting reacquainted with each other in your new space." She perched herself on the edge of the coffee table and plucked a hot cup from the tray. "Got you coffee and an egg sandwich. We really need to go shopping."
"We're over here because I don't have a speck of food next door. I need so much…"
"Us, too. How do you feel about being here so far?" she asked in between sips of coffee.
"I'm starting to get more comfortable. Harlow being here helps so much for some reason. She keeps me…calm. Focused."
"I noticed."
Audra stirred beside me, groggy eyes opening, and she stared right at her wife. "Coffee?"
"Yes, babe." Nalea laughed then handed her a cup. "You okay?"
"Just tired. And hungry." Audra accepted the cup and sat up properly.
"I hunted and gathered just for you." Nalea handed her a sandwich as well. "Are you sure you want to go shopping today? You can hang back and the three of us can go. We'll bring bottles and you can pump when you need to, but rest."
"You're the best." Audra held the foil-wrapped food in the air. "Best wife ever. But I think I'm okay to go. If I send you and Veyda to the store alone, you'll come back with frozen pizzas, bran flakes, vegan chicken nuggets, and oat milk. No one needs that kind of torture."
Our laughter woke up Harlow, but not the baby. She peeked up at us, her brow furrowed as she glanced around at the amused faces.
"What'd I miss?"
"Audra making fun of the eating habits of Nae and me." I grinned and kissed her cheek.
"Also the arrival of sustenance." Nalea passed Harlow coffee and breakfast just the same. "And considering our daily plans."
"A hero has arrived." Harlow accepted her offering. "Thanks. Shopping is definitely in the cards today. Veyda needs lamps. And light bulbs."
We all laughed at that, and I scowled at her. "Humans."
Harlow swatted me as she grinned over the top of her cup.
"How'd you get her to go down
?" asked Nalea, nodding to the baby.
"She just fell asleep when I held her. Nothing special. Her belly is rumbly though. I think she's gassy."
"I think so, too." Audra devoured half her sandwich in record time.
Nalea already finished hers, and Harlow ate in dainty bites. I watched her with a smile, and she narrowed her eyes at me.
"What?"
"You're so cute."
She scrunched her nose up at me, then held her food out for me to take a bite. "Do you like this?"
I shook my head. "Not the bacon."
"How about this?" She plucked the hashbrown from the wrapper and held it to me.
"I do." I nodded and took a bite. "You gonna keep feeding me?"
"Uh huh." She grinned and accepted the meatless sandwich Nalea offered her. "You're on baby duty so you get spoiled."
Our friends smiled while they watched us and Nalea shifted to sit with Audra, hugging her from behind. "What do you need, honey? Honestly," she asked her.
"I'm feeling better, and you already got me the beginnings of what I needed." She held up the last few bites of her food. "But we need to get the stroller into the car and the diaper bag."
"Consider it done. You're totally sure you want to head out?"
Audra nodded. "If we need to head back early, Veyda can always fly home with Harlow." She snickered and wagged her brows at us
"I love when she flies me places." Harlow giggled and offered me another bite.
My insides flip-flopped with delight, and I winked at her while accepting the food. I couldn't deny how happy Harlow made me, and to have my whole family in one room, on one sofa, only added to it.
We finished our breakfast and readied ourselves for a day of shopping. Elara continued her nap when I settled her in her car seat and didn't seem too fussy for the most part. We decided to head to the furniture and home store first, and eventually parted to take care of business. Nalea pushed the baby stroller while Audra picked out the items she preferred. The shopping bot followed them along, recording their selections. Harlow and I decided to start with the kitchen items and wandered off to fill our shopping cart with necessities.
An hour, at least, passed and I stood beside Harlow as she showed me some bathroom towels. I ran my hand over them to test the softness and nodded.
"I think your color theme is great. Grays and whites always go together. Bits of brownish will give it a warmer feel, or black will make it sleek. Which do you like better?"
"I'm not sure." I pressed my lips to her shoulder. "What do you like better?"
"I like both." She nuzzled her nose against my cheek. "I like the bolder colors to come from artwork."
"Good plan."
"You're doing really good, baby. You have everything for the kitchen and bathroom all set. The fun stuff comes next like knickknacks and decorations."
"Still have the living room furniture and stuff," I said.
"That won't take too long. You're not very picky." She smiled when she said, and she slipped her arm around my middle.
"I'm not at all. I'm happy with simple. I think we should get a soft carpet for in front of the fire, though. It was really lovely sitting there with you last night." I bumped my hip with hers then nudged a bunch of gray towels into the cart.
"It was. Let's pick out your furniture first then grab the carpet. Sound good?"
"Yep." I smiled and held my hand to her. "I'm very happy you're here with me."
"I'm happy to be here with you." She squeezed my hand, and her gaze flickered between my eyes.
"I know. Contacts. They make you feel weird."
"A little. It's like I can't really see you."
"I'm sorry, honey." I hugged her hand to my chest. "Maybe I'll start wearing them less."
"Only if you're comfortable, Vey. I'm okay either way, but you need to feel comfortable."
"With you, I always do."
She smiled and leaned her head on my shoulder while I pushed the grocery cart.
We picked out a few blankets and accent pillows, and Harlow wandered over to an end cap display of candy while I checked out a set of dishtowels.
"Honey," she called out, a wry smile playing on her lips when I looked over.
"Hmm?"
She held up a white speckled ball wrapped in clear plastic. Her smoldering gaze met mine and she tapped it against her chin as her teeth caught her bottom lip. A giggle left her, and she wagged her brows at me.
It took me a moment to figure out what it was and I laughed. "Second best jawbreaker I've seen today."
She grinned and bounced over to collide with me before catching me in a hug. "I'm getting it."
"Hmm." I snaked my hands around her middle while holding her to me. "Want to lick it with me together later?"
Her teeth chattered and she stared at my mouth. "Y-yes."
"Good." I smiled while brushing my lips over hers. "I literally cannot wait."
She glanced around us, gnawing her lip before she said, "Kiss me here."
"Right now?" My stomach flip-flopped with excitement.
"Right now." Harlow closed the space between us. She lifted to her toes despite the inch or two of height she had on me, cupping my face as I pulled her hips to me in a sharp grab.
My stomach burned with arousal that stopped just short of my clit when she ended our kiss. Heavy pants left her, and she closed her eyes, her forehead pressed to mine.
"You stopped yourself," I said, laughing softly while stroking her back.
Her cheeks burned bright red, and she gave my hair a tug. "Too many people around."
"Nah." I snickered and smooched her cheek. "Let's head back to the car before Nalea and Audra get there."
"Yes, please." She laughed out her words and I nipped her fingers.
"C'mon." I took her hand and urged her to walk with me while we hurried with the cart to the self-checkout counter.
The afternoon turned into evening pretty quickly by the time I made the selections for my larger items. Order bots turned over my purchases to the humans behind the scenes and they arranged for delivery of everything in less than forty-eight hours. The thought of having a fully assembled apartment both excited me and made me nervous. I wasn't used to my own space, but I would have to learn how to be.
With a few items loaded into the trunk of Nalea's SUV, we piled ourselves in and relaxed while Audra fed Elara who decided to shout out her hunger eventually. She wasn't nearly as fussy as they described this morning, and her belly stopped making funny noises as well.
"She's been so good today. All the shopping didn't overwhelm her," I said while slouching with my knees against the seat.
Harlow mimicked my posture and swatted at me. I snickered and poked her side. A full out tickle and poke war commenced and she squeaked.
"Veylow is rocking the car," announced Nalea. "Testing out the shock absorbers for their nighttime pleasure."
Audra swatted her arm, but it didn't stop her from laughing. "Leave them alone."
"But they're cute. Can't I tease them?" Nalea pouted, but it lasted only a few seconds before she grinned.
"Nope." Audra shook her head.
I laughed while listening to them and Harlow grabbed me in a rough hug. "She's just jealous because I love you more than she does." Harlow tossed Nalea a wicked grin that brought an astonished scoff to her face.
"As if!" Nalea nearly howled.
Audra and I cracked up when Harlow challenged Nalea's playful possession of me. Huffs and puffs left her lips as she seemed to fight for a better comeback.
"I win." Harlow giggled and shrieked when Nalea reached back to swat at her feet. "Wicked!"
"This kid is going to learn to eat and sleep through anything with this silly crew," said Audra while gazing down at Elara who didn't bat a lash at our silliness.
Sirens screamed down the street suddenly and a series of police drones raced after them. It brought a pause to our frivolity and Nalea leaned out the window to watch. She glanced at me in th
e rearview mirror before flicking on the police radio on her dashboard.
"We have a ten-ninety-six at Columbia Center. Copy," the shrill voice over the radio announced. "Copy, dispatch. Units enroute."
Nalea's expression hardened, and she looked out the window again.
"What's that mean?" asked Harlow.
"Something is going on at the Columbia Center building," I said, sitting upright in my seat. "Nae? What's the code?"
"Emotionally disturbed person," she answered. It took her all of three seconds to pick up the radio and say, "Detective Spooner, off duty and picked up this call. What's the deal, dispatch?"
"E.D.P. on the building edge, Detective."
"Copy. Units on scene?"
"Yes. All good."
"Ten-four. Thanks." Nalea's eyes locked on mine, and we hung there in a stalemate.
"They do this all the time." Audra turned in her seat and settled Elara back in the car seat between Harlow and me, her attention on the latter. "Thirty seconds before they bolt."
Harlow's brows lifted, and she turned to me. "Are you?"
I nodded as I pulled my sweater over my head, the mask already affixing itself to my face as if it knew. My contacts followed, and I ditched my shirt and bowtie. The bio-tech suit rolled over my skin, coating me in a shadowy, ethereal black. I looked down at myself and the way it hugged my torso, covering me like some sort of leotard. My jeans and boots remained the same, though every bit of me felt sturdier than before. I pulled my beanie out from the pocket of my jeans and whipped my hair into a fast ponytail before pulling it on.
"All of you stay here. Nalea, you, too. You're off duty," I said, my monotone voice causing me to cringe.
"Fine, but turn on your comms." She pressed her finger against her ear, and I did the same. "Good?"
"Good."
"That voice changer is creepy." Audra's brow furrowed. "Like a robot."
"It's so her voice patterns can't be identified," explained Harlow. Concern wrinkled her brow, but she leaned over to kiss my cheek. "Be careful, baby."
"I will. I love you." I opened the car door to step outside. "Stay with them."
"I will." Harlow's hands curled to her chest as she fought to hide her worry.
Jawbreaker (Four Point Universe Book 14) Page 28
