AN: Hi Everyone and welcome back to my version of Kim Harrison's Hallows. Please remember that Kim is the author & creator of any characters that you find in my story. However, the storyline is all mine. I don't make any money off of this story but I'll do tricks for review! Enjoy! PJ. :0)
Rachel slowly approached Ivy's door. Watching her hand go to the knob, she took a deep breath. Slowly Rachel turned the knob until she could push it in. Closing her eyes briefly, Rachel thanked God that Ivy hated the doors squeaking.
Rachel only opened the door far enough to squeeze around it and then closed it just as quietly. Realizing that she was holding her breath, she let it out and slowly drew in Ivy. With a quick shiver of reaction to her scent, Rachel turned to face Ivy's room.
With the leather drapes were drawn, the blackout blinds in place, Rachel had to wait for her eyes to adjust to the dim light creeping in under the door. She knew this room almost as well as her own. From the sword under Ivy mattress to the contents of her closet, Rachel had this room mapped out in her mind. Of course, the biggest difference between their rooms was that Ivy's was neat as a pin where hers was usually a mess.
Rolling her eyes at herself, Rachel slowly crossed the room to Ivy's bedside. And just stood there. With her mouth open. Ivy looked so soft, so gentle and relaxed in sleep. And she thought Ivy relaxed when it was just the two of them. Wow, not even close, Rachel thought to herself.
Rachel slowly crouched down so that she was sitting on her knees. And then the memory flooded in. She remembered thinking about this, what was it a year ago? Two years ago? She remembered thinking that she knew what Ivy would look like if this ever happened. How she would roll over to face her after Rachel had already crawled in behind her.
What a difference a year or two makes, Rachel thought. We've both changed so much. Rachel felt a squeezing around her heart and knew that it was her love for Ivy making its self known.
Rachel sank back on her heels. "Ivy? I really need to talk to you." Holding her breath, Rachel waited for a response. "Ivy? Please wake up and talk to me before I chicken out."
Then she remembered how much effort it took Kisten to wake her up the time he lost the bet which resulted in his having to serve her breakfast in bed for a week.
Knowing that she was going to have to do something more to wake her, Rachel started to touch Ivy's shoulder, hesitated and moved to her hair. It was getting so long again, It feels like silk, Rachel thought Just like her voice sounds. Always smooth, always soft.
Drawing her fingers through Ivy's hair one last time, she went back to her shoulder to give it a gentle shake. "Ivy? Can we talk? Please" Rachel whispered. Watching, Rachel saw Ivy lift her shoulder to her ear and snuggle deeper into her pillow.
Well crap, Rachel grumbled in her head. Louder it is. "Ivy," Rachel shook her shoulder harder, "Wake up. I need to talk to you. Please." Rachel's voice was almost to her normal level.
As she watched Ivy take a deeper breath, she knew that she was finally awake. "Rachel? What is it? Are we under attack?"
Ivy started to roll over when she realized that Rachel didn't smell mad or scared. She smelled worried and maybe a bit confused. "Rachel, what's wrong?"
Rachel never came into her room without knocking and only when she was awake. What in the name of Tinks little red panties was she doing here?