Waxing: Crescent Moon
The second in the Full Moon Series.

"You walked into my house last night. I couldn't help but notice a light that was long gone still burning strong." Beth Orton

Sitting on the steps of the old Victorian house, staring out into the night, Oz knew what a guard-dog must feel like.

He had been sitting since late afternoon, waiting for the various inhabitants of the house to come back from their many rounds. He'd already picked up Shiloh from school so that Toni could work some overtime at her office job in the City. Seraphim's pottery class ran late into the afternoon. She had come home smelling of earth and clay -- a strangely clean smell -- of people and of her own contentment.

"Hey, Oz. Movie tonight?"

"Not tonight, Sera."

" 'Kay." She had gone into the house then, briefly rubbing the back of her hand against his cheek as she went. It had taken him a little while to get used to that -- sudden inexplicable rubbing touches from other house-members, and to learn when they were expected.

Anything to keep them from pissing in corners, as Bobby would say, a grin worthy of a hyena splitting his face. Oz didn't like to mention that that was the kind of thing wolves did, he being the only one and all.

Steps behind him.

Oz's head began to turn, but then his brain interpreted what his lycanthrope ears heard. His right hand rose in anticipation of…

LoAnne took it, rubbing her cheek against it's surprisingly smooth back as she sat next to him. "Came in through the back," she said in her strangely husky voice.

"Trying to shock me?"

"Did it work?"

He pulled her hand, still held in his, over his heart. "Terrified."

LoAnne leaned closer and nuzzled his neck briefly. "Is Toni home?" At Oz's raised eyebrow she explained, "I walked straight through the house to find you."

"A little while ago." He dropped a kiss on her forehead. "She went out for groceries."

"We don't have--" LoAnne said, frowning.

"It's okay," Oz insisted gently, "I gave her some money."

"Oz you--"

He shrugged. "I got a really nice tip. We need fresh food. Especially Shiloh."

For a long moment, LoAnne was silent. A long empty moment. Kissing him hard on the lips she rose. "You're right. I'm going inside to help begin dinner. Will you come?"

Oz shook his head. "Everyone's not home yet."

With a nod of understanding, a caress of his cheek, she went inside.

The fall breeze picked up carrying with it the faintly spicy scent of the falling and decaying leaves. And two males coming down the sidewalk.

Familiar.

Family… Almost.

Oz wasn't expecting Bobby back until the wee hours, if at all. He wondered if the punk-cheetah had let LoAnne of his plans. Which only left Pieter.

It was the fourth night out of the last five that Pieter had gone out…with his friend. They remained swathed in the shadows of the low, drooping trees that lined their street. Although the breeze carried their scent, it only brought garbled fragments of their conversation -- snatches of laughter.

The wind changed. Drifted downwind. Swirled. Came back. Brought with it Pieter and only Pieter.

He walked up the block with a determined I'm-Just-Coming-Home stride. "Hello, Oz," he said with his too-perfect, unaccented English.

"You don't have to hide."

Pieter's lips twitched as if trying to determine which expression they wanted to form themselves into. Finally he just looked up, past Oz, to the second floor.

Oz followed his gaze. Shiloh waved from the window.

"Yes I do." He came to sit beside Oz.

"You know Seraphim likes to believe--"

Pieter waved him off with a hand. "Sera believes many things. They are what keep her strong. What has always kept her strong." He rested his elbows on her knees. "I would not take that from her."

"And Shiloh?"

"That is for Toni to decide. He is her child."

"I heard my name."

Both men looked up at Toni, striding down the street, bags in hand. Pieter jumped to his feet. "Just talking about what a wonderful mother you are to our Shiloh."

Grinning she said, "Smooth talker. How about taking some of these bags for me, huh?"

His smile was gentleman gallant's. "Of course, my lady." He tripped down the stairs to relieve her. As they reached the steps, Oz stood and took Pieter's bags, who then turned and took the rest of Toni's. "You guys are too much. Oz, you know if Shiloh did his homework?"

"Yes ma'am," he said saluting with a shopping bag. He held open the door.

"So, Toni," Pieter said turning, "how was work?"

[in]Fin[ite]