True Fate

by Varadeaux, Shayna

  Giving him a weak smile Nia blew her nose not really caring how gross it was. Her breathing was hitched like when she was a little girl and had just gotten through crying hard.

  "Nia. I'm here. Whatever you need.” he said squeezing her hand again, more of his comforting vibes seeping through.

  They got to Aaron's and Rhea parked Nia's car beside his and got out going to open the passenger door. She knelt by Nia kissing her forehead, "I'm right here sweets, it's going to be okay.” she said soothingly, wiping Nia's tears with her shirt sleeve. Aaron came around and Rhea moved so he could lift her out.

  Once they were in his apartment Rhea's phone rang again, "It's Vince.” Rhea whispered.

  Nia began to sob again so Aaron set Nia down onto the couch and clenched his jaw snatching Rhea's phone hitting accept.

  "What do you want Mr. D?” he asked trying hard to keep a respectful tone.

  "How is my daughter and where have you taken her?” he asked a bit too commanding for Aaron's taste, all things considered.

  "She's not okay or are you blind?” he asked with Nia's sobs in the background. It was hard to keep the venom from seeping into his tone.

  Vince took a deep breath, "Is she safe? That's my only concern.” he said slowly reining in his anger.

  "With me she's safer than anywhere else on this planet.” Aaron said through gritted teeth.

  "Fine. I'm holding you personally responsible if any harm comes to my little girl.” Vince responded.

  Aaron scoffed, "I understand and I'm holding you responsible for this.” he said while holding the phone towards Nia's cries then hitting end.

  Rhea stared dumbfounded holding Nia in a hug. They had definitely never seen, or heard for that matter, anyone speak to Vince that way. Aaron came towards her and scooped Nia up again heading to his room.

  Nia felt like she wanted to just pass out but she knew Rhea was there and didn't want to just conk out on her without any explanation. Aaron helped Nia sit up fluffing the pillows behind her. She tried to stop but the near silent crying still went on and on.

  'Aaron I need you to know something. Rhea knows everything I know, except your personal stuff of course. She's seen things, things I have done since I was little. She was the only one there the night I spoke the prophecy and had glowing eyes. She knows a lot and she knows about us. After my father’s lies, I... I can't keep anything from you.’ she sent with tears streaming down her face.

  "It's okay Nia, I don't care. I'm with you no matter what.” he said softly stroking her hair, his own tears glistening.

  Rhea gulped down the sob in throat knowing she would help nothing if she cried too, she had to pull it together.

  "Rhea, Nia wants to talk to you in your head and if you think it we'll hear it. It will be like a crazy conference call.” he said grinning, both of the girls laughed at that.

  "Okay. She did it earlier. I'm cool with it. Do we need a bubble thingy?” she asked. Nia pushed out the bubble.... it couldn't hurt.

  'Good idea Rae.’ she sent. Her mental voice sounded drained.

  'So what happened? What did he know?’ Aaron asked.

  'He knew about me being different, I guess. He said he felt something, but then he touched my wrist and smudged my makeup and saw the bond mark. He asked me who my Guardian was but I didn't answer right away.’ Nia explained then cringed at the crushing reality.

  'Did you tell him?’ he asked.

  'Yeah I told him! Then he flooded me with questions and refused or rather ignored my own questions!’ Nia said with her voice rising. 'How could he know and not tell me anything, at all?’ she asked turning to Rhea.

  'Oh, honey, I'm so sorry.’ Rhea said kneeling by the bed placing her arm above where Aaron's hand was clasped to Nia's. She felt weak and drained and found herself slumping back into the pillows. Her mind was drifting in and out of a hazy dream like in between.

  "I don't wanna be rude, but I need to sleep a little while. If that's okay?’ Nia said apologetically.

  'Oh no sweets don't worry. I'll give Aaron my number and he can call me when you wake up. Okay?’ Rhea said hugging Nia to her.

  'I love you Rae.’ Nia said sobs coming through to her mental state.

  Rhea's response was automatic. 'I love you too. I can take your car, or I can call Adam to come get Me.', she told Nia.

  'Take my car I'm not leaving Aaron's side and get packed too, we leave tomorrow.’ Nia said.

  Rhea nodded and went to the living room and Aaron followed.

  'Be right back.’ he sent to Nia.

  "You let anything and I mean anything happen to my girl and you will be begging for death when I'm done with you, you got it?” Rhea said sternly waggling her finger in his direction.

  "Whoa! Got it, call me whenever okay. I think she'll be out most of the day, but I'll call you if she wakes.” Aaron said taking a deep breath. They exchanged numbers and he locked the door.

  Aaron went to the kitchen and grabbed a soda and returned to his room. Staring off into nothing Nia sat silent with the tears still flowing. He set the soda on the nightstand and went to the dresser, grabbing some pajama pants. He also grabbed some boxers and a t-shirt for Nia.

  Moving to the side of the bed he gently grabbed her legs turning her to hang them off the bed. Then took off her shoes and socks as she looked at him questioning but not really too concerned. He unzipped her hoodie and wiped her cheeks then kissed her forehead gently slipping the hoodie down her arms and set it on the bed.

  Taking her arm Aaron moved it into her shirt sleeve gently then the other while she giggled and sniffled but said nothing. He took his favorite t-shirt and put the neck of it over her head and pulled it down around her. Nia knew exactly what he was doing, helping her change with a semblance of privacy, which got a small smile from her. He reached just inside the neck of the shirt he had put on her and grabbed her shirt pulling it gently over her head.

  She pushed her arms through the sleeves of the big t-shirt and Aaron took her by the hand and helped her stand. Nia's cheeks were pink and her glistening eyes were beautiful, her tears only slowed and she sniffled uncontrollably.

  ‘How could I get so lucky?’ she thought as Aaron unfastened the button of her jeans without looking and eased her pants down over her hips.

  Nia was thankful the t-shirt was long and concealing, she trembled as his hands brushed her heated skin just barely. Kneeling in front of her his hair fell into his face and Nia wiped her tears and looked at her warrior who gently freed her feet from her pant legs. He took his boxers and lifted her foot to put it in one leg and then the other. Looking up at her he adorned her with a lopsided smile that made her heart soar, she grinned. Yeah, there was no one sweeter than her blue eyed guardian taking care of her so gently and carefully. He slowly pulled the boxers up to her thighs and she pulled them up the rest of the way.

  Reaching behind him he tugged his shirt up over his head and tossed it to the floor. Warmth raced to Nia's cheeks deepening the hue and her tears settled a bit more. Her heart thumped violently inside of her chest and her breath hitched. She carefully placed her palm to his heart and felt the rapid beat of it, smiling, happy she wasn’t the only one reacting to the contact.

  Taking a step forward Nia rested her head on his chest and he sighed contentedly, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Nia melted into his strength and warmth as Aaron lifted her up and placed her on the bed then kissed the top of her head. He grabbed his pants and went to the other room to change them.

  Nia laid there, what was she going to do? Does mom know what we... or, I am? Or are they whatever the heck I am too? Feeling herself slipping into that chaotic hurricane of thoughts she quickly decided not to go there just now and shifted back to thoughts of Aaron. Of his warmth and strength, her guardian and so much more, he would do anything to protect her always she just knew it. She wanted this forever with him more than ever before.

  Aaron walked back into the room, shirtless in pajama pants and popped open a soda
. He took two ibuprofen and handed them to Nia and she put them in her mouth as he gave her the soda. She took the pills grateful for his thoughtfulness, she was definitely getting a headache. She took a long swig of the soda and handed it back to him then he set it on the nightstand and climbed into bed.

  Nia curled up to his chest and sighed placing her arm across him as if she always had belonged there, the rhythmic beat of his heart was so comforting. Placing a hand on her back and one behind his head Aaron was certain he would lay here holding her as long as it took and he didn't really care how long that might be. She was his world now, his priority, the rest of his life could wait as far as he was concerned. As long as he knew she was safe, it would all be okay.

  Not knowing really what to do Nia just knew she wasn't ready to handle this situation with her dad. She would leave tomorrow on her road trip and hope she was ready to confront this mess when she returned. No doubt she’d have to deal with her dad when she was ready. Her family would want to know she was leaving though and she'd have to get her stuff from the house, but that could wait until tomorrow too. Aaron didn't need an explanation and he didn't need answers to any questions, he was just there for her and for that she was grateful.

  Nia came closer to his face with hers and he shifted rolling to his side propping onto an elbow and she rolled pressing her back into the bed. He looked at her with questions in his blazing blue eyes and saw the fire as much as he felt it in her amber ones, the need that was there for both of them.

  'Kiss me.', Nia sent through the bond catching him only slightly off guard.

  Looking deep in her eyes he caressed her cheek sliding his hand down to her neck. Nia's blood ignited feeling electric in her veins and Aaron's heart raced as his breathing grew ragged. He leaned in slow and steady until the anticipation was nearly too much for Nia to bear but when he covered her lips with his own his adoration and loyalty ran through her being in warm waves hitching her breath. She clutched a hand around his back to pull herself closer. He deepened the kiss sending chills all over the place for Nia.

  They were breathing heavily and he’d tangled his hand in her hair when he eased the kiss nice and slow. Pulling back slowly he laughed as she tugged on his bottom lip playfully. Aaron looked in Nia's eyes, he was certain he would never get tired of that look, nope, not ever. She may not be ready but his soul told him that it was love gazing back at him reaching deeper than they could ever have imagined.

  She snuggled in and whispered, "Thank you.", as Aaron continued to kiss her pain away.

  Chapter 13

  Rhea went to work and got her stuff out of her car and moved it to Nia's. They would have to rent a suburban if her calculations were correct and she'd have to figure out how to get her car home later on. She texted Adam and her dad to meet her at home as soon as possible.

  She had a message for all of the people messing with her bestie's head and she would make them listen however she had to. Aaron was going to help her, he just didn't know it yet. So she texted him not expecting a response anytime soon, he had Nia to take care of but she told him to get her a meeting with the others and made herself busy as she waited for his reply.

  Rhea: Aaron I need to talk to you as soon as you can. It's not an emergency but before tomorrow would be great.

  That would do for now she supposed until then she had to get packed. Rhea was surprised to hear the lock turn she was already freaked out and she was alone so she grabbed a golf club in the hallway ready for whatever. She tensed and was relieved to see it was just her dad. Setting her improvised weapon back in the bag she and Nia had gotten her dad for Christmas she blew out a huff. Nia was closer than any other person on this planet to her and he already knew the sort of loyalty they had between them.

  Al walked to the kitchen and grabbed a cold bottle of water, he tossed his keys on the counter and asked, "Okay, what happened?” he leaned on the counter and waited chugging the ice cold H2O.

  Rhea wondered what she should or could tell him, but decided she trusted him, she just wanted him to be safe. "Well, Nia had a fight with her dad.” she said seeing if he knew anything at all.

  He pursed his lips, "All I know is she left in some guys arms and I have never seen him before. She was inconsolable and Vince was devastated.” he said. "He won't talk to me about this and I'm worried about him and Nia. What's really going on?" he asked then took another drink.

  Rhea let out the breath she'd been holding and replied as casually as possible, "Well since you don't know, all you need to know is what you saw. Vince has been keeping secrets from Nia. Secrets she needed to know a long time ago. It's life changing stuff dad and Nia's been going through a lot lately. It was just too much and she snapped.” Rhea explained shrugging her shoulders.

  “I have never seen her break apart like that and that guy, he's her boyfriend, Aaron.” she told him what she needed to and nothing more, she wasn't about to drag him into this mess. Al just nodded with sad eyes, he was never one to meddle in other people’s business.

  "Hmm.", was his response. He drank the rest of his water and Rhea decided to go ahead and break the news about the road trip’s early departure to him.

  "Umm Dad? We're leaving tomorrow for our road trip. All of this is just too much for Nia and she thinks the time away will give her some time to be ready to deal with it all.” Rhea said as confidently as she could. Al crushed his bottle and tossed it in the recycle bin as Rhea braced for a lecture or some sort of protest.

  "Okay.", he said simply nodding and shoving his hands into the pockets of his work pants. Trying not to seem surprised Rhea smiled though she certainly was. She had expected the protest and at the very least some shock. But seeing as they were supposed to leave Monday anyway, perhaps it wasn’t such a big deal.

  "Thanks for understanding dad.” she said wrapping him in a grateful hug.

  "You just promise me you will be careful and safe, huh?” he said embracing her tightly. "You're all I got kiddo. Remember that.” he added.

  Rhea loved her dad and although he wasn't all she had he was a huge chunk of her world. "I love you dad, thanks for being, cool. I need to go and finish packing.” she said heading to her room. “I love you too Rhea, with all my heart.” With that he nodded and watched her walk away, she may be nineteen but he just wasn't used to all her freedom.

  Although he knew she was grown, he just wasn't sure that he was fully ready for this cross country stuff. When they'd gone to Florida he had Rhea check in twice a day and he didn’t get a wink of sleep. This was going to be rough, his baby wasn’t a baby anymore.

  Rhea went online to rent the car for the trip, she wasn't taking no for an answer. With that out of the way she continued packing although there wasn't much to pack. They were going from warm and steamy, to cool, cold then colder weather. They only needed a few things and since they hadn't been shopping they'd have to do it on the way. So she packed what she needed in her largest duffle and put in her empty space bags. She'd bought them for college but this would be a great time to try them out. Going to the restroom she got her toiletries together and the doorbell rang.

  "Rhea.", her dad called. She went to the living room and Adam stood there awkwardly. Her dad knows him of course but he hasn't been over since graduation.

  He was around like a brother growing up but Rhea had developed a crush on him in junior high that she was too embarrassed to tell him about it.

  The sight of him made her insides do belly flops and she smiled as he came towards her and hugged her. Albert made a choking sound and Rhea blurted, "Dad stop!", and drug Adam to her room looking over her shoulder as her dad chuckled going to sit in his recliner. Shutting the door she stood there holding his hand and just looked at him as he smiled a crooked smile and looked at her questioningly.

  “So…?” Adam smiled again rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. Rhea really liked being this close to him she thought. At least she sure had imagined it enough.

  "So what?” she asked trying
to shake the hazy feeling from her clouded brain.

  "How's Nia?” Rhea looked down and was mortified so she let go of his hand quickly, ignoring the butterflies on steroids that were assaulting her insides at the moment. Rhea smiled goofily and invited him to sit.

  Explaining the same generic explanation that she had to her dad only adding, "She’s as okay as she can be I suppose. There's some things I can't tell you but some strange stuff is happening with Nia. It's hard to explain and I'm not sure if telling you everything is okay. She would want you to know she hasn’t lost her mind though.” Rhea explained moving a little further away so she wasn’t trapped so close to his spicy scent.

  “I’m glad she is okay.” He said as he stared at Rhea.

  The silence dragged on for a second or two bringing the awkward vibe back when Rhea shook her head and remembered. "Actually, I need your help if that's okay.” she said slowly.