Insight

by Jennis Slaughter

  Del chuckled, tickling Ariel’s sides as she entered the kitchen behind Jessie. “This little monster’s always hungry, aren’t you?”

  “Daddy says I’m a growing girl and I needs my food to grow up strong,” the tiny blonde huffed.

  “Those two together are always trouble. She wants to be just like Del when she grows up, hence the little suit.” Jessie chuckled watching her daughter and best friend’s antics. “She’ll have a small plate of eggs if it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Sure. Miss Ariel, would you care for a glass of orange juice or a glass of milk with your eggs?” Raelin asked the little girl as Rori jumped up on his bench.

  “Orange juice, please.” The movement to her left caught the child’s eye and she immediately pounced on poor Rori before he had a chance to scamper away. She carried him awkwardly into her arms and turned to grin victoriously at the adults in the room. “Look what I found. It’s a cute kitty!”

  “Would you mind please telling the child to not squeeze me so tightly?” Rori asked.

  Del laughed at the disgruntled look on Rori’s face and smirked.

  “I’m sorry, kitty. I didn’t means to hug so hard,” Ariel said earnestly, loosening her hold.

  Del choked on the sip of coffee she’d taken and looked up to see what Raelin’s reaction was.

  Jessie knelt next to her daughter and gently took the cat out of her arms, setting him back on his bench. “Ari, you know you need to be careful with the kitties. He’s probably hungry, so why don’t you leave him alone and let him eat?” The brunette turned to Del. “Sorry, she’s on a bit of a cat phase right now.”

  Raelin froze when the child had answered Rori’s request and swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the refrigerator and pulled out a piece of salmon. “Ariel, would you like to help me get his breakfast ready?”

  “Can I, Mommy?” Ariel asked.

  “Sure, just make sure you listen to what Raelin says, okay?” Jessie smiled indulgently.

  “I’d like to help please. Mommy says it’s all right.” Ari giggled in excitement, tugging on Raelin’s pant leg.

  Del watched Raelin carefully and smiled slightly at her interactions with the child. Turning to Rori, she threw a thought his way. “How can she hear you?”

  “You tell me. What is this child to you?” He stared at his newest human.

  Sighing inwardly, she opted for the truth, knowing Rori would know if she tried lying. “Technically, she’s my daughter. I donated the eggs when it was found that Jessie was infertile.”

  “There’s your answer, but why didn’t you tell Raelin?”

  The witch was standing next to the little blonde girl who was standing on a chair, and they were breaking the fish into smaller pieces. “This is a very special cat who can talk with you if you listen very carefully.”

  “Rori, I didn’t mention it because I didn’t think it mattered. Ariel is mine only in genetics; she was carried and raised by Jessie. Her mother is Jessie.”

  Raelin handed the bowl to the child. “If you want to put this on that bench, I’m sure that he will give you a kiss on the nose.”

  Del watched, amused as the small child cradled the dish with the utmost concentration as she climbed off the chair, carrying it slowly to his bench and sat it down in front of him. She scrunched her nose when Rori leaned forward and licked the end of it, adding a gentle rub against her chin with his head before he dived into his breakfast.

  “Ari, why don’t you ask him his name?” Del said, knowing the little girl had no way of knowing his name.

  Ariel gave a nod to Del and turned back to the cat, which had paused in his eating to look at her. “Excuse me, Mister Kitty. What is your name?”

  “My name is Rori Alexander Montrose, but you can call me Rori, Miss Ariel.”

  “That’s a very nice name, Mister Rori,” she smiled, squatting next to the feline.

  Jessie just sat watching her little girl with a confused look on her face. “What exactly is going on?” Delaney had warned her of Raelin's abilities on the phone the night before.

  Raelin turned towards the kitchen table and took a deep breath. “Jessie, there is nothing for you be worried about. It seems that since Delaney is such a close family friend, Ariel can talk with my cat.” Raelin was trying to be as polite as possible, since she didn’t know how much the little girl knew. “Rori is a very special cat. He can hear mine and Delaney’s thoughts, and now it seems so can your daughter. I am a practicing Wiccan and Rori is my familiar.”

  Del turned to Ari. “Why don’t you go play on the lawn for a few minutes? There’s a slide in the back yard. Jessie don’t worry about her. Rori will watch her.”

  Rori mewed and followed the child as she ran out the back door, and Del smiled while she watched her go.

  Jessie stood and leaned against the counter where she could keep an eye on her little girl through the window.

  “You know, I don't really know what to make of all of this. She's just a little girl, and you're saying she can suddenly talk to cats, that Delaney can talk to cats,” Jessie sighed.

  “Yes, well, I warned you last night. Please Jessie, I would never lie to you. Just trust me,” Del begged.

  Jessie simply nodded; knowing that for now her questions would have to wait.

  “Yes, well let’s get the paper work done; it’s a lot to go over. Let me just go corral the munchkin.” Jessie smiled, setting the briefcase she had brought in with her on the table.

  “I’ll have Rori bring her in.” Raelin thought to her familiar and soon the little girl and her cat were running through to stand next to her mother.

  “Momma, Mister Rori said you wanted me in now. He was super nice, he played tag with me,” Ari said, scratching Rori’s ears as he passed to jump up on the table next to his witch. “Can I go sits with Aunt Delly? I haven’t seens her in a long time.”

  “Why don’t you ask her?” Jessie laughed, running her fingers through fine golden hair.

  “Come here monster.” Del smiled, allowing the girl to climb up into her lap. “I didn’t think you’d be so good with children, Rori,” Del thought to the familiar.

  “They are pure creatures as they haven’t been taught to lie and deceive. This child must be a lot like you were as a child.” The cat returned to his dish and began to eat.

  “Jessie, were you able to go over my father’s will?” Raelin stood behind her wife and rubbed her shoulders.

  Putting on a pair of black rimmed glasses, the attorney nodded as she pulled out various papers. “It’s a huge inheritance. I’d estimate all told it’s worth tens of millions of dollars. Now you had a question about the deeds he left you?”

  Raelin reached into a nearby drawer and pulled out the deeds to the houses and to the casino. “I know that I just can’t give the town people the houses, but I was thinking that I could sell them at pennies on the dollar, just enough to cover the taxes for each.”

  “You are the major stock holder and silent partner in the casino and I would recommend leaving it that way. Aside from that, what you are suggesting for the properties is a good idea. I can write up a bunch of contracts and you can offer them to the people living on the land. I just want you to understand that once you do this, you can’t go back. It’s a good thing I took real estate law in school.” Jessie grinned as Raelin nodded her head. “Now, what’s this about a power of attorney?”

  Raelin looked at the blue-eyed woman with a smile. “I would like to give Delaney power of attorney, both medical and financial, to do whatever she deems necessary in the case that I am unable to make a decision. I also want to give my niece, Jenny LeBlanc, the home that she has grown up in and a half million in trust. In addition, I would also like Delaney to have everything if something should ever happen to me. And I also would like to have a trust for Ariel.”

  Del felt her eyes go wide, not so much at what Raelin had decided to leave her and Jenny. That bit didn’t surprise her. What did
surprise her was the trust for Ariel. She turned her head and looked at her wife; questions clear in her eyes.

  Jessie had been jotting down notes as Raelin spoke, but her pen faltered when she heard the request for a trust for her daughter.

  “Why a trust for Ariel?” Jessie questioned. “Not that I don’t appreciate the offer. I just don’t understand.”

  “It is obvious that Delaney is a close family friend and has given a part of herself to you. I wish Ariel to have everything that she should need to have a life with the possibilities of the world available to her,” Raelin quietly answered.

  “Raelin?” Del asked quietly. She knew Raelin was now aware of just how close she was to the child and wasn’t quite sure how Rae was going to take that.

  Jessie also knew that Raelin had figured things out and sat back to see if this would go any further or would be put away for another time.

  “She is a part of you, and for that reason alone deserves the world. I can never give you...I can’t...just let me do this for you both,” the witch simply implored.

  Del instantly knew what Raelin’s hang up was, but knew that this was not the time to discuss it. She gave Raelin a look that said this wasn’t over and turned her attention back to Jessie. “Let her have this, Jess,” she said quietly.

  Blowing out a puff of air, the brunette watched as her daughter quietly sat in the blonde’s arms. Jessie nodded to the woman standing with her best friend. “Very well, what would you like the amount to be?” she asked, resigned and mildly humbled that this woman who knew nothing about her would do such a thing for her daughter.

  “I don’t know...two million?” Raelin didn’t care about the money. “I also want to have the Kingsley estate turned into a camp for troubled kids. The house and the surrounding acreage will be a great place for city kids to go and get their life in order. Oh yeah, I would also like to keep you on retainer.”

  Jessie’s pen once again faltered at the figure, but she kept quiet this time. She jotted down the idea for the estate and smiled. This woman was completely selfless. She understood why Del would have fallen for her. She stopped writing at the last request and looked up at the witch.

  “Raelin, I didn’t plan on charging you for any of this. I don’t charge Del, and I wouldn’t expect to charge you either,” Jessie said seriously.

  “No, you’re going to be doing a lot for me, and I always pay my way. And I need my last name to be changed to Delacroix.” Raelin laughed. “I keep remembering things.”

  “Well, at least the name change is easy enough.” Jessie laughed. “Everything else is going to take some time. I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you pay me as long as you agree to a discounted fare. You’re already doing so much for me just by setting up that trust for Ari.”

  “You think this is bad? You should see her at markets. The poor venders never stand a chance to her haggling,” Del chuckled.

  Jessie scoffed, “Yeah right. Don’t listen to her Raelin. You get Del and Ari together and nobody on this planet stands a chance. They charm the pants off just about anyone.”

  “It’s not me. It’s the kid. Who wouldn’t fall for a cute little face like this?” Del smiled, pressing a kiss to Ari’s forehead. “Is there anything else we needed to bring up Raelin?”

  Thinking over everything, Raelin shook her head. “No, I think I covered everything. Can you think of anything I missed?”

  “I can’t think of anything. Jessie already knows what I want done. Since I know it’s going to take her a while to draw the paperwork up, why don’t we just enjoy the afternoon? The weather is good, and I haven’t seen Jessie or the munchkin here in ages.” Del smiled up at Raelin.

  Turning to the child in her wife’s lap, Raelin knelt down so that she was eye level with the tiny blonde. “Would you like to go back outside and play on the slide? I bet if we ask very nicely, Rori would come along with us.”

  Rubbing her eyes Ari smiled up at Raelin. “Yes, please. Thank you...” The little girl paused, trying to get Raelin’s name out as she had heard the adults say. Unable to get her tongue around the syllables she scrunched her face up in frustration, a look that was all Del.

  Del tried not to giggle at the little girl’s plight.

  “It’s okay Ariel, you can call me Rae if it’s all right with you mother.” Raelin smiled.

  Jessie nodded, laughing lightly at her daughter. “She’s pretty well ahead of most four year olds as far as speech goes, but every now and then a word stumps her. She never could say Delaney. Come on Ari, let’s go with Raelin and play on the slide.”

  “You guys go ahead; I’ll meet you out there. I need to put this paperwork away,” Del said softly, helping Ariel out of her lap so she could ask Rori to go play with her.

  “Excuse me, Mister Rori. Would you like to come out and play with me again?” Ariel asked politely, just like her mommy had taught her.

  “Of course, Miss Ariel. I haven’t played hide and seek in a long time.” Rori got up from his bench and headed outside.

  “Rae! Let’s go. He’s going to play hide and seek with me,” the tiny blonde squealed, giving Raelin’s hand a gentle tug.

  “Ari, don’t tug on her like that. It’s not polite,” Jessie admonished gently. “A little patience please.”

  Ariel stopped her tugging with a sheepish grin. “Sorry Miss Rae.”

  On an impulse Raelin scooped up the little girl and ran outside with her, causing Ariel to squeal and giggle all the way to the slide. Putting her down, she laughed. “Was that fast enough for you kiddo?”

  Shooting down the slide, Ariel held her hands up. “Again!”

  Del smiled wistfully at the sight of her wife playing with the toddler. She turned to Jessie as she stood, gathering up some of the papers. “You might as well join them, I’ll be right out.”

  Jessie nodded her head, and after she put the paperwork into her briefcase, joined her daughter and Raelin on the slide.

  Del joined the others soon after, enjoying the time with her best friend and favorite little girl. Eventually she moved to sit on the porch with Raelin while Jessie tried to tire her out a little more.

  “She’s taking a liking to you.”

  “Who, Ariel? She’s a beautiful child...” Raelin looked at her wife. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Del paused and looked at Raelin for a long moment. “It honestly didn’t cross my mind. She’s Jessie’s daughter in everything but blood. I didn’t carry her, deliver her, or raise her. I forget how much she’s starting to look like me sometimes. It’s not so bad when you see her with her father. He’s fair like I am.”

  “Anyone looking at you two together will know that she’s your daughter. I just would have liked a little bit of warning.” Raelin smiled and caressed Del’s face.

  “Raelin, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just so used to the whole thing that I forgot you would probably figure it out as soon as you laid eyes on her. I guess it doesn’t help that she’s on the whole dress like Aunt Delly kick.” Del smiled ruefully, lifting an arm and settling it across her wife's shoulders.

  “She does look awfully cute in her suspenders.” The brunette chuckled.

  Rolling her eyes Del had to chuckle. “I’ve only worn those once in front of her, and according to Jessie, she hasn’t taken them off except to sleep since. I don’t even wear them that often. Then again I guess I should be grateful. Before this, it was the little mermaid.”

  “Ooo, I’d pay to see you topless and with a fish tail.” Raelin wiggled her eyebrows and winked.

  “I wouldn’t hold your breath babe.” Del laughed, kissing Raelin's forehead before making her way out to the backyard. She’d barely made it onto the grass when she heard her name being called and a small weight slammed into her body. She looked down to see Ari staring soulfully back up at her, tears falling down her cheeks.

  “Mommy says I haves to nap now. I don’t wanna. I’m not tired,” Ari whined.

  Del was hard pressed not to laugh, knowing the li
ttle girl only got like this when she actually was exhausted.

  “Ari, you had an early morning. I know you’re sleepy. Just a small nap for me?” Jessie nearly pleaded. She loved her little girl, but sometimes her stubbornness damn near drove her crazy.

  Del lifted the little blonde and settled her against her hip. “You should listen to your mommy.”

  Walking over to the two blondes, Rae held out her hands to the smaller. “Ariel, would you keep me company while I take a nap? Rori and I take one almost every day.”

  Ari looked at Raelin’s outstretched hands and down to Rori who was now sitting at Raelin’s feet. Knowing that either way her mommy was determined to get her to bed, Ariel leaned away from Del and held her own arms out. “Ok, but just a little bit. As long as Mister Rori comes too.”

  “Of course child. I get very cranky if I don’t get my nap every day.” Rori turned and headed upstairs.

  Raelin took the little girl in her arms and as she did she gasped at a light tingle that shot across her skin.

  Settling into Raelin’s shoulder, Ari yawned, finally running out of steam. “Tickles,” she murmured around a yawn.

  Del watched with a wistful smile on her face. “I’ll be out here with Jessie if you need anything. What room you guys going to be in?”

  “Our room. Have a nice talk with Jessie.” Raelin winked at her wife as she turned to head upstairs. Soon she was gently laying Ariel down on their bed and tugging off her shoes. “Do you want a sheet to cover you up, Ariel?”

  “Yes please,” the little girl replied, rubbing at her eyes.

  Kicking off her own shoes, Raelin tugged a sheet over them both as Rori settled down in front of Ariel. “Okay, sweetie...here’s Rori so let’s get a nap.”

  “Okay. Still not sleepy though,” Ariel insisted, already half asleep.

  Running her fingers through golden hair, Raelin started humming a tune that her mother had sang to her as a child. Looking down, she smiled at the sleeping child, and continued to hum. As she hummed her own eyes slowly closed and she was soon asleep.

  j

  Del watched her wife walk into the house with Ariel and grinned as the door closed behind them. Finally, she turned to face Jessie. “Between the two of them, I’m pretty much doomed, aren’t I? Knowing Ariel, she’ll figure it out and use Raelin against me every chance she gets.”