Chapter Twenty-One:A Cup of Coffee

Celeste:

The whole clan and several other clans showed up to her funeral. All around me was a sea of black, my hands crossing. My black lace blouse clung to my ample breasts, the black pencil skirt hugging my bum. His father darted into the kitchen, Novi sat with a distant look on his face. Rushing after his father, he looked a little better. Knocking on the kitchen door frame, his tired eyes looked up at me.

"I know that I said that I wouldn't talk to you again, but may apologize for my words?" I asked cautiously, making a cup of coffee with two creams and one sugar. "I overstepped my boundaries. Please accept this coffee as a peace offering." Sliding the cup over to him, a Novi look greeted me. Guilt gnawed at him, the slurping sound breaking the awkward silence.

"You make coffee just like her." He sighed sadly, his wolf howling with loss. "I am sorry myself. I don't want to lose you two, especially the two grandchildren in your womb." Sitting down next to him, a younger picture of his mother and him quivered in his hand. Her long curly navy hair reminded me of Novi, their eyes the same. Smiling sadly, they reminded me of us. Examining the picture closer, his long black hair was pulled into a ponytail. The navy suit he wore complimented her golden cocktail dress. The sparkles on her dress couldn't outshine the twinkle in her eyes.

"I miss her smothering me." I admitted sheepishly, her love was a small piece of happiness in my life. "Can I tell you something?" Gazing warmly over at me with wet eyes, an exhausted smile made my heart skip a beat. Taking his hand, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Sure." He said numbly, refusing to look at the photo anymore. "You don't have to be so nice. I did some horrible things that day." Bowing his head in shame, Novi burst into the kitchen, the two of us waiting with bated breath for his reaction. Getting a cup of coffee, he crashed onto the seat next to his old man. The black Italian suits made them look like father and son, tears streaming from Novi's eyes.

"You acted normal after your mate died." I comforted him, glancing over at Novi. "There is nothing to be sorry about. I bet she would like us all to start again. I will put out my offer again. Do you want to stay here?" Shaking his head, his strong arms wrapped around me. Never before had his father hugged me, his bear hug the warmest feeling in the world. All of his emotions exploded from his bottle, his tears soaking my shoulders. Tears streamed down my cheeks, Novi joining our hug. The three of us cried for twenty minutes, nothing needing to be said. Standing to his feet, his father cleared his throat.

"I was just thinking that I will get an apartment in the city. I was going to work at the local deli or something." He declined politely, Novi and him embracing each other with vigor. "I want to be close to you two. Your mother did the right thing by selling the restaurant. I couldn't have managed alone. Shall we send her spirit up into the sky?" Nodding silently, Novi lingered in the kitchen.

"Thank you for this wonderful service." Novi blubbered, falling into my arms. "I love you, Celly. Don't you ever leave me like that! If you are terminally ill, I want to know." Lifting up his chin, my lips pressed against his sweetly. Melting into my body, sobs wracked his body. Guiding him out to the makeshift stage, a million eyes watched as I watched to the podium. Clearing my throat, cold sweat dripped off of my brow.

"Welcome friends and family. We are gathered here to celebrate the life of Susie Duvont. Her light bathed us all. She is the most amazing woman in the world, her kindness knowing no bounds. She scooped me up like a lost kitten, and smothered me with love for the first time in my life." I wept softly, fresh tears welling up their eyes. "I will miss the girls' days out with her, and her fussing over me like a mother should. If I am being honest, she would want to laugh instead of cry. I can hear her now saying please don't cry for me. Thank you all for coming." Stepping down, Novi stepped up to the microphone, everyone gasping in shock. No one expected him to speak, his father standing proudly next to him.

"She was the best mother a kid could ask for. When I was younger, she would drag me into the kitchen while my father was away on business. Those were the best cookies, cakes and pies. She always baked everything with love, her food overflowing with it." Novi laughed sadly, gripping the side of the podium. "She adopted my wife as her daughter the moment she saw her. Who else would have done that? How many times had we gone to the diner and she made us all feel like family? How many times did she help carry the weight of the world on her shoulders as our Luna? Let us all howl for her loss, but laugh at all of the good memories." Stepping down, he lit the black ceremonial torch. Orange flames flickered to life, the dirt crunching as he walked over to her white wrapped body. His father and him lowered the flames onto her body, dropping it into the basket of water next to her. Stepping back, flames devoured her body. Golden smoke curled into the sky, Novi clutching me closer to his broad chest. Teardrops crashed onto the top of my head, his father tossing the photo into the flames. Howls exploded into the night sky, the stars shining a bit brighter. Golden moonlight bathed us, sobs shook all of us. Novi refused to let me go, his broken look scaring me.

"Do you want to go up to the cave after this?" I offered gently, his hands trembling. He looked like a small child lost in the mall, unable to say anything. Letting him hold me, all that remained of her was a pile of black ash. People wandered over to the buffet to get some food into their empty stomachs, most of the foods were her favorites. Novi let me go, my fingers wrapping around the golden urn waiting darkly behind us. Sweeping her into the urn, Novi collapsed to his knees. Rushing over, a branch tripping me. Novi leapt to his feet, catching me just in time. Golden energy suspended the ashes in the air, the ashes floating back into the urn. Gingerly placing the cover in its place, Novi's wet eyes gazed lovingly down at me.

"Why must you be so klutzy?" He chuckled lightly, setting the urn to the side. "You make me so happy, Celly. I would love to go up to the cave, and just escape for a couple of days. Just let me catch up on work tomorrow so we can spend the whole weekend up there. How does that sound?" Nodding my head, his father walked over to us with three plates of food. Passing us both a plate, his eyes fell on the urn.

"That is for you so she can always be with you." I expressed with a defeated tone, his father setting down his plate. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't alone, and that we both love you." Holding the urn close to his chest, fresh tears flooded from his eyes. Shock widened my eyes, his strong arms wrapping around my shoulders. Novi smiled to himself, mixed emotions flashing in his eyes.

"I don't deserve you." He sighed deeply, kissing the top of the urn. "You are just like her. I should tell you that she had the same childhood as you. Her parents were cruel and mean, often beating her too. Somehow, she turned out just like you. Honestly, her heart must have been bigger because of it." Cocking my head, a soft sob wracking his body as I rubbed his back. The rest of the funeral went off without a hitch, Novi and I crashing into bed. Sweet slumber swept me into her arms, gentle darkness bathing me with her warmth.

Jerking awake, Novi snored next to me. Swinging my feet over the bed, the hallways felt empty without her laughter. The world seemed less bright, her smile flashing in my brain. Leaning on the wall, tears welled up in my eyes. A door opened down the hall, his father Edwin froze at the sight of me. An overnight bag swung in his hands, an apologetic smile dimming his face.

"Can I come with you to look at apartments?" I blurted out nervously, playing with the hem of my skirt. "I just need to get away from all of the reminders." Smiling warmly, I already knew his answer. His smile reminded me of Novi, offering me his hand.

"Do you know how to bargain? My wife was always the bargainer and better at the paperwork." He stammered anxiously, my fingers wrapping around his. "I am awful at all of that. I guess I was always the dreamer of the two of us." Chuckling to myself, Novi tended to be that way sometimes. Holding up my finger, I rushed back into my bedroom, Novi was sitting up in bed. Tracing my clothes in the closet, my finger settled on a black sweater dress. Peeling off my dirty clothes, Novi wrapped his arms around my waist. His lips brushed against the nape of my neck, his hands running up my thigh.

"Where are you going?" He whispered huskily in my ear, his fangs nibbling on my ear. "If you are leaving, just remember that desert better be extra sweet." Spinning on my heels, my lips kissed his hungrily, my hand sliding down to his hard cock. Pulling him closer to me, gruff growls rumbled in his throat.

"I am helping your father find an apartment, and why should desert be sweet when it can be spicy." I teased sensually, cupping his face. "Now let me help your father." Kissing the top of my head, he spun me around. Sadness hid behind his crooked grin, tears flooding from his eyes.

"I am so happy you are helping him. I was going to ask you to watch him today." He mused playfully, my fingers wiping away my tears. "My therapy will be burying my head into my work until my eyes bleed. Keep him happy today. Perhaps wear this instead." Passing me a black rockabilly dress with red ribbon around the waist, my breath hitching at the beauty of it. Running my hands on the silk, his chest puffed with pride.

"It is beautiful. When did you get th-" I began, him throwing the dress over my head. The sweetheart neckline emphasized my ample breasts, the skirt floating away from my bump. Tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, a thunderous laugh interrupted us. His father stood in the doorway, his brow cocked. Scarlet burned our cheeks, his crooked grin lighting up the room.

"You ready to go, kid?" He queried lightly, holding his bag and urn. "I have a couple of appointments to keep. You don't mind if I borrow my daughter-in-law?" Novi shook his head, my boots crashing down the hall to the front door. Holding the door open, he bowed his head in appreciation. His older black Chevy truck rumbled in the driveway, Thomas loading up his bag for him. Hopping into the passenger side, the seatbelt barely made it past my bump. The door slammed shut, the engine roaring to life. The black t-shirt and black jeans gave him a much needed relaxed vibe, the sound of heavy metal blaring from his radio. The electric guitar shredded the silence, the drums pounding away the silence. Nothing needed to be said between us, his personality matching Novi's. Both of them were quiet and strong, my throat clearing. Turning the music down, my hands crossed.

"Can I have the honor of using your wife's name for one of the girls if the twins are girls?" I asked calmly, gauging his reaction. "I want to honor her." Teardrops crashed onto the urn sitting in between his legs, his fingers trembling on the wheel. Taking his hand, the trembling stopped. Cupping it with love, he pulled over to the side of the road. Resting his head on his steering wheel, every single emotion burst from him. My heart shattered at the sight of him, the suspension creaking as I hopped out. Opening the door, he collapsed into my arms. Drivers stared oddly at us, my fingers flipping off the disgusted looks. Rubbing his back, people really had no business judging him right now.

"Please name one a variant of her name." He pleaded through thunderous sobs, the redness of his eyes telling me how much he had been crying. "Can you drive? I feel so pat-" Smacking the back of his head, a stunned look met my eyes. Lifting up his chin, tears welled up in my own eyes.

"I don't ever want you to say that again!" I barked bitterly, fighting back my own tears. "You are a strong man who just lost the one you loved. She was your mate for goodness sake. I can't imagine it, but it must feel like a piece of you is missing. Get in, and I will drive. Just tell me the address." Hopping into the driver's side, he sulked into the passenger's side. Glancing over every now and then, the distant look in his eyes scared me. Twenty minutes passed, his truck rumbled in front of a thriving deli.

"This is where I want to live. Hopefully the apartment comes with a job." He chirped cheerfully, excitement twinkling in his eyes. "I just want a new beginning." The frame squealed as I got out, opening the door for him. Offering him my hand, a weak smile dimming his face as he accepted. Dragging him into the deli, a short chubby man ran up to us. His black t-shirt hugged his large belly, the white apron begging for air. His bald head shimmered in the light, his dark brown eyes twinkling.

"You must be Edwin, and you are?" He thundered joyfully, noting my polite smile. "You seem like such a lovely young lady." Smiling politely in his direction, a help wanted sign hung in the window. The short man guided to the door on the other side of the brown deli, the stairs creaking with each step. Unlocking the door, a plain simple white apartment greeted us. A tiny avocado kitchen taunted us, the only bathroom to the right.

"I am Celeste, his daughter-in-law. I can't help but notice your help wanted sign. He is the best line cook I know." I gloated happily, attempting to sell the crap out of him. "How about he works for you?" The short man glanced between the two of us, his hand waiting in the air.

"Okay." He answered simply, shaking his hand. "You seem like an honest man, and how does one thousand bucks, no eight hundred sound? You just have to close up everyday, and make sure everything is safe. Can you start today? I am swamped. Perhaps you can help too. I will reward you with a free lunch and dinner. Oh, forgive my poor manners. I am Mr. Eddie of Eddie's Sandwiches." A silent look of agreement passed between us, all three of us rushing downstairs. Tying an apron around my waist, his father went straight for the griddle. The day sped by, the two of us having fun. Just for a few hours we forgot about our grief, the reality of it all hitting us as the last order was completed. A honk outside alerted us, Novi waving from his car. Running in, confusion dawned on his face.

"Did you two just work all day?" He questioned with disbelief, rubbing the back of his neck. "Are you guys ready to go home?" His father shook his head, true bliss written all over his face. Being the man who loved to work, this must have been the perfect day for him.

"I am going to stay here, and have the movers bring my stuff tomorrow. Thank you for the wonderful day, Celeste. Your name fits you. You are the sunshine we all need." He chirped cheerfully, setting down a Philly Cheesesteak in front of us. "You showed me that there is life after death. Let's eat, and maybe you guys could come over every Sunday for dinner. I want to get to know you better." This felt nice, the three of us eating together peacefully. For the first time in a couple of days, the air felt lighter. His mother waved over at me in the corner before floating up into the sky. Tears welled up in my eyes, Novi asking me what is wrong. Shaking my head, this was going to be our little secret.