Marked for Love

by Hannah West

  Riley looked at her. He looked surprised, to her, but none of it showed on his face. “How long has it been for you two?”

  “Um. Officially?” Noelle considered. “Two months? Maybe?”

  Riley smiled. “And you’re happy?”

  Noelle nodded. “Yes.”

  Riley grinned. “That’s what matters.” He elbowed her playfully. “Mind you, as much as you like her, she can still drive you crazy. Just last night, Elsy tried to cook dinner - cook dinner, mind you.”

  “And she can’t cook, right?” Noelle laughed.

  “Not one whit.” Riley shook his head, chuckling. “I ate it all, though.” He looked. “She tried, and that’s what counts.”

  “Going to let her cook tonight?” Noelle asked, trying to keep a straight face.

  Riley looked at her, his eyebrows raised. “Tonight we’re having takeout.”

  Noelle snorted. “Safe choice.”

  He beamed, cheeky. “Get ready to go. We’re gonna go see those foster parents.”

  “Yes sir.” Noelle saluted, teasing. “Right away, Sir.”

  “Such insubordination.” Riley looked so put-upon that Noelle smacked him with the file on her desk. “Hey!”

  “Go get ready.” She shooed him. He rolled his eyes and went.

  -

  Noelle drove them to the foster parent’s house, chatting with Riley the entire way. She felt comfortable with the older officer. She liked him, and trusted him - even if he did make her do all the driving.

  “Here it is.” Noelle nodded towards a two-story house in the middle of the cul de sac. There was a bicycle on the front, and she could see the fenced yard that extended behind the house. It looked homey - a good, comfortable place to raise a child or two. The file said that there was one biological child in the house in addition to Julia.

  “Looks nice.” Riley relaxed visibly, and Noelle couldn’t blame him. It wouldn’t have been the first time they had showed up to visit a home and found it shabby and borderline inhospitable. They weren’t social workers, but they couldn’t pick where homicides happened.

  “She’s been here for three days, right?” Noelle stood, getting out of the car and closing the door behind her.

  “Yup.” Riley came around the car, surveying the house with mild curiosity. “Social worker was here yesterday.”

  “Right.” Noelle nodded. If this was anything like other home visits, she would chat with Mom and the kid, and Riley would take the Dad. It was a routine they had perfected. Besides, men tended to open up to Riley more than they would her. She swallowed. Hopefully no one would ask if she was married, if she had her mate. She hated to lie, because it could always come back around and hurt her credibility - but in this case, she wasn’t sure it was worth the truth.

  Riley was the one that knocked on the door. “Hello?” A tall, blonde-haired woman opened the door, her face polite but friendly.

  “Detectives Hanson and Richards, Stendale PD.” Riley smiled, friendly, as he and Noelle flashed their badges. “I talked to you earlier, ma’am, on the phone?”

  “Oh, yes, of course.” The blonde woman shook her head disparagingly. “Sorry for not recognizing you. Come in, come in!” She ushered them inside. “I’m Erika.” She smiled at Noelle. “Julia’s eating her afternoon snack, along with Hope. They’re getting along quite well.”

  “Is your husband home?” Riley asked blandly, glancing around the house.

  Erika shook her head. “He’s at work, I’m afraid. Just me and the girls.” She smiled at the detectives. “I’ll lead you to the kitchen. Can I get you anything to drink?”

  “I’m good, thanks,” Riley said, with Noelle echoing shortly after. He led the way after Erika as she headed slightly into the house, leading them through a doorframe and into a wide, airy kitchen. Noelle took in the wide bay windows, sunlight streaming in and warming the hardwood floors. She could see the bright-colored play equipment in the back, waiting for years of use. It felt homey. It was perfect.

  “Julia?” Erika said, her voice quiet and kind. “There are two people here to talk to you.”

  Julia was sitting at a dark mahogany table next to another girl a year or two older than her, a small plate with carrots and celery in front of her. Absently Noelle recognized the plate’s design from a popular child’s show. Julia looked up, first at Erika and then at the two strangers entering the room. She didn’t seem alarmed, which was good.

  Noelle headed over, and Riley dropped back. Bending into a crouch, Noelle tried to seem as non-threatening as possible. “Hi Julia,” she said with a smile. “Do you remember me?”

  Quiet for a second, Julia looked back at Noelle and nodded. “That’s right,” Noelle said. “I met you at the hospital with Doctor Sara.” Julia nodded again, and this time Noelle saw a hint of a smile. “I still have your pretty picture on my fridge. Do you get to draw here?”

  Julia’s eyes flickered to a desk on the far wall. Noelle followed her gaze, seeing paper sprawled all over the place with a large box of crayons resting within easy reach of kids standing in front of the desk. “Yeah.” She turned back to Noelle, her body slightly hunched in on itself, uncertain. “We draw pictures after school.”

  “You and Hope?” Noelle looked at the other girl at the table.

  “She’s nice,” Julia said, confirming what Noelle said with a nod. “I don’t get to go to school yet, but Erika says soon.”

  “Good.” Noelle shifted slightly so that her knees weren’t complaining. “I just have a few questions for you, okay?”

  Julia nodded, her eyes solemn. She seemed less scared, her body language more open. Noelle smiled. “Kay.”

  “Do you remember talking to me and Doctor Sara about Papa, and how he talked to your Mommas?” Noelle kept her voice friendly and warm, even as she heard Erika move, take a seat next to Hope.

  “Yes.” Julia watched Noelle with wide, curious eyes.

  “Would you be okay talking to some other people, and telling them about what you heard?”

  Julia shifted uneasily in her chair, apparently considering. Noelle didn’t move, didn’t lose her smile. She didn’t want to spook Julia on accident. After a few seconds, Julia nodded. “Yes.”

  Noelle smiled. “Thank you for helping us,” she said, her voice warm. “We’ll come talk to you later and talk more about it then, okay?”

  Julia studied her for a few moments, and then nodded again, a shy smile on her face. She reached out and cautiously touched Noelle’s face, her hair, and then withdrew, picking up a carrot and munching on that instead. Noelle smiled at her one last time and then stood, not letting the creaking she felt in her joints show in her face. Assuring herself that Julia was content with her snack, Noelle turned to face Erika and Riley. “That’s all we needed today,” she assured her.

  “You’re good with kids.” Erika smiled. The slant of her shoulders, apparent even while sitting, let Noelle relax as well. Apparently the foster Mom had been nervous about the meeting. “Do you have children of your own?”

  Noelle glanced at Riley and then shook her head. “I babysat growing up,” she said. “That’s probably it.”

  Erika smiled. “I think you’d be a good mother.”

  Noelle smiled, but it felt like a mask. “Thanks. Maybe someday.” She laughed, trying to sound friendly but afraid she came off as insincere instead.

  “Is there anything else you need?” Erika asked, glancing from her to Riley.

  Riley shook his head. “We’ll know more in a few months.”

  Erika nodded, biting her lower lip. “They’re looking for an adoptive family for her.” She pitched her voice low, glancing at Julia but staying quiet enough that they couldn’t hear.

  Noelle glanced at Riley. “Just foster?”

  Erika let out a long breath. “For now.”

  It didn’t make sense, but Noelle wasn’t there to question her motives. The girls looked well taken care of, and Julia seemed content.

  Riley smiled, charming. �
�We’ll keep you and the social worker posted.”

  “Thank you so much.” Erika shook both of their hands. “I’ll let my husband know.”

  She showed them to the door and let them out, closing the door behind them.

  “That went better than expected,” Noelle remarked as they got in the patrol car.

  “That it did,” Riley said.

  Chapter Seven

  Noelle stood in front of Sara’s apartment building, a small bag slung over her shoulder. She had brought pajamas, a small toiletries bag, and a book. While she had done sleepovers as a girl, she had never gone over to a significant other’s house. Not that she had had a significant other before. She hadn’t. Maybe that was why she felt so jittery. Damned nerves.

  Taking a deep breath, she headed up the steps, turning past two of the other entrances before she caught sight of Sara's. After the loss meeting Noelle had detoured by work, planning to come over later. It was a nice way to clear her head, after listening to the other's stories. It was easier said than done to not feel guilty. She should be grieving Lydia's death, not - not engaging in some new relationship with someone else. Even if their soulmate was dead, too. There was no one to miss them.

  Pushing the thoughts out of her mind, Noelle found Sara's door and raised her hand to knock. Before she could make contact with the door it swung open, revealing Sara standing on the other side. She was still dressed in the same jeans and cream-colored sweater that she had been wearing at the meeting. Noelle smiled. "Hello," she said, walking in when Sara stood to the side. "Sorry if I'm a bit late."

  "Not late at all." Sara smiled warmly, closing the door behind Noelle. She leaned in, kissed Noelle. "How are you?" she asked, heading into the kitchen. "Hungry? Thirsty?"

  Noelle sat the bag underneath the small table by the door. "Bit hungry," she admitted. "I skipped lunch."

  Sara poked her head out of the kitchen to frown at Noelle. "Food first, then."

  "Like you haven't skipped lunch before because of work." Noelle raised her eyebrows, skeptical, and then followed Sara into the kitchen.

  "I grabbed takeout on the way home," Sara said, avoiding Noelle's question. Shaking her head in amusement, Noelle examined the takeout containers.

  "Looks good," Noelle said. "We eat a lot of Chinese at the office when we're close to deadlines."

  "And here I thought you ate donuts." Sara winked, pulling out plain ceramic plates. "Want some wine with dinner?"

  "A glass would be lovely if you have it." Noelle glanced around the kitchen.

  "If you want, there's a bottle in the corner by the fridge." Sara nodded her head in the correct direction.

  "Thanks." Noelle followed her directions, returning with an expensive-looking bottle of wine. Impressed, she handed it to Sara.

  "I'll grab the aerator in a sec." Sara took the bottle and sat it down off to the side, proceeding to pick up the boxes of Chinese and take them to the small table in the main room. "I figured we can dish out the food and then eat in the living room? Watch a movie?"

  Noelle's cheeks heated up at the thought of sitting on the sofa, where she and Sara had kissed last time. Would there be more of that? There - oh. Noelle swallowed, following Sara to the table. "Where am I going to sleep?" she asked, looking studiously at the food as Sara brought over plates and utensils.

  "Well, that's up to you." Noelle nearly jumped when Sara put her hand on her shoulder. Grimacing, Noelle straightened up, forcing herself to look at Sara and hopefully not blush. She thought she failed at the not-blushing part. Probably. She didn’t feel like a confident, late-twenties detective who had been in the police force for six years. It was ridiculous. But she couldn’t help it.

  "You could sleep with me, in my bed, in whatever capacity that you like." Sara’s voice was gentle. Noelle fidgeted with the hem of her jacket. "Or you could sleep on the couch. Whatever's comfortable." Sara smiled, then turned back to the kitchen to grab the wine bottle and glasses. "If you want to take off your jacket, you can put it by the door," she called back.

  Noelle slid the zipper down, pulling off the jacket and placing it by the door. She toed off her shoes, surprised that she had forgotten to do so. By the time Sara reappeared in the living room, Noelle had put her shoes by her overnight bag and was placing utensils into the takeout containers, padding around noiselessly in her sock-clad feet. "Hungry?" Noelle asked, passing her a plate.

  "And thirsty," Sara said with a grin. She sat one goblet on Noelle's side, then picked up the plate that Noelle offered. They filled up their plates from various containers, whatever they wanted. Sara poured wine for Noelle, then for herself. “Anything else you need from the kitchen?”

  Noelle glanced at her plate, at the food. “Don’t think so.” She smiled at Sara. “Your turn to pick a movie?”

  Sara chuckled. “If I have to.”

  “We could watch the same one from last night,” Noelle suggested with a shrug. “Or. I dunno.” She wrinkled her nose at herself, taking her food into the living room and settling on the couch. The wine she set on the table, leaving her food on her lap.

  “There’s a sequel to that one,” Sara said, pulling out the DVD. “We’ll watch that.”

  “Good sequel or trainwreck sequel?” Noelle raised her eyebrows skeptically.

  Sara grinned. “I’ll leave that for you to determine.”

  Noelle smiled as Sara settled onto the couch next to her. The movie started playing. Noelle watched it, eating dinner and sipping wine as the movie continued to play. It wasn’t entirely bad, but there were parts where she looked over at Sara with her eyebrows raised.

  By the time the movie finished, dinner for both was long over, and Noelle was laying against Sara, her head on Sara’s chest. It wasn’t a position she had ever been in before, but it was nice. Sara’s arm was around her waist, holding her close, and her hair was not going up Sara’s nose. At least not as much as it had been last time.

  As the credits played, Noelle lifted her head to look at Sara, skeptical. “More ridiculous than trainwreck.”

  Sara smiled. “Something like that, isn’t it?”

  Noelle laid her head back down, shaking her head in amusement. “At least it’s over.”

  “For now.” Sara winked, and then stroked Noelle’s hair gently. “Maybe they’ll come out with a trilogy.”

  “Oh god no.” Noelle made a face, exaggerated enough that Sara could feel the motion without seeing it.

  “Oh yes.” Sara chuckled.

  They fell quiet. Noelle didn’t know what to say. Could she kiss Sara? Was that acceptable? What was exactly supposed to happen, the first time they spent a night together? The romance books she had read were always full of falling in love at first sight, passionate kissing, followed by sex - but those were soulmate pairs, not mismatched pairs like her and Sara. It was different that way. Wasn’t it?

  Noelle lifted her head, looking at Sara. She wasn’t one normally to be intimidated - not in her work life, and not with her friends, either. But romance and relationships were a strange, untested world. Something she had only seen in fiction. It had always come with an easy, obvious comfort. The inherent togetherness that came from being bonded at a soul level. She and Sara didn’t have that advantage.

  She glanced at the coffee table. The plates were still there, along with the goblets. Deciding it was better than sitting still, she reluctantly got off of Sara, smiling at her to take the sting out of her absence. Picking up the plates and goblets, she took them into the kitchen. “Just into the dishwasher?” she asked.

  “Here.” Sara appeared in the kitchen, taking the goblets and setting them aside. “Plates go in the bottom of the washer, but I try to wash these by hand.” She put the goblets in the sink, then washed them. Noelle put the plates into the otherwise empty dishwasher, absently noting that it was a very similar model to her own.

  “We always end up doing the dishes.” Noelle smiled, closing the dishwasher. She looked at Sara to see her watching, eyebrows raised.
“It’s not a bad thing.”

  “Did you go on dates, before - well, any of this?” Sara asked, drying the goblets with a kitchen towel before she placed them in their cupboard.

  Noelle shook her head. “Never saw the point of it, since I didn’t know my soulmate.” She shrugged. “I tried kissing, in college. Didn’t really see the point of it.” She glanced at Sara, trying not to blush. “I do now.”

  Sara laughed. “It’s more fun than you thought?”

  Noelle nodded. “Different.” She looked at the far wall, her hands clasping the counter. What would kissing Lydia have been like? Would it have been even better than kissing Sara? “What about you?” she asked instead. “Did you date, before this?”

  “Few years after my soulmate died,” Sara said, sounding nonchalant. “Some good dates, some bad. Like humanity.”

  Noelle swallowed, not sure if she wanted to know the answer to her own question. “Was it different with your soulmate, than it was with the others?” It was a boundary she felt like she was stepping over, asking such a personal question. Had they been dating long enough to ask such a thing? Was Sara going to be angry?

  “It’s different depending on the person,” Sara answered after a minute had passed. “Dating you isn’t like dating Craig, or like anyone else I’ve dated.” She shrugged. “Not easier, not harder. Just different.” She looked past Noelle, seeming to see through the wall. It was an odd far-off expression that Noelle was accustomed to seeing on the faces of witnesses who were thinking about past, traumatic, memories. Apparently relationships and her soulmate weren’t the happiest of topics.

  “Makes sense,” Noelle said, and it made sense to some extent. Everyone was different. But surely your soulmate was the best fit – that’s what they were made for, after all.

  She still wasn’t certain what would happen if it came out at work. Between Sara’s involvement in the case and Noelle’s relationship status, she didn’t want to think about how they would treat her. Some, like Riley and Loryn, would be nice. Others wouldn’t.