Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
This chapter is dedicated to Noble, Fadewind, M-Bianca94, Alphabloodwolf, Cara Gracious, Patricia, Lsb123, Alexsandra, and BellaNessieCullen
Sorry the chapter is late again. Hopefully now that Being Human has finished I won't be so distracted by the happenings on the Blog.
"Liza!"
The voice was faint but it called out to me and my eyes fluttered open.
"Oh god, please not Mal." Came the whisper. "Liza!"
It was Billie, shouting while not shouting. I slid out of Mal's arms, pulled on my dressing gown, and made my way to Billie's room.
"Oh god, Liza, look!" She gasped under her breath as soon as I entered, pointing at the sheet.
I placed my hands to her arms for a moment to sooth her, then pulled back her duvet and saw the spots of blood on her sheet. I controlled my face and took her hand, tapping it lightly.
"This is nothing to be alarmed about Billie. It is a natural development, only to be expected." I said softly.
"I know that." She said with a sob. "I just wasn't expecting it now. What do I do?"
"I haven't the supplies here now given my current condition." I said, indicating my stomach. "I take it you don't want Mal to know at present?"
Billie shook her head firmly.
"Then hold on one moment." I said and before she could reply I ghosted down to the bathroom to retrieve a dark towel and returned to her room. I placed it across the bed at around the right place. "Go back into bed and remain here until I come back."
"Where are you going?" Billie asked in fright, clinging to my arm.
"To get you some supplies." I stated, tapping her arm.
"You don't have to do this." Billie protested.
"Billie, I am your big sister and with that comes responsibility. Now stay cwtched up in bed and when I come back you can have a nice relaxing bath before you get dressed." I said as I guided her to her bed.
"But what about?" She asked, trailing off as she motioned toward the bed.
"You're better off waiting by here until I return." I stated.
"Are…are you sure?" She asked.
"Yes. I won't be long." I promised as I kissed her forehead.
Billie nodded, looking somewhat disheartened.
"I won't be long." I promised once more before I left her room and returned to mine, pulling on the first clothes I lay my hands on. "Mal I need the keys for the car." I whispered, shaking him slightly.
"What?" Mal said, opening one eye and looking at me.
"The keys for the Land Rover. I need them. Where are they?" I said urgently.
"On the cabinet." He said, reaching out for them. "Where are we going?" He asked, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
"We're not going anywhere." I said, snatching up the keys before his hand rested on them. "I need to go to the store and there's no need for you to be up and about." I added as I kissed his cheek.
"What's up?" He asked, looking at me.
"This is a matter that must come under the Sacred Sister Trust of which you cannot be privy." I stated.
"What?" He asked with a frown, it was clearly too early for him to process anything in that moment.
"Please." I said as I took his hand.
"Ok. But you can explain a bit better later." He stated.
"As much as I'm at liberty to say." I replied.
"I meant more about what the Sacred Sister Trust is." He said, sitting up.
"I will." I promised. "And now I really must go."
"Ok." Mal said as he made to get out of bed.
"What are you doing?" I demanded.
"Well means I'm awake now I may as well get up and make breakfast." He observed/
"No." I said, pushing him back down onto the pillows. "You must not get up until I tell you."
"Ok, this is a whole new level of bossy." He said, giving me a careful look.
"I am serious Malachite, you must stay here and do not bother Billie until I return." I said firmly as I looked down into his eyes.
"Wait, is she…" He began.
"You can check on all the e-mails from back home." I said, cutting him off as I thrust his laptop into his hands.
"Ok." He said, giving me a wary look before he opened up his laptop.
I kissed his cheek and left the room. I made my way downstairs, making a detour to the bathroom merely to clean my teeth before I went out to the Land Rover. I couldn't drive fast enough, the thirty limit seemed somewhat terminal to me as I followed the road to the supermarket, which luckily for me had twenty-four hour opening. I had not realised it was still so early until I glanced at the clock in the Land Rover. It was six in the morning.
The car park was more or less deserted, but that was to be expected so early in the day. I rushed into the store, taking up a shopping basket from the pile near the door. I went along the aisles picking out some sanitary towels as well as a bottle of bubble bath in soothing camomile and jasmine. I regarded the painkillers for a moment, sometimes I required them during my period, and therefore I added these to the basket. I also got a big bar of chocolate and a hot water bottle that Billie could have for her very own. I also picked out a few teen magazines thinking that she might want to flick through them at some point, if not today then during the four weeks she was staying.
When I returned to the farmhouse I had been gone but twenty minuets. I rushed straight into the bathroom and began to run the bath, pouring in a helping of the bubble bath. Then I went up to Billie's room. She was lying on her back, the quilt tucked up to her chin as she stared at the ceiling.
"Sometimes you can feel horrid the first day." I whispered. "Therefore you are more than welcome to get back into a clean pair of pyjamas and spend the day snuggled on the sofa. I will claim it an extension of our sisters' night."
"But what about Anika?" Billie asked, turning her head to me. "I'm supposed to be meeting her today."
"You are allowed to cancel." I stated.
"I don't want to be one of those women." She said, sitting up.
"Those women?" I queried.
"You know, one of those who uses this natural occurring process that happens to every woman as an excuse to take a sick day. Just tell me what I need to do to be as normal as possible. I mean, I know swimming is out of the question, but I can still go hang right?" She babbled.
"Yes." I replied to her question.
"You can give me pointers." She stated.
"For a start, dark pants." I said, and made 'may I?' gestures toward her suitcase.
Billie nodded and I began looking through her suitcase until I found a pair of black jeans that had enough give in them in case of swelling. I picked out a t-shirt that would go with the jeans, a dark t-shirt with a rose and twisted thorn motif picked out in aged silver, it had a v-neck that looked cute on her. I picked out her underwear too, folding them all over my arm before I held out my hand to her.
"Come, your bath should be ready." I observed.
Billie nodded and took my hand before getting out of bed.
"But what about…" She trailed off, motioning with her eyes.
"There are but a few spots and they will wash out." I assured her. "Now come down to the bathroom, have your bath and I will put everything through the wash."
"But Mal will know." She mouthed.
"Billie dearest, we are all dhampir with a keen sense of smell. I've no doubt Mal already suspects, and even if he knows it matters not for he will make nothing of it. He will treat you how you desire, if that be normally, or to spoil you a little this day, that is up to you. Whatever the case this is something we cannot hide from him."
Billie looked ready to cry.
"It is only natural Billie bach, and you are around the right age. Mal is a grown man and not a juvenile boy, he will not make fun of you." I assured her.
"I just need to wrap my mind around this." She said.
"I know." I whispered and hugged her. "Why don't you take the time to think in the bath and I will explain the situation to Mal."
Billie nodded, knowing it was inevitable.
"Then come sister." I said, placing my arm about her.
She was taller than me now, a head taller, there was no denying that, but in that moment she seemed small. My little baby sister once more, hitting this milestone that was one of the first markers of womanhood, but still young none the less. When we reached the bathroom the bath was more or less full. It merely needed the cold added.
"What would you like me to do?" I asked.
"What?" She asked disorientated as if I had pulled her from her thoughts.
"Do you wish me to help you into the bath or would you rather do that yourself?" I offered, although I hoped she would choose the latter.
"I'll…I'll get in myself." She murmured.
"I thought as much." I said, tapping her shoulder. "Then I will leave you to it."
Billie nodded, still looking shell-shocked. I gave her a reassuring smile before I left the bathroom and made my way upstairs. Mal was lying on his stomach on the bed with the laptop in front of him.
"Prue's emailed us about adopting Zeke." He stated. "And Tony emailed us about him and Grace having Bob and Lilly over for dinner. It sounds hilarious."
"Yes." I replied. "Thank you for avoiding the elephant in the room."
"So am I right in thinking Billie has her period?" He asked, not looking up from the laptop.
"Her first." I clarified. "Which was the reason for all the secrecy this morning."
"She's feeling self conscious." Mal observed as he sat up.
"Yes." I confirmed.
"I won't say anything to her then." Mal said. "Although you know I would have gone to the store for you." He added as he drew me to him to sit on the bed.
"I know." I replied as I placed my hand up to his cheek to stroke it. "But I had to calm Billie down before I suggested telling you and I thought the time it would take me to go down to the store would give her the time needed."
"Makes sense." Mal conceded. "Where is she now?"
"In the bath. It helps to have a nice soak. I would have allowed her to slouch on the sofa all day but she has an appointment with Anika." I replied.
"Who's Anika?" He asked.
"Julie's niece."
"Oh." Mal said, looking suddenly worried.
"Oh?" I queried.
"Julie only has one sibling, her sister Helen. Julie's nice enough but Helen is a right bitch of a spoiled brat, at least she used to be. Let's hope Anika follows her aunty." Mal said gravely.
"If your estimation of her mother is correct then I fear she is more like her." I said sadly.
"And you're letting Billie hang with her?" Mal asked in alarm.
"Is there truly a way in which I can stop this?" I demanded. "I have warned Billie to watch her back, but she will not learn to deal with the less savoury people if I wrap her up in cotton wool and disallow her from experiencing things for herself."
"You do have a point, but Billie's never socialised with teenagers before and on her first outing she's going to hang with Anika? Talk about throwing her in the deep end with the sharks." He observed.
"If Billie survives then every other aspect of socialising should be a piece of cake."
"And if she crashes and burns?" Mal prompted.
"Then we can consol her with the fact that not everyone is as bad as Anika." I remarked.
"You have it all planned out?" He asked.
"I do." I said with certainty.
"But people aren't so easy to predict, even those we know." He replied.
"I believe Billie will cope." I stated. "She will not let someone like Anika put her down."
"Yeah." Mal agreed for the sake of bringing our argument to an end. "So what's on the agenda today?"
"I will take Billie down to town and then I have no idea what to do." I admitted.
"Well we'll have the house all to ourselves." Mal said, waggling his eyebrows at me.
"I suppose we will have an hour or two alone." I mused as I stroked the side of his face. "We could make the most of it I suppose, although it will have to be only an hour or two. After that I will have to be at the ready for when Billie decides to come home."
"Then there's no point in me getting dressed." Mal said, lying back on the bed with his hands behind his head.
"There's no need to give Billie ideas. Therefore you will dress." I said firmly. "Besides you need a shower, you smell of sleep and you require a shave."
"Oh that again." Mal said, taking hold of me and turning me down onto the bed before nuzzling into my throat. "You'll be giving me a complex."
I giggled as his breath tickled me.
"Well it's different when we are newly awakened and messing about, but when I am up and showered I would like it from you too." I said primly.
"Showered?" He enquired before sniffing playfully at my neck. "But you haven't today."
I paused in horror.
"Oh dear lord you are right." I gasped, feeling suddenly grubby.
"It was just an observation, not a criticism." Mal said softly as he looked down into my eyes and stroked back my hair. "It's admirable given your neat freakishness that when your sister truly needed you, you didn't give any thought to showering, you just went right out and got what she needed."
"I did." I replied with a nod. "Although I did stop momentarily to brush my teeth."
"Well stinky breath is another matter." Mal said as he ran his finger from my forehead, down over my nose, catching slightly on my lips and to my chin.
"Yes." I gasped, and allowed a moment of pleasure to wash over me. "I look forward to later."
"Me too." Mal said with a smile and kissed me on the lips before pulling me to my feet.
"I will go and see how Billie is getting on."
Mal nodded.
"Then you can shower while I prepare her breakfast and I will shower afterwards." I stated.
"Sounds like a good plan to me." Mal said as he began shutting down his laptop.
"I will see you downstairs." I observed before making my way down to the kitchen.
I tapped on the bathroom door and heard the slosh of water.
"Yes?" Billie called, her voice echoing on the tiles.
"I was merely checking to see if you require anything." I stated.
"No." She called back.
"What would you like for breakfast?" I asked, thinking that I could begin preparing it if she wished for something cooked.
"I don't really feel like eating." She said in a glum voice.
"Shall I wait until you come out and then you can have a look?" I offered.
"Do I have to?" She asked.
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and you will feel better for it I assure you." I stated.
"Fine." She replied and I heard the slosh of water once more, I was sure she had submerged to avoid listening to me.
I went into the kitchen uncertain what to do. There was nothing to clean for a moment and I could not start on breakfast until Billie had decided what she wanted. I suppose there was something I could do. I went up to Billie's room and stripped the bedding to put it through the laundry. Thankfully nothing had seeped down to the mattress but I decided it was most likely for the best that I purchase a mattress protector to be on the safe side. I would do so without Billie's knowledge because I would hate to have her think she was putting us out. Perhaps she would expect the worst when it was merely a precaution. I wished to avoid causing her any undue stress. As I was placing her bedding into the washing machine I realised I would have to inform Mother, how would I go about that? Would Billie prefer to do it herself? I would have to ask her.
When I returned to the kitchen Billie was sat at the table, her wet hair clinging to her pale cheeks as she looked down glumly.
"It's not the end of the world." I assured her as I placed my hand on top of hers.
She looked up and managed a weak smile.
"Is it always so icky?" She asked.
"It's best not to think of it. It happens every month and if I can get through it I'm more than certain you can." I observed.
That made Billie laugh slightly, but she was still down.
"Do you have any questions?" I ventured.
She shrugged.
"Do you feel any pain?"
She shook her hand from side to side to indicate a little.
"Then you must eat breakfast so you can take a painkiller." I stated firmly.
"P-painkiller? Like medication?" She stammered.
I nodded.
"But we don't take medication." She remarked.
"In this instance we do."
Billie nodded and we fell into a silence for a moment.
"There is another thing we must discuss." I began after a minuet or two. "How do you wish to tell Mother?"
"I forgot about telling Mom." Billie said with a frown. "How did you do it?"
"I did not." I admitted. "I had already experienced it for several years before she was returned to us from Volterra and then it never seemed to crop up in conversation. She merely knew and we never had need to discuss it. Perhaps she found it confounding due to her own…menstrual arrangements."
"She's different to us?" Billie asked in surprise. "How?"
"You know nothing of this?" I asked, feeling surprised myself; I had assumed she'd had this discussion with Mother.
Billie shook her head.
"Are you certain?" I pressed.
"I just read the 'what to expect from your body when you hit puberty' article from the Federal Health Institute on line. Nobody's actually discussed anything with me." She replied. "Did they discuss anything with you?"
"No. However they had good reason to believe that dhampir ovulated when required to fully ensure fertilisation." I stated.
"Why?"
"Because of Mother and Granny Ness."
"What?"
"When a dhampir is imprinted upon then something works upon her anatomy and thus she ovulates only when fertilisation is possible. Therefore a dhampir who has been imprinted upon does not experience a regular cycle. Due to the fact that Grandpa Jake imprinted upon Granny Ness when she was newborn it led Carlisle to believe that this was how a dhampir anatomy worked. It seemed to be confirmed by the fact that Mother never experienced a regular cycle either." I explained.
"But I thought she didn't imprint on Dad until she was like seventeen." Billie remarked.
"That is true, however Mother is a wolf herself and therefore that effected her physiology. The same is true for Auntie Tina. Due to all this evidence nobody expected me to have a regular cycle. It was rather disconcerting the first time I saw the blood. Unlike you I hadn't the foresight to look up such things online. I thought perhaps I was dying. It took Esme forever to calm me and explain it was only natural, although there was hesitation at first for it went against the known facts of dhampir. It was Aunt Tish who put the mystery to bed when she revealed that up until Timmy had imprinted upon her she had experienced a regular cycle. After that I could prepare. Tony did not speak to me for a week, we found it hard to connect mentally, it was the first time our impending maturity affected our bond. He learned to expect my enhanced, swirling emotions afterwards and our bond was never severed again until we were much, much older."
"You mean when Mom was having me and you had your sulky fit in Cali?" Billie surmised.
"I'm just going to use the shower." Mal said apologetically as he made his way through the kitchen.
I waited until I could hear the water run before I responded.
"Our bond began diminishing before then, but yes, that was the true point of severance. We can re-establish our bond whenever we like, but it has never been the same. I cannot begin to describe to you the unity we share, the infinite mind. You merely skim the surface when we 'drag you in' as you put it, you have never truly known the full emersion of our twin mind where we truly become one being with an infinite mind."
"No offence to you and Tony, but that sounds…creepy." Billie observed.
"We are twins." I observed. "Creepy comes with the territory."
"What is it like? Being the same age and experiencing things at the same time? Were you company for each other? I feel like an only child sometimes cause of the gap. Why couldn't Mom and Dad have had another one right after me so I'd have a sib the same age as me?" Billie asked.
"You have Maurice." I observed.
"That's not the same and you know it." Billie said sourly. "I wish I'd been a twin, like you and Tony, so I could have that special someone you two have."
"You know we both love you." I stated.
"Liza, I couldn't wish for a better big sister than you, all the stuff you've helped me through has proved that. As for Tony, who could want a better big brother protector? You both look after me oh so well, but you're both so much older than me. Even if we'd been normal human you would have been grown up when I was born. I would have liked a twin of my own to grow as I grew." She said mournfully.
"Is it really that lonely for you?" I asked.
Billie paused for a moment before she looked up into my eyes and said solemnly, "There's nothing worse than being an only child. If you know what's good for your baby, if he is a boy like Tony said, then you'll get right on making him a brother or sister as soon as, cause that ready-made company is something I really wish I had."
"I will give it some thought." I said, tapping her hand. "And you still have not answered my question, what shall I tell Mother?"
"Can I email her?" Billie asked. "I'd prefer that cause I can put it in my own words and it won't seem like you're talking behind my back or something."
"Then I think you should go do that now while I make your breakfast." I suggested. "What would you like?"
"Surprise me." She said despondently as she rose to her feet. "I'll just go get my laptop."
I watched her to the door of the stairs before I rose to my own feet and started to prepare breakfast. I thought perhaps toast and cereal would be more ideal for her this morning and so I began to prepare them as Billie returned to the kitchen and set her laptop down on the kitchen table. She sat down, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for it to load. She pressed a few buttons then groaned.
"I can't access your Wi-Fi." She complained.
I told her which signal to look for and the password before placing her breakfast next to her.
"Thanks." She said, and picked up a piece of toast, taking a bite of it as she typed with one hand.
Mal emerged from the bathroom and I felt some relief that I could now shower.
"I am going to shower. I won't be long." I informed Billie.
She looked up and nodded before turning back to the laptop. I nodded before I went to retrieve the clothing I had intended to wear this day from my room. I went to the bathroom and made my shower quick, even going so far as to plait my hair so that I wouldn't have to dry it.
When I returned to the kitchen, Mal was leaning against the worktop obviously giving Billie space but not leaving her on her own. He was there if she required him but he wasn't imposing. Billie turned to me as I came out of the bathroom.
"I mailed Mom." She said. "I guess I'll have to wait for a reply."
"If you'd like a real time conversation we could arrange one." I stated.
Billie shook her head.
"It's not often Mom and Dad have time to themselves. I don't want to butt in on that. If Mom wants to talk to me then that's ok, but I don't want to bother her otherwise." Billie said softly.
"Very well."
"Are you going to eat breakfast?" She asked, as if she had desperately searched for a change of subject.
"I will this morning." I replied as I made myself a bowl of cereal and sat down opposite her.
"I'm gonna get my bag ready for town." Billie said, shutting down her laptop and rising to her feet.
"Very well." I replied and she nodded once before walking to the stairs.
I began eating my cereal when Mal came and sat opposite me.
"That was awkward." He said quietly. "I did try to speak to her about our usual crap but she shot me down every time. She just wanted to be left alone but then I thought I should probably not leave her alone."
"You did the right thing." I assured him.
"What time does she have to be in town?" He asked.
"Anika said ten on the square." I replied, then realised I had no idea what actually comprised of the square. "Where is that?"
"Did you see all them steps by the supermarket?" Mal asked.
"Yes."
"That's the square." He stated.
"Very well." I said, finishing off my cereal and carrying my dish to the sink.
"I'll wash and wipe them." Mal said. "You just make sure Billie's ok."
"Are you certain?" I asked.
"I can handle a few dishes Eliza." Mal stated.
"Sorry." I replied. "I will leave you to it while I go see how Billie is doing."
Mal nodded and I kissed his cheek before I began walking toward the stairs, but Billie emerged with her small backpack over her arm as she sorted through the contents. We almost walked into each other and she gave a start as she looked up.
"Liza!" She gasped, and then seemed to settle. "Um…" She broke off when she saw Mal and then leaned in as close as possible to me. "How many will I need?" She whispered.
"I doubt you should need more than three. Merely find a bathroom every few hours." I replied in as quiet a whisper.
"I'll…I'll just go…" She trailed off, and went into the bathroom.
She returned a moment later putting the little backpack on her back over the dark jacket she was wearing with her dark jeans and t-shirt. The dark colours made the bronze of her hair stand out clearly. She looked really nice and I wished her a good time when she was out about town.
"Are you ready to go?" I asked as I picked up the car keys.
Billie nodded.
"Are you certain? It's not too late to pull out and spend the day curled up with a tub of chunky monkey." I tempted her, feeling suddenly apprehensive about allowing her out into the real world of teenagers.
"I need the fresh air." She replied.
"Then we shall go." I stated. "I will not be long my love." I informed Mal.
"See you in a bit." He said, kissing me while keeping his dripping hands away from me. "Have fun in town Bills."
"I will." She said, aiming for cheerful and falling somewhat wide of the mark.
"Don't take any messing from Anika. If it seems like she's making fun of you then she probably is." Mal warned.
"I'll remember that." Billie said. "See you later Mal." She added and gave him a brief hug before heading to the door.
"Oh Billie before you go take two of these." I remembered, handing her some painkillers and a glass of water. "It will help."
Billie nodded and took the tablets, choking slightly as she swallowed. "That's harder than it looks." She croaked as she placed the glass back on the top. "Let's hit the road."
We made our way out to the Land Rover and I drove her down to the town and toward the bottom of the steps.
"Are you certain you wish to do this?" I asked to give her a final chance to change her mind.
"I'm actually looking forward to it now." She replied, managing to sound more like her usual cheerful self, but her wariness was still evident. "I mean this is my chance to hang with some real teenagers. It's a trial run for when I go to school and do it for real."
"I guess it is good to think of it that way." I observed, deciding that she would know what's best for her. "Now before we arrive, do you have everything in your bag? Your wallet and phone?" I added, going into fussy big sister mode.
"Yes." Billie replied, rolling her eyes, hoping I wouldn't notice her reflection in the window as I drew to a stop.
"And you know what you must do when you are ready to return." I prompted.
"Ring you and you'll come pick me up." She sang. "I'm not stupid, I don't know my way around here so I'm not gonna try getting back to the farm on my own."
"Then I will await your call." I observed. "I will see you later."
"Yeah. Thanks for the ride." She said as she made to get out of the car.
"It's still not too late." I assured her.
"I'll see you later." She said in firm tones and shut the door.
I watched her to the top of the steps and circled the square once to ensure that she met up with Anika. There was a group of four girls standing near a sculpture of giant daffodils that Billie joined. She stood out due to the fact that her hair was red instead of bleached blonde, and she was dressed in dark colours as opposed to the light pastels the others were wearing. I hoped she would be fine, but this was an area in which I could not aid her.
I drove away from the square and down to the supermarket in order to purchase a mattress protector before I went back to the farm. I carried in my purchases through the back door to find Mal pulling the bedding from the washing machine and placing it in a basket.
"Hiya, you're back." He said happily. "I thought I'd put these out on the line to air them a bit more since it's dry even if it is a little overcast."
"Thank you." I said.
"You taught me well." He joked, giving me a quick peck on the lips as he passed me in the little space.
"Yes my pupil you do well." I laughed as I stroked his cheek briefly. "I will see you upstairs."
"Then I won't be long." He growled, running his free hand down the side of my neck for a moment and making me shiver with the thrill of it.
"I hope not." I crooned, brushing my lips against his chin before I made my way into the kitchen.
I put away my purchases and carried the mattress protector up to Billie's room and placed it inside for the time being. Then I went into my room and sat down at the dressing table, loosening my braid and brushing out my hair ready for when Mal returned to me.
It was not a long wait, barely a minuet when Mal entered the bedroom and gave me a deep brooding look.
"The doors are all locked, the house is all ours." He growled.
"Yes." I replied, locking his eyes with my own and allowing myself to melt. "Come here my Malachite."
He came to me and I leapt into his arms, wrapping my own about him as I pressed my lips to his. I felt the flow of pleasure through me and I let out a satisfied hum as I let my head fall back for him to kiss at my neck. He placed me down on the bed still kissing at my neck and throat. He began unbuttoning my shirt and I let myself fall completely into the pleasure as he ran his hand down my body. It was spoiled somewhat when he gave a slight laugh as he moved his hand gently over my stomach.
"Are you laughing at me?" I demanded, leaning up on my elbows to look at him.
"No." He said with a smile as he kept his hand on my stomach. "It's just that I can feel your bump."
"Is that such a bad thing?" I asked.
"Not in the slightest." Mal said, looking up into my eyes with a slight frown. "Did I say it was bad?"
"No." I replied. "But you did laugh."
"It wasn't a deriding laugh, just a little sighing laugh of amazement." He said, placing a kiss to my stomach before caressing it lightly with his fingers. "I know every inch of you by now Liza, every line and flow of your body. It just caught me by surprise because there's definitely a bump there now."
"It is becoming more obvious." I observed, and then I giggled myself as pushed Mal onto his back and looked down into his eyes. "Can you imagine me when I am big and blossoming? How strange that will be?"
"Yeah." Mal said, reaching up and stroking my cheek. "I'm actually kind of looking forward to it because we never change, but that will be a change. And of course he'll start kicking by then. I wonder what it will be like to feel him."
I smiled at Mal, happy with his musings.
"It will be wonderful." I said as I played with his collar. "In a few short months he will be here with us and then we will have an endless parade of dirty diapers and sleepless nights. It will be hard to find these moments to ourselves, therefore we should make the most of it now."
"Yeah?"
"Yes." I replied, placing my lips to his as I unbuttoned his shirt and slid it away from his chest. "Do you not agree?" I asked in a whisper as I ran my hand up his side.
"Oh definitely." Mal said in a somewhat unsteady voice. "We should take full advantage."
I giggled as he turned me onto my back and started kissing every inch of my skin that was available to him. We fooled around for an hour before showering together for the sake of it. Such experiences with Mal are always enjoyable, no matter how many times we partake in them. I put the clothes I wore earlier back on not for Billie to become suspicious, although I did dry and style my hair this time. This was something I would have done regardless; at least Billie would find it nothing out of the ordinary.
Once my hair was finished, I stripped the covers from the bed deciding to put them through the laundry because it was something to do over the next hour before lunch. I placed my bedding in the washing machine and went to check on Billie's bedding. It was dry and so I carried it up to her room and made the bed, ensuring to dispose of the bag for the mattress protector lest Billie notice it.
I then took up my laptop and went downstairs, joining Mal in the garden on the lawn chairs we had set up on the old bit of patio we had uncovered beneath all the weeds. I opened up my laptop and turned it on.
"I've had an e-mail from Pugh, Pew and McGrew. They've scheduled my licence exam for two weeks time." Mal said, clicking through his personal mail.
"Are you looking forward to it?" I asked as I started up my own web browser.
"It's an exam so not really, but I'm not bothered by it. It's just preliminary to make sure I know what I'm doing. They've sent a few details of how the British one is different from the American one, but it's not a great deal different. Nothing I can't handle anyway."
"That's good." I replied. "I appear to be inundated with e-mails." I observed as I opened my personal account, Mal had been reading our joint account this morning, the one that people used when they wished to share news in general with the both of us. We had our own separate accounts too for official business and if there were any messages our friends didn't want the other to know.
"Well you haven't checked them since Billie got here." He observed.
"There is that." I said, scrolling through them and deleting everything that had come from YouTube, Twitter and other subscriptions I had no interest in at present.
"Maybe you should look at the more important ones first." Mal suggested.
"That's what I intend." I said as I opened one from Mother marked urgent which had come through this morning.
Liza
What's going on? Is Billie ok? I got a real bad feeling. Please don't let me hanging Lamb, I need to know what's going on.
Mom xx
There was another one sent half an hour later.
Liza
I really need to know, this feeling is just not going away for me. I need to know that you and Billie are safe and well. Mal too of course. But if you don't contact me in the next hour I'm gonna really start worrying.
Mom xx
Then another one an hour later.
Liza
You got to contact me my phone is not working out here on the island for some reason. If I don't hear from you in the next half hour then me and Tobias are going to the mainland and if I can't get you on the phone we'll be heading for Wales on the next flight available. I know something is wrong and I'm panicking here Lamb. You got to get back to me.
Mom xx
It was but ten minuets later that Mother's next email was received.
Liza
Thank god, Billie emailed me. I guess you haven't read any of my mails. You really need to get them linked to your phone or something cause I was pulling my hair out, I need some way to reach you in an emergency if my phone's bust. So please can you make sure you sort that out for me?
Now on to Billie, is she ok? She told me that she is, but something seemed a little off in her email. I'm asking you cause you're there and I'm not. Even if I was well, you got more experience with this than me. How is she really? Is she holding up ok? Do you think she'll need me there? I'll be on the next flight if she does.
Let me know as soon as you read this,
Mom xx
I pressed the reply button.
Mother,
I am sorry I did not respond sooner. I will link my email account to my phone as soon as I am done here. I would have done it sooner had I known your problem with the phones.
Billie is somewhat subdued this morning, but then again this is a milestone and can be quite disconcerting at first. However, there is no need to worry, she will survive this. Truly there is no need for you to come, by the time you arrive it will be all but over. It is better that you remain on the island and have a well-deserved private vacation with Father. One of Billie's worries was that if she informed you she would disturb your vacation, she doesn't want to be a bother.
Liza xx
I read over the email before I sent it to Mother.
"Mother sensed there was something wrong this morning." I informed Mal.
"I guess it was a good job you convinced Billie to get in touch with her." Mal replied.
"It was. Mother had been emailing me and I hadn't known." I said, taking out my phone. "I haven't taken the time to link my email account to my new phone. I should do that now."
After making the appropriate adjustments to my phone I returned to my emails. There was one from my former company asking whether I had changed my mind and would I like to return with a higher pay grade and a better position within the company. I sent a reply regretfully declining the offer stating that I still intended to continue with my studies. I decided not to say anything about my pregnancy; I would save that for future if I had need to use it.
My next email was from Prue, an expansion most likely on the one she had sent to Mal and me. I opened it and began reading.
Wasup my Deputy!
Thought it was about time I confessed. I would have told you sooner but you were pregnant and moving to Wales, I didn't want to spoil your bubble. As far as I was concerned it could wait a few months before I unloaded on you and we could have had a good girly blow out, ice cream, dodgy movies, the whole shebang. That was until I went to the Summit this year. There was this one stall where they were doing an adoption drive.
Ok, getting ahead of myself and I can't be bothered to edit.
The thing is, I can't have kids. Well maybe I could, but Carlisle said it was a really long shot thanks to my history. I asked about IVF and all that, but he said he wouldn't even know where to start with our physiology, that he didn't know if my body would reject the embryo. As for encouraging natural fertilisation with medicinal help, he's against that too. He's worried that cause I already had an ectopic pregnancy it might happen again and he's not sure whether he could save me. I said I'm less fragile now, I think my body can take it, but Doc said that was the problem. My new super duper body might hinder him. He also asked me to seriously consider if my mind could take going through all that again.
I was so angry at first; mentally I'm in a much better place than when it happened the last time. I'm in a permanent relationship and I'm not on drugs. I was ready to go for it, but then I realised I was being too hot headed. I really had to think about it seriously and consider the fact that I couldn't have kids. I was so worried about telling Tibbi, so sure he wanted kids, to have that flesh and blood link.
I was wrong, he didn't mind. If we'd had kids he would have been happy, but he said it wasn't the end of the world for us. Humans had kids because they'd die some day and it was a way for their genetic material to live on. We were likely to live forever and so we didn't have that need. It was a clinical way to put it I guess, but it was exactly what I needed to hear from him. It made me comfortable with our future together, although I had no idea what to do about this big old house. I did consider opening a hotel like Billie suggested. I might still do that, who knows.
Anyway, I just wanted to set up where I was when I went to the Summit. So I can't have kids, but I just want to take care of some little person and raise them to be happy people, and I got this massive house just mostly empty. It was in this state that I passed this stall with a picture of this kid with big soulful eyes pleading with me under the caption 'please adopt'. Turns out there's some half vamps who need homes so I put my name down on the list, I didn't really expect to be given a kid straight away, but that night Jane asked me and Tibbi to have an audience with her.
We went up to her room and she started asking us about why we wanted to adopt, I think she was worried that if we had a kid of our own we might change our mind I guess. Whatever, she questioned us for a while and then she gave one of those smiles, you know the bat shit crazy ones where you don't know if she's about to give you some great treat or burn you?
She then pressed the intercom button and asked Fred to come in. Fred came in and he had a kid with him. It was the one from the poster although he looked older, but I guess the photo was taken a few months ago and look how quick Billie ages. Anyway Jane asked the kid what he thought of us, he'd been listening in the other room. He just shrugged, staying close to Fred as if he wanted to be invisible.
I just got right in the zone, approaching him all gentle like as I told him I wouldn't hurt him. I babbled a lot about myself, just trying to put the kid at ease. Asking him questions. It took a while but finally he answered one, it was actually the first question I'd asked but it was five minuets later that he answered it. He said his name was Zeke and that was all he knew about himself. It was sad you know, but I told him that if he wanted to come live with me and Tibbi he could, but maybe he needed time to think about it. He nodded and I smiled and held out my hand, he looked at it, didn't know what to do so I just waved to him and he copied me before Fred led him from the room.
When he was gone I asked Jane what the deal was, she told us that Zeke had been found at dhampir slave camp. He'd been there since he was born or sometime shortly after. He'd been through a lot but they weren't too sure exactly, only that he'd suffered a lot in his young life. Jane said that she wasn't sure what to do for the best for him, but when she'd seen that me and Tibbi had put our name down on the adoption list she realised we would be perfect. I had experience looking after a half vamp kid and Tibbi had been inside one of the slave camps so he could help with that. Jane told us to think about it fully before we made our decision so we went away to talk about it that night.
Tibbi agreed that we had a lot to offer Zeke and there really was no other choice for us now that we'd met him and knew his awful story than to adopt him. So we went back to Jane and told her that we'd adopt him if he wanted us to, but it had to be his decision. He decided to trust anyway.
Now I'm the mother of a three-year-old half vamp. He's taking time to settle in, but then he's only been here a week. He has nightmares, but Tibbi said the slave camps were bad enough for him; he'd hate to think what it was like knowing nothing but that. It is gonna take time, but that's one thing we have in abundance. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but we've been settling him in and all. Anyway, I thought you'd like to know.
Prue x
I re-read her message a few times as I composed my reply in my head before typing.
Good day my Captain
I am sorry to hear that you are unable to have children; I know it is something you have spoken of often since we reconnected as adults. I know not how to begin expressing my condolences, it is sadness indeed. I wish you had informed me sooner so that I could comfort you in person.
I am happy to learn that you have found a bright side to your tragedy. Billie had already told me about Zeke, although it merely slipped out when she was musing about starting up a scouts' movement for dhampir. Your account is much more detailed; Billie seemed rather hazy about the details. What a terrible start poor Zeke had, if only we could stop such things from ever taking place. If anybody can help him through his dark memories to find the happiness beyond, it is you.
I wish you well my dear friend
Liza x
I sent the replay and realised the washing machine had finished its cycle.
"I'm going to hang out the laundry." I informed Mal before I returned to the house to do that.
Once our bedding was on the line I put the towels in to wash.
"Would you like sandwiches for lunch?" I called to Mal from the door.
"I'll come help you." He said, folding up his laptop and standing up.
"Could you bring mine in too?" I called before stepping back into the kitchen.
Mal was there a moment later placing both our laptops upon the table.
"What sandwiches shall we have?" I mused as I perused the contents of the refrigerator.
"There's still some of that roast beef left." Mal said, placing his arms about my waist and resting his hands gently upon my stomach. "How about beef and mustard?"
I thought about the mouth-wateringly tender beef combined with the spicy kick of mustard and it greatly appealed to me.
"Sounds delicious." I said with delight as I reached the beef out of the fridge. "But which mustard should we have?" I added as we moved to the pantry.
"How about the English mustard since we can spread it on the bread."
"Yes. We will keep the whole grain mustard for when we are having steak." I agreed. "Which must be soon, a juicy rare steak oozing with juices that mix so deliciously with a light seasoning of freshly ground pepper."
"Wow, you're making my mouth water here." Mal whispered into my ear and I giggled as his breath tickled me, but suddenly I had the image of the steak in my mind and the taste in my mouth and I found it hard to let the image go.
"I think I know what we are going to have for dinner tonight." I observed. "Although I will have to make a trip to the butchers."
"I can do that." Mal said, kissing my cheek as we placed the rest of our ingredients on the worktop.
"That might be for the best for now I am imagining the scent of the butchers shop and the tang of blood is making me thirsty." I whispered.
"Oh. Do you need to go hunting again?" Mal asked with concern.
"I think one of the stored bags will suffice." I stated as I began building the sandwiches. "Although I am not so desperate really. Perhaps we could go hunting on the weekend. Billie should have need to feed by then also."
"Then that's what we'll do." Mal said, stroking my arms. "For now though we can enjoy these sandwiches and then I'll go to the butchers. Is there anything else you need me to pick up in town?"
"I'll have to think about it while we eat." I replied as I finished making the sandwiches and placed them onto two separate plates.
"Ok." Mal said as he filled two glasses with iced water.
"I should have had a baked potato too." I mused as I carried my sandwich, along with a packet of potato chips and glass of water, over to the table.
"We'll have some with our steaks." Mal said as he sat down opposite me.
"Indeed." I agreed as I took Mal's hand on top of the table and kicked off my shoes to place my feet up on his lap beneath the table. "And a salad beside. Mixed lettuce, a little ice burg, radicchio, perhaps some rocket." I said with a nod of my head as I took a bite of my sandwich. "Oh and cherry tomatoes, they will be utterly divinely juicy at the moment."
"They will." Mal agreed as he watched me with a smile.
"And radish to add that peppery crunch to the whole thing." I mused as I ate a chip before returning to my sandwich.
"Anything else?" Mal asked.
"No. I have all the ingredients for the dressing here and I will take out one of the apple pies I made the other day for dessert." I replied.
"Nice." Mal observed with a smile.
I nodded and we finished the rest of our food in comfortable silence. We washed the dishes together before Mal left for the stores. The washing machine had yet to finish its cycle so I took up my book and went to read out in the garden to make the most of the afternoon sun.
I had been reading for quarter of an hour perhaps when I felt my senses warn me that someone was approaching. I sat up in alert only to see that someone was approaching from the modern farm. Once they were out of the glare of the sun I could see that it was Julie and she was making her way industriously toward me.
I went to the wall to meet her, leaning gently against the old stone as she came to a stop, slightly out of breath.
"Is there an emergency?" I asked.
"Yeah. Anika just text to say that your sister went off on her own. She tried to stop her, but one minuet she was there and the next she was gone." Julie said, slightly out of breath.
"Billie has ran away?" I asked, trying to glean the exact meaning of what she was saying.
"I don't know about away, just off. She left Anika and her friends near the shopping centre. I haven't got any talk time left to ask further questions, that's why I came here to tell you. Dai gets snippy about personal phone calls." She explained.
"Even if they are to the boss?" I asked, and then shook my head, it was not important. "Thank you for informing me I will go look for her."
Julie nodded.
"Well I better be getting back. Ring me to let me know what's happening."
"I will." I promised and without waiting for further word I made my way to the garage as I dialled Billie's phone, only to remember that Mal had the Land Rover with him.
I felt frantic as I counted the rings on Billie's phone in the hope that it wouldn't link to voice mail. I tried this several times but to no avail, Billie did not answer. Now my heart was pounding with the fear that something bad had befallen her as I went into the house to pull on my running shoes, planning a rout that would lead me quickly but unseen down to the town in the hope of picking up the trail. I could get there just as fast as if I called Mal home to me. It was better to ask him to meet me in town; it would save time in the long run. I locked all the doors and took my phone from my pocket as I walked to the edge of the front garden and dialled Mal's number.
It rang a few times before Mal answered.
"What did you forget to tell me to get?" He joked.
"Billie may be missing." I cut in.
"What? How?" He asked in alarm.
"I'm not entirely sure." I admitted as I jogged toward the top of the hill. "Julie came to inform me that Anika had text her to say that Billie had ran off. I am going down into town in the hope of picking up a trail. I want you to meet me there."
"No. Stay at the house in case she comes back. I'll just park up in town and track her." Mal countered.
"But…" I began.
"I'm already here Liza, and she probably can find her way back. You know what her sense of direction is like." Mal cut me off before I could voice my argument.
"I really should…" I interjected.
"No you shouldn't. You need to be there in case she comes back and I'll go track her. Do you know where she was last?"
"The shopping centre."
"Then it won't take me long to investigate." Mal promised.
I thought I heard a familiar voice.
"Hold on a moment." I said as two people rounded the top of the hill and I stopped. "She's here."
"Told you she would be." Mal remarked.
"Yes." I agreed. "I will see you soon."
"I'll be five minuets max." Mal promised and I hung up as I watched Billie and another person descend the hill toward me.
"Liza? What's wrong?" Billie asked when she saw me.
"I was coming to look for you." I said.
"Why? Am I late?" She asked with concern.
"No. I received word that you had ran off from Anika." I replied.
"Oh." Billie said, her face falling.
"It was more like they ran off from us." The boy said, and now I recognised that it was Arwel.
"They did?" I asked as I motioned for them both to follow me toward the house.
"Well more slied off really. They wanted to go further afield, but Billie said she couldn't, but Anika wanted to." Arwel continued.
"They do what she wants." Billie stated.
"I needed to come home anyway for my chores so I asked Billie if she'd like to walk. I prefer to walk when I can see." Arwel explained.
"Walking is much healthier." Billie said happily.
"Granted." I agreed. "However you could have phoned to inform me that you were walking home with a guide, or at the very least answered when I rang you."
"You phoned?" Billie asked in alarm as she pulled out her phone. "Oh man! I left the stupid thing on silent mode from the cinema."
I tapped her shoulder to show no hard feelings, she was home safe and that was all that mattered.
"I'm sure you're both thirsty after your long treck, would you like to come in for a drink Arwel?" I offered.
"Umm…" He dithered.
"It'll be for only a minuet, I'm sure Mist won't mind waiting." Billie observed.
"Mist can join us too." I offered wondering why this third person was not with them.
"I think you'd have a fit if Mist got up at the table with us to have a drink." Billie said with a giggle.
"Why?" I asked.
"She's Arwel's sheep dog." She announced, still chuckling.
"I see." I said as we stepped into the garden. "You must come in for a drink so that I may thank you for seeing Billie home safely."
Arwel looked awkward once more, but he nodded his head before following Billie and me up the path. I unlocked the door and led the way inside. We walked through the parlour and out to the kitchen.
"What would you like to drink?" I asked.
"Coke." Billie said with a grin, obviously taking advantage of the fact that we had a guest to have some of her rationed favourite.
"Arwel?" I prompted.
"Coke." He agreed.
I filled two tall glasses with ice and poured in the soda, I made myself another iced water. We stood at the counter sipping our drinks, Arwel looked uncomfortable, as if he were unsure what to talk about.
"Have you both eaten?" I asked, looking between the two of them.
"Yeah." Billie replied. "We got food on the go. A cone of chips, only they were like French fries and not all thin and crispy. They were actually quite squiggy but it wasn't that bad and they were dripping with salt and vinegar, but that's how you're supposed to eat them. Right?"
"Right." Arwel agreed.
"I had some fish bites too, little pieces of cod in batter, they were nice. And we ate them as we were walking up." Billie explained.
Arwel drained his glass and placed it on the counter.
"Thanks for that Mrs Llewellyn." He said.
"Please, call me Liza." I stated.
He nodded.
"I got to go now Billie." He said. "Things to do for Nan and Granch, but that's farms for you, busy, busy, busy."
Billie nodded.
"Um…Liza, would it be ok for Billie to help me a little later?" He asked, turning to look at me suddenly, speaking quickly as if he was afraid his nerve wouldn't hold.
"What with?" I asked.
"Arwel is training his dog for the sheep trials and he said I could help him." Billie said excitedly.
I assessed the situation for a moment, almost certain it was Billie's idea, but I did not wish to embarrass her by stating so in front of Arwel. Besides, he had asked without prompting from Billie.
"I see no reason why you can not do so provided Mair and Bryn are willing." I observed.
"They won't mind." Arwel said. "As long as she's willing to muck in with the other chores." He added with a sudden flash of mischief.
"I don't mind a little work." Billie said with a shrug.
"Ok. I'll call in for you when I'm on my way with Mist. It'll be around four." He stated.
"Ok." Billie said. "See you later."
Arwel nodded, waving a moment before he left, or tried to leave. I had to unlock the doors first; I had forgotten they were still locked. As I opened the back door Mal was getting his key ready to unlock it.
"Sneaking out the backdoor Arwel?" Mal asked, raising his eyebrows.
"I…was…um…" Arwel stuttered.
"Relax but I was teasing." Mal said, tapping him on the arm.
"He walked Billie home." I stated.
"Oh right, nice one." Mal said as he stepped aside to let Arwel pass. "How's the dog training going?"
"Good." Arwel said with a nod. "I got to get back to the farm."
Mal nodded and Arwel hurried out of the house and out of the garden. He went toward the rise instead of the hill.
"Is there access to Hafod Isaf that way?" I asked.
"Yeah, there's a little path down the side of the wall and over the sty at the bottom." Mal replied.
"That's good to know." I observed.
"So I don't have to go all the way around if I want to call on him?" Billie asked.
"No." Mal replied as we all made our way back into the kitchen, Mal with his bags of shopping.
"What have you got?" Billie asked.
"Stuff for dinner." Mal replied as he placed the bags on the worktop and began putting them away. "So you got a boyfriend there, Bills?" He teased.
"He's not my boyfriend." Billie said scandalised. "I've only just met him, I don't know him. How can he be my boyfriend? I don't even like him like that anyway. He's just good to talk to and he likes dogs. And I'm too young for a boyfriend anyway and his hairs too long and dyed red. And…and…"
"Methinks the lady doth protest too much." Mal said with a laugh.
Billie stuck out her tongue before turning to me.
"You won't tease me will you?" She pleaded.
"Of course not." I replied. "It's entirely your business that Arwel is your boyfriend." I added with a grin.
"That's not nice Lizzy." She said with a scowl.
"I know there is nothing between you and Arwel, he is merely a means to excitement regarding your love for animals." I observed.
"That's right." Billie said.
"Although I am worried that you walked home with a complete stranger."
"Arwel's human, if he tried anything I could take him, and anyway he knows you guys and it was better than staying there with Anika and her lot. They're awfully boring you know. All they want to do is sit around and smoke; they don't even talk about crap. I could pretend to know crap but I'm not doing anything that damages my health just to seem cool. And it's so boring just sitting there anyway. It only got good when Arwel, Titch and Dallas turned up and we all went to the movies. We saw Simon's new film, which was really good but then I went to the bathroom and I overheard them talking about…" She trailed off for a nanosecond, but there was a definite pause, a change in her speech. "Wanting to go elsewhere but they didn't think I'd be able to because I'm not from around here. I thought it was better to just excuse myself and I was going to ring you once I got back to the square but then Arwel caught me up and offered to walk home with me. The weather was so nice and you know how much I rather walk."
"I know. However you should have rung me to let me know that you were walking home." I stated.
"I'll remember in future." Billie promised.
"Please endure that you do." I replied.
Billie nodded.
"I think I'm gonna go watch a movie for a while and then change into other clothes cause these are my best jeans." Billie observed.
"Of course." I replied.
Billie nodded and made her way upstairs.
The rest of the day seemed to go swiftly. Arwel did return for Billie at four, he had two border collies with him, the bigger one was walking close to heal, but the smaller, younger one was on a leash and wandering about as far as the leash would allow it. Billie bolted out of the house, waving to me in passing. I had to stop her a moment to tell her that dinner would be served at seven and she was to be on time. She promised she would be.
Mal helped me prepare dinner, Billie opting to lay the table when she returned at quarter to seven. Arwel had to get back to Hafod Isaf for his evening chores. She had wanted to help him but it was too late for her to go there and then be back on time. I assured her there were other days as we all sat down to eat.
Billie volunteered to wipe the dishes without prompting, therefore Mal went to organise a movie for the three of us to watch together while I washed the dishes. I was certain she was doing it to earn my favour, which was somewhat disconcerting for truly she had no need to do so.
We then settled down to watch a movie for the rest of the evening before all going to bed around eleven. As Mal and I settled into bed together I decided that we should do something different the next day.
"We have nothing planned for tomorrow do we?" I asked.
"Not that I know of." Mal replied as he pulled me in closer to his chest, ready for sleep.
"Then we should go out somewhere tomorrow, take Billie to one of the castles or perhaps a museum." I suggested.
"Yeah, we'll ask her where she'd like to go in the morning." Mal said, kissing the back of my head, clearly ready for sleep.
"Yes." I agreed and was preparing to settle before another thought hit me. "We really must get another car. Today I was in a state of panic trying to devise a route to town without being witnessed. I would have had no such worries if we had another car. Especially when you begin work, I do not wish to appear stranded."
"We'll get another car." Mal said. "That was the intention anyway, we've just been sorting out other stuff."
"Yes." I agreed.
"We'll have a look at a few places tomorrow and take it from there."
"Thank you." I replied. "And goodnight my Malachite."
"Night, night Liza bach." He whispered and leant up to kiss my cheek before snuggling back down behind me and we both drifted to sleep.
Thank you for reading
Please review
Gemma x