“Thanks, Lilah.”
He looked around, “Where’s Maia?”
“She’s staying with Janie and Bane. We decided that they have plenty of room; she can have her own room there, and she said the baby wouldn’t wake her, so, Bane’s it is.”
“Good, that’s good. I’ll start taking care of getting us a place to live tomorrow. She needs a home, not just forever staying with family in their homes,” Maverik said.
“You’re staying here, right?!” Kaid said, both a question and a statement, alarmed that Maverik might feel he had to leave.
“Oh, yeah. Just gotta set up our own place somewhere, but it will be here. We’ll work it out tomorrow.”
“You running tonight?” Kaid asked.
“Naw, I’m whipped, gonna try to get some sleep,” Maverik answered absently as he made his way to his room.
Then Kaid and Delilah heard him as he rummaged around in it, shuffling boxes that had never been unpacked from one place to another. “Damn, how the hell did I ever sleep in here?” he asked out loud.
“You didn’t!” Kaid called out.
Only a minute or two passed before he called back to them, “Going to Bane’s!”
“Sleep well, Maverik-Ass!” Delilah called out just before they heard the back door close quietly.
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Janie stretched, long and leisurely, the sun from the bedroom windows luring her from a deep, restful sleep. She smiled, her eyes still closed as she felt her Mate’s hand curve around her waist pulling her closer to him. It had been weeks since they’d been able to sleep in. Her eyes popped open, her heart jumped to her throat; Daisy! Daisy should have woken them before now! She jumped from bed, Bane sitting up to see what the problem was just as she opened the door and starting padding down the hall hurriedly in her bare feet. She didn't slow until she was standing over Daisy’s crib in the bedroom they’d turned into a nursery right next to theirs. Her heart lurched, Daisy wasn't there; she turned in a panic ready to call out for Bane, but he was right there behind her. He lifted a finger to his lips to indicate that she should be quiet; then, he pointed to his ear, a slight smile on his face. She tried to listen, but couldn't hear anything; then, Bane realized that her hearing wasn't as sharp as his. He forgot sometimes that she was human. He took her by the hand, putting his finger to his lips to remind her to be quiet before he started leading her down the hall. The end of their hallway looked out into the living room, with a huge bay window complete with cushioned window seats taking up most of the front wall, where Janie liked to keep one of Daisy’s bassinets. When they got almost to the end of the hall, Bane slowed, moving her in front of him, they tiptoed to the end, and there her heart melted. Daisy was lying in her bassinet, happily gurgling and cooing to the big tattooed, mohawked, shirtless male that sat leaning over the bassinet. She had a death grip on one of his fingers, his hand resting against her, as she watched him mesmerized as he sang to her. He came to the end of his song, and she started whining a bit and shaking the finger she was holding onto. So he started his song again, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…”
Maverik had no clue that he was watched. He was so lost in the baby that he didn't think to pay attention. Even when Maia quietly joined Bane and Janie, he didn't notice. He finished his song again and lifted Daisy, standing to walk around the bassinet to retake a seat in the bay window. He got her arranged in his arms, one arm under her little bottom, her head supported with one hand so that she could look out of the window at the trees and the sunshine, not that she needed the extra support. She could hold her head up on her own; he was just that overprotective. Just as he got settled, he noticed he had an audience.
“Good Mornin’, guys. Didn't realize ya’ll were up. Me and Daisy are spending the morning together,” he smiled at them.
“Morning, how’d you sleep?” Janie asked.
“Just fine, thanks for the use of the couch. I’m gonna take care of getting me and Maia a place later today,” Maverik told them.
“Maverik, it’s Sunday. You’ll have to wait til Monday. Ain’t nothing open today. But take your time, ya’ll are welcome here long as you want,” Bane told him.
“Well, one more day’s okay, isn’t it, baby girl?” he asked Maia, smiling at her.
“I don’t need anything special, Daddy,” she told him.
“Course you do, you need your own home, and I’m gonna get us that.”
Just then, Daisy squealed; he turned to look outside at whatever had her so excited and realized that a cardinal had landed on the porch railing outside. “See the birdie?” he asked her, leaning closer to her little face, pressing his cheek against hers as he pointed out the exact location of the bright red bird.
Daisy cooed in response, reaching for the little bird with her right hand. The left was wrapped securely in the back of his mohawk.
“You’re going to be an amazing father, Maverik,” Janie told him, watching him tenderly interacting with her daughter.
“Yes, you will, my brother,” Bane added.
“He always has been,” Maia told them, smiling as she watched him holding Daisy. It brought back memories of piggy back rides and tea parties with her dollies and stuffed animals. And of the mud pit he put in the backyard for her brothers to play with their big metal dump trucks. He was a good daddy, always involved, he loved playing with his kids.
Maverik said nothing at first, then, “Maybe. If Valerie ever forgives me.”
“Didn’t you explain, Mav?” Bane asked.
“Naw. She was so upset, nothing I’d have said would have made a difference. She didn't care to hear it, and I didn't even try.”
“Daddy, you have to tell her why you were the way you were; surely it would make a difference,” Maia said.
Maverik slowly shook his head, careful not to dislodge the little tiny fingers wrapped in his hair, “It’s up to her now, baby girl. I told her that I belong to her. Told her that I’d be waitin’. It’s all I can do. I won’t push her any harder,” Maverik explained. He was hurting, but now for a different reason. He wanted Valerie so damn bad, but he would never force her. She had to want him, too.
Daisy squealed again, watching the squirrels playing in the grass outside.
“You mind if I take her out for a bit? I’ll keep to the porch, and I won’t let her get sunburned none. If it gets too warm I’ll bring her right back in.”
“Absolutely, Maverik. How about some breakfast? I’ll throw us something together. I’m not as good a cook as Avaleigh, but I’m not too bad,” Janie chuckled at her own comment.
“Yeah, that’d be nice,” Maverik answered as he rose to go outside.
Janie went into the kitchen to start breakfast, and Bane started to head toward the shower in the master bath, but paused when he realized that Maia was still standing there watching her daddy with Daisy outside on the porch.
“You good, Maia?”
Maia didn't look at him, but she answered, “Yes. I’m okay. But it’s just not fair. He’s had so much pain. If he’d have just told her about everything, I know she’d have understood.”
“Probably, but he didn't. It’s his choice, what can we do?” Bane tousled her hair as he turned to go hit the shower.
Maia watched for a few more moments, “I don’t know about we, but I know what I can do. I can make sure that he’s not heartbroken again,” she said out loud with emphasis. She nodded her head, decision made, no way in hell was she going to allow him to hurt over a Mate again.
<> <> <> <> <>
They shared breakfast and lounged away most of the morning, just enjoying being together. Bam climbed out of bed when he smelled bacon cooking and stumbled into the kitchen, following his nose. It was the first good night’s sleep he’d had since Maverik left, and he’d slept heavily. He had his own room at Bane and Janie's, and neither of them would have it any other way. Bam belonged there with them.
They were laughing over some of Maia’s stories, enhanced with Maverik�
��s point of view, when they heard the voices outside.
“Sounds like it’s time for the boil,” Bam said, getting excited.
“What’s a boil, exactly?” Maia asked.
“It’s an outside cookout, but instead of barbecuing, we boil shrimp and corn and potatoes. We even put in mushrooms and onions and garlic,” Janie told her.
“And since Delilah likes everything fried, we’re going to fry some fish and shrimp, too,” Bam explained.
“Well, since everybody’s moving about, I think I’ll go take a shower and get ready for the rest of the day if ya’ll don’t mind,” Maia told them.
“Take your time, Maia. You’ll have the house to yourself. Take a long hot shower, relax, just come out whenever you’re ready,” Bane told her. “But use the master bath, everybody’s going to be coming in and out of here to use the bathroom in the hall. Not sure why, but they seem to like to use our house for cookouts,” Bane explained.
“I think it’s cause we can be close to home if we need to put the baby down for a nap,” Janie added. “And look through my closet and get whatever you want to wear; we’re about the same size, Maia, so pretty much all my stuff should fit you.”
“Thank you, Janie, I appreciate it,” Maia told her.
She went to the master bedroom and bath while the others went outside to help get the boiling pots and fryer set up. They had folding tables and chairs, and Bane had flipped on the outside speakers for the stereo system. Goldy came into the clearing from the trees dragging a molded plastic kiddie pool behind him. The women were getting set up, and as he made his way over, Sadie started laughing. “What have you gone and bought now, Goldy? We sent you for food!” she said smiling.
“I got the young-un a kiddie pool,” he announced proudly.
“Well, I see that, but she’s far too young for that, dear,” Sadie answered. “Besides, it’s not summer anymore.”
“I know it ain’t summer no more, but it still gets hot in the middle of the day,” he grumbled, dragging his pool to where he thought it’d be perfect.
“And Daisy’ll love it, she just needs a little help. See? Look here; it’s got a slide, and it’s got a little squirter thingy that shoots water out the middle like a fountain. And besides, Riley’s coming, and he’ll be bringing Cristie, so she can swim, too. And we can sit in the water and hold Daisy while she splashes!” he grinned excitedly as he finished.
Avaleigh just chuckled at him; he was always bringing Daisy presents, and he paid absolutely no attention to the age limits on them.
She looked around for Daniel. He was behaving rather strangely today. Had been since the day before when he’d spoken to Riley. He’d been a little more attentive and a little on edge; she wasn't sure what was going on, but something sure as hell was. She no sooner had that thought then he was behind her, hugging her from behind. Kissing the claiming mark he’d placed on her neck, making her shiver.
“I’m fine, love,” he told her.
“Then why don’t you feel fine?” she asked.
“I do feel fine. I’m just hovering,” he told her.
“Okay, and why are you hovering?” she asked, turning her head to kiss him on the jaw since he still stood behind her.
“It’s what Dragons do; we hover, we watch over our treasures to be sure no one steals them away,” he teased as he snarled and pretended to ravage her neck and shoulder.
She was ticklish there and scrunched her shoulder up to keep him from tickling her more, laughing as she shoved him away.
He walked over to where the other guys were having a beer and cutting the veggies and lemons to go in the boil. He looked back at her once over his shoulder. She was right; he was worried. If this didn't go as planned, it could really upset her. He’d thought several times about calling Riley and shutting the whole damn thing down, but then he’d thought about, what if it worked out? So he’d argued with himself most of the night. And now here he was, too late to change it and nervous as a fucking cat in a pack of dogs waiting for Riley to get here to see what happened.
Chapter 11
They’d fired up the boiler, had the veggies, lemons and seasoning going. The shrimp only took a few minutes, so they went in last. The other boiler had been turned into a fryer for the day, and Amos was manning that. He’d already turned out several batches of fried catfish, cornmeal battered fries, and hush puppies. There were beer and soft drinks iced down, loaves of French bread, soft sweet butter, cakes, cookies, popsicles, and the shrimp about to go in the fryer, as Riley walked out of the trees and into the clearing. He had both kids in his arms, one on each hip. Daniel saw him coming and immediately made his way over to Avaleigh under the guise of wanting her to sample some of the fish he was eating. The others saw Riley and greeted him. He put Remi down to shake hands and greet them in return. It only took a moment for Cristie to remember where she was and the yummy things they had to eat there. She squirmed to get down, and he put her beside Remi. She immediately took Remi by the hand and started toward the table with the cookies and cakes on it.
“Hey, Riley!” Kaid greeted him. “Glad you could join us, man. What’d you do, pick up another kid along the way?” he asked.
“Yeah, something like that. You don’t mind, do you?” Riley asked him.
“‘Course not, man. It’s fine. Cute little guy,” Kaid commented, watching him reach up and grab a cookie from the table to hand it to Cristie before grabbing one for himself.
The ladies had noticed Cristie and were hugging her and kissing her. And they tried to welcome Remi, too. He stood back and smiled politely, but wouldn't let them touch him.
Riley checked on the kids and made his way over to where Maverik was joking with Amos and Bam, “Hey, Mav! Glad you’re back, man,” Riley told him, shaking first Maverik's hand, then everyone else’s in greeting.
“Aw, me too, Riley. Had to take care of some shit, you know?” Mav asked, genuinely pleased to see the big panther. He’d become a good friend to the pack. They all trusted him.
About that time, Janie, holding a squirming Daisy, completely slathered in sunscreen, stepped into the kiddie wading pool, and the other kids noticed!
Cristie let out a loud sound of amazement, and even Remi grinned and hurried over to see.
Avaleigh looked up from the plate of fish she was sharing with Daniel, and her eyes locked on the little dark haired boy, standing with his back to her, watching Janie sitting splashing in the water with Daisy. He was intently watching her, but not interacting. Riley’s little girl went to climb over the side of the plastic pool, and he grasped her hand to stop her, leaning in to speak quietly into her ear. She looked at him and nodded her head, letting go of his hand to run over to her doddy to ask if she could get in.
“Who’s the little boy?” she asked Daniel.
He steeled himself, this is why he’d been nervous, “Don’t know, Riley brought him. Want to go say hi?” he asked her nonchalantly.
“Yes, I need to hug Riley anyway; I haven't spoken to him yet,” she answered.
They went over to Riley and were talking to him, while Delilah went over to the kids by the pool. Riley had told Cristie to wait a bit and then maybe she could get in, so she’d gone back over to watch Janie as she splashed with Daisy.
Delilah stood by the children, feeling their excitement at the prospect of getting in and splashing around. “Would you like to swim for a while?” she asked. At her voice, Cristie turned around, vigorously nodding her head, remembering the powerful lady from the last visit. “And you? Would you like to get in the water, little boy?” she asked Remi. Remi stood there for a moment, not answering immediately, then slowly he turned, raising his eyes to Delilah’s. And Delilah grinned, her suspicions confirmed. He regarded her for a moment, he dropped his eyes, he certainly didn't want to challenge her, then barely in a hushed whisper he said, “Yes, Ma’am. Please.”
“Very well then, come along, I will get you rubbed down with sunscreen, and then you can get in. Janie?” she
shifted her attention to Janie who was sitting in the pool, “May I take the children inside and get them sunscreen, so they may swim?”
“Yeah, Delilah, go ahead. It’s on the kitchen table, and if you dig in the basket on top of Daisy’s changing table, there’s a swimsuit that Goldy bought for Daisy, that I’m sure Cristie can wear. You know how he buys whatever he likes, doesn't matter the size or age recommended,” she laughed as she answered.
“What about you, little boy? Do you have a swimsuit?” Delilah asked.
Riley called from across the yard, “I stopped on the way here and picked him up a few changes of clothes, so we got extra shorts in the truck.” He smiled at Remi, “Go ahead and have fun, buddy.”
Remi didn't answer, but he nodded his head and smiled. Then he turned to follow Delilah into the house. She tried to take his hand as she had with Cristie, but he just tucked his hands into his little pockets and took a few steps toward the house, waiting for her to take the lead. Delilah smiled to herself, recognizing the need to do for oneself, and also the fear to trust, in the child. “Very well, little man. Come.”
Avaleigh and Daniel were talking with Riley and the guys. She asked where Remi came from, and Daniel standing right behind her, immediately starting shaking his head no as he looked Riley in the eye. Riley took the hint and told her, “He’s a friend of Cristie’s from the daycare, and he needed a place to stay for few days, so I stepped up.”
“Aw, how sweet of you, Riley!” Avaleigh told him.
“Well, you know, I am a sweet guy, not just all sexy. I’m a catch!” he told her joking.
Most of the food was cooked now, and the shrimp and fixings had been spread out on a table on top of some newspapers that had been used as table cloths. That way when you were done, you just folded up the newspapers, shells and all, and threw it away. The fried food was still going though. Everybody had found a seat and was eating, visiting, enjoying the day.
Maverik's Ashes Page 9