Chapter Fifteen
Ayla blinked open her eyes slowly, her mind picking up the pieces of the previous evening as her eyes took in the unfamiliar surroundings. This wasn't her room, it was much larger than hers and tidier to boot. Plus, the furnishing was much too nice and pristine, and the bed…it felt like she was sleeping on a cloud. Wait…she remembered the charity function Pamela had dragged her along to and then… Pushing her upper half up onto her elbows she felt a weight on her lower back and turned her head to her right and instantly she was flooded with euphoria. The sight of his sleeping face, relaxed and unguarded was a sight that she had thought she would never again see, but now knowing that he was real and not a dream meant she will have many more mornings like these.
Smiling, she settled back down, snuggling closer to him and being rewarded with a low groan from him as he shifted sleepily to hold her closer. His body heat was comforting and the feel of his fingertips tracing lazy circles into her back electrified her. His soft lips brushed along her forehead as his touch became firmer. Ayla slid an arm around his waist, pulling herself closer to him and breathing in his familiar scent of cedar and spice.
"Good morning," he said, his voice deep and rich and laced with the lisp of sleep.
"Mmm, morning." she sighed, her lips brushing along his Adam's apple. Her arm hugging his torso and pressing her palm flat against his smooth back.
"It's good to wake up next to you again."
"Yeah, I can definitely get used to this again."
"I'll arrange for your belongings to be packed up and brought here."
Before Ayla could reply she heard her phone ringing, the ringtone telling her that Pamela was calling. "Shit! I forgot I ditched Pam last night." she said, pulling out of Thranduil's arms and untangling herself from the sheets and following the sound of her phone. Before stepping out of the room she grabbed Thranduil's discarded shirt from the floor and pulled it on. She found her clutch by the front door and pulled her phone out, seeing that she had missed five calls from Pamela. She quickly dialed Pamela's number and after the first ring Pamela picked up.
"My water broke an hour ago! I'm at the hospital right now!"
"What?! Already?" Ayla asked in shock.
"Get here right now, Soryn!"
Pamela hung up on her and Ayla was left rather stunned before snapping out of it a second later and running back to the bedroom where Thranduil was still laying in bed. She looked around for her dress and underwear and shoes.
"What's the rush?" he asked, watching her pick up her clothes.
"Pam's gone into labor and is at the hospital and knowing her she's making the staff go through hell." Ayla said, trying to slip on her dress from last night.
Thranduil got out of bed and walked over to the closet, sliding the door open. "Ayla, you can't wear that to the hospital." he said over his shoulder as he walked into the closet.
"Holy shit," Ayla said, following Thranduil into the closet that was as big as her apartment. If she wasn't pressed for time she would browse through his collection of designer suits and outfits for every occasion.
"Here," Thranduil said, suddenly appearing in front of her and fully dressed in tan slacks and a simple black cotton shirt. He held up a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. Ayla took them and changed into them.
"I'm not gonna ask why you have clothes in my size." she said, making him chuckle as he lowered his head and kissed her chastely.
"I'll drive you to the hospital." he said.
xxxxx
Hours later Ayla sat outside the delivery room, holding an ice pack to her hand to keep the swelling down. Pamela had a surprisingly strong grip and nearly ripped her fingers off pushing the baby out. She was now an auntie (well, godmother), and as happy as she was for Pamela she kept thinking about her loss and wondered if she'll ever have one of her own with Thranduil. She felt her pocket vibrate and she pulled her phone out to see an unknown caller. Having nothing to lose she answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"I'm guessing all went well?" came the familiar rich timbre of Thranduil's voice. Ayla wasn't surprised that he knew her phone number.
"Yeah, Pam had a boy, but not before breaking my hand."
"Well you have insurance, I'm sure you can find a doctor to fix it for you."
"You have a doctor in mind?"
"Yes, but she's currently on medical leave. Something about getting hit by a truck."
"Sounds serious."
She heard him chuckle on the other end and she grinned, unable to help herself. It was strange and wonderful at the same time to be talking to him on the phone of all things. It was crazy to think that just a few days ago she thought he was made up and now that she knows he's real, her heart felt light and the dark cloud that had been following her had gone away. Her luck seems to have turned for the better these days.
"How long are you planning to stay there?"
"Knowing Pam she'll beg me to stay with her until Henry's gone off to college."
"Is that his name?"
"Yeah, I was surprised that she went with a normal name and not something stupid like Apple or Coltan."
"People name their children after fruit?"
"Dumb, right? Anyways, is this the number I can reach you at?"
"No, my cell number has already been put into your phone."
"Oh, that was fast and we'll circle back to how you hacked my phone later…where are you calling from?"
"My office."
"Your office?"
"I do run a business, Ayla. Speaking of business I'll have it arranged for movers to pack your apartment."
"Wait...what?"
"Call me when your friend no longer needs your services." he then hung up the phone.
"Jeez, no goodbye?" she mumbled as she put her phone back into her pocket and leaned back against the wall. She took a moment to think on what Thranduil had said and then a light bulb went off and she sat up straight. "He wouldn't…"
xxxxx
Ayla stayed with Pamela for the entire day (being a doctor and working in the hospital had its perks of bypassing visiting hours), returning to the room with a cup of coffee from the café down the street, she found her best friend holding her baby and was in tears.
"Pam? What's the matter?" Ayla asked, going over to her.
"It's nothing, I'm just being hormonal." she sniffed, "It's just that I have a baby but no—no—no maaaan! And you left with the hottest man out there last night so what's left for a single mom like meeeee?!" she sobbed and Ayla worried about her sobbing upsetting Henry.
Ayla raised her eyebrows but was relieved that it was just hormones. "Seriously? That's what this is about?"
"You selfish bitch! You abandoned me at the gala to get your rocks off!" Ayla couldn't dispute that.
"Pam, I promise you that once your hormones are back to normal you'll be back out there and having guys line up for you around the city block."
"But no hot guy will wanna be with a single mom who works full time at a hospital watching a bunch of stupid interns kill patients. On top of that pushing this baby out ripped something and now nothing will be the same down there! What am I gonna do? I'm gonna die alone as a spinster with a saggy pussy!" Henry then began to cry, distracting Pamela as she tried to calm him down while she tried to rein in her sobs.
"Oh sweet baby Jesus, there's not enough percocet in the world for this," she mumbled.
"I'm sorry, Soryn, I didn't mean any of that." Pamela sniffed, "Shit, how do I make him stop crying?"
Ayla walked closer to the bed and took Henry into her own arms and gently bounced him until his crying stopped. It was a nostalgic feeling as she remembered her time raising Aragorn and looking down at Henry only forced those memories to flood her mind. She wondered about her and Thranduil and if it will now be possible for them to finally have the family that they had been denied in the past.
"Since when were you so good with babies?" Pamela asked, bringing Ayla to the present as she looked at her friend.
"Since waking up from a coma after getting hit by a truck." Ayla said, sitting down in the chair by the bed and smiled at Pamela.
"You're the best, Soryn, have I told you that?"
"Wow, they must've given you the good stuff."
Pamela snorted as she laid back against the extra pillows Ayla had snatched for her earlier. "I mean it. Fifteen years of friendship, Soryn."
"Fifteen? That long?"
"Give or take, we met during our Grad years in college."
"Man, where has the time gone?"
"Probably lost in all the blackouts and partying and then eventually getting lives."
"Don't forget getting married and divorced and having kids."
Pamela smiled as she watched her best friend bounce her baby. "It'll happen for you, Ayla. I know you better than anyone. You're kind and caring and you'll be a great mom."
Ayla fought back tears. "Thanks, Pam."
xxxxx
Ayla left the hospital that evening with Stacy and Becky, the trio walking down the street together towards the bar at the bottom of the hill to celebrate Pamela's delivery, without Pamela present. They all sat around a small table near the back inside the small bar, Becky had gone to put in their orders. Ayla lowered her head to the table, exhausted from Pamela's rollercoaster emotions. She couldn't wait for her best friend to be back to normal because hormonal Pamela was unpredictable.
"Henry's soooo cute!" Stacy cooed as she flipped through the photos she took of Pamela's baby.
"Uuugh!" Ayla groaned, too tired to agree.
"I wonder what the donor looks like." Stacy said.
"Uuuugh!" Ayla groaned again.
"All right, bitches! I scored us a bottle!" Becky said, setting down three shot glasses and a bottle of whiskey on the table.
Ayla raised her head and sat up as Becky poured the drink.
"I don't know, I'm still breastfeeding." Stacy said.
"Your youngest is two years old with teeth; I think it's safe to stop now." Ayla said, picking up her glass.
"To Pam for pushing one out!" Becky said, raising her glass.
"To Pam!" Ayla and Stacy cheered, the three of them clinking their glasses together before tossing back the first shot. The warm burning sensation going down her throat a welcoming feeling as Becky poured the second round.
"To Ayla being a godmother and not dying from a truck hitting her!" Stacy cheered.
They clinked glasses again and threw back their second shot. They continued to drink, emptying the bottle down to a third of its content. Stacy had tapped out after her fifth shot while Becky and Ayla had switched to water with lemons after their eighth shots and were just sitting back and talking. Becky revealed that she and her husband have been talking about starting a family after being married for nearly seven years, which was shocking for Ayla considering Becky had always stood firm against being a parent. Stacy, in her drunken stupor, admitted to being afraid that she was a terrible mother and thinks her children hate her.
They remained at the bar that quickly became crowded with other alcoholic patrons once the clock hit seven in the evening and everyone was free from their jobs. Patrick, Becky's younger brother and subsequently a nurse in Ayla's hospital joined their merry group, drinking the rest of the remaining whiskey straight from the bottle. Aside from Pamela who was her best friend, Patrick was the only other coworker that Ayla liked, mainly because Patrick always had a good story and was equally sharp-tongued and evilly judgmental as the rest of them. Plus he always had the best work gossip to share.
"I'm surprised she hasn't signed her baby away for adoption yet." Patrick said.
"The night is still young." Ayla said. Patrick suddenly perked up in his seat, his eyes looking in the direction towards the door. "What's up with you all of a sudden?"
"I think my ultimate fantasy man just walked through the door." Patrick said dreamily.
Ayla let out a laugh and looked towards the door, then her laugh was caught in her throat. "Ah shit…" she grumbled, knowing her night was over when she spotted Thranduil walking over to her table.
"Oh my god, he's walking this way. How's my hair? Do I have patient vomit on me anywhere?" Patrick asked with a note of panic in his voice.
"Weren't you supposed to wait for my phone call?" Ayla asked, quirking an eyebrow at him.
"I got tired of waiting. Shall we?" Thranduil said, looking down at Ayla and ignoring the gawking stares from her friends.
Ayla smiled as she got up. She looked back at her friends with a smile and also trying not to laugh at the dumb look on Patrick's face. "I'll see you guys later." she said, leaving the bar with Thranduil. She knew there was going to be a ton of questions that will be thrown at her the next time she got together with them. Once outside Ayla let out a yawn, her head still in a buzz from all the drinking and leaned against Thranduil a bit for support.
"Long day?" he asked.
"You have no idea," Ayla slurred slightly before yawning again. "I'm ready for a hot shower and then going to bed."
"Let's go home then." he said.
"My apartment isn't far from here." she said, pulling on Thranduil's arm.
Thranduil let out a quiet sigh, not wanting to tell her that he thought her apartment was too small and beneath his standards. Especially when they just picked up their relationship in the past twenty-four hours. "Very well, I will take you to your apartment."
"What's wrong with my place?" Ayla asked.
Thranduil didn't reply, thinking it wiser to not comment his opinions out loud. "How much have you had to drink tonight?"
Ayla tilted her head to one side, giving him a crooked smile. "Between barely able to walk and ready to pass out."
"So more than you should have indulged in."
She grinned up at him. "Just a little."
xxxxx
Two weeks go by and Ayla was back and forth between her apartment and Thranduil's. Ayla didn't need glasses to see that Thranduil didn't like her small apartment and he wasn't being subtle about her moving into his place. Granted, his apartment was much nicer and had more space than Ayla could think to do with. Then there was the brief discussion about her returning to work full time and it was crystal clear that Thranduil had the idea that he could take care of her and all her needs (which is true but was not the point). Luckily that "discussion" was quickly put to rest and buried in an unmarked grave to never be dug up…for now. Ayla made it equally clear to the spoiled king that they were no longer in Middle Earth and that she had a life in Seattle that did not revolve around him.
Now back at work, Ayla was taking it slow to ease herself back into the familiar routine, only taking a few surgeries a week versus a few surgeries a day. Then at the end of the day she was met with an unexpected visitor.
"What the hell…" Ayla stopped just outside the main doors of the hospital to see Legolas standing next to the open door of his car. He was smiling at her while patients and employees eyed him and his car as they came and went. "This is over the top, even for you."
"Nothing is too over the top for you, Naneth." Legolas said as Ayla walked up to him, hugging her tightly. "I've come to spirit you away."
"Oh? To where?" Ayla asked.
"Are you hungry?" Legolas asked, smiling down at her.
"Yeah, but I'm still in my scrubs."
"We'll stop by somewhere and buy you a new outfit."
"Or you can just drop me off at my apartment. It's just a few blocks away." Ayla said as she slid into the passenger seat. The door was closed as soon as she was settled before Legolas walked around the front of his car and got in the driver's seat. "So when did you get back? Your father said you were overseas."
"I returned the other night." Legolas said as he smoothly drove them off the hospital lot and onto the streets of Seattle.
"Hey, you just missed the turn to my street. Where are you taking me?" Ayla asked, seeing her street disappearing out of sight.
"To your apartment."
"My apartment was back that way."
"Not anymore."
"What?" Ayla snapped, coming to the quick conclusion that a certain Elvenking was behind it. "Where's my phone?" she grumbled, going through her pockets and then her purse. She cursed when she realized that her phone was dead. She always forgot to charge the damn thing.
Legolas laughed as he drove towards the downtown area of Seattle in the Queen Anne District where the new and expensive high-rise condominiums had been erected. It was the area where Pamela had recently moved to, her excuse being "it's for the baby," but in truth Pamela was the type to having to need the newest thing on the market. That woman certainly had rich taste, especially since she could afford it. Outside the building that she recognized as Pamela's was a moving truck where the movers were unloading boxes but no furniture.
Ayla suddenly had a dreadful feeling come over her.
"This wasn't my idea, I swear." Legolas said as he parked on the curb. Ayla immediately got out before the engine had been turned off. She couldn't tell if those were her belongings in the boxes or not and turned to glare back at Legolas who walked around his car and onto the sidewalk. "I'll show you to your new home." he said, amused to see Ayla was fuming and knew that as soon as she was through the doors of her new home he was going to get out as fast as he could. He remembered very well what happened the last time when he got caught in the crossfire when Ayla was pushed to her limits and simply wanted to avoid a repeat mistake. They took the elevator up to the top floor of the building; the ride was long and awkwardly quiet. As soon as the elevator reached the designated floor and the doors slid open Ayla stepped out into the hallway where men in grey jumpers were hauling boxes in and out of the only door on the floor.
"Okay, bye Naneth!" Legolas said. Ayla whipped around just as the doors slid closed with the blonde still in it.
She clicked her tongue in irritation and turned back around, walking across the threshold of the over-the-top space of marble floor tiles, a vaulted ceiling that was nothing more than a giant, domed skylight. The walls were beautifully painted with a mural that was an exact replica of the ones from the elven kingdom in Greenwood. Just standing there in her scrubs and sneakers, her uncombed hair in a messy bun on her head with fly-away strands of brown hair escaping the rest of the nest, not to mention a little sticky from sweating in the O.R. after standing under the bright hot lights for eight hours. She felt grungy, plain, and incredibly out of place. Whatever, she should be used to feeling out of place by now. She walked past the movers and entered through the door and suppressed the urge to roll her eyes at what she saw.
It was the penthouse of dreams that would make Pamela turn green with envy. Giant floor-to-ceiling window panels walled the other side of the room to see every angle of Seattle's skyline and the Puget Sound, not to mention an eagle-eye view of the Space Needle. Past the white tiles of the entryway was wood flooring of light oak where the living room was, furnished with the most modern and sheik interior designing that it felt like she had walked into an Ikea catalog (but obviously nothing was shipped from the Netherlands). To her left was an open kitchen with onyx black countertops and clear glass cabinets, an island counter and all the amenities of a kitchen, all that was missing was a personal chef (which wouldn't surprise her in the least if there was one). Ugh! Everything was too high-end that it was beginning to give her hives!
She looked at the boxes stacked up in the living room, labeled in sharpie for where to place them. All of which were labeled miscellaneous. Another urge to roll her eyes had to be squashed as she looked around. A staircase lined up against the wall to the second floor with a railed catwalk that wrapped around the wall towards a hallway leading to someplace out of sight. More than likely to the bedroom, or a bowling alley. Holy crap this place was huge!
"I was hoping to have everything in place before you arrived." Ayla nearly jumped out of her skin, not having heard him as she was far too distracted with amazement and irritation as she turned around to face her beautiful tormenter. Thranduil had come in from a hallway to her right that lead to another part of the apartment (or was this considered a mansion?). His platinum blonde hair was slicked back perfectly, and he looked incredibly too sexy in a deep burgundy long-sleeve shirt with a deep V-neck to show off the creamy skin of his long throat and the top peaks of his chest. And then there were those pants, those leg-hugging dark jeans, showing off their length and powerful shape.
Gotta stay focused. Gotta stay pissed off.
"My lease at my apartment wasn't up yet. I had another year on my contract." Ayla said.
"As of this morning your contract with that hole of a building has been terminated." he said, his tone smug as he walked up to her. "So you'll be living here from now on, with me."
"Moving a little fast, we just met a few weeks ago." Ayla quipped, placing a hand on her hip in a saucy manner. Gotta stay focused. Gotta stay pissed. Why does he have to look so damn sexy?! "And how did you cancel my contract? Did you buy the building or something?"
"In a manner of speaking. It just so happened to be one of many properties I own in this city."
Okay. Now she rolled her eyes.
"And you thought not asking me if I was okay with this wasn't necessary?" Ayla asked, walking across the living room to peer out the window at the Sound. The view was amazing, but this was all just too much for her to take in, especially when everything seemed to be happening much too fast for her to even enjoy it. Plus she loved her old apartment; it was near all her favorite places to get drunk at within stumbling distance. Plus there was Eugene and his amazing Seattle Dogs that served midnight cravings just up the hill from her apartment.
"Of course not." she heard him say.
You smug bastard. she thought bitterly.
"Ayla, it's not as if we're strangers. Remember, we were living together for centuries before this."
"You still should've asked me. I actually liked that apartment. It was walking distance from three bars and the best hotdog cart in Capital Hill."
"Three gay bars and questionable meat, my…what standards you have."
"Let me guess, you own this building, too?"
"Of course." he said, coming up to stand close behind her, placing his hands on her hips. She could feel his body heat radiating off of him and his breath tickled her neck as his head was lowered to her level. "I have made Seattle our new kingdom."
Her breath hitched in her throat and felt every nerve in her body come alive. She wondered if he knew what he did to her by just breathing, driving her crazy with desire. The urge to spin around and just take him right there in front of the movers that still filtered through the front door was hard to resist. She took in a shaky breath and slowly released it, trying her hardest to calm down.
She couldn't stay pissed and she lost her focus.
"So you're in the business of real estate?" she asked.
"Almost, more like urban development." he said, pulling her back against his chest, his arms now winding around her waist. "Legolas normally takes care of inspecting the sites while I handle the corporate end, making deals with sellers and buyers."
"A king who sort of works for his money. So Legolas normally does the public appearances with your employees, then. How antisocial of you."
She heard his low chuckle as she leaned back into him and resting her hands over his forearms. Her earlier tension slowly easing out of every muscle as she indulged in his embrace while her mind still worked on the fact that he was real. He was with her, in Seattle, in the present. He wasn't a dream she had made up. The mystery behind the event that sent her to the past, to Middle Earth, was still an enigma with only theories to go on. Not even Thranduil could tell her what sort of magic was at play. Whatever magic was used she was just grateful that he was here, with her.
"I guess it's not so bad here." she sighed in defeat, knowing she was on the losing side in terms of the living situation. He already pulled the rug out from under her feet, and her lease bought out. "I just have to wonder how long this view will last."
"For as long as you like. I promise that no building will block it."
"Well that's a relief considering all the cranes in this city. Are you responsible for the Amazon building?"
"No, but I did sell the property to them."
"That building is an eyesore."
He laughed lightly.
"What happened to my furniture?"
"Donated to Good Will."
"You ass!"
"They're from your previous marriage." She rolled her eyes and huffed, losing steam to fight as she got comfortable in his arms. "I also told them to not bother with your kitchen ware since everything you'll need is provided already."
"What about my clothes?"
"You don't need clothes."
She let out a snort. "As tempting as that is I do need to wear something when I go out, like when I go to work."
He chuckled, "Relax, they're all upstairs in the bedroom."
Ayla inwardly unclenched, glad to hear that her clothes made it through his scrutiny and were spared. It was still hard to tell when he was joking or not, he was just too good at hiding his tells. It was a reminder to never play poker against him if she could avoid it. She was a terrible gambler and had no mindset for a poker face. Ayla was surprised to see so many boxes and wondered if they were really all from her small, one-bedroom apartment. Oh wait, she did have a lot of medical books she inherited after her father died, but most of them had been put in a storage unit she rented. More than likely Thranduil had taken it upon himself to bring everything out and relieve her of yet another space without her permission.
Exactly how much liberty is he planning on taking with her personal things?
Ayla was given the grand tour of her new home with Thranduil, the size of the place was daunting and her mind immediately going to: who's gonna clean this place? Of course, knowing him, he already had a full staff of housekeepers on top of a personal chef. If she was going to go along that thought then he more than likely had a chauffeur to drive him everywhere, too. Downstairs there was a private library and Thranduil's office space where everything was pristinely placed. As she predicted earlier, upstairs was where the master bedroom was and there were two guest bedrooms fully furnished.
Across the hall from the master bedroom was a smaller room, and standing in the doorway, staring into the room, gave Ayla pause. It was a nursery. The walls had been painted to mimic Greenwood, the cradle Ayla recognized as the one from the Woodland Realm; the very cradle that had been made by Arlen. The rest of the furnishing were new, made of polished wood. Plush animal toys were neatly displayed, and a mobile above the cradle had handcrafted figurines from Middle Earth. Seeing the room made Ayla's chest tighten and her eyes sting with tears.
Thranduil moved close to her, placing a hand on her back and rubbed small circles. "Are you upset with this room?"
Ayla didn't know how to respond. The room was beautiful, it gave her hope but it also brought up terrible memories and doubt creeped into her mind.
"What if we…I can't have a baby?" she asked, her voice low.
"There is no fault if we cannot conceive naturally and here, in this world we have options."
Turning around Ayla hugged Thranduil tightly. "Thank you."
Once the tour of their new home was complete Ayla had every intention of going through her boxes to unpack but was told that one of the housekeepers will put them away for her in the morning (just as she thought), and was swept away into the bedroom. Their bedroom.
"Holy crap! This bathroom is huge!" Ayla exclaimed, looking at the giant tub that could fit the two of them, a separate shower stall, a giant mirror over the counter and two sinks. There was even an extra room for the toilet with a door for privacy. Seeing the shower with the double shower heads, and still feeling grungy from a long-ass day of work, she definitely wanted to feel clean, the issue was her clothes. Everything was still packed away in boxes. Whatever. She doubted Thranduil will be against her strutting around naked. "I'm taking a shower."
"Go ahead," Thranduil said, pressing Ayla's back against the glass wall, looking possessively down at her while he reached into the stall and turned the water on, letting it run and heat up. Of course if he kept looking at her like that she'll need a cold shower. He was so close, his heady scent of cedar and spice filling her head.
"Wanna join me?" she asked, her voice at least wasn't shaking. She saw the smirk on his face, his cocky trademark that was just too irresistible.
"I'm not one to turn down such an enticing invitation." he said, his hands already lifting her scrub top. Grinning, Ayla lifted her arms up, letting him take her top off and dropped the cotton material at their feet. Ayla returned the favor, taking his shirt off of him and letting the soft fabric join her scrub top on the floor. They kissed and their hands roamed over each other's bare skin as they worked on the rest of their clothes before stepping into the stall. The water raining down on them from the two shower-heads.
Ayla had no idea how hot it was to see Thranduil dripping wet and completely naked. Soaping up and running their slippery hands over each other, the goal of getting clean with Thranduil working his skillful fingers through her hair. She couldn't help but close her eyes and moan softly, the feel of his fingers massaging her scalp felt so good. She felt his lips on her again, starting on her forehead and trailing down the bridge of her nose and then to her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as their kiss deepened.
She supposed if living with him in the modern world meant she'll be enjoying her showers like this, then perhaps it won't be so bad.
xxxxx
Ayla collapsed on her stomach on the mattress, panting as she caught her breath while Thranduil collapsed on her back, his heavy breaths breezing over her shoulder. It was the morning after Ayla (unwillingly) moved in and of course the morning started off with her alarm going off and Thranduil keeping her in bed for a round of morning sex that, to be honest, Ayla could not deny was amazing. But looking at the time on her phone she was now forty-five minutes behind her usual morning ritual of sluggishly getting ready and then heading to the coffee shop for her usual cup of caffeine and a sugary pastry. Then there was the ten minute walk to work, but living in the Queen Anne district of West Seattle meant she now had to commute in morning traffic. And she didn't own a car. Which meant she would need to ride a bus and that would take her almost an hour to Capital Hill in morning traffic.
Crap. And her shift for clinic duty was going to start in ten minutes.
She made a move to get up but Thranduil's weight on her kept her pinned against the mattress. "Hey, I've gotta go to work." she said.
"No you don't." he said.
"Yeah, I actually do. Now get off." she said, trying again to get up.
"Just quit your job, Ayla, it's not as if you need to work again now that you're with me."
"Yeah, not gonna happen." Ayla said, finally pushing up and getting out of bed. She heard Thranduil groan in the bed behind her as she quickly went to wash up and change into a clean pair of scrubs that she pulled out from one of her boxes. Coming back ten minutes later she grabbed her phone and dialed Patrick's number who answered almost immediately after the first ring and explained to him that she was running late but she suddenly paused when Patrick said that her schedule had been cleared for the rest of the month and that another doctor was covering her clinic duty for the week. "What do you mean for the rest of the month? Who—never mind. Thanks, Patrick." she said, hanging up and turning to look at Thranduil who had just sat up in bed, completely naked, and smirking at her. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Care to come back to bed?" he asked, his cocky smirk still in place.
"How did you clear my schedule for the rest of the month?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Did you forget that I own Seattle? I also happen to know people who can make things happen whenever I ask."
"Hmm, sounds like a cliché line from every gangster movie in history."
His smirk grew as he simply beckoned her to him with a finger. Ayla rolled her eyes before setting her phone back down on the bedside table and climbed back into bed. He took hold of her arm and pulled her onto his lap, his lips finding hers. She kissed him back, unable to resist him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"You're gonna have to let me go back to work eventually." she said against his lips.
"And why should I do that?" he asked, his hands sliding up underneath her scrubs and up her warm skin.
"Because I'm a doctor, remember?" she smiled, letting him take her scrub top off before feeling his fingers unhook her bra and sliding the straps off her shoulders.
"Well then, doctor, perhaps you can remedy this rising fever." he said, flipping Ayla onto her back as he moved on top of her. A giggle escaped her as she raised her hips up to let him pull her scrub bottoms and panties down her legs and tossed away to somewhere out of sight.
"You do feel hot to the touch," Ayla said, playing along as she slid her hands from his broad shoulders and down the plains of his chest and abdomen and moving lower until she grasped his pulsing erection. She heard him let out a soft gasp and pumped her hand up and down his length a few times. "I can only think of a few ways to bring your fever down effectively."
xxxxx
Ayla was standing in Pamela's living room, swaying gently back and forth with her godson in her arms while Pamela was reclined back on her couch and throw pillows. They were catching up a few days after Pamela left the hospital after having Henry.
"So let me get this straight…" Pamela began, rubbing her temples. "The night of the gala, the reason you ditched me was because the host of the party just so happened to be your ex from a long time ago?" Ayla shrugged, unsure of what answer she could really give. "And Thranduil King, sexiest man alive and the richest and most powerful man in probably this entire country—was not only your ex but your hook-up that night, too?" Again Ayla gave her an unsure nod of her head and the shrugging of her shoulders. "And now you're living together in the penthouse of this building and married?! I know you had a near-death experience but…daaaamn!"
Ayla let out a huge sigh, trying to come up with an explanation that Pamela could accept but telling her that "her soul or whatever was transported to a different world where she was immortal and couldn't die and where she met Thranduil and fell in love and got married there and living a dreamy life before waking up in the hospital only to be reunited with her true love"—that seemed like a stretch even for herself. Honestly, she could hardly believe it to be the truth but it was.
"And you didn't even invite me to the fuckin' wedding!" Pamela huffed, crossing her arms in front of her. "I'm your best friend, you should at least have told me all of this first."
"I'm sorry, Pam, really I am, but it all just…happened! It was like I had no control of the situation." Which was mostly true since Thranduil literally took it upon himself to buy out her old apartment building, cancelling her lease, and selling her furniture and moving the rest of her belongings into the penthouse he had specially prepared for them to live in together—all without asking her first—then having her sign a marriage license that very morning to make it "legit" in the eyes of the State law. It almost felt like a hostile takeover of her life. It was very typical of Thranduil.
"And when did you ever meet him? Was it before you and I met? Is he your high school sweetheart or something? Wait—no, he's been doing business since even back then…maybe he was your sugar daddy? Were you a high school tart baby?"
Ayla snorted and rolled her eyes. In a way he was like her sugar daddy, giving her whatever she wanted and that he's thousands of years old making their age gap "appropriate" for the label. Would he get that term? If he did would he think it hilarious? Because she totally did. "It's complicated. But believe me when I say that we're happy, I'm happy. Can't that be enough?"
Pamela stared at her for a long minute, obviously deciding whether or not to accept it before she rolled her eyes and then smiled at her. "Fine. But seriously, for you to just suddenly snag the most eligible bachelor in the world for yourself—Selfish much? Is he into threesomes?"
Ayla let out a soft laugh. "Anyways, he's already planned for us to go on our honeymoon, travelling almost everywhere and also not telling me where we're going which shouldn't shock me; bastard has a habit of never telling me anything. So I'm just giving you the heads up that I'll be gone for awhile."
Pamela narrowed her eyes. "How long is awhile?"
"I have no idea, maybe a month or two? Like I said, he's got a real bad habit of not giving me details until the last minute."
Pamela's jaw dropped. "Is he strictly monogamous?"
"Pam…"
"Does he have friends?"
"Pam…"
"So you'll be staying in fancy suites and everything, huh?"
"I don't really know, he did mention owning properties all over the place but he was really vague about that, too. I just know that we'll be doing a lot of travelling."
"Hmm, seeing as how you jumped right into this relationship I wouldn't be surprised if you came back knocked up."
Considering we've been doing it like bunnies I wouldn't be surprised either. she thought and then felt the slight twinge of worry. What if she couldn't? "We've talked about having a family but we're not planning on when to start."
"Meaning…?"
"I'm scared that I'm not capable of carrying to full term. I mean…you know what happened last time, what if it happens every time?"
"Oh, Ayla, I know that what happened that time was just awful but you have to remember that you were miserable with that asshole." Pamela said, "And even though I think you're totally out of your mind I can see how happy you are. You're glowing and it sickens me."
Ayla burst out into laughter, waking up Henry who then began to cry.
Ayla spent most of the day with Pamela and Henry, knowing her best friend needed the extra help until she got into a routine with Henry as a new mother. Ayla felt rather nostalgic when she held Henry, remembering when Aragorn was that small. She then thought about the baby she lost but also of the second chance she now had with Thranduil and the thought of them having a child together gave her a feeling of hope. After returning from a walk around the park together, drinking coffee and people watching, Ayla took the elevator to the top floor of the building to the penthouse. Stepping out into the foyer, not at all surprised that more furnishing and plants were brought in, making it grander than it needed to be.
She rolled her eyes as she walked up to the front door, the lock automatically unlocking for her when she was close enough (no real key required because manually unlocking doors is beneath the spoiled King apparently). Entering her home, she kicked off her shoes and set her "keys" and wallet down on the island counter of the kitchen as she went to the fridge to get a bottle of water before walking out to the open living room and plopped down on the plush sofa. With the TV on a random channel she simply just held up her phone and scrolled through her emails and social media pages while leisurely sipping the crisp water. This was what she needed…solitude.
Thranduil was at work, wherever that was, (she really needed to find out where his office building was) and Legolas lived in a different apartment building closer to the downtown area on Beacon Hill. Alas, her short time of solitary sanctuary was over the second she got a text from Thranduil, telling her (not asking) that they will be going out to dinner later that evening. Rolling her eyes Ayla texted back her reply of an emoji rolling its eyes. The restaurant they were going to was Cuoco, which she had been to once in the past and recalled that she enjoyed herself there. Then again, she was also drinking a lot of wine and hardly recalled the quality of the food, plus it had been with her ex-husband, Greg back when they were engaged.
At least this time she knows she will enjoy herself since she'll be with Thranduil. She smiled at the thought of him and her eyes strayed down to the ring on her left hand. She raised her hand higher, admiring the way the diamond sparkled. It didn't surprise her that Thranduil had a ring made with Lasgalan gems on a band of mithril. As pretentious as he can be, Ayla did appreciate fine jewelry.
As evening rolled around, Thranduil returned home to pick Ayla up and together they left for the restaurant. Expecting to have a quiet and intimate dinner together Ayla was surprised to see Kwenthrith and Arlen waiting for them, along with Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Tauriel and of course Legolas. Ayla and Kwenthrith embraced each other tightly; Ayla never thought that she would have missed someone so much in her life. Ayla hugged everyone, happy to see them again. The reunion was a wonderful surprise and having their own private section of the restaurant meant none of the other patrons of the establishment could walk by and interrupt them, because that happened too often when she and Thranduil eat out and some ballsy woman would approach their table to hit on him.
Plus they were free to speak in the beautiful language of elvish and have no one stare and try to figure out the very foreign language. Although Ayla and Thranduil did that anyway without a care. The evening consisted of Ayla hearing everyone's stories and what they were currently doing. Galadriel and Celeborn lived in Switzerland, content with the peaceful country. Elrond lived in England. Kwenthrith and Arlen both lived locally in Seattle up in Ballard, and to Ayla's delight they also got married. Ayla was also thrilled to learn that Tauriel and Legolas were engaged.
The evening went by too fast for Ayla as their reunion concluded on a high note with promises of seeing each other again. Ayla had already exchanged contact information with Kwenthrith and Tauriel and made plans to meet up soon once she and Thranduil returned from their honeymoon. It felt surreal to be using modern technology with them, to see them in her world, but it also felt good knowing her loved ones were here.
xxxxx
Ayla let out a relaxed sigh as she enjoyed herself on the sandy paradise with her husband. Husband…Ayla liked that. In Middle Earth they were married and now in her world they are married again. She wondered if this is what it felt like to know that she was with her soulmate? Ayla turned her head towards him, taking in his relaxed profile as he was reclined back with his eyes closed. The two of them were lying comfortably in beach lounge chairs, under a large umbrella that protected them from the sun. Of course that didn't stop Ayla from applying on sunscreen and then insisting Thranduil do the same, of course on the condition that she apply it on him. It still felt strange to see him looking so casual and relaxed but still undeniably beautiful, and shirtless! She definitely preferred him with no clothes, and with a private beach to themselves, no one could interrupt their paradise.
"So exactly how private is this private beach?" Ayla asked.
"I own the island," he answered as if it were obvious. "So it's very private."
Sitting up with a smile Ayla took off her sunglasses and stared out past the white sand and at the blue ocean. The gentle breeze brought up the smell of the ocean. With just the two of them, and the beautiful view, this was by far the most relaxing vacation she has ever had.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Nin Mel?" Thranduil asked.
Ayla looked back at him with a smile, seeing him looking at her. "I am; I haven't done much traveling so coming here has been a great start to our honeymoon."
"Good, I want you to make memories that will make you forget you were ever married to another man."
Ayla's smile grew as she scooted closer to him and kissed his cheek. "Already forgotten."
Thranduil smiled at her, kissing her nose as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Good."
"So where to next after this?"
"Where would you like to visit?"
"Hmm…Galadriel and Celeborn did invite us to their home in Switzerland."
"Visiting friends while we're supposed to be on our honeymoon."
Ayla giggled, "How is visiting old friends any different from the usual? Plus we'll still do things together."
"I should hope so." he said, pulling her closer and Ayla lifted her face to press her lips to his.
xxxxx
(6 months later)
Ayla tossed the test away in the garbage, not before wrapping it in a cocoon of toilet paper and then left the women's bathroom at work. She knew she hadn't been feeling well lately and she was exhausted more than usual, taking naps in between surgeries. Not to mention her usual go-to foods and snacks started to not taste right to her. But again, she dismissed it as possibly coming down with the flu or something; after all, working in a hospital with a bunch of sick patients, she was bound to catch something. But never did she think it was because she was pregnant until Pamela said something that triggered her curiosity.
She couldn't be positive of the results; after all, peeing on a stick wasn't always a reliable way of finding out. Either way, it was too soon to really tell and she was not telling anyone. Not until she knew for sure. That was her line of thinking until she found herself going into Pamela's office and locking the door behind her as she looked at the other woman who was in the middle of rolling a blunt.
"I'm pregnant."
"Congratulations?" Pamela said, unsure if she should be happy for her friend or not, considering Ayla looked like she was on the verge of a panic attack.
"Don't tell anyone." Ayla said.
"Not even to Stacy?"
"Especially not her! Stacy can't keep a secret to save her own life!" Ayla said.
"What about, you know—the man you rushed into a marriage with? You know the one I'm talkin' about, right? Your husband?"
"I'll tell him when I'm ready. He wants kids, I'm just wrapping my head around the fact that I just peed on a stick and it showed the double stripe. I'm gonna wait another week and try it again. It could just be in my head or something."
"This is just too funny." Pamela said, cackling at Ayla's expense. "Everything this year has just been back to back. Getting hit by a truck, waking up from a coma, cutting ties with your banshee mother, helping your sister with your mutual ex, rekindling an old love, moving in together, getting married, going on a long ass honeymoon, argue about quitting your job, and now a baby. Did I leave anything out?"
"Fuck you."
"Now you'll have to abstain from drinking, smoking pot with me in the hospital chapel and eating raw fish. Instead you'll be trading all that in for morning sickness, mood swings, weight gain, kankles, back pain and cravings all the time." Pamela could still see the uncertainty on Ayla's face. "It'll be different this time. I promise you."
"Just…keep this secret." Ayla said, unlocking the door and leaving.