"Go have lunch with your wife. Harlow and I will keep an eye on Naomi and the baby. Are you and Audra okay? I know I kind of…suddenly bailed."
"Don't even think like that." Nalea gently swatted my foot. "You didn't bail. You're doing exactly what I've always wanted you to do. Exploring love and living happily in your own space. I love my brave Veyda."
I smiled when she said it and dropped my head against Harlow's. "Thank you."
"Audra and I are fine, and we're ready for some alone time." Nalea grinned and leaned her head back to gaze up at the ceiling.
"She means I'm about to start hearing more orgasms through the walls." I laughed hard when I said it, and both of them joined me. "Though I've already noticed quite a few."
"Worst housemate ever." Nalea narrowed her eyes at me teasingly. "Of course you have."
Harlow snickered and glanced between us. "How about in reverse?"
"Do you mean do I hear your screaming cries of ecstasy all day every day?" Nalea scoffed. "Nope. And it's not fair. I should get a little payback for all the eavesdropping Veyda's done."
The three of us couldn't contain our amusement at the silly conversation it seemed. Harlow doubled over, her arms around her stomach while Nalea cracked up.
"It's not eavesdropping if I can't help it!" I swatted the bed while laughing.
"It is a little," said Harlow, squealing when I tickled her.
"These walls are super insulated so nope." Nalea shook her head. "You sexy bitches are both in good standing."
"Good. Nae, I will always look after Elara, no matter what. You know that, right?"
"Yeah, Little Boo." She reached over to bump me gently on the chin. "I do. We've been doing great at home, but we really haven't gone out to eat or on a date since before she was born. We haven't really wanted to or anything, but Mom was pushing. I could tell Audra wanted to and so here we are."
"How about we plan date nights for the two of you every week? It'll be routine so we all know to expect it," I offered, glancing between her and Harlow.
Harlow nodded right away. "I think we should. Like you all plan family dinners on Sundays and Friday Night movies and takeout."
"Hmm." Nalea narrowed her eyes at Harlow. "You know us well, don't you?"
"Starting to." Harlow smiled as a wave of shyness rolled over her.
"Good. Welcome to the fam." Nalea winked at her. "What you bringing for dessert? Did I hear you say mint chip brownies? I'm pretty sure you did."
Harlow snickered and nodded fervently. "Yes. Yes, you did."
"Good." Nalea grinned before hopping up to stand. "Love you both." She smooched our cheeks then backed toward the door. "See you tonight for Thanksgiving Eve pizza and beer."
"Done." I grinned and we watched her go. "Every year on the night before Thanksgiving, no one wants to cook actual food besides what we're making for the holiday, so we order pizza and drink while Naomi cooks. It's tradition and also, she won't let me cook because once I fed them Tofurkey." I grinned at the fond memory.
"I'm looking forward to it." Harlow nuzzled my cheek while chuckling.
As before, she anticipated my next move and shifted the blankets away so that I could hug her around the middle.
"We better go to the store later if I'm really going to make brownies, baby," she said, her head coming to fall against my chest as I slouched in the pillows with her. "Or get a delivery drone to bring things."
"I'm partial to the drone." I kissed the top of her head. "I also need to get my things for the museum gala party with you…"
"What things?" She looked up at me, her eyes twinkling with delight.
"My clothes are at the dry cleaner's still." I chuckled and kissed the end of her nose. "What are you going to wear, baby?"
"Hmm." She narrowed her eyes at me. "You'll see. It's a surprise."
I laughed and hugged her tightly. "Okay."
We parted only when I heard Nalea and Audra leave to ready for the day. I focused on the sounds coming from their apartment. Naomi hummed a sweet lullaby while the sounds of her cooking carried her along. I could tell Elara watched her, by the soft thrum of her heart and the tick-tock of her rocking swing.
Harlow emerged from the bedroom dressed for the afternoon with damp hair that matched mine. She came up behind me, her arms sliding around my middle and stopped me in my tracks.
"You're pacing, baby," she said, kissing my shoulder.
"Listening to Elara and Naomi."
"They're just fine, right?"
I nodded and turned around to face her. Her sweet scent now carried elements of my own shampoo.
"I'll fix it for you. Go sit," Harlow said, seemingly out of nowhere. She released me and motioned to the kitchen table behind us.
"Um…" I listened to her and made for the table. "Fix what?"
"Your cereal." Her brow furrowed as she opened the fridge to pull out the container of oat milk, then moved to the cabinet for the bran flakes.
"I didn't ask—wait, what?" I sat down anyway, shaking my head.
"What's the matter?" She set bowls down in front of both of us, then returned for everything else.
"I didn't…say anything about cereal."
She paused beside me, her hand still gripping the top of the cereal box. "Baby, you said…" Her brow furrowed as her gaze locked with mine. "I don't remember, but I know you wanted this."
"I didn't say anything." I urged the box from her hand then guided her into my lap. "Have you noticed anything bizarre today?"
"Not really…" She sat down, though she toyed with the button of my shirt.
"Maybe a little?"
She nodded. "A little. I feel different. What am I doing?"
"Anticipating me. When I brought you tea this morning, in the shower when you poured soap in my palm as soon as I turned my hand over, and now. How did you know?"
"I just…you wanted it." A tentative gaze met mine. "Didn't you?"
"I did, but I didn't say it out loud."
Her lips pursed and the pulse of emotions rushed her in a wave that rattled me almost as much as her. "What's happening?"
"I think we're connected differently, baby. Look at me." I stroked my knuckle over her cheek, and she obliged. "It's a very good thing. I can feel you closer to me. Your energy pulses with mine and it…I can almost see the waves of it."
"I can feel you closer, too." She leaned into my touch and let out a slow breath. "My body feels on fire. Everything burns with…want. With ache for you." Her confession left her before a sharp inhale. "My skin is so hungry for you."
"Mine too." I kissed her cheeks, her nose, and her chin before meeting her lips. "Is it too much?"
She shook her head, tentative hands gathering against my chest. "I love it and I love you."
"I love it and you, too, baby." I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against her cheek.
"How's Elara sounding to you?" She stroked my hair and shivers raced over my shoulders. It wasn't a lie that I ached for her, and the idea of being apart bothered me more than it should. Her energy swelled against mine, dancing in it in a way that elevated me. My blood pumped and heart raced as if I prepared to launch us both into the sky.
"She's just fine. Her grandma has it covered. How's Harlow?" I grinned at her, and she thumbed my lips.
"She's very happy." She tilted her head, her smile making it to her eyes. "So happy."
"Veyda is happy, too."
Her smile remained as she pressed her forehead to mine. We settled into the moment together, and I rocked with her a little bit. The calm, soothing sway of our bodies settled me inside and out.
"Veyda," I heard Naomi's soft call and sat up straighter. "Come have lunch with us."
"What is it baby?" Harlow asked, her gaze wandering toward the door that joined the two halves of the house.
"Naomi wants us to go have lunch with them." I shook my head, a smirk playing on my lips. "Sorry. She called out to me, and I heard her unexpectedly."
"She knows
how to get your attention." She kissed my cheek and nodded. "Let's go see them."
"'Kay."
We headed next door to find the kitchen smelling of savory spices tangled with the sweetness of nutmeg and pumpkin. Naomi smooched our cheeks when we entered, a broad smile lighting up her face. A brightly colored scarf wrapped her hair securely atop her head while she cooked. The countertop lined with trays and desserts in preparation for the holiday tomorrow drew my attention before I looked to my favorite little girl.
Harlow made for Elara straightaway, and the baby cooed, kicking her little feet while gazing up at her. I smiled while listening to Harlow baby talk and leaned my hip against the counter beside Naomi.
"She carries your spirit," said Naomi, her voice soft as she handed me a fresh strawberry. "You're bonded."
"What?" My heart skipped a beat in my chest, and I accepted the strawberry with a shaking hand. "How do you know that?"
"I once carried a bond of my own." A sad smile made it to her lips. "Luceas' Plutonian origins share some traits with Andromedans. Praxi people, yes?"
"Yes." My brow furrowed and I glanced between her and Harlow. "How did you know that?"
"He told me. But you were never open to hearing it before." Naomi glanced to Harlow. "Things have changed."
"Yeah." I smiled while watching Harlow pluck Elara from her seat to cradle her against her chest. She glanced at me, her eyes twinkling with something unexpected. "They have."
"When did you bond?"
"Um…not long ago. Is that what it's called?" I fidgeted with the dishtowel while watching her stir the sauce on the stove.
Naomi nodded. "Starmate bond."
"I've only just learned about a few things…"
"Unspoken gifts, yes?" Naomi chuckled, her brows narrowing playfully in my direction.
My face heated and I knew I turned into a bright red strawberry in front of her to match the one pinched in my fingers.
"Thought so." She nodded to the table. "Go sit, doll. The ratatouille is almost done."
"You made that on top of all the Thanksgiving stuff?"
"With all the leftovers, yes." She ushered me off and I scurried over to the table set for three.
Harlow looked down at me while she rocked the baby, swaying side to side. Her eyes widened and she stepped closer. "You're turning into a beet, baby."
"Because she's just learned that I'm aware of her unspoken gift." Naomi grinned as she set the bowl down in the center of the table.
Harlow's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed just the same.
"Settle down with yourselves here. Let's go." Naomi clapped her hands and Harlow slid into the seat beside me, a stunned expression on her face.
"I know you're both not used to having a mother around, but this is how we behave." Naomi served both of us heaping bowls of the vegetable stew while Harlow and I stared at her. "We tend and we talk. So, we're going to talk."
"Did you send Nalea and Audra off to lunch on purpose?" My brows lifted and she chuckled.
"Yes, indeed. I did. Elara is just fine, as we all knew she would be. She loves both of you." She served herself last then flicked her fingers in our direction. "Eat. It's under salted for Veyda, Harlow, fair warning."
"Thank you." Harlow set Elara on her shoulder and the baby snuggled against her with ease, grunting while nuzzling into her hair.
"Welcome. Now." Naomi lifted her spoon to blow on the hot food. "What's it like for you two? Quite unusual, yes?"
We both nodded, though we didn't look at each other for the moment.
"Get used to it." Naomi grinned. "Life is about to be much more beautiful."
"It already is," I said, holding my hand to Harlow.
She smiled and took it while cradling Elara with the other. Shy eyes gazed at me from over the baby's purple cap that sat snuggly on her head. With her cheeks pink, and her lashes kissing her cheeks, she pressed her lips to Elara's forehead while watching me. I gulped and looked back to Naomi.
A wry smile curved her lips, and she winked at me.
I returned my attention to Harlow as she very cautiously lifted her spoon to her lips, her eyes never leaving mine.
"I love you," I told her, my voice soft. "And I hear you."
Her bottom lip found its way between her teeth, and she glanced to Naomi.
"Lovely, isn't it?" she said, tossing Harlow a wink.
"Yes." Harlow returned her gaze to me, and she smiled. "I love you, too."
"After lunch, we can go for a walk with Elara if you like, baby." My heart skipped beats in my chest as its rhythms matched hers.
"I'd like that very much." She leaned over and pecked me on the cheek.
"Talk to each other," said Naomi, as she scooped both of us another serving of stew as if we hadn't just begun our current. "Because you can both feel each other. If you don't talk, you both know something is going undiscussed. This is how you get in your own way."
Nods left Harlow and I at the same time as understanding seemed to find us after the wisdom bequeathed to us by Naomi. In that moment, I vowed to her that I would always talk to Harlow. Always make her my priority, and if I couldn't for a temporary time, I would do the best I could to remind her how much she meant to me.
Harlow leaned over and I pressed my forehead to hers as we closed our eyes. Elara cooed between us, and the thrumming of our connection told me she promised just the same.
***
"Baby, you sent me flowers?" Harlow's smiling face projected from my phone screen that lay beside my laptop. She sniffed the roses, her sweet, playful eyes never leaving mine.
"You deserve them, honey." I chuckled while watching her. "You're blushing."
"A little bit. The delivery drone flew them all the way through the museum. Everyone saw."
"How did you feel about that?" I tilted my head while gazing at her.
"Shy, but very happy." A soft giggle escaped her. "Thank you."
"Welcome, baby. Are you ready for the gala tonight?"
"I am. You'll meet me here, right?"
"I will and I'll be there early. Are you worried about it?"
She shook her head while continuing to stroke the petals of the rose. "Not worried about the gala. I always dread walking in alone, but knowing you're with me will make it different this time."
"You always go alone?"
She nodded again, her gaze downcast for a moment before returning to mine. "Yes."
"I'm sorry, baby. Not this time, okay?" My chest tightened with sadness for her. "Not this time."
"I love you, Veyda." She smiled while blinking away a stray tear that slid down her cheek.
"I love you, too, my sweet girl. See you in an hour?"
She nodded while nibbling her bottom lip. "An hour."
"Okay, baby." I winked at her, and she chuckled. "See you soon."
"Bye, honey." She wiggled her finger at me before we ended the call.
"That was fucking cute," Nalea said from the spot beside me. "You two are so gross."
"Don't tease her." Audra shoved her wife. "Veylow endgame is in full swing."
"Very funny." I closed my laptop and pocketed my phone. "I can iron that, Nae…"
"No, you can't. You'll panic like last time. I got it." She waved me off while continuing to fuss with my button-down.
"I didn't panic. I just burned a triangle in it…" They both laughed at me, and I smirked. "The panic came after."
"Agreed. Here." Nalea shook the shirt out then held it to me. "Let's finish you off so you can go surprise your girl before the hour she expects you in."
"'Kay." I shrugged out of my jumper and into the shirt.
I turned around to button it and watched the two of them as they smiled at me. Audra pressed her lips against Nalea's shoulder, and both of them just stared.
"What's with you two?" I chuckled and tucked the shirt into my slacks before adjusting my belt. The black blazer followed, and I draped my bowtie around my neck. "Should I go with or without?"
"The black bowtie stands out against the white shirt nicely."
"Do I look like a waiter or something?" I huffed and dropped my hands on my hips. "I'll look like the caterers."
"Veyda." Nalea gripped my shoulders, then urged me to turn and face her. "You look amazing." She tied my bowtie, a smile playing on her face the entire time.
"You do." Audra swept in and fastened only one button of the blazer, allowing the white of the shirt to peek through the bottom. "Wear it like this. It's slim-fitting on you. With your hair down like that, it's perfect."
"No boots though."
"The Oxfords are perfect, too." Audra swatted my arm. "Leave yourself alone. Harlow's going to swoon."
"Let's be real, you could be wearing a tablecloth and she would swoon." Nalea patted my cheeks gently. "Digging the eyeliner, too, Little Boo."
"Okay, no more fussing." I wriggled away from them, then held my arms out. "Good?"
"Brilliant." Audra grinned and snapped a photo of me with her phone. "Better go."
"I'm going." I huffed at her. "Love you both."
"We love you, too," said Nae.
They waved at me as I made for the door, my eyes narrowed in their direction playfully.
"Hey…guys?"
"Hmm?" Audra lifted a brow at me.
"Thanks." I ducked out before I could see their reactions.
I bent shadows all the way to the museum, hugging the backyards of the suburbs into the alleys of the city. Traffic increased as well as the population during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In early December, Seattle saw colder temperatures, but little snow. Rain stayed away for tonight, leaving the sky unusually clear.
When I neared the museum, the voices of the people setting up and the early arrivals stole my attention for a moment. I stood on the street corner, gazing down at the twinkling lights, noting how they shimmered in the windshields of passing vehicles and off the metallic casings of the drones.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up suddenly as a wave of awareness struck me. I felt my suit spread over my skin as I glanced over my shoulder with tingles of readiness washing over me. Nothing followed, no sound or movement beyond the standards of the city. I rolled my shoulders and shifted left to head to the alley where I normally snuck into Harlow's office.
Jawbreaker (Four Point Universe Book 14) Page 35
