Chapter Twenty: A Loss That Shakes the Land
Genovi:
Counting the tips at home, our jaws dropped. Two thousand dollars fluttered in front of us, her head turning towards me. The blue uniform still hugged her body, tucking the money into an envelope. Sitting on my lap, the next question stunned me.
"What is your mom living without?" She queried sweetly, smiling warmly to herself. "I just want to thank her for everything she has done for me." How much nicer could she be? Her kindness knows no bounds, an idea hitting me. Smiling to myself, she was going to love my answer.
"Her fryer is on the fritz, and those cost about two grand." I answered huskily, running my hands up her thigh. "I suppose we could get the one she always wanted. I will cover what you don't have." Damn it, I wanted her but didn't want to ask. Reading my thoughts, a sly grin told me that some fun was about to begin. Flipping over to face me, she began to unbutton her dress slowly. Leaping off my lap, she turned on the radio. A sexual song came on, her body dancing to the rhythm. My jaw dropped, her dress dropping to the ground. She was so captivating, my brain wishing for this moment to never stop. Crawling towards me, her hands slid my pants down. Her ass rubbed against my hard cock, her hands running up her body. Putting my jaw up, her white bra landed in my hands. The music died down, her leaping onto my lap. Peeling off my shirt, her lips grazed my broad chest. Her hot body pressed against mine, her teeth nibbling on my ear.
"Can you take me, Novi?" She whispered lustfully in my ear, wrapping her legs around my waist. "I dreamed about you fucking me the entire time, and how your hard cock feels so good inside of me. Sliding her onto me, her body straight as the wall she was on. Wrapping her arms around my neck, her hips danced with mine, the sexual tension from the past three days burst from the two of us. Smashing her lips into mine, the shelves shook with every buck. A couple of plants crashed to the floor, both of laughing.
"Oops." I joked lightly, laying her down on the bed. "Let's play on the bed a bit, Celly." Running my hands up her thighs, her devious grin met mine. Crawling on top of her, a small gasp of pleasure poured from her lips as my fangs sank into her neck. Shoving me in, gruff moans flooded from my lips with each pump. Cocking her brow, her strong arms flipped me over. Wiping the blood off of the corner of my lips, a shiver of euphoria shot through her the moment I sucked it off of her finger. Facing the other direction, her walls hugged my girth. Unable to control myself, her name flew from my lips. Her round ass bounced in my face, my hands caressing each one. Slapping her ass, she moaned my name.
"Harder if you are going to slap me, Novi." She teased sensually, grinding faster. Slapping harder and harder, her screams only got louder. The bed creaked as my trembling hands placed her in the doggy position. Squishing her breasts into the bed, my hand fell on her bump. Jamming it in, a loud scream rang in my ears.
"Novi!" She cried out, gripping the comforter. Hearing my name in that tone made me want to pleasure her faster. Pumping faster, her small gasps told me that she was nearing her climax. Screaming out each other's names, we both came together. Crashing down next to each other, she rested her head on my sweaty chest. Swirling her fingers around my muscles, her slender fingers stole my phone. Typing in restaurant equipment stores near me, she clicked on the first one. The worst part about it was eight hours away, her tossing me one of my navy dress shirts and a pair of black dress pants. Her black lace bra clasped in the front, her fingers pulling a navy blue sweater dress over her head. Sliding on her boots, confusion contorted my face. Taking my keys, she spun them in her palm.
"I can't help that it is the closest one, but I intend on paying her back for her kindness. Do you want to drive or am I?" She chirped cheerfully, running a brush through her hair. Painting her lips red, her wrist flicked a quick cat's eye. Throwing my clothes on, surprise widened my eyes as she leapt into my arms. Kissing my lips feverishly, her love made me want to melt into her arms forever.
"Okay, okay. Just let me put Thomas in charge." I gave in, watching her spin around the room. "Just give me a minute." Grabbing her money, her boots echoed down the hall. The front door slammed shut behind her, Thomas stepping out of the shadows like a villain.
"I heard what you need me to do." He whispered quietly, trying not to wake everyone up. "We all love your mom so much, and would love to get her a new fryer." Cocking my brow, wondering how much he heard. Narrowing my eyes, he took a step back. Bowing his head in shame, a joking grin on my lips relaxed my muscles. Laughter burst from my lips, his brow now cocking. A silent inside joke passed between us, the car honking outside.
"Trust me. I am sure the whole house woke up because of our nightly activities." I joked happily, still riding the post sex high. "Keep the fort alive for me, captain." Sprinting down the stairs, she was waiting in the passenger seat. Holding her black bag, the stars twinkling in the sky. Hopping into the car, the directions were already up. Turning the knob, alternative rock broke the silence. The sex woke me right up, the honest truth being that I was no stranger to all nighters on the road. Before I met Celly, every now and then I would just go for a day long drive. At least this journey had a purpose, her fingers gripping her black purse nervously.
"I didn't get to go out much, so it was kind of scary. Also our day off didn't really help my limit." She admitted shyly, refusing to meet my gaze. "You must think that I am pathetic, but my parents always hid me away. I have never really stepped out of my village until I met you." Taking her hand, the way it shook shattered my heart. No wonder she would try to get out of ladies' day, but she needed to learn how to act more comfortably in everyday situations.
"I know, but I am by your side. Don't worry, I can protect you." I promised warmly, rubbing the top of her hand. "If you get scared, let me hide you." Nodding quietly, she pulled a new book from her bag. Laughing to myself, the way her nose was buried into the book reminded me of the first day we saw each other. The defiant look in her eyes when I sat next to her, the fire in her eyes coming to life. The hours ticked by slowly, disappointment dimming her eyes when she finished her only book. According to my phone we were three quarters of the way there, her gentle voice snapping me out of my daze.
"What do you want to name the twins if they are girls?" She asked curiously, her loving gaze meeting mine. "Also what about a couple of boys' names? I am so excited to be pregnant with your pups. I can't wait to hold them." Pride swelled in my chest, this being one of the first times she was excited about being pregnant. Tears welled up in my eyes, her hand wrapping around mine. Tears flooded from my eyes, the dirt crunched underneath the tires as I pulled off. Turning the engine off for a minute, my shaking hands undoing my seat belt. Surprise widened her eyes, my house keys accidentally undoing her seat belt. Clutching her close to my chest, laughter twinkled in my ear. Lifting up my chin, her lips pressed against mine gently. My heart skipped a beat, her kisses always relaxing me.
"I am sorry." I wept softly, not understanding what was going on. "This is the first time you have shown any interest. What brought this on?" Hopping out of the car, her slender hand ripped open my door. Dragging me out, her arms wrapped around my neck. Her real smile made my heart flutter, sobs wracking my body. '
"I don't know. Maybe it is just that I feel like living for the first time in my life. You are the only one to thank for that." She proclaimed happily, sitting down in the driver's seat. "Get in, Novi! We have many things to discuss. Also how about Melody and Luna if we have girls, or Viktor and Edgar if we have boys. I figured we could use your parents' name for the middle names. I thought I was the one that was supposed to cry." Those names were perfect, the seat protesting as she adjusted her seat. Getting into the passenger's seat, the seat squeaked as it went back all the way. Curse these long legs, the engine roaring to life.
"I love the names." I blubbered like an idiot, wiping away my tears. "I am probably just super tired." Chuckling to herself, her fingers drummed with the music. Changing the station, heavy metal snapped me awake. The smile on her face told me not to change the station, the next couple of hours passing by with her angelic voice sounding like music to her ears. She looked so free, the brakes screaming with her rough stop. The engine died down, the skeptical old man shooting daggers at us. The bell clanged as we burst through the door, his attitude souring further.
"We would like to buy that deep fryer." She demanded hotly, already sensing the trouble coming her way. "How much?" The old man with a red Hawaiian shirt shook his head, her eyebrow twitching. Smoothing out my shirt, his face softened to a pleasant smile. Clearing my throat, now was my time to procure our item. Disdain dimmed my eyes, a haughty tone tinting my voice. This guy had to think that I was the owner of a restaurant.
"I own a restaurant, and I drove all this way to the fucking middle of nowhere." He barked bitterly, the old man and me coming to the price of an even two thousand dollars. The whole interaction was painful, but this was her new fryer to help her out at her restaurant. I loved my mother, but honestly it felt like a competition with my wife. I said it again, my wife. The words felt natural on my lips, unlike it did with Tammy. Snapping fingers jerked me out of my trance, Celly jumping up and down in front of me.
"Where did you go?'" She teased playfully, pushing the red dolly to the car. "Can you please put this in the car?" The damn thing just barely fit, a triumphant grin brightening her face. Getting back into the driver's seat, her eyes twinkled with joy. The driving bug had bit her, and I was doomed to never drive again. Scooting into the passenger's seat, the engine roared to life. Only stopping to get gas a couple of times, her voice being the only thing keeping me awake.
"Tell me about your dreams. What do you want to do with your life?" I questioned curiously, trying to entertain myself. "You seem like you have bigger dreams than sitting at home?" Smiling to herself, her eyes stayed on the road. A lump formed in her throat, the words sitting on the tip of her tongue. Part of her wanted to hide it from me, the leather of the steering wheel creaked as her fingers gripped it like her life depended on it.
"If I am being honest, I want to be a writer." She chirped cheerfully, tapping on the steering wheel. "I don't think that I am talented enough for people to like it. But damn! I could make a killing off of werewolf novels. I mean, come on. I am a fucking werewolf. Also it allows me to stay home but get paid." Laughter erupted from my lips, her answer just what I expected. The conversation flowed steadily, excitement twinkling in her eyes as she flew out of the car. Bursting through the door, today was the only day the diner was closed for prep. Chasing after her, her hello echoed in the empty diner.
"Mom, I have a surprise for you." She called out proudly, her face falling. My father popped up behind her, making her jump a couple feet into the air. The two of them chatted happily, her finger pointing to the car. Her smile faded, her boots smashing up to the apartment's front door. Tears welled up in her eyes, the door swinging open. Both of us cried out, my mother laying on the floor. Rushing to her side, a wail of grief and agony exploded from her lips. Tears streamed down her cheeks, the words I feared the most shattering my heart.
"Call nine-one-one." She sobbed violently, holding my mother close to her chest. "Go away!" Fury seethed in her eyes, a reaper floating in the hall. Shaking her head, a bell tolled. For some reason, she let the reaper take her soul. Collapsing to my knees, storm clouds rumbled. Heavy teardrops crashed on the roof, my father ripping her from Celly's arm. Our heads turned to the table, a letter with each of our names on it. A howl exploded from my father's lips, several howls ringing out into the sky.
"Leave me alone!" His father roared venomously, both of us scurrying out. Placing the fryer into its right spot, it all felt wrong. Resting our heads on the counter, grief tearing us apart. I didn't know whether to comfort her or run. Fury boiled in my veins, a single question poisoned my mind.
"Why did you let the reaper take her!" I screamed furiously at her, her body trembling. "You could have stopped it." Shaking her head, the stool crashed to the floor as her face stood inches from mine. A snarl curled on her lips, her fists banging against my chest.
"She had cancer, you idiot. My magic can't cure cancer. I can heal a cut and take the silver out of someone, but she was stage four and never told anyone." She yelled back irritably, my strong arms clutching her close to my chest. "I would have saved her if I could have. Why doesn't anyone see that?" Heavy boots stomped down the stairs, a defeated look on his face. Holding a cold beer in his hand, he slid a contract over to us. Shock widened our eyes, she sold the diner right out from under our noses.
"Dad, do you want to come live with me?" She offered kindly, the snarl telling me that she should run. "We can take care of you." The crack of his hand slapping her face echoed, resulting in her falling to her knees. Fighting the PTSD, she choked down her panic attack. Her golden heart told her to bite her tongue, his emotions coming first.
"A simple no would have sufficed!" She roared thunderously, the lights flickering. "You didn't need to hit me. Fuck you!" Stomping outside, it was just my father and me. Torn, I was torn. She was my wife, but he was my father. Folding my arms across my chest, my answer was my wife. No matter what, her hand would always hold mine.
"Drink your life away." I growled through gritted teeth, his fist clenching. "Don't ever hit my wife again! She was just trying to help. You are no longer welcome into my home unless you get sober. I am sad, and we are all sad. She is so torn up, and this is your response." His fist smashed into my jaw, enough was enough.
"How the hell would she know her?" He barked darkly, slamming his fists on the counter. "She barely even met her. She is a monster." An oh shit face gripped his face, Celly standing right behind us. Dropping the cups of water in her hands, glass shattered at her feet. The water soaked her boots, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. Her white hair clung to her face, shivers running up her spine.
"I see." She uttered simply, crossing her trembling hands. "I will never speak to you again. I won't look at you ever again. Just keep this in mind. You are the monster, not me. I may not have known her for years, but she was the first mother figure in my life. Before that, people talked to me like you are doing right now. Sometimes they even beat me, but I suppose you don't care. I am sorry, sir." Walking back out, she crashed into the passenger's seat. Chasing after her, my hands rested on the handle.
"Way to go, dad." I retorted sarcastically, watching him crush the can in his hands. "You weren't the only person who lost her. Grow up." Marching out after her, mixed emotions coursing through my head. What was I going to do next?